Tag: NP Singh

SPN India acquires ZEEL’s Ten Sports for USD 385 mn

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today announced that SPN and its affiliates have entered into definitive agreements to acquire TEN Sports Network, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zee) and its subsidiaries, for $ 385 million.

However, completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

The acquisition will add to SPN’s existing portfolio of channels TEN 1, TEN 1 HD, TEN 2, TEN 3, TEN Golf HD, TEN Cricket, a Zee-Sony co-branded official statement stated.

TEN Sports which operates in several countries, including the Indian sub-continent, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East, Caribbean, holds broadcast rights to major cricket boards (South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe).

In addition, Ten Sports holds rights to wrestling (WWE), football (UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League, French League, English Football League Cup), tennis (WTA Events, ATP events), golf (European Tour, Asian Tour, Ryder Cup, US PGA Championship, LPGA Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India and Golf Channel Block), athletics (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games), motor sports (Moto GP) and cycling (Tour de France) events.

“I welcome TEN Sports to the Sony family. The acquisition of TEN Sports Network will strengthen SPNI’s offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing our existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties. It also aptly demonstrates SPN’s commitment to providing a broad range of sporting entertainment to fans across India and the sub-continent,” the official statement quoted SPNI CEO NP Singh as saying.

SPN’s sports properties include cricket (IPL, CPL, Ram Slam), football (FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia, UEFA Euro 2016, FIFA World Events including FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 in India, European and South American Qualifiers for FIFA WC 2018, FIFA Confederations Cup, LaLiga, Serie A, FA Cup, Copa America Centenario, International Champions Cup), tennis (Australian Open, ATP 1000 and 500 World Tour Events, Champions Tennis League), fight sports (TNA, UFC, Pro Wrestling League), basketball (NBA) as well as NFL and Premier Futsal.

Commenting on the deal, speculated in the media and financial circles for quite some time now, Zee MD Punit Goenka said: “This is a landmark deal for Zee and a step towards a strategic portfolio shuffle as we grow our general entertainment business both in the domestic and overseas markets.”

Further dwelling on a restructuring and re-jigging of portfolios currently on in Zee, Goenka added: “While we have grown our sports business over the last 10 years through acquisition of content at competitive prices, our focus now is on transforming ourselves into an all-round media and content company, comprising five verticals — broadcast, digital, films, live events, and international business. We continue to move rapidly towards our set business goals. While I have always been proud of our sports business, I strongly believe that Sony will add more value to it by taking it to even greater heights.”
Sony Pictures Television President, Worldwide Networks, Andy Kaplan said in a statement: “India has been a strong driver of Sony Pictures’ growing networks business for two decades, and sports continue to play a significant role in that growth. The acquisition of TEN Sports, following the launch of SONY ESPN channels, will mean that our Indian networks would reach over 800 million viewers and broadcast many of the most popular and prestigious sporting events in the world.”

ALSO READ:

Ten Sports proposed sale: Biz acumen trumps emotions

http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/sports/ten-sports-proposed-sale-biz-acumen-trumps-emotions-160831

August 31, 2016
ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

MUMBAI: Leading global sports network ESPN is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself in the Indian television space, after exiting its 50:50 sports broadcasting joint venture with Star India in 2012.

Last year, it bounced back into the Indian television ecosystem in a partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in an initiative that would see it giving birth to many channels, new program, online initiatives, among other things. At least that’s what MSM India CEO NP Singh and ESPN international Executive vice-president and managing director Russell Wolff had stated at the time of the launch of the new venture.

January 2016 saw Sony Kix being rebranded as Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, the first of the many channels the two want to launch in India.

As a first step on the talent front, ESPN has brought in sports television veteran Jasdeep Pannu as head of its TV initiatives in India. Pannu joined the company in July 2016 but has been working in a low key manner since then.

For the programming vet, it is a home coming of sorts. In an earlier innings with Sony Entertainment Television, according to information available with indiantelevision.com, he was senior vice-president and head of programming for its Max channel. At Max, he led a 150-strong content development and execution team on the IPL to present cricket as an entertainment experience and won multiple awards for best programming. He developed the team from ground-up, enabled disruptive thinking and innovative execution. He was one of the key executives involved in the positioning of the IPL as an inclusive sports event for mass audiences. Expanded audience share among women and younger viewers, increased reach by over 20 million viewers.

He followed that with a year or so long stint with Star Sports wherein he worked on integrating the ESPN sports production team into the new post-merger sports network’s team structure. He hired a 150-person team in six weeks – drove the organisational design process obtaining management and HR approvals.

His last assignment prior to joining ESPN, was with A&E Networks as the EVP and head of content for ten months.

August 18, 2016
ESPN ropes in Jasdeep Pannu as India TV initiatives head

MUMBAI: Leading global sports network ESPN is slowly but steadily rebuilding itself in the Indian television space, after exiting its 50:50 sports broadcasting joint venture with Star India in 2012.

Last year, it bounced back into the Indian television ecosystem in a partnership with Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) in an initiative that would see it giving birth to many channels, new program, online initiatives, among other things. At least that’s what MSM India CEO NP Singh and ESPN international Executive vice-president and managing director Russell Wolff had stated at the time of the launch of the new venture.

January 2016 saw Sony Kix being rebranded as Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD, the first of the many channels the two want to launch in India.

As a first step on the talent front, ESPN has brought in sports television veteran Jasdeep Pannu as head of its TV initiatives in India. Pannu joined the company in July 2016 but has been working in a low key manner since then.

For the programming vet, it is a home coming of sorts. In an earlier innings with Sony Entertainment Television, according to information available with indiantelevision.com, he was senior vice-president and head of programming for its Max channel. At Max, he led a 150-strong content development and execution team on the IPL to present cricket as an entertainment experience and won multiple awards for best programming. He developed the team from ground-up, enabled disruptive thinking and innovative execution. He was one of the key executives involved in the positioning of the IPL as an inclusive sports event for mass audiences. Expanded audience share among women and younger viewers, increased reach by over 20 million viewers.

He followed that with a year or so long stint with Star Sports wherein he worked on integrating the ESPN sports production team into the new post-merger sports network’s team structure. He hired a 150-person team in six weeks – drove the organisational design process obtaining management and HR approvals.

His last assignment prior to joining ESPN, was with A&E Networks as the EVP and head of content for ten months.

August 18, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

MUMBAI: Last month, in an interview to deadline.com, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) presidents of programming and production Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht had stated that India could be the top notch production studio’s destination following the success it had achieved in China producing television.

Speaking to the website about growth for SPT, Amburg had said: “…Where does growth come from and where does profitability come from? I think it comes from being a smart, thoughtful, global company. And more importantly, are there still growth markets internationally? I would say a hundred percent yes. China is a very interesting market, I think a lot of people have been examining that. We’re already producing a hit series there, Mad About You, we have two or three other projects that are in the mix right now. We had a dynamic conversation today about India. We have a huge networks footprint there.”

The network he was referring to is of course Sony Picture Networks (SPN) India, which is headed by CEO NP Singh. SPN India, has a motion picture division in India which is headed by Sneha Rajani, and which produced the successful Amitabh Bacchan-starrer Piku last year. This apart, Sony Pictures Entertainment Films has been releasing international films from its parent stable in the country.

And today confirmation came in from SPN India that it was indeed foraying into TV production. “SPN has decided to produce fiction shows in-house for our network. While we are starting with one show, we will scale up as we go forward,” said a company spokesperson in an email response to a query from Indiantelevision.com.

No further details were forthcoming on who would be heading the production initiative, at the time of writing.

SPT in has an envious slate of shows to its credit: The BlackList, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Night Shift, Days of our Lives, The NightShift, BloodLine, Drop Dead Diva, The Art of More, Rules of Engagement, Dr Ken, Preacher…

This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. The Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Then Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015 at a price of Rs 108 crore.

August 10, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India to foray into TV production

MUMBAI: Last month, in an interview to deadline.com, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) presidents of programming and production Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht had stated that India could be the top notch production studio’s destination following the success it had achieved in China producing television.

Speaking to the website about growth for SPT, Amburg had said: “…Where does growth come from and where does profitability come from? I think it comes from being a smart, thoughtful, global company. And more importantly, are there still growth markets internationally? I would say a hundred percent yes. China is a very interesting market, I think a lot of people have been examining that. We’re already producing a hit series there, Mad About You, we have two or three other projects that are in the mix right now. We had a dynamic conversation today about India. We have a huge networks footprint there.”

The network he was referring to is of course Sony Picture Networks (SPN) India, which is headed by CEO NP Singh. SPN India, has a motion picture division in India which is headed by Sneha Rajani, and which produced the successful Amitabh Bacchan-starrer Piku last year. This apart, Sony Pictures Entertainment Films has been releasing international films from its parent stable in the country.

And today confirmation came in from SPN India that it was indeed foraying into TV production. “SPN has decided to produce fiction shows in-house for our network. While we are starting with one show, we will scale up as we go forward,” said a company spokesperson in an email response to a query from Indiantelevision.com.

No further details were forthcoming on who would be heading the production initiative, at the time of writing.

SPT in has an envious slate of shows to its credit: The BlackList, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Night Shift, Days of our Lives, The NightShift, BloodLine, Drop Dead Diva, The Art of More, Rules of Engagement, Dr Ken, Preacher…

This is not the first instance that a broadcast network is getting into TV production. The Zee Network has its Essel Vision, which has been involved in many of its marquee properties. Then Star India had taken a 25.99 per cent stake in Balaji Telefilms April 2004, only to exit it on 5 August 2015 at a price of Rs 108 crore.

August 10, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India announced no 1 company by Great Place To Work Institute

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India Pvt. Ltd. (SPND), the distribution arm and wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), has been ranked as the no. 1 company in the media industry by the Great Place To Work Institute, for 2016. SPND claims to be the only media company to feature yet again amongst the top 50 list for India’s Best Companies To Work For in 2016 having won this laurel for two consecutive years.

The award was presented by the global research media company in association with The Economic Times. Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India Pvt. Ltd. undertook the Trust Index Survey which surpassed the average industry percentage of positive responses measured through five parameters credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Sony Pictures Networks India CEO NP Singh said, “We are honoured to win this laurel yet again and I congratulate this outstanding team for their continuous efforts and contribution towards the organisation’s success. A company is a reflection of its people and it is a wonderful feeling when employees reciprocate the sentiment and vision that we have envisaged for the company.”

The Great Place to Work Institute is a firm that assists organisations to identify, create and sustain great workplaces through the development of high-trust cultures. In its 13 edition, India’s Best Companies to Work For study attracted participation from 791 companies, ranging across 20 industries, including participation from 20 companies from the media industry alone. This study was done with the most rigorous, credible and comprehensive methodologies to identify organizations in achievement of their goals. Over 1,50,000 employees were surveyed, making it the largest survey of workplace culture in corporate India.

“Getting recognized as the No.1 Company in the media industry and receiving this honour for the second consecutive year is an incredible feeling and a moment of pride for us. It is a testament to our culture that fosters a great working environment. Our employees are our most valued asset and the reason we can accomplish our mission of exceeding expectations on every level, for our audiences, our partners, and the community. This recognition reflects our commitment and efforts to create fulfilling programs and career experiences for our employees,” added Sony Pictures Networks India president, distribution and sports business Rajesh Kaul.

According to the Institute’s research, a great place to work is one where you trust the people you work for, take pride in what you do and enjoy the company of people you work with. At the best workplaces in India, 14% employees want to stay for a longer duration with the organization while 19% employees look forward to coming to work, as compared to others. It is an indisputable fact today that creating a great workplace is an integral part of an organization’s strategy.

Sony Pictures Networks Distribution director HR Hema Malhotra, “It has been our constant endeavor to attract, nurture and retain talent to work in a cohesive and collaborative environment. We are proud of the SPND work culture and the holistic approach we take towards our employee’s overall well-being. We foster an environment where employees feel motivated, valued, and committed to driving great results. Our employees will continue to be our most important growth drivers. It is indeed encouraging to receive this recognition yet again and we will strive to continue being an employer of choice.”

At SPND the work environment is all inclusive which is built through day-to-day relationships that employees experience and not just a checklist of programs and benefits. The company fosters an environment that supports and rewards excellence, honesty and fair dealing where employees are treated with mutual respect. Performance at SPND is recognized and rewarded, where employees are felicitated by the CEO and President of the company at an annual event.

July 5, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India announced no 1 company by Great Place To Work Institute

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India Pvt. Ltd. (SPND), the distribution arm and wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), has been ranked as the no. 1 company in the media industry by the Great Place To Work Institute, for 2016. SPND claims to be the only media company to feature yet again amongst the top 50 list for India’s Best Companies To Work For in 2016 having won this laurel for two consecutive years.

The award was presented by the global research media company in association with The Economic Times. Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India Pvt. Ltd. undertook the Trust Index Survey which surpassed the average industry percentage of positive responses measured through five parameters credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

Sony Pictures Networks India CEO NP Singh said, “We are honoured to win this laurel yet again and I congratulate this outstanding team for their continuous efforts and contribution towards the organisation’s success. A company is a reflection of its people and it is a wonderful feeling when employees reciprocate the sentiment and vision that we have envisaged for the company.”

The Great Place to Work Institute is a firm that assists organisations to identify, create and sustain great workplaces through the development of high-trust cultures. In its 13 edition, India’s Best Companies to Work For study attracted participation from 791 companies, ranging across 20 industries, including participation from 20 companies from the media industry alone. This study was done with the most rigorous, credible and comprehensive methodologies to identify organizations in achievement of their goals. Over 1,50,000 employees were surveyed, making it the largest survey of workplace culture in corporate India.

“Getting recognized as the No.1 Company in the media industry and receiving this honour for the second consecutive year is an incredible feeling and a moment of pride for us. It is a testament to our culture that fosters a great working environment. Our employees are our most valued asset and the reason we can accomplish our mission of exceeding expectations on every level, for our audiences, our partners, and the community. This recognition reflects our commitment and efforts to create fulfilling programs and career experiences for our employees,” added Sony Pictures Networks India president, distribution and sports business Rajesh Kaul.

According to the Institute’s research, a great place to work is one where you trust the people you work for, take pride in what you do and enjoy the company of people you work with. At the best workplaces in India, 14% employees want to stay for a longer duration with the organization while 19% employees look forward to coming to work, as compared to others. It is an indisputable fact today that creating a great workplace is an integral part of an organization’s strategy.

Sony Pictures Networks Distribution director HR Hema Malhotra, “It has been our constant endeavor to attract, nurture and retain talent to work in a cohesive and collaborative environment. We are proud of the SPND work culture and the holistic approach we take towards our employee’s overall well-being. We foster an environment where employees feel motivated, valued, and committed to driving great results. Our employees will continue to be our most important growth drivers. It is indeed encouraging to receive this recognition yet again and we will strive to continue being an employer of choice.”

At SPND the work environment is all inclusive which is built through day-to-day relationships that employees experience and not just a checklist of programs and benefits. The company fosters an environment that supports and rewards excellence, honesty and fair dealing where employees are treated with mutual respect. Performance at SPND is recognized and rewarded, where employees are felicitated by the CEO and President of the company at an annual event.

July 5, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) realigns key portfolios

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) announced a re-alignment of key management portfolios. SPN’s International business gets consolidated within the networks’ sales and syndication business whereas SPN’s Sports business gets more closely aligned to the distribution business.

Consequently, Rohit Gupta’s role gets expanded from SPN, network sales president to SPN’s network sales and International business president.

SPN’s International business head Neeraj Arora will now report to Rohit Gupta.

Rajesh Kaul’s role gets expanded to SPN Distribution and Sports president and SPN sports business head Prasana Krishnan will now report into Rajesh Kaul.

Rohit Gupta and Rajesh Kaul have been with SPN for 14 years and 8 years respectively.

Sony Pictures Networks CEO NP Singh said, “This realignment is configured to further our global business ambitions. It allows us to maximize complimentary synergies existing within the network and augment SPN’s consideration as a partner-of-choice by brands and businesses, alike.”

June 22, 2016
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) realigns key portfolios

MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) announced a re-alignment of key management portfolios. SPN’s International business gets consolidated within the networks’ sales and syndication business whereas SPN’s Sports business gets more closely aligned to the distribution business.

Consequently, Rohit Gupta’s role gets expanded from SPN, network sales president to SPN’s network sales and International business president.

SPN’s International business head Neeraj Arora will now report to Rohit Gupta.

Rajesh Kaul’s role gets expanded to SPN Distribution and Sports president and SPN sports business head Prasana Krishnan will now report into Rajesh Kaul.

Rohit Gupta and Rajesh Kaul have been with SPN for 14 years and 8 years respectively.

Sony Pictures Networks CEO NP Singh said, “This realignment is configured to further our global business ambitions. It allows us to maximize complimentary synergies existing within the network and augment SPN’s consideration as a partner-of-choice by brands and businesses, alike.”

June 22, 2016
Ek India Happywala is what Sony wants India to sing during IPL

MUMBAI: The ballroom in the five star hotel was packed with journalists, jostling for space. The lights were dimmed. Toddlers waddle in cutely with white blossoms in their hands. They distribute a flower each to the scribes present there – the fragrance of peace travels all across the ballroom.A tall Sikh gentleman is escorted onto the stage, the LED backdrop lights up. Inscribed on the LED wall were the words: Ek India…Happywala.

And as the lights gradually come on, they reveal the turbaned gentleman. He is none other than Sony Pictures Networks (SPN )- erstwhile known as Multi Screen Media (MSM) – CEO NP Singh. And what just happened was the unveiling of the 2016 campaign of India’s longest short format league – the Indian Premier League which annually captures the hearts and minds of cricket crazy India.
Sony Max and Sony Max2 senior executive vice president Neeraj Vyas follows Singh on the stage, and without any hemming and hawing proudly announces: “The biggest brand of the country cannot stay away from the mood of the country.

And that exactly underlines the campaign’s central theme: unity, harmony and happiness are the three pillars on which the entire Ek India….Happywala (One happy India) is based.
The 60 second TVC reflects on the ongoing intolerance brouhaha in the country and shows how cricket and IPL can help things turn around positively.
The film starts with greyscale still images of a rickshaw driver getting a thrashing, a horrified inked man and two youth battling it out with a hockey stick each in their hands.

The images move to color showing a youth engaged in vandalising a yellow taxi. A cricket ball lands at his feet and then follow a group of young kids asking for the ball. He stops smashing up the cab and joins the young ones in their game.

That’s the power of the IPL and that’s what exactly the campaign wants to communicate.

The strong message is complemented by Salim and Sulaiman’s touchy background score.

“Sonal Dabral and his DDB Mudra team created the campaign for us, they did it last year too. We have also kept the same creators when it comes to music and if you see there is not much of a difference from our last year’s campaign India Ka Tyohaar. IPL is a catalyst that unites the nation and thats what the campaign communicates” explains Vyas.

The campaign has already rolled out digitally and soon will mark its presence on television.

TV will remain the most spent medium when it comes to marketing as per Vyas’ assessment. “50 per cent of the spends will go on TV whereas the remaining 50 per cent will be spent on radio, digital and print” he adds.

The campaign will have dubbed versions for the regional markets with the outdoors in key HSM markets providing recall support..

“HSM plays a vital role when it comes to the ratings and hence our key focus will be on that market. But the initiatives that we launch will cater to pan India audiences as IPL is popular in every nook and corner. Radio will see a lot of jingles while interactive campaign will orchestrate the digital media initiatives” asserts Vyas.

The campaign push and strategy will depend on the ICC T20 World Cup and India’s performance in the tournament.

“The cricketing mood will be determined by team India’s performance. So we will have to wait, watch, asses and then strategise. We have our plans chalked out, we will be present on our networks as well as on other networks too,” reveals Vyas.

“They have made great use of the generic situations, if you see the car that is broken is a yellow taxi and the man is wearing glasses. It connects you to Bengal where there is an election. The inked man is still fresh in every mind and the music speaks about unity, happiness and equality. You cannot ignore the negatives if you want to portray a positive scenario and hence usage of this scenario is nothing controversial in my opinion. I think it’s a good anthem and the smaller videos complement it nicely,” says an executive creative director of a reputed creative agency.

“Whatever is done by us will have repercussions on the young children and that is why we have young children all throughout the video. We will perish soon, what matters is the future of the nation, the igniting minds,” concludes Vyas.

March 9, 2016