ITV

Tag: NRI

  • Indiacast organises “News18 India Dialogue 2019” for the first time in the US

    Indiacast organises “News18 India Dialogue 2019” for the first time in the US

    MUMBAI:IndiaCast today announced the launch of its first edition of India Dialogues in the US for CNN-News18’s international beam, News18. This event was held in partnership with Dish Network LLC.

    IndiaCast distributes News18 across the US, UK, Middle East and Singapore and the Channel is a favourite destination for Indian diaspora for news from India across politics, business, entertainment, sports etc.

    IndiaCast, along with the News18 team have envisioned India Dialogues as a platform that will help NRI’s stay connected with India – actively participating in conversations on issues and developments that are shaping the country. Given that the upcoming General Elections are a focal point of interest at present, the first India Dialogues focused on the same with an emphasis on the evolving geo-political situation in the region. The audience at the event was be able to engage in a discussion with top commentators including BJP leader Shri Seshadri Chari, the highly decorated former Military Secretary of the Indian army Lt. General Syed Ata Hasnain and the highly acclaimed Political & Social thinker Shri Ajoy Bose. The event will also feature the Consul General of India, New York Honourable Shri Sandeep Chakravorty who will address the gathering.

    The event was held on Friday 5th April, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency, Exchange Place, New Jersey, USA.

  • Viacom18 ditches FTA in UK, now entirely pay

    Viacom18 ditches FTA in UK, now entirely pay

    MUMBAI: With the launch of its two channels, MTV Beats and Colors Rishtey, on Virgin Media Viacom18 has transitioned from free-to-air (FTA) to entirely paid platform. Viacom18’s channels will now only be available with a subscription on Sky and Virgin Media.

    Talking about leaving the Freeview platform, IndiaCast Media Distribution group CEO Anuj Gandhi says, “We are currently steering our business in a new direction in Europe and have decided to go pay and as a result, current channels will no longer be available on any free to air mode but will continue to be available on paid platforms.”

    The company gained significant viewership via Freeview, which reaches 11 million homes untapped by pay TV. Freeview contributed to 10 percent of its eyeballs in the UK. Rishtey and Colors at times received as high as 41 percent viewership contribution from it.

    Viacom18 channels on Virgin Media are in the mix pack which reaches to over 2.7 million subscribers. The growth is expected to be in line with Virgin’s growth forecasts.

    Viacom18 has a mix content strategy for its UK consumers. Curated programmes from India make up the bulk of its content while a tiny part is local programming. “Viacom18 is exploring further investments in local programming which will happen in the next fiscal, ” he reveals.

    On the advertising front, 90 percent comes from UK based companies. It has three sets of distinct advertisers. First – the local ethnic home-grown businesses, second – the mainstream multinationals and third is Indian companies that export to NRI audiences.

    Advertisers are clamoring to get airtime especially during Big Boss. “As a matter of fact, all our channels currently are utilising 100 percent of the available inventory and we are not even in our peak season, he adds.

    The buzz-creating idea of Viacom18 is to make sense to three categories of people living in UK – the first generation, their children/youth who have less exposure of content being produced in India as they have a variety of options to choose from and last one being people who have moved here in last few years as an intra company transfer or project based.

    While keeping the three categories in mind, Gandhi says that sometimes even small trade or local event associations give a higher ROI as compared to a high profile above-the-line campaign.

    Selecting the right marketing mix is crucial when you are in a niche market. That said, even the language used for communication will ensure success or failure.

    Viacom 18 partnered with Virgin Media in April 2011 to launch its General Entertainment Channel, Colors, on the cable platform. Colors has been available on Sky since January 2010. When launched, Colors was included in Virgin Media’s new Asian Mela bundle which comprised 11 TV channels, including ARY Digital, B4U Movies, B4U Music, SET Asia, MAX, Star Plus, Star News, Zee Cinema, Zee Punjabi, Zee TV and Colors TV, along with popular Asian radio station Sunrise Radio and priced at £11 a month.

  • Govt reiterates inability to permit private radio news

    NEW DELHI: Reiterating its long-held stand that it was difficult to monitor news bulletins on FM and community radio channels, the Centre has expressed that permitting privately produced news bulletins could endanger “national security and public order”.

    The Government has already announced that Community Radio Stations and private FM in Phase III can air bulletins of All-India Radio without any payment.

    The government in an affidavit in the Supreme Court said it could not permit news content on FM as it might be misused by anti-national elements in the country and outside to propagate their agenda and radical views, posing a grave danger to the country.

    Answering the Court’s query in this regard, the Government said there was no mechanism in place to monitor content of live broadcast of all radio stations and law and order problems may arise if they transmit sensitive news.

    It also said several community radio stations were run by NGOs and could be used as platforms to manipulate the minds of local people.

    “Broadcasting of news by these stations/channels may pose a possible security risk as there is no mechanism to monitor the contents of news bulletin of every such station. As these stations and channels are run mainly by NGO or other small organisation and private operators, several anti-national or radical elements within the country can misuse it for propagating their own agenda,” it said.

    The government added that some radio stations also air programmes involving chats with NRIs and these may be exploited too.

    Also Read:  ‘Risk’ in FM stations airing news, apprehends Prasar head

    Why can’t pvt FM channels have news, SC asks govt

  • Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    MUMBAI: With a view to up the entertainment quotient in the prime time band of 9 – 10 pm, the leader in the Kannada general entertainment channels’ space, Colors Kannada is planning to launch three new shows in February.

    The channel has earmarked a budget of Rs 3 crore on the marketing campaign of all three shows.

    While the two fiction shows are titled Om Shakti Om Shanti and Manedevru and will go on air on 8 February, the channel will also launch the second season of the non-fiction show Super Minute on 13 February.

    The channel has brought on board Emami as the co-powered by sponsor for the game show Super Minute season 2, whereas Manedevru is powered by GRB. The channel is in advance stages of negotiations with a brand for Om Shakti Om Shanti.

    Super Minute season 2 will be hosted by Kannada actor Ganesh. The show, which is an adaptation of the international format Minute To Win, will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm.

    Om Shakti Om Shanti will be aired from Monday – Friday at 9 pm and tells the saga of revenge, whereas Manedevru produced by Kannada actor Power Star Punit Rajkumar will occupy the 9.30 pm slot on the channel. The show depicts the tale of Janaki, a na?ve simple girl from a quaint village who is offered the hand of an NRI in marriage but destiny seems to deal her another hand altogether.

    Colors Kannada business head Parameshwara Gundkal said, “We understand the wants of the Kannadiga viewers’ heart and mind… From getting Ganesh to host the much loved Super Minute to building an ensemble cast and weaving an intriguing plot for our fiction dailies, Colors Kannada strives to push the envelope by offering its viewers compelling content that keeps them glued to their TV screens daily. Our three new shows promise to entertain our loyal viewers in the 9 – 10 pm primetime band throughout the week.”

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Colors Kannada, Colors Bangla and Colors Odiya project head Ravish Kumar added, “Super Minute season 2 returns with double the entertainment and double the fun. The idea behind adapting the show from an international game Minute To Win was to come up with light hearted games, where everyone in the family will enjoy and play together. The idea was to build a family connection.”

    Last year Super Minute witnessed one common man facing off with a celebrity to win the prize money. However in the new season there will be a new twist, where seven contestants will battle against each other in the first stage. These contestants will be from different walks of life and the winners from amongst the seven will get a chance to play in the second stage with the celebrity. With each game that the common man and the celebrity play, the money in the tree will be scaled up and the final reward will be then given to the common man. The format is owned by Endemol Shine and the show will run for 12-13 weeks.

    Colors Kannada will promote the three new shows through radio and television targeting news channels like TV9 in big way. Apart from this, the shows will be promoted via the outdoor medium through hoardings in Karnataka. The channel is also targeting close to 30 lakh people through SMS blast. Super Minute season 2 will also be promoted in print through a half page ad in Vijay Vani magazine. The channel will also take to social media to touch a chunk of the audience.

    Speaking on the channel’s leadership position in the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings data, Kumar opined that being the number one channel was great but staying in the position was difficult. “In order to stay in the lead, one needs to have great strategies. Our strategy is to satisfy our consumers by experimenting and innovating with new content, which will be entertaining for the audience. Furthermore, we will continue to give viewers a great mix of reality content – both in Indian and international formats. Our motive is to bring the best for our audiences.”

  • Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    Colors Kannada to launch three primetime shows; earmarks Rs 3 crore for marketing

    MUMBAI: With a view to up the entertainment quotient in the prime time band of 9 – 10 pm, the leader in the Kannada general entertainment channels’ space, Colors Kannada is planning to launch three new shows in February.

    The channel has earmarked a budget of Rs 3 crore on the marketing campaign of all three shows.

    While the two fiction shows are titled Om Shakti Om Shanti and Manedevru and will go on air on 8 February, the channel will also launch the second season of the non-fiction show Super Minute on 13 February.

    The channel has brought on board Emami as the co-powered by sponsor for the game show Super Minute season 2, whereas Manedevru is powered by GRB. The channel is in advance stages of negotiations with a brand for Om Shakti Om Shanti.

    Super Minute season 2 will be hosted by Kannada actor Ganesh. The show, which is an adaptation of the international format Minute To Win, will be aired every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm.

    Om Shakti Om Shanti will be aired from Monday – Friday at 9 pm and tells the saga of revenge, whereas Manedevru produced by Kannada actor Power Star Punit Rajkumar will occupy the 9.30 pm slot on the channel. The show depicts the tale of Janaki, a na?ve simple girl from a quaint village who is offered the hand of an NRI in marriage but destiny seems to deal her another hand altogether.

    Colors Kannada business head Parameshwara Gundkal said, “We understand the wants of the Kannadiga viewers’ heart and mind… From getting Ganesh to host the much loved Super Minute to building an ensemble cast and weaving an intriguing plot for our fiction dailies, Colors Kannada strives to push the envelope by offering its viewers compelling content that keeps them glued to their TV screens daily. Our three new shows promise to entertain our loyal viewers in the 9 – 10 pm primetime band throughout the week.”

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com Colors Kannada, Colors Bangla and Colors Odiya project head Ravish Kumar added, “Super Minute season 2 returns with double the entertainment and double the fun. The idea behind adapting the show from an international game Minute To Win was to come up with light hearted games, where everyone in the family will enjoy and play together. The idea was to build a family connection.”

    Last year Super Minute witnessed one common man facing off with a celebrity to win the prize money. However in the new season there will be a new twist, where seven contestants will battle against each other in the first stage. These contestants will be from different walks of life and the winners from amongst the seven will get a chance to play in the second stage with the celebrity. With each game that the common man and the celebrity play, the money in the tree will be scaled up and the final reward will be then given to the common man. The format is owned by Endemol Shine and the show will run for 12-13 weeks.

    Colors Kannada will promote the three new shows through radio and television targeting news channels like TV9 in big way. Apart from this, the shows will be promoted via the outdoor medium through hoardings in Karnataka. The channel is also targeting close to 30 lakh people through SMS blast. Super Minute season 2 will also be promoted in print through a half page ad in Vijay Vani magazine. The channel will also take to social media to touch a chunk of the audience.

    Speaking on the channel’s leadership position in the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India ratings data, Kumar opined that being the number one channel was great but staying in the position was difficult. “In order to stay in the lead, one needs to have great strategies. Our strategy is to satisfy our consumers by experimenting and innovating with new content, which will be entertaining for the audience. Furthermore, we will continue to give viewers a great mix of reality content – both in Indian and international formats. Our motive is to bring the best for our audiences.”

  • Den Network gets RBI nod for increase in FDI to 74%

    Den Network gets RBI nod for increase in FDI to 74%

    BENGALURU: After receiving Foreign Investment Promotion Board’s (FIPB) permission to increase its foreign direct investment (FDI) limit from the existing 49 per cent to 74 per cent a few months ago, Den Network Limited has now received approval for the same from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

     

    A letter from Den Network’s company secretary Jatin Mahajan to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) says that the company has received approval from the RBI for increase in FDI limit beyond 49 per cent and up-to 74 per cent by Foreign Institutional Investors (FII), Non Resident Indians (NRI), Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) and other eligible foreign investors.

     

    The approval is subject to compliance Regulation 5(2) of FEMA Notification No 20/2000 RBI dated 3 May, 2000 (as amended time to time) issued under FEMA 1999 and conditions specified in FDI Policy circular dated 12 May, 2015.

     

    As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, with this, the company which is currently building its broadband base and also working towards digitisation in phase III and IV areas, is looking at attracting overseas capital into the company.

     

    It can be noted that Den Networks had sought for increase in FDI limit beyond 49 per cent and up to 74 per cent by FIIs, NRIs, FPIs, and other eligible foreign investors through route of secondary market and / or open market purchase.

     

    Earlier in March this year, the Board of Directors of Den Networks had approved this proposal to increase foreign investment limit. The decision was subject to shareholder approval (through postal ballot), FIPB nod and adherence to all other statutory requirements.

     

    Currently, FIIs hold 22.79 per cent stake in Den Networks.

  • All about Real Estate now just a click away with ndtv.com/property

    All about Real Estate now just a click away with ndtv.com/property

    Following the tremendous success of NDTV’s Property Show and the weekend edition ‘Property Its Hot’, NDTV has taken it to an all new level and launched an official website – ndtv.com/property. It is India’s singular online portal where buyers and investors will have the ease to navigate through the most researched and insightful content on real estate in the country.

    The website will be the sole online destination for all real estate related information, featuring latest policy issues that affect buying decisions; exclusive interviews with leading industry voices and decision makers; insights from thought leaders; advice from top legal, finance and tax experts and much more. The site also has a special section dedicated to address queries from NRI investors and buyers.

    Commenting on the launch Vikram Chandra, Group CEO NDTV Network, said, “We have received extremely positive feedback from our viewers on our Property Show. With the introduction of the official website, we now hope to be able to provide our viewers with assistance on every aspect of the industry round the clock.”

    The exclusivity of the site lies in it being a one of its kind online platform, featuring residential projects recommended on the basis of exhaustive research done by a team of on ground researchers. The experts’ recommendations are placed citywise and are in all budgets and sizes across 24 cities in the country.

    Going that extra mile to bridge the gap between buyer and the builder community NDTV has also introduced a special section called ‘Rate Your Developer’ where buyers can give feedback on their developers through a simple survey NDTV@25.

  • Hinduja Brothers receive ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

    Hinduja Brothers receive ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

    MUMBAI: Promoters of Hinduja Group, Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja, were presented with a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for their contributions to the United Kingdom’s Asian community.

    “This is a great honour and makes our responsibility more difficult and harder. Our dharma and duty is to serve the Asian community in Britain as best as we can,” said Hinduja Group co-chairman Gopichand Hinduja in his acceptance speech.

    Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja were nominated alongside another NRI businessman Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Resources, former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain and Indian-born 102-year-old marathon runner Fauja Singh.

    “This government sincerely values the immense contribution of Britain’s Asian community and as Prime Minister I am extremely proud to lead a truly diverse nation where people of all backgrounds live and work so well together,” said British Prime Minister David Cameron in a special message sent for the awards night.

    The Asian Achievers Awards (AAA), in its 13th year now, are organised by the ABPL Group, publishers of ‘Asian Voice’ and ‘Gujarat Samachar’ newspapers in the UK, to celebrate the achievements of south Asians based in Britain.

    This year’s awards were dedicated towards highlighting the achievements of Asian women and all the money raised from a charity auction was earmarked for the Lily Foundation, a charity working against human trafficking in India and the UK.

    “Large countries have lots of problems and these take time to solve. But I love the idea of India and I am confident that the time for India has come,” said Indian high commissioner to the UK Jaimini Bhagwati, a special guest at the event along with sari-clad Cherie Blair who described herself as ‘an honorary member of the Asian community’.

  • I&B sector brings in over Rs 7965 crore between April 2010 and May 2013

    I&B sector brings in over Rs 7965 crore between April 2010 and May 2013

    NEW DELHI: The total foreign direct investment inflows between April 2010 to May 2013 into the country in the sector of information and broadcasting (including print and media) was Rs 7,965.34 crore.

     

    This included Rs 598.2 crore in the current year from April 2013.

     

    The inflow in 2012-13 was Rs 2,215.87 crore, while it was Rs 3,264.09 crore in 2011-12.

     

    The inflow in 2010-11 was Rs 1,887.17 crore. The Parliament was informed of these developments by Commerce and Industry minister Anand Sharma today.

     

    Complete/separate data on NRI (non-resident Indian) investment is not maintained by the Reserve Bank of India. However, the above FDI inflows data on NRI investment, includes investment by NRIs, who have disclosed their status as NRIs, at the time of making their investment.
     

  • NRI made Hindi film wins award in Filmfest in Texas

    NRI made Hindi film wins award in Filmfest in Texas

    NEW DELHI: Once Again (Phir Vehi), a Hindi film by award winning non-resident Indianfilmmaker Sanjay Arora, has won the third prize at the 6th Boomtown Film and Music Festival 2013 in Texas.

    Filmed in Delhi, this 50-minute family drama is inspired by the teachings of Buddha. It revolves around Raj Malhotra, a self-centered company executive, who uses situations and people around him to his advantage but life takes an unexpected turn forcing him to accept reality that paves way to a journey of transformation.

    The film, which was first screened at the Delhi International Film Festival last year, has also been nominated for the Best South East Asian Film and Best Director at the World Music and Independent Film Festival 2013 to take place in August in Washington D.C. It had also been nominated for the Best Screenplay at the Hot Media International Film Festival 2012.

    Arora told indiantelevision.com that the film ‘reflects universal feelings that may leave us evaluating our own lives. It takes this journey to depict the reality and the process of transformation that will impact many lives positively‘.

    Delhi born Arora left a successful career as a software engineer in the US to follow his dream of becoming a filmmaker. He joined New York Film Academy. His filmography includes the award winning films Butterfly Wings, Expression and Chase.

    Butterfly Wings was screened in the US, Canada, and the Philippines including an invitational special screening held at the UN in Delhi and also won the Best Film award at the Global Film Festival 2011. It was screened at the WeCare Film Festival on Disability Issues in Delhi.