ITV

Tag: programming

  • Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to launch ET Now Swadesh

    Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to launch ET Now Swadesh

    Mumbai: Times Network’s Hindi business news channel ET Now Swadesh will be inaugurated by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 4 October.

    The channel has unveiled its editorial team and programming line-up ahead of the launch.

    The editorial team of ET Now Swadesh will comprise a team of seasoned financial and business journalists including Mihir Bhatt, Pradeep Pandya, Kavita Thapliyal, and Priyanka Anand, led by Nikunj Dalmia as managing editor. ET Now Swadesh will offer content that empowers, engages, and educates viewers with financial knowledge to weave their growth into India’s success story. The channel leads with a powerful proposition ‘Badho Desh Ke Saath’ and promises to be a catalyst of growth, energising every discerning Indian to rise with India, said the statement.

    The channel will launch a slew of interactive and engaging content that will aid viewers with money-making ideas every five minutes, detailed analysis and perspectives on stocks and commodities, investment opportunities, and personalised portfolio recommendations with insights and guidance from industry stalwarts like Nilesh Shah and Madhu Kela.

    The channels morning time band between 8 a.m and 4 p.m brings nine distinct shows including “Khara Sauda,” “10 Ka Bazaar,” “Your Stocks,” “Commodity Now,” “F&O Junction,” “Midcap Masti,” “Corporate Connections,” “Stocks Fatafat,” and “Closing Sauda,” which will dedicatedly cover business and markets.

    The morning primetime market show “Khara Sauda” beginning at 8 a.m will be hosted by Nikunj Dalmia, Mihir Bhatt, Pradeep Pandya, and Priyanka Anand. The show will offer viewers an in-depth analysis of the current market trends, the latest buzz in dealing rooms, insights on what brokerages are betting on, but also educate them on financial savings and creating long-term wealth and investments. The show will also have AI-dominated actionable ideas for the viewers and will feature the top voices from Dalal Street and India Inc.

    In the evening starting at 8 p.m, the channel will air the show “Swadesh Hour” hosted by Nikunj Dalmia and Kavita Thapliyal. The one-hour special will capture all the key information and news of the day.

    “While the pandemic presented unprecedented challenges worldwide, it has undoubtedly been an agent of radical change, to rethink and reimagine businesses and lives,” said Times Network managing director and chief executive officer MK Anand. “New streams including digital services and payments, financial and investment tools have emerged as the definitive factors that will pave the path to progress.”

    “ET Now Swadesh will pioneer a new revolution of financial empowerment and progress for crores of Hindi speaking viewers,” he added.

    The network will roll out a high decibel marketing campaign in key Hindi speaking markets and will run a month-long promotion across TV, outdoor, print, trade, social media, and leading digital platforms. The network’s outdoor promotion spans over 120 key locations in Delhi and Mumbai. The network is set to splash its print ads across leading Hindi, English, and financial dailies along with a series of trade promotions and engagement. A special brand film capturing the genesis of the channel will be released on the launch day across network channels and social media platforms.

  • Local and global films to air on Zee Thirai in September

    Local and global films to air on Zee Thirai in September

    Mumbai: Tamil film channel Zee Thirai has announced a stellar lineup of blockbuster films for September. The channel will air a new film every week until the end of the month.

    The comedy-thriller “Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya” will air on 17 September at 7 p.m. Starring Naveen Polishetty and Shruti Sharma in lead roles, the film follows the life of Athreya, a Nellore-based detective, who lands in trouble trying to untangle murder mysteries.

    On 19 September, the channel will air the international film “Monster Hunter” at 12 p.m. Directed by Paul WS Anderson, the film starring Mila Jovovich and Tony Jha, is an adaptation of a popular Japanese video game franchise.

    On 26 September, the channel will air the Tamil comedy film “Cocktail” which features Yogi Babu, Mithun Maheshwaran, and KPY Bala. The plot follows four men who end up with a dead girl in their flat. While trying to dispose of the body they end up getting mixed up in the smuggling of a precious idol which leads to major twists and turns.

    Zee Thirai had previously aired the Indian TV premiere of Tamil drama film “Kirukkan” on 12 September and Telugu romantic thriller film “Miss India” on 10 September.

  • Understanding ALTBalaji’s ‘under 35 viewers’ with Divya Dixit

    Understanding ALTBalaji’s ‘under 35 viewers’ with Divya Dixit

    As ALTBalaji senior vice-president – marketing and revenue, Divya Dixit has played a pivotal role in driving the company’s vision in the fast-growing and dynamic OTT sector. She carries over two decades of experience in business, marketing and brand building across the digital, OTT, broadcast, telecom, music, and retail industries. Before joining ALTBalaji in 2018, she was with ZEE5 where she conceptualised and developed the brand ‘ZEE5 ‘and ‘ZEE5 Originals’, as well as launched the platform and multiple original shows.

    At ALTBalaji, Dixit looks after marketing budgets and recovery via direct subscription revenue. She is also responsible for the overall growth of the platform, program scheduling, and analytics as well. Under her leadership, ALTBalaji has been one of the top three grossing OTT apps, having doubled its direct revenue YOY in the years 2018-19 and 2019-2020.

    On Tuesday, Balaji Telefilms announced its financial results for AMJ 2021, as per which ALTBalaji sold a total of 1.8m subs, up 35 per cent QoQ. Its direct subscription revenues stood at Rs 17cr. Boasting a current active subscriber base of 2.4m (excluding subscribers on partner apps), AltBalaji continues to drive growth for the Company.

    Interestingly the platform is also turning younger everyday with 80 per cent of the current viewers being less than 35 years of age. The brand has registered a 100 per cent YoY growth with respect to the same, especially in the hinterland markets. According to Counterpoint Research’s Survey, AltBalaji’s 25-35 audience accounted for 59 per cent of its users in 2019. The development is significant because ultimately it is this age group which drives the OTT market.

    Indiantelevision.com’s Ashee Sharma got into a freewheeling conversation with ALTBalaji, senior VP – marketing and revenue, Divya Dixit to understand this under-35 viewer base and more.

    Edited Excerpts

    On ALTBalaji’s young viewer base and the value it holds for the brand

    Youth programming continues to be our focus at ALTBalaji. We are striving constantly to keep the stories as young, inclusive, and as vibrant as possible in the hope of making a difference to the future of society. Some of our top viewed shows in this category have been Broken But Beautiful Season 3, Puncch Beat, Dev DD, Crashh, Dark7white, and LSD.

    We are here to make disruptive content that breaks stereotypes and is relatable to New India, and this development is significant for us because it implies that our brand has been able to crack the code for the youth and those young at heart. It has made ALTBalaji the benchmark for other OTT platforms. We expect a steady surge in viewership, especially among the 18-35 year olds who are leading the binge-watching trend today.

    On the difference between this audience and the rest in terms of consumer behaviour

    Most of OTT consumption happens with viewers under the age of 35 years who are far more tech-savvy, however also most often the busiest. Shorter attention spans seem to be a universal thing with this demographic unless their interest is piqued. So it becomes necessary for us to create content that catches the viewers’ attention right from the get-go. Nowadays, content is all over the internet, and with the intense competition, cracking the code to a viewer’s interest is most important. We believe we have been successful in this regard. Our engagement metrics have gone up from 48 minutes a day in FY18-19 to 83 minutes currently and the audience comprises 21.29 per cent women, with men dominating at 78.71 per cent. 

    On the content and marketing strategy for the <35 yrs TG

    At ALTBalaji, digital marketing is an important element of the marketing mix. Associating with like-minded brands, engagement across short format apps, using actors’ social media reach, and activities with youth influencers for content promotion, have been our primary approaches.  We have a robust analytics platform with a live dashboard that provides us information on views and engagement, as well as the demographic details of our subscribers. This helps us in understanding behavioural consumption patterns, and drives our content and marketing strategies.

    The youth has most definitely made a shift towards OTT platforms over traditional means of entertainment. However, the debate over their preference for movies or shows is still on. ALTBalaji has noticed the people under 35 lean in favour of shows that break stereotypes and have unique narratives, and so we continue to launch shows across genres such as thriller, crime, romance, and drama, all the while maintaining our focus on out-of-the-box story ideas.

    Moreover, our content is tailor-made to attract larger audiences. Currently, in India, the most widely spoken language among approximately 70 per cent of the population is Hindi which has been the priority for ALTBalaji. 95 per cent of our content is Hindi originals, although various other shows have been dubbed to ensure that the content is not limited to the Hindi-speaking populace. . Our recent shows like Broken But Beautiful, Mai Hero Boll Raha Hu, His Storyy, and The Married Woman have given us a massive surge in viewership. 

    On the thought process behind targeting this age-group 

    This age group is the one that sparks maximum creativity among writers and content creators, and that’s because they have a voracious appetite for unique narratives. Also, it made sense to cater to an audience that is well-versed with technology, willing to experiment and pay upfront for content. The phenomenon of Binge-watching actually started them, and so, it was only reasonable for us to work with the low hanging fruit first. We saw a huge increase in subscriptions, with growth percentages doubling in multiple cities including Lucknow, Rohtak, Ludhiana, Srinagar, Guwahati, Shimla, and Ranchi, to name a few.

    On the impact on advertising revenue, and if attracted similar brands to the platform – brands that catered to younger audiences.

    In 2020 alone, ALTBalaji has partnered with almost 25-30 brands for various shows. Our marketing strategy includes brand collaborations as it helps us to reach out to a larger audience. The partnerships have also kept our existing users incredibly engaged with all the collaborated offers they receive. 

    Young brands including Imagicaa, Pipo Popcorn, My Imagine Store, Growfitter, Ferns N Petals, and Ixigo have recently partnered with us for our youth drama Puncch Beat 2. These associations include value-added services to our existing customers. For instance, Ferns and Petals, our official gifting partners for Puncch Beat 2, provided a 20 per cent discount coupon to our viewers on their next billing. Ixigo is associated with us as the travel partner allowing 20 per cent off exclusively for ALTBalaji subscribers. The offering is based on the insight that the youth love discovering the world. Growfitter, the fitness partner for our recent shows, provided free one-month Growfitter Premium Subscription to the ‘fitness-conscious’ contest winners. In addition, brands like Imagicaa, Pipo Popcorn, and My Imagine store have been roped in as entertainment, snack, and gadget partners, respectively, thus encouraging the new audience to get on board.

    On the evolution of the business and subscription models of ALTBalaji

    Brands are increasingly starting to be aware of the growing popularity of OTT. Associating with the right brands would be a win-win for both partners by gaining visibility among the right target audience through in-show integrations and surround marketing. In 2020 alone, revenue from mobile internet advertising in India was Rs 7331 Cr and is predicted to rise to Rs 22,350 Cr in the next five years, increasing at a 25.4 per cent CAGR as per PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2021-2025. Utilising this fast-paced growth to the maximum potential will prove highly lucrative to businesses. However, the revenue model is still evolving. Constant innovation and timing are both the key and the challenge in this sphere. Getting it right could prove extremely fruitful for both players in the partnership.

    Talking of subscription models, there is a consumer out there for every content choice. AVOD/SVOD/TVOD are business models and the only choice the consumer has to make is if he/she wants an ad free experience or is comfortable with ads interrupting the viewing experience. As far as TVOD goes, it’s yet to see some traction in India as OTT platforms are still priced very economically. However, in developed countries where SVOD is largely the order of the day, TVOD as sampling for a particular piece of content works very well.   

    I believe in the long term SVOD is a more sustainable model, and the good news is that more and more audiences are willing to pay for content which has moved the SVOD needle up from 5 per cent, three years ago to almost 25 per cent currently. Our subscription model is priced at INR 300 annually while our quarterly plan costs 100, and half-yearly is set at 180. This is not just for youth but for democratisation of content in the country.

  • Zee Marathi marks its 22nd anniversary with 7 new shows

    Zee Marathi marks its 22nd anniversary with 7 new shows

    Mumbai: Zee Marathi has announced seven new shows to mark its 22nd anniversary. The regional channel has also unveiled its new look as part of its latest brand positioning. The tagline says – ‘Navya natyanchya bandhu gaathi.. Mi Marathi, Zee Marathi’, reflecting the new beginning of a stronger relationship with the viewers.

    The latest promo promises that the new offerings will be in sync with the channel’s progressive identity. “This new Zee Marathi will not only enthrall the viewers with its variety of emotions, but also give them a new perspective on relationship and life through its new offerings,” the channel said in a statement.

    Among the seven new shows are ‘Man Zal Bajinda’, ‘Man Udu Udu Zal’, ‘Mazi Tuzi Reshimgath’, ‘Tuzya Mazya Sansarala Ani Kay Hava’, ‘Ti Parat Aliye’ which are set to launch this August. The channel will also present new episodes of its popular show – ‘Ratris Khel Chale 3’ and ‘Ghetla Vasa Taku Nako’. Iconic stars from the Maharashtra region including Shreyas Talpade, Prarthana Behere, Vijay Kadam, Hruta Durgule, Hardik Joshi and many more have been roped in by Zee Marathi to keep viewers entertained.

    Speaking about the new positioning, Zee Marathi, business head, Nilesh Mayekar said Zee Marathi has been setting new benchmarks in the industry from the past two decades. “With a new Zee Marathi, we are creating a new world of entertainment for our viewers across the nation – offering a diverse range of characters and unconventional stories that will spark a new conversation in society,” he added.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, cluster head- north, west and premium channels, Amit Shah said, “With its rich legacy of 22 years, Zee Marathi has built an affinity and captured the hearts of consumer segments across generations. Our sharp customer centric approach has enabled us to consistently craft new and engaging storylines featuring progressive themes. This right mix of content has resonated with our viewers across the urban and rural regions, making Zee Marathi a household name across Maharashtra. With its new look and positioning, the channel brings a perfect blend of fresh and renowned faces to our viewers’ screens which will definitely keep our audience engaged. The vibrant packaging will further help us in winning new consumers and forming a deep bond with them in line with our brand promise of Navya natyanchya bandhu gaathi – me Marathi, Zee Marathi.” 

    The list of new shows on Zee Marathi.

    Shows  

    Actors 

    Timing  

    Launch Date  

    Ghetla Vasa Taku Nako  

    Pandit Atulshastri Bhagare Guruji

    6:30 PM  

    16 Aug 2021 

    Man Zal Bajinda  

    Vaibhav Chavan and Shweta Rajan  

    7:00 PM 

    23 Aug 2021 

    Man Udu Udu Zal  

    Hruta Durgule and Ajinkya Raut  

    7:30 PM  

    30 Aug 2021 

    Mazi Tuzi Reshimgath 

    Shreyas Talpade and Prarthana Behere 

    8:30 PM 

    23 Aug 2021 

    Tuzya Mazya Sansarala Ani Kay Hava 

    Hardik Joshi and Amruta Pawar 

    9:00 PM  

    30 Aug 2021 

    Ti Parat Aliye 

    Vijay Kadam  

    10:30 PM  

    16 Aug 2021 

    Ratris Khel Chale 3  

    Madhav Abhyankar and Apurva Nemlekar 

    11:00 PM  

    16 Aug 2021 
  • Viacom18 names Viraj Raje the head of programming for Colors Marathi

    Viacom18 names Viraj Raje the head of programming for Colors Marathi

    New Delhi: Viacom18 on Wednesday announced the appointment of Viraj Raje as head of programming for Colors Marathi. He will be responsible for managing the channel’s content strategy and creative framework.

    Raje comes with over 25 years of experience in the industry, having led creative teams across Marathi television and films. Prior to joining Colors Marathi, he has worked with Disney+Star India, Reliance – Big Productions, and as a freelance film director, wherein he revolutionised Marathi entertainment by creating novel and engaging content, said the channel in a statement.

    Welcoming Raje on board, Viacom18, head – regional entertainment (Kannada and Marathi clusters), Ravish Kumar said, “Marathi entertainment, especially on television, caters to audiences with extremely varied preferences – connecting viewers in both urban metros as well as rural parts of the state. Colors Marathi has been paving the path for content that resonates with this diverse audience, bringing stories that are modern yet seeped into the culture of the land. Viraj’s rich experience in the entertainment industry and knowledge about the pulse of the Marathi viewer will help us further enhance the channel’s footprint and bring delight to our audiences.”

    Elaborating on his new role, Raje said, “Content creators today need to be subservient to the fact that to captivate the audience’s interest, one needs to bring the right balance of novelty and mass appeal. I am excited to embark on this exciting journey at Colors Marathi and look forward to creating unique stories that truly reflect the ethos of the Marathi audience.”

    In his career spanning 25 years, Raje has been honoured with numerous awards like the Maharashtra State Award: Best Director for the feature film “Shyamche Vadil“, Best Social Film and Screenplay for “Babanchi Shala“.

  • Bomanbridge Media strikes global distribution partnership with IN10 Media Network

    Bomanbridge Media strikes global distribution partnership with IN10 Media Network

    Mumbai : Singapore-based content distribution and production company Bomanbridge Media has signed a global distribution partnership with the Indian infotainment channel EPIC, from the house of the IN10 Media Network which has businesses in broadcast, digital, and production under its umbrella.

    This alliance will see Bomanbridge exclusively selling more than 500 hours of Indian original content from EPIC’s catalogue which features factual content, including series like Raja Rasaoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan and Regiment Dairies. In addition to the distribution of original finished content, the partnership will also explore co-productions and other mutually beneficial IP projects in efforts to increase cross border storytelling.

    To kickstart the new collaboration, Bomanbridge has also announced the first milestone deal on the factual documentary special, Royal Enfield – Brands of India (1×60’) with SBS Australia. The 1 x 60’ programme will air later this year. The series follows the legendary brand, Royal Enfield, and its unique story – a vintage motorcycle company that has an English pedigree but an Indian upbringing.

    Royal Enfield Bullet, is the world’s oldest continuously made motorcycle which has legions of fans and followers who love its sound, looks and riding comfort. This is the story of the rise, fall and rise of Royal Enfield – an iconic motorcycle company, the company said on Thursday.

    “We are so impressed with the growth of IN10 Media Network’s channels and overall service expansion. It’s clear to us they are ambitious and we are keen to share this adventure with them, support the growth through sales of their high quality content, and embark on a new slate of projects together,” said Bomanbridge Media, CEO, Sonia Fleck.

    Commenting on the partnership, IN10 Media Network, VP – Corporate strategy and development, Mansi Darbar said, “We are elated to partner with Bomanbridge Media, whose expertise will take our flagship channel EPIC’s premium content to a global audience. At the Network, we are committed to associate with captivating content which has a universal appeal and caters to a wide set of viewers. This strategic partnership strengthens our commitment towards factual content.” 

  • Content Hub 2021: Television – A Twist in the Tale

    Content Hub 2021: Television – A Twist in the Tale

    Mumbai: At the fifth edition of the ‘Content Hub 2021 – TV, Film, Digital Video, and Beyond’ being organised by Indiantelevision.com, veteran producers from the media and entertainment industry delved into the state of television programming in the context of growing competition from OTT platforms.

    Deliberating on the topic ‘Television – A Twist in the Tale’ were FremantleMedia, managing director – Aradhana Bhola, Sol Productions, founder and MD – Fazila Allana, Hats Off Productions, chairman and MD – JD Majethia, Dashami Creations, chairman and MD – Nitin Vaidya and Shashi Sumeet Productions, founder, director and writer – Shashi Mittal. The virtual session was moderated by IN10 Media Network, network vice president – corporate strategy and development, Mansi Darbar.

    Ever since the meteoric rise of OTT platforms, there have been apprehensions regarding the imminent cannibalisation of TV audiences. While industry watchers and experts have been debating it for long, the content creators seem confident about the two formats coexisting with each other. In fact, they are also excited about the possibilities that OTT opens up for them, especially in terms of experimenting with content and also the economics of it.

    Allaying apprehensions around the TV-OTT battle, Fazila Allana stated that even though there seems to be some differentiation of content, at present all the major OTT players are getting major traction from the catch-up TV. Likening their original programming to ‘exotic weekend dinners’, she added, “Most viewers log on to OTT platforms for staples or ‘daal chawal’ i.e. daily soaps. So, even if TV were to become obsolete as a medium of distribution, the content will not change drastically.”

    Agreeing with Fazila, Sol Production’s Aradhana Bhola remarked, “Given the socio- economic and cultural diversity in India, we have so many different consumption patterns that as content creators we are happy to be having a new platform for telling more and different stories. While some stories are better suited for a two or three-hour movie format, others are fit for a short series or a daily soap, but whatever the delivery mechanism, it is content, and ‘great content’ that matters.”

    Dashami Creations’ Nitin Vaidya concurred on the fact that audience choice is determined by economic conditions, and cultural and social values, but unlike Bhola, he cites them as factors that limit the scope of OTT in India. That being said he does agree that, “OTT has brought along with it disruptive subjects, narratives and scale, and this is where the challenge for TV lies. If the television industry doesn’t innovate and keeps on offering the same regressive content, it will lose its audience to other platforms.”

    JD Majethia believes that the familiarity and affordability of television gives it an edge over other mediums, yet “creative content will decide what survives in the long run”. Citing his ongoing show ‘Wagle ki Duniya’ as an example, he said, “We coined the term TWEB Series for it, because it is a particularly challenging format where each episode is a different story.”

    Talking of innovation, while TV programming has often been accused of being regressive and recycling the same content, Majethia contented that “stories and plot have broadly remained unchanged; it’s the storytelling which makes all the difference. The problem is that people think of TV as a perishable commodity. If the content is enjoyable, it’s relevant. We must also not forget the fact that TV is still a growing medium in India. So, when it comes to recycling or adapting content, we have to consider the segment, market, time slot and several other factors to determine relevance.”

    Chiming in, Shashi Mittal said, “The Indian market offers viewers with so many different types of mindsets that there’s room for all. What’s progressive for me could be regressive for my kids. It is these perceptions that we are in effect catering to.” “Ultimately, through every story told, we are addressing emotions and aspirations,” added Fazila Allana.

    Discussing the scope that television offers for creativity and experimentation, the panellists agreed that although the intention to innovate is ubiquitous among broadcasters and producers, ‘Thursday Ratings’ run the show. “…audience evolution is a slow process, and until they evolve, you have to give them what they want,” Allana explained. However, not all is gloomy. Despite the constraints there’s still enough headroom for innovation in television, Majethia’s ‘TWEB series’ being one such example.

    While it’s true that content producers find the OTT proposition to be more attractive, is it lucrative too? Web series or daily soap? Where are the monies? The resounding answer to this question from our panelists was that it’s a ‘volume game’, and despite all the criticism notwithstanding, daily soaps are the biggest drivers of volume.

    “OTT and TV have many lessons to learn from each other. Television channels can, for instance, think about serials with a limited number of episodes. Many TV viewers who don’t opt for OTT due to economic constraints could well be interested in short series format. Such time-bound storytelling will be in the interest of all – the audience, advertisers, channels and content creators,” said Nitin Vaidya.

    JD Majethia had a slightly differing opinion in this regard. According to him, a series on a big OTT platform may be more lucrative for production houses than a daily soap on television that runs for six to eight months. “TV shows are successful only if they are long running”, he remarked adding that with Covid changing the dynamics rapidly, the uncertainty will only grow further. “If you can match the strength of your ideas with that of the platform – movies, OTT or TV – you are home,” surmised a more hopeful Aradhana Bhola.

    Centred on the theme – ‘The New Dynamic’, the three-day event will witness several such insightful sessions with industry stakeholders deliberating on how the new forces are transforming the way content is created and stories are told. It will also delve upon the impact of these changes on the business models for the world of films, TV and OTT.

    The fifth edition of Content Hub 2021 is co-presented by IN10 Media Network and ZEE5, and co-powered by Applause Entertainment and Tipping Point, the digital content unit of Viacom18 Studios. PTC Network is the supporting partner.

    For more details, visit: https://www.thecontenthub.in/

  • CASE STUDY: How the ABP Majha & UNICEF tie-up aided Covid relief

    CASE STUDY: How the ABP Majha & UNICEF tie-up aided Covid relief

    Mumbai: The ten-day-long festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is usually one of the most awaited events in Maharashtra. But as the deadly wave of the Coronavirus outbreak swept through the country last year, the celebrations marking the birth of Lord Ganesha were also muted.

    To mark the occasion amid the pandemic restrictions in 2020, Marathi news channel ABP Majha, in collaboration with UNICEF launched a special donation drive initiative– ‘Be a Vighnaharta’ (Be a Remover of Obstacles).

    The initiative raised funds through a 16-day TV campaign to support the people affected by the pandemic. The funds raised were used to support vulnerable families, through UNICEF’s Jeevan Rath initiative in the state of Maharashtra. The initiative brought over 60 public and private NGOs together to help provide supplies of dry ration kits, conditional cash transfers, and livelihood protection to people who are unable to afford or access these supplies in sufficient quantities.

    Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated on 22 August last year. ABP Majha ran the campaign from 6 August 2020 to 21 August 2020. The news channel broadcasted 1,350+ minutes of content including stories of people affected by the pandemic, urging viewers to donate and help reach supplies to the affected families. After launching the heartfelt campaign and donation drive with UNICEF, ABP Majha kept the viewers engaged through special programming and a unique virtual engagement initiative – Bappa Maze Game. It committed to adding more zing to the festivities with its flagship property ‘Bappa Majha.’

    The channel broadcasted Live Artis and extensive coverage of Ganapati celebrations last year to keep up the festive pomp and revelry in the bleak scenario of the pandemic, along with telecasting Donation Drive snippets throughout the day. The channel partnered with famous pandals across Maharashtra, such as Siddhivinayak Temple & Dagdusheth Ganapati, to bring the essence of festivities to the viewers’ homes via their TV screens.

    Known for beaming exceptional content during the festive season, ABP Majha usually surpasses all channels in terms of viewership within the Marathi News genre. Last year was no different. The channel was armed with a comprehensive line-up of shows including Bappa Tumchya Ghari – A celebrity-engagement show, which brought alive the celebrations of Ganapati directly from the homes of various eminent personalities; Bappa Majha – a show which included a Ganapati News Bulletin and Ashtavinayak Yatra, covering the eight ancient holy temples of Ganesh with celebrities Sachin & Supriya; ABP Majha Pooja – an everyday show which aired the celebrations straight from ABP Majha’s office to forge a special bond with the viewers; and Majha Vighnaharta – an award show to felicitate ‘humans for humanity’, who have positively contributed towards the betterment of their communities.

    To further elevate the engagement quotient, ABP Majha hosted a Gharghuti Ganapati Contest, wherein the viewers were asked to send pictures of their Ganapati & Ganapati celebrations. Out of the submissions, 10 best entries were shown on-air and provided with a gift certificate.

    On the virtual engagement front, ABP Majha launched an innovative game called Bappa Maze, which is based on the idea that Lord Ganesha is our Vighnaharta and through the game, players can remove the obstacles that come in the way of Lord Ganesha by completing the maze. The game was hosted on the Bappa Majha Microsite. At various places in the game, users get a chance to gather ladoos and other items to win bonus points. To heighten the excitement, Weekly Top 10 Winners on the Leaderboard of the game were then declared on the Bappa Majha Show at 6:30 pm from 22nd August to 1st September 2020.

    On the special donation drive, ABP Network CEO Avinash Pandey said, “As a responsible network, we are taking up this initiative as a part of our continuous work in community upliftment. We are committed to making available immediate aid to children and families affected by the pandemic ahead of the biggest festival of India’s financial capital. Festivals are all about vibrancy and high spirits, and during this time, we want to uplift the lives & spirits of low-income groups whose earnings depend on Ganapati celebrations. We hope this effort will help them lead better lives.”

    On partnering with ABP Majha, UNICEF chief of Maharashtra office Rajeshwari Chandrasekar said “We are glad to associate with ABP Majha news channel for our initiative ‘Jeevan Rath’ in Maharashtra. The socio-economic cost of the pandemic on the lives of children and their families is extremely high. Through this campaign, we intend to provide relief to the most vulnerable, excluded, and displaced populations in the fight against Covid-19.”

    With these unique initiatives in partnership with UNICEF, ABP Majha succeeded in raising funds for the Covid-impacted via its special programming as part of its flagship property ‘Bappa Majha’ in 2020.

  • #Throwback2020: Programming across OTT & television

    #Throwback2020: Programming across OTT & television

    MUMBAI/KOLKATA: Life coach and motivational speaker Tony Robbins once remarked that “we aren’t in an information age, we are in an entertainment age.” The past year has shown that Robbins' observation wasn’t far off the mark. As people were bombarded with information from all sides, most of it unpleasant (what with a global pandemic, wildfires, erupting city blocks and violent racial protests, just to name a few), and with cinemas shuttered and live sports cancelled, they retreated to the only safe space left – their television and mobile screens. In fact, 2020 was also remarkable for another fact; TV and OTT saw unprecedented rise in viewership and time spent on the platforms compared to preceding years.

    One of the biggest trends that we saw on OTT and television in 2020 was the re-emergence of the golden era of family viewing. A classic example of this was the reruns of Mahabharat and Ramayan on Doordarshan during the lockdown. IndiaToday touted Mahabharat as the “baap of all masala entertainers” and no wonder, everyone in the family – from grandparents to kids – tuned in to the decades-old show. And as streamers were – for a large part of the year –   were the only ones where fresh content was in supply, audiences signed up for the services in big numbers.

    Programming on television

    With people confined to their homes, TV took them to places where they could find some respite, whether in the form of a supernatural show, a murder mystery, Mills & boons romance thriller, an endearing fish-out-of-water comedy, or a very old daily soap. Some shows nailed tricky tones; others offered unforgettable concepts.

    The pandemic forced general entertainment channels to go for reruns initially as there was no fresh content production for nearly three months. DD emerged the frontrunner, as, besides Mahabharat and Ramayan, it brought many other iconic shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh and Shriman Shrimati, thereby raking in massive viewership. Private broadcasters took the same route to entertain audiences. Programmes that had been relegated to sister FTA channels, such as Saath Nibhana Saathiya, Kumkum Bhagya and Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, made a comeback on the pay platform and attracted a lot of eyeballs.

    Daily soaps dominate

    A lot of shows focused on family bonding, women taking charge of the household, and the parent-child relationship. Most of these serials tend to have family drama as the core thread with a love story running through it.

    Naagin, Chotti Sardaarni, Barrister Babu and the recently launched Shubharambh delivered – and continue to –  the bounty for Colors. Zee TV’s Kundali Bhagya and Kumkum Bhagya (both produced by Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms) and Guddan Tumse Na Ho Paayega garnered significant eyeballs. Sony TV’s Mere Dad Ki Dulhan, which recently went off air, was centered on the theme of a second chance at love for middle-aged parents.

    Audiences across markets opted for a slice of life and family dramas. The overall Hindi GEC (U+R) and the Hindi GEC (U) audiences preferred to watch recently launched shows like Anupama, Imlie, Ghum Hai Kisi ke Pyaar Mein on Star Plus, and Zee TV’s most popular long-running shows Kundali Bhagya and Kumkum Bhagya.

    Several experimental shows such as 9 Months Wali Love Story, Kaatelal & Sons also found takers, but there wasn’t much in the way of breakthrough content outside of Anupama. The latter is a regular family drama showcasing the taboo subject of extramarital affairs on Indian television.

    Ormax Media partner Keerat Grewal said, "I think the challenge with the category is that experiments with new story ideas are there, but we have not seen any paradigm shift, something that we saw with KBC and Balika Vadhu. Over the last few years non-fiction has had an uptake on HGECs due to the fiction cynicism that’s set in gradually as audiences have been seeing 'more of the same'. This year however non-fiction has struggled as well, with both KBC and Bigg Boss not being able to deliver. Bigg Boss is generally shows an upward trend after a few weeks, once contestant familiarity sets-in."

    With production budgets slashed across channels by almost 20-25%, extending this year's Bigg Boss season even with lower than expected ratings, could be a matter commercial feasibility for the channel, she said

    Star Plus also managed to get its regional shows successfully remade into Hindi with Anupama and Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein. This urge to adapt and remake has been picked up by other channels as well.

    Non-fiction shows struggled to top the charts

    Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bigg Boss, and The Kapil Sharma Show were produced under strict Covid2019 precautions. The drastically smaller production teams innovated on the sets to adhere to protocol and ensure safety of the participants. For instance, there is a restaurant, a shopping mall, a theatre, and a spa inside the Bigg Boss house. In KBC 12, besides the crew, even those who accompany the contestants on the show have socially distanced seating. There was no live audience and the audience poll lifeline was replaced by video-a-friend. The Kapil Sharma Show introduced recorded audience applause, and cut-outs in the background to make the set look lively. The IPL also did the same.

    Unlike other years, Bigg Boss – while generating a lot of buzz – has had a relatively subdued season and has not picked up in ratings. The non-fiction show has always been known to pick up from the mid-season where it brings older participants to pump up nostalgia and drama. This year, Colors has decided to extend Bigg Boss 14 till February 2021, with the grand finale scheduled around Valentine's Day. Traditionally, non-fiction shows have always given fiction shows a run for their money.

    And while the IPL was a huge production and advertising success, buoying industry sentiment,  the same cannot be said for other marquee non-fiction properties, which compete with it.

     “I think the challenge is that they keep experimenting with new story ideas but we have not seen any paradigm shift, something that we saw with KBC,” noted Grewal.

    The year of OTT

    2020 was the year of OTT, as people sampled and adopted them in droves. Likewise, the investment in content has also increased manifold. As more people turned to premium online content, the platforms also experimented with the formats of their new shows.

    A new genre on the streaming horizon is musical. Amazon Prime Video’s Bandish Bandits gathered buzz with its music-themed plot depicting the clash between two different worlds of music. Although some viewers found the format cliched, the catchy tunes by composers Shankar-Ehsan-Loy made it extremely appealing. MX Player’s music reality show Times of Music was loved for its unique format – it's a crossover between reality and chat show. Bringing the best composers in the Indian film industry together on one stage, the series included recreations of many celebrated songs. Times of Music charmed Indian music lovers at a time when live musical events had come to a halt.

    Experimentation and innovation

    More than simply offering a library of content, OTT platforms in India are trying to establish a stronger connection with consumers through interactive content. The trend has not picked up for premium originals yet but broadcaster-led streaming platforms are experimenting with the format for their catch-up content. Zee5 launched Zee5 Super Family League where participants could  create their own family by selecting their favourite characters from the network’s popular primetime shows. Voot and SonyLIV also created avenues for immersive experience around tentpole content like Bigg Boss and KBC.

    2020 was a series of unusual, new experiments to face the challenges posed by the pandemic. OTTs led the field when it came to producing new shows while sitting at home. Voot devised an innovative content format with locked room murder mystery The Gone Game, shot in cast members' residences. Eros Now also premiered a show made in lockdown – A Viral Wedding. Amazon Prime Video unveiled CU Soon, a film shot entirely during quarantine.

    Sequels spell success

    For many people, the saving grace of 2020 was their favourite shows returning with new seasons. The hugely popular Mirzapur series generated tons of excitement. Among other much-awaited shows, MX Player’s Aashram, Disney+Hotstar’s Hostages, Amazon Prime Video’s Breathe: Into the Shadows wooed the audience with returning seasons. Other than Indian originals, viewers enjoyed new seasons of international series like Money Heist, Dark and The Mandalorian.

    The rise of K-love

    Indian audience’s watch list is no longer defined by local content or few American dramas anymore. All things ‘K’ (as in South Korean, not Ekta Kapoor’s defining alphabet) had a major breakthrough in India amid the pandemic. Netflix India witnessed a whopping 370 per cent growth in the viewership of Korean dramas, with The King: Eternal Monarch, Kingdom (S2), It’s Okay to Not Be Okay and Crash Landing on You dominating the trending list for weeks. MX Player also reported considerable growth of Korean drama in its international segment. Interestingly, the K-drama fad is not limited to millennials and gen Z anymore. Other than romances, older audiences also watched other complex genres like Korean historical dramas and thrillers.

    OTTs have moved on from male, metro, millennial demographic to an increasing number of female content consumers. As a result, platforms focused on women-centric content representing strong female characters. The shows ranged from comedy to thrillers, romance, and social drama. Pushpavali, Four More Shots Please, Arya, Bulbbul, Masaba Masaba, Churails, Code M were some programmes that appealed to and were loved by women viewers.

  • News18 India to welcome 2021 with an entertaining line-up

    News18 India to welcome 2021 with an entertaining line-up

    NEW DELHI:  With the majority of the country hoping for new and better beginnings, News18 India is all geared up to mark the year-end with its special programming line-up 2021 Shubh Mangal Sawdhaan. As we are bidding adieu to an unprecedented year that taught us to live a new normal, the channel has curated special programming to bring cheer and optimism to its viewers as they enter into the New Year.

    Slated for New Year’s Eve, the programming will comprise of shows such as 2020 ki Sabse Badi Mehfil and Lapete Mein Netaji, accompanied by a sensational performance by the popular Haryanvi singer-dancer, Sapna Chowdhry, and stand-up comedy by KK Naikar.

    Adding a musical touch to the evening, the show 2020 ki Sabse Badi Mehfil will bring together renowned singers on one platform who will perform 2020 v/s 2021 Jawabi Qawwali along with all the heroes of 2020 such as Sonu Sood and Ravi Kishan to name a few. News18 India will also be hosting the grandest edition of Lapete Mein Netaji with seven poets to bring a fresh perspective on the political climate of the country through sharp sarcasm and humour as they face off against the leaders from all the major political parties. The programming will also feature well-known astrologer such as Sanjay Jumani who will share their unique perspectives on the coming year, new beginnings, and hopes.