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Tag: Radio

  • Q3-2014: HT Media Fever FM’s operating profit three times a year ago

    Q3-2014: HT Media Fever FM’s operating profit three times a year ago

    BENGALURU: HT Media Limited’s Fever 104 FM radio business reported its operating profit in the third quarter ended 31 December, 2013 at Rs 7.79 crore was over three-times a year ago and was up 66.1 per cent from a quarter ago.

     

    In the nine months ended 31 December, 2013, Fever’s operating profit at Rs 16.15 crore was two-and-a-half times a year ago. Fever’s consolidated operating profit was Rs 7.40 crore in 2012-13.

     

    HT Media’s Fever 104 FM operates radio stations in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi.

     

    HT Media’s core business –  Printing and Publishing of Newspapers and Periodicals — saw operating profit grow 2.6 per cent to Rs 85.93 crore in the third quarter of 2013-14 from Rs 83.78 crore a year ago. The printing and publishing business’ operating profit in the third quarter was up 44.5 per cent from Rs 59.48 crore a quarter ago.

     

    In the nine months ended 31 December, 2013, printing and publishing business’ operating profit rose 16.2 per cent to Rs 226.87 crore from Rs 195.28 crore a year ago. In 2012-13, HT Media’s Printing & Publication segment reported consolidated operating profit of Rs 263.69 crore.

     

    HT Media reported a growth of 6.1 per cent in Q3-2014 consolidated income from operations to Rs 573.04 crore from Rs 540.25 crore in Q3-2013 and a growth of 8.8 per cent from Rs 526.83 crore in Q2-2014.

     

    In the nine months ended 31 December, 2013, HT Media’s consolidated operating Income rose 7.1 per cent to Rs 1,632.1 crore from Rs1,524.45 crore a year ago. In 2012-13, HT Media’s consolidated operating income was Rs 2015.99 crore.

     

    HT Media’s consolidated total expenses in the third quarter rose 5.2 per cent to Rs 506.53 crore from Rs 481.58 crore a year ago and 2.8 per cent more than Rs 492.61 crore a quarter ago.

     

    In the nine months ended 31 December, 2013, the company’s consolidated total expenses rose 5.6 per cent to Rs 1,483.95 crore from Rs 1,405.27 crore a year ago. In 2012-13, the company’s total consolidated expenses were Rs 1,857.26 crore.

     

    HT Media’s consolidated PAT in Q3-2014 at Rs 67.02 crore was 25 per cent more than Rs 53.61 crore a year ago and 15.2 per cent more than Rs 58.18 crore a quarter ago. HT Media’s PAT in the nine months ended 31 December, 2013 was Rs 172.69 crore, up 35.4 per cent more than Rs 127.57 crore a year ago. The company’s PAT for 2012-13 was Rs 167.65 crore.

     

    Segment Figures

     

    HT Media’s Printing & Publishing segment saw 4 per cent rise in consolidated operating revenue in Q3-2014 to Rs 533.53 crore from Rs 513.04 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year and an increase of 7.6 per cent from Rs 495.85 crore in Q2-2014. YTD, the segment’s Operating revenue grew by 4.9 per cent to Rs 1523.96 crore from Rs 1452.85 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. During FY 2013, the segment reported revenue of Rs 1919.95 crore.

     

    Radio (Fever) reported revenue of Rs 26.67 crore for Q3-2014, which was 24.9 per cent more than the Rs 21.35 crore in Q3-2013 and 20.4 per cent more than the Rs 22.16 crore in Q2-2014. YTD, revenue of Rs 70.24 crore was 17.3 per cent more than the Rs 59.87 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. During FY 2013, the segment reported revenue of Rs 78.3 crore.

     

    HT Media’s Digital segment saw operating revenue growth of 41.7 per cent to Rs 19.54 crore in Q3-2014 from 13.79 crore in Q3-2013 and a growth of 9.71 per cent as compared to the Rs 17.81 crore in Q2-2014. YTD, this segment grew 38.9 per cent to Rs 54.4 crore from Rs 39.16 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. During FY 2013, the segment reported revenue of Rs 53.77 crore.

     

    Loss from HT Media’s Digital segment fell (14.2) per cent to Rs (7.6) crore in the current quarter from Rs (8.86) crore in Q3-2013 and was (26.1) per cent lower than the Rs (10.29) crore in Q2-2014. However, YTD, the Digital segment’s loss of Rs (34.93) crore was higher by 14.4 per cent as compared to the Rs (30.54) crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. During FY 2013, the segment reported loss of (38.56) crore.

     

    Unallocated segment revenue was Rs 3.62 crore in Q3-2014; Rs 1.16 crore in Q3-2013; Rs 2.55 crore in Q2-2014; Rs 8.81 crore YTD as compared to the Rs 5.27 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. For FY 2013 Unallocated segment revenue was Rs 8.97 crore. Loss from this segment was: Rs (11.37) crore in Q3-2014; Rs (12) crore in Q3-2013; Rs (11.84) crore in Q2-2014; YTD Rs (35.18) crore as compared to the Rs (28.51) crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. For FY 2013, Unallocated segment reported loss of Rs (41.31) crore.

  • RBNL’s Q3-2014 radio business operating profits almost double y-o-y

    RBNL’s Q3-2014 radio business operating profits almost double y-o-y

    BENGALURU:  Reliance Broadcast Network Limited (RBNL) radio segment reported operating profit of Rs 6.58 crore for Q3-2014, which was almost double (1.96 times) the Rs 3.36 crore in Q3-2013 and 32.45 per cent more than the Rs 4.97 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. On YTD basis, operating profit of the radio segment improved more than 167 times to Rs 202.27 crore as compared to the small operating profit of Rs 0.1223 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. During FY 2013, RBNL’s radio business reported an operating profit of Rs 8.18 crore. 

     

    The company’s EBIDTA for Q3-2014 at Rs 16.31 crore was up 7.44 per cent as compared to the Rs 15.18 crore in Q3-2013 and was up 8.62 per cent from the Rs 15.02 crore in Q2-2014. Over the nine month period ended December 31, 2013, RBNL’s EBIDTA at Rs 50.36 crore was almost double (1.96 times more) the Rs 25.8 crore in the corresponding period of last year. EBIDTA for FY 2013 was Rs 43.58 crore. 

     

    Overall, RBNL reported a loss of Rs (31.08) crore for Q3-2014 as compared to a profit of Rs 0.37 crore in Q3-2013 and a loss of Rs (16.48) crore in Q2-2014. Over the nine month period ended 31 December 2013, RBNL reported a loss of Rs (30.6) crore, which was 16.18 per cent more than the loss of Rs (26.34) crore in the corresponding period of last fiscal. During FY 2013, the company had reported a loss of Rs (-23.51) crore. 

     

    Note: The company has investments in equity and loans aggregating to Rs 109.4246 crore into its wholly owned subsidiary Reliance Television Private Limited (RTPL) as on 31 December 2013. RTPL has further investments in a step down entity viz. Azalia Distribution and Television Private Limited (Azalia), which was earlier a joint venture entity. During the quarter ended 31 December 2013, the joint venture agreement was mutually terminated and RTPL acquired the remaining 50 per cent stake of the co-venturer on 20 December 2013. Consequent upon this acquisition, Azalia became a wholly owned subsidiary of RTPL on and from the said date. Azalia has scaled down its operations significantly during the quarter, however the management is confident that on a need basis it can scale up the operations. In view of the foregoing, the company on a prudent basis has made a provision for an amount aggregating Rs 30 crore in its accounts during the current quarter for loans and advances granted to RTPL. This has no impact on the consolidated financial results. 

     

    Let us look at the other figures reported by RBNL 

     

    RBNL’s Total revenue in Q3-2014 at Rs 69.59 crore was up 3.62 per cent as compared to the Rs 67.16 crore in Q3-2013 and was up 18.19 per cent as compared to the Rs 58.88 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. YTD, the company’s Total revenue at Rs 186.04 crore was up 13.87 per cent from the Rs 163.37 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year. For FY 2013, RBNL reported Total revenue of Rs 225 crore. 

     

    Radio; Outdoor; Production; ‘Others’ and ‘Unallocated’ segments contribute to RBNL’s revenue, with Radio contributing the lion’s share between 70-84 per cent of Total revenue. It is the unallocated segment that has contributed a major portion of the loss – Rs (30.54) crore in the current quarter. 

     

    Revenue from Radio grew 10.2 per cent to Rs 53.01 crore (76.17 per cent of Total revenue for the period) in Q3-2014 from 48.10 crore (71.63 per cent of Total revenue for the period) in Q3-2013 and grew 6.43 per cent from Rs 49.81 crore (84.59 per cent of Total revenue for the period) in Q2-2014. YTD, revenue from this segment grew 25.22 per cent to Rs 150.1 crore (80.68 per cent of Total revenue for the period) from Rs 119.87 crore (73.37 per cent of Total revenue for the period) in the corresponding nine month period of last year. For FY 2013, Radio segment reported revenue of Rs 165.96 crore (73.76 per cent of Total revenue). 

     

    Production is the other major contributor to RBNL’s revenue, with its contribution ranging from 8 to 20 per cent. 

     

    Revenue from production in Q3-2014 was up 5.38 per cent to Rs 13.33 crore from Rs 12.65 crore in Q3-2013 and up 160 per cent as compared to the Rs 5.13 crore in Q2-2014. YTD, this segment saw an increase of 6.02 per cent to Rs 24.31 crore in Q3-2014 as compared to the Rs 22.93 crore in the corresponding nine month period of last year.  Production reported revenue of Rs 27.50 crore for FY 2013. 

     

    RBNL’s Total expense at Rs 62.98 crore in Q3-2014 was up 1.35 per cent as compared to the Rs 62.14 crore in Q3-2013 and up 16.36 per cent as compared to the Rs 54.12 crore in Q2-2014. Over the nine month period ended December 31, 2013, the company’s Total expense at Rs 166.80 crore was down (0.77) per cent from Rs 168.09 crore in the corresponding period of last fiscal. During FY 2013, RBNL’s Total expense was Rs 221.44 crore. 

     

    RBNL spent 74.63 per cent more towards Advertising expenses at Rs 7.86 crore (12.48 per cent of Total expense for the period) in the current quarter as compared to the Rs 45 crore (7.24 per cent of Total expense for the period) and 23.45 per cent more than the Rs 63.66 crore (11.76 per cent of Total expense for the period) in Q2-2014. YTD, RBNL’s Advertising spend was Rs 16.44 crore (9.86 per cent of Total expense for the period), which was 43.1 per cent more than the Rs 11.50 crore (6.84 per cent of Total expense for the period) during the corresponding nine month period of last year. For FY 2013, the company’s Advertising spend was Rs 16.16 crore (7.30 per cent of Total expense for the period). 

     

    RBNL’s finance cost jumped up 52.41 per cent to Rs 8.01 crore in Q3-2014 from Rs 5.26 crore in Q3-2013 and by 9.93 per cent from Rs 7.22 crore in Q2-2014. Over the nine month period ended December 31, 2013, the company’s finance cost was down (7.96) per cent to Rs 21.93 crore from Rs 23.82 crore in the corresponding period of last year. In FY 2013, RBNL spent Rs 29.45 crore towards finance cost.

  • Suzuki launches new TVC: Chulbul Pandey rides Hayate to Deccan

    Suzuki launches new TVC: Chulbul Pandey rides Hayate to Deccan

    New Delhi, July 15, 2013: Suzuki Motorcycle India Private Limited (SMIPL), a subsidiary of one of the world’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has launched a new ad campaign for its bestselling mass segment motorcycle – Suzuki Hayate. An extension to the 2012 campaign, Suzuki’s new TVC features Salman in his characteristic Dabangg persona of Chulbul Pandey, this time in a full blown South India avatar.

    The ad features Salman manoeuvring his Hayate on meandering streets set in a Deccan town from South India while recapturing the much acclaimed tagline – “Suzuki Hayate, yun hi nahi chalate!” Challenging Chulbul’s heroism is ‘Gundappa’, a character played by veteran actor from Telugu and Tamil cinemas, Kota Srinivasa Rao, who is known for his customary flair of blending comedy with villainy.

    And the package doesn’t end just yet. Accomplished cinematographer, V Manikandan marks his directorial debut with the Hayate TVC. As a Director of Photography, Manikandan has been a part of mega productions like Ra.One, Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om and Raavan.

    The ad has been overtly stylised and executed as a typical South Indian masala film. It has been ideated and executed by RK Swamy BBDO.

    Ms. Anu Anamika, National Head – Marketing, SMIPL says, “The first TVC with Salman was a thundering success. Salman’s Dabangg persona in the TVC helped extend Suzuki Hayate’s appeal across segments. Since Suzuki is a pan India brand, this time we thought of giving the campaign a different treatment with a South-Indian twist. We hope we are able to replicate the previous campaign’s success and expand our reach to customers.”

    Superstar Salman Khan says, “It’s nice to know Suzuki bikes are going places and Chulbul is always happy to go along for the ride. From Uttar, the action has moved to Dakshin and I hope the people in Purab and Paschim enjoy it as well.”

    Mr. Sunil Kukreti, Senior Partner, R.K. Swamy BBDO Pvt. Ltd. says, “The entire campaign is conceptualized keeping in mind the target audience which resides in rural and semi-urban peripheries. We wanted to play along this well-embedded imagery and create a unique blend of North and South. This new TVC gets even bigger and more entertaining.”

    The campaign will spread across all mediums including Television, Cinema, Radio, and Print.

    STORYBOARD

    While in the previous Hayate Ad, we witnessed Chulbul Pandey successfully arresting the fugitive Billa, this time around we will see Salman in his patent Dabanng character chase down Gundappa Kota Srinivasa and his gang to bring an end to the black marketing of film tickets.

    The TVC revolves around its novel tagline “Suzuki Hayate, yun hi nahi chalate”. The scene breaks with Gundappa and his gang selling cinema tickets in black market. Enter Salman Khan in his iconic Chulbul Pandey character riding his trusted Hayate. A constable points at Gundappa and the group selling the movie tickets in black. The scene breaks into an action packed chase and run sequence between Gundappa, his gang and Salman who is seen effortlessly riding the Hayate. The Dabanng Khan with his discerning, unmistaken wits and his credible Hayate as his comrade, is ultimately able to arrest Gundappa and cease his black market racket. The TVC ends with Salman reciting the tagline and urging the viewers to buy Hayate.

  • MEBC 2013: Radio rocks in South India – Deloitte Report

    MEBC 2013: Radio rocks in South India – Deloitte Report

    BENGALURU: The Digital March-Media and Entertainment in South India, a Deloitte-FICCI report was released at FICCI-MEBC 2013 in Bangalore.

     

    The report says that the radio industry in India enjoys greater acceptance in the South than in the rest of the country and thus stands out amongst its peers. This is indicated by relatively higher average radio listenership in cities like Bengaluru where people spend about 20 hours /week on radio while those in Delhi and Mumbai spend 13-14 hours/week.

     

    Radio has become an integral part of the entertainment industry in South India and thus has been used as a tool for promotions like film and TV. The film industry in Tamil Nadu (TN) has tied up with various radio stations with an aim to keep the listeners abreast with the music premiers and activities related to the film. Not just the filmmakers but also the broadcasters use this medium as propping up their new shows says the report.

     

    It also says that the South Indian Media and Entertainment (SIM&E) industry is slated to grow from its current estimated size for FY-2013 of Rs 23,900 to Rs 43,600 crore in FY-2013 at an CAGR of 16 per cent.

     

    Radio, which stands third behind new media and television in terms of growth, will rise at a CAGR of 19 per cent in the four southern states of TN, Andhra Pradesh (AP), Karnataka and Kerala, from an estimated present size of Rs 420 to Rs.830 crore by FY-2017.

     

    The report also goes on to say that the national and local advertisers are increasingly realizing the importance of radio.

  • zoOm into the most beautiful women in the Universe

    zoOm into the most beautiful women in the Universe

    MUMBAI: zoOm – India’s No. 1 Bollywood channel, is the biggest platform for glitz, glamour, style and beauty on Indian television. And this November, zoOm is bringing its viewers closer to 86 of the Universe’s most beautiful women with the live and exclusive telecast in India of the Miss Universe 2013 pageant finale from Moscow, Russia.

    Miss Universe, now its 62nd year, is undoubtedly the biggest and most prestigious beauty pageant. This year the Miss Universe telecast will be broadcast in approximately 190 countries and an estimated 1 billion viewers worldwide are expected to tune-in. Thomar Roberts (“MSNBC LIVE”) and former Spice Girl Mel B (“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT”) will be the hosts as Grammy nominated ‘PANIC! AT THE DISCO’ and international recording artist Emin are set to perform on the 9th November broadcast from Moscow, Russ
    ia.

    Speaking about the telecast, Avinash Kaul, Chief Executive Officer – ET NOW, TIMES NOW and zoOm, said, “zoOm has consistently set the benchmark for glamour and glitz and hosting the India telecast of Miss Universe 2013 is a perfect fit with the zoOm brand. The hugely popular Miss Universe pageant will get its biggest platform India in recent times on zoOm, truly enabling the Indian audiences to partake of this spectacular global event.”

    With a robust multi-media marketing plan, zoOm is leaving no stone unturned to promote this prestigious pageant in India. The extensive nationwide marketing campaign will encompass the perfect blend of traditional and new age media. Besides the traditional media matrix of TV, Print, Radio and Outdoor, zoOm is leveraging its dominant Social Media presence to create buzz around the Miss Universe telecast. The first phase of the Social Media campaign on zoOm’s Facebook page and Twitter handle involves rallying support around the Indian contestant – Manasi Moghe. The next phase will see some very interesting pegs designed exclusively for Social Media platforms that will surely generate huge excitement among zoOm’s core youth audience about the Miss Universe finale telecast.

    The Times Group is the official partner of the Miss Universe organisation in India and produces the Miss Diva pageant to pick the official Indian contestant for Miss Universe. 21 year old Manasi Moghe won the title of Miss Diva 2013 to become India’s representative at the Miss Universe 2013 finale. Manasi Moghe, an engineer and model, was born and brought up in Nagpur. This diva is fond of singing, dancing, and music. She oozes with passion as she practices classical dance, and is known to be a good hand on the synthesizer too. Having won beauty pageants in college, this glam girl followed her dream. Known only to a close few, Manasi spends her spare time in school working with blind students and advocating for the betterment of the poor with the Pallottine Youth Forum Social Service Committee.

    Will Manasi join the likes of Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta who did India proud by bringing home the Miss Universe crown? To find out tune into to the live and exclusive telecast of Miss Universe 2013 on Saturday 9th November, 11 pm onwards only on zoOm – India’s No. 1 Bollywood channel.

    The Miss Universe 2013 telecast on zoOm is presented by Artistry from Amway. Solitaire Partner – Divine Solitaires. Associate sponsors – Streax Hair Colour, Loreal ParisTotal Repair 5, Fogg Fragrance Body Spray and Philips LED. Outdoor Partner – Alakh.

    ZoOm will also air a prime-time repeat of the Miss Universe 2013 telecast on Sunday 10th November, at 8.30 pm.

  • Parle-G comes on board Reliance broadcast networks big junior star

    Parle-G comes on board Reliance broadcast networks big junior star

    MUMBAI: Parle-G has come on board as presenting sponsors for BIG Junior Star, a unique property that showcases the best young talent, across the core Hindi markets of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. To be aired as a show on BIG MAGIC and amplified across BIG MAGIC Bihar & Jharkhand and radio network 92.7 BIG FM, this talent encouragement platform is targeted at young children between the ages of 8-15 years and has no caveats for the talent that the children wish to showcase. The show will be created into a 40 episode special which will air each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The campaign kicking off this October will culminate in March 2014. It has been Parle G’s endeavor to encourage curiosity and overall development in children, in fact their recent campaign Roko Mat Toko Mat stands testimony, add to this tier II markets have been earmarked as key markets. On the other hand BIG MAGIC’s property idea of a kids talent hunt not limiting formats of entry, its expansive network and focusing on the tier II markets – the synergies made for an excellent partnership.

    This first ever unique children’s talent reality show, will also feature child celebrities promoting the show through special appearances. Radio spots will share special tips for kids’ holistic growth, featuring experts interacting with listeners. An extension of the property also sees the Curious Kid contest, where during the on ground programs kids will be encouraged to ask curious questions and the most curious ones win prizes.

    Mr. Pravin Kulkarnii, GM-Marketing, Parle Products said, “We are glad to be associated with one of Reliance Group’s popular channel, BIG Magic. With the channel now being aired across all major cities in India and becoming popular amongst its target audience, we are certain that our association with their upcoming show, BIG Junior Star will help us take forward the brand ideology of Parle G.”

    Mr. Mayank Shah, Group Product Manager, Parle Products commented, “With our alliance with BIG Junior Star we are looking forward to elevate the ideology of our campaign Roko Mat, Toko Mat and strengthen our connection with the newer generation of parents and children. This platform will help us focus in bringing out natural curiosity in kids, encourage their desire to try new things, experiment and learn from their mistakes. We want them to realize that they can learn everywhere and from everything and that school is beyond just books and classrooms.”

    Mr. Sunil Kumaran, Business Head – BIG MAGIC, said, “BIG Junior Star is our latest property which aims at encouraging talent amongst kids, in markets beyond the metros. We are happy to have Parle-G as our presenting sponsor for this initiative. With an interactive format and a diverse platform of categories, we are confident that BIG Junior Star will garner mass appeal, engaging excellently with our target audience – kids.”

    BIG Junior Star will see an extensive multi-media marketing push across the platforms of television, radio, digital, outdoor, on ground – through school and residential welfare association contact programs and road shows. BIG Junior Star will go on air from January, 2014 on BIG MAGIC AND BIG MAGIC BIHAR JHARKHAND

  • Will Mahabharatham walk the talk?

    Will Mahabharatham walk the talk?

    MUMBAI: Not very long ago, Star Plus launched its magnum opus, Mahabharat, a contemporary retelling of the ancient Indian epic, on a scale never-seen-before and amidst huge fanfare.

     

    Soon after, a dubbed-in-Tamil version of the show named Mahabharatham was aired on 7 October on Star Vijay, Star TV’s Tamil GEC.

     

    Not only did Mahabharatham take over the 7:00 pm slot, earlier reserved for a kids’ show titled 7 C, which was anyway about to end, two weeks prior to the show’s launch, a high decibel marketing campaign comprising TV, radio, digital, on-ground, and to a large extent, outdoor, was undertaken to publicise its arrival.

     

    As part of this endeavour, life-size posters of the show characters were put up across Tamil Nadu; TV celebrities were brought in at the end of every show on Star Vijay to promote the series; monologues were staged on streets to grab attention; and hoardings were put up across 500 locations including Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirrapalli, Erode and Tirunelveli. A staggering Rs 1 crore – Rs 1.5 crore was spent on the campaign, with separate plans for merchandising during Diwali.

     

    Promotions apart, Star Vijay ensured Seventh Channel Communications did a neat job of the dubbing. “Seventh Channel Communications has dubbed on a 50 episode contract, with each episode costing up to Rs 1 lakh. We have ensured the dubbing is so tight that the lip movements match with the Tamil words the characters are speaking. People were thoroughly impressed with the grandeur on watching the promos. The feedback on production value was positive,” elaborates Star Vijay general manager K Sriram.

     

    Now, with the show well past its launch, Star Vijay faces the big question whether all the investment and effort has been worth the channel’s while.

     

    While there are no clear answers, it is true that the first two weeks of Mahabharatham have garnered 422 and 440 TVTs (average), respectively, and its opening show has got 415 TVTs unlike 7C, which was just about managing 169 TVTs weekly (average). What’s more, close competitor Raj TV’s Sindhu Bhairavi (Uttaran dubbed in Tamil), which airs at the same time (7:00 pm), has garnered only 251 TVTs (average).

     

    As a media planner from Chennai-based Group M puts it: “For Star Vijay, these are good numbers and now – Mahabharatham – for which they did huge promotions, is their best show as well.”

     

    However, the picture is not entirely rosy. Sun TV, another rival, has its own version of Mahabharatham which airs every Sunday morning and garners more TVTs than Star Vijay’s show. To this, the planner only says that it is wrong to compare any other channel with a player like Sun TV which enjoys strong loyalty.

     

    The planner reasons that Tamilians are attached to such shows because they are conservative and dedicated to religious beliefs and that is why epic shows work well down south. At the same time, he is quick to point out it would be best to wait for another week to see if Star Vijay’s Mahabharatham sustains its ratings before taking any call on the show.

     

    In fact, readers may recall that the original Mahabharat (Hindi version on Star Plus) too dropped from 8,445 TVTs to 5,518 TVTs in its second week… So, Star Vijay will have to wait to see the returns of its investment…

  • Q2-2014 HT Media PAT up due to subsidiary stake sale: Radio Business PBIT up 28%

    Q2-2014 HT Media PAT up due to subsidiary stake sale: Radio Business PBIT up 28%

    BENGALURU: Despite slightly lower consolidated income from operations in Q2-2014 at Rs 534.65 crore, as compared to the Rs 540.93 crore in Q1-2014, Indian media group HT Media Limited (HT Media) reported a 22.5 per cent jump in PAT for Q2-2014 at Rs 58.18 crore (after minority interest) as compared to the Rs 47.49 crore in Q1-2014 and 75 per cent higher than the Rs 33.31 crore for Q2-2013. HT Media had reported group consolidated income from operations of Rs 510.87 crore for Q2-2013.

     

    Excluding the Rs 38.21 crore from the proceeds of the sale of HT Media’s stake in HT Burda, PAT for Q2-2014 would be lower than the PAT for the immediate preceding quarter or the corresponding quarter of last year.

     

    Note: An amount of Rs 38.21 crore representing the difference between (i) the net proceeds of HT Media’s sale of equity shares held in a subsidiary company HT Burda amounting to Rs 59.91 crore and (ii) the carrying amount of assets of HT Burda less liabilities in the consolidated financial statement amounting to Rs 21.7 crore has been recognised as other income in the company’s financial statement.

     

    HT Media’s Fever 104 FM has four radio stations in Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Its Radio, Broadcast and Entertainment segment’s PBIT at Rs 4.69 crore for Q2-2014 was 27.8 per cent more than the Rs 3.67crore for Q1-2014 and almost double (1.97 times) the Rs 2.38 crore PBIT for Q1-2013.

     

    The company claims that its advertising revenue from Printing of Newspapers and Periodicals ‘ segment increased to Rs 386.8 crore for Q2-2014 from Rs 364 crore in Q2-2013, primarily driven by increase in advertising yields and volumes. It also claims a 14 per cent increase in circulation revenue of print segment to Rs 64.2 crore in Q2-2014 from Rs 56.3 crore during the corresponding period last year, driven by increase in realisation per copy.

     

    Let us look at the other Q2-2014 figures reported by HT Media

     

    HT Media’s total income for Q2-2014 at Rs 591.6 crore was 11 per cent more than the Rs 535.25 crore for Q2-2013 and 4.1 per cent more than the Rs 568.49 crore for Q1-2014, mainly on account of higher other income due to HT Media’s sale of its stake in a subsidiary company HT Burda in the current quarter.

     

    Other Income at Rs 56.95 crore for Q2-2014 was more than double (2.34 times more) the Rs 24.38 crore in Q2-2013 and also more than double (2.1 times more) the Rs 27.56 crore for Q1-2014. However, once the proceeds of HT Media’s sale of its stake in its subsidiary HT Burda of Rs 38.21 crore is excluded, Q2-2014 other income would be lower than the other income for Q1-2014 or Q2-2013.

     

    HT Media’s total expense for Q2-2014 at Rs 492.61 crore was about three per cent more than the Rs 478.57 crore for Q2-2013 and about 1.6 per cent more than the Rs 484.81 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    A major chunk of the expense is the cost of raw materials consumed in the case of HT Media. It spent Rs 189.4 crore for Q2-2014 which was three per cent lower than the Rs 195.25 crore in Q2-2013, but 10.3 per cent more than the Rs 171.57 crore in the immediate preceding quarter (Q1-2014).

     

    Another major chunk of expense is Other Expense in the case of HT Media. Other Expense at Rs 180.28 crore for Q2-2014 was 15.5 per cent more than the Rs 156.04 crore for Q2-2013, but about 0.8 per cent lower than the Rs 181.75 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    HT Media’s Employee Benefit expense for Q2-2014 at Rs 106.47 crore was three per cent more than the Rs 103.41 crore for Q2-2013 and 0.8 per cent more than the Rs 105.52 crore for Q1-2014.

     

     Segment Results:

     

    HT Media reports revenue from four streams – Printing of Newspapers and Periodicals segment; Broadcast and Entertainment segment; Digital segment and from Unallocated segment.  

     

    Revenue from HT Media’s Printing of Newspapers and Periodicals segment at Rs 495.85 crore for Q2-2014 was 3.4 per cent higher than the Rs 479.18 crore for Q2-2013, but 1.1 per cent lower than the Rs 504.68 crore in Q1-2014.

     

    PBIT for Printing of Newspapers and Periodicals segment for Q2-2014 at Rs 59.48 crore was 23.3 per cent higher than the Rs 48.24 crore for Q2-2013, but 27 per cent lower than the Rs 82.46 crore for the immediate preceding quarter (Q1-2104).

     

    Revenue from Radio, Broadcast and Entertainment segment for Q2-2014 at Rs 22.16 crore was 11.2 per cent more than the Rs 19.92 crore for Q2-2013, and marginally higher (3.5 per cent) than the Rs 21.41 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    As mentioned above, Its Radio, Broadcast and Entertainment segment PBIT at Rs 4.69 crore  for Q2-2014 was 27.8 per cent more than the Rs 3.67 crore for Q1-2014 and almost double (1.97 times more) than the Rs 2.38 crore for Q1-2013.

     

    Results from the Digital Segment and the Unallocated segment are negative. Please see the attached financial statements.

     

    HT Media chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said, “We are glad to report a stable growth in revenue and profit this quarter, despite continued uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment, both in India, and elsewhere. Our growth initiatives in Mumbai and UP continue to deliver results, and all our digital businesses have shown robust growth. We are confident that our diversified business model, established brands and sustained focus on cost reduction will continue to create value for all stakeholders and also show better results as the macroeconomic environment improves.”

  • ixigo unveils its first integrated marketing campaign

    ixigo unveils its first integrated marketing campaign

    MUMBAI:  ixigo.com, a travel planning and search engine, has kicked off its first ever integrated marketing campaign across television, OOH, radio and social media.

    Speaking about the campaign, ixigo co-founder and CEO Aloke Bajpai said, “Since ixigo’s inception in 2006, it has been our goal to become the most trusted travel planning and research website in India. We strive to make travel an enjoyable and informed experience for our users with our apps, in-depth content and smart comparison of the best deals across travel sites.  We are optimistic that our first ever marketing campaign  will  help  us  reach  out  to  many  more  travellers  across  geographies  and  strengthen  our positioning of being the most trusted travel website in India.”

    The campaign, in line with the brand essence of “know & go”, aims to position the portal as the ‘go to’ destination for travel information and planning. This has been rendered in the form of a TVC which is the backbone of the campaign and highlights the pitfalls of unplanned travel. 

    In addition to the TVC, ixigo has partnered with leading radio channels to engage listeners ‘on the go’ through contests and trivia based activities. Innovative ixigo branding using TVC motifs will also be seen across major airports and OOH media.  Along with a strong offline campaign,  ixigo  will  also  be promoting interesting ‘know & go’ facts, videos and contests across social media and online channels.

    Added, vice president marketing and product strategy Saurabh Srivastava, “Our marketing campaign is clearly aligned with our core brand message of “know & go”. With our first marketing campaign, we are confident that ixigo will find resonance and preference amongst users across the spectrum and through our innovative mobile apps and responsive website, we will be able to help people travel in the know.”

    The creative idea dramatises the pitfalls of travelling without knowing. The execution is built around one of the most famous travel destinations of the world – The Taj Mahal. It isdirected by E Suresh from Eeksaurus films and conceptualised by ixigo’s creative AOR From Here On.

    From Here On founder and MD Rajesh Aggarwal said, “In the crowded space of travel advertising, our cue was simple – demonstrate the peril of traveling without knowing, in a quirky manner, which breaks the clutter and creates a memorable and sticky visual metaphor for the brand.”

  • Close Big Magic launches multi-media marketing campaign across HSM

    Close Big Magic launches multi-media marketing campaign across HSM

    MUMBAI: Big Magic, the flagship GEC from Reliance Broadcast Network, which recently expanded its reach across Hindi speaking markets and announced a slew of new shows and now kicked off with a multi-media marketing campaign.

     

    The two-month comprehensive and integrated campaign sees a mix of traditional and non-traditional media across television, cinema screens, radio and digital. With a marketing mix that connects with consumers across touch points through the day, will be spread across external media platforms, while also optimising the company’s internal media muscle to ensure mileage. The campaign kick-started last week will run until the end of November.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Big Magic business head Sunil Kumaran said, “We are rolling out the marketing campaign now that we have our distribution and content in place.  This will give a strong impetus to the good growth we are witnessing on the channel.  We have created an integrated multi-media campaign ensuring we connect with our audiences through multiple touch points.  We are using TV extensively along with Radio, Cinema and Digital to ensure that we reach out to a large base of audience in a short time.”

     

    With a communication built to convey the availability of the channel in more geographies and fresh and newer content, the campaign is aimed at garnering greater eyeballs for its differentiated content. The creative idea is to make Big Magic the destination for the best Hindi television entertainment with a mix of drama, comedy and more.

     

    An exhaustive plan including using television channels ranging music, movie and news, cinema screens across the cities, effective promos on radio, and an engaging digital plan, the campaign has been designed to attract newer audiences and encourage sampling. Ensuring the company’s internal media strengths are part of the plan, 92.7 BIG FM, Spark Punjabi, Big RTL Thrill and Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand will also be effectively used as part of the plan.

     

    The media mix is designed to deliver maximum impact. Given the audience profile of BIG MAGIC, media selection has been made keeping in the mind the lifestyle and habits of the female television viewer.