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Tag: Rahul Johri

  • ID to premiere 10 new series at Crime Writers Festival 2016

    ID to premiere 10 new series at Crime Writers Festival 2016

    MUMBAI: ID-Investigation Discovery announces a powerful slate of 10 new series at the second Crime Writers Festival 2016 being held at Oxford Bookstore. Reflecting the festival themes, ID will bring intriguing genres of investigation and crime on television ranging from kidnap to missing and forensics through its new programming slate.

     

     In its second year of partnership with the festival, ID will premiere new series – Murder Comes To Town that tells the tales of crimes within close-knit communities that tear them apart. Devil In The Details will travel from remote backwoods of Alaska to islands of Kauai on a hunt for the cold-blooded truth behind crimes. On The Case With Paula Zahn will take viewers on an exciting, visually compelling journey inside the most fascinating crimes and mystery investigations. Deadly Women will explore the world of the female killer shaped by the forces of obsession, greed and revenge.

     

    ID created a unique engagement with visitors at the festival through interesting games and contests. Visitors donned their detective hats and solved crime-based puzzles and crosswords.

     

    Crime Writers Festival 2016 offers three days of soaking in the world of crime, suspense and high thrills. Exciting sessions will range from a discussion on Aarushi Talwar murder case to the gangsters of Dalal Street. Noted crime writers, journalists and filmmakers from around the world will come together to discuss the crime writing scene in India and abroad and analyze its implications in society.

     

    “ID continues to offer compelling investigative programming in Hindi based on true stories. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Siyahi for the second edition of Crime Writers Festival as both brands are a natural fit,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager – South Asia  Rahul Johri.

     

    The speakers at the festival include filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and Indian authors Amit Khan, Avirook Sen, Jerry Pinto, Piyush Jha and Ravi Subramanian, British author Kathryn Harkup, French author Veronique Ovalde, Scottish crime festival director Dom Hastings, Swedish author Zac O’Yeah, Israeli authors Dror a. Mishani and Liad Shoham, Italian author Gianrico Carofiglio, among others.

     

    Crime Writers 2016 Agenda 

    Saturday, January 16, 2016

     

    10:15 am | INAUGURAL

    Inaugural speech by Lady Kishwar Desai

     

    10:30 am – 11:15 am | MURDER ON THE SEINE

    Véronique Ovaldé in conversation with Lady Kishwar Desai

     

    11:20 am – 12:00 noon | DIAL M FOR MAFIA

    Vivek Agrawal in conversation with Aditi Maheshwari

     

    12:20 pm – 1:05 pm | HABEAS CORPUS: TRUTH VERSUS HYPE

    Karuna Nundy, Liad Shoham in conversation with Niharika Karanjawala

     

    1:50 pm – 2:30 pm | FAREWELL, MY LOVELY

    Ravi Subramanian in conversation with Jaya Bhattacharji Rose

     

    2:35 pm – 3:15 pm | PULP AND THE POPULAR CONSCIOUSNESS

    Shailabh Rawat in conversation with Snigdha Poonam

     

    3:20 pm – 4:05 pm | A CROOKED COP IN A VERY CROOKED CITY

    Piergiorgio Pulixi, Clara Pe?alver in conversation with Jerry Pinto, introduced by Alessandra Bertini Malgarini

     

    4:25 pm – 5:10 pm | THE GANGSTERS OF DALAL STREET

    Ravi Subramanian, RV Raman in conversation with Shovon Chowdhury

     

    5:15 pm – 6:00 pm | SHOOT TO KILL: THE BADLANDS OF INDIAN CINEMA

    Sudhir Mishra in conversation with Poonam Saxena, introduced by Deepak Yadav

     

    Sunday, January 17, 2016

     

    10:30 am – 11:15 am | AGATHA@125

    Kathryn Harkup, introduced by Dom Hastings

     

    11:20 am – 12:10 pm | MR FUNNYBONES

    Zac O’Yeah, Shovon Chowdhury in conversation with Lady Kishwar Desai

     

    12:30 pm – 1:10 pm | THE GODFATHERS OF CRIME

    Sheela Raval in conversation with Sandeep Unnithan

     

    1:15 pm – 1:55 pm | KHOONI DUNIYA

    Amit Khan in conversation with Vivek Agrawal

     

    2:40 pm – 3:25 pm | THE MURDER ALGORITHM

    Jerry Pinto in conversation with Ravi Singh

     

    3:30 pm – 4:20 pm | THE SHORT LIFE AND LONG DEATH OF AARUSHI TALWAR

    Avirook Sen, Sonia Singh in conversation with Niharika Karanjawala

     

    4:25 pm – 5:10 pm | IN COLD BLOOD

    Piyush Jha in conversation with Zac O’Yeah

    Raakshas: India’s No 1 Serial Killer to be launched by Sudhir Mishra

  • Discovery Channel to air ‘Revealed: Siachen’

    Discovery Channel to air ‘Revealed: Siachen’

    MUMBAI: The Siachen glacier located at the Karakoram range in the Himalayas is the world’s highest and coldest battleground with army posts at over 21,000 feet. To stay atop on this 77 kilometers long glacier at 5,400 meters altitude means the Indian soldiers have to defy all their physical, mental and emotional limits to safeguard the motherland.

     

    Celebrating Army Day on 15 January and honoring the heroism and sacrifice of the Indian soldiers posted at the world’s most treacherous war zone, Discovery Channel will premiere Revealed: Siachen on 26 January 2016 at 9 pm.

     

    The one hour special Revealed: Siachen will take viewers through the extreme frontline in the world and what it takes to keep the Siachen glacier secure and peaceful. It will present the remarkable chronicles of the soldiers and their formidable challenges to manage the battlefield where temperatures reach minus 60 degrees.

     

    Commenting on the programme, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific executive vice president and general manager South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Revealed: Siachen is dedicated to every Indian soldier for their velour and sacrifice for the motherland. The program will offer viewers first-hand testimonies from the soldiers who have been at the battlefront and will present some intriguing facts to understand what makes Siachen toughest terrain in the world.”

     

    According to Col Narendra Kumar, first surveyor of Siachen for the Indian Army, “Siachen Glacier will always be one of the most compelling experiences for me and to my mind for all the Indian soldiers who have served tours of duty there. I am delighted to associate with Discovery Channel to experientially enable viewers to get a feel of the world’s toughest and coldest battleground through the experiences of those currently serving there, something that is not very frequently seen on Indian television.”

     

    Indian Army maintains a permanent military presence in the region and they are in a constant fight against nature, a fight for oxygen on icy mountain peaks at an altitude of 21,000 feet. The programme will give viewers an exclusive access to the intriguing facts about the extensive training in high altitude survival, rescue methods and excavation skills that soldiers undergo.

     

    Revealed: Siachen will narrate the first assault launched in the world’s highest battlefield, Operation Meghdoot in 1984 and the ceasefire in 2003. Starting from Col Narendra Kumar, a highly acclaimed mountaineer who led the first Indian expedition to survey the Siachen glacier in June 1978 to Honorary Capt Bana Singh who captured a crucial post in Siachen to Major Amit Aukta, Capt Deepshikha Pandey from the Army Medical Corps, Major Vikalp Sharma from the Army Aviation Corps and Col Hariharan, Base Commander at the Siachen Base Camp among others will recount their operations on land and in air under the Operation Meghdoot.

     

    Revealed: Siachen will also premiere on Discovery Tamil and Discovery HD World at 9 pm.

  • Discovery launches digital campaign for ‘Mumbai Railway’ series

    Discovery launches digital campaign for ‘Mumbai Railway’ series

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel has launched an innovative digital campaign to build its new series Mumbai Railway, reflecting the significance, delight and bond of the 7.5 million people commuting daily on an embodiment of Mumbai – the Mumbai Local.

     

    The campaign has been executed by Twentythree, a boutique digital marketing agency.

     

    Discovery Channel associated with Humans of Bombay to highlight the stories of Mumbai citizens and created a viral video campaign to bring to the fore multiple stories of compassion, harmony and jubilation. 

     

    The campaign struck an immediate chord with the audience generating 65,000 video views and nearly one million reach.

     

    The campaign #MumbaiRailways highlights the significance of the Mumbai local in a Mumbaikar’s life. Starting with a story of a senior citizen travelling in the local since 35 years to Dabbawalas sharing their experience as to how the local trains have eased the job, to a college-going girl who finds the trains to be the safest mode of transport; five compelling 30 second videos were produced.

     

    The campaign was topped with a heart-warming 150 second video where people commented their first thoughts about Mumbai Local.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific EVP and GM – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Channel is missioned to inspire audience with path-breaking content. We leveraged the digital platform to dialogue and drive real life stories of Mumbaikars and their unmatched bond with the iconic Mumbai local.”

     

    It can be recalled that Discovery Channel recently premiered the series Mumbai Railway that explores the ‘everyday miracle’ of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST); and highlights that significance of the Mumbai Local.

  • Discovery Channel HD World to air ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls’ featuring Obama

    Discovery Channel HD World to air ‘Running Wild with Bear Grylls’ featuring Obama

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel is all set to premiere Running Wild with Bear Grylls – a one hour special programme, which will feature the President of U.S. Barack Obama.

    It will air Discovery Channel HD World and Discovery Tamil on 31 December at 10 pm.

    The film will see the President trekking through the Alaskan wilderness with survival expert Bear Grylls while on a visit to observe the effects of climate change on the area. The duo will be on a journey across a glacial outwash and through a dense forest on their way to Alaska famed Exit Glacier.

    The feature will show the President’s love for his family, to his overwhelming duties as the president of United States, seeing the effects of climate change first hand; showcasing his culinary and selfie clicking skills, no subject will be off limits. Bear Grylls will enlighten the President a true taste of the Alaskan wilderness, which will leave the audience informed about the global warming and its effects.

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific EVP & GM-South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Running Wild with Bear Grylls has been one of the most successful and special shows on Discovery Channel. Bringing two of the most prominent and world famous personalities makes  Running Wild with Bear Grylls and Barack Obama an unprecedented experience for Indian viewers.”

  • Discovery Kids partners Rapid Metro Gurgaon for ‘Joy Express’

    Discovery Kids partners Rapid Metro Gurgaon for ‘Joy Express’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids has joined hands with Rapid Metro Gurgaon to launch a first-of-its-kind consumer engagement initiative called Discovery Kids Joy Express.

     

    This joy ride will begin from from Sikanderpur Rapid metro station on 19 December, 2015 and will run on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 pm.

     

    The Discovery Kids Joy Express will be a unique touch point for kids to have fun while they learn on-board. The ride will deliver an enriching experience for kids with creative games, art & craft, puppet & magic show and quiz. Adding to the attraction will be kids’ favourite superhero Kisna, who will meet and greet with kids on-board the metro. Special joyrides will also be held for for schools, NGOs and corporates.

     

    The tickets are priced at Rs 250 for kids and Rs 100 for the accompanying parent/adult and can be booked online on BookMyShow.com, or by calling on 0124-2800028 and at Sikanderpur Rapid metro station.

     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific South Asia executive vice president and general manager Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Kids continues to bring alive smart fun through its on-air content and innovative outreach campaigns. Discovery Kids Joy Express extends this promise by engaging with kids and giving them a priceless experience.”

     

    IL& FS MD and CEO Rail Rajiv Banga added, “It has been Rapid Metro’s endeavour to connect with the younger generation and create awareness on the benefits of metro. Joy Express is a unique initiative which has been well accepted by our youngsters. We are happy to partner with Discovery Kids and we welcome them on board the Joy Express. Our association with them is based upon the synergies both companies bring, backed by our philosophy to innovate and provide a better customer experience.”

  • Discovery Kids to premiere ‘Gaturro’ on Christmas

    Discovery Kids to premiere ‘Gaturro’ on Christmas

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids has readied a Christmas treat for its young viewers with the premiere of the movie Gaturro. The movie is the fun love story of two cats, the adorable Gaturro and his lady-love Agatha.

     

    In his quest to win her over, Gaturro will give the viewers a complete entertainment experience full of laughter and happiness.
     

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and GM Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Kids continues to bring compelling storylines, exciting titles and enduring characters. Gaturro is yet another offering for kids to enjoy and immerse in the charming world of a fun and engaging character.”

    The movie will premiere on 25 December at 12 pm with a repeat at 5 pm on Discovery Kids.

  • Discovery bags 11 awards at Asian Television Awards

    Discovery bags 11 awards at Asian Television Awards

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel won an award in the category for cable and satellite channel of the year, while Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific bagged the cable and satellite network of the year award the Asian Television Awards 2015 in Singapore on 3 December, 2015.

     

    Discovery also grabbed awards in the categories of best documentary series for Abalone Wars 3, best natural history or wildlife programme for Revealed: Rann of Kutch and best cinematography for The Minority. The network has altogether bagged 11 wins and commendations.

     

    Speaking about the wins Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific president and managing director Arthur Bastings said, “Bagging the two top awards in the cable and satellite category is a huge honour. Discovery has spent the last 21 years telling great local stories across Asia Pacific. From natural history to extreme jobs, we are focused on delivering content that resonates and deepens our connection with viewers. The recognition across various categories is testament to the strength and quality of our productions, talent, and teams. This only inspires us to further raise the bar and embrace opportunities of a fast-changing media landscape.”

     

    Discovery Networks Asia Pacific EVP & GM – South Asia Rahul Johri added, “This recognition reflects Discovery’s ingenious and differentiated approach to connect and entertain the discerning Indian viewer.”

  • Discovery channel to air a programme on ‘Mumbai Railway’

    Discovery channel to air a programme on ‘Mumbai Railway’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel is all set to air a programme on the UNESCO’s world heritage site, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai. The programme titled as Mumbai Railway will show behind the scenes of CST’s super-sized transport operation to reveal how the station’s staff and technological systems cope as they are stretched to maintain Mumbai’s lifeline on a daily basis. The four part series will premiere on 7 December every Monday at 9 pm.

     

    The programme will take the viewers through the lives of the men and women who keep the Mumbai railways running; from the station managers, to the controllers in the operations room, the engine drivers, guards, policemen and porters amongst others. The show will offer due credence to the people behind the functioning of the railways and showcase how the team works on a stern time limit before the train resumes its journey. The programme will also offer the viewers to discover the locations around the city which contribute to the massive industrial kitchen which supplies the meals and the new, automated laundry which washes and presses bed sheets.

     

    Talking about the new programme, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and GM-South Asia Rahul Johri asserted, “Discovery Channel has been entertaining and inspiring viewers in India for the last 20 years with the finest range of factual programmes. Mumbai Railway will bring forth compelling story of the megacity Mumbai – its station and its transport challenges. The series will showcase the diverse network and its amplified scale like never before.”

     

    The programme will explore the scientific, technological, historical, and human-interest stories from across Mumbai’s sprawling suburban network. The programme will showcase how Mumbai Railways has come to become the pulse of the Mumbai commuters irrespective of the heavy monsoons, the crazy rush and the cringing space constraints.

     

    Mumbai Railway will also showcase the future for CST and Indian railways including expanded capacity by making train and platforms longer, building new lines and bringing into server a new double decker train.

  • Discovery channel to air ‘Racing Extinction’ globally; to aid the channel’s campaign

    Discovery channel to air ‘Racing Extinction’ globally; to aid the channel’s campaign

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel will broadcast director Louie Psihoyos’ film Racing Extinction in India on 2 December at 9 pm. The channel will premiere the movie in 220 international markets across the world within a span of 24 hours.

     

    Racing Extinction is an ambitious mission to clearly and artfully put into focus the human impact on the planet, while inspiring humanity to embrace the solutions that will ensure a thriving, biodiverse world for future generations.

     

    The film will also serve as a catalyst for the ongoing campaign utilising the hash tag #StartWith1Thing to serve as Discovery’s call to action to create a global movement behind the television event. In partnership with Discovery and the Ocean Preservation Society (OPS), the co-executive producer of the film Paul G. Allen and his Vulcan Productions have launched an action campaign around Racing Extinction to empower audiences to join the fight to save these animals while there is still time. 

       

    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP & GM – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Channel presents path-breaking and immersive programmes that serve a purpose beyond entertainment.  Racing Extinction is a gripping film that vividly demonstrates the serious threats our beautiful planet faces today. We believe that the film will invoke passion amongst Indian viewers and will inspire everyone to preserve it for a better tomorrow.”

     

    The director Louie Psihoyos added, “With the help of Discovery I believe we can create a tipping point to create the change we need to preserve a planet that can sustain life for all species.” He further adds, “There has never been a more important time in the world than to be alive now — the decisions we make in the next few years will impact the Earth and animal species for millions of years.”

     

    In the ground breaking film the director and his group assembles a team of artists and activists on a new undercover operation to expose the world of endangered species trafficking and the race to prevent mass extinction. The 90-minute film reveals few never-before seen images that will change the onlookers’ perception of the world.

  • No kidding! Kid’s TV channels get serious about Diwali

    No kidding! Kid’s TV channels get serious about Diwali

    MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again when television channels in the kids’ genre go full throttle to appease their tiny tot viewers.

     

    With a viewership of 7.3 percent of the total television audience in India, kids’ channels enjoy advertising revenue of 3.8 per cent, which is predicted to hit Rs 6650 crore as per FICCI’s Industry report 2015, which expects the total ad spends on television to be Rs 17,500 crore in 2015. A major chunk of this revenue is generated during the third quarter, thanks to a sudden increase in viewership.

     

    “During Diwali northern states and the western parts of India have holidays so naturally viewership on kids’ channels goes up. Therefore there is a spurt in investment in kids genre as well,” says a veteran media planner, who adds that though there is a definite increase in viewership from last year, it is hard to put that into figures as TAM and BARC ratings use different mechanisms of viewership measurements.

     

    Kids channels’ look forward to the third quarter as it generates the highest viewership for them after the April May June time which is usually when schools have summer vacation. With this surge in viewership, advertisers too plan in advance to make the most of their television spends through these kids channels.

      

    It is needless to say that channels heavily invest to promote their existing shows and also grab eye balls with new exciting content, and 2015 is no exception.

     

    From new show launches to extensive on ground activities, kids channels have pulled out all stops on whatever services they have at their disposal, be it on the marketing front or content. Keeping in mind the excitement surrounding Children’s day, some are conducting city wise on ground promotions, while others have brought in fresh local content to appeal to urban as well as rural viewers.

     

    For the same reason, Turner International India’s kids’ channels Cartoon Network and Pogo planned week-long celebrations with new movies, specials and contests to make the most of the holidays.

     

    Cartoon Network has celebrated the birthday of one the network’s most popular character Kris from the Roll No. 21 series with a week-long stunt in a special program titled Kris ka Dhamakedar Birthday from 9 to 14 November at 10.30 am.  Following which the channel airs Lights Camera Roll No. 21: Kris in Bollywood, a brand new movie featuring Kris making his Bollywood debut, on 14 November 2015 at 10:30am.

      

    The channel has also organized a special promotional contest to win an invite to Kris’s birthday party.

     

    Pogo’s Diwali week ending in 13 November saw back to back Chhota Bheem movies and specials that aired throughout the week from 9am onwards and a brand new movie titled Chhota Bheem: Dinosaur World at 12pm on 11 November.

     

    The genre’s leader Nickelodeon hasn’t been complacent with its number one rank and has invested heavily in on ground promotions for this year’s Children’s day. The Viacom 18 owned network will bring down their toon stars to interact with children in Delhi and Kolkata on D Day, with Shivaji and Ninha making special appearances on the venue.

     

    “In Delhi, there will be dedicated games that would be played at the set-up, including a Squap integration with toons giving them away to lucky winners over and above Nickelodeon merchandise that would be distributed,” reveals Viacom18 EVP and business head – kids cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria.

     

    “Kids in Kolkata get a chance to not only meet Motu Patlu but also engage at the carnival with loads of games. The entire City Centre mall will get the look of Furfurinagar and kids will get a chance to win super cool Motu Patlu merchandise as well. This has been promoted though ads, TV astons, radio and online,” she explains, adding that the initiative is a joint venture between ABP and Viacom 18, with TeleKids as partners in the event.

     

    The channel also plans to take these promotions digital in order to reach out to as many kids and mothers as possible. At the same time it will reinforce their merchandising stronghold in the market.

     

    “This Children’s Day we’re unveiling the new look of Squap, that is, Squap 2,” shares Jaipuria excitedly, “The wittiest and the funniest comment on the new Squap will be a cool way to Squap,” she adds.

     

    Commenting on the importance of this quarter in terms of ad revenues, Jaipuria further adds, “October November and December is as busy as April, May and June for us. This is the time when kids’ channels see a lot of traction both in terms of viewership as well as ad revenue. Our viewership as well as ad spends increase by 29 to 30 per cent during this time.” She also adds that there has been considerable increase in ad rates this year.

     

    In terms of programming, Sonic will air a movie special featuring Pakdam Pakdai Doggy Don Vs Billiman at 7:30pm on 14 November, while Nick will celebrate children’s day with Motu Patlu Kung Fu King Returns at 11.30 am.

     

    The network’s biggest offering to their little viewers this season is undoubtedly Shiva, their third home grown animated series which went on air on 9 November, and has already garnered positive reviews.

     

    Another channel which is out to win new audiences and treat old viewers with fresh content is Discovery Kids with their brand new show Luv Kushh that also went on air on 9 November.

     

     “Discovery Kids continues to entertain kids with its variety of programmes and genres, endearing characters and exciting storylines. The new series, Luv Kushh will take kids back to the era of gurukuls and recreate the age-old traditions of the student-teacher relationship,” said Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and GM, Rahul Johri on their new show.

     

    Given the timing for the launch one can wonder if the move was deliberate on the part of the channels to go head to head to competition for viewership. Either way, this quarter looks busy, exciting, and content heavy for the kids’ entertainment channels.