NEW DELHI: Despite the onslaught of growing movie channels on television, the craving for seeing a film on the big screen remains – but with new innovations like floor-to-ceiling screens and better sound systems. A strategic investment of Rs 200 crore is being put in by SRS Cinemas to build over 100 new screens across cities and towns in the country.
These theatres will showcase large, wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling screens, with international formats such as IMAX, ATMOS and 4DX to present the most immersive experience to movie buffs.
These 100 new screens, well equipped with technology and innovation, will offer a customised theatre geometry and powerful digital sound system to create a unique environment that allows audiences to enjoy the movies as never before. Alongside, international formats will bring projection systems which deliver crystal clear images to provide a great cinematic experience that is truly something to sit back and admire.
These new screens will provide the best-in-class, seamless and sophisticated movie- viewing experience with a pure blend of luxury and technology, a delight to movie enthusiasts.
SRS Group chairman and MD Anil Jindal said: “The Indian film industry is growing rapidly. It is efficiently set to reach $3 billion in 2016. This massive growth has encouraged us to expand and strengthen our presence across Tier II and III cities in the country. We plan to expand our footprint in the country by leveraging organic and inorganic expansion and acquiring screens across the nation.”
Group president & chief strategy officer Tinku Singh said: “We are proud to announce an investment of Rs. 200 Crore to build over 100 new screens. We are glad that with our expertise, we have been able to spread the magic of movies not just in urban but in semi- urban parts of the country as well. We are prominently present in major regions including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. The current investment will help us to spread more effectively across the country including eastern and southern part of India as well”.
MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.
The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.
Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.
Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.
The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.
“The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.
Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.
“What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.
The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.
Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.
To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.
The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.
MUMBAI: With an extensive portfolio of channels under it, Star India is all set to add one more feather to his hat. The network will launch its free to air (FTA) Hindi movies channel Star Utsav Movies on 28 May.
The advent of BARC has led rural markets taking the center stage with more than half of the TV viewership coming from the heartland. Entering this space, is this new channel which is completely focussed at the rural market and will play popular Bollywood films for the homes that do not have access to these films.
Following the motto of being the first truly rural channel, their tagline Har Din Utsav promises an indication of their endeavour to give its viewers a reason to celebrate every day with the biggest and best stars on screen. Aimed at building a strong footprint in the rural market, the new channel will cater to the rural tastes, consumption and need.
Star Gold, Movies OK, Star Gold HD and Star Utsav Movies general manager Hemal Jhaveri says, “We are excited to announce the launch of Star Utsav Movies on 28th May, India’s first ‘Truly Rural’ Hindi movie channel. Our analysis indicated that there was a clear need gap in this category since 25% of the total viewership came from movies, but the Hindi movie genre share is a miniscule 5 %. This is because of the non-availability of good content from the existing Hindi movie channels in the FTA space”.
The channel has done an extensive research over 8-9 months in multiple states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, etc to unravel the rural psyche before rolling out the channel. Through their survey, various key elements like afternoon slot, rural entertainment viewing pattern, the availability of screen, etc were considered before laying the channel’s programming schedule.
“The study shed light on the key usage and behavior patterns which has been the cornerstone for all acquisition, programming and marketing inputs on this new channel offering”, points Jhaveri.
Through this data, the channel will look at their content vigilantly to have a sturdy family appeal policy being followed in their line-up.
“What made this research unique and accurate was the fact that it was tailor made to each respondent surveyed basis their viewing behavior which was captured on close circuit cameras positioned in their homes. The rural markets are the last important frontier and we believe Star Utsav Movies will empower both the consumers and advertisers alike,” he further adds.
The channel will be initially available exclusively on Doordarshan’s free direct-to-home (DTH) platform Freedish and will later be made available on other platforms according to the channel’s distribution strategy.
Various advertisers from FMCG, telecoms, tractors, agriculture equipment, etc sectors are expected to get on board. Whereas, the content offering on the channel will be different from the network’s other channels like Star Gold, Movies Ok and Star Gold HD.
To drive reach and awareness for the new channel, a multi-media launch campaign has already kick-started. Besides a comprehensive high impact TV plan, the promotion also includes a high octane radio plan besides unique brand experiences on ground across villages in key markets which will bring alive the brand promise.
The channel is leveraging the might of Star India Network to rapidly build awareness.
MUMBAI: Mahindra Two Wheelers is pushing its recently launched premium 300cc touring motorcycle Mojo, with an innovative campaign that highlights the joy in the journey through user generated content.
Aimed at the 20 something bike enthusiasts who love the dusty rugged roads and the experiences that come with it, the 360 degree campaign titled ‘Born for the road’ is to unravel in stages starting with the digital leg.
Launched in October 2015, Mahindra’s Mojo is positioned as long distance touring vehicle priced at a premium rate of Rs 2 lakhs (on road) approximately. So far the brand has sold 1000 units of the model. Given the fact that it is a flagship launch from Mahindra in its two wheeler segment, a bulk of the company’s marketing budget is being dedicated for its promotion, with no fixed limitations as off now.
On the need to launch a bike in this new space Mahindra Two Wheelers, Marketing and Product Planning senior GM Naveen Malhotra said, “Mahindra is known for its daredevil and adventurous nature. While our four wheelers give off that image, we are also associated with a racing tournament to further establish ourselves as a sports brand. Secondly there is an increasingly emerging batch of consumers who love the lifestyle that comes with long bike journeys and on road travel. It was a space we wanted to enter given the growing demand for good quality bikes that are comfortable to ride long distances in.”
But with several well-known brands like Harley Davidson, Royal Enfield and Bullet already crowding the segment, it was a challenge to establish a market for Mojo as the first choice for the Indian long road traveller.
“We firstly wanted to build credibility in the customer’s mind aiming our marketing initiatives at the motorcycle enthusiasts. We needed them to understand that the makers behind this two wheeler get what they want from a long distance ride. We started off with a Maker’s Trail, and took some media on a two day bike trail with us,” Malhotra added.
“From the product perspective, there are several differentiators that Mojo enjoys but more than that, what separates Mojo from the rest of the two wheelers available in this segment is the package we offer. A person going for this high range two wheeler is buying it more for the experience and that is exactly what we provide.” Which is why the two wheeler’s campaign also surrounds the experience and the lifestyle of a wanderlust who is in love with the road rather than the ‘cool’ specs the bike has.
Conceptualised by Flying Cursor and directed by Littil Swayamp Paul, the TVC released showcases a bunch of free spirited youngsters who enjoy the journey as they cruise through several Indian cities, highways and villages, with a stress on the harsh terrain routes.
Interestingly the TVC also features a well done cover of Muddy Waters’ Got My Mojo by popular blues band Blues Band Soulmate.
In fact, the brand has made a conscious effort to pick passionate riders for the film shoot instead of regular models and taken them on real joy ride while shooting the entire ad film.
“Barring two, most of the boys and girls you see in the video are hard core riders. We needed them to understand the nuances of a road trip rather than simply posing with the bike. Not to mention we needed them to ensure a long and gruelling road trip across Rajasthan for the shoot. Our whole idea was to make people experience what a road trip is like – the camaraderie that comes from riding together to the excitement finding little joys in the simplest of things, or even finding a very delicious food in an unexpected roadside dhaba. We shot across in various locations in Rajasthan, ensuring that none of them has appeared anywhere before,” explained Flying Cursor director & co-founder, Shormistha Mukherjee.
The highlight of the campaign is the clever use of user generated content the brand plans to use with the secured footages from the long bike ride the agency and the brand arranged for the film shoot.
With an aim to engage consumers on a one on one basis, and to let them experience the product, the brand has conducted several long bike rides for the enthusiasts with the last one being a four day trip across 1000 kms covering several well-known wildlife sanctuaries in South India. There are plans to conduct two more long bike rides with the Mojo Tribe, the next one being a mountain trail.
“We don’t see this campaign ending with the TVC launch. We have far wider plans to engage our consumers through fun user generated content that we have acquired through the trips with Mojo Tribe. Each one will tell an interesting story to the audience through our digital and social media touch points,” Malhotra promised.
MUMBAI: Mahindra Two Wheelers is pushing its recently launched premium 300cc touring motorcycle Mojo, with an innovative campaign that highlights the joy in the journey through user generated content.
Aimed at the 20 something bike enthusiasts who love the dusty rugged roads and the experiences that come with it, the 360 degree campaign titled ‘Born for the road’ is to unravel in stages starting with the digital leg.
Launched in October 2015, Mahindra’s Mojo is positioned as long distance touring vehicle priced at a premium rate of Rs 2 lakhs (on road) approximately. So far the brand has sold 1000 units of the model. Given the fact that it is a flagship launch from Mahindra in its two wheeler segment, a bulk of the company’s marketing budget is being dedicated for its promotion, with no fixed limitations as off now.
On the need to launch a bike in this new space Mahindra Two Wheelers, Marketing and Product Planning senior GM Naveen Malhotra said, “Mahindra is known for its daredevil and adventurous nature. While our four wheelers give off that image, we are also associated with a racing tournament to further establish ourselves as a sports brand. Secondly there is an increasingly emerging batch of consumers who love the lifestyle that comes with long bike journeys and on road travel. It was a space we wanted to enter given the growing demand for good quality bikes that are comfortable to ride long distances in.”
But with several well-known brands like Harley Davidson, Royal Enfield and Bullet already crowding the segment, it was a challenge to establish a market for Mojo as the first choice for the Indian long road traveller.
“We firstly wanted to build credibility in the customer’s mind aiming our marketing initiatives at the motorcycle enthusiasts. We needed them to understand that the makers behind this two wheeler get what they want from a long distance ride. We started off with a Maker’s Trail, and took some media on a two day bike trail with us,” Malhotra added.
“From the product perspective, there are several differentiators that Mojo enjoys but more than that, what separates Mojo from the rest of the two wheelers available in this segment is the package we offer. A person going for this high range two wheeler is buying it more for the experience and that is exactly what we provide.” Which is why the two wheeler’s campaign also surrounds the experience and the lifestyle of a wanderlust who is in love with the road rather than the ‘cool’ specs the bike has.
Conceptualised by Flying Cursor and directed by Littil Swayamp Paul, the TVC released showcases a bunch of free spirited youngsters who enjoy the journey as they cruise through several Indian cities, highways and villages, with a stress on the harsh terrain routes.
Interestingly the TVC also features a well done cover of Muddy Waters’ Got My Mojo by popular blues band Blues Band Soulmate.
In fact, the brand has made a conscious effort to pick passionate riders for the film shoot instead of regular models and taken them on real joy ride while shooting the entire ad film.
“Barring two, most of the boys and girls you see in the video are hard core riders. We needed them to understand the nuances of a road trip rather than simply posing with the bike. Not to mention we needed them to ensure a long and gruelling road trip across Rajasthan for the shoot. Our whole idea was to make people experience what a road trip is like – the camaraderie that comes from riding together to the excitement finding little joys in the simplest of things, or even finding a very delicious food in an unexpected roadside dhaba. We shot across in various locations in Rajasthan, ensuring that none of them has appeared anywhere before,” explained Flying Cursor director & co-founder, Shormistha Mukherjee.
The highlight of the campaign is the clever use of user generated content the brand plans to use with the secured footages from the long bike ride the agency and the brand arranged for the film shoot.
With an aim to engage consumers on a one on one basis, and to let them experience the product, the brand has conducted several long bike rides for the enthusiasts with the last one being a four day trip across 1000 kms covering several well-known wildlife sanctuaries in South India. There are plans to conduct two more long bike rides with the Mojo Tribe, the next one being a mountain trail.
“We don’t see this campaign ending with the TVC launch. We have far wider plans to engage our consumers through fun user generated content that we have acquired through the trips with Mojo Tribe. Each one will tell an interesting story to the audience through our digital and social media touch points,” Malhotra promised.
MUMBAI: Seeing a need to break-free from the journalism that is followed on news channels, Prabhu Chawla is all geared up to launch a news channel called National Voice. With the core focus on laying out the problems and solutions of UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand, he will also launch other channels for the markets of Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, etc.
Chawla will be associated with the channel as its chief editorial advisor. The channel is majorly banking on investigative journalism and will use sting without stink, he says.
With an aim to connect various states to one language, the new channel will strive on news first and views later. The motto of the channel is Aapka Sawal, Aapka Jawab. Commenting on the launch Chawla says, “We will fear none and favour none. We have built a team of professional editors who have a combined experience of 50 years in the television news genre. We have a heavily decentralised system in which each one takes an independent decision, but all think collectively”.
The channel has two promoters – the main promoter is an UP-based industrialist while Chawla holds a minor stake in the channel. He also admits that many leading brands have approached him for sponsoring a couple of his channel’s shows, although he was reluctant at disclosing commercial details at this stage.
The channel is banking on content, tone and its vision as its differentiating factor over the rest of the available channels. Focussed at answering the 5 Ws (what, when, why, where, who) and 1 H (how), the channel will chase the story and also provide follow-ups to its viewers. It is starting off with the heartland of the country and will be available on various DTH platforms.
“We are taking UP to India, not India to UP like the national channels. We will go behind and beyond the news. Content is king for us and reporters are the best news smiths. Our channel will be not be led by anchors. On the contrary news will lead the anchor”, he reveals.
Chawla is of the opinion that regional channels are more successful than English and national Hindi channels. His channel will manifest what the people want to see and are curious about and will connect to local people through their vision.
After ideating for over a year, the channel’s logo has been designed by a group of young professionals and is all ready to come out by June. “It is not meant to be in the public domain. It is a team of young professional from a design institute who have been guided by experienced people”, concludes Chawla.
MUMBAI: Seeing a need to break-free from the journalism that is followed on news channels, Prabhu Chawla is all geared up to launch a news channel called National Voice. With the core focus on laying out the problems and solutions of UP, Bihar and Uttarakhand, he will also launch other channels for the markets of Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, etc.
Chawla will be associated with the channel as its chief editorial advisor. The channel is majorly banking on investigative journalism and will use sting without stink, he says.
With an aim to connect various states to one language, the new channel will strive on news first and views later. The motto of the channel is Aapka Sawal, Aapka Jawab. Commenting on the launch Chawla says, “We will fear none and favour none. We have built a team of professional editors who have a combined experience of 50 years in the television news genre. We have a heavily decentralised system in which each one takes an independent decision, but all think collectively”.
The channel has two promoters – the main promoter is an UP-based industrialist while Chawla holds a minor stake in the channel. He also admits that many leading brands have approached him for sponsoring a couple of his channel’s shows, although he was reluctant at disclosing commercial details at this stage.
The channel is banking on content, tone and its vision as its differentiating factor over the rest of the available channels. Focussed at answering the 5 Ws (what, when, why, where, who) and 1 H (how), the channel will chase the story and also provide follow-ups to its viewers. It is starting off with the heartland of the country and will be available on various DTH platforms.
“We are taking UP to India, not India to UP like the national channels. We will go behind and beyond the news. Content is king for us and reporters are the best news smiths. Our channel will be not be led by anchors. On the contrary news will lead the anchor”, he reveals.
Chawla is of the opinion that regional channels are more successful than English and national Hindi channels. His channel will manifest what the people want to see and are curious about and will connect to local people through their vision.
After ideating for over a year, the channel’s logo has been designed by a group of young professionals and is all ready to come out by June. “It is not meant to be in the public domain. It is a team of young professional from a design institute who have been guided by experienced people”, concludes Chawla.
MUMBAI: Animal Planet has launched fifth annual campaign to protect and conserve the tiger population in India with actress Sonakshi Sinha as the face of the campaign.
As part of Animal Planet’s 2016 ‘Where Tigers Rule’ campaign, the channel will offer viewers a peek into the lives, habitats, behaviour of various tiger species from 1 March every day at 9 pm.
Tweaking a popular dialogue from one of her films for this campaign, Sinha said, “Danger se darr nahi lagta, endangered se lagta hai.”
The campaign will bring captivating stories of tigers – their co-existence with humans, the threatening environment and the conservation efforts of leading experts from India and around the world. It has been filmed in breathtaking landscapes located in India’s forests, grasslands and protect reserves, including Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park, Rajasthan’s Sariska and Ranthambore National Parks, West Bengal’s Sunderbans, and Maharashtra’s Tadoba.
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and general manager – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “My entire team feels deeply gratified that the tiger population in India has increased in the last few years. The campaign attempts to bring attention to the imminent danger to tigers and to sensitise millions of viewers through breathtaking programming. We are ecstatic that we have made a small and vital contribution. The challenge is far from over and we will continue to invest our resources and energy and lead the campaign from the front.”
Expressing the true passion for wildlife Sinha added, “I feel fortunate that I can participate in this wonderful cause and be a change agent. I believe that humans have to respect other species and their habitats and adapt to co-exist. My parents took me to a national park to see a tiger and I would certainly love to take my children one day and show them this magnificent creature.”
MUMBAI: Animal Planet has launched fifth annual campaign to protect and conserve the tiger population in India with actress Sonakshi Sinha as the face of the campaign.
As part of Animal Planet’s 2016 ‘Where Tigers Rule’ campaign, the channel will offer viewers a peek into the lives, habitats, behaviour of various tiger species from 1 March every day at 9 pm.
Tweaking a popular dialogue from one of her films for this campaign, Sinha said, “Danger se darr nahi lagta, endangered se lagta hai.”
The campaign will bring captivating stories of tigers – their co-existence with humans, the threatening environment and the conservation efforts of leading experts from India and around the world. It has been filmed in breathtaking landscapes located in India’s forests, grasslands and protect reserves, including Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park, Rajasthan’s Sariska and Ranthambore National Parks, West Bengal’s Sunderbans, and Maharashtra’s Tadoba.
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and general manager – South Asia Rahul Johri said, “My entire team feels deeply gratified that the tiger population in India has increased in the last few years. The campaign attempts to bring attention to the imminent danger to tigers and to sensitise millions of viewers through breathtaking programming. We are ecstatic that we have made a small and vital contribution. The challenge is far from over and we will continue to invest our resources and energy and lead the campaign from the front.”
Expressing the true passion for wildlife Sinha added, “I feel fortunate that I can participate in this wonderful cause and be a change agent. I believe that humans have to respect other species and their habitats and adapt to co-exist. My parents took me to a national park to see a tiger and I would certainly love to take my children one day and show them this magnificent creature.”
NEW DELHI: In perhaps the largest clearance of provisional licences in such a short time, a total of 32 multi system operators (MSOs) got provisional licences after 8 February, raising the total of MSOs operating in the country to 727 including the 231, which have permanent (ten-year) licences.
The last list of 8 February had put the figure of provisional MSOs at 464. All the new provisional licencees have got the clearances between15 and 17 February.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) had by 12 January cancelled the licences of 26 MSOs and closed their cases.
According to the list issued today, the areas of operation of some of the MSOs have been revised or amended.
Of the new licensees, only one has got the licence for pan-India for the first three phases of digital addressable system (DAS). The rest are from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Utar Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
