ITV

Tag: Ramoji Rao

  • Network18 reports lower loss on lower revenue due to Covid2019

    Network18 reports lower loss on lower revenue due to Covid2019

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Ambani’s Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (Network18) reported 34.5 percent decline in consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2020 (Q1 2021, quarter or period under review) as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal (Q1 2020). Consolidated operating EBITDA for the quarter reduced 40.9 percent as compared to the corresponding period of the last year. The company reported lower consolidated loss of Rs 60.60 crore for Q1 2021 2020 as compared to loss of Rs 127.66 crore reported in the the corresponding year ago quarter.

    The company says in an earnings press release for Q1 2021 that the COVID2019 linked clampdown on spending by advertisers dragged ad-revenues sharply, especially on Entertainment. However, TV subscription revenue remained resilient, and Digital subscriptions have accelerated. The business strategy and operating methodology were re-engineered amidst a strategic review to address the current challenging environment.

    The company said further that the cost base was comprehensively reset across verticals, as the organisation embraced tech-solutions and a leaner, nimbler approach. Operating EBITDA dipped on account of the revenue drag. However, aggressive and broad-based cost-controls across business verticals limited the fall. Consolidated PAT improved YoY led by a decline in finance costs.

    Network18’s reported consolidated operating revenue in Q1 2021 and Q1 2020 was Rs 807.07 crore and Rs 1,242.12 crore respectively. Consolidated operating EBITDA for Q1 2021 and Q1 2020 was Rs 27.39 crore and  Rs 46.35 crore respectively.

    Network18 reports revenue from two streams – (1) TV18 Broadcast Ltd or TV18 which comprises of News (TV18 standalone) and Entertainment (Viacom18+AETN+Indiacast) and (2) Digital, Print and Others. It must be noted that Viacom18 and AETN18 are 51 percent entertainment subsidiaries of TV18, while distribution-arm Indiacast is a 50:50 JV of TV18 and Viacom18. TV18's 24.5 percent minority stake in Telugu entertainment associate Eenadu TV (Ramoji Rao group) is not included in the TV18’s numbers.

    TV18 Broadcast Ltd's numbers for Q1 2021

    TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18) consolidated revenue reduced 35 percent in Q1 2021 to Rs 776 crore from Rs 1,1,98 crore in Q1 2020. TV18 consolidated operating EBITDA declined 43 percent in Q1 2021 to Rs 44 crore from Rs 77 crore in Q1 2020.

    News (TV18 standalone) reported 27 percent decline in operating revenue for Q1 2020 as compared to Q1 2020.  TV18 standalone or News revenue declined in Q1 2021 to Rs 230 crore from Rs 298 crore in Q1 2020. Operating EBITDA for News (TV18 standalone) dropped 82 percent in Q1 2021 to Rs 4 crore from Rs 20 crore in Q1 2020. Its contribution grew to about 30 percent to the revenues of TV18 consolidated revenues in Q1 2021 from about 25 percent in Q1 2020.

    The larger revenue stream for TV18 is Entertainment, which had revenue drop of 39 percent y-o-y during the same period.

    Entertainment revenue was Rs 546 crore for Q1 2021 and Rs 899 crore in Q1 2020. Entertainment revenue also includes subscription revenue – the company reported 6 percent growth in subscription revenue for Q1 2021 to Rs 450 crore from Rs 424 crore in Q1 2020 Operating EBITDA for Entertainment dropped 29 percent during the quarter under review to Rs 41 crore as compared to Rs 57 crore in Q1 2020

    Print, Digital and others and intercompany eliminations (Others) numbers

    Print, Digital and others and intercompany eliminations (Others) operating revenue for Q1 2021 reduced 35 percent to Rs 31 crore from Rs 48 crore in Q1 2020. Operating EBITDA for Q1 2021 was a lower operating loss at Rs 17 crore as compared to an operating loss Of Rs 31 crore in Q1 2020.

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Network18 for Q1 2021

    All numbers in this report are consolidated unless stated otherwise.

    Total expenditure in Q1 2021 declined 33.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 871.65 crore from Rs 1,307.87 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Marketing distribution and promotional expense during the quarter under review decreased 32 percent y-o-y to Rs 171.54 crore in Q1 2021 from Rs 252.13 crore in Q1 2020. Employee benefits expense in Q1 2021 reduced 18.1 percent y-o-y to Rs 222.91 crore from Rs 272.01 crore in Q1 2020. Operational costs in Q1 2021 reduced 48.3 percent y-o-y to Rs 297.04 crore from Rs 574.32 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. Finance cost declined 15.7 percent y-o-y to Rs 53.06 crore from Rs 62.91 crore in the corresponding quarter of last year. Other expenses in Q1 2021 declined 11.4 percent y-o-y to Rs 88.19 crore from Rs 99.59 crore.

    Company speak:

    Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “The quarter that went by was the most challenging period that the industry has witnessed in many decades. That we are emerging on the other side bears testimony to our ability to question and modify established ways of operating, realign priorities and maintain focus, all while keeping our workforce safe and our audiences engaged. Our staff and employees undertook a heroic effort to adjust to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and kept our channels and properties running. We are proud of the personnel that kept the show going amidst trying circumstances, especially for the News18 network that provided peerless coverage and relevant campaigns during the pandemic. As we resume original content production in Entertainment amidst tight protocols, we wish to thank our audiences who have stood by us over the years. Growing TV and Digital media consumption, a nimbler business strategy and further-strengthened core brands in our portfolio…..we believe this is indeed the new normal.”

  • Entertainment drives Network18, TV18 numbers up

    Entertainment drives Network18, TV18 numbers up

    BENGALURU: Mukesh Ambani’s Network18 Media & Investments Limited (Network18) reported 4.7 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue for the year ended 31 March 2020 (FY 2020, year under review) as compared to the previous fiscal (FY 2019). Consolidated operating revenue for the quarter ended 31 March 2020 (Q4 2020, quarter under review) grew 19 per cent as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter (Y-o-Y).  Consolidated operating EBIDTA for the year and the quarter grew 191.2 per cent and almost twentyfold (up 1,888.1 per cent) as compared to the corresponding periods of the last year. The company reported profit after tax for FY 2020 and Q4 2020 as compared to losses reported in the previous year and the corresponding year-ago quarter. 

    Network18’s reported consolidated operating revenue in FY 2020 and FY 2019 was Rs 5,375.15 crore and Rs 5,116.18 crore, respectively. For Q4 2020 and Q4 2019 it was Rs 1,464.51 crore and Rs 1,230.93 crore. Consolidated operating EBIDTA for FY 2020, FY 2019, Q4 2020 and Q4 2019 was Rs 616.92 crore, Rs 211.88 crore, Rs 225.11 crore and 11.34 crore, respectively. 

    Network18 reports revenue from two streams – (1) TV18 Broadcast Limited or TV18 which comprises News (TV18 standalone) and Entertainment (Viacom18+AETN+Indiacast) and digital, print and others. It must be noted that Viacom18 and AETN18 are 51 percent Entertainment subsidiaries of TV18, while distribution-arm Indiacast is a 50:50 JV of TV18 and Viacom18. TV18's 24.5 percent minority stake in Telugu entertainment associate Eenadu TV (Ramoji Rao group) is not included in the TV18’s numbers.

    Network18 reported profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 56.14 crore for FY 2020 as compared to a loss of Rs 177.60 crore in the previous year. For Q4 2020, PAT was Rs 60.19 crore as compared to a loss of Rs 75.57 crore in Q4 2019. 

    TV18 Broadcast Limited numbers 

    TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18) consolidated revenue grew five percent in FY 2020 to Rs 5,175 crore from Rs 4,943 crore. TV18 consolidated revenue for Q4 2020 grew 21 per cent to Rs 1,425 crore from Rs 1,182 crore in Q4 2019. 

    TV18 consolidated EBIDTA grew 124 per cent in FY 2020 to Rs 703 crore from Rs 314 crore in FY 2019. Consolidated EBIDTA for Q4 2020 grew 365 percent to Rs 240 crore from Rs 52 crore in Q4 2019. 

    Though News (TV18 standalone) reported seven per cent growth in FY 2020 as compared to FY 2019, it contributes about 22 per cent to the revenues of TV18 consolidated revenues. The larger revenue stream for TV18 is entertainment, which had revenue growth of four per cent during the same period. TV18 standalone or news revenue grew seven per cent in FY 2020 to Rs 1,150 crore from Rs 1,079 crore in FY 2019. 

    Entertainment revenue grew four percent as mentioned above to Rs 4,025 crore from Rs 3,863 crore. Entertainment revenue also includes subscription revenue – the company reported 43 per cent growth in subscription revenue for FY 2020 to Rs 1,811 crore from Rs 1,269 crore in FY 2019. This implies that without subscription, revenue from other streams of entertainment declined in FY 2020 as compared to FY 2019. 

    News (TV18 standalone) operating EBIDTA grew five per cent in the year under review to Rs 97 crore from Rs 93 crore in FY 2019. Entertainment operating EBIDTA grew 174 per cent in FY 2020 to Rs 606 crore as compared to the Rs 221 crore in the previous year. 

    News (TV18 standalone) revenue for Q4 2020 grew 4 per cent to Rs 301 crore from Rs 288 crore in Q4 2019. Entertainment revenue for the same period grew 26 per cent to Rs 1,124 crore from Rs 893 crore. Subscription revenue for Q4 2020 grew 41 percent to Rs 468 crore from Rs 332 crore. 

    Operating EBIDTA for News (TV18 standalone) grew 11 percent in Q4 2020 to Rs 35 crore from Rs 31 crore in Q4 2019. Operating EBIDTA for Entertainment grew 901 percent during the quarter under review to Rs 206 crore as compared to Rs 21 crore in Q4 2019. 

    Print, digital and others and intercompany eliminations (others) numbers 

    Print, digital and others and intercompany eliminations (others) operating revenue in FY 2020 increased five per cent to Rs 182 crore from Rs 173 crore in FY 2019. Others operating EBIDTA in FY 2020 was a lower operating loss of Rs 86 crore as compared to an operating loss of Rs 102 crore in FY 2019. 

    Others operating revenue for Q4 2020 reduced 20 per cent to Rs 40 crore from Rs 49 crore in Q4 2019. Operating EBIDTA for Q4 2020 was a lower operating loss at Rs 15 crore as compared to an operating loss in Q4 2019. 

    Company speak: 

    Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said: “The COVID-19 pandemic is a major blackswan event, which has dragged the economy and the advertising environment as a result. The

    immediate impact on the ad-driven media industry will be significant; however an increasing proportion of subscription revenues will help us pull through. Amid uncertain times, the strength of our brands and our class-leading content creation capabilities continues to shine through. We are proud of the coverage being provided by the News18 Network despite trying circumstances. The growth in media consumption witnessed augurs well for the future, as some of the increased engagement will be sticky even once the pandemic tapers off. We have stayed the course on our digital impetus and sharp focus on profitability.”

  • Dinesh Gautam joins ETV Bharat Network as news editor for five states

    Dinesh Gautam joins ETV Bharat Network as news editor for five states

    MUMBAI: Dinesh Gautam has joined ETV Bharat Network as News Editor for 5 States (MP,CG,Rajasthan,Bihar and Jharkhand). 

    Ramoji Rao, the media baron from South India, encouraged with the phenomenal success of leading Telugu news daily Eenadu and television channel ETV, is now gearing up to launch ETV Bharat. With the legacy of ETV , ETV Bharat is being billed as a unique offering of news and infotainment across 13 languages with the USP of hyper localized content.

    Gautam has been in the TV news industry for two decades. He has been  rated Best Anchor of the Hindi news industry and is also a  recipient of the “NT Award” for the year 2012. He has also worked at senior editorial positions in 24×7 News, Live India and Sahara News Network. Prior to this, he was prime time anchor and Principal Correspondent at Zee news.Off late Dinesh has been associated with Moon Light Theaters as Creative Head and has written and directed many well recieved Plays which were presented by noted film maker Mahesh Bhatt.

    Creativity has propelled Dinesh into film writing as well, his film "Marksheet" is on the floor and will be released in 2019. Dinesh has also been a regular with All India Radio (AIR). Other then this Dinesh has been a guest faculty with IGNFA,IIFM and premier mass communication institutes. 

    From the political battle fields of different Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, to the heights of union and rail budget, Gautam, has covered almost every big story of Indian television news from the spot. He has anchored and reported for almost all the subjects relating to television news including external affairs, cricket series, Olympics, social and human issues and travelogues.

    On his appointment,Gautam said, “I am truly elated to be part of this behemoth news network, which is investing unlike any other media house in people and infrastructure keeping in view the future of news media. I see tremendous opportunities and areas where we can provide value to our audience.”

    Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Gautam is a Post Graduate in Mass Communication from IIMC, New Delhi, and holds a Master’s degree in Science as well.

  • Is ETV’s Jagdish Chandra joining Zee Media?

    Is ETV’s Jagdish Chandra joining Zee Media?

    MUMBAI: ETV News Network’ Jagdish Chandra has called it a day as the company’s CEO and has already served his notice period.

    Chandra, a source said, plans to join Zee Media Corporation and is already negotiating with Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra. He was not available for comment.

    It is interesting to note that Zee Business, an arm of Zee Media, does not have a head as of yet.  

    Chandra was a senior administrator in Rajasthan before he took voluntary retirement in 2008 to join ETV Madhya Pradesh and ETV Rajasthan, and also head the editorial section.

    Recently, ETV hired Samsung’s Rajiv Mishra as the business head for the group to manage satellite TV channels namely — News18 Tamil Nadu, News18  Kerala,  News18  Assam and North East,  ETV Rajasthan, ETV Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand, ETV Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, ETV Bihar and Jharkhand, ETV Urdu, ETV Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, ETV News Gujarati, ETV News Bangla, ETV News Kannada and ETV News Odia.

    TV18 Broadcast, a subsidiary of Network 18, acquired the Ramoji Rao-promoted ETV network in January 2014 for Rs 2,053 crore. The deal resulted in it acquiring 100 per cent of regional Hindi news channels ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Madhya  Pradesh,  ETV Rajasthan, ETV Bihar and ETV Urdu and 50 per cent in ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Gujarati and ETV Odia.

    Telugu news and GEC channels ETV Telugu and ETV Telugu News will, however, see TV18 owning only 24.50 per cent equity.

  • Is ETV’s Jagdish Chandra joining Zee Media?

    Is ETV’s Jagdish Chandra joining Zee Media?

    MUMBAI: ETV News Network’ Jagdish Chandra has called it a day as the company’s CEO and has already served his notice period.

    Chandra, a source said, plans to join Zee Media Corporation and is already negotiating with Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra. He was not available for comment.

    It is interesting to note that Zee Business, an arm of Zee Media, does not have a head as of yet.  

    Chandra was a senior administrator in Rajasthan before he took voluntary retirement in 2008 to join ETV Madhya Pradesh and ETV Rajasthan, and also head the editorial section.

    Recently, ETV hired Samsung’s Rajiv Mishra as the business head for the group to manage satellite TV channels namely — News18 Tamil Nadu, News18  Kerala,  News18  Assam and North East,  ETV Rajasthan, ETV Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand, ETV Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, ETV Bihar and Jharkhand, ETV Urdu, ETV Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, ETV News Gujarati, ETV News Bangla, ETV News Kannada and ETV News Odia.

    TV18 Broadcast, a subsidiary of Network 18, acquired the Ramoji Rao-promoted ETV network in January 2014 for Rs 2,053 crore. The deal resulted in it acquiring 100 per cent of regional Hindi news channels ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Madhya  Pradesh,  ETV Rajasthan, ETV Bihar and ETV Urdu and 50 per cent in ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Gujarati and ETV Odia.

    Telugu news and GEC channels ETV Telugu and ETV Telugu News will, however, see TV18 owning only 24.50 per cent equity.

  • Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    NEW DELHI: Iconic actor Rajnikanth, media and film magnate Ramoji Rao, and renowned classical vocalist Girija Devi have been named for the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, given for is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

     

    Interestingly, the Padma Vibhushan awardees also include a posthumous award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded the Reliance Group and whose life inspired the film Guru starring Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

     

    Veteran actor Anupam Kher and singer Udit Narayan are the only recipients from the entertainment industry apart from Heisnam Kanhaukak of the Padma Bhushan, given for distinguished service of high order. Indu Jain of Bennett Coleman & Co also received the Padma Bhushan.

     

    The Padma Shri awardees for distinguished service from the entertainment field include directors Nila Madhab Panda (I want to be Kalam), S S Rajamouli (of Baahubali fame) and Madhur Bhandarkar; filmmaker Narendra Chandra Lal from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra, ad guru Piyush Pandey; and a posthumous award to the late veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey.

     

    In a statement issued from Bulgaria where he is currently shooting for his film, Shivaay, Devgn said, “I feel deeply humbled yet elated to receive such honour from my own country. The announcement today makes it special for me when I’m filming abroad for my new film Shivaay. I’d like to acknowledge that Padma Samman puts an extra responsibility on me and I promise to serve my country for as long as I can.”

     

    In the field of sports, the Padma Bhushan awards are badminton ace Saina Nehwal, and tennis star Sania Mirza, while those getting Padma Shree are Deepika Kumari for archery from Jharkhand, and sports commentator Sushi Doshi.

     

    In the field of music, the Padma Shree recepients are Pt Tulsidas Borkar of Goa for classical music; Dr Suma Ghosh of Uttar Pradesh for vocal singing; and Bhikhudan Gadhvi of Gujarat, Mamta Chandrakar of Chhatisgarh, and Bhojpuri singer Malini Awasthi of Uttar Pradesh for folk music, and late Prakash Chand Surana (posthumously) of Rajasthan for classical music.

     

    The eminent dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy who has churned thousands of disciples gets the Padma Bhushan, dancer Pratibha Prahlad who founded the Delhi International Arts Festival, and Gulabi Sapera, who is a folk dancer from Rajasthan have been awarded the Padma Shree.

     

    Renowned professor Pushpesh Pant; Kameshwar Brahma of Assam, and Jawaharlal Kaul of Jammu and Kashmir have also been awarded the Padma Shree.

  • Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    NEW DELHI: Iconic actor Rajnikanth, media and film magnate Ramoji Rao, and renowned classical vocalist Girija Devi have been named for the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, given for is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

     

    Interestingly, the Padma Vibhushan awardees also include a posthumous award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded the Reliance Group and whose life inspired the film Guru starring Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

     

    Veteran actor Anupam Kher and singer Udit Narayan are the only recipients from the entertainment industry apart from Heisnam Kanhaukak of the Padma Bhushan, given for distinguished service of high order. Indu Jain of Bennett Coleman & Co also received the Padma Bhushan.

     

    The Padma Shri awardees for distinguished service from the entertainment field include directors Nila Madhab Panda (I want to be Kalam), S S Rajamouli (of Baahubali fame) and Madhur Bhandarkar; filmmaker Narendra Chandra Lal from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra, ad guru Piyush Pandey; and a posthumous award to the late veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey.

     

    In a statement issued from Bulgaria where he is currently shooting for his film, Shivaay, Devgn said, “I feel deeply humbled yet elated to receive such honour from my own country. The announcement today makes it special for me when I’m filming abroad for my new film Shivaay. I’d like to acknowledge that Padma Samman puts an extra responsibility on me and I promise to serve my country for as long as I can.”

     

    In the field of sports, the Padma Bhushan awards are badminton ace Saina Nehwal, and tennis star Sania Mirza, while those getting Padma Shree are Deepika Kumari for archery from Jharkhand, and sports commentator Sushi Doshi.

     

    In the field of music, the Padma Shree recepients are Pt Tulsidas Borkar of Goa for classical music; Dr Suma Ghosh of Uttar Pradesh for vocal singing; and Bhikhudan Gadhvi of Gujarat, Mamta Chandrakar of Chhatisgarh, and Bhojpuri singer Malini Awasthi of Uttar Pradesh for folk music, and late Prakash Chand Surana (posthumously) of Rajasthan for classical music.

     

    The eminent dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy who has churned thousands of disciples gets the Padma Bhushan, dancer Pratibha Prahlad who founded the Delhi International Arts Festival, and Gulabi Sapera, who is a folk dancer from Rajasthan have been awarded the Padma Shree.

     

    Renowned professor Pushpesh Pant; Kameshwar Brahma of Assam, and Jawaharlal Kaul of Jammu and Kashmir have also been awarded the Padma Shree.

  • ETV News Gujarati targets Rs 40 crore revenue in first year

    ETV News Gujarati targets Rs 40 crore revenue in first year

    MUMBAI: The last few months saw several regional news channels sprout from the Network18 group. The channels from the bouquet charged into the states of Karnataka, West Bengal and Haryana/Himachal Pradesh and soon another channel is set to make headway into the land known for its lions.

     

    In the presence of the new Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel, ETV News Gujarati is set to launch in 21 June. The current news bulletins on its sister general entertainment channel ETV Gujarati will cease to exist with the arrival of the news channel. “For the last so many years our Gujarati viewers have been demanding a 24 hours news channel for the region. Since, ETV news is known for its credibility, viewers were not satisfied with only a few news bulletins which ETV was running on the existing Gujarati channel,” says ETV news group editor Rajesh Raina.

     

    The existing team that was creating the bulletins has now been enhanced with additions in the constituency level. Currently, being broadcast out of the network’s previous owner Ramoji Rao’s massive studios in Hyderabad, it will later shift to its headquarters in Ahmedabad and a sub-office in Gandhinagar. Naresh Dave is the editor while Neeraj Attri will be looking after the marketing and sales head of the channel.

     

    “Hindi channels are strong in Gujarati because of lack of quality content on regional channels. There is still a potential here and also a vacuum. FMCG, pharmaceuticals and agricultural companies are potential target advertisers,” says Attri.

     

    The competitors to ETV News Gujarati are TV9 Gujarati and Sandesh News. The size of the entire state’s market including the national Hindi channels is about Rs 500 crore to Rs 550 crore out of which regional channels command close to Rs 100 crore to Rs 110 crore.

     

    Sources in the channel say that that ad rates is quoted at Rs 4000 for a ten second slot. While the channel is looking at a break even in about two years, the aim for the first year is to reach revenues close to Rs 40 crore. 

     

    Hoardings have already been placed across Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda and Rajkot as well as promotions on other ETV channels. Media planners and buyers are being reached out through e-mailers. Print and radio advertisements are not yet in the pipeline.

     

    Distrubtion across cable networks in the state including the leading GTPL as well as Den and InCable have been secured. It is also looking at covering the border areas of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In Mumbai it is available on all national connections. DTH platforms are yet to be added.

     

    “ETV is known as the voice of people in the entire country as we operate channels in different regional languages. Expansion will definitely help to reach out to a sizeable population of Gujarati speaking people in the state and outside,” says Raina.

     

    Bulletins will cover both national and regional news. This apart, film based news, sports based news, business news and city bulletins will form a part of the FCP. Live bulletins will air from 6 am to midnight.  Devotional and astrology shows in the morning and cookery and women’s magazine shows in the afternoon will be aired as well.

     

    A popular ETV Hindi programme Central Hall will also be telecast.

  • ETV2 and ETV3 renamed to ETV Andhra Pradesh and ETV Telangana

    ETV2 and ETV3 renamed to ETV Andhra Pradesh and ETV Telangana

    MUMBAI: When the Indian government decided to flag off the formation of a new state-Telangana- it made several happy but it meant many had to change their business operations. One of the earliest to set up a TV network in the state, the Ramoji Rao led ETV group has decided to rechristen its two news channels.

     

    Starting 1 May, the recently launched ETV3 has been renamed to ETV Telangana while the existing ETV2 will now be called ETV Andhra Pradesh (AP). “The decision to change the names was taken only after the announcement was made to separate the two states,” says Eenadu TV CEO Bapineedu Chowdary.

     

    News depictions on the two channels will now be respective state focused. Will this hamper the channel’s existing operations? Bapineedu says “No.” The main bureaus for both ETV AP and ETV Telangana will still be located at Hyderabad with the existing bureaus being separated between them. “For television broadcasting, place is not an issue. The bureaus will now report to the respective channels depending on their location” he says.

     

    While some of the ETV AP people have been shifted to ETV Telangana, additions have been made to the latter. A print ad, informing the rechristening of the channels was released in sister newspaper Eenadu on 1 May and 2 May while TV promos are running on ETV AP, ETV Telangana as well as ETV (the flagship Telugu GEC).

  • ETV 3 launched for Telangana

    ETV 3 launched for Telangana

    MUMBAI: At the back of the government deciding to split the state of Andhra Pradesh into two states- Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, one of the country’s oldest broadcasters run by Ramoji Rao, the Eenadu group has decided to venture in the newly formed state with a dedicated news channel christened ETV3.

     

    The channel that went on air on Wednesday at 9:00 am will cater to the people of Telangana by focusing on issues relating to the development and progress of the state. While the channel will initially be called ETV3, very soon it will be renamed to ETV Telangana. The channel is being headed by Rajendra Prasad, who has been with the Eenadu group for over 15 years.

     

    For now, the channel will be available on all multi system operators (MSOs) platforms in the Telangana region such as Hathway, Digicable etc. The decision to distribute it in Andhra Pradesh has not been taken as yet. Riding on the back of the Lok Sabha elections, the decision to launch the channel was taken by the Ramoji Rao group.

     

    ETV3 is a pay channel broadcasting from Insat 4A, the licence for which was acquired in 2012.

     

    Some of the shows on the channel are Assembly Election Special that speaks about the upcoming elections for the legislatures of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Jai Kisan on agriculture, Idi Sangathi a magazine programme that deals with contemporary issues, Sakhi– a show for housewives, ETV 360 degrees – a news bulletin, Pratidhvani and National Election Specials.

     

    The Telugu channels of Ramoji Rao are under his ownership and not with TV18.  According to sources, post 2015 the name ETV News will be rechristened to News 18 for the channels acquired by TV 18 while the name ETV will be retained by the Eenadu group. TV18 had in its offer document requested for permission to use the Eenadu brand name till February 2015.

     

    Currently ETV Telugu and ETV2 are the other two channels with Ramoji Rao.