ITV

Tag: Reliance Broadcast

  • Amit Sobti takes charge as president of Humans of Bombay

    Amit Sobti takes charge as president of Humans of Bombay

    MUMBAI: Amit Sobti has been appointed president at Humans of Bombay, the storytelling platform that has built a loyal following with its human interest narratives. In his new role, Sobti will oversee company operations and strategy, with a mandate to drive profitability, expand partnerships and monetise original IPs.

    Sobti, a revenue architect with two decades across digital media and corporate strategy, most recently served as chief revenue officer at Fork Media group, where he spent over 11 years scaling businesses, creating branded content ecosystems and building new revenue streams.

    Earlier, he held senior roles at Media Pro, JSW Ispat Steel and Reliance Broadcast, contributing to high stakes strategy, marketing innovations and large scale partnerships. Known for designing playbooks that blend innovation with legacy, Sobti says his focus now lies in building consumer first growth models.

    At Humans of Bombay, industry watchers expect Sobti to marry commercial acumen with the platform’s storytelling ethos, as it looks to expand both reach and revenues.

  • Paritosh Painter quits Reliance Broadcast Network

    Paritosh Painter quits Reliance Broadcast Network

    MUMBAI: Paritosh Painter, who was brought in as network creative director by Reliance Broadcast for radio channel 92.7 Big FM as well as television channel Big Magic, has quit. 

     

    Painter will now be concentrating on his theatrical productions, film & TV writing.

     

    Painter had created & written Akbar Birbal  for Big Magic, which is one of the channel’s biggest shows. He also helped create a number of shows for Big Magic & Big FM.

     

    “Beside concentrating on his theatre and writing projects, the channel’s gradual shift towards non-fiction from fiction is also a reason behind Painter’s resignation,” said a source close to the development.

     

    Having over 15 years of experience in the field of entertainment, Painter has directed over 23 plays in Hindi and English and has done 2500 shows across the globe. Besides this, he has scripted several Bollywood films like Dhamaal (2007), Paying Guest (2009) and All The Best: Fun Begins (2009). His repertoire also includes stand-up comedy, content development and producing shows on television.

  • Asianet names Anil Surendra as VP – sales of Suvarna News & Kannada Prabha

    Asianet names Anil Surendra as VP – sales of Suvarna News & Kannada Prabha

    MUMBAI: Asianet News Network has appointed Anil Surendra as vice president – ad sales for its two channels namely Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha.

     

    Surendra joins from Aidem Ventures, where he was vice president. In his 16 years’ experience in sales, business development and key accounts management areas, Surendra has worked for Reliance Broadcast, Mahuaa Media, Sahara India, Zee Networks, Fortune Media, Cyber Media & Indian Express Group, at various levels.

     

    “I am really excited to join the ANN Group, which has a strong presence across south. Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha are strong brands with a legacy. I really look forward to leverage its strengths and grow the business across regions,” Surendra said.

     

    He took charge of Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha sales with effect from 19 October, 2015.

  • “Broadcasters need to stop relying on advertisers for revenue”: Sameer Nair

    “Broadcasters need to stop relying on advertisers for revenue”: Sameer Nair

    MUMBAI: Broadcasters need to stop relying solely on advertisers as their main source of revenue. Moreover as digitisation reaches the third phase, it is imperative to for them to come up with new content strategies.

     

    A FICCI Frames session moderated by media analyst and columnist Vinita Kohli Khandekar saw an aggressive discussion by top level media and broadcast executives on the future of content creation keeping in mind the emergence of digital platforms.

     

    The panel comprised Balaji Group CEO Sameer Nair, Disney India VP and content head Vijay Subramanium, Reliance Broadcast CEO Tarun Katial, Zee TV business head Pradeep Hejmadi and Star Plus GM Gaurav Banerjee.

     

    There are approximately 815 channels, which places India amongst the top five video consumers of the world and it is crucial to have varied and captivating content, which caters to the need of the viewers. The biggest question that arises from the scenario is – What should be changed to make better content?

     

    A pertinent point raised by Nair was that channels need to cut down their dependence on advertisers as their main source of revenue and find alternate sources in order to dish out quality content.

     

    Nair asserted, “The content we have been producing is often termed as trash, which in reality is not because we all remember the content and no one remembers trash. We are a growing industry and content takes time to transit. We have to give it the necessary amount of time as a sudden transition may lead to confusion. Some years back there were 25 million TV homes and now we have 100 million homes. This proves that we are growing. Like every business, content is dominated by economics. We need to stop our heavy reliance on advertisers. Our need to earn high ratings is because of advertiser pressure and that is what is stopping us from aggressively experimenting with content. We need to start discovering other sources of revenue.”

     

    Talking about the necessities, Banerjee added, “A lot has changed from where we were a few years back. We are a lot more ambitious from what we used to be. The budget for a half an hour fiction show has risen from Rs 7 lakh– 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh– 20 lakh and that speaks volumes. Television industry’s biggest power is its reach. We reach twice the audience of the biggest viewed film release and hence with the reach comes responsibility, which we should not forget, while making content. The need of the hour is devoting more time and money to research and development. We need to research in depth before putting up any content as it might have its repercussion and have socio-economic fabric of our nation..”

     

    During the course of the discussion, an issue that was constantly debated was whether films or TV shows make for better content. Firmly defending TV content over films, Banerjee said, “We should have a more distinguished measurement phenomenon when it comes to cinema and we should also not forget the fact that the number of screens is shrinking. There are a lot of opportunities to improve and no reason to rate films over TV content as of now.”

     

    Supporting Banarjee’s opinion, Katial added, “Films in recent times have lost their purpose and contribute very little in creating a social impact.”

     

    “What comes from the production house is just a one line concept and the channel gets into it and executes what is shown on TV. Another part that plays a vital role in improvising content is measurement, which comes from research because what TAM shows is post airing analyses and does not favour in deciding if the content is appropriate. So overall, while we are setting ourselves for the new era of TV content production we have to test, try and excel,” said Hejmadi.

     

    Now it remains to be seen if TV content makers raise the bar and produce quality content instead of jumping for  quantity and following herd mentality. More importantly, the need of the hour also is for broadcasters to discover alternate source of revenue for their business in order to make compelling content.

  • Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand presents new reality show Big Bahuria

    Big Magic Bihar & Jharkhand presents new reality show Big Bahuria

    MUMBAI: This June, the leading entertainment channel of the region BIG MAGIC Bihar & Jharkhand presents a unique reality show for its viewers. Combing through a number of locations in Bihar & Jharkhand, the channel unveils the true nitty-gritties of the relationship between a bahu and her sasuraal through BIG Bahuria. Hosted by the talented Priyesh Sinha, BIG Bahuria brings forth the hopes, aspirations and the reality of married women from the region starting 16th June, every Monday to Friday at 7.30 pm!

     

    Moving beyond the rosy or the hostile relationships between the saas and the bahu (or bahuria) as depicted in television shows today, the show aims to reach deep into the culture of the region and expose the real brickbats and bouquets that every relationship around a woman brings to her life. The saas is also the bahuria of the house who has lived her life for the family and probably even suppressed her own hopes and aspirations in the process. The show has been formatted for the viewer to understand the family and the relationships of the married woman in focus while also being a facilitator for the family to understand and empathize with the senior bahuria (saas) and the newer bahuria of the house. While focusing on the positives of the family, it will also throw light on the bahuria’s dreams & ambitions as an individual, her expectations from her husband and family, her conflicts between being ideal v/s being real etc.

     

    While the show touches upon any conflicts or tension in her relationships with everyone around her, it also presents the lighter side to her life – there will be games and other spot contests through which the family and neighbors display their knowledge, their rapport and their love for her. The show will be hosted by well known stand-up comedian and anchor, Priyesh Sinha who will visit these cities and interview the bahurias and their families in question.

     

    The Format:

     

    1. The host visits the town / location in question and interviews people so that viewers understand the background of the bahuria’s family

     

    2. The bahuria is interviewed on her life after her wedding, her relationship with her husband’s family and the family’s view of her. This segment seeks to highlight and resolve relationship conflicts if any

     

    3. The entire family is engaged in games and quick contests – the bahuria’s knowledge of family likes and dislikes, neighborhood etc. is conducted.

     

    Commenting on the launch of the show, Lavneesh Gupta, COO, Television Business, Reliance Broadcast said, “Marriage is a huge milestone in a woman’s life when she starts living her life for other people. Through this show we are bringing the issues of a married woman’s life out in the open so that we can address them in a positive way along with her own family and build a positive future. We are confident that this show will resonate very well with our audiences while being a great value proposition for advertisers in the region. “

     

    The show will be supported by BIG MAGIC Bihar and Jharkhand’s marketing muscle and will be promoted through radio, on-ground and digital media.

  • 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.

  • Navneeth Mohan of E18 joins Laqshya Media Group to start Laqshya Live Experiences

    Navneeth Mohan of E18 joins Laqshya Media Group to start Laqshya Live Experiences

    MUMBAI: Navneeth Mohan, with his experience of almost 15 years in experiential marketing and in the events domain, has announced his decision to join Laqshya Media Group to create Laqshya Live Experiences that is aimed at creating new consumer engagement designs and experiences. Navneeth started his career with Encompass and was there for almost 10 years to become the national event services head and Vice President for the western region. He then joined BIG Live, from the Reliance Broadcast stable, where he was the company’s national business head. His previous stint was with E18 – A Division of Network18 Media & Investments Limited where he spearheaded overall operations as the COO.

    Spearheaded by Alok Jalan, a business leader with an impeccable track record of growth and global expansion, the Laqshya Media Group offers 360-degree media solutions spanning across Laqshya Assets, Laqshya Solutions, Laqshya Advertising, Right Angle and Laqshya Airport Media. Laqshya Live Experiences (LLE) has been launched as part of the Laqshya Media Group and adds a whole new dimension to the portfolio of services they offer. Operating out of 3 key offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore and with Laqshya Media Group offices in 20 other cities gives LLE tremendous reach, operational strength and access in any market in the country today.

    The core focus at LLE will be the product offering which is crucial to creating a unique and memorable experience for any consumer today. A significant part of this includes integration of the experiential marketing services with the existing strengths of the Laqshya Media Group that include outdoor media assets, solutions, advertising and digital thereby making the offering a lot more valuable to clients. With this vision in mind, Laqshya Live Experiences offers diverse and rich staff skills spread across account management, operations and technical expertise, creative and design, in addition to the finance, IT, HR and other mandatory departments required in an agency in the industry today. At the heart of Laqshya Live Experiences lie its core values that include creating a great camaraderie at work, due diligence, passion and commitment towards whatever it undertakes and a promise to creating new, delightful and unforgettable brand and consumer experiences.

    Commenting on the launch of Laqshya Live Experiences, Alok Jalan, Managing Director, Laqshya Media Group, said, “In today’s rapidly changing world, where all brands want to engage with consumers continuously and innovatively, we wanted to integrate the power of OOH with experiential marketing services and digital media in order to create a compelling proposition for marketers. Laqshya Live Experiences is our first step in that direction.”

    Commenting on launch of Laqshya Live Experiences, Navneeth Mohan, CEO of Laqshya Live Experiences, said, “This is probably the fastest and most efficient change management that the industry has ever witnessed. I have always believed that the basic building blocks for any successful business are its clients, people and supply chain partners, everything is built around this and people become the core that connect all the dots. I’m really proud to be a part of a team that stuck together during this change. The last quarter of 2013 was one of the most challenging ones we faced but also one of the most successful ones with some of our most spectacular work so far. We managed more than 45 shows panning across 20 cities for clients ranging from Media and Entertainment, Real Estate, Finance, Service Industry, Information Technology, Education, Hospitality and many more. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and encouragement extended by our clients and our supply chain partners across the country and more so the champion team that rallied together, so the credit for this success goes to them. I realized that the game needs to be changed and the key to making that change is scaling up quickly so that we can provide an enhanced value proposition to our clients. In the very first meeting with Laqshya Media Group and Mr. Jalan, I knew that we have found the ideal partners for integration, as they shared a similar vision as us. With their strength and expertise across outdoor assets, advertising and digital media, it creates a unique opportunity for Laqshya Live Experiences to offer a bouquet of services and value additions to clients. We have laid out an aggressive strategy for the future and I would like to believe this is not the end of the change management process but the beginning of the next phase of change and innovation.”

    Laqshya Media Pvt. Ltd. was founded in 1997 with the vision of becoming a knowledge-driven, innovative Indian enterprise that would revolutionize the OOH advertising space. Since then, the company has grown and diversified, offering enhanced media solutions that go beyond outdoor advertising. Aside from a host of conventional, ambient and airport media solutions, Laqshya also offers innovative advertising and communication solutions, experiential marketing and creates unique intellectual properties in the events space. With over 200 driven, talented professionals, offices at over 20 locations in India, the Middle East and Sri Lanka, and an exhaustive portfolio of clients in diverse sectors, the Laqshya Media Group has become a leading name in the advertising industry not just in India but also globally. (Website: www.laqshyagroup.com)

     

  • Reliance group makes RBNL public shareholding buy back offer

    Reliance group makes RBNL public shareholding buy back offer

    NEW DELHI:The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group is going ahead with its decision to de-list Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd (RBNL)  from the stockmarket. Three Reliance ADA group companies – The Reliance Share & Stock Brokers,  Reliance Land Pvt Ltd and Reliance Capital – today announced an offer to shareholders, under which 19,901,854 shares of RBNL representing 25.05 per cent of its equity capital, will be acquired by the group. With this acquisition, the group’s stake in RBNL will go up to 90 per cent, allowing it to go ahead with its plan to delist RBNL from the stock exchanges.

     

     
    The public announcement was issued  in accordance with Regulation 10 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Delisting of Equity Shams) Regulations, 2009 in respect of the proposed acquisition and delisting of fully paid-up equity shares of a company  (“Offer” / “Delisting Offer”). The company is listed on both the Bombay and National stock exchanges (BSE and NSE).
     

     

    The BSE and NSE have issued their in-principle approvals for the Delisting Offer.  In accordance with the applicable provisions of Regulation 15 (2) of the Delisting Regulations, the floor price for the Offer per Equity Share determined by the group  is Rs  46.47.

     
     
    The minimum price per Equity Share (the “Discovered Price” / “Offer Price”) payable by the Acquirer for the Offer Shares it acquires pursuant to the Delisting Offer, and determined in accordance with the Delisting Regulations, will be the price at which the maximum number of Offer Shares are tendered pursuant to a reverse book-building process in the manner an specified in Schedule II of the Delisting Regulations.
     
     
    The Acquirer may, at its sole discretion, accept the Discovered Price for the Offer Shares or offer to pay a price higher than the Discovered Price for the Offer Shares. The price so accepted or offered by the Acquirers is referred to in this Public Announcement as the exit price (the “Exit Price”). The Acquirers are under no obligation to accept the Discovered Price or to offer a price higher than the Discovered Price.
     
     
    The Specified Date has been fixed at 24 January. The Dispatch of Bid Letter/ Bid Forms to Public Shareholders as on the Specified Date will be 30 January and the bid opening date will be 12 February.
     
     
    The last date for upward revision or withdrawal of Bids (3.00 p.m.) is 17 February and the Bid Closing Date (3.00 p.m.) is 18 February.
     
     
    The last date for making Public Announcement of Discovered Price/ Exit Price and Acquirer’s acceptance/ rejection of Discovered Price/ Exit Price is 4 March and the last date for payment of consideration for the Offer Shares to be acquired in case of a successful Delisting Offer is 6 March.  The last date for return to Public shareholders of Offer Shares tendered but not acquired under the Delisting Offer is 6 March.
     
     
    A successful delisting offer will be subject to the acceptance of the Discovered Price (if it is higher than the Floor Price of Rs 46.47) or offer, of an Exit Price higher than the Discovered Price by the three acquiring entities.

     

    A resolution had been passed by RBNL shareholders through postal ballot, the result of which was declared on 30 October 2013 and notified to the Stock Exchanges on the same date, approving its delisting from the BSE and NSE in accordance with the Delisting Regulations. The votes cast by Public Shareholders in favour of the Delisting Offer were 7,058,183, being more than two times the number of votes cast by the Public Shareholders against it (i.e. 44,597).

  • Clement Schwebig joins Turner International Asia Pacific

    Clement Schwebig joins Turner International Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: There’s a new member in the Turner International team who will handle its business development in the Asia Pacific region. Clement Schwebig has joined the network as the senior vice president and will look after the network’s growth strategy in the region.

     

    He will assist in the creation of new local and pan regional channels and develop local content as well. Schwebig has an experience of 15 years in TV operations in two continents – Europe and Asia. Recently, he was a part of the Europe’s leading entertainment company RTL group in Mumbai and led the launch of the channel BIG RTL Thrill. This was the first channel from the co-operation of RTL and Reliance Broadcast.

     

    Previously, he was the COO of Alpha Media Group in Greece and CFO of RTL Televizija in Croatia. His expertise includes TV broadcasting and production including strategy, finance and sales. 

  • Clement Schwebig joins Turner International Asia Pacific

    Clement Schwebig joins Turner International Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: There’s a new member in the Turner International team who will handle its business development in the Asia Pacific region. Clement Schwebig has joined the network as the senior vice president and will look after the network’s growth strategy in the region.

     

    He will assist in the creation of new local and pan regional channels and develop local content as well. Schwebig has an experience of 15 years in TV operations in two continents – Europe and Asia. Recently, he was a part of the Europe’s leading entertainment company RTL group in Mumbai and led the launch of the channel BIG RTL Thrill. This was the first channel from the co-operation of RTL and Reliance Broadcast.

     

    Previously, he was the COO of Alpha Media Group in Greece and CFO of RTL Televizija in Croatia. His expertise includes TV broadcasting and production including strategy, finance and sales.