ITV

Tag: Republic TV

  • Republic TV expands its footprint in UK with DistroTV

    Republic TV expands its footprint in UK with DistroTV

    Mumbai : English news channel Republic TV is pivoting to digital, OTT and smart TV distribution with the latest addition of DistroTV to cater to the diaspora in the United Kingdom market.

    The channel along with its Hindi news channel R Bharat has now set its sights on the international markets. With a view to address the news consumption pattern across all demographics, the channels are taking a market wise approach and targeting new age distribution platforms including the burgeoning OTT and connected TV sets ecosystem.  It’s also looking to syndicate its content library across various new age platforms.  

    After content partnerships with all major OTT platforms Like Hotstar, Yupp TV, it has now added DistroTV in the UK and APAC markets.

    Commenting on the strategy, Republic Media Network, group CEO, Vikas Khanchandani  said, “Republic TV is a news media technology company and has been the front runner to make its streaming services available across smart phones and connected TVs with its partnerships with OTT, OEMs and Telco platforms both within India and globally. The pandemic has accelerated streaming TV consumption driven by news & sports.  It’s an opportune moment for us to pivot our strategy in the UK market as streaming is outpacing pay TV in UK.” 

    COO – India distribution head and international markets, Priya Mukherjee, COO said, the channel has reached a peak of 421K and maintains an average reach of around 200K in the last quarter during the pandemic. “Many platforms have approached us given the leadership position and the loyal audiences we built in the UK, in such a short time.  Our distribution capabilities, give us an opportunity, to approach each market differently and we are looking at all possible models that are best suited to our expansion plans, including a more, Direct to Consumer approach,” she added.

  • Battleground Kerala: News channels face off over election coverage

    Battleground Kerala: News channels face off over election coverage

    MUMBAI: Kerala is the most literate state in the country, and as a result, news consumption among Keralites is also on the higher side. At the turn of the millenium, television news channels gained massive popularity in the state, and now, it boasts of ten exclusive news channels – Asianet News, Manorama News, Mathrubhumi News, 24 News, Kairali News, News 18, Janam TV, Reporter TV, Jai Hind, and Media One. 

    News channels competing heavily in Kerala

    As the state legislative assembly elections in Kerala are going to be conducted on 6 April, news channels in the state are going toe-to-toe to affirm their dominance in the industry. All news outlets in the state have been vigorously covering election news since the announcement of the polling date, and this trend will last until 2 May when the results will be declared. 

    When it comes to viewership on television, Asianet, being the early bird in the industry, has clear dominance. The channel conducted a pre-poll survey in association with C-Fore. Asianet's pre-poll survey telecast was anchored by Asianet News editor-in-chief MG Radhakrishnan, and anchors Vinu V John and Sindhu Suryakumar. 

    "C-Fore and Asianet have been conducting pre-poll surveys since 2009. We have conducted surveys for five elections in these 11 years. The surveys were conducted in a very professional manner, and most of our predictions in the past have turned true except having some minor changes when it comes to seat counts," said MG Radhakrishnan while anchoring the survey. 

    The survey conducted by Asianet suggested that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by CPI(M) will win 82 to 91 of the 140 assembly constituencies in Kerala in the April election; the United Democratic Front (UDF) will bag 46 to 54 seats, while the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will end up with three to seven seats. 

    Apart from the survey, Asianet News' satirical program Gum also succeeded in impressing audiences during this poll season. 

    Celebrated journalist Venu hosted Mathrubhumi's pre-poll survey that was carried out in association with C-Voter. Findings of the Mathrubhumi's survey also hinted at LDF dominating the 2021 elections. 

    Analysis, debates, and public polls

    Although Manorama News also conducted a pre-poll survey, it was Manorama's program Vottu Kavala that garnered positive responses from viewers. Vottu Kavala was basically a journey through 140 constituencies in Kerala which allowed the general public to participate in the show. Manorama News' Counter Point anchored by Shani was another segment that helped the channel to stay on top among Malayalam news channels. 

    Due to their Left Democratic Front leaning, Kairali News did not succeed in garnering viewers apart from their niche audiences. However, one program on the channel that impressed everyone was Votography hosted by senior journalist John Brittas, and firebrand writer Renji Panicker. Votography analysed the political scenarios in all 140 constituencies. 

    24 News conducted a mega pre-poll survey hosted by Arun, one of the most popular news anchors in Malayalam. With the implementation of advanced technology in news telecasting, 24 News is slowly emerging as one of the frontrunners among Kerala-based news channels. The channel also has a strong social media presence, and its viewers on YouTube live streaming is much ahead of Asianet News, Manorama News, and Mathrubhumi News. 

    Nikesh Kumar's Walk with Candidate was one of the top election programs aired on Reporter TV. Out of the several episodes aired, it was Walk with Superstar Suresh Gopi that garnered the maximum number of viewers for the channel. During the program, the BJP candidate lashed out at Nikesh Kumar, and videos of the incident went viral on online spaces. 

    Apart from regional Malayalam channels, popular national news channels in the state including India Today, Times Now, NDTV, and Republic TV will be also covering Kerala legislative assembly elections religiously. As the BARC data is not available, it is still unclear which channel will fare well in the upcoming Kerala polls coverage. However, regional language channels are expected to win big when it comes to a share of the viewership pie. 

    Keralites will cast their votes on 6 April, and the state will wait until 2 May to know the results of the legislative assembly elections. During this 26-day span, news channels will most likely try to keep their momentum going by conducting post-poll opinion surveys. Apart from this, news debates during prime time are also expected to draw viewers in the coming days. 

  • TRP scam: Complete probe against Republic TV within 12 weeks, HC to police

    TRP scam: Complete probe against Republic TV within 12 weeks, HC to police

    New Delhi: In a major relief to Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, the Bombay high court on Wednesday directed the Mumbai police to give three days prior notice in case they intend to arrest him in the TRP scam case. Both Goswami and the channel are listed as “suspects” by Mumbai police in the ongoing investigation.

    The court was hearing the petition filed by ARG Outlier Media challenging criminal proceedings initiated against Republic TV channel and employees in connection with the TV ratings manipulation case. ARG Outlier Media had submitted that the law keepers in Mumbai had "falsely implicated" its channels and employees and the entire case arose out of an “unparalleled political vendetta”.

    Earlier during the hearing today, Republic TV’s counsel Ashok Mundargi submitted before the court that while other channels had also been named, the police were only interrogating Republic TV employees and the channel’s role in the case. He argued that the police had been investigating for nearly four months, but had been unable to get any evidence to book the channel or Goswami.

    Having heard the submissions from both sides, the bench directed that in case the investigating officer desires to summon the petitioner Goswami for inquiry/investigation, he shall give clear notice of three days (excluding holidays) to him. It also added that in case such notice/summons is received by Goswami, he shall appear and co-operate with the inquiry before the concerned investigating officer.

    The interim order also noted that in the course of investigation, if the probing officer has reason to believe that he or she needs to take coercive action against Goswami, clear notice of 72 hours should be given before taking such coercive action, to facilitate the petitioner to approach the competent forum for appropriate reliefs.

    The bench headed by justice SS Shinde also stated that the investigating agency can continue with further investigation, but ordered that the probe against Republic TV should be completed within 12 weeks. The directions come a few days after the court pulled up Mumbai police and asked if it intends to proceed with the investigation against the channel, considering it remains a ‘suspect’ on police records, even after filing two charge-sheets in connection with the case.

    The court also clarified that the investigation cannot be stayed right now since neither the channel nor Goswami are made accused yet and there is no clarity from the investigating agency on the status of whether they will be made accused or not.

    The TRP scam had come to light in October last year when BARC lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers by bribing households where BARC bar-o-meters were installed to tune into a particular channel throughout the day. As many as 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail after furnishing a bond of Rs 2 lakh. The arrested people were charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.

  • TRP scam: ED order makes no mention of Republic TV

    TRP scam: ED order makes no mention of Republic TV

    NEW DELHI: The provisional attachment order of the enforcement directorate (ED) in the long drawn TRP scam investigation includes no evidence against Republic TV's alleged involvement in rigging of Broadcast Audience Research Council's (BARC's) viewership ratings.  The 60-page order under s. 5 of the Provisions of Money Laundering Act, 2002 carried the details of the months-long probe conducted by the central agency.

    In its provisional order, the ED has divulged details of various past and present relationship managers at Hansa Research Group who were allegedly involved in the manipulation. The order also identifies a financial trail between November 2019 to September 2020 with regard to manipulation of television rating points by three TV channels – Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema and Maha Movie.

    However, there are no details of any alleged involvement of Republic TV, which has been made a suspect in the case by the Mumbai police ever since the scam broke out in October last year. In a rejoinder affidavit filed in the high court in February, ARG Outlier Media had submitted that the law keepers in Mumbai  had "falsely implicated" it and the entire case against its channels and employees arose out of an “unparalleled political vendetta” and a “deeply malicious witch hunt.”

    Senior officials of Republic TV told indiantelevision.com that the ED order reflects what it has stated all along: that it was innocent; that it had no role to play in tampering of any TRPs. 

    "There were vested interest groups in  the industry and in the political firmament and the Mumbai police who twisted facts and bundled the Republic name with the perpetrators of the crime to gain undue advantage," says a senior executive. "And they used all their clout to try and bring us to our knees. But, truth has prevailed and will prevail."

    Earlier this week, the Bombay high court too had asked the Mumbai police if it intends to proceed with the investigation against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, considering that the channel remains a ‘suspect’ on police records, even after filing of two charge-sheets in connection with the case. In response, the Mumbai police maintained that they have adequate evidence in the case and are still collecting additional evidence. The police also submitted that they had the right to investigate a case for as long as required in the absence of any statutory regulation.

    The scam had come to light in October last year when BARC lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers by bribing households where BARC bar-o-meters were installed to tune into a particular channel throughout the day.

    Last Thursday, the ED provisionally attached assets worth Rs 32 crore belonging to the three TV channels. “Fakt Marathi, Box Cinema, and Maha Movie entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat, and committed the offence of criminal breach of trust, forgery in order to gain wrongfully by manipulating TRPs of these television channels," the ED stated. “It is absolutely clear that the entire revenue generated by these three channels from May 2019 to May 2020 was generated by increasing TRPs.”

    As many as 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail after furnishing a bond of Rs 2 lakh. The arrested people were charged with cheating, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.

  • Bombay HC asks if Mumbai police intends to further probe Republic TV

    Bombay HC asks if Mumbai police intends to further probe Republic TV

    New Delhi: The Bombay high court has sought to know from the Mumbai police if it intends to proceed with the investigation against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, considering that the channel remains a ‘suspect’ on police records, even after filing two chargesheets in connection with the TRP manipulation case.

    A bench of justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale also directed special public prosecutor (SPP) Shishir Hiray to inform the court about the time required to complete their investigation in the matter.

    "You have been investigating for the last three months. There are two chargesheets, and there seems to be no evidence against them. And this FIR is of October 2020. We are in March 2021," the HC said as per a PTI report. "Why keep the sword hanging on their head? You are not making them an accused also, why so?" asked the bench.

    The court raised this query after noting that the police had claimed to have adequate evidence against Goswami and the channel in the alleged TRP scam, yet they have been named only as 'suspects' in the chargesheets.

    The bench was responding to submissions made by Ashok Mundargi, the counsel for Goswami and ARG Outlier Media, the company that runs Republic TV channels. "They (police) cannot keep investigating forever. If they have some material against us, they have to show us, they cannot keep playing hot and cold," Mundargi said.

    The Mumbai police, however, continued to maintain that they have adequate evidence in the case and that they are still collecting additional evidence. The court said the contention of the petitioners, Goswami and ARG Outlier Media, was that they were always under the fear that some action might be taken against them. The case was adjourned for Thursday.

    ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd and Goswami had approached the high court last year alleging that the entire case was malafide and that they have been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and the Palghar lynching case. Early this year, the Mumbai police had filed two affidavits in the case, saying it had not targeted Republic TV or its employees. The police had said its probe was not a result of any political vendetta and that there was evidence to show that Goswami had allegedly connived with senior officials of BARC to rig the TRP of Republic TV.

    The scam had come to light in October last year when BARC lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers. Since then, 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail.

    On the sidelines of this controversy, the government had formed a committee under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi S Vempati to study any issues related to the television ratings and make recommendations on the way forward for a robust, transparent and accountable rating system in the country. The report was submitted to the ministry of information and broadcasting in January this year.

    On Tuesday, Union minister Prakash Javadekar informed the Rajya Sabha that no specific action has been taken as of yet on the recommendations made in the report submitted the committee. But, appropriate interventions could be considered based on the inputs provided by the committee and recommendations of TRAI.
     

  • Republic TV playing victim, can’t seek transfer of TRP scam probe: Mumbai police

    Republic TV playing victim, can’t seek transfer of TRP scam probe: Mumbai police

    NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police has charged that Republic TV, embroiled in the fake TRPs scandal, is trying to play “victim” and attempting to transfer the probe to the CBI while it is not named an accused before the trial court.

    The remarks came in a recently submitted affidavit to the Bombay high court in reply to the rejoinder filed by ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd, which runs Republic TV, and other channels in the alleged TRP manipulation case.

    Only individuals and personnel of Republic TV have been named as suspects in light of the preliminary investigation, the Mumbai police said.

    “Merely naming such persons as suspects does not in any manner interfere with any right of such persons, much less a fundamental right. Such action cannot be the basis for quashing an entire investigation/ chargesheet/ supplementary chargesheet,” the affidavit stated.

    The police objected to Republic TV’s demand seeking transfer of probe even before any conclusive proofs against them have been exposed and said that the same should be discouraged. It has sought dismissal of Republic TV’s petition and said that line-by-line explanation of the probe as sought by the petitioners is not possible.

    In January, the Mumbai police had claimed that ARG Outlier Media and Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami were carrying out “vendetta” against the police force through their TV channels and that Goswami is “directly interfering and intimidating witnesses by issuing news releases.”

    Through affidavits filed before a division bench of justices S S Shinde and Manish Pitale, which is hearing a plea by ARG seeking quashing of the FIR, proceedings and chargesheet in the TRP case, the police had denied allegations of “falsely implicating” employees of the petitioner.

    The police stated, “In the present case, the petitioners, who are not presently accused before trial court, have placed material that is neither unimpeachable in nature, nor is part of record before the trial court. Investigating agencies cannot be called upon to place line-by-line denials, that too in a case where investigation is admittedly ongoing.”

    The police said that Republic TV has adopted “vacillating approach” in its rejoinder, claiming that on the one hand, there is no case at all and hence the proceedings/chargesheet against it (Republic TV) should be quashed. However, it also stated that the investigation of the offences is within the domain of TRAI and the investigation ought to be transferred to the CBI, and therefore it shows a contradiction in petitioners’ claims, the police said.

  • TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    TRP scam: Interim relief to Arnab Goswami extended till 16 March.

    New Delhi: The Mumbai police has told the Bombay high court that its assurance of not taking any coercive action against Republic TV's editor-in-chief journalist Arnab Goswami in the TRP scam case will continue till 16 March, news agency PTI reported on Friday.

    The court was hearing a petition filed by ARG Outlier Media, that runs Republic TV channels, which had challenged the FIR and the chargesheet filed by the Mumbai police for alleged manipulation of television rating points (TRP).

    Appearing on behalf of the Mumbai police, senior counsel Kapil Sibal told a division bench of justices SS Shinde and Manish Pitale that the police's earlier statement of no coercive action against Goswami and other employees of ARG Outlier Media will be extended till 16 March.

    The case was adjourned for next hearing on 16 March, when the court will hear ARG's main prayers challenging the police's investigation. It has also sought the transfer of probe to an independent agency.

    ARG media and Goswami had approached the high court last year alleging that the entire case was malafide, and claimed that they have been targeted for Republic TV's reportage in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, and the Palghar lynching case.

    Early this year, the Mumbai police had filed two affidavits in the case, saying it had not targeted Republic TV or its employees. The police had said its probe was not a result of any political vendetta and that there was evidence to show that Goswami had allegedly connived with senior officials of BARC to rig the TRPs of Republic TV.

    The scam had come to light in October last year when Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers. Since then, 15 arrests have been made in the case, the most prominent being former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, who recently got bail. Dasgupta has been granted bail, subject to his furnishing a bond of Rs 2 lakh.

  • Former BARC CEO, COO aided Republic TV in rigging TRPs: Police chargesheet

    Former BARC CEO, COO aided Republic TV in rigging TRPs: Police chargesheet

    NEW DELHI: In the supplementary chargesheet filed in the alleged TRP manipulation case, the Mumbai police has once again reiterated that former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta was the mastermind behind the whole scam. He allegedly used his position to aid ARG Outlier (Republic TV) in gaming viewership ratings. 

    The chargesheet further states that ARG Outlier Media CEO Vikas Khanchandani, along with COO Priya Mukherjee, carried out transactions in order to ensure that more viewers watch their channels. Their WhatsApp group chats, reportedly, support this allegation. 

    It also mentions that former BARC COO Romil Ramgarhia also aided Republic channels in manipulating the TRPs. Ramgarhia allegedly conducted internal inquiries into BARC through an independent company 'Acquisitory Risk Consulting Pvt Ltd' which gave him and his co-accused insight into the working of TRP calculation. The investigation also cites emails found in Ramgarhia’s work account which discussed how the BARC data is aiding Republic channels through rigged ratings.

    The chargesheet also called out Republic TV for flouting TRAI regulations by paying cable operators and MSOs for using the 'dual/promotional local channel number' to telecast their news channels on more than one channel.

    Along with these three charges, the supplementary chargesheet names 59 witnesses, which includes 12 expert witnesses (forensic auditors, computer forensics auditors).

    The Mumbai police has reportedly also found some evidence against general entertainment channels and two Telugu regional channels as well, which they will be investigating further.

    The crime branch filed its first charge sheet in November 2020 which included details of the first twelve accused. 

    The fake TRP case was filed in October after Nitin Deokar, an official of Hansa Research, an agency that placed the ratings metres, filed a complaint alleging the process was being manipulated.  

    After investigating the matter, the Mumbai police said Republic TV – which claims to have the highest ratings – was tweaking TRPs to get high advertising rates by bribing the households where the monitoring machines were set. 

    The channel has denied any wrongdoing and claimed the accusations were an instance of vendetta by the Mumbai police following their clash over the Sushant Singh Rajput case.

  • TRP scam: India Today CFO summoned by ED

    TRP scam: India Today CFO summoned by ED

    NEW DELHI: India Today group CFO Dinesh Bhatia has been summoned by the enforcement directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the alleged TRP scam. Media reports state that he is expected to appear before the investigative agency on Monday. 

    India Today’s name had reportedly appeared in the initial FIR filed by Hansa Research in the case, which was brought to light by the Mumbai police in October last year. However, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh had later stated that no evidence came up against the channel in further investigation. 

    Mumbai police has thus far arrested 15 people in connection with the case, including the owners of the Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema channels, the distribution head of Republic TV and several former relationship managers of Hansa Research Group, hired by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). Former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta is currently in police custody for his alleged involvement in the rigging of ratings, his bail plea having been denied by the court.

    The ED had earlier registered an enforcement case information report (ECIR), the equivalent of FIRs filed by the police, investigating money laundering allegations in the case. 

  • TRP scam: Mumbai police claims to have ‘serious evidence’ against Republic TV

    TRP scam: Mumbai police claims to have ‘serious evidence’ against Republic TV

    NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police has informed the Bombay high court that it has found serious evidence against Republic TV and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami in the alleged TRP manipulation racket.

    However, on request of Republic TV’s lawyer, the bench adjourned the hearing in the TRP case to 15 January. The court was hearing the plea filed by Republic TV challenging the FIR and charge sheet filed by Mumbai police in relation to the alleged ratings scam.

    Advocate Niranjan Mundargi, appearing for ARG Outlier led by senior advocate Ashok Mundargi, requested the court for time due to some medical emergency in his family.

    In reaction, Mumbai police’s counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned that they have found some serious evidence on record through their investigation with BARC, and therefore, did not want to continue granting them any protection from any coercive action. He insisted that the matter may not be adjourned any further than 15 January. 

    He also told the HC that the police will submit a status report of its probe in the case on the next date of hearing. Sibal also agreed to continue with the previous assurance that no coercive actions would be taken against either Arnab Goswami or any employee of Republic till the next date of hearing.

    The alleged scam came to light last year when ratings agency BARC filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, saying certain television channels were rigging TRP numbers.

    At a press conference held on 8 October 8 2020, Mumbai police commissioner Param Bir Singh claimed that Republic TV and two Marathi channels – Box Cinema and Fakt Marathi – were involved in manipulating TRP for better advertisement revenue.

    Republic TV and other accused have denied any wrongdoing and manipulation of ratings.