Tag: Sanjeev Agarwal

  • NxtDigital launches its flagship integrated solution ‘OneDigital’

    NxtDigital launches its flagship integrated solution ‘OneDigital’

    Mumbai: Hinduja Group’s NxtDigital has announced the introduction of its flagship integrated solution, OneDigital. This customised customer solution provides a wide range of services, including wi-fi, digital TV, OTT, voice/intercom, broadband, and CCTV.

    When compared to broadband packages, which range in speed from 10 mbps to 1 gbps, the TV solution offers clients up to 650 TV channels in both standard and high definition.

    Customers can access over 3,00,000 hours of OTT content from top global and regional platforms through OneDigital on any device.

    Customers can still be reachable over an IP or telecom network and have a personalised landline number with the help of its partners’ VOIP (voice over internet protocol) service, which is available nationwide. ONEDigital may offer customised CCTV solutions and wi-fi-enabled internet access in public spaces as part of the solution.

    Speaking at the launch of OneDigital at SCAT 2022, NxtDigital’s broadband subsidiary OneOTT Intertainment chief operating officer and OneDigital project lead Sanjeev Agarwal said, “Consumer preferences are radically changing in the way they not only consume but also access and engage digital services at home or at work. OneDigital has been designed specifically based on that premise to give customers access to all digital solutions for their home and office through a single business conduit  facilitating true digital convergence and much needed convenience.”

    He further added, “The USP is that this is a bespoke end-to-end solution and can be tailored based on a customer’s specific needs—whether for home or a small, medium, or large business. This is the start and we will, of course, continue to add more products to the OneDigital portfolio over time.”

    The company also unveiled its future OTT content aggregator app, which will enable users to access OTT content from leading local and international platforms.

    The app, which will soon be accessible online, will allow users access to over 3,00,000 hours of international and local material at first and pave the way for the integration of education, gaming, and other apps within the solution.

    The company has already built an ecosystem of partners to provide quality VOIP and CCTV hardware and software solutions. In order to fulfil customer demands from pre-sales and installation to service support and troubleshooting, NXTDIGITAL has started training its digital franchisees throughout its TV and broadband businesses. OneDigital is now being introduced in Mumbai and will be made available in additional significant cities by the end of the year.

    NxtDigital chief operating officer NK Rouse said, “We have over the years built a robust infrastructure, a strong subscriber base, and a national network of franchisees, all backed by best-in-class technology, including our HITS platform and our award-winning NxtHubs.”

    He further added, “OneDigital and NxtPlatly are extensions of our solutions portfolio, focusing on emerging technologies and the need to develop solutions with an eye on the future. We have also commenced training our franchisee partners to make the paradigm shift to digital solutions providers, ready for the next decade of growth that will also include broadband over satellite.”

    The award-winning NxtHubs that NxtDigital owns and operates, which just passed 100 locations and already provide digital TV, broadband, and OTT solutions in the majority of locations, will try to offer one digital solution.

    NxtDigital is hoping to leverage the strength of its planned broadband-over-satellite service to augment the solution in countries where terrestrial connectivity may be an issue.

  • HomeShop18-Shop CJ merger begins to take effect

    HomeShop18-Shop CJ merger begins to take effect

    MUMBAI: When two companies decide to come together, the ramifications are felt by all concerned: internally by employees and externally by vendors and partners. That is exactly what is happening at the Network18-owned teleshopping major HomeShop18 and the previously Providence Equity-CJO Shopping-owned Shop CJ Network. The former had announced that it was acquiring a 76 per cent stake in the latter last month. Since then, the process of integration has been on to derive the benefits of the fusion.

    For starters, CJ Home Shopping’s offices and studios in Mumbai are being shut down. CEO Dhruva Chandrie, who was given the option to shift to Noida, where Home Shop18 has its offices, has decided to part ways, with the caveat that should the new entity need him in Mumbai he was up for it. Former Skechers boss Sanjeev Agarwal, who has been heading Home Shop18 since 2015, will function as the interim CEO of the merged outfit.

    According to sources close to the group, Chandrie is not the only one who has taken the option to discontinue. Several other employees too have decided the same. “Many executives have their families in Mumbai. Relocation is not easy so they decide to quit. Those who can are shifting to the capital,” says a source.

    Sources indicate that it is the Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance group, which is driving the agenda for the two home shopping ventures.

    Sources indicate that the final details of the acquisition of Shop CJ by the megacorp will be out within the next week to a fortnight. Questions that arise are: will Reliance take on all the liabilities should the South Korean home shopping major abstain from doing so as it is only a 26 per cent owner? Or will it honour the liabilities in an equitable manner?

    Employees refused to open up about any developments within HomeShop18 or Shop CJ Network. Chandrie could not be reached, despite efforts by indiantelevision.com to do so. Neither was Sanjeev Agarwal reachable.

    For Reliance, the synergies are immense. The group has a presence in Reliance Retail and buying over the mobile, internet and television home shopping major gives HomeShop18 scale like no other home shopping channel has in India. Apart from the brick and mortar stores, it boasts of many additional outlets – online, mobile and now TV – where it can bring in economies of scale. The Reliance group has also shown that it knows how to handle media and entertainment; allow professionals to run the firms you acquire and give broad directions only. Hence, its two to three year old acquisition Viacom18 has only been going from strength to strength.

    In the case of the Home Shop18-Shop CJ Network (both of which have been doing relatively poor on financials) merger, the tremors are being felt. Hopefully, when these ease, we will get to see a streamlined healthy beast.

  • Nick partners Big Bazar for Spongebob SquarePants merchandise

    Nick partners Big Bazar for Spongebob SquarePants merchandise

    MUMBAI: Viacom18‘s kids entertainment channel Nick and Future Group‘s retail chain Big Bazar have collaborated to launch the Spongebob SquarePants – Back to School range of products for children.

    The range was launched by Mandira Bedi. The collection is available across 156 Big Bazar outlets in the country.

    The range includes colour pencils, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, sketch pens, pencil pouches, oil pastels, compass boxes, coin bank and combi packs. The product range, priced between Rs 25 – 149, is designed keeping in mind the latest trends and styles that are popular amongst kids.

    Nick India has licensed the category to B Vishal Corporation to distribute the products across all Big Bazaar stores. The new range is being promoted through various media including Facebook and the Nick India website.

    Viacom18 Media senior VP consumer products Sandeep Dahiya said, “We are excited to be associated with India‘s biggest retail chain, Big Bazaar, for ‘SpongeBob SquarePants‘ Back to School Range. SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most loved Nicktoons across the globe and this new range is sure to excite millions of his young fans in the Indian market.”

    Big Bazaar – Future Group joint CEO Sanjeev Agarwal added, “Backed by strong network of 156 Big Bazaar in more than 90 cities, easy accessibility at the right price and smart below the line set up, we are confident that ‘SpongeBob SquarePants – Back to School‘ range will become a nationwide trend.”

    Apart from this range of products, the association shall also include efforts like on-ground activities, digital activations, in-store promotion with high impact point of sale material based on the lines of play, fun, frolic and buying.