ITV

Tag: Six

  • SPN India TV ad revenue & subscriber numbers rise: Sony Corp

    SPN India TV ad revenue & subscriber numbers rise: Sony Corp

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India – led by CEO NP Singh – is doing well, if one goes by the numbers its Japanese parent Sony Corp announced last weekend.

    For one the Sony Corp presentation around its financial results for the quarter ending 30 June 2016 clearly states that it has been seeing “higher advertising revenues in Latin America and India” which has helped boost its media networks business in the period.

    Then SPN India’s subscriber numbers too are on the up, according to Sony Corp.

    It states in its notes to the financials that the India channel cluster (consisting of SET, MAX, SAB, Pix, Aatth, Mix, Six, AXN, PAL, MAX2, Sony ESPN, Wah and Animax India) has increased its subscriber number from 650.4 million on 30 June 2015 to 690.4 million on 30 June 2016 – a growth of about 6 per cent.

    The channels which are distributed over India, North America, Europe, the Pacific, South east Asia, Australia, west Asia and Africa reported an increase in international subscribers from 2 million to 2.3 million an increase of 15 per cent in the same period.

    Sony Pictures worldwide media network business – which covers all its TV channels – did a revenue of $588.418 million in the same period as compared to $576.04 million in Q1-2015. It clearly shows that business is on upswing.

    Sony Corp’s Pictures segment (including media networks revenue and theatrical box office income) reported a revenue of 183.3 million Japanese Yen ($1.8 billion) and an operating loss of 10.6 billion Japanese Yen ($103.84 million) in the quarter to 30 June 2016. In terms of the Japanese currency that tots up to a 6.9 per cent increase in revenues (Q1 2015 – 171.5 billion Japanese yen), and a 1 billion Japanese Yen reduction in its operating loss (11.7 billion Japanese yen in Q1 2015).

    Meanwhile, sales and operating revenue of the mother company Sony Corp decreased by 10.8 per cent compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year (year-on-year) to 1,613.2 billion yen ($15,662 million).

    This significant decrease was mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange rates, a decrease in Mobile Communications segment sales reflecting a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales, a decrease in revenues in the Financial Services segment due to the deterioration in investment performance in the separate account at Sony Life Insurance Co Ltd as well as decreases in sales in the Semiconductors and Imaging Products & Solutions segments due to the impact of the earthquakes in the Kumamoto region in 2016. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in Game & Network Services segment sales reflecting increases in PlayStation 4 software sales. On a constant currency basis, sales decreased 3 per cent year-on-year.

  • SPN India TV ad revenue & subscriber numbers rise: Sony Corp

    SPN India TV ad revenue & subscriber numbers rise: Sony Corp

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) India – led by CEO NP Singh – is doing well, if one goes by the numbers its Japanese parent Sony Corp announced last weekend.

    For one the Sony Corp presentation around its financial results for the quarter ending 30 June 2016 clearly states that it has been seeing “higher advertising revenues in Latin America and India” which has helped boost its media networks business in the period.

    Then SPN India’s subscriber numbers too are on the up, according to Sony Corp.

    It states in its notes to the financials that the India channel cluster (consisting of SET, MAX, SAB, Pix, Aatth, Mix, Six, AXN, PAL, MAX2, Sony ESPN, Wah and Animax India) has increased its subscriber number from 650.4 million on 30 June 2015 to 690.4 million on 30 June 2016 – a growth of about 6 per cent.

    The channels which are distributed over India, North America, Europe, the Pacific, South east Asia, Australia, west Asia and Africa reported an increase in international subscribers from 2 million to 2.3 million an increase of 15 per cent in the same period.

    Sony Pictures worldwide media network business – which covers all its TV channels – did a revenue of $588.418 million in the same period as compared to $576.04 million in Q1-2015. It clearly shows that business is on upswing.

    Sony Corp’s Pictures segment (including media networks revenue and theatrical box office income) reported a revenue of 183.3 million Japanese Yen ($1.8 billion) and an operating loss of 10.6 billion Japanese Yen ($103.84 million) in the quarter to 30 June 2016. In terms of the Japanese currency that tots up to a 6.9 per cent increase in revenues (Q1 2015 – 171.5 billion Japanese yen), and a 1 billion Japanese Yen reduction in its operating loss (11.7 billion Japanese yen in Q1 2015).

    Meanwhile, sales and operating revenue of the mother company Sony Corp decreased by 10.8 per cent compared to the same quarter of the previous fiscal year (year-on-year) to 1,613.2 billion yen ($15,662 million).

    This significant decrease was mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange rates, a decrease in Mobile Communications segment sales reflecting a significant decrease in smartphone unit sales, a decrease in revenues in the Financial Services segment due to the deterioration in investment performance in the separate account at Sony Life Insurance Co Ltd as well as decreases in sales in the Semiconductors and Imaging Products & Solutions segments due to the impact of the earthquakes in the Kumamoto region in 2016. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in Game & Network Services segment sales reflecting increases in PlayStation 4 software sales. On a constant currency basis, sales decreased 3 per cent year-on-year.

  • Sony Six gets ready to score with FIFA World Cup

    Sony Six gets ready to score with FIFA World Cup

    MUMBAI: The lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2014 has official broadcaster Sony Six sweating bullets to ensure that the extravaganza lives up to its name and all the fan frenzy around it. The ball was already set rolling a while ago when the channel launched its “Live the Magic” campaign, featuring Bollywood actor and football enthusiast John Abraham. The TVC captured the essence of Brazil, the venue of the FIFA, through its beaches, narrow streets, colourful houses and music.

    Adding to it, Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan has drawn up a comprehensive marketing blueprint for the mother of all tourneys. “Sony Six has chosen to target 10 -12 cities. TVCs and ads will be placed in 10 newspapers, including publications by the ABP group. The TVCs will be aired on 30 different channels (regional, GECs and news) in India. We are also running radio campaigns in 50 cities.”

    That apart, the channel has tied up with Hard Rock Cafe as part of its on-ground activations. “This is to ensure that groups of people can come together and view the game. As part of our mall activities, we will have DJs, along with various contests and flash mobs enthralling audiences in shopping centres,” says Krishnan.

    Apart from Hard Rock, other popular sports bars too will showcase the matches on giant screens. The manager of a Malad (in the western part of Mumabi)-based sports bar and grill said, “We will have two projectors and four TV sets lined up for customers to enjoy the game. A third projector will be used during important matches or when crowds swell up.”

    A la competitors Tensports.com and starsports.com, the MSM group too has launched a digital sports entertainment destination called LIVsports.in. Fans can watch live matches here, captured from four different camera angles, complete with timelines, statistics, a match centre, heat maps and analyses. There are also fun activities like “Mohit Bana Messi – Jersyfy Me” and “Pehchan Kaun?” apart from the LIV sports football fantasy league.

    Says MSM executive vice-president, new media, business development and digital/syndication Nitesh Kripalani: “We are giving consumers two options – either watch the LIVE HD quality match by paying a small fee; or watch the 5-minute delayed match for free. All other content like stats, analysis and engagements are available for free to users across devices.”

     Kripalani adds that the  "the response (to the website) has been extremely positive with the campaign breaking; the numbers are more than quadrupling per day. More than 90 per cent visitors are from India; primarily Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore”. LIVsports.in has already signed up with Amity University, Gionee Mobile and Jabong.com and discussions are underway to get other brands on board.

    As for advertisers for the World Cup, Hero MotoCorp is already on board as presenting sponsor and Xolo Mobile and Microsoft as powered by sponsors. During the recently concluded IPL, Sony Six sold 10 second ad spots for Rs 4.5 to Rs 5 lakh, while the final IPL match had advertising ratesat  Rs 18 lakh to Rs 20 lakh fo a 10 second spot (media planners, however, pegged this at Rs 14 lakh to Rs 16 lakh). For FIFA, it is selling 10-seconders for between Rs 2 lakh and  Rs 2.50 lakh.

    Coming to the game itself, Sony Six is seeking to leverage the viewers it gained during the IPL and increase the overall  viewership base. “During the 2010 World Cup, the reach numbers were 65 million, but during this World Cup, we expect the numbers to touch 125 million in India, as trends show an increase in football viewership in India,” says a confident Krishnan.

    With 32 nations battling it out on the football field, fans in India will not have to worry about international timing clashes as Sony Six will broadcast 24 games out of 64 matches live during the prime time slot of 9:30 pm.

    Sony Six will also air two new shows on all match days: a wrap of the day at prime time titled ‘Cafe Rio’ and a live breakfast show called ‘Football Extraaa’. Popular names from national and international football like Peter Crouch, Robbie Fowler, Peter Shilton, Mikael Silvestre, Ellyse Perry, and Sunil Chhetri will grace the shows along with Abraham, dissecting and analysing the matches.

    ‘Cafe Rio’ will be telecast at 8pm and will lead up to the beginning of the match at 9.30pm; it will be a blend of sports and entertainment and will also focus on trivia about victorious teams, historical venues and players.

    ‘Football Extraaa’ will be a daily morning show for viewers to relive the fun and excitement of the previous day’s matches. It will be aired between 8am and 9am and will be in an interactive format where viewers can dial in and share their perspective or ask questions.

    What’s more, Sony Six plans to have live commentary in Bengali. As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, Sony Aath will broadcast live the World Cup with Bengali commentary. Aath will telecast 56 matches in Bengali. The channel aims to expand its reach through this specialized offer to its ‘Bong’ audiences.

    Kripalani believes that the FIFA  football action telecast during prime time will not have an impact on general entertainment channels like the IPL did, pointing out that "even if there is, it will likely be seen in Kerala or Bengal that have a large football base.”

    It may be too early to foretell such an effect but all we can say is relax and get set to cheer your best team as the game unfolds in Brazil.

  • The One Alliance threatens to switch off channels to Reliance BIG TV

    The One Alliance threatens to switch off channels to Reliance BIG TV

    MUMBAI: The subscribers of direct-to-home TV services provider Reliance Big TV may stop receiving 26 channels that form part of the The One Alliance bouquet about three weeks from now.

     

    The One Alliance through a public notice has informed subscribers of Reliange Big TV that the channels it aggregates can go off in the next three weeks, if the DTH player doesn’t clear outstanding dues.

     

    “We have issued a public notice as per the guidelines. The outstanding is huge and we are hoping that the matter is resolved soon,” says The One Alliance EVP sales and strategy Makarand Palekar.

     

    The channels that come in The One Alliance bouquet are: Sony Entertainment Television, MAX, MIX, SAB, PIX,SIX,Aath, Animal Planet, AXN, Animax, Discovery Channel, Discovery Channel Tamil, TLC, Discovery Science, Discovery Turbo, Aaj Tak, Headlines Today, Times Now, Tez, Discovery Kids, ET Now, Zoom, Movies Now, Discovery HD World, SIX HD and SET HD.

     

    “Talks are on with Reliance Big TV,” informs Palekar.

     

    The One Alliance is getting tough against all distribution platforms. The aggregator had switched off channels given to IndusInd Media and Communications (IMCL) on 5 March, after issuing a 21 day notice to the multi system operator (MSO) for non-payment of huge outstanding.

     

    “We met the officials from IMCL and resolved the matter on Friday, 7 March. The channels from the bouquet (to IMCL) have been restored,” says Palekar.

  • One Alliance vs Hathway: Viewers are at loss

    One Alliance vs Hathway: Viewers are at loss

    MUMBAI: From the past couple of weeks, the One Alliance channels are not being aired on Hathway.

     

    The channels – Sony, Sab, Max, Six, Mix, AXN, Pix, TLC, Discovery Channel, Discovery Turbo, Animal Planet, Discovery kids, Sony Aath, Aaj Tak, Tez, Headlines Today, Max HD, Discovery HD world, Sony Six HD – are not being televised.

     

    The reason given as per the ticker scrolling on Sony channel which is playing on a higher LCN (Logical Channel Number) is non-payment of dues and failure of renewal of agreement.

     

    When indiantelevision.com approached the cable network as well as the aggregator, both seemed reluctant in solving the matter and discarding the issue by saying, “It happens every now and then. So, hence, is no big deal.”

     

    The two might not be affected by the conflict, but the viewers are of course the victims in this.

     

    A resident from Kandivali (West) says, “Every evening, once I am back from office, I like to watch the debate on Times Now. But now without any prior notice, the channel has been taken off. Why should we suffer when we pay our cable bills on time?”

     

    On the similar line, another Hathway customer angrily says, “Even after calling the local cable guy a hundred times, I did not get the answer why did it happen and when will the channels be back. I was just informed that one channel (Sony) has been shifted to another channel number.”

     

    A lot of viewers complained about such occurrences time and now and wondered if shifting to a DTH or another cable was better.

     

    All we can say is that in someone’s loss, would be someone else’s gain. Are the DTH operators listening?

  • Sony Entertainment Network & Times TV Network pull the plug on TAM; others to follow?

    Sony Entertainment Network & Times TV Network pull the plug on TAM; others to follow?

    MUMBAI: It‘s official. At the time of writing, two leading Indian TV networks, Multi Screen Media (which runs Sony Entertainment TV, Sab, Max, Pix and Six) and Times Television Network (which runs ET Now, Movies Now, Times Now and Zoom) had officially written to TAM Media Research informing its CEO LV Krishnan that they were stopping their subscription to the weekly TV ratings service from 6 June 2013. Hitherto, it had been reported that Sony was only mulling taking this step. TAM Media CEO confirmed that he had received the cessation notices from both the broadcast networks.

    MSM CEO Man Jit Singh: his network is the first to stop subscribing to TAM‘s weekly TV ratings service

    Apparently, more letters from the broadcast industry are likely to follow as many more members of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) have decided to stop their subscriptions to TAM‘s ratings, if sources are to be believed.

    Says IBF president & MSM CEO Man Jit Singh: “There is a great deal of concern over the credibility and reliability of TAM. Seeing the fluctuations, which are happening since IPL and before that, we have decided to stop subscribing to TAM. The GEC market has shrunk by 20 per cent, which again puts a question mark over the reliability of TAM. Why would I pay for this? The entire IBF has complained and expressed their frustration. They even asked for a suitable explanation but we did not get one.”

    Both Star India CEO Uday Shankar and Times Television Network CEO Sunil Lulla refused to comment when indiantelevision.com tried to get their viewpoint on the issue.

    TAM‘s LV Krishnan: The show will go on; we will continue measuring TV viewership

    But the fact is that TV ratings in India have always been a hotly debated subject. Now more

    fat is likely to be added to the fire with this development with the doomsayers saying “I told you so, TAM‘s ratings are suspect, they are rigged and it will get its comeuppance some day. And that day has come.”

    Krishnan, however, is taking the broadcasters‘ decision in his stride. Says he: “If anybody has any concerns we are always open for discussion. Our job is to provide quality and clean data and we will continue to do that irrespective of who subscribes or not. Our parent companies have funded us in the past whether there were subscribers or not. We will continue to measure viewership.”