ITV

Tag: Sony Entertainment Television

  • BARC week 42: Zee Anmol jumps to No. 2 spot; Star Plus remains No. 1

    BARC week 42: Zee Anmol jumps to No. 2 spot; Star Plus remains No. 1

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (Zeel) free to air channel (FTA) Zee Anmol, which featured in the third spot last week as the The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India all India (U+R) data was rolled out, has climbed to the second spot in week 42.

     

    Even as Star Plus maintained its leadership position in the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) space with 734802 (000Sums), Zee Anmol featured in the second position with 651861 (000Sums). As a result, Colors fell to the third place with 650667 (000Sums).

     

    Zeel’s flagship Hindi GEC maintained its position at the fourth spot like last week with 595088 (000Sums). DD National with 522667 (000Sums) bagged fifth place in the segment. In the sixth spot was Life OK with 496285 (000Sums), whereas Star Ustav stood in the seventh place with 473973 (000Sums). Incidentally, Star Utsav was amongst the Top 5 Hindi GECs in week 41 at the fifth spot.

     

    Sony Entertainment Television continued to hold the eight position with 348448 (000Sums) followed by Sab with 327100 (000Sums) in the ninth place, while Rishtey featured in the tenth spot with 268695 (000Sums). 

  • Sony to end two prime time shows to pave way for ‘Pyaar Ko Ho Jane Do’

    Sony to end two prime time shows to pave way for ‘Pyaar Ko Ho Jane Do’

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television is making a couple of changes in its prime time programming to make way for the Mona Singh -Iqbal Khan starrer Pyaar Ko Ho Jane Do produced by Balaji Telefilms. 

     

    To accommodate the new one hour show, which will be aired in the 9 – 10 pm slot, the channel is pulling the plug on its one month old 9.30 pm show 2025 Jaane Kya Hoga Aage. Additionally, the 9 pm show Reporters will also be concluding with the last episode being aired on 19 October.

     

    Pyaar Ko Ho Jane Do will launch on 20 October and will be aired from Monday – Friday.

     

    While the last episode of the Rajeev Khandelwal and Kritika Kamra starrer Reporters, produced by Shristi Arya, will see the logical culmination of the show’s first season, Sony’s other show 2025 Jaane Kya Hoga Aage is being pulled off after a run of little more than a month. The futuristic comic show set in the year 2025, produced by Optimystix Entertainment, was launched on 31 August.

  • What the MSM-ESPN deal means

    What the MSM-ESPN deal means

    MUMBAI: When the enemy looks extremely threatening, you bring in allies to help you do battle. And if your ally is a friend-turned-foe of your enemy, it makes the war that much more interesting. And combative.

     

    We are referring to what’s about to happen in the Indian sports television ecosystem. Multi Screen Media India (Sony Entertainment Television India) has struck a deal with the US-based mega sportscaster ESPN Inc under which it will be helping bring in the brand once again into the country as its partner. 

     

    ESPN was Star TV’s former mate in Asia until 2012 wherein they ran and distributed channels in several Asian countries jointly including in India.

     

    The current MSM-ESPN agreement is for the long term and will be for India and the Indian sub-continent. The joint venture will see new co-branded sports channels, a multisport website and an app rolling out over the next few months. The companies will also be working together to develop original sports programs, something which has been sorely lacking in India, with the exception of a couple of them on Star India’s sports channels.

     
    As a first step of the union, MSM’s sports channel Sony Kix is being rebranded as Sony ESPN.

     

    It’s interesting that the two are exchanging vows at the time they are.

     

    The IPL bids are slated to take place next year and the buzz is that Star India is likely to take the bidding to close to the $4 billion mark for all rights. With Sony-ESPN combining their resources and putting up a common front, they are quite likely to put up a stiff fight against Star India. (Others who could throw in a bid include Zee Telefilms and Discovery’s Eurosport). And not just at the IPL auctions but also for all the other sports rights when they come up for renewal.

     

    “However,” a high ranking Sony International Television executive told Indiantelevision.com, “there is no way pricing for the IPL could go up four times. A multiplier of two times or three times over the previous bid is conceivable but above that will make it a big losing proposition.”

     

    What’s also of interest is how Disney is shaping its presence in India. Its family entertainment initiatives got a leg up when it invested in acquiring Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV a few years ago. This deal gave it access to UTV Motion Pictures as well as channels such as Bindass and Hungama.

     

    Disney India recently severed its distribution alliance with IndiaCast Media – part of Viacom18 and has been reaching out to satellite and cable TV platforms to strike deals with them directly.

     

    Now with Disney’s sports offshoot ESPN partnering with MSM, one will have to see whether the latter’s distribution arm MSM Media Distribution resources will be used to shore up the efforts of the distribution team at Disney India. Or will the two work totally independently?

     

    Sports programming in India is likely to also get a shot in the arm. ESPN is renowned for its studio-based shows and live coverage of events. Live sports content in the deal includes major US college football (including the College Football Playoff and comprehensive coverage of the college football bowl season); major US college basketball (including the March Madness NCAA Championship Tournaments); NCAA college sport championships from baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer; Boxing (including Premier Boxing Champions and ESPN’s Big Fights Library); X Games; ESPN Films Emmy-Award Winning 30 For 30 documentaries amongst others.

     

    What’s also relevant is the fact that both ESPN and MSM are going hell for leather after digital content properties too. The duo has its eyes on developing a co-branded localized multi-sport website and app, which will provide coverage of cricket, football, tennis, the NBA, badminton, field hockey and more. The sports content – both video and text – will be delivered on MSM’s OTT platform Sony Liv, and sonyliv.com as well as highly popular cricket portal espncricinfo.com.  

     

    Each of these websites, television channels and OTT platforms will be used to cross promote each other, giving it tremendous marketing heft.  Additionally, their social media presence is to be beefed up in order to give sports lovers a destination to engage with each other and with their sports stars.
     
     

    The whole in this case is going to be greater than the sum of the two parts. With the entry of a rejuvenated ESPN into India, the entire sports broadcasting ecosystem is likely to see rapid improvements as more money will be pumped in by both Star and the American sportscaster along with MSM.

     

    And this is going to be a win-win for the various administrations, associations, players and professionals,   team owners, and vendors involved in sports and sports broadcasting – and ultimately the sports fan.

  • Exclusive: SPT chairman Steve Mosko plans India visit on Sony’s 20th Anniversary

    Exclusive: SPT chairman Steve Mosko plans India visit on Sony’s 20th Anniversary

    CANNES: Even as the picturesque French Riviera was hit by deadly flash floods, the global market for entertainment content across all platforms – Mipcom 2015 kicked off in Cannes. 

     

    As Sony Entertainment Television completes 20 years in India this October, Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko is planning a visit to the country.

     

    Speaking exclusively to Indiantelevision.com on the sidelines of Mipcom, Mosko said that he would be coming down to India soon to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sony Pictures Television in the country and possibly even make a few big announcements around that time. Sony Entertainment Television (SET) launched in India in October 1995.

     

    At Mipcom this year, the company unveiled a sneak peek preview episode of Sony Pictures Television’s The Art of Morestarring Dennis Quaid, Christian Cooke, Kate Bosworth and Cary Elwes.

     

    For the Indian market, The Art of More has been acquired by Colors Infinity.  

     

    Mosko said, “This is just the beginning. There are very big plans going ahead and we are very confident that our future slate of shows is going to be loved by one and all around the world.”

     

    This new series will unveil the truth behind how the world of auctions work. Samuel Brukner (Dennis Quaid) is a man with the money and has the thirst to collect the most exquisite art from around the globe. While Graham Connor (Christian Cooke) is the man who wants to make it big in life and has to win the trust of Brukner to get there. 

     

    The preview at Mipcom was followed by a discussion by the cast along with Sony Pictures Television president – international distribution Keith Le Goy and Sony Pictures Television EVP – digital networks and Crackle GM Eric Berger.

     

    “The story was the biggest hero for me and the way my character has been written is simply amazing, I couldn’t say no,” said Quaid.

     

    The first episode, which was screened at Cannes tonight, was well received by the audience in attendance. 

     

    The stellar cast, crisp editing, gripping storytelling and a plot that keeps thickening as the show proceeds is everything that works in the favour of this series, which is set to premiere on various networks globally mid November this year.

     

    The show makers are confident that the series will be a certain hit and have major plans in rolling out more seasons based on the response received in its first season.

  • Tonic Media Wins 2015 Social Media Agency of the Year

    Tonic Media Wins 2015 Social Media Agency of the Year

    MUMBAI: Tonic Media, India’s leading independent digital agency, has been named 2015 Social Media Agency of the Year at the Big Bang Awards organised by the Ad Club, Bangalore on Friday, the 25th of September.The agency was nominated across 10 categories with 14 shortlisted entries and bagged 12 awards including five golds, five silvers and one Bronze.

    Over 987 entries were submitted across 58 categories by 72 agencies. Honorees were selected by a jury comprising of 46 Senior Advertising, Marketing, Media, PR and digital professionals from all over India, based on the nominations filed by the respective agencies. The awards re-emphasized the strengths of Tonic Media across social and creative platforms with the agency winning Best Use of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn as well as Community Development under separate campaigns.

     

    “We are excited that Tonic has had such a successful year in terms of performance and receiving appreciation for the same.” said Chetan Asher, CEO, Tonic Media. “The awards are a testament to the pace and commitment of the Tonic team. We aim to build the best-in-class services and focus on producing better creativity year on year.”

     

    Tonic received the following titles at The Big Bang Awards:

     

    Winner

     

    ·     Social Media Agency of the Year

     

    Gold

     

    ·     Best Use of Twitter for Aditya Birla Group

    ·     Best Use of LinkedIn for Sony Entertainment Television

    ·     Best Community Development for Sony Mix

    ·     Best Corporate Communications Campaign for Aditya Birla Group

    ·     Best CSR Campaign for Aditya Birla Group

     

     

    Silver

     

    ·     Best Corporate Website of the Year for Little Millennium

    ·     Best Use of Facebook for Sony Entertainment Television

    ·     Best Use of Twitter for Sony Max2

    ·     Best Community Development for Sony PIX

    ·     Best Social Game/App/Contest for Aditya Birla Group

     

     

    Bronze         

     

    ·     Best Use of Facebook for Sony PIX

  • TAM week 38: Colors eclipses Star Plus to capture No. 1 slot

    TAM week 38: Colors eclipses Star Plus to capture No. 1 slot

    MUMBAI: Colors has been slowly but steadily strengthening its position on the ratings chart. In week 38 of TAM Media Research data, Colors has managed to eclipse reigning Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Star Plus to capture the number 1 slot on an individual level.

     

    Leading the Hindi GEC pack, Colors garnered 237 GRPs against the 232 GRPs in week 37. On the other hand, Star Plus witnessed a downfall and grabbed the second position with 222 GRPs in week 38 as against 230 GRPs in the previous week.

     

    Zee TV at number three saw a fall in its ratings. The channel had registered 156 GRPs in week 37, which went down to 152 GRPs in week 38.

     

    In the fourth spot stood Sab, which recorded 124 GRPs, followed by Life OK with 123 GRPs in the fifth position. Sony Entertainment Television further declined in ratings and was seen at the sixth position with 87 GRPs.

     

    &TV came in seventh with 57 GRPs in week 38 as against 59 GRPs in week 37.

     

    Star Plus’ prime time show Yeh Hai Mohabbatein led the chart in top five programs on Hindi GECs with 4.05 TVR. On the other hand, Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya, which was perched on the top slot for the last two weeks, was down to number two with 3.6 TVR. This was followed by Colors’ Swaragini in the third position with 3.63 TVR, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi in the fourth place with 3.44 TVR and Sasural Simar Ka in the fifth slot with 3.41 TVR.

  • MSM to launch English Entertainment & Hindi Music channels

    MSM to launch English Entertainment & Hindi Music channels

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) is gearing up to launch two new channels over the next two months.

     

    The broadcaster is aggressively investing to launch a flamboyant English entertainment channel as well as a Hindi music channel.

     

    The English entertainment channel will have an HD feed and will simulcast series with US. MSM’s move comes even as the English entertainment channels space in the country has hotted up with the recent launches of Viacom 18’s Colors Infinity and Star India’s FX HD.

     

    According to information available with Indiantelevision.com, MSM is currently awaiting the license from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

     

    On the other hand, building up on the success of its existing Hindi music channel Sony Mix as well as to enhance its presence in the Hindi music genre, MSM will launch another music channel. According to sources close to the development, the channel will hit airwaves in the next two months and will be headed by MSM EVP Neeraj Vyas, who has successfully led Sony Mix so far.

     

    MSM’s last launch was that of the sports channel Sony Kix, which was strongly backed up with aggressive acquisition of sports properties like LA Liga, FA Cup and Italian SerieA amongst others.

     

    Currently, MSM has a total of sixteen channels in its bouquet namely: Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Entertainment Television HD, Sony Max, Sony Max 2, Sab, Sony Mix, Sony Six, Sony Six HD, Sony Kix, Sony Pix, Sony Pix HD, Sony Pal, AXN, AXN HD, Sony Aath and Animax.

  • Sony & Colosceum to bring Israeli reality show ‘Power Couple’ to India

    Sony & Colosceum to bring Israeli reality show ‘Power Couple’ to India

    MUMBAI: Going by the popularity of reality shows on Indian television, Sony Entertainment Television is now looking at bringing the Israeli reality show Power Couple to India.

     

    To be produced by Colosceum Entertainment, the show is slated to launch on Sony in October. However, sources say that the channel is still in the process of finalizing the launch date.

     

    It is likely that Sony may pitch the show against Colors’ popular and well-established reality drama Bigg Boss, the new season of which is slated to go on air from 11 October, 2015.

     

    After taking Israel by storm since the launch of its first season, internationally acclaimed show Power Couple follows 10 celebrity couples, who will undergo a rigorous test of love along with their better halves. Disconnected from the world, these 10 couples will be living under one roof and will be tested as they face extreme challenges to prove how well they know each other. Love, trust, patience, belief, courage, sacrifice, compromise, every factor, which keeps a relationship going will be tested under the most demanding circumstances. Couples who have been living their ‘happily ever after’ will be judged on their physical, emotional and mental strength making them question their vows made to each other.

     

    Power Couple format owner – Israel-based Dori Media – has taken the show to countries like China, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil, Germany, Italy and the US.

  • TAM week 35: Sab only gainer as other Hindi GECs see a dip

    TAM week 35: Sab only gainer as other Hindi GECs see a dip

    MUMBAI: In week 35 of TAM Media Research ratings, Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) Sab was the only gainer in the genre. Other Hindi GECs including Star Plus, Colors, Zee TV, Sony and others witnessed a dip in the ratings.

     

    This is the third week wherein Star Plus witnessed a fall in ratings, scoring 211 GRPs, as against the 236 GRPs it bagged in week 34. However, the channel maintained its top slot. Colors with 208 GRPs stands at the second slot. The channel in week 34 had recorded 221 GRPs.

     

    In the third slot, Zee TV witnessed a marginal decrease. The channel recorded 148 GRPs in week 35 as against 156 GRPs in week 34.

     

    Sab, at the fourth spot, was the only gainer in week 35 and garnered 130 GRPs in comparison to week 34 where the channel recorded 127 GRPs.

     

    Life OK secured fifth position with 116 GRPs in week 35, while Sony Entertainment Television and &TV managed to hold the sixth and seventh position with 101 GRPs and 56 GRPs respectively.

     

    Amongst the top five shows for the week were Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhaygya that secured the fist position with 3.8 TVRs followed by Colors’ Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi with 3.7 TVRs in second slot. The channels’ another prime time show Swaragini grabbed the third spot with 3.63 TVRs.  In fourth position was Star Plus’ Ye Hai Mohabbatein which registered 3.28 TVRs while Colors’ Sasural Simar Ka managed to grab the fifth berth with 3.11 TVRs.          

  • Sony to launch futuristic comedy show from 31 August

    Sony to launch futuristic comedy show from 31 August

    MUMBAI: In a bid to expand its prime time programming fare, Sony Entertainment Television is all set to launch a new futuristic comedy show titled 2025 Jaane Kya Hoga Aagey.

     

    The show will hit television screens on 31 August and will be aired from Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm.

     

    Produced by Optimystix Entertainment, the comic caper will give the world a glimpse of what life would be like a decade from now.

     

    Set in 2025, the show revolves around the eccentric Joshi family based in Mumbai.

     

    2025 Jaane Kya Hoga Aagey stars Sanyukta Timsina, Sunil Barve, Kenny Desai, Akhlaque Khan and Clair Monica amongst others.

     

    Naisha played by Sanyukta Timsina, the daughter of the family, is a computer genius. After her mother Ganga’s untimely demise, her father Inder played by Sunil Barve misses her terribly. The entire Joshi family is not able to get over her death so Naisha decides to bring an end to their misery. She uses technology to bring her back to life by creating a 3D hologram of her mother. With the technological rebirth of Ganga, the family struggles to deal with the sudden changes that life has to offer.

     

    Adding to the fun quotient is the eldest member of the family, Dadaji played by Kenny Desai, who is the youngest at heart. He is completely techno-savvy and is often seen replacing his old body parts with new ones. Naisha’s brother, Naveen (Akhlaque Khan) often referred to as Nano, is crazy about nanotechnology. His obsession leads him to invent an additional hand which does all his chores. Adding spice is the maid, Monica (Clair Monica), who prefers the term ‘Domestic Help’ and comes with a high price tag, lots of attitude and never ending demands.

     

    As age is no bar, each member will unapologetically display their quirks in the most nonchalant manner which will have the audience in splits. 2025 Jaane Kya Hoga Aagey will be where relationships, emotions and technology come together in harmony.