ITV

Tag: Sony

  • Sony is No. 2 second time in a row

    Sony is No. 2 second time in a row

    MUMBAI: Even as viewers were watching a bigger drama unfold on news channels with Anna Hazare holding ground at Ramlila Maidaan and the Government in the Parliament, the Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs) didn‘t lose there share of viewership.

    Sony Entertainment Television (Set) continued to be the second most-watched GEC, according to TAM data for the week ended 27 August (Hindi speaking markets ,4+, C&S) Though the channel lost 3 GRPs (gross rating points), it still ended the week with 242 GRPs, well above Colors (228 GRPs in the week).

    For Set, good news is that KBC is maintaining an average TVR of 4+, while its fiction shows – Bade Acche Lagte Hain (4.11), Crime Petrol, C.I.D. and Saas bina Sasural – are also getting good viewership numbers.

    Star Plus, the numero uno channel, closed the week with 299 GRPs (last week 297). Star Plus‘ Saathiya Saath Nibhaana (7 pm show) is leading the shows chart with 5.6 TVR.

    Zee TV, which has now slipped to fourth position, remained the only channel which saw a fall in GRPs. The channel lost 14 GRPs from its last week‘s tally and has registered 180 GRPs in the week.

    Sab, meanwhile, remained unscathed at 128 GRPs, while Imagine TV closed with 75 GRPs (76 in previous week).

    Star One and Sahara One closed the week with 32 and 31 GRPs respectively.

  • Bad Teacher crosses $ 200 million mark

    Bad Teacher crosses $ 200 million mark

    MUMBAI: This summer, Sony’s Bad Teacher has become the third R-rated comedy to cross the $200 million mark worldwide.


    The film that stars Cameron Diaz hit the milestone over the weekend, earning $2.2 million at the foreign box office for a new international cumulative total of $102.6 million.


    The film, also starring Jason Segel and Justin Timberlake, has grossed $98.1 million domestically for a world total of $200.7 million.


    The film’s better-than-expected performance means strong profit margins for Sony that made the film for under $20 million. The studio purchased Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky’s script in 2008.


    Warner Bros.’ The Hangover Part II, that opened in theatres on 26 May has earned a whopping $581.2 million worldwide followed by Universal’s Bridesmaids that has grossed $272.9 million globally since its release on 13 May.


    The summer’s other notable R-rated comedy is New Line and Warners’ Horrible Bosses that has, to date, totaled $170.4 million worldwide.

  • Sony hits jackpot with KBC in HSM metros

    Sony hits jackpot with KBC in HSM metros

    MUMBAI: Amitabh Bachchan, a.k.a Big B, has done it again for Sony Entertainment Television (Set).

    Sony, which was eyeing a permanent third spot among the Hindi general entertainment channels (GEC) with Kaun Banega Crorepati season 5, was in for a surprise with the TAM mid-week ratings.

    KBC has become the leader show in the non-fiction genre and SET the No. 1 channel, according to data provided by Set for three metros (Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata).

    KBC has debuted with a 5.24 TVR on 15 August at the 8.30 pm slot, according to TAM mid-week data for the three metros.
     
    KBC and two weekday fiction shows – Saas Bina Sasural and Bade Acche lagte Hain – pushed the channel ahead of Star Plus as it gained 111 GRPs (gross rating points). Star Plus, Colors and Zee TV followed with 106 GRPs, 100 GRPs and 63 GRPs respectively.

    An elated Set Sr. EVP and business head Sneha Rajani said, “Mr Bachchan has once again proved that line starts from where he stands. We are delighted with the performance of KBC. These numbers show that we have yet again touched a chord with our viewers. The impressive opening numbers for KBC is an emphatic endorsement of our promise of delivering wholesome family entertainment has worked across the length and breadth of the country.” 
     
    Set also said that KBC 5 debut has even surpassed other reality shows on rival channels this year. It said that India‘s Got Talent on Colors had opened with a 4.5 TVR, followed by Just Dance on Star Plus (4 TVR) and Fear Factor khataron ke Khiladi Torchar (3.7 TVR).

    In the last season (first season on Set), KBC had opened at 5.34 TVR. However, it was a one-hour show then; this time, the length of the show has increased by another half-hour.
     
    Rajani said that her aim is to consolidate at No. 3, and grow from there. “KBC has given us a good start and all other shows are showing growth. We have the plan for the next six months ready.”
     
     

  • Sony in hot pursuit, eyes No.3 spot with KBC

    Sony in hot pursuit, eyes No.3 spot with KBC

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is under attack. For the third time in the year, Sony Entertainment Television is trailing behind by just three GRPs (gross rating points).

    The problem for Zee TV is that Sony‘s flagship game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) will make its appearance from 15 August. The Amitabh Bachchan-hosted show at 8.30 pm is positioned as a gateway to Sony‘s primetime programming.

    Sony expects its two fiction shows – Saas Bina Sasural (10 pm) and Bade Acche Lagte Hain (10.30 pm) – to get a lift.

    “We are confident that KBC will deliver again. With or without KBC, Sony will reach the No. 3 position by the year-end,” said Set senior EVP and business head Sneha Rajani.

    For week ended 6 August, Set is at fourth place on the GEC ladder with 187 GRPs (last week 190), as per TAM data for Hindi speaking markets (C&S, 4+) for the week ended 6 August. Zee TV is ahead with 190 GRPs (208 last week).

    Meanwhile, Star Plus continues to lead with 304 GRPs (last week 345). The loss of 41 GRPs comes after the IIFA Award telecast.

    Colors is ranked second, comfortably ahead of Zee TV. Colors ended the week with 269 GRPs (last week 266). Balika Vadhu has once again topped the charts with 5.69 TVR.

    Sab clocked 124 GRPs in the week, one less from last week‘s ratings. Imagine TV collected 70 GRPs, while Star One and Sahara One are at the bottom with 36 and 33 GRPs respectively.

  • Sony targets Rs 2 bn from KBC

    Sony targets Rs 2 bn from KBC

    MUMBAI: It’s hoping to hit the jackpot itself. Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is looking at more than doubling its advertising revenues from its flagship reality game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), even as it is lengthening the telecast time of each episode and its seasonal run.


    The Hindi general entertainment television channel is expecting to reap an ad revenue of Rs 1.80 to Rs 2 billion from the fifth edition (second on Sony) of the show, according to market estimates.


    This time the show will run for 14 weeks in 1 and a half hour long episodes. In the previous edition, KBC ran for seven weeks in one-hour episodes.


    “Sony is looking at more than doubling its ad revenues as the inventory has gone up. Besides, the channel‘s ratings have improved as well,” said a media analyst.


    The channel is spending an estimated Rs 800-100 million on marketing the game show, which will be hosted by Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan. Last time SET spent Rs 110 million on marketing the show.


    “We had to spend more on marketing the show last time because we had to stress on the fact that KBC was shifting from Star TV to Sony. Also, Bachchan was returning to the show after a gap of six years,” said SET senior vice president and marketing head Danish Khan, while declining to comment on the actual spends this year.


    Placing the show at 8.30 pm every Monday-Friday, Sony is using the flagship show as a gateway to its primetime programming. The channel plans to launch a fiction show at 8 pm in mid-September.


    “We have two fiction shows which are doing well at late primetime. This is a good time band to attract audiences from smaller towns and metros. KBC is going deeper this time,” stated Khan.


    KBC was aired at 9 pm in the previous edition.


    Sony is expanding the role of KBC from just a game show to a “show that reflects the transformation of lives in India”.


    “Our entire marketing premise is built on this. Our five set of TVCs will reflect this message,” Khan commented.


    The themes chosen for the television commercials aim to highlight the country‘s identity: inflation, corruption, old age, relationships and hedonistic.


    The show‘s positioning has been amplified from “Koi bhi sawaal chota nai hota” to ‘Koi bhi insaan chota nahin hota‘.


    “This year‘s thought of ‘Koi Bhi Insaan Chota nahin Hota‘ is rooted in a popular belief of the society that ‘everybody inherently has the capability to achieve something extra-ordinary‘. Hence, all stories stem from the big idea – ‘do not underestimate anybody‘. KBC is not just a game show but it leads to information. It is rooted to India‘s culture that knowledge is power”, averred Khan.


    With a broader positioning, Sony has changed its promotional plans as well with television staying as the frontier medium. “Television and cinema will convey the message of the changing India. Print, radio and outdoor will act as reminders for appointment viewing,” Khan said.


    Conceptualised by Leo Burnett and produced by Chrome Pictures, the campaign has five TVCs, each with a distinct story and character. It reiterates the power that lies with the average middle-class man.


    “The hot seat is a great leveler. It transforms lives. The whole auditioning process is done in such a way that every contestant has a story to tell. Each of the 52 episodes will tell a story of the common Indian,” asserted Khan.


    The reliance on TV has also extended the spots‘ duration to 60-seconds.


    “Since the previous year was a very successful one for KBC, we are hoping that this one does even better. We have received fabulous response from our digital promotions as well. Our main objective was to create the most memorable campaign,” Khan concluded.

  • Sony to sponsor ‘The X Factor’ on Fox

    Sony to sponsor ‘The X Factor’ on Fox

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox, Syco Television and television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia North America have announced Sony Electronics as the official consumer electronics sponsor of The X Factor.

    The show will debut with a two-night series premiere event on 21 September. The latest Sony consumer electronics products will be featured in episodes throughout the season, and a key in-show integration will highlight the Sony products used on the set.

    The in-show Sony integration, product placements and advertisements will be extended with an integrated multi-platform, off-air marketing partnership that will include online digital and social media elements. 
     
    Sony Electronics senior VP, marketing communications Stuart Redsun said, “Being part of ‘The X Factor‘ arrival in the U.S. is a natural partnership fit for Sony. We are combining the element of advancing music entertainment with Sony – the greatest consumer electronics and entertainment brand – and our make.believe promise empowers consumers to believe that anything they can imagine, they can make real.”

    FremantleMedia senior VP branded entertainment and partnerships Amy Lorbati said, “Aligning ourselves with a great partner like Sony enables us to engage fans through innovative programmes both on and offline and connect them with their favorite brands.”
     

  • Sony to give VAIO a Rs 500 mn marketing push

    Sony to give VAIO a Rs 500 mn marketing push

    MUMBAI: Sony India will be spending Rs 500 million on marketing its popular laptop brand VAIO as it pushes for a doubling in sales this year.

    Sony will launch a new campaign, “More Colour. More Style”, with its brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor. It has allocated Rs 250 million for this campaign, leaving the other half to be spent on other promotional activities.

    The brand campaign will be supported with above-the-line (ATL) and below-the-line (BTL) activities, including print and television commercial, Web, PR, cinema and shop-front.

    Sony India MD Masaru Tamagawa said, “VAIO contributes 20 per cent to the total sales revenue of Sony India and, hence, is a very important part of our business. This year, our objective is to ensure that we offer a VAIO to meet the lifestyle requirements of every customer. We have an exciting product line-up of 62 models, a robust distribution network of 1500 outlets and heavy marketing investment of Rs 500 million to reach our business target of 500,000 units this year.”
     
    Last year, Sony sold 250,000 units of VAIO and achieved a market share of 15 per cent. The company targets a 20 per cent share this year.

    Kapoor said, “The essence of this new campaign is uniqueness, so there is VAIO to suit every style and speak every mood.”

    Sony said it has a favourable record of Kapoor-led VAIO campaigns, doubling the sales of VAIO both the times. She was seen in 2009 (‘Size Zero’ campaign) and 2010 (VAIO E ‘Go Vivid’ campaign).

    “The campaign is all about making a lifestyle statement and with Kapoor as the face of this campaign, we hope it will resonate well with our customers,”Tamagawa said.
    Sony boasts of a laptop product line-up of 62 models, available in 16 different colours.

    Sony is also ramping up its distribution network. “The distribution network will see an increase of about 700 outlets, raising the count to 1500 this year from 800 in the previous year. The company will also open 30 exclusive VAIO flagship stores this year, taking the total number to 50 as a dedicated VAIO channel,” said Tamagawa.

  • Sony launches 2nd phase of campaign for KBC

    Sony launches 2nd phase of campaign for KBC

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television (Set) is kicking off the second phase of the marketing campaign for its upcoming show Kaun banega Crorepati (KBC) 2011 on 15 June.

    The channel will launch the campaign first on You Tube, before circulating it elsewhere.

    The second phase will see five short TVCs, conceptualised by Leo Burnett. Shot by Chrome Pictures, the TVCs will be aired on the TV channels from 16 June.
     
    Coming on Indian television for its fifth season, the KBC 2011’s first promotional campaign was launched last month, calling for registration.

    The second phase of KBC campaign will have five films — each with a distinct story and a distinct character, that will engage, entertain and bring alive the core thought of this season – “Koi Bhi Insaan Chota Nahin Hota” (never underestimate anybody).

    This year too, the host of the show, Amitabh Bachchan, will anchor the philosophy of KBC in all the films.

    Set senior VP and marketing head Danish Khan said, “This year the challenge was to take the campaign and the thinking forward and build upon the hugely successful KBC campaign of 2010 – ‘Koi Bhi Sawaal Chota Nahin Hota’. This year also the campaign retains that distinct KBC flavor, while we take the thought forward. The thought “Koi Bhi Insaan Chota nahin Hota” is rooted in yet another popular belief of our society that ‘everybody inherently has capability to achieve something extra ordinary’. Hence don’t underestimate anybody – a right platform and a good knowledge can transform life – KBC is that platform.”
     
    Khan added that these short films will have presence on TV channels, cinema screens as well as digital screens. “We are taking long spots as each film is of 60-75 seconds and a story in itself,” he said.

    Khan noted that radio and outdoor promotions will be launched later.

    Set said that there was high anticipation from this year’s account as last year’s campaign was a huge success. “It has swept all national and international awards, and walked away with six ABBY’s and four Promaxbda awards,” the company said. 
     
    Leo Burnett Set account business head Anup Vishwanathan said, “Last year’s campaign celebrated ‘knowledge’ and since the thought that ‘koi bhi gyaan vyaarth nahin hota” (no Knowledge ever goes waste) and truly ‘knowledge is the passport to a better life’ is rooted deep in our collective psyche – hence ‘Koi Bhi Sawaal Chota Nahin Hota’ was relatable to people across and received a lot of appreciation, awards, popularity and ratings. The campaign created a unique grammar for brand KBC – insightful message delivered in a punchy popular entertainment format to be consumed by people from across social spectrum.”
     

  • ‘Our aim is to see that India is a top 5 market for us in 2 years’ : Sony chairman, CEO and president Sir Howard

    ‘Our aim is to see that India is a top 5 market for us in 2 years’ : Sony chairman, CEO and president Sir Howard

     

    Sony Corporation expects India to be among its top five markets by sales in the next two years.

     

    Betting big on 3D, Sony chairman, CEO and president Sir Howard Stringer is targeting 30 per cent of its India sales to come from 3D products by 2012.

     

    The first non-Japanese head of Sony feels that the company needs to improve its broadcasting business in India and build synergies across all its verticals.

     

    Stringer was in Mumbai to inaugurate Sony Media Technology Centre (SMTC) in association with Whistling Woods International (WWI), Indiantelevision.com‘s Ashwin Pinto unravels Stringer‘s plans in India.

     

    Excerpts:

    India only forms three per cent of Sony‘s global sales of around $88 billion. How do you explain this, given the large consumer base here?
    While this is true, our aim is to see that India is a top five market for us in the next two years. Year on year we have experienced a 50 per cent growth in turnover. Our commitment is to establish a strong brand here.

     

    We were not quick to come here with all the facets of our business. Twelve years back, India was not a focus market for us. You have to remember that our television sets have premium margins; they are expensive.

     

    Now as India‘s economy has grown, Indian consumers are getting aspirational for our products. You can only be as big as the market is. We expect solid growth in the coming four years.

    Is it fair to say then that India has become very important for Sony?
    Yes! When it comes to entertainment, we love India. We are trying to cash in on our success. We are the No. 1 consumer electronics brand here.

     

    On the television front, we do the IPL. Our film studio has had great success here. Everything that we do works here. The size of the Indian film industry is why India is so important. We have a good relationship here.

     

    A few years back, we started building infrastructure for 3D; digital cinema has helped us grow here and in other markets. Being in this industry is like no other. This is a wonderful business to be in.

    Are you confident that 3D will penetrate here?
    Yes! India will adopt 3D faster due to the size and scale of the film industry. People said that I should not tie my career in with 3D. However, I have never doubted this medium. 3D is not about special effects; it is about capturing the reality around us.

     

    Avatar focused a lot on special effects and the story was secondary. That is why I think that it lost the Best Picture Oscar.

     

    However now what you are seeing is that the technology is being integrated with the storyline. On television, it will be a feature but not everything needs to be in 3D. For instance, you would not want to see Gadaffi in 3D. We have a channel 3D Net. Sony Pictures Imageworks made Alice In Wonderland. 3D is an art form. Sony is home to engineers and film directors working on this technology.

    From a revenue standpoint, what difference is 3D making to Sony?
    It is becoming an important avenue with home video sales declining. You can charge a premium on tickets. Of course, there are films that are not good and so 3D will not work there. However if the product is good, then it offers a premium.

    What content is coming from Sony in 3D?
    The Smurfs is coming in 3D. Spiderman 4 is currently being shot. We are present across the spectrum of 3D. Last year, Hollywood made 40 films in 3D. By 2013, you will see 120 films using this technology. 3D is actually growing faster than HD.
    ‘We were not quick to come to India with all the facets of our business. Now as India‘s economy has grown, Indian consumers are getting aspirational for our products. You can only be as big as the market is. We expect solid growth in the coming four years‘

    What is the size of the 3D market?
    In India, we have a 60 per cent share of 3D related products. Sony‘s target is that 30 per cent of India sales will come from 3D products by 2012.

     

    We launched 3D LCDs last year in India. More 3D capable products will be launched by us, one after the other.

     

    Globally, we are targeting sales of more than $12 billion for the current fiscal from 3D products. This includes consumer and professional products and games.

    There has been criticism that the 3D experience at home is not good. Your views?
    I do not agree. With high quality glasses, 3D becomes a riveting experience. We haven‘t had complaints about our products. The problem, though, is there is a lack of awareness about 3D.

     

    I have seen stores abroad where 3D TV sets are on display, but the glasses are not offered. So the picture is fuzzy and unclear. We test our 3D by seeing how many consumers can view it at a time. 3D is not a fad. At the moment you cannot view 3D glassless, but it will come in at some point in time.

    How did the collaboration with Whistling Woods International come about?
    Through the new initiative, we can learn from each other. This was not a hard choice. We have been impressed by their staff and use of technology.

     

    Whistling Woods International is a mirror of the American Film Institute (AFI), of which I am the chairman. We have a film studio and Whistling Woods International is a great school. We want to create a new world of Indian filmmaking.

     

    The Sony Media Technology Centre (SMTC) is the result of an on-going conversation. It is one of just three facilities we have globally. The others are in Hollywood and in the UK.

     

    The facility will provide a forum for us to offer our latest high definition and 3D technologies. We will be able to share Sony‘s expertise in 3D content creation with aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals. We aim to enhance and develop India‘s entertainment industry by popularising HD and 3D content creation.

    SMTC continues an effort started a year back with the opening of the first Sony 3D Technology Centre in Los Angeles where over a 1000 industry professionals have visited and trained to date.

     

    What is the investment being made here?
    We are investing $4.5 million in this centre. Sony has installed HD and 3D content creation and digital cinema projection equipment in Whistling Woods International. Sony will also provide its knowhow in HD content creation from acquisition to post -production of content. The 3D market will grow and we know that creation of high quality 3D content is essential to this growth.

     

    As a filmmaker ,you have to know what you are doing all the time. That is because your work is out there for everybody to see. India produces more films than any country. Your films are seen in 80-90 countries globally. As you migrate towards the latest technologies and go digital, the Indian film industry will be able to go global. Digital allows you to be both national and international.

    As a filmmaker ,you have to know what you are doing all the time. That is because your work is out there for everybody to see. India produces more films than any country. Your films are seen in 80-90 countries globally. As you migrate towards the latest technologies and go digital, the Indian film industry will be able to go global. Digital allows you to be both national and international.

    SMTC continues an effort started a year back with the opening ofustry professionals have visited and trained to date.

    What is the investment being made here?
    We are investing $4.5 million in this centre. Sony has installed HD and 3D content creation and digital cinema projection equipment in Whistling Woods International. Sony will also provide its knowhow in HD content creation from acquisition to post -production of content. The 3D market will grow and we know that creation of high quality 3D content is essential to this growth.

     

    As a filmmaker ,you have to know what you are doing all the time. That is because your work is out there for everybody to see. India produces more films than any country. Your films are seen in 80-90 countries globally. As you migrate towards the latest technologies and go digital, the Indian film industry will be able to go global. Digital allows you to be both national and international.