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Tag: Srinivasan

  • Vikatan Group’s B Srinivasan on TV-OTT dynamics, air time barter model, first digital-only daily soap

    Vikatan Group’s B Srinivasan on TV-OTT dynamics, air time barter model, first digital-only daily soap

    MUMBAI: Tele-Wise Tamil witnessed a one–on-one conversation between Vikatan Group managing director B Srinivasan and Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari which brought out interesting facts on the journey of Vikatan Group. The duo also discussed the company’s road ahead in the Tamil market.

    The group creates content for various streams from television to YouTube and has its own YouTube channel with 10 million subscribers. The company is also looking forward to cater to the audiences in Tamil Nadu through OTT platform.

    Taking the audience through the journey of Vikatan Group, Srinivasan said, “It has been 29 years since I joined. After the launch of Sun TV it took us around five years to gain the courage that we had lost in 1993. That time I decided at least to produce if I am unable to start a satellite channel. We were having our own fiction and that was the bread and butter of Ananda Vikatan. We have had the best creators working for us so we thought it was a natural extension to enter into production. We started in 1998 with a weekly serial called Akshaya.”

    “We had an interesting journey; we consistently worked with some of the best channels in the industry. Daily soap is not easy to come by, it is tough to bring out the cassette at the end of the day and since the last three years it has become six days a week. 26 episodes a month is not a joke,” he commented.

    Talking on the presence of Vikatan’s content on digital platform, Srinivasan said, “Since 2011 we are on YouTube as well. Today across fiction and non-fiction we have around 10 million subscribers on our YouTube platform. We crossed 150 million views last month. Today we got into a place where we can produce content beyond television. We are in talks with a couple of OTT players and trying to understand how it works since it is nothing like television.”

    Wanvari mentioned that apart from Doordarshan and Sun TV, most producers operate on a commission model, then why did they choose the air time barter model. “In 1998, Sun was the dominant player in the television market and it had air time commission model, they did not have commissioning model at that time. That gave us one of the biggest advantages of creative independence and I can guarantee that none of the producers today have that. Creative independence is cherished a lot by our creators today,” replied Srinivasan.

    Tamil TV is under-indexed compared to the share of viewing it gets, sharing his views on the impact of the same on Vikatan Group, Srinivasan said, “The market is rough but we have been having an amazing relationship with our advertising clients and they know us from different days. There is a trust that we have been able to build in the market.”

    He further said, “Because of the market dynamics we have not been able to make money always but we have been able to supplement our presence through YouTube.”

    Wanvari also inquired whether Vikatan Group would be opened to get commissioned from the broadcaster. To which Srinivasan replied, “I would rather get commissioned in the OTT space than on the television because our product will make lot of money with the kind of IPs we have.”

    Going further he said, “The OTT space is completely different. On television, the investment that is required in a single episode can run into almost Rs 1 crore. So, that is something that we wouldn’t want to go ahead with.”

    The group also shared his plan to produce the first digital daily soap for YouTube. Srinivasan said, “We have been fortunate enough to be the first producer commissioned by YouTube to produce the first digital daily soap and that’s likely to come out in the next few months.”

    “There are going to be digital avatars of the characters. There will also be digital interaction which will lead to the storytelling and those will lead to the social interaction. That’s how the story will pan out. It’s a 120-episode series which will air from Monday to Friday,” explained Srinivasan.

    If the show does well then it would be the first daily soap which will be told exclusively on YouTube. Srinivasan is hoping to get the interest of advertisers on the same and also plans to come back with seasons of the show.

  • Raj TV to launch mystical thriller ‘Kaakha Kaakha

    Raj TV to launch mystical thriller ‘Kaakha Kaakha

    MUMBAI: Tamil entertainment television channel, Raj TV is all set to launch its new mystical-thriller series titled Kaakha Kaakha. Starting from 5 September, it will be 30 minutes show from Monday- Saturday at 6.30 pm time slot.

    Produced by DI Films, the series has the right mix of thriller, mystery, drama and devotional elements weaved into a gripping screenplay to glue the audience to the TV sets. The show is produced by Ajay Krishna. To start off with the show will have 312 episodes.

    Kaakha Kaakha, is about the story that revolves around mystical power of Lord Murugan’s Vel protecting their devotees from evil forces.

    The story takes place in Sri Lanka, where Srinivasan, a wealthy industrialist is expecting her daughter Karthika’s return from London after her graduation. Karthika is the only daughter of Srinivasan, who has spent most of her life in London. On the day of his daughter’s arrival to Sri Lanka, Srinivasan incidentally meets a saint who warns him to send his daughter back to a place far, as there are evil forces awaiting to cause threat to Karthika’s life. What she unfolds about the mysteries surrounding the evil forces targeting her and her family forms the rest of the story.

    The channel has roped in Pepsi Slice as the title sponsorship, Godrej Hit as powered by, Women’s Horlicks as the co- presenter and Saravana Stores and Airtel as associate sponsors.

    Raj TV owns 13 television channels under its umbrella group ‘Raj Television’ catering to wide range of audience across the country who speak different languages.

  • Raj TV to launch mystical thriller ‘Kaakha Kaakha

    Raj TV to launch mystical thriller ‘Kaakha Kaakha

    MUMBAI: Tamil entertainment television channel, Raj TV is all set to launch its new mystical-thriller series titled Kaakha Kaakha. Starting from 5 September, it will be 30 minutes show from Monday- Saturday at 6.30 pm time slot.

    Produced by DI Films, the series has the right mix of thriller, mystery, drama and devotional elements weaved into a gripping screenplay to glue the audience to the TV sets. The show is produced by Ajay Krishna. To start off with the show will have 312 episodes.

    Kaakha Kaakha, is about the story that revolves around mystical power of Lord Murugan’s Vel protecting their devotees from evil forces.

    The story takes place in Sri Lanka, where Srinivasan, a wealthy industrialist is expecting her daughter Karthika’s return from London after her graduation. Karthika is the only daughter of Srinivasan, who has spent most of her life in London. On the day of his daughter’s arrival to Sri Lanka, Srinivasan incidentally meets a saint who warns him to send his daughter back to a place far, as there are evil forces awaiting to cause threat to Karthika’s life. What she unfolds about the mysteries surrounding the evil forces targeting her and her family forms the rest of the story.

    The channel has roped in Pepsi Slice as the title sponsorship, Godrej Hit as powered by, Women’s Horlicks as the co- presenter and Saravana Stores and Airtel as associate sponsors.

    Raj TV owns 13 television channels under its umbrella group ‘Raj Television’ catering to wide range of audience across the country who speak different languages.

  • Amrita TV launches its 10th Onam with a difference

    Amrita TV launches its 10th Onam with a difference

    MUMBAI: Amrita TV introduces Kerala’s most revered festival Onam, with a difference, as it observes its tenth year in 2015. Having emerged as winner of the highest number of State Awards by any Indian Broadcaster in just 10 years (62 Awards), Amrita TV has a differentiated entertainment fare and is celebrating an Onam extravaganza from Aug 19-30 covering Atham and Onam festival days. 

     

    Every year, Malayalam GECs telecast three to four movies per day during the main Onam season.  For Onam 2015, Amrita TV is making a departure from this convention, and instead packing the Onam season with a variety of endearing, enriching & entertaining content, with a few ‘Firsts’.

     

    Amrita TV ushers in Onam with a first-ever conversation with noted actor and numero uno comedian,Jagathy Sreekumar, who was involved in a near-fatal road accident three years ago wherein, he lost his faculty of speech and was confined to a wheel chair since that fateful day. In his first television get-together with friends & family, the Program “Changathikoottam”, will be telecast in two one-hour episodes on Aug 28 & 29 from 9.30 am-10.30 am(Thiruonam & Avittom festival days)

     

    Another first by Amrita TV this Onam is the re-emergence of famous Malayalam actress Annie on the small screen after 19 years. The bubbly Annie had made a spectacular impact in a span of  just 3 years in Malayalam cinema, before she retired for a married family life. She will be anchoring the show “Annie’s Kitchen” wherein she will be in cookery conversation with leading celebs of Malayalam cinema.  Starting Aug 24,”Annie’s Kitchen” will be aired every day at 7 pm .

     

    The third pioneering show “Vithum Kaikoottam” will feature  super stars like Mammootty, Srinivasan, besides Vijayraghavan & Krishnaprasad and  showcase their passion for farming, organic agriculture and their bonding with mother earth.  Here we take a trip to the farms of these actors and reveal the unpublicized personal aspects of their lives. “Vithum Kaikoottam” will be telecast from Aug 26-30 at 8.30 am.

     

    The Onam season is the time when well-known actors share the best memories of the festival. The Amrita TV lineup consists of all the sought-after celebs of Malayalam cinema: top-notch star Mohanlal shares his experiences on Aug 27 & 28 at 9.30 pm; Suresh Gopi on 28th (12 noon); Kavya Madhavan (28th, 4.30 pm),Jayaram (30th,7.30pm).

     

    A program shot at Kargil peaks,”Patalakkar”(27th,12 noon) is a conversation with jawans and  director Major Ravi . Newly married actors celebrate their first Onam with Amrita TV on the show”Kodiyonam”(27th-30th at 11.30 am) featuring Vinay Fort,Amla Paul,Jewel Mary & Jinus Kamal with their spouses.

     

    Popular actor Dileep is the anchor of the fun program ‘’Dileepum Kuttikalum( Aug 27&28, 10.30 pm) where Dileep is interacting with  kids talking about various subjects which excite children. Another show which is bound to evoke peals of laughter is “Chingathil Kalyanam” with comedian Suraj Venjaramood(Aug 28, 5 pm) . The hilarious mood is kept alive throughout Onam by way of a serial comedy show,” Money Matters “ with Shajon and Team(Aug 18-28th,8 pm). A political satire based on Onam is ‘,Maveli Nadakam(Aug 29,10.30 pm)

     

    For many Keralites across the world, this festival creates a sense of nostalgia and heritage. The show ”Kavya Pustakamallo Jeevitham”( Aug 19-28,7.30 pm) is a musical tribute featuring veteran playback maestro, P.Jayachandran, singing some of his best songs of his chequered career. Likewise, to revive the forgotten melodies of Onam, Amrita TV is airing a reality show of Onam songs, “Onam Melam (Aug 19-28,8.30 pm) with composer M.Jayachandran and singer Ranjini Jose as judges. Leading politicians with their families will be humming their favourite songs and recalling their Onam memories in the show,” Smriti Mudrakal((Aug 19-26,5.30 pm) . Meanwhile a series of episodes will dwell on the culture  and rituals associated with Onam( Aug 19-28,7.30 am)

     

    Leading playback singers and musicians of various hues will have a musical session with composer, M.Jayachandran in “Sangeetha Smritikal( Aug 27-29,10.30 am)

     

    Amrita TV will be airing only one superhit movie daily at 1.15 pm during the Onam season.

  • Jagmohan Dalmiya is BCCI president after winning an uncontested election

    Jagmohan Dalmiya is BCCI president after winning an uncontested election

    MUMBAI: After winning an uncontested election veteran cricket administrator Jagmohan Dalmiya will make a comeback as full-time president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after 10 years.

     

    He was the sole nominee for the top post, which was formally filled at the board’s AGM on 2 March, 2015.

     

    The former International Cricket Council (ICC) president, whose previous tenure as full-time BCCI chief in India ended in 2004, emerged as a consensus candidate of the two rival groups as the deadline for filing nomination ended on the afternoon of 1 March.

     

    While one group was led by the sidelined board president N. Srinivasan, the other camp was led by Maharashtra strongman Sharad Pawar.

     

    Both the groups claimed that Dalmiya was their candidate, but the wily 74-year-old businessman has kept his cards close to his chest.

     

    “Three sets of nominations were filed on Dalmiya’s behalf. Each of the six BCCI affiliates from the east Zone were either proposer or seconder,” a BCCI source told IANS.

     

    As per BCCI rules, it is the turn of the east zone associations this year to nominate candidates for the elections.

     

    Srinivasan was barred by the Supreme Court from contesting the election following the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scam. He is not even allowed to participate in the AGM, but can only vote when required as a nominee of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), if there is an election.

     

    Former ICC chief Pawar, who was BCCI president from 2005-2008, was also eyeing the post, but had to backtrack after failing to find a proposer and seconder from the east zone.

     

    Anurag Thakur edged Sanjay Patel by a vote to win the post of BCCI Secretary.

     

    The outcome of the meeting :

     

    ·         Jagmohan Dalmiya – President

    ·         Anurag Thakur – Hon. Secretary

    ·         Amitabh Choudhary – Hon. Jt. Secretary

    ·         Anirudh Chaudhry – Hon. Treasurer

    ·         M.L. Nehru – Vice President (North)

    ·         G. Ganga Raju – Vice President (South)

    ·         Gautam Roy – Vice President (East)

    ·         T.C. Mathew – Vice President (West)

    ·         C.K. Khanna – Vice President (Central)

     

    The audited accounts for the FY 2013 – 2014 were approved.

  • Will keep away from IPL, says Srinivasan to SC

    Will keep away from IPL, says Srinivasan to SC

    MUMBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman and BCCI president in exile N Srinivasan has told the Supreme Court of India, that if he is re-elected, he would keep away from the IPL  governing council, till the proposed council decides on the issue of conflict of interest involving him and his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings. Hi son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan is an alleged accused in the IPL betting scam.

    Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing as his counsel told the bench comprising Justice T.S Thakur and Justice F.M.I. Kalifulla, that if the apex court permitted elections and in the probability that Srinivasan wins, he would keep away from the Indian Premier League council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) meetings wherein issues relating to the IPL will be discussed.

    Meanwhile media reports also suggested that the BCCI is not in favour of an external committee to look into Srinivasan’s conflict of interest suggesting that it would affect the autonomy the board enjoys.

    This comes in the wake of the Cricket Association of Bihar filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that has asked for the disqualification of Srinivasan as being a part of the BCCI and owner of Chennai Super Kings is a direct conflict of interest.