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Tag: Star India

  • Star ups Nikhil Madhok as Life OK biz head; Sumanta Bose as Star Jalsha head

    Star ups Nikhil Madhok as Life OK biz head; Sumanta Bose as Star Jalsha head

    MUMBAI: Star India has promoted Star Plus marketing head Nikhil Madhok as the business head of Life OK. Additionally, Jalsha cluster marketing head Sumanta Bose has been elevated to the role of Jalsha business head.

     

    In his new role, Madhok and the team’s mandate will be to focus on breakthrough innovation on both the content & brand fronts, which will game change the business and take Life OK strongly towards its goals.

     

    Madhok played a pivotal role in the launches of shows like Satyamev Jayate, Mahabharat and Ye Hai Mohhabatein over the last three years.

     

    On the other hand, Bose has played a significant role in crafting and executing strategies for Jalsha and Jalsha Movies.

     

    In an internal mail to employees, a copy of which is with Indiantelevision.com, Star India COO Sanjay Gupta said, “Both Bose and Madhok have given evidence of their well-honed marketing and strategic skill sets in their marketing roles and I am confident they will drive an aggressive growth agenda for their respective businesses.”

     

    “These appointments are in line with our endeavour and commitment to provide growth opportunities to our people and help build meaningful careers at Star,” he added.

     

  • Star India valued at $11.3 billion: Morgan Stanley

    Star India valued at $11.3 billion: Morgan Stanley

    MUMBAI: Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has reason to cheer as 21st Century Fox’s India subsidiary – Star India has emerged as a strong contributor to the parent company.

     

    As per a brokerage firm Morgan Stanley’s Year End ‘Fair Market Value’ report for financial year 2016, Star India has been valued at a whopping $11.3 billion, leaving behind its competitors.

     

    The number makes a deeper impact on the parent company’s financial performance worldwide as ad revenue for the media giant from developed markets is slowing.

     

    End of June financial reports saw Star India’s earnings from just entertainment business alone at about Rs 1,920 crore.

     

    An earlier report titled ‘Grow Fox, Grow’ from the same investment firm recognised Star India’s growing profitability as one of the key drivers of healthy acceleration in financial year 2017 for 21st Century Fox. On the basis of their growing revenue, the report estimates Star India to contribute 11.3 per cent to the overall fair market value of the American parent.  The report comes in the wake of a financial statement released by 21st Century Fox highlighting their overall performance and acknowledges the role played by Star Sports in giving Fox a commendable financial year.

     

    In an earlier financial report released by the company, media mogul and 21st Century Fox executive chairman Rupert Murdoch highlighted the importance of their newly acquired sports rights. “The appeal of our new sports rights resonated with consumers globally, whether it was Star Sports in India setting new records with hundreds of millions of viewers for the ICC Cricket World Cup, or the more than 25 million viewers who watched the Women’s World Cup Final on FOX,” said Murdoch.

     

    With Star India acquiring broadcast rights of Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) domestic and international matches in India through 2018, the network has made a conscious effort to optimise their revenues through sports in India.

     

    As per Morgan Stanley’s report, the other key factors that will dictate the Fox’s performance in FY17 include TV margin expansion, operating leverage from domestic affiliate revenue growth and growth at film productions, which was valued at $4.7 billion.

     

    On the other hand, the risks to the growth over the next two years are advertising pressures, pay­ TV sub erosion against the strong pricing growth at Fox’s networks and capital allocation as forecasters feel that Fox is most likely to lead the industry in the dynamic landscape ahead.

  • Star World and Star World HD to air ‘MasterChef Australia season 7’

    Star World and Star World HD to air ‘MasterChef Australia season 7’

    MUMBAI: Star World, India’s leading English General Entertainment channel, is all set to bring the latest season of the biggest and most watched culinary show on Indian television – Amazon.in presents MasterChef Australia S7 powered by India Gate Basmati Rice. Starting 3 September, the seventh season of the globally popular series will air every Monday to Friday, 9pm only on Star World and Star World HD.

    MasterChef Australia has been a tent pole property for Star World and has inspired millions of Indians year on year changing the way food is perceived in India. The last season further cemented the show’s massive fan following, becoming one of the most-watched shows in the 9 PM slot in 3 years across the category.

    Commenting on the show’s launch Star World official spokesperson said “MasterChef Australia has been a flagship show on Star World that has transformed the culinary landscape in India. Star World has always been a pioneer in exposing India to global lifestyles and creating that urban premium consumer segment who today we call as the Global Indian consumers; they demand nothing but the very best in English Entertainment”

    A mega 360 degree promotional campaign has been put in place which will pan across various mediums to include On-Air, Digital, On-Ground, Trade and Public Relations. For the launch of the show, Star World will be putting up a massive promotional TV campaign not only across the Star network but outside network TV channels as well. Digital is key driver and the lead medium for the show and the channel has a robust visibility and consumer engagement campaign planned to reach out to its target audience via an extensive paid and earned media marketing campaign. 

    Star World will further amplify the show with unique targeted digital and on-ground tie ups. Food Talk India, one of India’s largest digital food communities has come on board as a digital partner and will be creating fun and engaging content on social media platforms for the show along with co-curating promotional events in Mumbai & Delhi to give viewers a MasterChef Australia worthy experience. Food Talk India, along with Star World, and Olive Bar and Kitchen will be hosting on-ground concepts with in New Delhi and Mumbai.

    MasterChef Australia follows the journey of ordinary home-cooks as they showcase their extraordinary cooking ability. From different backgrounds, and with different experiences, skills and cultural influences, there is one thing that unites the home cooks – their passion for food. With the culinary bar set high in 2014, the heat will be on and this year we will see some of the most talented and passionate home cooks eagerly tackle challenges and put up dishes which will leave everyone spellbound.
     

    Judges Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston will seek out the most passionate and talented amateur cooks from across the country to unearth the Top 24 to join them in the MasterChef Australia kitchen. This September, judges will once again become mentors, encouraging and challenging the contestants to push the boundaries further and unearth their passion for food. Speaking on the launch of the show in India, Gary Mehigan said “MasterChef Australia is very special to me. I am aware of the fan following the show has in India and its evident from all my visits to this fabulous country. This season will be truly awesome as the contestants on the show are cooking & plating food better than ever before. Don’t forget to tune in” 

  • Anupama Mandloi resigns as Fremantlemedia India MD, to continue as consultant

    Anupama Mandloi resigns as Fremantlemedia India MD, to continue as consultant

    MUMBAI: Known for spearheading Fremantlemedia’s India operation and building it from scratch, Anupama Mandloi has resigned from the post of managing director.

     

    However, she will continue as a consultant at the company. 

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Mandloi says, “I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to set up and drive the company in India with a fabulous set of colleagues. It has been an enriching five years and I will always treasure this experience. I continue to work with Fremantlemedia as a consultant.”

     

    Mandloi joined Fremantlemedia as content head in 2010 armed with nine years experience at Sony Entertainment Television and over two years as creative director in Star India.

     

    She is best known for spearheading shows like Indian Idol and Savdhan India.

     

  • Ex-Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea’s wife Indrani arrested in murder case

    Ex-Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea’s wife Indrani arrested in murder case

    MUMBAI: In what can be called one of the most shocking news to rock the Indian broadcast fraternity, the Mumbai Police reportedly arrested former Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea’s wife Indrani Mukerjea.

     

    As per news pouring out late Tuesday night (25 August), which rocked the business capital of India, Indrani was taken into custody for allegedly playing a role in her sister Sheena Bora’s murder in 2012. 

     

    She was produced in court on Tuesday and remanded in police custody till 31 August.

     

    Reports also suggests that Indrani and her driver Shyam Manav Manohar Rai were involved in disposing off Bora’s dead body in the jungles of Raigad. 

    Indrani was arrested by suburban Khar police, DCP (Detection) Dhananjay Kulkarni.

    Kulkarni told ANI, “We have arrested two accused (Indrani Mukerjea and her driver) under IPC sections 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (criminal conspiracy).”

     

    Indrani co-founded 9X Media in 2007 along with Peter Mukerjea and headed it as CEO. The company was an amalgamation of INX Media Pvt Ltd and INX News Pvt Ltd, where Peter held the post of chairman and chief strategy officer. However, the husband – wife duo exited the business together in 2009 when the management changed.

    The two got married in 2002, when Indrani was working as an HR consultant at Star India where Peter was the CEO.

  • Five reasons why Pro Kabaddi League is a hit and not a hype

    Five reasons why Pro Kabaddi League is a hit and not a hype

    MUMBAI: When the first edition Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) garnered enormous fan following, many a naysayers pooh-poohed it as a one-time wonder. Media pundits even predicted an out of mind – out of sight situation. However, PKL’s second season has certainly managed to zip the lips of the killjoys and their critical analysis.

     

    While Ronnie Screwvala’s UMumba won against hard fought Bengaluru Bulls to win the tourney, the larger victory was of the format as PKL season 2 saw constant acceleration in each and every rating parameter. In the first edition of the tournament, there were no brands involved. However, the second edition saw multiple brands associating with the game, which only goes on to prove that the league was not only acknowledged by sport enthusiasts but also saw commercial interest peaking.

     

    Based on an interaction with various people involved in the execution of PKL, Indiantelvision.com lists five broad reasons as to why PKL is a hit format and not just buoyed temporarily by hype.

     

    Star India and its 360 degree packaging

     

    Broadcaster and owning partner of the league Star India left no stone unturned to make it an extraordinary exhibition. From special point of view commentators to multilingual feed, from quality pre and post match programming to timely highlights, Star was right up to the mark on every aspect. “You cannot ask for anything more when it comes to TV presentation, Star has covered it all,” says Mashal Sports director Charu Sharma.

     

    Not just TV, thanks to Star’s OTT platform Hotstar, the league matches were easily available for streaming on mobile platforms too. Star created Kabaddi based original content featuring Ranvijay Singha in Le Panga and Javed Jafri in Jabaddi to keep the buzz going on digital platforms.

     

    To the point Marketing

     

    All marketing and promotional steps that were taken before and during the league had a clear purpose and concise message. Kabaddi is a native sport played all across the country by a certain group of people and it was very important to connect to them. PKL’s TVCs that were launched this year had mass connect and social impact. The journey began with Le Panga where a young boy litters in the middle of the road. Seeing that, a few senior citizens approach him in a deadly way chanting ‘Kabaddi Kabaddi.’ The young boy picks the trash up and gently throws it into the dustbin.

     

    This year’s campaign actually kick-started with Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan singing PKL season 2’s anthem Le Panga. The social and emotional connect was kept intact even during the matches as every match started with the National Anthem. Indians follow their heroes and like to talk about them and Star made full use of that very philosophy. Every city saw an icon singing the national anthem, Bachchan in Mumbai, Sourav Ganguly in Kolkata, Sunidhi Chauhan, Allu Arjun in South India and Alia Bhatt in the finals. The organisers also teamed up with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s hygiene campaign ‘Swachh Bharat’ to give it a boost and enhance social connect.

     

    Strong Revenue Generation

     

    While the broadcaster did not have any brands on board in the first edition of the tournament, this time round as many as eight associate sponsors and two partners were on board. The broadcaster is said to have made more than Rs 55 crore from season 2. “From 0 to Rs 55 crore is a big jump forward. If the format will stay or not, is now out of question. The question now is on how big will it grow. If the fundamentals are not struck by an unwanted force, I see the sport creating history in the near future,” says an expert on condition of anonymity.

     

    At this stage the league looks to be a profitable proposition not just for the broadcaster but for the franchises too. If sources are to be believed, UMumba has already broken even in terms of revenue generation. 

     

    Even Bengaluru Bulls is close to breaking even. Bengaluru Bulls promoting company Kosmik Global CEO Uday Sinh Wala says, “We are close to breaking even. We would have drawn level this year if only we had not refused to sell cheap. There are not many leagues in the world where you can think of drawing level at the end of the second season.”

     

    UMumba generated maximum revenue from sponsorships followed by Bangaluru Bulls who charged Rs 1.5 crore for the title sponsor’s slot. Franchises are looking towards a 15 per cent increase in their revenue generation next season, which will definitely get them closer to level.

     

    Twice a year proposition

     

    With more and more sporting actions springing up month on month, the one year wait might turn out to be a tad too much. Hence Star India has now decided to hold the league twice a year. “While the wait is good, too much action is bad. However, too much wait may lead to out of mind – out of sight situation, which is dangerous. Why take the dangerous route? The twice a year proposition looks promising as the sport will have way more exposure. I believe the interest level will go up, and people will enjoy the tournament with same enthusiasm twice a year,” says Sinh Wala, welcoming the move.

     

    Close association between Federation and League owners

     

    Star India and Mashal Sports work very closely with International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) to ensure smooth processing. A conflict between the two can often take the flair out of the game but for PKL, it’s not an issue. Moreover, there isn’t a situation where players are not available to play or are restricted by the authorities.

     

    According to Sharma, PKL’s biggest success lies in the success of the honest and humble Kabaddi players. “The players are now known to everybody in the entire country. They have an identity. They always made India proud, yet no one ever tried to know them. We are number one in Kabaddi and still no one bothered to talk about it. Now the entire world wants to take part in this event and that’s the outcome of PKL,” he adds.

     

  • U Mumba lifts PKL 2 trophy; Star India’s estimated earnings pegged at Rs 55 cr

    U Mumba lifts PKL 2 trophy; Star India’s estimated earnings pegged at Rs 55 cr

    MUMBAI: With Ronnie Scewvala’s U Mumba lifting the Pro Kabaddi League season 2 trophy, the second edition of the sport has come to an end. U Mumba won the final against Bengaluru Bulls with six points, after a nail biting match. While the winning team is celebrating, the other happy party is its official broadcaster Star India, which seems to have made moolah aplenty from the property. 

     

    Sources close to the development gave Indiantelevision.com an assessment that the broadcaster succeeded to generate revenue to the tune of Rs 55 crore.    

     

    While the native sport always had an enormous fan following in the country, what it lacked was proper packaging. When packaged in an alluring manner, the sport garnered a cumulative reach of 435 million in its debut season. In terms of viewership too, the sport managed to surprise many as it garnered annual viewership of 128 GVTs.  

     

    This year, the ratings have propelled and after 49 matches, the tourney garnered 1.25 TVRs compared to 0.81 TVRs of 2014. The average reach has also inclined from 3.74 per cent to 4.43 per cent. The time spent has gone up in the 2015 edition to 20.41 minutes compared to 16.88 minutes as per TAM Sports analysis. 

     

    While Star retained the title sponsorship with Star Sports, the broadcaster successfully roped in eight associate sponsors on board viz. TVS, VIP Frenzie, Bajaj Electricals, Thums Up, State Bank Of India, Flipkart, Government of India Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Mahindra Jeeto. On the other hand, while Radio Mirchi associated with Pro Kabaddi as radio partners, Britannia became the referee partner.

     

  • TRAI open house: Broadcasters root for tariff distinction between subscribers

    TRAI open house: Broadcasters root for tariff distinction between subscribers

    MUMBAI: With an aim to get the broadcasters’ viewpoint on tariff issues related to commercial subscribers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) held an open house discussion in Delhi on 18 August.

     

    While welcoming the open house initiative held under TRAI chairman Ram Sewak Sharma, the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) member channels discussed issues including differentiation between domestic and commercial subscribers for provision of TV signals, the criteria for drawing distinction between ordinary subscribers and commercial subscribers, tariff framework both at wholesale and retail levels, transparency and accountability in value chain to effectively minimise disputes and conflicts among stakeholders and engagement of broadcasters in the determination of retail tariffs for commercial subscribers.

     

    IBF president and Star India CEO Uday Shankar said, “It is inconceivable that any sector regulator would actually equate five star hotels and commercial establishments with domestic consumers as far as tariffs are concerned. But that’s exactly what TRAI has done with rates for pay TV channels. I am not sure what exactly the regulator is trying to achieve with the present dispensation, i.e. five star hotels availing TV content at subsidised rates especially when they charge a leg and arm for a room, a meal or even a bottle of water? It appears to be a case of misguided regulatory zeal. I hope better sense prevails and the regulator does what is in the interest of its primary stakeholders, i.e. broadcasters and distribution platforms and not five star and four star hotels.”

     

    IBF secretary general Girish Srivastava added, “In keeping with the priorities of the current government of improving ease of doing business in India, such fixation is not warranted and forbearance should be the way forward. We believe that the regulator will factor that putting a ceiling on tariff will not help in promoting and protecting the interests of the ordinary consumers but will serve as an aberration to the growth story of the sector. Broadcasters have been unvarying and undeviating on this front and the regulator will hopefully keep this in mind before deciding on a regulation.”

     

    According to Multiscreen Media Limited general counsel Ashok Nambissan, commercial and residential subscribers are two completely different categories. “The residential subscriber consumes television content for his or her own use whereas the commercial subscriber provides television content for his customers to propagate the business of his establishment. Tariff regulation in today’s age is an anomaly: in any event it should not exist for commercial subscribers as a category whether at the wholesale or retail level and should be left to the market,” he said.

     

    Zee Entertainment president – legal & regulatory A. Mohan opined, “All along it has been TRAI’s consistent stand that there is a distinction between ordinary and commercial subscribers and the same has been recognised by various judicial forums such as the Hon’ble TDSAT and the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.  This stand of TRAI is also reflected in various tariff orders of TRAI, except the last one, that the tariff applicable to commercial subscribers is under forbearance. Since the commercial establishments will use the television services for commercial exploitation, whether directly or indirectly, the tariff applicable for ordinary subscriber, which is frozen since the year 2004 (which is a subsidised tariff) cannot be applied to commercial subscribers.”

     

    Star India president – legal & regulatory Deepak Jacob said, “The Supreme Court has time and again in sectors such as oil and gas and power, clearly upheld the principles of differential tariffs for commercial and domestic subscribers. The rationale of differentiation is based on an understanding of motive and purpose i.e. commercial establishments have a clear profit motive and that the end usage is for a valuable benefit that accrues to and is built in to the charges paid by the consumer. It is also important that the regulator respects the mandate of Parliament and acts in accordance with laws laid down by the legislature by ensuring that the TRAI regulations/tariff orders are not in derogation of or repugnant to the provisions of Copyright Act, which is the principle legislation that governs content owners including broadcasters. The Copyright Act unequivocally provides for a separate dispensation in so far as commercial establishments are concerned and hence we hope that the regulator keeps the same in mind while formulating the new tariff regime.”

     

    BBC India COO Naveen Jhunjhunwala added, “We strongly advocate a distinction between ordinary and commercial subscribers as far as tariff is concerned since the place of viewing the TV signal and type of usage of TV signals is inherently different in both these categories. Having a global presence, we have seen that the regulators have left determination of tariffs to forbearance thereby ensuring dynamic competition.  With Government focus on making India an easier place to do business, leaving things to market forces will ensure growth and be in line with international scenario.” 

  • Pro Kabaddi League’s viewership registers significant incline

    Pro Kabaddi League’s viewership registers significant incline

    MUMBAI: The most talked about non-cricket sport in India, Kabaddi has been gaining more prominence. According to TAM Sports analysis, after 37 matches, Pro Kabaddi League’s (PKL) viewership has seen a significant incline.

    In terms of TVR, while the tournament in its debut season (2014) garnered 0.73 per cent after 37 matches, the number has gone up to 1.23 per cent in 2015.

    The incline was also observed in average reach analysis as the tourney has secured 4.39 per cent until now in 2015, while at the same stage in 2014, it managed a reach of 3.86 per cent.

    The time spend (TSV) has also gone up. While in 2015, the time spend per viewer registered so far is 20.02 minutes, in 2014 it was 16.33 minutes at the same stage.

    Last year the tournament was aired on Star Sports 1, 2, 3 & 4 and Star Gold, while this year Star India stretched the coverage to various regions with regional channel in order to enhance its reach. Maa TV, Plus Suvarna and Star Pravah were added to the list of channels showcasing PKL action.

  • Balaji Telefilms eyes regional expansion; seeks local partners

    Balaji Telefilms eyes regional expansion; seeks local partners

    MUMBAI: Even as the promoters have upped their stake in the company in the light of Star selling its 26 per cent stake, Balaji Telefilms Limited (BTL) has set sight on the regional television programming space for expansion.

     

    The production house, which recently wrapped up the seventh season of Nach Baliye on Star Plus, plans to launch as many as 10 shows in Bengali and southern languages. Moreover, in order to break into the regional space, BTL is also eying tie-ups with local partners.

     

    “Our plan is to have three – five shows each in Bengali and Southern languages by the end of FY2016,” the company said in its annual report.

     

    This apart, BTL is also mulling launching a few of its Hindi shows in regional languages. The first of these would be the telecast of the Zee TV show Kumkum Bhagya, on Zee Bangla. At the same time, the production powerhouse is also eyeing tie-ups in the south, which will yield three to four shows.

     

    It may be recalled that in December 2014, BTL had entered into an alliance with the Kolkata-based Chhayabani to form Chhayabani Balaji Entertainment and create distinctive, contemporary and clutter breaking television content for Zee Bangla.

     

    Also under consideration is the plan to launch its celebrity sports reality show Box Cricket League in the regional space. At the same time, BTL has set a target to launch six new shows in the Hindi general entertainment channels (GEC) space this fiscal. While plans are underway to launch a comedy show on the lines of the Great Indian Laughter Challenge, BTL is also readying a high concept fiction show for Star Plus.

     

    With audiences patronizing the Balaji brand, the company’s key focus is to improve its bottom line during FY2016.

     

    “We aim to be more process-driven, rather than personality-driven. With changing dynamics of the industry, we are aiming to capitalise our capabilities in making high-concept fiction and non-fiction shows. To begin with, we are coming up with a high concept, high fiction show for Star TV. We are confident of the ratings of our new shows, especially reality based shows,” the company said.

     

    On the movies front, BTL has a strong pipeline of movies lined up for FY16 and FY17.  With aspirations to become the number two entertainment studio going forward, the production house has in its kitty 8 – 10 films like Azhar, A Flying Jatt, Suspect X, Naatak, and Bhool Se Naam Na Lo Pyaar Ka, among others.

     

    Not ignoring the fast-developing digital space, BTL is also in the process of creating its own IP and genuine B2C content to tap the burgeoning platform.

     

    That said, BTL seems poised to spread its wings and fly even more so now with BTL group CEO Sameer Nair, armed with his business acumen, adding extra stars to the creative prowess of Ekta Kapoor.