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Tag: Star network

  • Star India Network continues to rule the airwaves

    Star India Network continues to rule the airwaves

    New Delhi: Hindi General Entertainment Channel STAR Plus continues to reign Television rating week after week, riding high on the popularity of its primetime shows. According to Broadcasting Audience Research Council (BARC)’s latest data for week 25, STAR Plus has toppled Sun TV to secure its place as the most viewed channel across the country for the second consecutive week.

    According to the TV rating agency, STAR Plus recorded the Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2961.93 in the week starting from 19 June to 25 June, with Sun TV trailing at AMA of 2689.83. AMA is indicative of the viewership of a channel and reflects the number of individuals of a target audience who viewed an ‘Event’ averaged across minutes.

    Sun TV is followed by STAR Maa, SONY SAB, STAR Utsav, Colors, Zee Telugu, Colors Rishtey, Sony Pal, and STAR Vijay in the BARC’s list of top ten channels across the country during week 25 (Data: All India 2+). Four Star India network channels figured in the top ten channel list.

    STAR Plus has dethroned Sun TV as the most viewed channel in the megacities. According to the data, Sun TV topped the viewership chart across megacities during week 23 and week 24, until it was toppled by STAR Plus in week 25 with an AMU of 475.68, with Sun TV at 470.59 (Data: Mega-Cities 2+)

    STAR Plus’ show Anupamaa helmed by actors Rupali Ganguly and Sudhanshu Pandey has remained an audience favourite ever since it was launched, along with Imlie.

    BARC has recently updated the way it doles out data in the public domain. Apart from the national viewership ratings, now it also provides weekly viewership data based on states and union territories.

    As the second wave of the pandemic recedes, Star India Network has managed to keep its viewers engaged, across most geographies, except South India, where Sun TV seems to be the dominant channel. The data for the last three weeks shows Sun TV remains on top in South India (Data: South 2+), as well as in Tamil Nadu/Pondicherry. In Karnataka, Zee Kannada rules the viewership charts, while Zee Sarthak leads in Odisha.

     

    However, elsewhere Star Network/Asianet channels seem to be amongst the most-watched channels. This includes Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam/Northeast, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra/Goa, Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, Punjab/Chandigarh where Star Network channels continue to strike a chord with the viewers.

    In West Bengal, STAR Jalsha continues to emerge at the top of the table in June, followed by Zee Bangla, with Jalsha movies trailing far behind. (Data: West Bengal 2+). 

  • Star & Disney India unveil ad solutions suite Sirius

    Star & Disney India unveil ad solutions suite Sirius

    MUMBAI: Star & Disney India have launched Sirius, a powerful end-to-end suite of advanced advertising solutions for marketers, media planners, and creative agencies. Built on standard measurement paradigms while bringing in proprietary technology capabilities through multiple associations, Sirius covers a comprehensive gamut of advertising solutions, reimagining how brands plan, communicate and measure with Indian audiences, hence providing a fresh perspective. With Sirius solutions, advertisers can access a majority of the content portfolio of Star India network & Disney+ Hotstar, optimised to get the most out of their advertisement investment. 

    Star & Disney India have joined forces with Mediaocean, Kantar, TVision Insights, and Ipsos to impact evaluation to advertising spend on television and OTT. Powered with independent third-party ratified insights, Sirius solutions will help brands unlock acumen into advertisement exposure to gauge metrics such as attention to advertising, and measure advertising impact on mind metrics, and purchase behaviour. 

    “The focus of our measurement solutions is to demonstrate the effectiveness of campaigns across Star India network and Disney+Hotstar in shaping brand and business outcomes along with offering differentiated insights on creatives to enhance the overall impact. We are enthused by the early response from media agencies and top advertisers who have shown keen interest in Sirius. Our aim is to act as a bridge for brands to strengthen their relationship with consumers,” said Star & Disney India ad-sales head Nitin Bawankule.

    The advertising solutions specifically encompass four critical aspects of media planning, thereby bringing the television proposition holistically to the digital age.

    1) Cross-screen measurement and planning

    Star & Disney India have jointly developed a new cross-screen measurement tool with Mediaocean for identifying unduplicated reach across linear and digital mediums. A cross-screen platform amalgamates multiple high-quality data sources which are recent and relevant to ensure the most efficient cost effective campaign plan for marketers. Brands can create integrated media plans with optimised reach-frequency goals across the Star India network and Disney+Hotstar. This will provide seamless targeting and efficiency by reaching audiences on Disney+Hotstar in a manner that complements the delivery of the television plan.

    2) Sharper targeting on TV

    Brands can go beyond traditional demographics to target advanced audience cohorts on television. Star & Disney India’s analytics with the ZAPR panel will help identify target groups with specific interests like fashion, travel, parenting, etc. on Disney+Hotstar which will enable sharper targeting on bespoke cohorts. With the help of Sirius solutions, brands can fine-target audiences on television and build a differentiated media plan based on the audiences’ life-stage, interests and behaviour; doing away with peripheral wastage associated with demographic targeting.

    3) Next-gen campaign evaluation

    With best-in-class collaborations, Sirius solutions take impact measurement to granular depths. Star & Disney India’s association with Kantar, debuts India’s first single-source panel for measuring Star India network of channels and Disney+Hotstar and  campaign impact on CPG brand sales. This single-source panel will demonstrate the lift in metrics like brand penetration, consumption, and frequency of purchase across different ad exposure cohorts relative to those unexposed to the campaign at scale. 

    Attention insights is another significant aspect to help advertisers determine ‘Quality of viewing’ and going beyond the traditional metric of time spent. Star & Disney India has collaborated with TVision Insights to make India the third country ever to track viewer-attention on television, enabling a deeper understanding of creative efficacy. This tool measurement solution presents multiple possibilities to marketers including competitive benchmarking of campaigns attention performance, insights on media placement choices, and more. 

    The partnership with Ipsos allows brands to unlock insights on ad exposure amongst those who watched the advertisements to gauge metrics such as brand awareness, top-of-mind recall, and purchase intent; making it deterministic and not probabilistic. 

    4) Creative ad solutions

    While the media planning solutions will help create an optimal plan, the creative solutions offered by Sirius will elevate the performance of the creative assets further. The creative ad solutions offered,  leverage AI/ML capabilities for contextual ad placements and native integration weaved within premium TV content. This enhances the advertising proposition by breaking through the clutter, providing a more immersive experience for audiences, and enhancing message noticeability without interruption.

  • Rajiv Mathrani quits Star Sports

    Rajiv Mathrani quits Star Sports

    NEW DELHI: Rajiv Mathrani has decided to move on from Star Sports. He was serving as EVP & head, Star Sports marketing.

    Sources close to the development have confirmed the news.

    The news comes right after the high profile exit of Star Sports CEO Gautam Thakar.

    Mathrani joined Star Network in 2018, prior to which he was serving as chief brand and online officer at Airtel between 2015 and 2018. He has also worked at Pepsico between 2010 and 2015. During this stint, Mathrani worked on snacks category, beverages and innovation. He also worked on the Asia, middle east and Africa region.

    Mathrani has over two decades of experience and has also worked at Marico, Citibank and GSK.

    Along with Mathrani, two other top executives have also called it quits. Ashok Namboodiri who was working as executive vice president, business head – regional sports network and Rupali Fernandes executive vice president – emerging sports have put down their papers. While Namboodiri joined the network in 2016, Fernandes was associated with it for nearly two decades.
  • Star Jalsha to launch cookery show ‘Rannabanna’ on 16 March

    Star Jalsha to launch cookery show ‘Rannabanna’ on 16 March

    MUMBAI: Star Jalsha has come up with a new delicious offering for its viewers. It is all set to host “Rannabanna”- a one of a kind cookery show which will teach the viewers an array of new delicacies from across the world including local delicacies which they can cook and relish with family and friends.

    Capturing the love for food, Rannabanna, is a unique cookery show featuring a grandmother as the show host. In every episode the lovely grandmother will whip up two mouthwatering dishes for her foodie grandson. The recipes will have a traditional touch, revealing grandmother’s way of cooking as well as contemporary dishes well suited to the changing taste of the new Bengali. The warm, fun filled grandmother-grandson relationship with their common love for food will be seen for the very first time on television screen.

    Star network regional entertainment CEO Kevin Vaz said, “We are supremely attentive to the continually evolving tastes of our audience. In step with their discerning preferences, our new show, Rannabanna, promises to bring a new dimension to the otherwise routine cookery shows. We are delighted to have Adani as the presenting sponsor for Rannabanna, wherein their products under the brand Fortune, will be showcased. As a strategic partner, we look forward to a long-term association with them on the project.” “We are confident that this concept will appeal to the taste buds of our audience.”, he added.

    The show is being produced by Windows Production one of Bengal’s leading production houses. Windows has produced multiple successful cookery shows in the past featuring celebrities. Windows has also recently produced the blockbuster filmPosto, capturing the warm relationship between grandparents and a grandson.

    Fortune Rannabanna features popular actress Tanima Sen,who will be seen as the grandmother and Star Jalsha’s popular character “Gopal bhar” aka Raktim Samanta as the grandson. While Tanima adds to the love and warmth of the show, Raktim in his innocent style adds to the fun factor of the show through light hearted banter.

    Adani has come on board the show as ‘Presented by’ Sponsor showcasing their plethora of products under the umbrella brand Fortune in an integrated manner in the show. Adani Wilmar deputy chief executive officer Angshu Mallick said, "Fortune Oil always stood by the philosophy that there is nothing like home cooked food. We found Rannabanna as a concept fresh, engaging and it takes the brand ahead. The show puts the kitchen at the centre of the home and Fortune at the centre of the kitchen.With Star Jalsha and Rannabanna we found a unique proposition to reach out to the food loving Bengali audience in the true Fortune way.”

  • NBCUniversal India gets Sangeetha Aiyer as marketing head

    NBCUniversal India gets Sangeetha Aiyer as marketing head

    MUMBAI: Former head of marketing: Network18 Digital, Sangeetha Aiyer, has been appointed as the head of marketing, NBCUniversal India. She will be responsible for the marketing, digital and promotional strategy of Universal Pictures theatrical products in India. In her new role, she will develop the cohesive strategy for the studio’s IPs and premium products in India working in tandem with the international marketing team and other functional heads in India to ensure the strategic direction of the studio’s releases is successfully implemented.
    With a career spanning over 19 years, Aiyer is an experienced marketing and content professional with comprehensive experience across industries. She has been instrumental in building media brands on both linear and non-linear platforms, ranging from FM radio, Youth, News, Factual and Lifestyle channels.

    Prior to Network18 Digital, Aiyer has had a long and fruitful association with AETN18 (JV between A+E Networks and TV18) for over 8 years. As one of the founding team leads, she has played a significant role in spearheading the growth strategy for the JV, specifically the brands History TV18 and FYI TV18 on linear and social platforms. 

    She has also worked with Times Network, Star Network, Reliance Big FM, Arvind Brands and Ambience Publicis.

  • Arré ropes in Vijay Koshy to lead Content & Consumer Engagement for brands

    Arré ropes in Vijay Koshy to lead Content & Consumer Engagement for brands

    MUMBAI: Vijay Koshy joins Arré as Director, Advertising and Brand Partnerships, to manage the platform’s branded content verticals across English, Hindi and regional markets.  

    In the three years since launch, Arré has grown to become one of the leading digital entertainment brands focused on creating premium original content across a variety of formats and in crafting a distinctive voice in the digital space. Arré has led the way not only in providing ‘attitudinally millennial’ audiences to brands but has also made content a compelling tool of storytelling for advertisers and partners across industries. Brands using Arré for their marketing challenges include Gillette, Palo Alto Networks, Hotstar, Dabur and Amazon. 

    Vijay has over two decades of experience across leadership positions in ad sales revenue and integrated branded content solutions and has helped in developing monetisization models in the digital media industry that are considered the benchmark today.  

    Vijay brings with him his experience with the Star Network, Sony Entertainment Television and The Viral Fever, where, in addition to being a founding member of the sales force, he managed and mentored a young team to deliver branded digital content solutions. 

    B. Saikumar, Founder, Arrésaid “We are delighted to have Vijay join us at Arré to lead consumer engagement and content solutions for brands. Vijay brings invaluable brand monetization experience and skills which will aid our next phase of expansion across content verticals and regional markets. At Arré, we are also cognizant of the fact that advertising efficacy is a huge challenge for marketers and it is our conviction that content will finally be the medium for communication.”

    Vijay Koshy said “Arré has built a great voice which has seen immense traction in a very short period of time, and I’m very excited about the upcoming content and plans. The team has an enviable mix of energy and talent and I look forward to being a part of the next journey.”

  • Star India adopts Hotstar-only model in US, channels to go off cable TV from 5 January

    Star India adopts Hotstar-only model in US, channels to go off cable TV from 5 January

    MUMBAI: There’s a lot happening at Star India at the moment with its integration into the media and entertainment giant Disney underway. A crucial aspect of that arrangement played out on Thursday as president 21st Century Fox, Asia and chairman and CEO of Star India Uday Shankar was named chairman Star and Disney India, and president The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific as part of an international business unit restructuring.

    Another interesting development that has taken place at Star India is the bet it has taken to adopt a digital-only approach in the key US market.  Starting 5 January, Star India’s TV channels will be streaming only on Hotstar in the US. The entire Star India network, including Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Vijay, Maa, Asianet and Movies OK, will no longer be available on any cable TV provider in the US including Dish TV, Sling TV, Comcast, Verizon.

    While Star is the first major Indian broadcaster to go this route, others will eventually follow suit, an industry expert told Indiantelevision.com on the condition of anonymity, adding that the decision makes 'complete sense' given the current dynamics of the US market.

    The phenomenon of cord-cutting which stemmed from the US accelerated rapidly this year. According to a recent report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, 1.2 million people migrated from traditional cable TV in the 3rd (July-September)quarter, one of the worst quarters in pay-TV history. 

    Star’s decision could deliver a huge boost to its international OTT arm by driving up its subscription numbers.

    “As an innovative and disruptive media company driven by world-class content and technology, Star India is connected with several hundred million viewers all over the world. Every international market is unique, and therefore our business strategy and approach is customised to each region. We strongly feel that in the US, a digital-only approach would best suit the market, and therefore we have decided to make all channels of the Star India Network available exclusively on our digital streaming platform Hotstar, which is the go-to streaming platform for the South Asian diaspora in the US," a Hotstar International spokesperson told Indiantelevision.com.

    Earlier this year, a study predicted that the number of cord-cutters in the US would climb to 33 million adults in 2018.

    "However, while we have gone ahead with a digital-only approach in the US, in other markets, we believe that the powerful combination of linear TV and digital streaming provides a robust entertainment experience to consumers,” the spokesperson added.

    Apart from Star India channels streaming on its OTT platform, properties like the Indian Premier League (IPL) are likely to be available on cable TV through the Fox network, a Star India executive, who did not wish to be named.

    Unlike India, OTT subscriptions are much cheaper in the US when compared with DTH and cable. While most of the OTT apps charge $10-15 per month, traditional cable subscription costs close to $80. Moreover, the use of smart TV is a trend that’s on the rise, facilitating a better streaming experience for consumers.

    Notably, Hotstar extended its premium subscription in the US in 2017. At the moment, Hotstar's monthly pack is priced at $9.99, while annual pack costs $99.99 in the US.

    While Star's super streamer in India is way ahead of its rivals, the move to go digital-only is bound to help it in gaining ground against Netflix and Amazon Prime in the US, in addition to saving the company high maintenance costs of running a television network.

    Be it going all-in on Indian cricket, investing early in digital or taking a position against TRAI's tariff regime, Star India under Uday Shankar has always donned an aggressive and innovative approach. The company's latest play in the US is in line with that very template.

    (With inputs from Gargi Sarkar)

  • Star India mobilises disaster relief for Kerala; Star network rallies public support #AllForKerala

    Star India mobilises disaster relief for Kerala; Star network rallies public support #AllForKerala

    MUMBAI: As Kerala struggles with the devastation of massive floods, Star India, and its employees have stepped up to donate to and mobilise disaster relief for the flood-ravaged state #AllForKerala

    Star India will donate Rs 2 Crores to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) of Kerala. Additionally, Asianet employees have pledged Rs 25 lacs and all Star India employees are being encouraged to donate at least one day’s salary, and on its part, Star India will match the total contribution of its employees. The donations will be directed to the CMDRF to expedite post-emergency recovery and rehabilitation work in the flood-ravaged areas and districts across Kerala. Furthermore, Star India has also partnered with the NGO ‘Goonj’ to aid with the supply of material contributions to the flood victims. 

    Star India network will rally support from the public through an #AllForKerala campaign aired across the network of over 50 channels in 8 languages, along with Hotstar featuring renowned artists such as Mohanlal, Kamal Haasan, Nani and a host of Star network show icons urging its viewers to step forward to help Kerala. 

    Uday Shankar, President of 21st Century Fox Asia, and Chairman & CEO of Star India said, “The rains have wreaked havoc in Kerala, which is facing its worst floods in a century. 

    We believe we must do everything in our power to help. In an endeavour to support the on-going relief and rehabilitation efforts in Kerala, we are mobilizing funds and creating public awareness through the reach of our network. We hope these efforts act as a catalyst of proactive action in this hour of need.”

    “The floods in Kerala are a tragedy of truly epic proportions,” said K Madhavan, Managing Director, Star South India business. He added, “At this time we must do everything possible to help the State administration in undertaking the difficult task of flood relief and rehabilitating lives. We would like to tell the people of Kerala, we are with you in this hour of need.”

  • Star Suvarna to telecast ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati 2018’ the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ as part of its revamp

    Star Suvarna to telecast ‘Kannadada Kotyadhipati 2018’ the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ as part of its revamp

    May 21, 2018: The third season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada version of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, which sets the stage for a revamps of Star Suvarna, the Kannada GEC channel of Star Network will premiere in June’18. Since January 2018, the channel has gained viewership share in Kannada GEC, led by new fiction launches; Muddu Lakshmi and Bili Hendthi and daily reality show Pyate Hudugir Halli Life – S4.

    To further strengthen its consumer offering, Star Suvarna is launching the 3rd season of Kannadada Kotyadhipati, the Kannada language series of the format “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”, popularly known as KBC (Kaun Banega Crorepati) in India. In its first 2 seasons in 2012 and 2013, it was the most-watched show in Kannada. Star Suvarna is planning to further strengthen the line-up with 2 new fiction launches along with Kannadada Kotyadhipati’s launch. 

    Mr. Kevin Vaz, CEO of South Entertainment Channels for Star India Pvt Ltd commented: “Star Suvarna is known to provide differentiated and wholesome family entertainment and we are excited to bring Kannadada Kotyadhipati back to the viewers. We are confident that with Mr. Ramesh Aravind as the host and the new feature, ‘Play Along’, this show will engage viewers very well, and Star Suvarna will flourish to become Kannadigas favorite channel yet again.” 

    The 3rd Season of ‘Kannadada Kotiyadhipathi’ will be hosted by the versatile actor, Mr. Ramesh Aravind, who has worked in movies across 5 languages as an actor, producer, and director. Beyond films, Ramesh has also won people’s hearts as TV show anchor, motivational speaker, TEDx presenter and social worker. 

    Speaking about the show host, Mr. Ramesh Aravind said “I am really honored to host Kannadada Kotyadhipati. This show touches a deep chord in the viewer. It holds the promise of change, the ability to carve out a life one desires. This show is not about money, but hope and I’m humbled to be a part of the process.”

    With a promise of making common man a ‘Kotyadhipati’, the show has been a big draw among viewers across markets irrespective of gender and age groups. This season, with the advent of technology and features like ‘Play along’, the show gets closer to its viewers as never before as it gives viewers an opportunity to participate and get rewarded from the comfort of their homes.

    The show is being produced by Mr. Siddharth Basu of Big Synergy, widely known as the Father of quiz on Indian TV. 

    Mr. Siddharth Basu opines “KannadadaKotyadhipati remains the most loved show as anyone can win here irrespective of background, education, caste, provided (s)he is empowered by knowledge. The stringent processes are practiced to ensure fairness, which enhances the credibility of the show”.

    “Kannadada Kotyadhipati” has the power to change people’s lives forever. The show is in line with Star Suvarna’s commitment towards providing thought-provoking and entertaining content to its viewers. The registration lines to participate in the show now closed were open for 10 days, receiving an overwhelming response from the aspirants.

  • Zee TV’s Zulfia Waris to join Discovery Network

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises ltd (ZEEL)’s non-fiction and events programming head Zulfia Waris has resigned.

    A source close to the development informed www.indiantelevision.com that Waris has already served her notice period in Zee. Waris, who had joined Zee TV in July 2015, will now be joining Discovery Network as the vice-president (female and family) from 1 March, 2017.

    Prior to joining Zee TV, Waris was the VP and head of development of weekend fiction and non fiction for Star Plus for more than two years. Waris was associated with Star India in various roles. She joined Channel V in July 2008 as a senior executive producer for programming and served there for over than four years.

    In 2013, she moved to head the non-fiction development for Star Network where she developed non-fiction concepts and formats with in-house teams and production houses.

    Also Read:

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/zee-tvs-zulfia-waris-to-join-discovery-network-170213

    http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/people/sameer-rao-joining-discovery-in-senior-role-161121