ITV

Tag: Star Plus

  • Now ‘Mahabharat’ on Star Pravah

    Now ‘Mahabharat’ on Star Pravah

    MUMBAI: Marathi GEC viewers are set to be taken back into time. Marathi viewers will soon be introduced to two popular mythological shows for the first time. Come 21 October, between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, a new slot has been created on Star Pravah called Mahaparv that will start airing two of Star India’s biggest properties in this genre – Star Plus’s magnum opus Mahabharat and Life OK’s Devon Ke Dev… Mahadev. The difference being both the shows will be telecast, dubbed in Marathi.
    Jayesh Patil is confident that the two shows will work wonders for the Marathi GEC genre

    “The Marathi space has been missing this genre and these two shows are the network’s prime properties. The whole idea behind spending so much is that the whole network gets to share it,” explains Star Pravah programming head Jayesh Patil, pointing out that the astronomical costs involved in producing such shows was the very reason they hadn’t been tapped so far by the Marathi GEC space.

    Mahaparv will also serve as an experiment in how well (or otherwise) mythology is received by the Marathi audience. The question however remains whether Marathi GECs will be willing to spend several times more on original mythological shows.

    “We are spending a lot on dubbing to establish them. Once the market is open for mythology, we can shell out more,” replies Patil, adding that there’s a lot of scope for showcasing mythological tales from Marathi literature. As it is, each episode of either of the two shows takes nearly a day for dubbing in Marathi, with costs ranging between Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh per episode, according to industry sources.

    According to Patil, 6:00 -7:00 pm is a good time to air these shows however Madison Media COO Karthik Lakshminarayan feels prime time would have been more suitable.
    Karthik Lakshminarayan believes that a good slew of advertisers would soon come on board

    So will these shows work for the Marathi audience? Life OK GM Ajit Thakur believes that mythological shows are universal so they will work everywhere. Mahadev has already been aired on the Star network’s Kannada, Oriya, Malayalam and Tamil channels, he points out.

    Lakshminarayan however feels Mahadev might fare better in the Marathi space. “Mahabharat has been treated like a movie and Marathi audiences are unused to such grandeur on TV shows. In terms of set and costumes, it may just be a bit too much for them,” he opines.

    Star Pravah is in the midst of negotiations to get advertisers on board and Lakshminarayan feels that shouldn’t be a problem considering both the shows are established.

    Will this time travel work for the Marathi audiences?

  • TAM week 40: Most reality shows fire simmers down

    TAM week 40: Most reality shows fire simmers down

    MUMBAI: In week 40 of TAM TV ratings, reality shows have gone for a toss. Not all, but most of the non-fiction shows have seen a drop in its ratings. But that has not affected the entire channel’s portfolio.

     

    This week the spotlight was on Colors’ much talked about reality series 24. The show has garnered 3,134 TVT’s on Saturday and Sunday. Launched on 4 October, the non-fiction reality show has got positive response in the metros. The Metro and 1mn+ markets have responded positively with a viewership of 2.2 million – contributing to 63 per cent of the overall viewership of the show.

     

    This week saw Sony being the highest gainer taking its tally to 323,337 GVTs (286,083) and occupying the fifth position. Zee TV was the next highest gainer with 415,793 GVTs (384,111) holding the number three slot.

     

    Star Plus retained its number one position with 501,683 GVTs (506,317). Life OK is at number four position with 347,291 GVTs (334,306). Sab has reported with 317,170 GVTs (331,772). Sahara One continues to be at the bottom of the GEC chart with 33,222 GVTs (26,838).

     

    Back to the top charter, Star Plus’ popular show Diya aur Baati Hum saw a drop in its ratings and rated 9,911 TVTs (9,614). Another prime time show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai saw a huge rise in its ratings and scored 7,614 TVTs (6,328). Pyar Ka Dard Hai reported 7,708 TVTs (7,191). Saathiya witnessed a rise and registered 7,237 TVTs (7,101). Epic series Mahabharat witnessed a drop in its third week with 4,909 TVTs (5,518).

     

    Second placed, Colors much hyped reality show Bigg Boss seven reported 4,835 TVTs (4,811) this week. Long running fiction series Balika Vadhu saw a drop in its ratings and marked 6,759 TVTs (7,797), Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon scored 4,519 TVTs (4,743) and Uttaran reported 4,056 TVTs (3,464). Comedy Nights with Kapil reported 4,462 TVTs (6,804). The channel aired twice a day, Hindi feature film Raanjhanaa that garnered 4,493 TVTs and 3,400 TVTs respectively.

     

    Third placed, Zee TV’s fictional offering Qubool Hai saw a rise and scored 6,003 TVTs (5,511). Pavitra Rishta generated 4,646 TVTs (4,421). Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke notched up and scored 6,490 TVTs (5,343). The channel’s historical show Jodha Akbar is working wonders for the channel with its strong storyline and reported 9,337 TVTs (8,027). Drama series Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se registered 5,696 TVTs (4,675). Its dance reality DID – Dance ka Tashan took its tally to 3,870 TVTs (4,088) on a Saturday and 3,707 TVTs (4,290) on a Sunday.

     

    Fourth placed, Life OK’s top mythological series Mahadev scored notched up and scored 4,009 TVTs (3,623). Do Dil Ek Jaan stood at 1,884 TVTs (1,725), Savdhan India rated 2,479 TVTs (2,563), Shapath generated 3,637 TVTs (3,729). Ek Boond Ishq propped up this week taking its tally to 2,635 TVTs (2,351).

     

    Fifth placed, Sony’s long running crime series CID witnessed a huge rise and recorded 7,048 TVTs (5,505), Crime Petrol saw a drop and registered 3,882 TVTs (4,789). The channel’s historical show Maharana Pratap generated 3,057 TVTs (2,840). KBC lost its score and only garnered 3,911 TVTs (5,176). Other fiction shows either held on to their viewership or dipped marginally during the week.

     

    Sab’s fiction show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be the channel leader with 8,489 TVTs (8,096). Chidiya Ghar saw a rise as it rated 3,817 TVTs (3,176). Lapataganj reported 2,380 TVTs (2,015). Baalveer registered 2,925 TVTs (2,835). Other fictional shows witnessed marginal rise and fall as well.

     

    In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 198,401 GVTs (201,334); Star Gold witnessed a slight drop to 174,671 GVTs (183,757) and Movies OK notched up taking its tally to 126,462 GVTs (107,863). On the other hand, &pictures garnered 61,530 TVTs (67,942), Zee Anmol rated 38,080 GVTs and Max scored 220,318 GVTs (207,046).

     

    Let’s see what’s in store for the channels in the coming weeks.

  • Buyers treated to Koffee with Karan

    Buyers treated to Koffee with Karan

    CANNES: Barely has Mipcom 2013 taken off and Star India seems to have sprung a huge surprise on buyers gathered at Cannes.

    It’s Koffee with Karan, being served hot and fresh at the world’s largest content fest before it returns to screens back home.

    That’s not all. The network is equipped with a host of other series and thousands of films from its library, and is particularly betting big on the epic saga – Mahabharat – which is already on air on Star Plus since 16 September.

    Star India’s ammo includes the thriller series Savdhan India and Humne Li Hai…Shapath from sister channel Life OK’s portfolio as well as Arjun which is currently being telecast on the network.

    Star India vice president Ashutosh Mordekar exults: “While we are looking at selling the Mahabharat format to countries which look at it as mythology, there is also a huge chunk of countries which think of it as a costume drama coming from India and are interested.”

    So Star India also plans to position Mahabharat, a la Korean costume dramas that are very popular with global audiences.

    “We are looking at tapping central and eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS region. We are hoping for a good Mipcom this year,” says Mordekar.

    Having succeeded in selling Life OK’s Devo Ke Dev… Mahadev to Mauritius and Eastern Europe, the network is looking at expanding the market base of the hit series.

    Nach Baliye, India’s Dancing Super Star and Channel V’s teenage crime series Gumrah are among the other show formats the network is looking to license this year. Star India will also hunt for new formats for Life OK as well as its new channel Star World Premier HD.

    About the propensity for Video on Demand (VoD), Mordekar says: “In India too, there is a huge shift from linear TV to non-linear and to VOD and we are also looking at creating content to occupy that space. We are coming up with branches to fulfill the VOD need of our viewers.”

    So while it’s early days at Mipcom, indiantelevision.com will keep a watch out for deals cracked in markets the channel plans to tap.

  • TAM wk 39: Sab and Life OK highest gainers

    TAM wk 39: Sab and Life OK highest gainers

    MUMBAI: The TAM TV ratings for week 39 are out and it seems to tell the same story. There is no change in the top three positions even as the war continues.
    Sab, a sister channel of Sony Entertainment Television, is the highest gainer this week with 331,772 GVTs (289,471) at number five, followed by Life OK, the next highest gainer with 334,306 GVTs (313,138) at number four spot.

     

    Other GECs have witnessed a drop in their ratings. Star Plus manages to stay on top with 506,317 GVTs (534,590) while Colors maintains its number two position with 458,409 GVTs (479,892). Zee TV too saw a fall this week and holds its number three spot with 384,111 GVTs (413,707).

     

    Sony slips to number six spot with 286,083 GVTs (327,089). Sahara One is at the bottom of the list with 26,838 GVTs (26,495).

     

    Coming back to the GEC leader, Star Plus’ popular show Diya aur Baati Hum saw a drop in its ratings and rated 9,614 TVTs (9,819). Another prime time show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai scored 6,328 TVTs (6,587). Pyar Ka Dard Hai reported 7,191 TVTs (7,342). Saathiya witnessed a rise and registered 7,101 TVTs (6,456). New epic series Mahabharat witnessed a drop in its second week with 5,518 TVTs (6,356).

     

    Second placed, Color’s much hyped reality show Bigg Boss seven witnessed a drop with 4,811 TVTs (5,080) this week. Long running fiction series Balika Vadhu saw a massive rise and rated 7,797 TVTs (6,551), Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon scored 4,743 TVTs (4,990) and Uttaran reported 3,464 TVTs (4,140). Comedy Nights with Kapil reported 6,804 TVTs (7,244).

     

    Zee TV’s fictional offering Qubool Hai saw a drop and scored 5,511 TVTs (6,340). Pavitra Rishta generated 4,421 TVTs (4,733). Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke notched up and scored 5,343 TVTs (5,035). The channel’s historical show Jodha Akbar maintains its stability and scored 8,027 TVTs (8,025). Drama series Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se registered 4,675 TVTs (4,612). Its new dance reality DID – Dance ka Tashan took its tally to 4,088 TVTs (5,021) on a Saturday and 4,290 on a Sunday.

     

    Fourth placed, Life OK’s top mythological series Mahadev scored 3,623 TVTs (3,588). Do Dil Ek Jaan stood at 1,725 TVTs (1,801), Savdhan India rated 2,563 TVTs (2,300), Shapath generated 3,729 TVTs (3,988). Ek Boond Ishq propped up this week taking its tally to 2,351 TVTs (2,029).

     

    Fifth placed, Sab’s fiction show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be the channel leader with 8,096 TVTs (7,276). Chidiya Ghar saw a marginal rise as it rated 3,176 TVTs (3,045). Lapataganj reported 2,015 TVTs (2,066). Baalveer registered 2,835 TVTs (2,605). Other fictional shows witnessed marginal rise and fall as well.

     

    Sixth placed, Sony’s long running crime series CID witnessed a huge rise and recorded 5,505 TVTs (5,070), Crime Petrol registered 4,789 TVTs (6,415). The channel’s historical show Maharana Pratap generated 2,840 TVTs (3,266). KBC lost its score and only garnered 5,176 TVTs (6,134). Comedy Circus earned 3,505 TVTs (3,092). Other fiction shows either held on to their viewership or dipped marginally during the week.

     

    In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 201,334 GVTs (187,397); Star Gold witnessed a slight rise to 183,757 GVTs (177,380) and Movies OK notched up taking its tally to 107,863 GVTs (96,047). On the other hand, &pictures garnered 67,942 GVTs (67,480) and Max scored 207,046 GVTs (210,021).
    Let’s see what’s in store for the channels in the coming weeks.
     

  • A fractured ad cap mandate dawns

    A fractured ad cap mandate dawns

    MUMBAI:  Who ever thought a cap could generate such a lot of brouhaha? The TRAI’s ad cap, which comes into effect from 1 October, has fractured the industry. The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and most of its members have taken a decision to follow the TRAI’s mandate on limiting air time per hour to 12 minutes to ensure good quality of service and viewing experience to Indian TV viewers.

    Zee TV, Colors and Star Plus, according to company executives, have decided to follow TRAI’s diktaat. But the breakaway is Sony Entertainment Television that says it will continue booking commercials as before, beyond the 12 minute limit. That is a bold stance by its CEO Man Jit Singh if there was any, and it has totally confused one and all.

    Star India, sources say is insisting on implementing its ad rate hike following its adhering to the air time restrictions, something which advertisers such as Levers, Reckitt Benckeiser, among others have been resisting. In fact, the Indian Society of Advertisers has accused the broadcasters of being in breach of contract.

    Broadcasters have in turn stated that they are only following and complying with TRAI’s mandate. “The situation is quite confrontationist,” says a media veteran.

    Zee TV on its part has stated that it will adhere to TRAI’s order but has been relatively flexible on its ad rate revision, if one goes by unconfirmed reports.

    What has probably prompted Man Jit to take his decision is the fact that both the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and a bunch of music channels have got reprieves on toeing the ad cap line from the TDSAT.  While the NBA got a stay against the TRAI order in August allowing them to continue operating status quo till the next hearing on 11 November, the music channels too got relief when the appellate tribunal gave them the same leeway till the next hearing on 21 October. The Sun Network too filed a petition with the TDSAT last week, the outcome of which is awaited, at the time of writing.

    “Sony Entertainment Television has done its legal homework and believes that whatever decisions have been taken against the TRAI ad cap is extendible to all channels and genres. It has also got some strong properties like KBC for which it has signed deals. Additionally, the Star and Zee group have enough inventory available to sell to advertisers, thanks to the number of strong existing and new channels in their portfolios,” says a media observer.

    “We are waiting for the outcome of the hearings on 21 October and 11 November before acting on the ad cap mandate,” says Sony Entertainment president Rohit Gupta.

    Advertising Agencies Association of India president Arvind Sharma believes that the parachute which was provided to news and music channels by TDSAT is applicable to the entire broadcast sector. Says he: “The TDSAT has said that ad cap cannot be implemented and no action will be taken against anyone. AAAI fully supports it.”

    However, a highly placed source at the IBF confirmed that the law will kick in from tomorrow and how it will play out is for everyone to guess. “There is no doubt that confusion still prevails,” he says.

    Some such as Discovery Networks have not been impacted by the ad cap at all. Says senior vice-president & GM south Asia and head of revenue, pan regional ad sales and south east Asia Rahul Johri,  “We telecast international programming with varying lengths and varying break patterns, and we have always followed the 12 minutes advertising cap. So this does not change anything for us.”

    Some speciality channels such as FoodFood have decided to walk the 12 minute ad line as the threat of criminal charges for violators is proving a major deterrent, says a source.

    An IBF member gives a perspective on the ad cap clap trap. Says he “There are two scenarios: IBF members comply with TRAI’s order. Then let’s say the TDSAT quashes the rights of TRAI on this issue on 21 October or 11 November. The ruling will be valid for everyone and every broadcaster (even those who have decided to comply with 12 minute ad cap) can go back to the old system.   In the second scenario, news and music channels lose the case in TDSAT. They can approach the Supreme Court for succor. Then let’s say the Supreme Court puts a stay on the ad cap, then it will be back to as the world was operating before this ad cap announcement by TRAI.”

    Apparently, it seems that we have not heard the last of it as yet!

  • Well begun isn’t half done

    Well begun isn’t half done

    MUMBAI: Television channels may continue to bet big on newer and more interesting formats but how well (or otherwise) these programmes fare, at least in the long run, is something that ultimately depends on the audience.

    A case in point is the big fight between Star Plus’ Mahabharat and Colors’ Bigg Boss Season Seven. Battle lines were drawn between the rival channels as they had geared up for the launch of two of their biggest properties.

    Promotions (on-air, print OOH and on-ground) went on for months. Colors left no stone unturned, with the heaven Vs hell theme and all the suspense built around who would be the inmates of the Bigg Boss house this year. Star Plus too pulled out all stops, promising viewers the mythological battle between good and evil in a contemporary avatar.

    While both the channels were hoping to up their ante with these big-ticket shows, the results are now out for everyone to see.

    As per the TAM ratings, Mahabharat got off to an epic start with 8445 TVTs whereas Bigg Boss lagged behind a bit with 7711 TVTs on the day of its premiere.

    Subsequently, Mahabharat, aired from Monday to Friday, garnering 6356 TVTs and the daily Bigg Boss getting 5080 TVTs. So while media planners agree that both shows have done well, going by its opening ratings, there’s really no consensus as to its performance going forward.

    The big question facing the channels is whether its shows will be able to sustain ratings and do justice to the kind of moolah that has been spent on them. Opines Helios Media managing director Divya Radhakrishnan: “Mahabharat is a very strong story and since, we know there are a finite number of episodes, the show won’t be dragged. Hence, I believe that it will continue to do well in the coming weeks as well. But for Bigg Boss to sustain ratings, it will depend a lot on the controversies it gets into.”

    By contrast, a Delhi-based media planner feels that while Mahabharat started with a boom, it won’t be able to match up with the gossip and entertainment provided by Bigg Boss. He points out: “A lot of people want to see what is so different in the current shows but however sometimes get disappointed with the execution. I can only hope that the disappointment doesn’t turn into a blind eye for both the shows.”

    Another media planner adds that garnering great TVTs in the opening episodes is nothing new. “Most shows, especially reality shows, are able to generate enough enthusiasm among viewers. The real test is about holding their attention.”

    All we can say is while we can’t predict the future, for now, both shows have gotten off to a great start…

  • Star Plus and Sony gain big in TAM week 38

    Star Plus and Sony gain big in TAM week 38

    MUMBAI: The war for ‘the best among the rest’ continues even as the top three positions see no change in week 38 of TAM TV ratings. The week has worked wonders for Star Plus and Colors with its high properties Mahabharat and Bigg Boss seven respectively hitting the TV screens.

    Star Plus is the highest gainer this week with 534,590 GVTs (477,029), holding the number one slot. Well! the reason is quite clear, Mahabharat opened up with commendable 8,445 TVTs taking it way ahead of competition.

    Talking about Mahabharat’s grand opening, Star Plus, senior vice-president, marketing, Nikhil Madhok exults: “We are extremely happy with the grand welcome it has received. There is very encouraging positive feedback pouring in from all quarters. We are now looking at building further from here on.”

    On the other hand, Bigg Boss seven too saw a healthy start scoring 7,711 TVTs on the grand premier that was held on 15 September, taking Colors score to 479,892 GVTs (463,869).

    Sony Entertainment Television was the next highest gainer this week with 327,089 GVTs (292,852), occupying the number four position.

    Zee TV too saw a rise this week and holds its number three spot with 413,707 GVTs (398,993). Life OK, the sister channel of Star Plus is at number five position with 313,138 GVTs (322,364). Sab takes a back seat at number six with 289,471 GVTs (312,053). Sahara One continues to be at the bottom scoring 26,495 GVTs (28,749).

    All Star Plus’ shows witnessed a rise in the ratings this week. Its popular show Diya aur Baati Hum saw a massive rise in its ratings and rated 9,819 TVTs (8,803). Another prime time show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai scored 6,587 TVTs (6,144). Pyar Ka Dard Hai reported 7,342 TVTs (6,930) and Saathiya registered 6,456 TVTs (6,002). New epic series Mahabharat witnessed a good week with 6,356 TVTs.

    Second placed, Color’s much hyped reality show Bigg Boss seven witnessed 5,080 TVTs this week. Long running fiction series Balika Vadhu saw a marginal rise and rated 6,551 TVTs (6,278), Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon scored 4,990 (4442) and Uttaran reported 4,140 TVTs (4,154). Comedy Nights with Kapil garnered 7,244 TVTs (7,215).

    Zee TV’s fictional offering Qubool Hai saw a hike recording 6,340 TVTs (5,956). Pavitra Rishta generated 4,733 TVTs (4,280). Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke notched up and scored 5,035 TVTs (4,643). The channel’s historical show Jodha Akbar seems to attract audiences by its interesting track taking its tally to 8,025 TVTs (6,981). Drama series Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se registered 4,612 TVTs (5,047). Its new offering Buddha took its tally to 1,537 TVTs (1,450).

    Fourth placed, Sony’s long running crime series CID witnessed a drop recording 5,070 TVTs (5,391) and Crime Petrol saw a high rise and rated 6,415 TVTs (3,739). The channel’s historical show Maharana Pratap generated 3,266 TVTs (3,151). KBC notched up taking its score to 6,134 TVTs (5,925). Comedy Circus garnered 3,092 TVTs (3,409). Other fiction shows either held on to their viewership or dipped marginally during the week.

    Fifth placed, Life OK’s top series Mahadev has propped up this week as it scored 3,588 TVTs (2,585). Do Dil Ek Jaan stood at 1,801 TVTs (1,666), Savdhan India rated 2,300 TVTs (2,734), whereas Shapath generated 3,988 TVTs (3,410).

    Sixth placed, Sab’s fiction show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be the channel leader with 7,276 TVTs (6,816). Chidiya Ghar saw a downfall as it rated 3,045 TVTs (3,430). Lapataganj reported 2,066 TVTs (2,347). Baalveer registered 2,605 TVTs (2,057). Other fictional shows witnessed marginal rise and fall as well.

    In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 187,397 GVTs (191,359); Star Gold witnessed a slight fall to 177,380 GVTs (182,350) and Movies OK rated 96,047 GVTs (100,401). On the other hand, new entrant &pictures garnered 67,480 GVTs (67,774). Max saw a healthy rise when it scored 210,021 GVTs (192,416).

    Well, it seems the GECs are having a roller coaster ride. Let’s see what’s in store for the channels in the coming weeks.

  • Life OK claws back to number four

    Life OK claws back to number four

    MUMBAI: The war for ‘the best among the rest‘ continues even as the top three positions see no change in week 37 of TAM TV ratings.

    Life OK, a sister channel of Star Plus is the highest gainer this week and is back at the number four position with 322,364 GVTs (276,290). As reported earlier by indiantelevision.com, Life OK general manager Ajit Thakur had said that in the coming weeks the channel plans to aggressively invest in content promising its viewers a never-seen-before experience. Well this attitude has worked wonders for the channel.

    Other GECs saw a drop in their viewership. Star Plus continues to rule the chart with 477,029 GVTs (494,732). Not quite far behind is Colors which continues to maintain its number two position recording 463,869 GVTs (452,851). Zee TV holds its no three spot with 398,993 GVTs (410,774).

    Sab, a sister channel of Sony maintains its number five position as it rated 312,053 GVTs (322,392). Sony takes the back seat at number six with 292,852 GVTs (346,122). Sahara One continues to be at the bottom scoring 28,749 GVTs (28,742).

    Back to the chart topper, Star Plus channel‘s popular show Diya aur Baati Hum saw a drop in its ratings and rated 8,803 TVTs (9,765). Another prime time show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai scored 6,144 TVTs (7,261). Pyar Ka Dard Hai reported 6,930 TVTs (6,840) and Saathiya registered 6,002 TVTs (6,079). Reality show Junior Master Chef lost its audiences witnessing a drop 2,160 TVTs (2,370).

    Colors‘ popular celebrity dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa aired its grand finale on 14 September and registered 8,822 TVTs. Long running fiction series Balika Vadhu saw a huge growth and rated 6,278 TVTs (5,912), Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon scored 4,442 TVTs (4,847) and Uttaran reported 4,154 TVTs (4,450). The comedy show Comedy Nights with Kapil garnered 7,215 TVTs (7,983).

    Zee TV‘s reality dance show DID Super Moms aired its grand finale on 8 September and scored 6,087 TVTs. Its fictional offering Qubool Hai witnessed a drop recording 5,956 TVTs (6,380). Pavitra Rishta generated 4,280 TVTs (5,163). It‘s long running series Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke scored 5,362 TVTs (4,785). The channel‘s historical show Jodha Akbar seems to attract audiences by its interesting track taking its tally to 6,981 TVTs (7,259). Drama series Do Dil Bandhe Ek Dori Se registered 5,047 TVTs (5,946). Its new offering Buddha did not mangae to grab attention of the viewers and socred 1,450 TVTs.

    Fourth placed, Life OK‘s top series Mahadev rated 2,585 TVTs (2,511). Do Dil Ek Jaan stood at 2,585 TVTs (2,511), Savdhan India rated 2,734 TVTs (2,651), whereas Shapath generated 3,410 TVTs (3,339) and Gustakh Dil rated 1,444 TVTs (1,333).

    Fifth placed, Sab‘s fiction show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to be the channel leader with 6,816 TVTs (6,751). Chidiya Ghar has propped up this week as it scored 3,430 TVTs (3,064). Lapataganj reported 2,347 TVTs (2,062). FIR rated 2,055 TVTs (2,209). Other fictional shows witnessed marginal rise and fall as well.

    Sixth placed, Sony‘s long running crime series CID witnessed a drop recording 5,391 TVTs (5,941) and Crime Petrol saw a healthy rise scored 3,739 TVTs (3,418). The channel‘s historical show Maharana Pratap generated 3,151 TVTs (3,354). KBC saw a drop in its ratings as it rated 5,049 TVTs (8,950), 6,027 TVTs (8,460) and 6698 TVTs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively. Comedy Circus garnered 3,409 TVTs. Other fiction shows either held on to their viewership or dipped marginally during the week.

    In the movie channel genre, Zee Cinema reported 191,359 GVTs (206,038); Star Gold witnessed a slight rise to182,350 GVTs (176,904) and Movies OK rated 100,401 GVTs (105,357). On the other hand, new entrant &pictures garnered 67,774 GVTs (57,197). Max saw a healthy rise when it scored 192,416 GVTs (179,760).

    Well, it seems the GECs are having a good roller coaster ride. Let‘s see what’s in-store for the GECs in the coming weeks.

  • Ad creatives react to Star Plus’ 3D innovation

    Ad creatives react to Star Plus’ 3D innovation

    MUMBAI: Star India is coming up with its one of the most expensive show – Mahabharat – and it is surely spending a lot of moolah in promoting it.

    When you have a mega property, you probably have to think mega-plus while trying to communicate its scale to your consumer. That‘s something many a company follows. And that‘s the tack even Star India took today to announce the launch of its epic Mahabharat which is slated to air on its Hindi GEC Star Plus from tonight.

    A four page false cover ad adorned today’s Bombay Times  (an advertorial, entertainment, promotional  supplement of The Times of India). It featured the epic show‘s characters (Arjun, Draupadi and Duryodhan) of Mahabharat. And to top it all, it was all in 3D! Yes, you read it right.
    KV Sridhar and Viral Pandya feel that the 3D effect was unnecessary

    In fact, the network is leaving no stone unturned to create enough and more buzz related to it.   From 3D innovations on  OOH platforms across cities to promos on 25 other channels apart from the Star network, the channel wants to make sure that people don’t miss out on its blockbuster epic.

    The show is estimated to have a budget of  Rs 100 crore and out of this, 20 per cent has been allotted to marketing.

    The innovations which have been conceptualised by Contract Advertising, however seem to have failed to dazzle other creative heads. Leo Burnett NCD KV Sridhar feels that there is nothing new in the so-called innovation. “It’s an old concept and will only attract small children’s attention especially today when 3D is a common phenomenon,” he says while emphasising on the fact that innovations today have moved up a notch with augmented reality.  

    He’s not alone.  Even Out of the Box CCO Viral Pandya feels that there was no need for a 3D effect when the message would have been effective enough in  2D which Star did with the Mumbai morninger Mid-Day and The Hindustan Times Café did. “If one looks at the Volkswagen Talking newspaper (again TOI and The Hindu) innovation which appeared three years back, this is just plain blah! There is no idea in it expect for showing that one has enough money to spend.”

    The two innovations most can’t get over are the ones created for the German automaker (Volkswagen) which got everyone talking. As per reports, the Das Auto company spent close to Rs 6 crore on that exercise. The other one (2011) was the integrated 3D campaign for Audi A8 L.

    However, there are a few who feel that the innovation did encourage them  to pick up and try on the 3D glasses. “It did manage to create a little bit of noise,” says Lowe Lintas & Partners NCD Arun Iyer who adds, “It surely would have cost them a bomb!”
    Whereas Arun Iyer and KS Chakravarthy say that it did manage to create a little bit of noise

    Draftfcb Ulka NCD K S Chakravarthy (Chax) too believes that Star‘s innovation – something which no other channel has attempted before – is bound to have had an impact. “It‘s not as if 3D hasn’t been done before but the scale at which at which it has been done by Star could have worked in getting it noticed,” he says.

    One just hopes that for Star‘s (it has been pushing the pedal on marketing and has been showing chutzpah just like Levers or P&G or Coke ) sake that 3D translates into TVT.

  • DDB Mudramax OOH creates a big bang for Mahabharat

    DDB Mudramax OOH creates a big bang for Mahabharat

    MUMBAI: Star Plus has partnered with DDB Mudramax OOH to create the buzz for its most ambitious show – Mahabharat – through a hi-decibel OOH campaign.

    The channel has not left any stone unturned to ensure that this is the biggest show launch of the year and has gone all out through a massive multimedia campaign across the country.

    The massive OOH campaign has been executed across 100 plus towns in the country from metros to LC1 towns.

    The innovation for Shakuni wherein the five crowns depict the five Pandavas who were deprived of their kingdom by Shakuni using his famous pair of dice during the game of Chausar

    DDB Mudramax OOH VP Spencer Noronha said, “The brief was to create impact and buzz for Star Plus’ Mahabharat – the biggest show launch of the year. We selected the most impactful media vehicles clubbed with three “first of its kind” innovations and ensured that the awareness and recall generated for the show launch is quick as well as lasting. The idea was to bring the billboards to life by recreating famous scenes from the epic on ground. The route we used was to put up large 3D sculptures on the billboards ranging from 17 to 22 ft in height emerging out of the billboards. The three innovations of Arjun, Shakuni and Draupadi look dominating and dwarf the conventional innovations done so far on the OOH platform.  These innovations have been entirely conceptualized and designed by our in-house OOH creative team.”

    A multi media approach has been adopted by DDBMudramax OOH to amplify the effect of the campaign to achieve the right balance between impact, frequency and reach. Large format premium billboards and uni-poles, gantries and bridge panels, mall media, metro stations and railway station platform branding as well as transit media has been used to create the desired level of awareness and hype for the show.

    DDB Mudramax OOH DGM Anirudha Pawar said, “We have installed the large sculptures on strategically located high impact billboards in the city. We hired professional sculpture artists to ensure that the final output comes to life especially as it involved recreating human form. Getting all three sculptures ready and put up simultaneously at the start of the OOH campaign was a mammoth task and took detailed planning on our part. The sculpture work started almost a month back. We had to hire a crane to hoist these giant sculptures on the billboard for installation. The innovations are impossible to miss and have definitely amplified the scale of the launch campaign. All the media vehicles have been meticulously selected to complement the eye-catching and dominating creatives used for the campaign.”

    There are six creatives used for the campaign highlighting 6 characters of the epic saga – Krishna, Arjun, Draupadi, Duryodhan, Shakuni and Gandhari.

    About the overall campaign Star India SVP – marketing Nikhil Madhok said, “The work done for Mahabharat by DDBMudramax OOH has been outstanding. The innovations have been novel and the scale of execution has been a first of its kind in the country on the OOH platform. Star Plus always strives to disrupt and this execution is another example of our continued efforts in that direction.”