ITV

Tag: Star TV

  • 21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    21st Century Fox buys out Sky in USD 14.8-bn deal

    MUMBAI: 21st Century Fox has stated that Sky had agreed to a takeover offer worth USD 14.8 billion as the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch attempts to create a global media giant stretch across the U.K., U.S, and Europe.

    21st Century Fox is one of the world’s largest entertainment companies, with a broad portfolio of broadcast, cable, pay TV, film, and satellite assets across six continents.

    Fox group said in a statement that it had reached an agreement with Sky plc on the terms of a recommended pre-conditional cash offer to buy the rest of the European pay broadcaster, beyond the 39 per cent it already owns. The deal is worth USD 14.8 billion (Rs 1004 billion) in total for the cash purchase, the statement said. The terms of the formal offer, Sky News stated, would mean Fox paying 10.75 pounds per Sky share, for the remainder 61% of Sky.

    The new deal will create an improved balance between affiliate fee, subscription, advertising and content revenues.

    Fox’ cable and broadcasting properties include include STAR India, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FOX, National Geographic Channels, 28 television stations in the U.S and over 300 international channels.

  • Chiranjeevi’s first-ever TV show ‘MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu’s CFE till 18 October

    Chiranjeevi’s first-ever TV show ‘MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu’s CFE till 18 October

    MUMBAI: Maa TV is all set to launch MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu (MEK) with the Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi as the host.

    MEK, one of the most popular programs in the Telugu TV entertainment space, has witnessed phenomenal reach and success as the official Telugu adaptation of the internationally-renowned game show format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Hindi game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

    Being the first launch of this property after Star acquired the Maa business, the game show is all set to become even bigger with the megastar Chiranjeevi hosting a show on the TV for the first time ever. This season the MEK theme revolves around “Making the dreams win”

    “MEK is a highly popular and proven show in the Telugu market, as much as it is in various international and India markets. It is the first big show being launched after Star TV took over MaA TV and we are pleased to be associated with mega star Chiranjeevi as the host of the show,” said Star India South CEO Kevin Vaz.

    In an illustrious film career spanning 37 years, Chiranjeevi has amassed a huge fan following in Telugu-speaking states and he is known for his connect with the common people. The charisma and persona of Chiranjeevi, the bonding and the love he enjoys with the Telugu people is all set to take MEK show to the newer heights. This show aims to reach and empower people from 2 Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh & Telengana)

    “MEK has always created great excitement among Telugu people. With this season we are all set to take MEK to the next level with multiple new things. I am sure that MEK, this season, will enthral the TV audience in both states of AP and Telangana”, added Maa TV business head Alok Jain.

    MEK promises to bring Maa TV viewers an unparalleled opportunity to participate in the game and win cash prize of up to Rs. 1 Crore by answering questions correctly. Besides being a knowledge-based game show, MEK is the ultimate exhibition of human spirit and opportunity. MEK empowers common men to realize their big dreams by reaching the ‘hot seat’ and playing the game successfully with Chiranjeevi.

    The Call for Entries (CFE) for the program will run till 18 October, wherein participants throughout the Telugu states can register themselves to take part in the game show by answering questions through SMS.

  • Chiranjeevi’s first-ever TV show ‘MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu’s CFE till 18 October

    Chiranjeevi’s first-ever TV show ‘MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu’s CFE till 18 October

    MUMBAI: Maa TV is all set to launch MeeloEvaruKoteeswarudu (MEK) with the Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi as the host.

    MEK, one of the most popular programs in the Telugu TV entertainment space, has witnessed phenomenal reach and success as the official Telugu adaptation of the internationally-renowned game show format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Hindi game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

    Being the first launch of this property after Star acquired the Maa business, the game show is all set to become even bigger with the megastar Chiranjeevi hosting a show on the TV for the first time ever. This season the MEK theme revolves around “Making the dreams win”

    “MEK is a highly popular and proven show in the Telugu market, as much as it is in various international and India markets. It is the first big show being launched after Star TV took over MaA TV and we are pleased to be associated with mega star Chiranjeevi as the host of the show,” said Star India South CEO Kevin Vaz.

    In an illustrious film career spanning 37 years, Chiranjeevi has amassed a huge fan following in Telugu-speaking states and he is known for his connect with the common people. The charisma and persona of Chiranjeevi, the bonding and the love he enjoys with the Telugu people is all set to take MEK show to the newer heights. This show aims to reach and empower people from 2 Telugu States (Andhra Pradesh & Telengana)

    “MEK has always created great excitement among Telugu people. With this season we are all set to take MEK to the next level with multiple new things. I am sure that MEK, this season, will enthral the TV audience in both states of AP and Telangana”, added Maa TV business head Alok Jain.

    MEK promises to bring Maa TV viewers an unparalleled opportunity to participate in the game and win cash prize of up to Rs. 1 Crore by answering questions correctly. Besides being a knowledge-based game show, MEK is the ultimate exhibition of human spirit and opportunity. MEK empowers common men to realize their big dreams by reaching the ‘hot seat’ and playing the game successfully with Chiranjeevi.

    The Call for Entries (CFE) for the program will run till 18 October, wherein participants throughout the Telugu states can register themselves to take part in the game show by answering questions through SMS.

  • Essel chairman pays tribute to India’s official language on ‘Hindi Diwas’

    Essel chairman pays tribute to India’s official language on ‘Hindi Diwas’

    NEW DELHI: On the occasion of Hindi Diwas on Wednesday, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman, Essel Group, Subhash Chandra engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with eminent Hindi Poet and renowned scholar, Ashok Chakradhar on the ‘Present Status of Hindi: Challenges and Solutions’ at the Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi.

    The Hindi edition of Chandra’s autobiography ‘The Z Factor – My Journey as the Wrong Man at the Right Time’ was launched by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Chief Guest, Kailash Satyarthi.

    Chandra said, “English cannot replace Hindi as the language of communication in this country. In India, the language of the common man is Hindi and will continue to remain so. Over the years, by adopting words from various languages, the Hindi language has become rich and is growing on its own strength. Today, Hindi is spoken and understood all over the globe.”

    “If our higher education system is imparted in Hindi or the mother tongue, we can create more experts in every field. For example, in Ludhiana, there are uneducated but skilled workers, who, if they were given education, would do even better,” Chandra added.

    Chakradhar said, “It is not correct to say that we are serving the Hindi language, rather we should be saying that we are working for the Hindi language. Hindi has reached its highest levels and in coming years, it will continue to grow even further. To keep the purity of this beautiful language, scholars from the literature community should be mindful of not misusing Hindi words or using English words deliberately”.

    Satyarthi said, “The mother tongue of a person is the most respected and no other language can take it away. Hindi and English are separate languages which are not competing with each other. However, to leave one’s own mother tongue and speak disrespectfully about it, is a shameful act. We should be open to learning all languages but should not criticise our own mother tongue. I remember when I went to receive the Nobel Prize, I purposely spoke in Hindi.”

    From the book:

    It was 14 December 1991 when Ashok Kurien of Ambience ad agency and I reached Star TV’s office in Hong Kong. There were ten to twelve senior and junior executives in the room. Richard Li, head of Star TV, was not there. So we waited awhile. It was like waiting for the king to come in and give his blessings.

    Richard walked in suddenly and sat opposite me. ‘OK, Indian channel…
    Hindi channel. Where is the money in India?’ Richard was very dismissive. ‘I am not interested in a joint venture.’

    So I addressed him directly. ‘Mr Li, if you are not interested in the joint venture, can you consider leasing the [satellite] transponder to us?’ ‘There is no transponder available for less than $5 million per year,’ Richard said. It was a haughty statement to put me off.

    ‘That is fine. I will pay $5 million!’ It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I did not realize the implication of what I had said…

  • Essel chairman pays tribute to India’s official language on ‘Hindi Diwas’

    Essel chairman pays tribute to India’s official language on ‘Hindi Diwas’

    NEW DELHI: On the occasion of Hindi Diwas on Wednesday, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Chairman, Essel Group, Subhash Chandra engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with eminent Hindi Poet and renowned scholar, Ashok Chakradhar on the ‘Present Status of Hindi: Challenges and Solutions’ at the Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi.

    The Hindi edition of Chandra’s autobiography ‘The Z Factor – My Journey as the Wrong Man at the Right Time’ was launched by the Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Chief Guest, Kailash Satyarthi.

    Chandra said, “English cannot replace Hindi as the language of communication in this country. In India, the language of the common man is Hindi and will continue to remain so. Over the years, by adopting words from various languages, the Hindi language has become rich and is growing on its own strength. Today, Hindi is spoken and understood all over the globe.”

    “If our higher education system is imparted in Hindi or the mother tongue, we can create more experts in every field. For example, in Ludhiana, there are uneducated but skilled workers, who, if they were given education, would do even better,” Chandra added.

    Chakradhar said, “It is not correct to say that we are serving the Hindi language, rather we should be saying that we are working for the Hindi language. Hindi has reached its highest levels and in coming years, it will continue to grow even further. To keep the purity of this beautiful language, scholars from the literature community should be mindful of not misusing Hindi words or using English words deliberately”.

    Satyarthi said, “The mother tongue of a person is the most respected and no other language can take it away. Hindi and English are separate languages which are not competing with each other. However, to leave one’s own mother tongue and speak disrespectfully about it, is a shameful act. We should be open to learning all languages but should not criticise our own mother tongue. I remember when I went to receive the Nobel Prize, I purposely spoke in Hindi.”

    From the book:

    It was 14 December 1991 when Ashok Kurien of Ambience ad agency and I reached Star TV’s office in Hong Kong. There were ten to twelve senior and junior executives in the room. Richard Li, head of Star TV, was not there. So we waited awhile. It was like waiting for the king to come in and give his blessings.

    Richard walked in suddenly and sat opposite me. ‘OK, Indian channel…
    Hindi channel. Where is the money in India?’ Richard was very dismissive. ‘I am not interested in a joint venture.’

    So I addressed him directly. ‘Mr Li, if you are not interested in the joint venture, can you consider leasing the [satellite] transponder to us?’ ‘There is no transponder available for less than $5 million per year,’ Richard said. It was a haughty statement to put me off.

    ‘That is fine. I will pay $5 million!’ It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I did not realize the implication of what I had said…

  • Neo@Ogilvy Appoints Deepankar Kapoor head of strategy for India

    Neo@Ogilvy Appoints Deepankar Kapoor head of strategy for India

    MUMBAI: Neo@Ogilvy announced Deepankar Kapoor as Vice President and Head of Strategy – India, Neo@Ogilvy. He will be based in Gurgaon.

    Kapoor comes to Neo@Ogilvy with work experience that is richly diverse and spans eight years in digital strategy and planning. Kapoor has worked on multiple aspects of this business – creative, content, media, technology and CRM providing solutions for a roster of blue chip brands. He joins Neo@Ogilvy from Havas Media where he was leading the digital strategy function while working with brands such as Star TV, Sun Pharmaceuticals, LG, Amway, Xolo, Clovia among others.

    Neo@Ogilvy India president & country head Rajesh Bhatia said, “I have always emphasised the need and importance of sophisticated strategy and planning talent – this skill is often compromised by digital agencies. I am fortunate to have worked with some of the best talent in the industry who have reinforced that belief. I am delighted to have Deepankar join us in our journey to help establish our thought leadership and provide digital strategic direction to the brands we partner.”

    Before Havas Media Group, Kapoor has led digital strategy at the Grey Group and DigitasLbi where he drove digital transformation journeys for brands such as Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Quikr, Cadburys, Vespa, ITC, Dell, Johnson & Johnsons portfolio, Indian Army, Network18, Wipro Corporate, etc. A few prominent digital exercises under his belt are the digital brand launches of Tata Bolt & Zest, Tata Safari’s CRM initiative famously known as SOUL and the very recent buzziest campaigns of 2015 called Tardis Day (for Doctor Who fans) for Star FX.

    Academically, he holds an MBA from the University of Calcutta, a degree in Communications Management from Symbiosis International University and a Diploma in Cyber Laws from Government Law College Mumbai.

  • Neo@Ogilvy Appoints Deepankar Kapoor head of strategy for India

    Neo@Ogilvy Appoints Deepankar Kapoor head of strategy for India

    MUMBAI: Neo@Ogilvy announced Deepankar Kapoor as Vice President and Head of Strategy – India, Neo@Ogilvy. He will be based in Gurgaon.

    Kapoor comes to Neo@Ogilvy with work experience that is richly diverse and spans eight years in digital strategy and planning. Kapoor has worked on multiple aspects of this business – creative, content, media, technology and CRM providing solutions for a roster of blue chip brands. He joins Neo@Ogilvy from Havas Media where he was leading the digital strategy function while working with brands such as Star TV, Sun Pharmaceuticals, LG, Amway, Xolo, Clovia among others.

    Neo@Ogilvy India president & country head Rajesh Bhatia said, “I have always emphasised the need and importance of sophisticated strategy and planning talent – this skill is often compromised by digital agencies. I am fortunate to have worked with some of the best talent in the industry who have reinforced that belief. I am delighted to have Deepankar join us in our journey to help establish our thought leadership and provide digital strategic direction to the brands we partner.”

    Before Havas Media Group, Kapoor has led digital strategy at the Grey Group and DigitasLbi where he drove digital transformation journeys for brands such as Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Quikr, Cadburys, Vespa, ITC, Dell, Johnson & Johnsons portfolio, Indian Army, Network18, Wipro Corporate, etc. A few prominent digital exercises under his belt are the digital brand launches of Tata Bolt & Zest, Tata Safari’s CRM initiative famously known as SOUL and the very recent buzziest campaigns of 2015 called Tardis Day (for Doctor Who fans) for Star FX.

    Academically, he holds an MBA from the University of Calcutta, a degree in Communications Management from Symbiosis International University and a Diploma in Cyber Laws from Government Law College Mumbai.

  • Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    MUMBAI:  Continuing its no-tolerance stand against illegal transmission/re-transmission of Pay TV Channels by cable operators indulging in piracy of STAR TV Signals, officials of Star TV filed complaints against cable operators in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which led to police raids on their premises, arrests and seizures of equipment.  The raids were conducted at the control rooms of RST Digital (Karnataka), Ganesh Communication (AP) and Tanishq Communications (MP), who were found indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels. (Details of initial investigations and action taken, below)

    Over the last 12 months, Star India’s anti-piracy campaign has resulted in 100+ FIRs against pirating networks across the country.

    The rampant issue of piracy in India has deprived the broadcast industry of reach as well as revenue worth thousands of crores. It is widely believed that the Piracy menace impacts the Television medium the most with cable operators under-reporting their subscribers as well as indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Pay Channels, resulting in significant losses to the broadcasters as well as the government exchequer. 

    While the implementation of Digitally Addressable Systems (DAS) in the country will be a big corrective and preventive step, the implementation of DAS all over the country is yet to be done. In the interim, Star India, since the last few years, has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” against operators indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels.

    STAR TV’s proactive steps are expected to reap significant benefits for the entire broadcast industry. 

    Here are the details on the raids conducted by Star India – 

    Karnataka

    Initial investigations

    Star India conducted discreet investigations at Kakarla town and identified that RST digital (located at No.64/8, Simaz Complex, Taluk Office, Karkala, Udupi District, Karnataka, India- 574104), which has a subscriber base of over 2500 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was carrying illegal signals of Star India channels Star Plus, Star Sports 1, Life Ok, Suvarna & Asianet, along with Sony, Zee and Colors channels.

    RST Digital has monopoly in the Karkala region and so far not allowed any new network to set up a control room in this region. It is rumored to have high connections with the ruling political party in chair.

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR no. 135/2016 dated 25.05.2016) against RST Digital at Karkala Police Station, under section 379 of IPC r/w Sections 37,51,63,65,69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. During the raid, the operator resisted police entry into the control room and arguments were exchanged. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator, Star Boxes etc. were seized.  RST Digital’s owner Vijay Shetty is in remand since 25th May 2016 and his bail application has been rejected.

    Andhra Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India’s investigations at Rayadurg town in Ananthapur District, AP (on the border of Bellary district, Karnataka) revealed that local cable operator Ganesh Communication, which has a subscriber base of over 10,000 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was transmitting illegal signals carrying a total of 15 channels including Star India channels Star Plus, Suvarna and MAA TV along with Sony, Zee and Gemini. 

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ganesh Communication at the Rayadurg police station, under section 420 IPC and 63, 69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct & Videocon), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator etc. were seized. During the raid, the operator resisted the entry of the Police in the control room and arguments were exchanged. The SHO (Mahanandi) then reported the matter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police and entered the control room forcefully, seized the equipment and arrested a Technician. The new owners of the network are well connected and have direct connection through MSO associations as well as ministers in AP government  

    Before Star India’s action, Sun Network’s Anti-Piracy team tried to conduct a raid on Ganesh Communication but failed. 

    Madhya Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India discovered that Tanishq Communications (located at Itarsi town in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh) was indulging in the illegal transmission of channels such as Star Sports 3, Star Plus and Life Ok, through Area transgression by SV Enterprises, Hoshangabad. Tanishq Communications has a strong subscriber base of over 15,000 households in the state.  The proprietor of Tanishq Communication, Mahesh Chouksey is highly influential in the area and also well-connected with the ruling Political party.  

    Action taken

    Star India officials have been pursuing the matter with local police since August 2015 on 25 May 2016 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Tanishq Communication under section Sec 63 & 65 of Copy right Act, 1957. The officials also met with the Superintendent of Police (SP), Inspector General of Police (IGP) & Director General of Police (DGP), which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including one Node, one Transmitter, one Channel Mixer were seized, and a Technician was arrested.

  • Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    Star India files 100 plus FIRs against pay channels piracy in Karnataka, AP, MP

    MUMBAI:  Continuing its no-tolerance stand against illegal transmission/re-transmission of Pay TV Channels by cable operators indulging in piracy of STAR TV Signals, officials of Star TV filed complaints against cable operators in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which led to police raids on their premises, arrests and seizures of equipment.  The raids were conducted at the control rooms of RST Digital (Karnataka), Ganesh Communication (AP) and Tanishq Communications (MP), who were found indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels. (Details of initial investigations and action taken, below)

    Over the last 12 months, Star India’s anti-piracy campaign has resulted in 100+ FIRs against pirating networks across the country.

    The rampant issue of piracy in India has deprived the broadcast industry of reach as well as revenue worth thousands of crores. It is widely believed that the Piracy menace impacts the Television medium the most with cable operators under-reporting their subscribers as well as indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Pay Channels, resulting in significant losses to the broadcasters as well as the government exchequer. 

    While the implementation of Digitally Addressable Systems (DAS) in the country will be a big corrective and preventive step, the implementation of DAS all over the country is yet to be done. In the interim, Star India, since the last few years, has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” against operators indulging in illegal transmission/re-transmission of the Star Pay Channels.

    STAR TV’s proactive steps are expected to reap significant benefits for the entire broadcast industry. 

    Here are the details on the raids conducted by Star India – 

    Karnataka

    Initial investigations

    Star India conducted discreet investigations at Kakarla town and identified that RST digital (located at No.64/8, Simaz Complex, Taluk Office, Karkala, Udupi District, Karnataka, India- 574104), which has a subscriber base of over 2500 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was carrying illegal signals of Star India channels Star Plus, Star Sports 1, Life Ok, Suvarna & Asianet, along with Sony, Zee and Colors channels.

    RST Digital has monopoly in the Karkala region and so far not allowed any new network to set up a control room in this region. It is rumored to have high connections with the ruling political party in chair.

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR no. 135/2016 dated 25.05.2016) against RST Digital at Karkala Police Station, under section 379 of IPC r/w Sections 37,51,63,65,69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. During the raid, the operator resisted police entry into the control room and arguments were exchanged. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator, Star Boxes etc. were seized.  RST Digital’s owner Vijay Shetty is in remand since 25th May 2016 and his bail application has been rejected.

    Andhra Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India’s investigations at Rayadurg town in Ananthapur District, AP (on the border of Bellary district, Karnataka) revealed that local cable operator Ganesh Communication, which has a subscriber base of over 10,000 households, was indulging in piracy through DTH. The operator was transmitting illegal signals carrying a total of 15 channels including Star India channels Star Plus, Suvarna and MAA TV along with Sony, Zee and Gemini. 

    Action taken

    Post the initial investigations, Star India officials filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Ganesh Communication at the Rayadurg police station, under section 420 IPC and 63, 69 of the Copyright Act, which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including DTH Set Top Boxes (of Sun Direct & Videocon), Umbrellas, Amplifier, Modulator etc. were seized. During the raid, the operator resisted the entry of the Police in the control room and arguments were exchanged. The SHO (Mahanandi) then reported the matter to the Deputy Superintendent of Police and entered the control room forcefully, seized the equipment and arrested a Technician. The new owners of the network are well connected and have direct connection through MSO associations as well as ministers in AP government  

    Before Star India’s action, Sun Network’s Anti-Piracy team tried to conduct a raid on Ganesh Communication but failed. 

    Madhya Pradesh

    Initial investigations

    Star India discovered that Tanishq Communications (located at Itarsi town in Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradesh) was indulging in the illegal transmission of channels such as Star Sports 3, Star Plus and Life Ok, through Area transgression by SV Enterprises, Hoshangabad. Tanishq Communications has a strong subscriber base of over 15,000 households in the state.  The proprietor of Tanishq Communication, Mahesh Chouksey is highly influential in the area and also well-connected with the ruling Political party.  

    Action taken

    Star India officials have been pursuing the matter with local police since August 2015 on 25 May 2016 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Tanishq Communication under section Sec 63 & 65 of Copy right Act, 1957. The officials also met with the Superintendent of Police (SP), Inspector General of Police (IGP) & Director General of Police (DGP), which resulted in a raid at the premises of the operator. Piracy equipment including one Node, one Transmitter, one Channel Mixer were seized, and a Technician was arrested.

  • Discovery appoints Atsushi Saito as Eurosport VP – ad sales

    Discovery appoints Atsushi Saito as Eurosport VP – ad sales

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications has appointed Atsushi Saito as vice president ad sales for Eurosport

    The announcement was made by Advertiser Partnerships senior vice president and managing director Jonathan Davies, to whom Saito will report.

    In his new capacity, Saito is tasked to maximise Eurosport’s ad sales efforts in Asia Pacific by providing innovative and bespoke solutions for clients and developing meaningful partnerships.

    Last week Discovery Communications announced its first Olympic Games sub-licensing deal with the BBC, to make Eurosport the exclusive home of the Olympic Games on pay-TV in the UK between 2018 and 2020. The news follows an agreement announced by Discovery Communications and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last June, which includes exclusive multimedia rights for 50 countries and territories in Europe for the 2018 through the 2024 Olympic Games. With three of these Games to be hosted in Asia, Saito’s proximity to the action will offer a significant market advantage as Discovery look to establish long term partnerships with clients.

    Saito started his media sales career over 16 years ago with Star TV, a subsidiary of News Corp and was last with Turner Japan where he served as CNN Global Advertising Sales director. Under his leadership, Saito quadrupled CNN’s ad sales revenue.

    Davies said, “It is Discovery’s ambition to make the Olympic Games available to more people across Europe than ever before, through leveraging our portfolio of pay-TV, free-to-air and digital services. This combined with our other strategic investments in sports rights provide brands and advertisers a unique opportunity to target their customers through great sporting moments all day, and every day.”

    “Advertisers and brands are evolving into content producers, thinking beyond the ad break to embed themselves in popular culture. With this shift, a top priority for our sales organisation is to provide unique, creative and strategic solutions with the highest level of service. Atsushi’s rich experience, excellent connections and digital acumen will propel Eurosport’s ad sales growth in Asia Pacific,” Davies added.