ITV

Tag: Television

  • ShemarooMe collaborates with Sony India

    ShemarooMe collaborates with Sony India

    KOLKATA: ShemarooMe has today announced its association with Sony India to expand the Smart TVs content library, further enhancing the accessibility and convenience for consumers. With this association, the ShemarooMe app will now be available for streaming exclusively on select BRAVIA Smart TVs. The all-in-one platform offers a wide range of multi-genre, multi-regional content, including Bollywood Premieres, Bollywood Classics, Shemaroo Kids, and the best of Devotional, Comedy and Regional content.

    Online content consumption has increased rapidly as consumers are confined to their homes due to the lockdown and are accessing streaming services from multiple screens such as tablets, laptops, mobile phones and smart TVs. During these unprecedented times, this partnership further deepens ShemarooMe’s reach by providing seamless access to BRAVIA’s vast number of consumers in the country as well as enables the latter to expand its Hindi and regional entertainment portfolio with the OTT platform’s exciting slate of popular shows and movies.

    Talking about this announcement, Shemaroo Entertainment digital COO Zubin Dubash said, “We are extremely delighted to have partnered with Sony India to help expand their entertainment portfolio with ShemarooMe’s diverse content catalogue. Over the years, Sony’s BRAVIA television has truly revolutionized the way Indians watch content. With this strategic association, we aim to expand our OTT distribution and transform the TV viewing experience for consumers, giving them access to our rich legacy with the added convenience of streaming blockbuster Bollywood as well as regional movies and live events, seamlessly on their television sets.”

    Sony India BRAVIA Business head Ranvijay Singh added "We are glad to partner with Shemaroo Entertainment and help amplify their diverse content portfolio across India. BRAVIA Televisions have a legacy of offering the most immersive viewing experience and with a rapid increase in the online content consumption, we are positive that this partnership will offer wholesome entertainment to our consumers.”

  • Television actors should also get royalties on reruns and repeat telecasts: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Shailesh Lodha

    Television actors should also get royalties on reruns and repeat telecasts: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s Shailesh Lodha

    MUMBAI: Television industry has been one of the worst-hit sectors due to the pandemic followed by the subsequent lockdown. Now, when the shoots have finally resumed after a hiatus of four long months amid all SOPs and safety measures laid down by the government, many celebs are working with a sense of fear.

    aAmpere Analysis projected that the pandemic had delayed at least 60 per cent of scripted television programming worldwide, including at least half of the programming originally scheduled to air in the second half of 2020. There had been a noticeable increase in non-scripted productions—including smaller-scale series capable of being produced remotely—that can be used to fill schedules until scripted programs resume production (noting that audiences may eventually become tired out by pandemic-themed programming).

    Shailesh Lodha, an Indian actor, comedian, writer, and best known for playing the role of Taarak Mehta in India's longest-running sitcom serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, in an interaction with Governance Now MD Kailashnath Adhikari talks about challenges faced by the television industry, actors and much more. 

    According to him actors especially who also do brand endorsements, live shows and appearances are facing the brunt of pandemic.

    LodhaShailesh shares, “I belong to show business, which has been severly impacted due to pandemic. There are no events or live shows. Thankfully television shooting started last month. So professionally speaking there were no activities during pandemic. I did quite a few online shows, but they don’t give you satisfaction. You don’t feel like you are performing.”

    He mentions that it is difficult to predict when the normalcy will return but according to him situations are better than before. However, he believes that the turmoil caused by the pandemic has instilled the sense of fear among people. He said that while entering the set when someone sees cast and crew members in masks, PPE kits, and gloves it creates a fearful environment. He also thinks that India is doing considerably better, with recovery rate at 72 percent and death rate at 2 percent.

    Kailash Adhikari raised a question to Lodha if production houses broadcasters are partially responsible for the issues faced by  artists, hair and makeup artists and technicians.

    Lodha quipped that the challenges faced by the entertainment industry is no different from other sectors. It is just that the entertainment world is glamorous, and people are more attracted towards entertainment news, hence the media stays in the limelight. But he believes there are various issues and it is going to be in every section of the society and entertainment world is no different from that. He suggests operating business to create job opportunities and strengthen the economy.

    As far as the industry’s responsibility towards daily wage earners is concerned Lodha said, “I think if we had taken our responsibility towards the lower section of the society more seriously, it would have been a much better situation.”

    As the daily soaps went out of stock, broadcasters resorted to popular reruns of their shows. However, TV reruns might have attracted viewers but not advertisements. Despite viewership no shareholders have been benefited. But during the conversation with Adhikari, Lodha sparks a larger debate about royalties. He said, “Why artists are not benefited when reruns or repeat telecasts are happening. In most of the instances, we look at what is happening in the West, but I think it is high time when artists should also get the royalties of the show. There should be some provision’s under IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights).”

    Actors who are part of endorsements, appearances and live shows are severely impacted with their earnings being hampered by the pandemic and lockdown.

    Lodha who is a renowned poet and worked in SAB TV’s Waah Waah Kya Baat Hai and several other shows notes that for an artist it is important to have a live audience. Looking at the audience’s reaction gives a certain amount of happiness. But to the pandemic there are no live shows, you are not able to see audience reaction. 

    He adds, “As a writer and a performer I can say there is not much earning, and whatever is there it is biased earning. In a biased market there is earning but no satisfaction. People are arguing to reduce rates as things are happening virtually, but the artist remains the same. I think it will take one year to get back to normal.”

    Finally, film and television shootings have started with a lot of restrictions and limitations. Speaking about the same Lodha highlights that it is the new normal. However, he points out that shooting is more about precautions and less about limitations. He thinks that technology will have to play a much bigger role.  Production houses are heavily dependent on chroma, special effects and VFX  to shoot crowd scenes.

    Recently, a blanket ban was introduced in the industry where actors, technicians and crew members above the age of 65 years were not allowed on the film and television set. However, as per Bombay high court’s verdict the ban is now lifted. Lodha thinks at that time it was justified to impose a ban considering elderly citizens were at high risk.

  • TV channels line up special shows for Independence Day

    TV channels line up special shows for Independence Day

    MUMBAI: The country is gearing up to celebrate India’s 74 Independence Day. The patriotic fervor is in the air. However this year’s Independence Day, which is traditionally marked with a lot of pomp and gaiety, will be subdued and restricted due to the circumstances created by the Covid2019 pandemic.  But broadcasters are keeping up the spirit. From Hindi general entertainment channels to English GECs to news and movie channels, all have donned the colours of the tricolour.

    Channels have curated special programming line ups to entertain audiences.

    Colors

    The team at Colors’ Khatron Ke Khiladi: Made in India in a special episode honour’s braveheart warriors that will air on 15 August 2020 – Independence Day.

    The real khiladis who will be felicitated on the episode are senior police officer Ramesh Nangare, Dr Anil Panchekar, and Pune’s ‘Warrior Aaji’ Shanta Balu Pawar. The khiladis will share their stories and reflect on their experiences as they worked courageously in the face of the pandemic. Senior police officer Ramesh Nangare and his team policed the city fearlessly during the pandemic. Dr Anil Panchekar worked tirelessly in Dharavi which was one of the most Covid2019 affected areas in Mumbai. Warrior Aaji Shanta Balu Pawar, whose earnings were affected because of the pandemic, performed some fearless lathi stunts to earn a living for her family. The courageous acts by the real khiladi’s will be celebrated on the show.

    Comedy Central India and Colors Infinity

    Comedy Central India and Colors Infinity have curated special programming with Indian-origin actors that have carved a niche on the international scene and become globally recognised stars. Starting 11am on the 74 Independence Day, you can watch 73 of the best Koothrappali special episodes of The Big Bang Theory starring Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali.

    Nickelodeon

    Nickelodeon under its initiative #SochKaroUpgrade intends to throw light on environmental issues the planet is facing and simple ways to create a change.

    The campaign actively seeks individuals to take the pledge on nickindia.com to protect nature and lists three commitments including planting a tree, discontinue the use of plastic bags, and save water. he franchise is extensively promoting the campaign on-air and on digital with promos and through an array of activities to drive awareness on steps to bring about a change.

    A popular doodle artist Woodle Doodle Designs also did a series of graphic illustrations to drive the message to social media audiences. 

    &Pictures

    &pictures celebrates and salutes the bravery of ordinary people with extraordinary courage with the Hindi Television Premiere of Hotel Mumbai on 16 August.  Based on true events, the visually breathtaking movie recounts the 2008 siege of the famed Taj Hotel in Mumbai and how the fearless staff risked their lives to protect their guests.  

    MTV

    In its newly released brand film, MTV shows people from different walks of life in 2019, criticising the monotony of college life, everyday hassle of traveling to office, also talking about how partying is done to death for youngsters and being self-dependent is an overrated concept.

    Viacom18  head of marketing – youth, music and English entertainment Navin Shenoy said, “The unprecedented times brought upon us by the pandemic has curtailed what impacts the youth most – their freedom to live as they deem fit. With this film for Independence Day, we wanted to put the spotlight on that everyday freedom and gratitude for it.”

    Zee Cinemas

    Zee Cinema is all set to celebrate this special day with the world television premiere of Good Newwz. Directed by Raj Mehta, the blockbuster family entertainer revolves around the hilarious roller coaster journey of two couples who find themselves in an unusual situation because of a medical goof up.

    Zee Anmol

    Zee Anmol Cinema celebrates the patriotic fervor with ‘Naye Bharat Ka Naya Josh’, a day long movie festival on 15 August. Celebrating this auspicious occasion with Full JOSH, the specially curated movie line up will transport you into a world of bravery, resilience and determination that will evoke the patriot in you. Kickstarting your day with the patriotic flavour will be the action thriller Pukar at 9.30 am. Commending the spirit of heroism and passion will be the thrilling channel premiere of Surya The Soldierstarring Allu Arjun and Anu Emmanuel. It will start  at 1 pm, the movie revolves around an aggressive soldier who aspires to serve at the borders but find trouble after getting into brawls and killing a terrorist. Vidyut Jammwal starrer Commando 2 will be kick starting at 4.30 pm, the movie traces the journey of Commando Karanveer Singh Dogra who is on a mission to eradicate corruption.

    Sony PIX

    On the occasion of Independence Day, Sony PIX will celebrate bravery, grit and courage with blockbuster movies like Mortal Engines, The Incredible Hulk, Furious 7, Jurassic World, Battleship and Rampage, all day on 15 August.

    EPIC TV

    The channel brings to fore the extraordinary Indians and their contributions, achievements, and commitment to build a united and free India. Starting from 7 am on 15 August 2020, audiences can watch Bharat Ki Awaaz for iconic speeches by freedom fighters. In the thoroughly researched ‘Epic Ke Dus’, a panel of experts giving their views, highlighting the significance of the events, and describing the mood of the era.

    Adrishya gives an experience from the point of view of India’s greatest spies like Aziz Un Nisa, Durga Bhabhi, Saraswati Rajamani, Ajit Doval and more. The series revisits the lives of these spies – the danger, the fear, the triumphs and the captures, bringing the spy’s heroic acts through their eyes. And in ‘Ekaant’ visit the famous Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, which is a dark reminiscence of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent. It’s a place where freedom fighters were kept before the independence of India. This place has witnessed the torture and pain given to the people imprisoned here after the first war of independence. This episode gives a glimpse of years of India’s struggle for freedom.

    ShowBox

    ShowBox’s musical programming for Independence day rides high on the wave of patriotism with a specially curated playlist, ‘Freedom Wala Swag’ that will evoke a truckload of nostalgia and overwhelming feelings of being an India. The playlist will air popular songs with touching melodies and powerful lyrics, including Aisa Desh Hai Mera, Desh Rangila, Chak De India. The playlist will be aired between 10 am and 2 pm. 

    Filamchi

    Bhojpuri movie channel, Filamchi also takes a dip in the mood of the day with movies like India Versus Pakistan, Love Aur Rajneeti, Ziddi, Khiladi and Dulhe Raaja, which features leading superstars like Pawan Singh, Ravi Kishan, Khesari Lal and Dinesh Lal to charm the audiences with their drama.

  • Balaji Telefilms elaborates how pandemic hit

    Balaji Telefilms elaborates how pandemic hit

    KOLKATA: The complete shutdown of more than three months has had a sizeable impact on television and movie content creators. Although there has been a notable surge in TV viewing, leading broadcasters are also staring at huge losses as brands have limited their ad spends. In an earnings call, Balaji Telefilms management said that there would be a renegotiation with broadcasters. 

    “We will all have to take a small cut in our end prices but I think we are trying to compensate that by also reducing the cost so that we get closer to the gross margins of this year. It will be a little late than what was there in the financial year that just ended but we are trying to make that good by putting more volume,” the management stated. 

    Balaji Telefilms Ltd had witnessed a sharp decline of Rs 18 crore on the television business side in the Q4 of last financial year. While the pandemic induced crisis started towards the end of the quarter, the production house attributed Rs six crore to the Covid2019 crisis.

    When the industry started feeling the heat of the pandemic, Balaji Telefilms joint managing director and creative head Ekta Kapoor announced that she would forgo a year’s salary of Rs 2.5 crore. Later, several reports floated in late April that it would cut three months salary of their employees. The management mentioned that the salary bill was down to 50 per cent from where it was in pre-Covid2019 time in April, May and June. 

    While production cost was non-existent in that period, it is looking at an overall reduction of minimum 10 to 15 per cent in the production cost both on the digital and television side. “But this has to be measured on a week-to-week basis in the first two weeks of starting production. We are on track and we will keep you updated on how these cost-cutting measures take shape as the year goes on,” the management also mentioned. 

    “All the content that we put on ALTBalaji is for individual audiences whereas our movies and television are for family audiences. Given that theatres are not going to open too soon we will have our business model skewed more towards digital releases, especially for films that cost less than around Rs 25 crore to Rs 30 crore,” it added. 

    The management also addressed the query on finding investors, which was reported earlier by a publication. Although it did not clarify it did not refute it altogether as well. ”We have a roaring digital future. We keep getting enquiries from investors to invest in our platform but we are still holding our horses because we feel we have not reached the peak of our potential and it is going to be an opportunity in this crisis that we are fully poised to exploit in the remaining months of the financial year,” the management said. 

  • “Time to discuss IP ownership”: Contiloe Pictures’ Abhimanyu Singh

    “Time to discuss IP ownership”: Contiloe Pictures’ Abhimanyu Singh

    MUMBAI: Television producers, after a long hiatus, have started shooting with limited cast and crew members. However, taking care of the team and the implementation of other SOP measures has escalated production cost.

    Contiloe Pictures founder and CEO Abhimanyu Singh says that most companies are at a vulnerable stage. Production has come to a standstill where revenue is zero with underlying assets to depend on.

    Singh believes that the IP-based system needs to start so that creators can benefit from reusing, reworking and reutilising their assets. He adds that the entire ecosystem needs to prepare itself to be able to create world-class content.

    He further explains that apart from owning studios, having a stronger production fraternity is good for the creation environment. “Smaller units will always have a problem and the system will remain fractured in the way it functions. If you have a strong infrastructure and strong production companies it will be always helpful to fight any natural disaster.”
     
    Singh is currently shooting with his team in Amgaon and Naigaon where he has arranged a living accommodation for his cast and crew members. The entire arrangement was done within 20 days since the lockdown was imposed. The team at Contiloe Pictures worked overtime to make this transition happen. Nearly 75 people are staying within the studio in Amgaon. Everything from their living cost to food is taken care of by the studio. In the same manner, close to 30 people are staying at the other set in Naigaon.

    Contiloe Pictures has hired an external agency called Momentum India that looks after all the sanitisation, fumigation and other safety measures.

    Singh highlights that shooting is running smoothly with not limited challenges. He shares, “We had over 100 animation people and VFX supervisors because most of our shows require visual effects. Now there are fewer people in one slot. We have two floors where people were working in different shifts which have reduced now. Most of the post-production work is happening remotely.”

    The studio has introduced Adaptra lines, where data transfer happens at a higher speed. He also highlights that even if the cost goes up it is safe for the environment as people are working from home. This will help to stop the mitigation of viruses on the set. Singh says that these added costs will have to be taken for the time being since there isn’t any other option. 

    Singh has introduced very limited changes in the scripts. Storytelling has changed to a certain extent, but the plotline remains the same. A lot of crowd scenes, darbaar sequences are done through CGI (Computer-generated imagery).

    Singh credits the entire industry for coming together in this time of crisis.  He shares, “Most of the industry is shooting for over 40 days now and people are being responsible for their working environment and their units.”

    Contiloe's currently running shows on television include Tenali Rama and Vighnaharta Ganesh. It has also previously created shows like Veer Shivaji, Jhansi ki Rani, Mahabali Hanuman, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Maharana Pratap, Ssshhhh…Koi Hai amongst others.

  • Quash Maharashtra govt’s age limit on sets: IMPPA to Bombay high court

    Quash Maharashtra govt’s age limit on sets: IMPPA to Bombay high court

    MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government allowed shootings to resume but barred people above the age of 65 from participating, deprived them of a livelihood and because of which they are facing starvation, said the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) in its petition, urging the Bombay high court to quash the state government's directive.

    The association represents thousands of film and television producers, short films, programmes, artists and technicians. IMPPA’s petition comes a day after the high court, on a petition by artist Pramod Pandey, questioned the basis of the state government's restriction.

    IMPPA’s petition, filed with the help of advocate Ashok Saraogi, stated that prior to the lockdown, thousands of cast and crew members aged above 65 years participated in the shooting of programmes. But now, the shootings of such films and programmes have been left in between due to non-availability of such people.

    IMPPA president TP Aggarwal stated that for all senior producers, directors, actors and technicians the creative medium is the only source of income and the guideline was not practical and was not fair as in no other profession this condition was imposed. He added, “After sending requests many times, we had to move to the high court for demanding the rights of earning one’s livelihood for these senior people from the fraternity.”

    The IMPPA petition cites how the Karnataka high court had been specifically informed by the central government that individuals above 65 years of age had all the rights to carry out their work and the said restriction was only an advisory to stay at home. Hence, it isn't a binding order and every individual has the right to work for his livelihood and the government could not impose such regulations.

    The petition also informed that the entire trade has come to a standstill and several members who are associated with the film trade are starving and many have committed suicide.

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  • TV show production efficiency impacted by Covid2019: Swastik Productions’ Rahul Kumar Tewary

    TV show production efficiency impacted by Covid2019: Swastik Productions’ Rahul Kumar Tewary

    MUMBAI: A month since TV production resumed, the ride has been bumpy. With sets rigorously sanitised, makeup and hair artists wearing PPE kits, it’s still better than no shoots at all. Swastik Productions producer Rahul Kumar Tewary says that it took a lot of planning to resume shooting.

    “Before beginning the shoot, the cast and crew members of Devi Aadi Parashakti and RadhaKrishn reached Umbergaon, Gujarat, on 8 and 10 June where they were quarantined. There was regular check-up conducted within premises. The labours and crew members are living at the studio itself while artists are living at nearby apartments,” he shares.

    He highlights that the production has created a Covid2019 team that looks after sanitisation and fumigation of the entire set and the places where technicians, crew and artists are living. He clarifies that while shooting there is no contact from the outside world. There are multiple checkpoints on the set to ensure safety and security of people.

    To maintain the grandeur and bring larger-than-life feel in the episodes, Tewary is relying more on VFX than having real people on the set.

    Tewary elaborates, “It is a very difficult ride, the whole production planning, writing of episodes, consumes a lot of time. We are also focusing a lot on the VFX side to showcase more people in the story or a crowd scene. The script is written in a way that no body contact is involved. Massive sets are also avoided. So, all the departments, from the writers to creators, production, execution and technicians, are extremely careful.”

    The production house is using two camera setups and for proper lighting, the DOP is responsible for creating the entire set-up a day or a night prior to save time. Post that only actors are available for the shot sans technicians and camerapersons. This move is to ensure that at any given time there are a smaller number of people available on the set. However, this is making it difficult to get episodes out in time. The production efficiency has been compromised due to the SOP measures.

    Apart from that Tewary praises broadcasters for their constant support and encouragement. He says, “Broadcasters have been hugely impacted by this pandemic. The broadcasters worked hand in hand with producers to ensure we create a bank of episodes.”

    He adds that as the shows are on air, banks are the main thing that will drive momentum on the floor. Every show will initially have the capsule of kahani ab tak to engage audiences.

    The 12-hour shift timing remains the same as it was before the Covid2019. The studio also uses various tools to transmit data.

    Tewary notes that during the pandemic, digital mediums have gained traction. But, he says that the market audience for television and digital are completely different. Both the mediums may overlap to a certain extent, but in the end these are two different market segments. “I believe the digital is growing, but TV will also remain the same. I don’t think there will be too much of an impact on TV programming. There is a certain age group of consumers for the digital content; there is a trend that the youth of India is moving towards the digital side,” he shares.

    He is optimistic that as new content has started airing, TV audiences will be once again glued to the small screen.

  • Zee TV actors connect with fans in a virtual celebration as fresh episodes of their shows kickstart on television

    Zee TV actors connect with fans in a virtual celebration as fresh episodes of their shows kickstart on television

    It’s a celebratory moment for all the Zee TV actors as they gear up to venture into the lives of the audience once again after almost four months through fresh episodes of Zee TV’s popular shows. With the lockdown gradually lifting and people across the country stepping out into the new normal, India’s leading Hindi GEC – Zee TV resumed shoots of its daily primetime dramas recently in line with government directives and on 13th July, they introduced naye kisse, naye episodes of their popular shows into the lives of their loyal viewers. Celebrating this much awaited moment of comeback, actors of shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega and Qurbaan Hua reunited virtually and they had a gala time. But they weren't alone! Their loyal fan base from across the world that has gradually become a part of the Zee Kutumb also joined them in this online celebration called 'Sunheri Shaam'.

     Setting an exciting and entertaining atmosphere for all their special fans, the actors just let their hair down and stepped into an unfiltered fun zone to depict their real side to the viewers. While Mugda Chapekar and Krishna Kaul from Kumkum Bhagya shared their individual experiences of reuniting with fellow s on set and how the new normal has them giving each other hug-like gestures from a few feet apart and new age high-fives in the air without the typical clapping of hactorands, Nishant Singh Malkhani from Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega poked a little light hearted fun at actor Karan Jotwani from Qurbaan Hua for wearing a mask while attending the video call, saying "Videocall ke through Corona nahin hoga" … Coming to Karan's defence was none other than his co-actor Pratibha Ranta along with Manit Joura from Kundali Bhagya, who mentioned that the actor was actually setting a good example for viewers to wear masks for their own safety.

    Sharing their lockdown experiences as well as their #13thKiTayyari, the Zee TV actors also played a fun game of Antakshari in front of their fans. Singing turn by turn, they belted out various songs of their choice. While all the stars won the hearts of their fans irrespective of whether they sang perfectly in tune or just hummed a little, it was Mugda who swept fans off their feet with her sweet, trained voice. The way she sang Tu Mile Dil Khile had the other actors tease her about being a part of the current season of Li'l Champs! That's when some of the Li'l Champs landed up on the virtual call and regaled Zee TV's super fans with their melodious voices.

    As viewers smiled seeing their favourite idols in front of them virtually, the actors decided to take their level of excitement a notch higher by interacting with them on a personal level. From answering questions related to their lockdown regimes to finally resuming shoot amidst all the necessary precautions, the actors were at their candid best and gave their fans an enjoyable evening to remember.

    Sharing her experience on reuniting with her fans and fellow actors, Kumkum Bhagya actress Mugda Chapekar aka Prachi said, “It’s been a while that we all have been away from each other and it was an absolute delight to be able to connect with our fellow Zee TV actors and especially our fans, who have been painstakingly waiting for us to return. The delight on their faces brought a smile on ours and we had a wonderful evening interacting with them and entertaining them. We just hope they keep watching Kumkum Bhagya and showering us with their love.”

    Adding to her experience, Qurbaan Hua actor Karan Jotwani aka Neel said, “The feeling of resuming work was quite exciting, but what was more thrilling was to see our fans as excited on our return. The wait has been quite long for us and them too, but we can definitely say it was all worth it as the new set of episodes will bring in several intriguing twists and turns that will keep them at the edge of their seats. We are delighted to come back and I hope our fans shower all their love on us by tuning into Qurbaan Hua.”

  • Star Plus airs fresh content

    Star Plus airs fresh content

    MUMBAI: Star Plus has brought back original episodes of its popular shows Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke and Yeh Hai Chahatein — on-air with a fresh storyline from running, 13 July. The channel has also announced the launch of its new show Anupamaa, which was supposed to be launched in March but was held due to the spread of Covid2019 and the subsequent lockdown. 

    Star Plus will also host movie premieres on weekends with the world television premiere of Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior on 26 July, 8 pm and Disney’s The Lion King on 8 August, 8 pm. Iconic mythology shows, Ramayana and Mahabharata, will continue to air at 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm, respectively.

    “We are happy to have entertained our viewers throughout the lockdown phase and are excited to bring back their favourite shows after more than 100 days. We hope that our engaging mix of romance, drama series, and light-hearted content along with movie premieres will continue to entertain our viewers,” said a Star Plus spokesperson.

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  • Zee TV rejigs show strategy; adds comedy

    Zee TV rejigs show strategy; adds comedy

    MUMBAI: After a hiatus of nearly three months, television shows finally went on the floors in Mumbai and new episodes started airing from 13 July. GECs are leaving no stones unturned to create the buzz in the market and gain back their viewer interest.

    Zee Entertainment has announced its content comeback via a partnership with its brand partners. Zee collaborated with leading brands – Nestle Maggi, Amul Lassi, PepsiCo, Red Label, Cadbury Dairy Milk, ITC Dark Fantasy to gear up the nation for 13 July, the date of its daily content comeback on Zee TV. ZEEL chief consumer officer Prathyusha Agarwal says that the idea of the teaser was not to mention Zee. According to her the campaign wouldn’t have gone viral if a brand would have mentioned the name of the channel. The idea was to get multiplier reach and audience through a teaser-cum-reveal campaign.

    Agarwal notes that TV consumption has increased by 35 per cent and the channel did a predictive analysis with Nielsen to identify where it is going to settle across genres. The biggest variable that is dictating currently is people sitting at home and people going out for work. It gave the channel a fair idea about the available audience. From being a 'woman as a unit' it changed to 'family as a unit' and brought more people together and this, for her, was the big behavioural change that got established with Covid2019. 

    “We had a Zoom call with our viewers as it was important for us to know how our viewers are feeling. It was not just about what they are viewing but also about what kind of content they are missing. Attitudes and behaviours have changed. Earlier, the day consumption chart looked like one big hump during primetime. But with Covid2019, people are spending more time at home. So there is a non-primetime hump and then there is a primetime one. So, there are more audiences to cater," she shares.

    Given these changes, ZEEL has reworked on its Fixed Point Chart (FPC) strategy to understand how it will handle primetime and non-primetime viewers. "Shifts between genres have happened and supply dictated the demand. With fresh content coming in, the channel is looking at all the genres especially comedy. The channel is trying to introduce the element of comedy in shows through characters and changes in script,” she adds.

    Apart from that, she highlights that there will be no change in programming order. The channel is focusing on creating a larger bank of episodes if there are any stop starts. There is also no change in the inventory choices, it is tailor-made as per the brand.

    While talking about advertisers' response to the new normal, she says, “In the month of April, everyone was wondering what to do next; we didn’t have advertisers. They were also not able to meet the demand on ground. But July is looking very promising. Fill rates are completely back to normal. As the demand has increased significantly in July, I believe advertisers are also keen to meet the demand.”

    The Media Ant co-founder Samir Chaudhary thinks that there will be more advertisements in the non-primetime slot now. Because of the non-travelled behaviour, viewership patterns will remain the same, but the timing will be scattered.

    He adds that inventories will remain the same but more slots will be filled. He says, “Many FMCG brands are eager to advertise as IPL and other events did not happen. But they will be looking more at news channels than GECs because in the past few months the reach has predominantly come from news. However, they will be looking at other segments to advertise.”

    Agarwal further explains that there are different kinds of market. One is where people are not able to use a certain product or they are careful about its usage and for those customers it is critical for brands to create demand. In this situation they are finding ways to trigger demand. The  biggest and active advertisers are FMCG and CPG because people are consuming it a lot more than any other category.

    She adds, “There are decades where nothing happens and then there are weeks where decades happens. In these categories you have brand loyalty that will never change. But during Covid2019 for e.g., you have ten consumption occasions. Consumers were forced to sample other brands and other product options. Hence, it became critical for brands to get back the share. If there is great product and good pricing, consumers are likely to go back. In our business consumers belong to the overdrive consumption category. It is important to get an early mover advantage to gain share.”

    Chaudhary shares that advertising rates will come down by 30-40 per cent and channels will have to incentivise the rates for advertisers to come on board. He adds that as user sentiment has changed, people are buying fewer products so advertisers will get less profit.

    He also notes that most of the brands will go with their core messaging but they might twist their ideas to incorporate pandemic in it. Brands are choosing digital mediums for long ad formats but 30-second or short-form advertisements will continue on television. 

    For Zee TV, out-of-home medium acted as an announcer media, after which campaigns were released on other digital mediums. Agarwal believes that social media has a good number of audiences and platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram can make things viral quicker than word of mouth. The channel adopts a twin strategy for most of its content.

    Zee TV’s singing reality show Sa re ga ma also started production last week. The channel is adopting a hybrid production model to ensure safety and security. According to Agarwal, most of the post-production work is happening remotely. This move has helped it to bring content robustly.