Tag: Television

Guest Column: 5 Trends lending the Power to Believe in Indian TV industry

The four pillars influencing the M&E sector are: Infrastructure, Government policies, Devices and Digital Technologies. Growing consumer demand is inviting policy support driving innovation and resulting in increasing investments in the sector.

There are 5 identifiable trends which lend television industry the power to dream and the analysts the power to believe. These are:
1. Positive Government Directives
2. Surge in Digital consumption
3. Consolidation the new buzzword
4. Rural India beckons
5. Data undergirds everything

1. Positive Government Directives
The M&E industry is expected to leap forward after a slow 2016. 2016 experienced two large government directives which affected the TV industry in negative ways for the short term.

Demonetisation came as a bolt from the blue and shaved off around 2% of ad revenues for the TV industry.

GST as another one to rationalise taxation across the M&E industry. While challenges abound initially, overall M&E industry is however a beneficiary for two reasons:
• Availability of input credits across the board and inclusion of entertainment tax within the ambit of GST are both positive developments.
• Formalisation of economy and widening of tax base will result in overall positive impact on GDP and thereby resultant positive impact on ad spends.

Both Demonetisation and GST will however give a further boost to GDP in the long run. Over and above these, Cable digitisation is already creating a paradigm shift as a game changer with ARPU on an uptrend post digitisation. Even as it is delayed, the same is expected to be completed in 2017.

2. Surge in Digital Consumption
The surge in digital consumption is compelling existing players to take a hard look at their business models. OTT VOD is emerging as a parallel platform along with TV broadcast. Entry of Netflix, Amazon Prime as global leaders; VOOT, OZEE, Hotstar and Sony Liv as broadcast network backed platforms; and Jio Apps and Airtel Wynk as telecom companies backed platforms joining the game with syndicated content offerings.

Development of a sustainable digital ecosystem will be required in the long run to address credible measurement and limited monetisation models.

3. Consolidation the new buzzword
Consolidation is gaining momentum across the value chain. Even as there have been less number of transactions, the good news is that they are of higher value. The three biggest ones are Dish TV and Videocon merger, Ten Sports acquisition by Sony and Reliance ADAG TV broadcast business takeover by Zee.

4. Rural India beckons
Post commencement of rural measurement by BARC, the big story has bene that of the high levels of TV viewing habits of rural India. This has resulted in higher advertising spending in rural HSMs, introduction of new FTA channels and realignment of content focus for mass tastes.

5. Data undergirds everything
Along with the data dividends of digital becoming visible, BARC viewership data has led to consumer analytics becoming indispensable thereby leading to changes in content, distribution and ad strategies.

Conclusion
The long-term future for the television industry is very robust with CAGR projections above 14% for both segments of ad revenues and subscription revenues. The Indian Media & Entertainment industry is on the ball with Television leading the charge.

(Piyush Sharma, a global tech, media and entrepreneurial leader, created the successful foray of Zee Entertainment in India and globally under the ‘Living’ brand. The views expressed here are of the writer’s and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)

August 29, 2017

NDTV Convergence Q1 revenue jumps by 65%; parent company reports loss

MUMBAI: NDTV’s digital business, NDTV Convergence, has enjoyed spectacular growth. Its revenue has jumped by 65 per cent to Rs. 380 million from Rs. 230 million in the same quarter last year. However, the parent company, NDTV, reported a consolidated loss of Rs 220.01 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2017 (Q1-18, current quarter) as compared to a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 76.1 million in the immediate trailing quarter (Q4-17) and a loss of Rs 445.5 million for the corresponding year ago quarter.

NDTV Convergence now has 135 million unique visitors a month,which is more than 100 per cent increase over same period last year. Profit after Tax improved to Rs. 70 million compared to a loss of Rs. 30 million in the same quarter last year

The company launched RailBeeps,a new offering which allows users the fastest possible experience in tracking updates on their railway bookings. The product currently tracks live data on over 12,000 Indian trains, and allows users to discover the best trains, organize all their routes and trips in one place.

NDTV’s consolidated total income was almost the same year-on-year in Q1-18 at Rs 1,096 million as compared to Rs 1085.7 million, but declined sharply quarter-over-quarter from Rs 1,525.2 million.

NDTV’s consolidated total expenditure in the current quarter at Rs 1,284.3 million was substantially lower y-o-y than the Rs 1,477.6 million in Q1-17 and also lower q-o-q than the Rs 1,393.2 million in Q4-17.

The company’s television segment reported slightly lower y-o-y revenue in Q1-18 at Rs 1034.8 million as compared to Rs 1064.1 million in Q1-17 and lower q-o-q than the Rs 1,459.2 million in the immediate trailing quarter.

The group EBITDA improved by Rs. 19 million compared to same quarter last year. EBITDA from Television & Digital segments achieved break-even in this quarter, says the company.

The Group EBITDA loss was reduced from Rs. 210 million last year same quarter to Rs. 2 million in current quarter due to improved contributions from the digital business, cost reduction initiatives, improved productivity and reduction of losses in e-Commerce business.

July 29, 2017
India Today taps Taboola to drive engagement, rev & audience development

MUMBAI: Taboola, one of the world’s leading discovery platforms, has announced an exclusive, three-year renewal agreement with India Today. Under the agreement, India Today will be integrating Taboola’s personalised content recommendations, full page personalisation, newsroom and audience exchange with the goal of driving user engagement, audience development and revenue.

India Today Group is India’s leading and most diversified media conglomerate with magazines, newspapers, books, radio, television, print and internet. India Today first partnered with Taboola in January 2014 with the initial goal of introducing high quality native advertising to consumers, whereby in the new agreement Taboola will work hand in hand with India Today to integrate its full Discovery platform across desktop and mobile devices.

The partnership will leverage Taboola’s suite of platform capabilities. In addition to continuing to serve sponsored content recommendations, India Today will launch Taboola’s Personalization in an effort to increase onsite user engagement. India Today’s properties will also utilize Taboola’s “audience exchange” architecture, which empowers publisher teams to strategically manage and optimize the flow of traffic across the India Today network, driving users to relevant off-site content and high-value video pages.

“We want to double down on serving content that is tailored to users interests and behaviors, so our readers remain engaged and excited about what they are reading,” said India Today Group Editorial Director (Broadcast & New Media) Kalli Purie. “Taboola has already helped us achieve success, we look forward to working towards our goal of driving increased user engagement and audience development.”

“India continues to be one of our fastest growing markets with content consumption and mobile growth on a steady rise. We are humbled to be working with the India Today team in years to come on integrating Taboola’s Discovery platform, and go ‘beyond the widget’ to find meaningful growth around engagement, audience and revenue,” said Taboola founder and CEO Adam Singolda. “Especially in light of massive mobile growth in the Indian market, we’re even more excited to work together on connecting people with content they may like and never knew existed.”

Taboola acts as a search engine in reverse. Instead of expecting people to search for information, Taboola helps information find people at the right time in the form of recommended content. Its predictive engine analyzes hundreds of real-time signals (including location, device type, referral source, social media trends and more) to match users with content they are most likely to be interested in consuming next.

Media consumption in India is on a steady rise and the country has remained a key priority for Taboola, which has established partnerships with several Indian publishers including Times of India, NDTV, Jagran, Bhaskar, Aajtak, Amarujala, Rediff and Deccan Chronicle. The announcement of India Today follows several recent wins by Taboola with leading publishers globally including Entrepreneur.com, El Universal, and Blasting News.

Also Read:

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Economical digital headend solution: VideoPropulsion to start shipments for cable TV

February 28, 2017
Ortel plans Rs 300 cr investment to improve efficiency & reach

MUMBAI: Odisha’s largest multi-system operator (MSO) Ortel Communications plans to invest Rs 300 crore on expansion over the next two years. Ortel CEO BP Rath said it would utilise IPO proceeds, internal accrual, debt and equity to meet its need.

Ortel, a regional cable television service-provider, is engaged in the distribution of analog and digital cable television services, high-speed broadband services & Voice over Internet Protocol services. Currently focused in the states of Orissa, Chhattishgarh, Andra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh & West Bengal, Ortel focuses on building a two-way state-of-the-art communication network enabled for ‘Triple Play’ services (video , data, and voice capabilities) with control over the ‘last mile’ .

Rath said that Ortel would be making the investment on upgrading and expansing its infrastructure. The investment would help strengthen Ortel’s efficiency, reach and competitiveness. Ortel, which manages 90 per cent of its subscribers directly, in September last year, had a subs base of around 805,000.

Also Read:

BSNL leader in wireline b’band subs addition in Oct-16; Jio joins top five wireless list

MSO Ortel strengthens digital payment services

Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

January 23, 2017
Ortel plans Rs 300 cr investment to improve efficiency & reach

MUMBAI: Odisha’s largest multi-system operator (MSO) Ortel Communications plans to invest Rs 300 crore on expansion over the next two years. Ortel CEO BP Rath said it would utilise IPO proceeds, internal accrual, debt and equity to meet its need.

Ortel, a regional cable television service-provider, is engaged in the distribution of analog and digital cable television services, high-speed broadband services & Voice over Internet Protocol services. Currently focused in the states of Orissa, Chhattishgarh, Andra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh & West Bengal, Ortel focuses on building a two-way state-of-the-art communication network enabled for ‘Triple Play’ services (video , data, and voice capabilities) with control over the ‘last mile’ .

Rath said that Ortel would be making the investment on upgrading and expansing its infrastructure. The investment would help strengthen Ortel’s efficiency, reach and competitiveness. Ortel, which manages 90 per cent of its subscribers directly, in September last year, had a subs base of around 805,000.

Also Read:

BSNL leader in wireline b’band subs addition in Oct-16; Jio joins top five wireless list

MSO Ortel strengthens digital payment services

Q1-17: Infrastructure leasing segment pulls down Ortel’s numbers

January 23, 2017
Samsung’s new campaign on customer service

MUMBAI: Samsung India recently launched a nationwide digital and television campaign showcasing its initiative to take customer service to the doorsteps of consumers in the hinterlands.

The new campaign – conceptualised by Cheil India and unveiled across 50 channels — showcases the journey of a young Samsung engineer, who is on his way to help with services in a remote village in India. The commercial underlines Samsung’s vision of creating long-term relationship with its consumers through timely service.

Samsung India CMO Ranjivjit Singh said their new initiative of expanding to rural India, right up to the taluka level, helps them in taking care of their valued customers, wherever they were. The new campaign video gives a glimpse of yet another initiative towards ‘Make for India’ commitment.

Cheil India CCO Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar said even the most advanced products needed some TLC once in a while. While others might expect visiting the service centres, Samsung visits the consumer instead. That’s the measure of Samsung’s emotional investment in its customers.

January 4, 2017
Samsung’s new campaign on customer service

MUMBAI: Samsung India recently launched a nationwide digital and television campaign showcasing its initiative to take customer service to the doorsteps of consumers in the hinterlands.

The new campaign – conceptualised by Cheil India and unveiled across 50 channels — showcases the journey of a young Samsung engineer, who is on his way to help with services in a remote village in India. The commercial underlines Samsung’s vision of creating long-term relationship with its consumers through timely service.

Samsung India CMO Ranjivjit Singh said their new initiative of expanding to rural India, right up to the taluka level, helps them in taking care of their valued customers, wherever they were. The new campaign video gives a glimpse of yet another initiative towards ‘Make for India’ commitment.

Cheil India CCO Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar said even the most advanced products needed some TLC once in a while. While others might expect visiting the service centres, Samsung visits the consumer instead. That’s the measure of Samsung’s emotional investment in its customers.

January 4, 2017
Malhotra’s Alchemy to launch five shows in ’17

MUMBAI: One show old in the television industry, the name Alchemy Productions might sound new to the world but the person leading the production house is definitely not new. His production house plans to launch five show in 2017.

Director-producer Siddharth P Malhotra has been in the industry for over a decade now.

Apart from the shows, Malhotra, who also directed “We Are Family,” is working on his second film now, with a leading production house. Malhotra is also planning to launch a new division in his company, which will produce plays for theatres.

Known for shows such as ‘Dil Mil Gaye,’ ‘EK Hazaaro Me Meri Behna Hai,’ ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ and many more, the producer has also been known for his family business Cinevistaas Productions. He is well-versed with the art and craft of creating shows, which were produced under the banner of Cinevistaas.

Talking about the split, Malhotra said, “Cinevistaas was getting into the development of land, studio and aimed at other things in life. I was more keen in the production aspect of it. My job was only to be a creative and not get into production. There comes a point when everybody needs to grow. And, if you are not ready to willingly give me those responsibilities, then bless me and free me. We are family, and I am not splitting away but i need to start of my own.”

2016 is the year when Malhotra decided to move out from Cinevistaas, and start his own production house Alchemy along with his wife Sapna. The production house launched its first show Ichhapyaari Naagin for Sab TV in September.

“I pretty much started from scratch, literally with almost nil bank balance. I have been lucky as the people I have been associated with for so long stood by me, including the channels. I went to Anooj (Kapoor) sir with the concept in Sab TV and I told him this is my concept, and I want to do it on my own. He knew me from the time Sab TV launched. He liked my concept and said, “Let’s do it.”

“Before that, we worked on ‘Lo Ho Gai Pooja Iss Ghar Ki.’ Raghuvir Shekhawat is writing all my shows, but I am unsure about his pay packet. From this, you would know the mutual trust among us,” he said. “I have with me Santram Sharma too; at present he is not doing any show but he stood by me like a rock. I am very fortunate to be working with such interesting people,” he added.

The four-month-old company, which started with a single show for Sony Pictures Network’s comedy channel Sab TV, is now working on five shows for all the leading Hindi GECs in India. “The struggle has been on how to put things together and getting the right people,” Malhotra said.

Alchemy is fully owned by Malhotra and his wife Sapna.

Talking about his upcoming shows, he said Alchemy was producing a family drama for Zee TV which was slated to be launched in January 2017. He is also producing shows for Sony which is a pure love story, which he is known for.

The next show in the offing is considered to be television’s biggest show ever on Star Plus, tentatively titled ‘Kya tu meri laage’ bringing on the small screen for the first time the Bollywood actor Minisha Lamba and a bunch of big television stars in the show. The show, written by Nina Arora, is already being talked about and published on various platforms.

December 8, 2016
Malhotra’s Alchemy to launch five shows in ’17

MUMBAI: One show old in the television industry, the name Alchemy Productions might sound new to the world but the person leading the production house is definitely not new. His production house plans to launch five show in 2017.

Director-producer Siddharth P Malhotra has been in the industry for over a decade now.

Apart from the shows, Malhotra, who also directed “We Are Family,” is working on his second film now, with a leading production house. Malhotra is also planning to launch a new division in his company, which will produce plays for theatres.

Known for shows such as ‘Dil Mil Gaye,’ ‘EK Hazaaro Me Meri Behna Hai,’ ‘Ek Hasina Thi’ and many more, the producer has also been known for his family business Cinevistaas Productions. He is well-versed with the art and craft of creating shows, which were produced under the banner of Cinevistaas.

Talking about the split, Malhotra said, “Cinevistaas was getting into the development of land, studio and aimed at other things in life. I was more keen in the production aspect of it. My job was only to be a creative and not get into production. There comes a point when everybody needs to grow. And, if you are not ready to willingly give me those responsibilities, then bless me and free me. We are family, and I am not splitting away but i need to start of my own.”

2016 is the year when Malhotra decided to move out from Cinevistaas, and start his own production house Alchemy along with his wife Sapna. The production house launched its first show Ichhapyaari Naagin for Sab TV in September.

“I pretty much started from scratch, literally with almost nil bank balance. I have been lucky as the people I have been associated with for so long stood by me, including the channels. I went to Anooj (Kapoor) sir with the concept in Sab TV and I told him this is my concept, and I want to do it on my own. He knew me from the time Sab TV launched. He liked my concept and said, “Let’s do it.”

“Before that, we worked on ‘Lo Ho Gai Pooja Iss Ghar Ki.’ Raghuvir Shekhawat is writing all my shows, but I am unsure about his pay packet. From this, you would know the mutual trust among us,” he said. “I have with me Santram Sharma too; at present he is not doing any show but he stood by me like a rock. I am very fortunate to be working with such interesting people,” he added.

The four-month-old company, which started with a single show for Sony Pictures Network’s comedy channel Sab TV, is now working on five shows for all the leading Hindi GECs in India. “The struggle has been on how to put things together and getting the right people,” Malhotra said.

Alchemy is fully owned by Malhotra and his wife Sapna.

Talking about his upcoming shows, he said Alchemy was producing a family drama for Zee TV which was slated to be launched in January 2017. He is also producing shows for Sony which is a pure love story, which he is known for.

The next show in the offing is considered to be television’s biggest show ever on Star Plus, tentatively titled ‘Kya tu meri laage’ bringing on the small screen for the first time the Bollywood actor Minisha Lamba and a bunch of big television stars in the show. The show, written by Nina Arora, is already being talked about and published on various platforms.

December 8, 2016
PEMRA suspends ARY’s Nickelodeon licence for airing Indian content

MUMBAI: It wants to signal it means business. And, that it is not going to tolerate any laxity on its diktat to totally ban Indian content on television, radio and cinema in Pakistan. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) yesterday suspended the landing licence of Viacom TV channel Nickelodeon for airing animation shows dubbed in Hindi.

PEMRA made the announcement via a tweet from its twitter handle late last evening.

The channel is distributed in Pakistan via the Ary Digital Network which has its headquarters in Dubai. ARY runs a clutch of channels including ARY News, Zindagi, QTV, Muzik, Digital etc.

ARY is broadcast in several Asian countries through the services of Samacom’s uplinking earth station based in the UAE. The network has Mohammed Iqbal as its chairperson; Salman Iqbal being its president & CEO.

The authority had issued an order last month directing Pakistani channels to reduce Indian content to six per cent, and followed it up with another notice forcing them to reduce it to zero by 21 October. It has stated that those violating its order would face dire consequences, among which could include cancellation or suspension of downlinking (read: landing) and uplinking permissions that it grants.

A clutch of broadcasters under the Pakistan Broadcasters Association has been contemplating taking PEMRA to court for its hard stance on the Indian and foreign content issue.

Related stories:

Pakistan gets tough on Indian DTH & content

Pak bans Indian TV content, films from being screened

PEMRA Indian content ban to impact broadcasters

“Let India open its market, we will open ours” – PEMRA chairman Absar Alam

Pakistan Broadcasters Association to oppose PEMRA Indian content ban

November 1, 2016