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Tag: Times now

  • News channels reform before Modi’s big Budget 2014

    News channels reform before Modi’s big Budget 2014

    NEW DELHI: The presentation of the general budget on 10 July morning by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will perhaps be the most keenly watched analysis of the financial shape of the nation since the early 90s when the then Finance Minister Manmohan Singh presented his budget.

     

    This is also perhaps the first time in recent years that the budget is being presented by a man from the legal profession.

     

    Although only Lok Sabha TV has the permission to cover the budget live from inside the portals of Lok Sabha, almost every channel in the country – and certainly every business channel – will be taking the beam from Lok Sabha TV and then adding its own analysis programmes.

     

    CNBC TV18, Doordarshan News, Times Now, and most other News channels plan to commence the discussion on the budget from around 8.00 am with experts talking about expectations, and then beaming the live presentation from 11.00 am onwards.

     

     The entry of websites like moneycontrol.com and economylead.com streaming the budget and by social media will be an added feature this year, as many websites have already announced plans in this regard.

     

    With the new dispensation in place, the aspirations of the common man are soaring high and many are wondering whether the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will live up to its slogan of ‘Acche din aaney waley hain.’

     

    The presentation is expected to be followed soon after by the reaction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Doordarshan and Lok Sabha TV and an exhaustive interview of Jaitley about his budget on Doordarshan.

     

    In addition, channels will cover live the press meet by senior Finance Ministry officials in the afternoon about the various facets of the budget.

     

    The coverage on CNBC TV18 will be led by Shereen Bhan, on Times Now by Arnab Goswami, and on NDTV 24×7 by Prannoy Roy. Times Now has articulated its standpoint by saying ‘Everyone deserves a piece of this super budget. Get Yours.’ The channel though also warns that it may be a bitter pill.

     

    Other channels like CNN-IBN, Aaj Tak, ABP News, Sahara Samay, P-7, News X and others have also lined up experts who will analyse the budget. The channels will also have teams that will go to Parliament House premises to get the reactions of various political leaders.

     

     For the business channels, it will be a particularly exhaustive day as they will also have a link with the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange to get the latest ups and downs.

     

     Zee Business which is a Hindi business News channel will telecast the pre-Budget discussions and analysis from 7.00 am onwards and will bring in live and uninterrupted coverage of the Budget Speech. The channel will articulate, analyse and keep the common man abreast of all the impacts that Budget is going to have on their daily lives.

     

     Interestingly themed as the ‘Abki baar, sapne sakaar,’ Zee Business will have expert panels, business leaders and corporate captains throughout the day to give their expert advice. After the Finance Minister’s speech, Zee Business will undertake a series of power packed Budget Bulletins. Some of these bulletins will comprise high power panel discussions and will involve expert comments from the nation’s top business leaders and policy makers.  Some of the key Ministers holding important portfolios have already appeared and shared their views, and will also do so during post-Budget analysis programmes. They include Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal, Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

     

    Special shows have been conceptualised with thorough research from the industry point of view without losing the ground reality and its impact on the common man. Expert opinions, industry perspective viz–a–viz market reaction and informative bulletins will be telecast.

     

    Zee Business will also organise a viewer’s engagement programme throughout the day from different parts of the country where commoners get a voice to air their reaction and feedback on the pertinent issues on budget.

     

     Zee Media CEO Samir Ahluwalia said, “With clear understanding of the expectations of the India Inc. as well as indications of the common man, Zee Business is poised to present a comprehensive Budget coverage. Through special programming and initiatives focusing on budget expectations, analysis and impact, Zee Business will once again ensure specialised coverage on Budget Day.”

     

    Added CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan, “The key question we will be asking is if the budget will be able to deliver. There will be a sharp focus on market reactions, the stance taken by other countries giving India a thumbs up and about investment in domestic capital. We will analyse the long term and short term ideas the government has as well as the reforms that will be taken up to revive the economy.”

  • ET Now decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    ET Now decodes the most awaited #Budget2014

    MUMBAI: As The Modi Government gears up to present its first Union Budget, India’s No.1 Business News Channel ET NOW is set to launch a power packed line up of shows. ET NOW will be kicking off its special two-week long comprehensive programming from June 30, 7:30 pm. Over 10 special shows will be aired in the run up to the Big Budget that will cover not just key sectoral expectations but also the economic imperatives of this Make-or-Break exercise. Given the significance of this budget, ET NOW has aptly used the tagline ‘The Big Reset’ for its entire budget programming.

     

    MK Anand, Managing Director and CEO, Times Television Network said, “This is the new government’s maiden budget and ET NOW will bring together leading experts across different fields in India, think-tanks, global investors and the country’s best editorial minds to decipher and analyse the Union Budget 2014. Through our shows, we aim to reach out to every Indian from industrialists to the common man by providing a detailed coverage on the run up to the Budget and the Budget Day.”

     

    R.Sridharan, Managing Editor, ET NOW said “We have the most powerful line up of seasoned experts in the business. ET NOW will also have the most viewer-friendly screen and the fastest flashes. Our programming line-up caters every key stakeholder in the economy ranging from the CEO to the retail investor.  The viewers’ overwhelming response to our Budget 2013 programming is a vindication of the tremendous value that our content delivers.”

     

    Jatin Bhatt, CMO – TIMES NOW, ET NOW &ZoOm, said, “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget from the Modi Government, ET NOW has put together an extensive programming line-up that will give audiences a holistic view on the Indian economy and the impact it will have after the Union Budget 2014 is announced.  For a channel like ours, Union Budget is an opportunity to present the most engaging and eclectic content that builds credibility among our existing viewers and helps generating new audiences.

     

    ET NOW’s Budget programming will be led by India’s most respected economist- SwaminathanAiyar, who is also the channel’s Consulting Editor. Apart from SwaminathanAiyar, other prominent economists like BibekDebroy and MythiliBhusnurmath will be commenting exclusively on ET NOW.

     

    The key shows are as follows:

     

    Budget 2014:The Politics of Budget

     

    Budget 2014 will be the budget presented by the new government in power. ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate to quiz the biggest political commentators on the politics that will be at play for Budget 2014

    Date:  30th June, 7.30 pm

     

    Budget 2014:Cracking the Tax Code

     

    Panel Discussion will focus on  the key taxation issues in the run up to Budget 2014. Some of the biggest tax experts and lawyers will be analysing the likely tax reforms and their impact on corporate India and the taxpayer.

    Date: 1st July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Global View

     

    The show to decode the game changing reforms that could change market sentiment and attract foreign money, the expectations of the investors. Catch top Global Fund Managers and Market experts share their budget expectations exclusively on ET NOW.

    Date: 2nd July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: The Market Makers Budget Special

     

    Stocks Editor Nikunj Dalmia to interview big market voices on market expectations from Budget and stocks and sectors to watch out for.

    Date: 3rd July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Macroscope

     

    A discussion programme anchored by MythiliBhusnurmath that gives a view of the macroeconomic imperatives faced by the  government, and how the Budget is likely to address them.

    Date: 4th July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: What Markets Want

     

    Nikunj Dalmia to interview (3-person panel) with three of the biggest market voices analysing the market expectations from Budget 2014

    Date: 7th July, 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Rail Budget

     

    The NarendraModi-led NDA government will announce its maiden Railway Budget in Parliament. Just as the General Budget, the Rail Bugdet is also keenly watched by experts and the country as a whole. Watch the extensive coverage of the Budget only on ET Now with eminent experts from various fields

    Date: 8th July, 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: Budget & India Inc

     

    A panel discussion anchored by ET NOW’s National Editor Sandeep Gurumurthi. It will bring together the top names from corporate India to talk about how the Budget can spur growth, and give an impetus to the reform process. India Inc’s biggest CEOs  will share their wishlist.

    Time: 7:30 pm

     

    Budget 2014: Eco Survey 2014

     

    A detailed coverage of annual document of the Ministry of Finance, In the Economic Survey programming ET NOW will speak to experts about the developments in the Indian economy over the previous 12 months and will also analyse the reforms roadmap of the govt.

    Date: 9th July; 11:00 am

     

    Budget 2014: An Agenda for the FM

     

    The biggest Macro-minds and economists come together to present an Agenda for the FM. Catch ET NOW’s Budget Think Tank:  SwaminathanAiyar, BibekDebroyand  Punita Kumar Sinha present an Agenda for the FM.This show will be anchored by ET NOW’s Policy Editor SupriyaShrinate.

    Time: 6:30 pm

     

    Budget Day programming

     

    The Budget Day will have budget special programming all through the day with ET NOW’s best line of experts comprising CEO’s, Economists, Market Experts and Foreign investors.

     

    Stay Tuned to ET NOW all this Budget season for the most credible and accurate analysis of Budget 2014.

  • This FIFA, news channels will even the score

    This FIFA, news channels will even the score

     MUMBAI: It’s raining goals this FIFA World Cup. Favourites are being kicked out while the underdogs are rising up the points table. And news channel are now vying to latch on to the football fever by focusing on dedicated FIFA shows and content.

     

    Official FIFA broadcaster, Sony Six, has associated with India’s premier news channel Times Now, to provide excerpts from their two shows: Café Rio and Football Extraaa, but not match content. Times Now utilises this exclusive content consisting of expert analysis for its sports slot between 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

     

     According to Sony Six assistant vice president marketing Murtuza Madraswala the association with the newscaster will benefit them both. He says, “We are happy to associate with Times Now as there is a synergy in our passion for the sport and we cater to a similar profile of target audience. FIFA World Cup is the greatest sporting extravaganza and this partnership only adds to the magic and the fervour of the greatest party in the world!”

     

     Other major news channels too have joined the FIFA bandwagon by bringing in dedicated shows with big names associated as anchors and guests. Some of these channels include ABP News, ABP Ananda, CNN-IBN, IBN7, Headlines Today, NewsX and Al Jazeera.

     

     Headlines Today has come up with Carniball2014: Brazil which is aired between 7 pm to 8 pm every night. It covers performances and off-field developments with pre and post analysis of the games.

     

     The guest line up for Carniball2014, anchored by Shivani Gupta, comprises of former India manager Eric Benny, sports historian and consulting editor from Kolkata Boria Majumdar, former India skipper and current ISL football team owner Sourav Ganguly, I- league winning coach of Bengaluru FC team Ashley Westwood, super model Gabriela Bertante, soccer expert Roy Hay and director of the national football museum in Manchester Kevin Moore.

     

    The ABP group’s main show Duniya Gol Hai is aired at 8:30 am and 10:30 pm. The morning version focuses on match results, golden boot contenders and light features whereas the evening show is primarily a preview based show looking at players to watch out for and the games to expect. The group’s impressive guest lineup has famous Indian midfielder Renedy Singh whose career graph extends 14 long years. Joining him is football commentator Ghaus Mohammad and the show is anchored by GS Vivek along with a news anchor and two correspondents who are covering FIFA from Brasil.

     

    The ABP group, through ABP Ananda, has also focused on the regional Bengali market where a large football fan base exists. MCCS marketing manager Vikas Singh says, “Through ABP Ananda we have a battery of experts and a round the clock coverage catering extensively to the high fan base market like Bengal. For us, FIFA World Cup is not a sports event but a news event.”

     

    Network18’s CNN-IBN and IBN7 are not far behind. A Beautiful Game airs on CNN-IBN while Mission Brazil airs on IBN7. The expert lineup includes renowned former Moroccan footballer and coach Karim Bencherifa, football analyst and commentator Novy Kapadia and former captain and coach of the Indian football team Shabbir Ali.

     

    Commenting on the network’s special programming, IBN18 Network editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai said, “Football has a massive fan following in India and our extensive programming will be an absolute treat for the football enthusiasts of the nation. The programming will focus on providing extensive coverage of the tournament including unmatched analysis of the strategies adopted by various teams and a scrutiny of the players’ performances.”

     

    Tapping into the FIFA fever, Al Jazeera English has introduced Football Rebels, a show presented and narrated by former Manchester United star Eric Cantona. It is a five part documentary that sheds light on some unusual stories of football heroes.

     

     Meanwhile, News X has a special show-War of the World aired from Monday to Friday at 8:30 am and 6:30 pm and7:30 pm on Saturday and Sundays. Its morning show features guests like former EPL footballer with Liverpool Mark Seagraves, football journalist Anurag Jacob and News X consulting editor Ayaz Memon. War of the World is anchored by sports anchor Anil Senghera.

     

     India News has launched Dan Dana Dan which is broadcast daily at 7:30 am and 6:30 pm. Dan Dana Dan is anchored by  Rajeev Mishra along with a guest line up of ex FIFA referee Melvyn Da Souza, former Mohan Bagan coach Santosh Kayshap and former India players Mahesh Gawli and Shamsi Raza.

     

     To make the shows more engaging and interactive in nature, a few of the news channels have realised that it is extremely important to engage with netizens and make them active viewers rather than just passive audiences. Headlines Today has two contests – a Carniball Weekly Contest and Trivia of the Day. Participants stand a chance to win Adidas FIFA merchandise and a Maruti Suzuki Swift Car. On twitter the channel has been engaging with the twitterati by creating the hashtag #Carniball2014. These tweets are displayed on air during the show.

     

    For those who think that news channels only show political news seem to forget that FIFA is not just a sport; it’s a news maker and audience capturer all by itself!

  • Times Now eyes ‘super’ viewership this budget

    Times Now eyes ‘super’ viewership this budget

    MUMBAI: Times Now, it seems, has made ‘super’ its trademark for shows. After a successful ‘Super Primetime’ that was created during the elections and is on-air even now, the English news channel is creating a special band of shows targeting the budget.

     

    ‘Super Budget 2014’ will be a congregation of debate shows, interviews, analysis and discussions with Times Now editor in chief Arnab Goswami and economists like Omkar Goswami, Lord Meghnad Desai, Dr Rajeev Kumar and Sunil Alagh who will discuss issues regarding the common man’s expectations from the budget 2014.

     

    Some of the ‘Super Budget 2014’ shows include Budget Roundtable that is a series of two shows of one hour each with Goswami, Times Now political and economy editor Navika Kumar and will air on 28 June and 5 July. Budget Expectation: World’s Eye on India will show the world’s expectation from the budget with international panelists such as Jagdish Bhagwati and Andrew Ferris. The show will go on air on the same two days for half an hour each. My Budget Wish-list is a series of vignettes that give the common man a chance to voice his opinion of what he wants from this year’s budget.

     

    Speaking on the new programming lineup Times Now, ET Now and zoom chief marketing officer Jatin Bhatt said, “After the highly successful general elections campaign where we garnered the highest numbers by far, we are looking at strengthening our lead by the line up towards the budget. Times Now will have a 360 degree consumer centric marketing program with innovations will help us get more viewers, achieve higher growth and viewership numbers.”

     

    Digital medium is being used to find out audiences’ wish-list for the same. Both the union budget and the railway budget will be covered live on the channel.

  • Chrome Data: Only one genre gains in week 23

    Chrome Data: Only one genre gains in week 23

    MUMBAI: Only one genre saw the upward trend in the opportunity to see (OTS) data collated by Chrome Data Analytics & Media for week 23.

     

    The gainer for the week was the English News channel in the eight metros which saw a slight jump of 0.2 per cent. In the category, Times Now continued its reign with 88.5 per cent OTS.

     

    While English Entertainment channels in the eight metros fell 1.9 per cent. AXN with 72.2 per cent OTS topped the genre. Similarly, Business News channels in the eight metros too dropped by 1.5 per cent. Zee Business with 79.9 per cent OTS was the top gainer.

     

    Other genres which saw the downward trend were Infotainment channel across the nation with 1.3 per cent and Hindi News in the Hindi speaking market (HSM) with 1 per cent.

     

    National Geographic Channel with 86.4 per cent OTS and ABP News with 94.5 per cent OTS topped their respective genres.

     

  • Times Now – Creating History yet again on Social Media

    Times Now – Creating History yet again on Social Media

    MUMBAI: TIMES NOW, India’s No. 1 English News channel has successfully executed the biggest election campaign on social media in the last 90 days. TIMES NOW, in the last one and a half months recorded tremendous interaction and engagement levels on all election related activities across platforms like social media, mobile and on air integration.

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    • Across six days we had more than 10 hashtags trending worldwide with #Results2014 and #May16WithArnab both being top trends worldwide for both 15th and 16th May. #Results2014 and #May16 With Arnab both were top trends worldwide for both 15th and 16th May.

    •100+ hashtags trended during the 90 days of coverage on TIMES NOW

    • 400 million+ potential impressions were generated by TIMES NOW hashtags on Twitter during the Elections Counting Week

    • We also used the innovative Tweet to SMS service to provide election result updates to more than 38,000 people directly to their mobile via SMS

    • TIMES NOW itself garnered more than 3.8 lakh followers across the campaign period

    TIMES NOW INDIA’S ELECTION HQ APP

    • TIMES NOW app got more than 1,00,000 downloads in two weeks with more than 1.5 million + page views on the app, 3.5 lakh + live feed views & 4.5 lakh + video views

    • The app was the featured app on Android, Windows and Apple for the election week

    YOUTUBE

    • 4 lac+ people logged in on the TIMES NOW’s LIVE YouTube feed to watch the counting day coverage live

    • 1.5+ million views on TIMES NOW’s YouTube channel in a period of 15 days on video content created around the elections

    We wanted to make sure that TIMES NOW provided content across platforms and facilitated information dissemination to the audience in the most proactive manner. We used a mixture of social networks, mobile applications, SMS service as well as live feeds in order to make sure that our audience had the most updated election news across 90 days.

    Social Network: We primarily used twitter to reach out to our audiences since, as an English News channel, we have a huge audience overlap with this particular social media platform. The campaign was driven largely by the television content but was amplified by social media. We took the twitter sentiments and created on air components with them, seamlessly creating cross platform content integration. We created a huge buzz on twitter across the counting week from May 8th onwards with hashtags like #MegaExitPolls,  #PollofPolls, #ModiSpeaksToArnab, #May16WithArnab, #Results2014, #TimesNowatTimesSquare and #Modiat7RCR trending in India & Worldwide. This was achieved through a mix of pre event seeding and conversation drivers. For example, for the Modi interview, we had less than twelve hours to create a buzz since the story broke in the morning and the airing was in the evening. So we made sure that enough conversation happened around the hashtag by creating vines from the episode to build anticipation, using images and quotes; and pushing out tune in reminders. Also, on the 15th, to create brand recall and drive viewership, we had a contest (for the first time ever from the Times Now handle) which asked people to tell us their views on the issues which would be addressed on counting day.  The contest got massive response with the hashtag #May16WithArnab trending worldwide for both the days. Across the campaign we concentrated on coining hashtags which were simple to use, easy to insert in conversations and most importantly were relevant to the news of the day.

    We also made twitter updates accessible to people via SMS through the TimesNowLive handle for all major events like exit polls, counting days and government formation.

    Regular updates of news were also done on facebook and google+, again with the same hashtag to maintain continuity. This was also displayed on screen, to drive maximum recall.

    Mobile: TIMES NOW launched the exclusive election app, bringing live feed and video content of all the election programming while giving viewers a chance to interact with each other and the channel. This created an immersive second screen experience for our viewers and led to a large amount of engagement.

    Video Content:  The election coverage was also available on Youtube as a LIVE feed and was a part of the election hub created by Google especially for the event. We also strategically used vine videos throughout the campaign to promote stand alone events like interviews, breaking news etc.

    With such stupendous growth & performance, TIMES NOW is only set to create bigger records & grow exponentially on Social Media with more & more audience engaging with us.

    Click here for full report

  • Chrome Data: Music reigns supreme in week 22

    Chrome Data: Music reigns supreme in week 22

    MUMBAI: The highest gainer in the week 22 of opportunity to see (OTS) collated by Chrome Data Analytics and Media was the Music genre.

     

    In the Hindi speaking market (HSM), the genre witnessed a jump of 1.8 per cent with Sony Mix topping the charts with 88.8 per cent.

     

    With a huge margin between the two, the genre which came in second was Kids across the country with 0.5 per cent increase. Cartoon Network continued its reign on the top with 84.6 per cent OTS.

     

    English movie channels in the eight metros and Hindi movie channels in the HSM saw a jump of 0.2 per cent.

     

    Movies Now toppled Pix to gain the most with 76.2 per cent OTS in the English movie category while Star Gold continued its run on the top with 95.8 per cent OTS.

     

    As for the genres which moved southward, English Entertainment in the eight metros dropped by 1.8 per cent with AXN ruling the roost with 72.4 per cent OTS.

     

    English news in the eight metros too fell by 1 per cent; however, Times Now reigned supreme with 87.6 per cent OTS.

     

    Sports channels across the country dropped by 0.6 per cent, followed by Hindi News channels in the HSM which dropped 0.4 per cent.

     

    Ten Sports with 76.4 per cent OTS and ABP News with 94.2 per cent topped their respective genres.

  • PM swearing in ceremony gets global reach through television and social media

    PM swearing in ceremony gets global reach through television and social media

    NEW DELHI: In a dignified function rarely seen, Indian television channels today globally beamed live the swearing in of Narendra Modi as the fifteenth Prime Minister of the country, along with his team of 44 Ministers and Ministers of State.

     

    Around 4,000 people including all the leaders of the SAARC countries and Mauritius were present in the front courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan where President Pranab Mukherjee swore in the Prime Minister and his team.

     

    Apart from the stars of Bollywood who have made it to the portals of Parliament House, others who were present included Anupam Kher, Dharmendra, Salman Khan with father Salim Khan, Bappie Lahiri, Suresh Oberoi and Vivek Oberoi.

     

    The winning stars seen at the ceremony included Vinod Khanna, Manoj Tiwari, Smriti Irani and Hema Malini.

     

    While all television channels were allowed to come to Rashtrapati Bhavan and were stationed at the back of the entire assembly, only Doordarshan was permitted to beam the oath taking ceremony from close quarters.  

     

    As a result, most channels beamed the ceremony by taking the feed from Doordarshan, though many had their own commentators and experts who spoke about the various persons as they were sworn in.

     

    While channels like Times Now preferred to show the commentary by Doordarshan’s Sanjeev Upadhyaya and Gaura Lal Dhawan before and after the swearing in, several other channels like NDTV 24×7 showed the visuals from DD but had its own experts speaking about each person as he/she came up to take the oath.

     

    DD, which had the live coverage on its national channel and DD News, also made arrangements for simultaneous translation into sign language for the hearing impaired. The live telecast was also beamed live on DD’s website and its channel on YouTube, President Pranab Mukherjee’s site presidentofindia.nic.in and on the Prime Minister’s website pmindia.nic.in.

     

    The telecast commenced around 40 minutes before the ceremony commenced, showing the arrival of various VIPs and leaders of different parties,  including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. 

     

    The last time that ceremonies of this nature – though smaller magnitude – were held in the front courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan was in 1990 and 1998 when Chandrashekhar and Atal Behari Vajpayee were sworn in as Prime Ministers.

     

    However, this was the first  time since 1991 (when Rajiv Gandhi was cremated) that all the SAARC leaders were seen together in India.

     

    Modi, who has been tweeting throughout the campaign and even after being elected, used the opportunity to send out a message to the people and the media through the Prime Minister’s website, pmindia.nic.in.

     

    Referring to the social media and the internet, he said: “I envision this website as a very important medium of direct communication between us. I am a firm believer in the power of technology and social media to communicate with people across the world. I hope this platform creates opportunities to listen, learn and share one’s views. 

    “Through this website you will also get all the latest information about my speeches, schedules, foreign visits and lot more. I will also keep informing you about innovative initiatives undertaken by the Government of India.” 

     

    A section has been inserted on the website to greet the Prime Minister or send him a message.

     

     

  • IBN18 Network ropes in Avinash Kaul as CEO

    IBN18 Network ropes in Avinash Kaul as CEO

    MUMBAI: Times Television Network (TTN) CEO Avinash Kaul has decided to move on from the Network. The former TTN CEO has joined Network18 group as IBN18 Network CEO.  In his new role, Kaul will be responsible for the day-to-day operational, strategic and financial management of the general news network. Amongst the key tasks mandated for Kaul is the consolidation and diversification of TV18’s general news network.

     

    Network18 group CEO B Saikumar said, “Avinash brings a very successful track record as a leader and a wealth of knowledge about the media and broadcasting industry. Now, as we gear up for an ambitious phase of growth, I am convinced that he has the inclusive skills and leadership that are needed to steer us through. He has our best wishes and support.”

     

    Network18 COO Ajay Chacko added, “The IBN18 Network has over the years consolidated its leadership in the news space. I am confident in Avinash’s ability to play a significant role to sustain the growth and leadership momentum of these stellar brands.  He will be working closely with the talented and resourceful marketing, editorial and sales teams to achieve this.”

     

    With a career spanning over 16 years, Kaul has rich experience in a variety of roles in sales, marketing and general management across genres like news and entertainment , movie and lifestyle in India.

     

    Asserted Kaul, “With the heightened interest in general news among the populace as is evident in the highest turnout percentage in the general elections the timing of me joining Network18 couldn’t have been better.  My mandate is to ensure leadership of the brands and continued business success with a clear focus on general news across various languages.”

     

    Prior to this, Kaul held the position of CEO – TV Division of BCCL, managing Times Now, ET Now and zoOm. He has also worked in leadership and various capacities in networks like Star, NDTV Media and Discovery Networks among others.

  • CNN-IBN is the Most Watched English News Channel During Elections

    CNN-IBN is the Most Watched English News Channel During Elections

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN emerged a clear favourite of viewers on Elections 2014 – further extending its rich & award winning legacy of leadership on Elections. The channel was the most watched English news channel throughout the key Elections period. As per the TAM data, CNN-IBN leads with a Market Share of 37%, followed by Times Now with 23%, NDTV 24×7 with a market share of 12%, Headlines Today with 10% and News X with a market share of 17% (Source: TAM, CS AB Male 25-54 Yrs, 6 Metros, Wk 15-20’14, 24 Hrs, All Days, Market Share basis 30 min TVTs).

    The channel also emerged as the clear No.1 English Channel on each and every Polling Day with a consolidated market share of 36%, followed by Times Now with 22%, News X with 19% and Headlines Today & NDTV 24×7 with a market share of 12% each. (Source: TAM, CS AB 25-54 Yrs, All India 1 Mn+ (incl Metros), 24 Hrs across (07th, 09th, 10th, 12th, 17th, 24th, 30th April, 07th May & 12th May ’14), Market Share basis 30 min TVTs).
    All through the crucial Elections Week and during the Counting Hours on May 16th, India tuned into CNN-IBN. CNN-IBN garnered 37% market share in Wk’20 as opposed to Times Now with 29%, NDTV 24×7 with 15%, Headlines Today with 10%, and News X with 9% (Source: TAM, CS AB 15-54 Yrs, All India, 0600-2400 Hrs, Market Share basis 30 min TVTs). While during Counting Hours, CNN-IBN led with a market share of 36% followed by Times Now with 32%, NDTV 24×7 with 15%, Headlines Today with 5% and News X with 11% (Source: TAM, CS AB 25-54 Yrs, All India, 0800-1200 Hrs, Market Share basis 30 min TVTs).

    The last couple of months were really critical as the entire nation got engaged in possibly the most crucial elections in recent times. With the nation facing multiple challenges, there was a huge interest in the outcome of the same. The common men and women of the country have probably never been this involved in elections, and television undoubtedly became a critical touch point for key information and updates. Given the breadth and depth of CNN-IBN’s programming line-up – extensive LIVE reporting, in-depth coverage, sharp and precise analysis, data, debates and channel packaging, it was no surprise that CNN-IBN’s coverage got maximum traction. The channel’s ratings are indeed a testimony to the credibility and its unmatched coverage of these key Elections. The relentless effort by IBN Network’s formidable team of anchors and journalists, eminent panel of experts, data-analytics through CNN-IBN-Microsoft Election Analytics Centre; all contributed significantly to this success.

    Speaking on this, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said, “We are thankful to our viewers for making CNN-IBN, the No.1 English News channel on Elections. Considering the scale of the event, the biggest challenge for us was to ensure that the viewers receive the most accurate and up to date information right through the elections in order to ensure that they are well informed. Since the beginning of General Elections 2014, we have given insightful and unbiased reportage to our viewers and succeeded in reaching out to our viewers in large numbers.”