Tag: TV

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
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
Hindi channels usher in festivities with special line-up

MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again when television channels go full throttle to appease their viewers. With Diwali in full swing, broadcasters are betting high by undertaking several initiatives to bring television screens alive with their unique programming line-ups.

With TV viewing expected to be higher at this time added to it is the fact that Diwali is falling on the weekend, several TV broadcasters have made it a point to create special programming during the season. To enhance the festivities of our viewers, Indiantelevision.com looks at some of the specials planned by the Hindi channels during Diwali this year.

News Channels

Aaj Tak

The channel will air a show focused on spot reporting from different posts or camps of military and paramilitary forces, where our soldier stand guard on Diwali. Titled Border, the show will see the anchor going to the border or LoC post and show the country how they celebrate Diwali. This one hour show will air on 29 October at 9 pm with a repeat telecast on 30 October at 6 pm. The channel will also air a show titled Jab Desh Me Hai Diwali wherein the team will spend a day with the Army, BSF and CRPF jawans and see how they performed their Diwali puja. This show will air at 10 pm on 29 October with a repeat telecast at 10 am and 8 pm on 30 October.

Ek Diya Shaheedon Ke Naam, will focus on Diwali of the Martyr family. The 60 minute long show will air on 30 October at 9 pm. Aye Dil ki Diwali was telecast on 29 October at 11 pm and will be repeated on 30 October at 4 pm and 11 pm. This show is an effort to light up the lives of the underprivileged children. The Aaj Tak team will travel to an orphanage in Mumbai with goodies as Diwali gifts. The children will be treated to a surprise as filmstars Ranveer Kapoor and Anushka Sharma pay them a visit. The two actors will play games, sing songs, dance with the children and answer their questions.

A special edition of AAA, this show will narrate the story of the Indian myth of Kuber. Titled Kuber Ka Khajana, this programme will air at 8 pm on 29 October and at12 pm and 10 pm on 30 October.

CNBC-TV18

CNBC-TV18 will showcase India’s biggest and brightest market guru’s share insights and give their top stock picks to help viewers create wealth. Through their special programming line-up for Diwali, the business channel is bringing dedicated expert advice on stocks, markets, wealth creation ideas, investment insights and more.

The channel will assess the impact of the festive season through CNBC–TV18 Festive Pulse Meter. In addition to this, there will be a fun element added with the Golden Boy of Bollywood Bappi Lahiri.

Some of the investor focused initiatives being led by CNBC–TV18 this Diwali are:

Muhurat Trading on 30 October between 5.55pm to 8pm, The Big Bull wherein Udayan Mukherjee will interview Rakesh Jhunjhunwala discussing investments for the long term, the state of the markets, how Rakesh sees the markets going from one Diwali to next, etc. The show that got viewers 70 per cent returns from last year, CNBC-TV18 Hitlist is back with three experts Dipan Mehta, Prakash Diwan, Ambareesh Baliga. Programmed under wealth generation, Samvat 2073 Market Masters and Samvat 2073 God of stocks will have experts help the viewer with wealth creation ideas, investment insights and more

IBN7

IBN7 has lined up exclusive Utsav programming starting from 1 October to 30 October to bring to the viewers the excitement of the festivals.

The programming will showcase Navratri celebrations from across the country along with live footage of Dandia from Mumbai and Gujarat. On the occasion of Dussehra, the channel will telecast live Ravan Dahan visuals and Ram Ek Khoj – a series of 5 one-hour specials on Ramayana related legends and tales associated with the island nation.

The channel will next focus on Karva Chauth, highlighting celebrations of the festival in Bollywood and the TV world as well as a special segment Karva Chauth Ki Kahani.

GEC

&TV will present & It’s Diwali, a special two and a half hour programme with leading artists from the television industry who will perform on latest chart-busters and ring in Diwali with a lot of sparkle and style. The show will air on 29 October at 8 pm.

Actors like Jay Bhanushali, Saumya Tandon, Angoori, Anita Bhabhi, Mouni Roy, Ritwik Dhanjani, Asha Negi, Sharad Malhotra, Kratika Sengar, etc will enthrall and entertain the audience.

Viacom18’s Colors doesn’t have any special Diwali show but has popular properties like Thapki…Pyaar Ki, Sasural Simar Ka, Shakti…Astitva Ke Eshaas Kii, Bigg Boss 10 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa lined up for the viewers.

Sony SAB celebrated Diwali with their annual property called SAB Ki Diwali on October 27 which was filled with colourful performances by cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and its other shows. Additionally, across all their shows there will be Diwali celebrations as part of programming.

Hindi Movies

&pictures will add a thrilling flavor to the Diwali festivities with the premiere of horror flick 1920 London on 31 October at 8 pm. Written by Vikram Bhatt and directed by Tinu Desai, the movie stars Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra and small screen hunk Vishal Karwal in the lead.

Sony Max and Max2 will kick- start the festivities with a specially curated movie list. Commencing from 29 October to 31 October, Sony Max’s Dilwali Dhamaka and Jashn- E- Diwali on Sony Max2 will bring a potpourri of entertaining super hits.

While Sony Max will air titles like Mera Target, Robot, PK, Dhoom3, ABCD2, Jaani Dushman, Magadheera, Bahubali, Dilwale, Return of Rebel, etc, Max2 will telecast movies like Chandni, Yaarana, Guru, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Don, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, etc.

October 29, 2016
Hindi channels usher in festivities with special line-up

MUMBAI: It’s that time of the year again when television channels go full throttle to appease their viewers. With Diwali in full swing, broadcasters are betting high by undertaking several initiatives to bring television screens alive with their unique programming line-ups.

With TV viewing expected to be higher at this time added to it is the fact that Diwali is falling on the weekend, several TV broadcasters have made it a point to create special programming during the season. To enhance the festivities of our viewers, Indiantelevision.com looks at some of the specials planned by the Hindi channels during Diwali this year.

News Channels

Aaj Tak

The channel will air a show focused on spot reporting from different posts or camps of military and paramilitary forces, where our soldier stand guard on Diwali. Titled Border, the show will see the anchor going to the border or LoC post and show the country how they celebrate Diwali. This one hour show will air on 29 October at 9 pm with a repeat telecast on 30 October at 6 pm. The channel will also air a show titled Jab Desh Me Hai Diwali wherein the team will spend a day with the Army, BSF and CRPF jawans and see how they performed their Diwali puja. This show will air at 10 pm on 29 October with a repeat telecast at 10 am and 8 pm on 30 October.

Ek Diya Shaheedon Ke Naam, will focus on Diwali of the Martyr family. The 60 minute long show will air on 30 October at 9 pm. Aye Dil ki Diwali was telecast on 29 October at 11 pm and will be repeated on 30 October at 4 pm and 11 pm. This show is an effort to light up the lives of the underprivileged children. The Aaj Tak team will travel to an orphanage in Mumbai with goodies as Diwali gifts. The children will be treated to a surprise as filmstars Ranveer Kapoor and Anushka Sharma pay them a visit. The two actors will play games, sing songs, dance with the children and answer their questions.

A special edition of AAA, this show will narrate the story of the Indian myth of Kuber. Titled Kuber Ka Khajana, this programme will air at 8 pm on 29 October and at12 pm and 10 pm on 30 October.

CNBC-TV18

CNBC-TV18 will showcase India’s biggest and brightest market guru’s share insights and give their top stock picks to help viewers create wealth. Through their special programming line-up for Diwali, the business channel is bringing dedicated expert advice on stocks, markets, wealth creation ideas, investment insights and more.

The channel will assess the impact of the festive season through CNBC–TV18 Festive Pulse Meter. In addition to this, there will be a fun element added with the Golden Boy of Bollywood Bappi Lahiri.

Some of the investor focused initiatives being led by CNBC–TV18 this Diwali are:

Muhurat Trading on 30 October between 5.55pm to 8pm, The Big Bull wherein Udayan Mukherjee will interview Rakesh Jhunjhunwala discussing investments for the long term, the state of the markets, how Rakesh sees the markets going from one Diwali to next, etc. The show that got viewers 70 per cent returns from last year, CNBC-TV18 Hitlist is back with three experts Dipan Mehta, Prakash Diwan, Ambareesh Baliga. Programmed under wealth generation, Samvat 2073 Market Masters and Samvat 2073 God of stocks will have experts help the viewer with wealth creation ideas, investment insights and more

IBN7

IBN7 has lined up exclusive Utsav programming starting from 1 October to 30 October to bring to the viewers the excitement of the festivals.

The programming will showcase Navratri celebrations from across the country along with live footage of Dandia from Mumbai and Gujarat. On the occasion of Dussehra, the channel will telecast live Ravan Dahan visuals and Ram Ek Khoj – a series of 5 one-hour specials on Ramayana related legends and tales associated with the island nation.

The channel will next focus on Karva Chauth, highlighting celebrations of the festival in Bollywood and the TV world as well as a special segment Karva Chauth Ki Kahani.

GEC

&TV will present & It’s Diwali, a special two and a half hour programme with leading artists from the television industry who will perform on latest chart-busters and ring in Diwali with a lot of sparkle and style. The show will air on 29 October at 8 pm.

Actors like Jay Bhanushali, Saumya Tandon, Angoori, Anita Bhabhi, Mouni Roy, Ritwik Dhanjani, Asha Negi, Sharad Malhotra, Kratika Sengar, etc will enthrall and entertain the audience.

Viacom18’s Colors doesn’t have any special Diwali show but has popular properties like Thapki…Pyaar Ki, Sasural Simar Ka, Shakti…Astitva Ke Eshaas Kii, Bigg Boss 10 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa lined up for the viewers.

Sony SAB celebrated Diwali with their annual property called SAB Ki Diwali on October 27 which was filled with colourful performances by cast of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah and its other shows. Additionally, across all their shows there will be Diwali celebrations as part of programming.

Hindi Movies

&pictures will add a thrilling flavor to the Diwali festivities with the premiere of horror flick 1920 London on 31 October at 8 pm. Written by Vikram Bhatt and directed by Tinu Desai, the movie stars Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra and small screen hunk Vishal Karwal in the lead.

Sony Max and Max2 will kick- start the festivities with a specially curated movie list. Commencing from 29 October to 31 October, Sony Max’s Dilwali Dhamaka and Jashn- E- Diwali on Sony Max2 will bring a potpourri of entertaining super hits.

While Sony Max will air titles like Mera Target, Robot, PK, Dhoom3, ABCD2, Jaani Dushman, Magadheera, Bahubali, Dilwale, Return of Rebel, etc, Max2 will telecast movies like Chandni, Yaarana, Guru, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Don, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, etc.

October 29, 2016
TV is story-teller’s new novel; audience is Bharat, not India: Star’s Banerjee

MUMBAI: Since five to six years, television has become the talking point. Th series such as ‘Breaking Bad’ to Transparent to Narcos to ‘Game of Thrones’ to 24, and now POW (Prisoners of Wars) has changed the experience of television viewing.

Filmmakers nationally and internationally are now getting into television. Abhinay Deo who has done 24, Anurag Kashyap (Yudh), Anurag Basu( Rabindranath Series) and Nikkhil Adavni (POW) are getting into multi-series television shows.

In a panel discussion on ‘Evolution of Storytelling on Television’ at ‘JIO Mami Mumbai Film Festival with Star’, the question of the hour was — Why all of a sudden television has become more important? The scale and scope for a nuanced story-telling on television, higher reach and inclusive nature of television vis-à-vis films, how TV entertains not just India but Bharat. How television impacts the lives of viewers directly and stimulates change in individuals and society at large?

And, who could better address this question than those who dabbled in the television space, the likes of — the Israeli writer and director Gideon Raff, the American filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, the Star India content studio head Gaurav Banerjee and the Indian filmmaker and director Nikkhil Advani.

The session was moderated by Y-Films content and development head Nikhil Taneja. Taneja raised a question to the panellists: Why television has become more important all of a sudden?

“I don’t know what’s happening worldwide but, in the United States, there has been probably a dearth of mid-range budget dramatic stories which are niche, and I think people were attracted to such stories, and there is an opportunity to tell such stories on television,” says Fukunaga.

Raff adds, “There is a lack of scope for adult stories told in cinema nowadays. It’s harder and harder to tell stories in our way in cinema, and so, I think, a lot of such stories came to television.”

While Banerjee believes that television is the new novel, and therefore a lot of stories which need to be told in a scheduled timeframe where graphs need to be longer is only possible on television. Also, television remains the medium for writers, and creative directors. “Television audience is larger, and they give more and more opportunity to get our crafts right whereas, I think, in film business, it is more of a first day, a first look (game), and therefore it has gone into the marketer’s domain,” opined Banerjee.

Amrita Puri, Nikkhil Advani and Sandhya Mridul

Advani, who recently forayed into television production with the Indian adaptation of ‘Prisoners of War’, recalls, “I approached it with a lot of skepticism when Star approached me. I did ‘D-Day’ and it was difficult film for me, and after the launch, everybody was saying that why don’t you make the D-Day part 2? So, a leading channel in Hindi GEC space wanted to do something similar, and they came to me with Hatufim. If you were on such a story with an amazing team, then why we shouldn’t come to television?”

Before Ekta Kapoor came to television, the Indian women did not hold the remote control of a television set, which were controlled by men. After Ekta’s serial came in with women as the protagonist, the remote travelled to women. Somewhere, it empowered women in India. “How does television impact the lives of viewers directly and stimulates change in individuals and society at large?,” asked Taneja.

Banerjee said that a study on television in India was done by two professors from University of Chicago in which they surveyed rural India, and researched the early time of satellite television. At that point in time, Ekta Kapoor was making around 47 of the top 50 shows. “There were women who were taking charge for the first time of their destiny,” he said.

“For a large part of our county, we are talking to Bharat, and not to India. In Bharat, the experience in television viewing is new. There, a storyteller such as Ekta or shows such as ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ is changing destinies. A lot of comment has been made on ‘Naagin’ and ‘Bharamraskhas’. “I have nothing to do with these shows as they are not on my network, but nobody’s sleep has been affected more than mine with the normal success of these shows. If you want to tell a fantasy story around a snake, there is no problem with that. In the west, they have Twilight and you too have the ‘Game of Thrones’. Yes, I do have a problem with a lot of regressive content but that doesn’t happen on TV screen alone; that happens in news channels and in a lot of movies made in India,” opined Banerjee.

You work with your story the way you want, your actors are not determined with what Friday Box Office is going to be like. For long formats on television, one can explore characters and graphs, but it’s not that the films are not fun. Its important to tell a story, and films and television are the media for reaching out to the masses.

October 26, 2016
TV is story-teller’s new novel; audience is Bharat, not India: Star’s Banerjee

MUMBAI: Since five to six years, television has become the talking point. Th series such as ‘Breaking Bad’ to Transparent to Narcos to ‘Game of Thrones’ to 24, and now POW (Prisoners of Wars) has changed the experience of television viewing.

Filmmakers nationally and internationally are now getting into television. Abhinay Deo who has done 24, Anurag Kashyap (Yudh), Anurag Basu( Rabindranath Series) and Nikkhil Adavni (POW) are getting into multi-series television shows.

In a panel discussion on ‘Evolution of Storytelling on Television’ at ‘JIO Mami Mumbai Film Festival with Star’, the question of the hour was — Why all of a sudden television has become more important? The scale and scope for a nuanced story-telling on television, higher reach and inclusive nature of television vis-à-vis films, how TV entertains not just India but Bharat. How television impacts the lives of viewers directly and stimulates change in individuals and society at large?

And, who could better address this question than those who dabbled in the television space, the likes of — the Israeli writer and director Gideon Raff, the American filmmaker Cary Fukunaga, the Star India content studio head Gaurav Banerjee and the Indian filmmaker and director Nikkhil Advani.

The session was moderated by Y-Films content and development head Nikhil Taneja. Taneja raised a question to the panellists: Why television has become more important all of a sudden?

“I don’t know what’s happening worldwide but, in the United States, there has been probably a dearth of mid-range budget dramatic stories which are niche, and I think people were attracted to such stories, and there is an opportunity to tell such stories on television,” says Fukunaga.

Raff adds, “There is a lack of scope for adult stories told in cinema nowadays. It’s harder and harder to tell stories in our way in cinema, and so, I think, a lot of such stories came to television.”

While Banerjee believes that television is the new novel, and therefore a lot of stories which need to be told in a scheduled timeframe where graphs need to be longer is only possible on television. Also, television remains the medium for writers, and creative directors. “Television audience is larger, and they give more and more opportunity to get our crafts right whereas, I think, in film business, it is more of a first day, a first look (game), and therefore it has gone into the marketer’s domain,” opined Banerjee.

Amrita Puri, Nikkhil Advani and Sandhya Mridul

Advani, who recently forayed into television production with the Indian adaptation of ‘Prisoners of War’, recalls, “I approached it with a lot of skepticism when Star approached me. I did ‘D-Day’ and it was difficult film for me, and after the launch, everybody was saying that why don’t you make the D-Day part 2? So, a leading channel in Hindi GEC space wanted to do something similar, and they came to me with Hatufim. If you were on such a story with an amazing team, then why we shouldn’t come to television?”

Before Ekta Kapoor came to television, the Indian women did not hold the remote control of a television set, which were controlled by men. After Ekta’s serial came in with women as the protagonist, the remote travelled to women. Somewhere, it empowered women in India. “How does television impact the lives of viewers directly and stimulates change in individuals and society at large?,” asked Taneja.

Banerjee said that a study on television in India was done by two professors from University of Chicago in which they surveyed rural India, and researched the early time of satellite television. At that point in time, Ekta Kapoor was making around 47 of the top 50 shows. “There were women who were taking charge for the first time of their destiny,” he said.

“For a large part of our county, we are talking to Bharat, and not to India. In Bharat, the experience in television viewing is new. There, a storyteller such as Ekta or shows such as ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ is changing destinies. A lot of comment has been made on ‘Naagin’ and ‘Bharamraskhas’. “I have nothing to do with these shows as they are not on my network, but nobody’s sleep has been affected more than mine with the normal success of these shows. If you want to tell a fantasy story around a snake, there is no problem with that. In the west, they have Twilight and you too have the ‘Game of Thrones’. Yes, I do have a problem with a lot of regressive content but that doesn’t happen on TV screen alone; that happens in news channels and in a lot of movies made in India,” opined Banerjee.

You work with your story the way you want, your actors are not determined with what Friday Box Office is going to be like. For long formats on television, one can explore characters and graphs, but it’s not that the films are not fun. Its important to tell a story, and films and television are the media for reaching out to the masses.

October 26, 2016
Indian teleshopping to show robust growth through to 2021: TechSci Research

MUMBAI: It’s spending time on the home shopping TV genre in India. Global research firm TechSci Reaearch has predicted that expanding television viewers base, increasing penetration, coupled with growing inclination of the people towards more convenient ways of shopping and rising purchasing power are trends that are going to give a leg-up to the teleshopping segment in India from now, and going up to 2021.

The firm has published a report titled “India Teleshopping Market,” in which it has forecast that the segment will have a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.20 per cent during 2016-2021 in India, owing to wide reach of television broadcasting in India, increasing number of people viewing television, coupled with changing lifestyle and growing preference of the people towards more convenient ways of shopping.

At present, there are over 60 infomercial channels and 10 dedicated channels operating in the television shopping market in India, which is further expected to increase in the coming years majorly, due to growing teleshopping market in India. Moreover, number of private satellite channels in India increased from 826 in 2014 to 847 in 2015, thereby widening scope for television shopping companies in India. In terms of active DTH subscribers in India, there has been a substantial increase in subscription from 40.54 million subscribers in 2014 to 55.98 million subscribers in 2015. Therefore, increasing subscription, rising television viewer base and growing internet penetration to drive India television market through 2021.

The Indian teleshopping market has been segmented into two categories namely, infomercials and dedicated channels. Dedicated channels dominated India teleshopping market in 2015, and are anticipated to maintain their dominance in the coming years as well, owing to 24 hours telecast, continuous announcement of various cashbacks/ discounts offers and offering branded products.

Moreover, Homeshop18, Naaptol, and Shop CJ were the leading players in India teleshopping market in 2015, and they are further anticipated to dominate the market through 2021, on account of their increasing penetration, as they have been for longer time in the market as compared to other players. Furthermore, these companies also offer quality products with attractive offers and discounts, which is further anticipated to fuel their dominance in the market during the forecast period,

“Expanding television viewer base both in urban and rural area, is one of the major driver for India teleshopping market. Growing digitization in semi-urban and rural areas of the country has also propelled the market for teleshopping in the country. Moreover, companies operating in India teleshopping market are now focusing on launching branded products to attract more customers and increase their penetration in the teleshopping market in India. Furthermore, increasing number of discounts and convenience of shopping through television is further anticipate to drive India teleshopping market through 2021,” said TechSci Research director Karan Chechi.

“India Teleshopping Market By Operation Type, By Region & By Company Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021” has evaluated future growth potential of the teleshopping market in India and provides statistics and information on market structure, size, share and future growth in India Teleshopping market. The report is intended to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in the India Teleshopping market.

October 13, 2016
Indian teleshopping to show robust growth through to 2021: TechSci Research

MUMBAI: It’s spending time on the home shopping TV genre in India. Global research firm TechSci Reaearch has predicted that expanding television viewers base, increasing penetration, coupled with growing inclination of the people towards more convenient ways of shopping and rising purchasing power are trends that are going to give a leg-up to the teleshopping segment in India from now, and going up to 2021.

The firm has published a report titled “India Teleshopping Market,” in which it has forecast that the segment will have a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.20 per cent during 2016-2021 in India, owing to wide reach of television broadcasting in India, increasing number of people viewing television, coupled with changing lifestyle and growing preference of the people towards more convenient ways of shopping.

At present, there are over 60 infomercial channels and 10 dedicated channels operating in the television shopping market in India, which is further expected to increase in the coming years majorly, due to growing teleshopping market in India. Moreover, number of private satellite channels in India increased from 826 in 2014 to 847 in 2015, thereby widening scope for television shopping companies in India. In terms of active DTH subscribers in India, there has been a substantial increase in subscription from 40.54 million subscribers in 2014 to 55.98 million subscribers in 2015. Therefore, increasing subscription, rising television viewer base and growing internet penetration to drive India television market through 2021.

The Indian teleshopping market has been segmented into two categories namely, infomercials and dedicated channels. Dedicated channels dominated India teleshopping market in 2015, and are anticipated to maintain their dominance in the coming years as well, owing to 24 hours telecast, continuous announcement of various cashbacks/ discounts offers and offering branded products.

Moreover, Homeshop18, Naaptol, and Shop CJ were the leading players in India teleshopping market in 2015, and they are further anticipated to dominate the market through 2021, on account of their increasing penetration, as they have been for longer time in the market as compared to other players. Furthermore, these companies also offer quality products with attractive offers and discounts, which is further anticipated to fuel their dominance in the market during the forecast period,

“Expanding television viewer base both in urban and rural area, is one of the major driver for India teleshopping market. Growing digitization in semi-urban and rural areas of the country has also propelled the market for teleshopping in the country. Moreover, companies operating in India teleshopping market are now focusing on launching branded products to attract more customers and increase their penetration in the teleshopping market in India. Furthermore, increasing number of discounts and convenience of shopping through television is further anticipate to drive India teleshopping market through 2021,” said TechSci Research director Karan Chechi.

“India Teleshopping Market By Operation Type, By Region & By Company Forecast and Opportunities, 2011-2021” has evaluated future growth potential of the teleshopping market in India and provides statistics and information on market structure, size, share and future growth in India Teleshopping market. The report is intended to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in the India Teleshopping market.

October 13, 2016
Amazon India seasonal sale boosts Prime Video subscribers

Mumbai: Amazon’s bet seems to have paid off. In the past few weeks, it has been accumulating original content and striking content licensing deals. Amazon had been firming up its content strategy by tying up with several Bollywood production houses for original TV shows and films while it was gearing up for its Prime Video service launch in India. Among the few notable deals it has made were with Dharma Productions and T-Series. Amazon Prime Video, the paid subscription service of Amazon India, yesterday emerged as the highest selling product for the e-tailer.

Amazon’s five-day festive season sale period ended on Wednesday, and one out every three units sold was membership of Prime Videos, Amazon India country manager, Amit Agarwal, told FE. The e-tailer moreover claims to have sold more than 5 million units over a period of five days. The paid subscribers of Amazon Prime will be default users of the video streaming service called Prime Videos.

After the entry of global video over-the-top (OTT) player like Netflix in India early this year, Amazon is the second large player to announce the launch of its video streaming service in India. Amazon India is presently selling the membership at a 50 per cent discounted rate of Rs 499 for a year.

“Despite a slump in the market, Amazon India has been growing at a rate of 150% over the the last three years. This sale was three times bigger and 30 times bigger than last Diwali,” said Agarwal. Mobile, fashion and lifestyle and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) were the other top selling categories on the platform during the sale period.

The e-tailers claim that mobile saw a five times jump in number of orders placed apart from television which grew by 25 times. While large appliances saw a seven times growth in terms of sale.

According to Agarwal, the platform saw a five times growth in the number of new customers who came online to shop, compared to last year. Tier 2 and smaller towns contributed to 70% of the orders. Agarwal added that during the festive season sale period, Amazon continued to witness high traffic both on the website as well as on its mobile app. “80% of the traffic came through mobile. In fact, the app recorded seven time growth in direct traffic,” he explained.

Amazon has also signed deals with Excel Entertainment to create original TV shows for the platform and with Vishesh Films for its film catalogue. Given the backdrop of competition in the OTT space, Amazon is also reportedly participating in the IPL tender with a keen interest to bid for the digital rights.

As a result of the partnerships with T-Series, Amazon Prime members would soon enjoy a wide variety of some of the best Bollywood movies in the country, all within a few weeks of their theatrical release, said Amazon Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had announced that the company would be investing an additional $3 billion in India, taking the total investment to more than $5 billion. It reportedly plans to invest around $300 million in producing original content for India. Amazon had launched its Prime subscription service in India in July.

October 6, 2016
Amazon India seasonal sale boosts Prime Video subscribers

Mumbai: Amazon’s bet seems to have paid off. In the past few weeks, it has been accumulating original content and striking content licensing deals. Amazon had been firming up its content strategy by tying up with several Bollywood production houses for original TV shows and films while it was gearing up for its Prime Video service launch in India. Among the few notable deals it has made were with Dharma Productions and T-Series. Amazon Prime Video, the paid subscription service of Amazon India, yesterday emerged as the highest selling product for the e-tailer.

Amazon’s five-day festive season sale period ended on Wednesday, and one out every three units sold was membership of Prime Videos, Amazon India country manager, Amit Agarwal, told FE. The e-tailer moreover claims to have sold more than 5 million units over a period of five days. The paid subscribers of Amazon Prime will be default users of the video streaming service called Prime Videos.

After the entry of global video over-the-top (OTT) player like Netflix in India early this year, Amazon is the second large player to announce the launch of its video streaming service in India. Amazon India is presently selling the membership at a 50 per cent discounted rate of Rs 499 for a year.

“Despite a slump in the market, Amazon India has been growing at a rate of 150% over the the last three years. This sale was three times bigger and 30 times bigger than last Diwali,” said Agarwal. Mobile, fashion and lifestyle and Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) were the other top selling categories on the platform during the sale period.

The e-tailers claim that mobile saw a five times jump in number of orders placed apart from television which grew by 25 times. While large appliances saw a seven times growth in terms of sale.

According to Agarwal, the platform saw a five times growth in the number of new customers who came online to shop, compared to last year. Tier 2 and smaller towns contributed to 70% of the orders. Agarwal added that during the festive season sale period, Amazon continued to witness high traffic both on the website as well as on its mobile app. “80% of the traffic came through mobile. In fact, the app recorded seven time growth in direct traffic,” he explained.

Amazon has also signed deals with Excel Entertainment to create original TV shows for the platform and with Vishesh Films for its film catalogue. Given the backdrop of competition in the OTT space, Amazon is also reportedly participating in the IPL tender with a keen interest to bid for the digital rights.

As a result of the partnerships with T-Series, Amazon Prime members would soon enjoy a wide variety of some of the best Bollywood movies in the country, all within a few weeks of their theatrical release, said Amazon Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had announced that the company would be investing an additional $3 billion in India, taking the total investment to more than $5 billion. It reportedly plans to invest around $300 million in producing original content for India. Amazon had launched its Prime subscription service in India in July.

October 6, 2016