ITV

Tag: TV18

  • Bahl floats movie company, Sandeep Bhargava to head

    Bahl floats movie company, Sandeep Bhargava to head

    MUMBAI: Movies is where moolah is! And everyone wants in on it. TV18 promoter Raghav Bahl is the latest to be bitten by the film business bug. Bahl is floating a separate company to fulfill his big screen plans of a movie production boutique.

    The company will be involved in producing and distributing movies. Although, at this juncture, it is not clear if the company may get into distributing international movies. However, the buzz in the broadcasting industry is that the movie production company will not be restricted at merely producing and distributing but is contemplating at looking into the movie acquisition market as well. 

    Former Sahara One Motion Pictures COO Sandeep Bhargava is tipped to spearhead the movie production house. Bahl will have to compete with likes of the well entrenched long time players such as Yash Chopra’s Yash Raj Films, Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts, Sahara One Motion Pictures, Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV Motion Pictures, Ram Gopal Verma’s The Factory and Rakesh Roshan’s FilmKraft.

    In his movie business ambitions, Bahl joins the likes of Subhash Chandra who earlier betted big on tinsel town with Gadar-Ek Prem Katha, live action-animated Bhagmati and Indo-French production One Dollar Curry. 

    TV18, at present manages four news channels; the English business news channel CNBC-TV18, the Hindi consumer news channel Awaaz, the English news channel CNN-IBN and the Hindi news channel Channel7.

     

  • ‘Ratings not an apt way to judge Awaaz performance’ : Sanjay Pugalia – Awaaz editor

    ‘Ratings not an apt way to judge Awaaz performance’ : Sanjay Pugalia – Awaaz editor

    If news channels are largely described as niche, then Awaaz is a niche within the niche. Positioned as a consumer Hindi news channel, it breaks the general connotation of a business channel as being designed for people dealing in big business.

    Awaaz is primarily, as Editor Sanjay Pugalia points out, for anybody who wants to spend Rs 100 fruitfully or save even that Rs 100. Looking at the way the India economy is changing, Pugalia expresses that there is a gap that has been successfully filled by Awaaz — the 15+ SEC AB in the Hindi speaking markets.

    Pugalia believes that the existence of Awaaz has given a new definition to this news category.

    In a freewheeling conversation with Indiantelevision.com’s Manisha Bhattacharjee, Awaaz editor Sanjay Pugalia provides a low-down on how the consumer channel has shaped up over the last 18 months.

    Excerpts:

    Awaaz underwent a change in its on-air-look? Isn’t it too early for the channel to undergo a makeover?
    When the channel was launched, we followed the time and tested format of CNBC-TV18. Now that we have completed 18 months in the space, it was time to give a distinct identity to the brand Awaaz, as we are addressing a much broader audience base and our offering is very different from CNBC-TV18. Awaaz is an independent product appealing to our kind of target audience. Earlier, we wore blue and white, now the channel dons red and white.

    What is the unique selling point (USP) of Awaaz?
    The consumer channel is primarily targeted at small investors. It is first and foremost for those viewers or consumers who are earning some money, saving some and need proper advice to invest. The channel has been principally designed in the manner wherein experts provide inputs in a manner that will help consumers take their own decisions on all the possible ways he / she can save or make money.

    The channel is a powerful vehicle for small investors, buyers, sellers, etc and it provides opportunities aimed at effectively reaching our target audience.

    Is this an indication that TV18 failed to target this segment through CNBC-TV18?
    It is wrong to say so. CNBC-TV18 created the business news space within the English space for the big corporates. The channel’s coverage extends from corporate news, financial markets coverage, expert perspectives on investing and management to industry verticals and beyond. The channel has been catering to business more relevant to different constituencies across the nation.

    Awaaz on the other hand is for the small investors in the Hindi speaking market. It indeed covers the entire business space from the consumers’ perspective. Who is the consumer? It could a taxpayer, an employer, a small investor, shopkeepers etc. These consumers are interested in the current share or stock market, trade, small business, managing and saving as well as investing. All these needs are serviced through our shows.

    When you say that the word ‘consumer’ covers a vast gamut of audience, trade, equity, non-equity, financial sector etc? Where do women fit in the gamut?
    It is largely noticed that female viewers are much less in comparison to male viewership on any given news channel. But it is otherwise on Awaaz. We have a very strong female viewership, approximately 45 per cent. Our key driver show is Smart Shopping, which airs at 4:30. When the same show airs at 10:30 pm, it brings in male viewership.

    The unisex shows are Awaaz Plus, Tax Guru (tax is generally perceived as a male subject), Weekend Masti, Hum Honge Kamyaab, Jiyo Zindagi, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Glamour Bazaar and Trend Mill to name a few.

    Let me reiterate a point, ratings is just not the apt way to judge the performance of the channel. It is merely an auxiliary data that gives us an insight to the performance of the channel.

    If you say ratings are not the rightful way to judge the performance of the channel, then how do you pitch it to the advertisers?
    It is difficult for me to comment on the marketing side of the channel. But all I would like to add is that the advertisers solely do not rely on Tam data, they also have other means like their own research and other external research which they commission as well as their gut feelings for the channel to make a decision to spend on the channel. Mind you, Awaaz, like CNBC-TV18, has a good number of out-of-home viewership, which is not recorded by Tam.

    In this fragmented news market how do you deal with your competitors?
    Honestly, we have no competitors in this space.

    Well, you are forgetting Zee Business. Isn’t this channel in the same space and targeting your kind of audience?
    Well, as I said we have no competitors in this space. In any case, we are 300 per cent to 400 per cent bigger then Zee Business.
    ‘Network synergies should not be confused with similarities‘

    Coming from the same TV18 network, is Awaaz cannibalizing big brother CNBC-TV18?
    We cannot cannibalise each other being under one network. We can only strengthen each other and synergies and leverage each others strengths. But it is necessary to comprehend that as a network synergies should not be confused with similarities.

    22 May experienced a massive market crash. Besides retail investors, even small time investors panicked? As you strongly term your channel as a consumer based one, how did you address your TG?
    ‘Caution’ has always been the word from the day we launch the channel, while addressing the news and information needs to the small investors, the mutual fund buyers, shoppers, small time insurance agents etc. This does not mean either that while cautioning them, the investor should stay away from equities. They have to be convinced about their investment ideas after weighing the pros and cons.

    Let’s take the Tam data during the market crash in isolation. According to the data, on 22 May, Awaaz recorded a 2.3 per cent channel share, beating the general Hindi news channels during the 9 am to 4 pm time band, followed by Aaj Tak (1.50 per cent), Zee News (1.43 per cent), NDTV India (1.16 per cent), Star News (1.15 per cent) and followed by the rest.

    TV18 network is involved in a lot of on-ground initiatives. What kind of on ground initiative is Awaaz into?
    All our ground-initiative is marketing backed and strengthen our brand by involving our viewers. When we carry out any on-ground shows it has to be relevant to the issue and place.

    How different is your weekend band from that of weekdays?
    We have branded our weekends as Smart Weekend, which has been created recently. It’s primarily a day long exercise covering various topical aspects of the week providing a holistic and exhaustive coverage from across the nation. The weekend gone by was entirely devoted to the best colleges of Top 10 cities in India. Besides, for those students who did not secure good marks, we provide inputs from across the nation with alternative college and courses for them.
    Now that TV18 is hiving of its internet business into a separate company, is the network aiming at launching a portal to complement Awaaz, just as in the case of CNBC-TV18 and moneycontrol.com?
    I can’t comment as it is a business decision.

    What is making business news channels such a success in India?
    The news needs of TV viewers has dramatically changed in India, because of growing economy, urbanisation, spread of wealth and increased purchasing power to millions of Indians. They want to know about the things; products and services, they can use in order to make decisions every day about shopping needs, investments, spending and saving… and they want it in a relevant, useful manner.

    Awaaz, in this space does it effectively. Viewers’ habits are changing so fast that sometimes media is not able to keep pace with it. But Awaaz is a product of the future and it will only grow as the economy makes new stride and goes global.

    How will all of the emerging ‘viewer-in-command’ technologies — like IPTV — impact traditional broadcasting?
    New technologies will only grow opportunities and expand the market for us. They will add value to our services. Mind you, those who would be using technology like IPTV, will be in the homes with more than one TV set and more importantly millions of Indians are yet to buy a TV set. Traditional broadcasting will continue to remain 2/3rds of the pyramid and the remaining 1/3rd will consume the new offerings.
  • The Cell, TV18’s Creative Unit, adds a punch to Channel 7’s “Khabar Har Keemat Par’

    The Cell, TV18’s Creative Unit, adds a punch to Channel 7’s “Khabar Har Keemat Par’

    New Delhi, June 10, 2006: The Cell, TV18’s creative unit, has been entrusted with the task of handling all the print & design work required by Channel 7. The action-packed and riveting promos have been conceptualized to capture the essence of Channel 7.

     

    Dilip Venkatraman, Director Marketing, CNN-IBN & Channel 7 said, “The promo-frames grab on screen action with an entirely authentic approach. They are brilliant and brings alive the concept behind which Channel 7 is built on”

     

    Zubin Driver, Creative Director, The Cell said “Each of the promos approaches the baseline in different ways, bringing alive the thought that the entire Channel 7 team lives by. For all of us it’s not a baseline, its a mission. A case in point being Ashutosh ‘making news promo’, where we actually capture the action, the spirit and the passion of Channel 7 at work, shot in a very ‘real’ and ‘hard news’ style, the promos explore the very essence of world-class TV journalism.”

     

    About The Cell

     

    The Cell was formulated in September 2002 as the creative unit for the TV 18 group; it has grown into a creative-strategic unit that services a huge number of TV 18 clients. In addition to all channel promos for CNN-IBN, Channel 7, CNBC TV 18, AWAAZ and moneycontrol.com, it makes over 50 commercials every month and produces a huge amount of print and design work for clients investing on the channel.

     

    The cell has been picking up awards at every Promo Award ceremony in the last two years like RAPA GOLD-2005, RAPA GOLD-2006, PROMAX INDIA SILVER-2005 & PROMAX ASIA, GOLD, 2006.

     

     

    For further information please contact:
    Parul Bhasin/ Namrata Bhalla, PR Pundit, New Delhi
    Tel: 2656 0415, 2651 3075

  • TV18 to bring internet biz under Web 18

    TV18 to bring internet biz under Web 18

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen is consolidating its internet businesses under a single holding company, Web 18.

    Web 18 will undertake activities of acquisitions of other internet businesses and websites, in exchange for cash stock or other valid consideration, including the website. TV18 will hold its EGM on 29 June to also allow Web 18 to raise funds from strategic and financial investors via private placement or public listing or in any other manner in one or more tranches. The TV18 Group, however, will retain control and at least 51 per cent of the voting rights of Web 18.

    Web 18 will reserve up to a maximum of 10 per cent of its shareholding to run a stock option plan for its employees and other key personnel.

    TV18 has been acquiring internet properties to create a bouquet. The company recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in the Indian arm of Jobstreet.com. Eariler in the year, it had invested in Yatra Online where other investors included Anil Ambani’s Reliance Capital and Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) – Promod Haque’s leading venture capital firm.

    The company also manages online platforms which include moneycontrol.com, commoditiescontrol.com, poweryourtrade.com and ibnlive.com. 

  • TV18 to allocate 3 million shares for Rs 2 billion QIP issue

    TV18 to allocate 3 million shares for Rs 2 billion QIP issue

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen India Ltd. is, in its qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue, allocating 3.08 million shares at a price of Rs 650 per equity share.

    The company is raising Rs 1.99 billion through QIP, TV18 said in a statement. Indiantelevision had earlier reported that TV18 had mandated HSBC to raise this amount which would be used to fund the company’s expansion plans.

    The QIP committee of the board of Television Eighteen India Ltd met on Thursday to approve the QIP proposal

  • TV18 to hive off its internet biz; Q4 net up 112% at Rs 219 million

    TV18 to hive off its internet biz; Q4 net up 112% at Rs 219 million

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen has decided to hive off its internet ventures and consolidate it into a new wholly owned subsidiary to bring sharper focus and growth momentum to these operations.

    The internet subsidiary plans to raise capital from financial or strategic investors. TV18 board, which met today, has authorised the subsidiary of any such exercises to raise capital.

    TV18 has been acquiring internet properties to create a bouquet. The company recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in the Indian arm of Jobstreet.com. Eariler in the year, it had invested in Yatra Online where other investors included Anil Ambani’s Reliance Capital and Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) – Promod Haque’s leading venture capital firm.

    The company also manages online platforms which include moneycontrol.com, commoditiescontrol.com, poweryourtrade.com and ibnlive.com.

    The board of TV18 also announced the results. The company’s consolidated net profit is up 112 per cent to Rs 219.15 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2006 as against Rs 103.36 million a year ago.

    The company’s revenues rose 66 per cent to Rs 535.10 million in the last quarter of the fiscal with news operations contributing Rs 474.75 million (up from Rs 310.96 million). The earnings from the internet and software operations were at Rs 60.35 million, up six times from a year ago period.

    The revenues from Awaaz and CNN-IBN channels are not reflected in the Q4 result. The company’s operating profit stands at Rs 306.59 million while operating margins are at 57 per cent.

    The group is all set to re-launch Channel 7 in new avatar in June. The group has recently, acquired a 50 per cent interest in Indian arm of Jobstreet.com.

    Commenting on the result Television Eighteen promoter Raghav Bahl said, “We are delighted to report a record quarter for the company – in terms of revenue performance and the spectacular success of CNN-IBN – which in just five months of launch has become the dominant player in the English General News category, firmly establishing the TV18 Group as India’s Premier News Network. We believe our new initiatives in the internet and home shopping spaces too will contribute significantly to our future growth.”

    TV18 opened at Rs 609.85 and closed the trading day at Rs 627.60, after touching a high of Rs 646 and a low od Rs 625.

  • TV18 to launch home shopping network, receives funding from SAIF

    TV18 to launch home shopping network, receives funding from SAIF

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen is entering the home shopping network (HSN) space which is already occupied by Subhash Chandra’s Asian Sky Shop and Hinduja’s Shop 24×7.

    The company has secured initial funding from SB Asia Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) Partners to launch an integrated HSN. Though TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla refused to divulge the amount, market sources put the investment of the Asian private equity fund at around Rs 30-40 million.

    TV18 will be putting up a national “virtual platform” network which “will bring forth products and services that have been evaluated by a team of experts.” According to a company statement, the shopping network “will leverage the TV18 network of five channels (CNBC-TV18, CNN-IBN, Awaaz, Channel 7 and SAW) and six internet properties (moneycontrol.com, ibnlive.com, poweryourtrade.com, commoditiescontrol.com, yatra.in and Jobstreet India). Collectively, the HSN will have a pool of more than 70 million adults to tap into – people who are very loyal to the TV18 brands and are decision makers with the ability to spend.”

    The organised shopping market is is estimated to become a $30-35 billion opportunity by 2010. “With a changing socio-economic environment, higher disposable incomes, willingness to spend and availability of cheap credit, the share of organised shopping is all set to increase in the consumer’s wallet. Studies estimate that the spending population is expected to increase from 280 million in 2002 to 686 million in 2010. Nearly 75 million sq.ft. of mall space is estimated to become available in India by 2007,” TV18 said.

    However, the ‘spender’ or ‘spending population’ is not easily accessible at a single point. Poor infrastructure, absence of quality locations and complex taxation issues confront sellers, TV18 said. Additional complications arise on account of the mind-boggling availability of choice. With hundreds of brands hitting the shelves every day, making the right choice takes up a significant amount of time of the spender in the transaction process, thus delaying buying decisions.

    “TV18 believes that the time is ripe for a shopping enabler that integrates our media offering with a fulfillment capability. With an existing franchise of over 70 million adults that TV18s media properties reach out too, and the potential universe of affluent middle class Indian’s, it is only a matter of time before TV18 attains a dominant position in this space,” said Chawla.

    “For the first time, by simply picking up the phone, clicking online, calling on their mobile, or simply ‘sms’ing their requests, people will be able to access and buy products and services that exactly meet their requirements. Our ability to build value and give value back to our viewers is what will differentiate us from the rest”.

  • Sun TV has big bang debut on BSE; closes 68% higher at Rs 1466.05

    Sun TV has big bang debut on BSE; closes 68% higher at Rs 1466.05

    MUMBAI: The Kalanidhi Maran promoted and Chennai-headquartered broadcaster Sun Television Limited got listed on the bourses on Monday with a huge bang. The scrip has been greeted with a lot of excitement and closed the day’s trading 67.55 per cent higher at Rs 1466.05 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

    A total of 5,298,695 shares were traded on the opening day.

    At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the scrip had an overall gain of 67.39 per cent and closed the day at Rs 1464.65. A volume of 11,585,515 shares have been traded on day one.

    Just how bullish the bourses are is about the scrip can be garnered from comments made by market analyst Rajesh Jain of Pranav Securities to CNBC TV18, where he said Sun TV should be part of every investor’s portfolio.

    Said Jain, “I would ride this Sun TV story. I might add on declines, if the strip does give that opportunity. Sun TV is a super pedigree media stock. It has been the leader in the south for almost a decade.

    “I think it would even rate better than some of the older plays available in the media space.”

    The scrip, which was offered through initial public offer (IPO) early this month at a tag price of Rs 875 per share, listed at Rs 1,111 on the BSE and Rs 1,000 on the NSE. Its BSE ID is 532733 and its NSE ID is SUNTV.

    In its IPO, Sun had come out with a fresh equity issue of 68,89,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each for cash, made entirely through the book building route.

    The issue constituted 10 per cent of the fully diluted post issue paid-up capital of the company. Following the issue, the shareholding of Sun TV Ltd principal promoter Kalanithi Maran has reduced to 89.99 per cent from 99.99 per cent (61,999,969 shares).

  • TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    TV18 to pump in Rs 2.5 billion in new ventures, raise Rs 3 billion equity

    MUMBAI: Television Eighteen India Ltd. board has approved a Rs 2.5 billion expansion plan in new ventures and potential acquisitions.

    The majority of these projects are intended to be in the television, internet and “triple convergence” areas. “We are looking at expansion on the TV, internet and even at opportunities on the mobile space. For all these new ventures that we get into, we will not go alone but with globally reputed partners,” says TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla.

    While some of the investments will create greenfield projects, others are likely to result in acquisitions of operating companies. “A significant amount of this investment shall be raised by the sale of strategic stakes in some of these downstream subsidiary companies to globally reputed investors. The company will seek shareholder approval for these investments in accordance with law, as the investment plans firm up,” the company informed the BSE.

    The board also authorised the management to seek shareholders approval for raising Rs three billion in equity over a period of time. “At the present stage, the management is seeking only an enabling approval from its shareholders. The management does not expect to issue any immediate equity under this approval,” the company said.

  • TV18 to pick up 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India

    TV18 to pick up 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India

    MUMBAI: Raghav Bhal promoted Television Eighteen Group is picking up a 50 per cent stake in JobStreet.com India Pvt Ltd, the Indian arm of the Malaysia based listed online recruitment company JobStreet Corporation Berhad.

    As per the memorandum of understanding between the two companies, TV18 will initially infuse $ 2 million in cash and provide on-going media support to the business of the JobStreet.com.

    With this investment into JobStreet.com India, TV18 is making an aggressive entry into the e-recruiting market. The move is in line with the group’s increasing focus on the growing Internet opportunities in India.

    To JobStreet, this partnership meets its objective of combining its e-recruitment solution with a strategic local leader with media assets, which has proven to be a winning formula.

    TV18 CEO Haresh Chawla said, “We expect to strengthen our presence in the consumer Internet space with this acquisition – this is part of our strategy to expand our offering to Indian consumers by exploiting the growing power and reach of the Internet. Over the last five years, TV18 has consistently invested in and built successful Internet franchises in India.

    The group already owns well established online platforms – moneycontrol.com, commoditiescontrol.com, poweryourtrade.com and ibnlive.com.

    The group has also recently seeded yatra.in with Norwest Venture Partners (NVP) – Promod Haque’s venture capital firm, which aims to revolutionise the travel services space in India. With JobStreet.com India, we will bring value to millions of job seekers in India. We are delighted to partner with JobStreet in this exciting venture.”