ITV

Tag: TV18

  • TDSAT prohibits Scod18 from relaying IndiaCast channels

    TDSAT prohibits Scod18 from relaying IndiaCast channels

    MUMBAI: Scod18 Networking Pvt Ltd (Scod18), a multi-system operator (MSO), has been restrained by the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) from taking signals of IndiaCast Media Distribution Pvt Ltd’s (IndiaCast) channels from any other operator.

    The TDSAT has further ordered that the MSO cannot alienate or deal with its movable and immovable properties without the prior permission of the tribunal. The distribution company has also sought recovery of dues from Scod18 to the tune of Rs 2 crore.

    Accepting IndiaCast’s plea, the tribunal passed an order stating, “Pass an ad-interim ex parte order restraining the respondent from receiving signals of broadcaster’s channels from any other operator or service provider transferring or alienating or dealing with its movable and immovable properties without the prior permission of this tribunal.”

    IndiaCast has disconnected the signals of its channels to the MSO and it understands that the MSO might take signals of its channels from other platforms. Therefore, the company has taken a legal cover to restrain the MSO from indulging in piracy.

    The interim order will be applicable till the next date of hearing, which is 8 May. IndiaCast is the content monetisation arm of the TV18 and Viacom18 network. IndiaCast has a bouquet of 51 channels, including nine in HD  spanning across genres—general entertainment, kids, news, music, infotainment, and movies—in India.

    IndiaCast had pressed for an interim relief but the TDSAT stated that the same will be considered after giving an opportunity of filing a reply to the MSO.

    Scod18 has been granted four weeks’ time for its reply. The rejoinder, if any, may be filed within one week thereafter.

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  • Homeshop18 appoints Manish Kalra as CEO

    Homeshop18 appoints Manish Kalra as CEO

    MUMBAI: Homeshop18, part of TV18 Home Shopping Network has appointed Manish Kalra as CEO. Kalra joins Homeshop18 at a critical yet promising stage in the company’s journey when it has merged its business with Shop CJ, thereby becoming the largest television home shopping brand in India.

    He brings with him extensive experience in e-commerce and will report to the board of TV18 Home Shopping Network.

    Speaking on his appointment, Kalra said, “I am excited to join Homeshop18 and look forward to working with and learning from the talented team there. Retail industry in India is going through a transformation phase. The team at Homeshop18 has a unique opportunity to deliver innovative products and solutions to our customers that will bring greater value to them, our suppliers, employees, investors and other stakeholders in the process. I am grateful to the HS18 board for giving me this opportunity.”

    Prior to joining Homeshop18, he was the chief marketing and business officer at Craftsvilla where he was the overall business P&L owner. He is a young achiever and comes with over 16 years of experience in leading businesses across e-commerce, IT, FMCG and BFSI Industry.

    Over the years, he has gathered deep understanding of customer behavior and can convert a business vision into a customer relevant story, combined with exceptional execution skills. Prior to Craftsvilla, Kalra has worked for companies such as Amazon India, MakeMyTrip and Dell.

    Also Read:

    HomeShop18-Shop CJ merger begins to take effect

    Network18 forms India’s largest TV home shopping platform, acquires Shop CJ

  • TV18 completes acquisition of Viacom shares

    TV18 completes acquisition of Viacom shares

    MUMBAI: TV18 is now officially in control of the Viacom18 joint venture in which the US partner, Viacom Inc (Viacom), was a majority holder till now with 51 per cent. In an announcement to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), it said that the formalities of the transfer of 1 per cent shares from Viacom’s paid up equity capital to TV18 had been successfully completed.

    A statement to the BSE said, “With this acquisition, the company has acquired control and now holds 51 per cent of the equity share capital of Viacom18.”

    In January, the companies had announced the decision to transfer power in the hands of TV18 for $20 million (Rs 127 crore). In the meantime, deals for content licensing and brands between Viacom and Viacom18 also got extended by a decade.

    Holding more authority, TV18 can understand and execute strategies in the evolving digital India market. It can decide to drop or add new business verticals that can push up the company’s profitability.

    While announcing the plan to shift the power, Viacom International Media Networks CEO David Lynn also pointed out that Viacom18’s association with Network18 would help accelerate growth and even added Jio as one of the catalysts.

    Viacom18 Group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “This development will allow us to leverage deeper synergies with Jio as we enter our next growth phase.” Undoubtedly, Vats meant the presence of the network in the digital sphere with Voot. Calling the company a ‘full play media organisation’, Vats stated that the focus will be on ‘enriching the digital life of every Indian’. Jio is likely to play a major role in boosting Viacom18’s presence and reach through its 160 million subscribers. Recently, the telecom company announced that it is positive of touching 99 per cent of India by Diwali (October-November) 2018.

    Also Read:

    TV18 to increase Viacom18 stake to 51%

    Sudhanshu Vats on Viacom18’s growth strategy and why data analytics is key

    TV18 reports profit for second quarter

  • RIL to buy 5% in Eros; cos to set up $150 mn content fund

    RIL to buy 5% in Eros; cos to set up $150 mn content fund

    MUMBAI: Continuing its media march, which is also an indication of further disruptions in the Indian and global entertainment industry, the USD 51 billion Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is all set to acquire 5 per cent equity stake in NYSE-listed Eros International Plc (Eros) and jointly set up a $150 million (Rs 1,000 crore) fund to co-produce and consolidate content from India.

    In the transaction, which is subject to regulatory and other approvals, RIL, through a subsidiary, is looking to pick up the minority stake at a price of $15 per share, representing an 18 per cent premium to the last closing price of the stock. Eros stock quoted at $13.30 on the NYSE at local US time of 16:01:15 on 20 February 2018, having opened at $13.25. RIL closed Tuesday at Rs 919.40 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

    RIL and Eros International Media Ltd (Eros India) will equally invest in the fund to produce and acquire Indian films and digital originals across all languages, according to a joint statement put out late on Tuesday evening.

    RIL’s investment will also result in some management changes in both the companies. Eros’ group CEO and MD Jyoti Deshpande will be stepping down from her executive role after over 17 years and move on to head the media and entertainment (M&E) business at RIL as the president of the chairman’s office.

    Deshpande will start her role at RIL from April 2018 but will continue to remain as a non-executive director on the board of Eros, while Kishore Lulla will resume his position as group chairman and CEO of Eros, the statement added.

    In her new role at RIL, Deshpande will lead the company’s initiatives in M&E to organically build and grow businesses around the content ecosystem, such as broadcasting, films, sports, music, digital, gaming, animation as well as integrate Reliance’s existing media investments such as Viacom18 and Balaji Telefilms with a view to build, scale and consolidate the fragmented $20 billion Indian M&E sector.

    RIL chairman and MD Mukesh Ambani said, “We are pleased to join hands with Eros, as it will bring further synergies into our plans, making for a win-win partnership. We are delighted to welcome Ms Jyoti Deshpande into the Reliance family and believe that she will not only give wings to our plans but also play a pivotal role in transforming the sector.”

    Lulla elaborated, “I am very pleased that Eros is partnering with RIL in its entertainment journey with several synergies across technology, content and digital with Eros Now. We look forward to collaborating and growing as we continue to make new strides on the digital and content forefronts. I am confident that together, we can make a meaningful difference. Jyoti Deshpande has been an invaluable part of the incredible Eros growth journey and I am confident that she will make a positive impact on the industry in her new role at RIL.”

    Eros International Plc (NYSE: EROS) is a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry that acquires, co-produces and distributes Indian films across all available formats such as cinema, television and digital new media. Eros International Plc became the first Indian media company to list on the NYSE and also runs a fledgling OTT service under Eros Now brand. 

    “I am delighted that RIL has strategically aligned with Eros. My new assignment at RIL will allow me to push boundaries, set new standards of excellence, assemble a world-class young leadership team and adopt a collaborative approach to architect and execute this ambition…but more than anything, I cannot wait to roll up my sleeves,” said Deshpande while commenting on the proposed partnership.

    The Eros and earlier Balaji investments by RIL indicate that Ambani may be investing small in content and distribution companies, but taking big steps towards building an integrated media and entertainment behemoth, an industry observer opined, adding that with the financial muscle that the Ambanis have, the Indian media sector should brace itself for some more disruptions after the Reliance Jio show.

    In the TMT sector, RIL already has investments in media companies like Viacom18 (majority stake), TV18/Network18, telecom company Reliance Jio and a host of other media properties, including magazines and digital ventures.

    Also Read :

    TV18 to increase Viacom18 stake to 51%

    Reliance Industries buys Balaji Telefilms stake for Rs 4.13 bn

    Viacom18 celebrations: Mukesh Ambani sets the roadmap for next 10 years

    Reliance Jio, China’s Omnicom fuel massive global mobile data traffic

  • TV18 to increase Viacom18 stake to 51%

    TV18 to increase Viacom18 stake to 51%

    MUMBAI: TV18 will take operational control of Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd (Viacom18), the joint venture partners in Viacom18, TV18 Broadcast and Viacom Inc, announced today. TV18 will raise its stake to 51 per cent by acquiring 1 per cent of Viacom18’s equity from Viacom Inc for a cash consideration of Rs 127 crore (USD 20 million). The brands and content licence agreement between Viacom Inc and Viacom18 will also get extended by 10 years.

    The partners believe that in the fast-evolving media and entertainment landscape in India, TV18 can drive value-addition and synergies across the multi-platform group comprising broadcast, digital, filmed and experiential entertainment and media businesses, the official release stated. Viacom continues to hold 49 per cent in Viacom18 and shares TV18’s vision for scalability and enhanced efficiency at Viacom18.

    Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai said, “The transaction further enables our vision for Viacom18 to accentuate its focus on excellence and integration in the broadcast and digital space. The entertainment powerhouse continues to be bolstered by Viacom’s global expertise in content creation and curation, along with Network18 group and affiliates’ strength across the media and telecom value chain.”

    “Viacom18 is one of the fastest growing companies in India’s dynamic media and technology sector and, as a result of this transaction, we believe it will be even better positioned for accelerated growth through closer integration and alignment with the Network 18 Group and its affiliates, including Jio,” Viacom International Media Networks CEO David Lynn said. “Viacom remains strongly committed to our Viacom18 joint venture with the Network 18 Group and we are retaining the vast majority of our ownership stake in the company. We’re delighted to extend our licencing deal with Viacom18 and see clear potential to expand it in live events and recreation, in line with our growing global presence in these lines of business.”

    “We turned 10 last year and our growth journey has been exciting to say the least. None of this would have been possible without the support and commitment of both our partners. This development will allow us to leverage deeper synergies with Jio as we enter our next growth phase. As India’s youngest full-play media organisation, we remain committed to winning the hearts of our audiences across all our on-air, on-line, in-store, in-theatre and on-ground businesses and enriching the digital life of every Indian,” added Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats.

    Viacom18 started out as a broadcast business with three channels–MTV, Nickelodeon and Vh1–in 2007. Today, the broadcaster has 44 television channels across 80 countries in six languages. It has also diversified into five lines of business, spawning broadcast, digital, films, merchandise and live events. The company reported total revenue of Rs 3,040 crore in 2016-17, charting 40-fold growth in topline since inception.

    Also Read:

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    Sudhanshu Vats on Viacom18’s growth strategy and why data analytics is key

  • TV18 profits decline in third quarter

    TV18 profits decline in third quarter

    BENGALURU: TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18), the subsidiary of the Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani-controlled Network18 Media and Investments Ltd (Network 18), reported consolidated total income of Rs 10 crore for the quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3-18) as compared with income of Rs 23.6 crore for the corresponding year ago quarter. For the immediate trailing quarter Q2-18 (quarter-on-quarter), income stood at Rs 11.83 crore.

    Consolidated profit after tax for the quarter under review was 8.1 percent lower year-on-year at Rs 15.87 crore as compared with Rs 17.27 crore but more than double (2.16 times) the Rs 7.3 crore in the immediate trailing quarter. The company’s consolidated simple EBIDTA (excluding GST and other income) was 2.1 percent lower y-o-y at Rs 38.65 crore (13.9 percent margin) as compared with Rs 39.49 crore (15.5 percent margin) and more than five times the Rs 7.6 crore in Q2-18.

    Consolidated total income in Q3-18 increased by 8.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 277 crore from Rs 254 crore and was 18 percent higher y-o-y than Rs 235 crore in Q2-18.

    Consolidated total expenditure rose by 9.4 percent y-o-y in Q3-18 to Rs 261 crore from Rs 269 crore and was 5.4 percent higher q-o-q as against Rs 247 crore.

    The company has two segments–media operations and film production and distribution (films). The lion’s share of the revenue was from the company’s media operations.

    Both segments reported operating profits for Q3-18 – of Rs 47 crore (media operations) and Rs 88 Lakh (film production and distribution). Media operations had operating profit of Rs 42 crore while film production and distribution incurred operating loss of Rs 5.3 crore in Q3-17. In the immediate trailing quarter, both segments had reported operating profit of Rs 47 crore and Rs 5.7 crore, respectively.

    The company’s marketing, distribution and promotional expense during the quarter under review rose by 14.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 44 crore from Rs 38 crore but was 3.8 percent lower q-o-q. The employee benefit expense in Q3-18 swelled by 12.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 93 crore from Rs 82 crore but declined by 5.4 percent q-o-q from Rs 98 crore.

    Other expenses during the quarter under review increased by 7.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 101 crore in Q3-18 from Rs 94.4 crore and was 22.2 percent q-o-q more than Rs 83 crore.

  • ETV Rajasthan dominates competition

    ETV Rajasthan dominates competition

    New Delhi: In the intensely competitive regional news genre in Rajasthan, ETV Rajasthan has established itself as a clear and dominant No. 1 channel. According to ETV Rajasthan’s interpretation of BARC data, with a market share of 78%*, the channel is clearly the preferred choice for the people of Rajasthan. The year 2017 saw ETV Rajasthan grow by leaps and bound – in fact the channel’s impressions jumped by 410%** in the time period Week 01, 2017 to Week 01, 2018. As per the latest BARC data, the channel’s market share is almost 5 times that of its nearest competition and is 3.6 times that of all other channels combined*.

    In the critical evening prime time band, ETV Rajasthan is 5.8 times ahead of the nearest compeition.***

    The brand had refreshed its screen look & programming line-up in 2017. The refreshed content and fresh packaging has clearly appealed to the viewers and this is clearly reflecting in the channels’ growing ratings.

    Commenting on the channel’s success Rajesh Raina, Group Editor – ETV Network said “ETV Rajasthan’s strength has always been both its unmatched coverage of news from across the state as well as the fact that it has raised issues that have a direct and significant impact on its viewers. It is this that has enabled the channel to build tremendous equity with the people in the state. ”

    Avinash Kaul, President- Network18 and MD- A+E Networks/TV18 commenting on the channel’s performance said “The people of Rajasthan have made their choice clear and we are thankful that they have overwhelmingly chosen ETV Rajasthan their channel of choice. We would like to reaffirm our commitment to pursuing the highest quality of journalism. We are confident that our focus on excellence will ensure that ETV Rajasthan will continue to remain the dominant player and a clear leader in the state.”

    *Source: BARC India, TG: 15+, Market: Rajasthan, Time Period: Week 01 ’18, 24 hours

    **Source: BARC India, TG: 15+, Market: Rajasthan, Time Period: Week 01 ’17 – Week 01 ’18, 24 hours

    ***Source: BARC | TG: 2+ | Market: Rajasthan | Period: Week 50’17-Week1’18 (1800 – 2300) hours

  • Making the news: A look at what news broadcasters did in 2017

    Making the news: A look at what news broadcasters did in 2017

    MUMBAI: News channels were thrown into a storm of activity in 2017 with each player keeping up its oars to wade out of challenges that hit at them like ten-foot waves. With elections and sensational news driving up viewership at various points throughout the year, English news channels had to fight back to the onslaught that was Republic TV.

    The entry of Arnab Goswami-led channel Republic TV increased the overall news viewing pie at the time of its launch but the hype did not last long and the genre went back to its minuscule share.

    To add to the theatrics, there were several top-level executive shifts in 2017. Let’s take a look at the various channels and their performance during the year.

    English News

    Republic TV stole the limelight with the news channel becoming the news itself. After its launch in May, the genre witnessed tough competition between Goswami’s former employer Times Now and his newly launched baby. According to BARC India, Republic TV hasn’t budged from the top from its inaugural week till week 50. It claimed to have 52 per cent market share in its very first week of operations, which started on 6 May 2017.

    Times Network had two big events to boast of-the rebranding of ET Now from a full-time business news channel to a general news channel and the launch of Mirror Now. Mirror Now’s launch got good response, especially from Bangalore and Chennai, with Faye D’Souza as the executive editor.

    For Times Television staffers who were working the late-night shift at the Kamala Mills Compound in Mumbai, the night of 28 December 2017 was a nightmare. The conflagration that swept through restaurant 1Above and claimed 14 lives could have gutted the Times TV Network premises, too, which was on the first floor of the same building.

    The net result: Times channels including Times Now, ET Now and Mirror Now went off air. And most distribution platforms carried an apology notice, in place of the live feed, which stated that the channel signals could not be received because of technical difficulties. In a recent interaction with Indiantelevision.com, Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand said that the channels’ success was the result of a combination of brand, process and team.

    Anand expects news to be more active and exciting in 2018. “And with better market conditions, now that GST and demonetisation are behind us, the overall English and news space is poised for a truly great ride through the new year,” he said. 

    The disruption that Republic TV brought about in the TV news genre was momentous and chaotic. Arnab’s new avatar unleashed not only a slew of litigations (the fight for copyright over phrases like ‘the nation wants to know’, for example) but also a flurry of allegations of malpractice and biased reporting. The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) wrote to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and to the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to hold up Republic TV’s ratings and get them checked, accusing it of broadcasting the channel on two LCNs on cable TV. When BARC refused to do so, NBA channels pulled out of the ratings for a week. Months later, Republic TV became a part of the NBA.

    NDTV group saw many ups and downs in 2017, which began with the raid at the NDTV office and home of cofounders Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy. In June, the CBI raided the residence of the Roy family alleging that the promoters and a private company linked to them, RRPR Holding, were involved in defrauding ICICI Bank and allegedly causing it losses involving loans extended in 2008.

    In the same month, NDTV Profit was shut down and the group decided to transfer its business programming from Profit to regular business and finance segments of NDTV 24X7. In September, there was a rumour that Spice Jet’s Ajay Singh was set to take a controlling stake in the company which was vehemently denied. Singh was apparently unimpressed with the channel’s litigations and bad finances.

    The saddest for it was the demise of KVL Narayan Rao, CEO and executive vice chairperson of the NDTV group at the age of 63. Later, Suparna Singh was appointed as the CEO of NDTV.

    In the month of December, NDTV group came up with a turnaround plan to improve profitability, which involved reducing the workforce by up to 25 per cent. A part of this plan was implemented in the last quarter and included the much-noted move to new technologies, including mobile journalism.

    Zee Group’s Sudhir Chaudhary was elevated as editor-in-chief of Zee News, Zee Business and WION (World in One News). The network launched several regional channels including Zee Hindustan, Zee Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand and it reworked Zee Salaam from a GEC to a news channel.

    In October, India Today Group elevated Kalli Purie as the vice chairperson from the editorial director (broadcast and new media). The group CEO Ashish Bagga, resigned in the month of July and in his replacement Vivek Khanna was appointed. Rajeev Dubey was elevated to managing editor business (TV and digital).

    Hindi News 

    India TV chairman and editor-in-chief Rajat Sharma was elected as president of NBA. Ashok Venkatramani left ABP News as the CEO in 2016 and joined Chrome Data Analytics and Media as a consulting director in July 2017. 

    A news director or an editor leaving a media house isn’t exactly headline material. But in this case, it is noteworthy because of the circumstances leading up to his departure and 16-year-long association with the channel. India TV news director Hemant Sharma was under the scanner for his role in an alleged case of corruption involving certain officials in the Union Health Ministry and owners of a medical college. Sharma left India TV to pursue his first love – writing.

    TV18 Broadcast president- revenue Joy Chakraborthy said, “2017 started off on a weak note with the effects of demonetisation very clearly there. However, budget onwards, things started to pick up and we had a great first quarter. July saw the rollout of GST, the effects of which are gradually waning and business is picking up. 2017 also saw the re-alignment of media spends from Hindi, regional and English across genres, with monies moving out of English to Hindi and regional.”

    Regional News 

    Zee Media has increased its regional reach by launch Zee Salaam (Urdu) and Zee Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand last year.

    Jagdish Chandra, after spending eight years at ETV network, joined Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) as the CEO for the regional channels in January. In his new profile at Zee Media Corporation Limited, he handled a large bouquet of channels, including 24 Ghanta (Bengali), Zee Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal (Punjabi and Hindi), Zee Sangam (Hindi), Zee 24 Taas (Marathi), Zee Purvaiya (Hindi), Zee Kalinga (Oriya), Zee Marudhara (Hindi), Zee 24 Gantalu (Telugu), and Zee Kashmir.

    In the month of March, Chandra got additional responsibility as CEO of DNA and in next couple of months, Zee Media Corp restructured the top deck for its regional news network, reducing the role of Chandra to just three channels – Zee Rajasthan, Zee Hindustan and Zee Salam (Urdu) and DNA Jaipur. Chandra continued to be on the board of ZMCL and DNA while stepping down as CEO of DNA in the same month.

    iTV Network expanded its regional news space with the launch of India News Gujarat on 4 December 2017, just before the Gujarat elections. Uday Nirgudkar joined News18 Lokmat as group editor by quitting from the post of channel head of Zee24 Taas and CEO and editor-in-chief of DNA newspaper. Senior journalist Vijay Kuvalekar took over as the editor of the news channel.

    Umesh Kumawat, who was the senior editor at ABP news, started his new innings at TV9 Marathi in 2017, but within a month resigned from the post of managing editor of the channel.

    Focus Group, which already has footprints in the regional news market including Focus Haryana, Bangla, Odisha and NE, intends to launch a Kannada news channel by the end of 2017.

    For news channels, next year holds much promise. As general elections are due in 2019, a lot of positive news can be expected, with supporting developments during the year. Branded content is likely to continue its upward trend. With advertisers beginning to realise the value of regional channels, we are in for some exciting times in 2018.

  • TV18 reports profit for second quarter

    TV18 reports profit for second quarter

    BENGALURU: TV18 Broadcast Limited (TV18), the subsidiary of the Mukesh Dhirubhai Ambani controlled Network18 Media and Investments Ltd (Network 18) reported a consolidated total comprehensive income of Rs 118.3 million for the quarter ended 30 September 2017 (Q2-18, current quarter) as compared to the negative comprehensible income of Rs 74.5 million for the corresponding year ago quarter (y-o-y) and a negative comprehensible income of Rs 187.1 million for the immediate trailing quarter Q1-18 (q-o-q).

    Consolidated Net Profit after tax for the current quarter was Rs 73.3 million as compared to a y-o-y loss of Rs 11.4 million and a q-o-q loss of Rs 142.8 million. Total Comprehensible loss attributable to non-controlling interest in the company declined to Rs 1.9 million in Q2-18 as compared to a Total Comprehensible loss attributable to non-controlling interest of Rs 50.3 million in Q2-17 and Total Comprehensible loss attributable to non-controlling interest of Rs 23.2 million in Q1-18.

    Consolidated Total Income in Q2-18 declined 6 percent to Rs 2,349.7 million as compared to Rs 2,500.8 million in Q2-17, but was 3.6 percent higher than the Rs 2,267.2 million in Q1-18.

    Consolidated Total Expenditure declined 8.1 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to Rs 2,474.4 million from Rs 2,692.7 million and was 1.9 percent lower q-o-q as compared to Rs 2,523 million.

    Watch this space for more …

  • Indiacast rejigs top management to streamline expansion plans

    Indiacast rejigs top management to streamline expansion plans

    MUMBAI: IndiaCast, the domestic distribution, international and digital business arm of Viacom18 and TV18, has restructured its international team with a sharper focus on bolstering business. The move aims at consolidating operational efficiency and bringing in synergies.

    The restructuring exercise is aimed at making the organisation future-ready as it enters its next growth phase. With this move, IndiaCast has emphasised its focus on alternative revenue sources such as digital and live events in its international business.

    The role of Govind Shahi has been expanded as the business head for Europe, Americas, APAC and Outbound Sales. The functional heads of the above-mentioned regions will now report to him directly.

    Sachin Gokhale will now assume the role of heading the corporate strategy, operations for international business, and will continue to oversee the Middle East and Africa region.

    Debkumar Dasgupta continues to head the syndication, new media / digital licensing businesses. In addition to the same, he will also oversee the south Asia linear business.

    All the international business heads will report into IndiaCast Group CEO Anuj Gandhi.

    Gandhi said, “We are at the cusp of a big change in our industry with alternate sources of growth emerging in terms of the technology and business models globally. Keeping in mind the ever-changing landscape, it is important for us to have a structure which is agile, empowers business heads to challenge the given and capitalise on opportunities.”