ITV

Tag: UTV

  • Ronnie Screwvala enters online education space; to invest Rs 100 crore

    Ronnie Screwvala enters online education space; to invest Rs 100 crore

    MUMBAI: Bitten yet again by the entrepreneurial bug after selling UTV to The Walt Disney Company, Ronnie Screwvala has entered the education sector with the launch of UEducation, an online portal focusing on higher education.

     

    Screwvala has earmarked an outlay of Rs 100 crore in the first phase, which goes mainly into content, interactivity, platform, technology, assessments, adaptive learning, marketing and building a national footprint.

     

    “India has the largest college going age cohort in the world, yet only one out five of them enroll into higher education, resulting in one of the lowest higher education enrolment ratios, even among most developing nations. If we have to meet our GDP growth targets, we need to at least double the participation rate immediately, otherwise we will miss out on our demographic dividend,” he said.

     

    With a decade of experience in the education sector across India, China, Latin America, SE Asia, Middle East and Africa, Mayank Kumar has come on board as co-founder and MD of UEducation. “Our goal will be to foster the next level of degree education / learning and train the next generation Indian workforce to take on the industries of the future,” Kumar said.

     

    UEducation aims to capitalise on the fast increasing demand for digital learning and online education, leveraging technology and working to exceed the experiences and rigour even of on campus programs, whilst focusing on employability.

     

    The new venture will cover sectors such as management, law, marketing, finance, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, new economy expertise, sports, media, fashion, travel, hospitality and tourism.

     

  • GEC is not Disney’s priority, says Siddharth Roy Kapur

    GEC is not Disney’s priority, says Siddharth Roy Kapur

    MUMBAI: The more the merrier seems to be the chant of all networks, these days.

     

    It was in 2011 that Star India launched its second general entertainment offering, Life OK. The sister channel of Star Plus, which replaced the defunct youth-oriented channel Star One, made headlines for its bold steps and differentiating content from the usual melodrama shown on the leading ones.

     

    Soon, Zee, the number two channel as per TAM TV ratings, plunged into already congested market with Zindagi. The second GEC from the network brought in popular shows from across the border to please the niche premium audience.

     

    If the two big networks had ventured into second GEC place, how could Sony stay behind? With Sony Pal, launched on 1 September, the Multi Screen Media (MSM) network added one more channel to its kitty.

    However, Disney, which has created content for channels, has popular television channels as well as numerous successful movies in different genres in its bag, still doesn’t have a GEC on its mind.

     

    “With kids’ channel we have presence among 4 to 14 years old, with bindass offerings we will be strongly placed for 14 to 34 years old and movie channels capture all across the age segments,” says Disney MD Siddharth Roy Kapur. The network will soon launch bindass Play, a music channel, which will take forward the philosophy and brand values of its most revenue generating channel, bindass.

     

    So will we see a GEC coming from the network’s stable? “We want to only concentrate on categories which are profitable and work with our core strengths,” he replies while elaborating that though everyone expects it to come up with a GEC, the network is not even thinking about it.

  • ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    The kids’ channels’ space in India suddenly became the talk of the town with the Walt Disney Company buying out UTV’s kids’ channel Hungama TV. In the midst of this hullabaloo, the market leaders – Cartoon Network and Pogo – stood unperturbed and went about their daily business.

    Turner International India vice president advertising sales and networks (India & South Asia) Monica Tata too comes across as calm, composed and confident. She has recently been given the added responsibility of Cartoon Network and Pogo’s operations in India spanning programming, marketing, public relations, production, research and licensing to drive the channels’ business initiatives and revenue growth.

    What’s more, as part of her portfolio, Tata is also responsible for the development and launch of Galli Galli Sim Sim, the localised version of the revolutionary TV series, Sesame Street, on Turner’s entertainment networks. In addition, she will continue to oversee advertising sales for Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO.

    In a chat with Indiantelevision.com’s Hetal Adesara, Tata speaks on the Disney – Hungama alliance as well as Turner’s plans to stay on top… no matter what!

    Excerpts:

    How has last year been compared to the previous year in terms of revenues?
    Year on year, Turner International India has been showing outstanding performances, whether it is in terms of channel shares or revenues. 2005 was a fantastic year. From an ad sales perspective, we grew by 25 per cent and the combined growth between Cartoon Network and Pogo was about 30 per cent.

    We established ourselves in numerous spaces. For example, from a sales perspective, we expanded our base of advertisers when we decided to go into the retail advertising strategy. As a result of this, we added nearly 56 new clients to our portfolio.

    From a network perspective, we further consolidated our position as being the number one and number two kids channels. We came up with huge amount of initiatives on the content and marketing sides. For Cartoon Network, we did the Powerpuff Generation contest and Toon Cricket event. Last year, we had the biggest phenomenon in kids’ programming – Beyblade, which sort of changed the game for us in the market from a content and licensing point of view.

    As far as Pogo is concerned, we had Pogo Funtakshari and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards. We also launched quite a few original productions, which is a clear focus for us even this year.

    We did shows like M.A.D and Bam! Bam! Bam! Gir Pade Hum. Apart from that, we also launched a couple of Indian acquisitions likeKhichdi and Karma. Shaktiman, of course, was not launched last year, but it continued to reinforce our position in that aspect as we wanted to ensure that Pogo was seen as a channel for kids and families.

    From a marketing point of view, we supported all of this. We had a huge amount of on-air and off air activities for Join the Powerpuff Generation and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards.

    As far as licensing business goes, we launched a new range of products. We had started out with a seven categories and then introduced more than 30 product categories. In the licensing business, we had our brands like Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls and Dexter and, of course, Beyblade was added on when it became a huge phenomenon.

    All this kept reinforcing to everyone around and also within the company that we need to keep consolidating and moving on. And, that is what we have been doing very successfully in 2005. Overall, in Turner India, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have created new benchmarks for ourselves so that we are able to better that in the coming years.

    What percentage does the licensing and merchandising business contribute to the company’s overall revenues in India?
    Merchandising has recently become big for us. While the division was always there, it was only last year that we came out in a big way by bringing out more categories and consolidation began. We’ve shown a 50 per cent growth so far from a year on year perspective.

    At the moment, this business contributes about 10 per cent to our bottomline, but it’s still tip of the iceberg. The potential is huge with the retail business becoming big in the country and everyone focusing on it. This is one area, which is going to get a huge push by the network in India in the coming years.

    Can you give us a breakup of the revenue contribution of the four Turner channels in India – Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO and CNN?
    I can’t share the exact figures, but each channel’s positioning is very different. Cartoon Network and Pogo are very focused on the kids entertainment space. HBO is clearly targeted towards upwardly mobile English speaking individuals and CNN has its own distinctive positioning.

    In their individual space, we are leaders when compared to nearest competitors; whether it is in terms of revenue or channel share. CNN’s positioning is more driven with high networked individuals.

    Collectively, we have done extremely well and have shown year on year growth. As a network we have grown by 30 per cent.
    ‘On our merchandising business, we have shown a 50% growth so far from a year on year perspective‘

    HBO recently hiked its ad rates. What prompted this decision?
    This decision was basically based on the demand and supply graph. As the market grows, so does demand. Whereas the supply is limited as there are not too many players of HBO’s reckoning in the market.

    HBO is the leader of the pack amongst the few channels that exist in the space. And, because HBO has been strengthening its positioning through its content as well, it made sense to come out and consolidate our rate strategy. That’s when we decided that it was time to take the next step and increase the rates. It makes the game a little more interesting.

    Going forward, is there going to be any change in strategy in selling HBO?
    The strategy is pretty much the same. We are focusing on client solutions and integration. Selling time is generic across every channel. But we are looking at bringing additional value to the table for our clients. Our team comes up with ideas and strategies and we go to the client as a problem solver rather than telling them about our channel and rates and asking them to buy it.

    We’ve come up with some great creatively integrated solutions for Titan Xylus, which revolved around Titan’s positioning statement for their brand. So the movie selection, packaging and promotion happened accordingly. The client also felt good about it because there was clearly a distinction that we brought to the table. We have also done similar initiatives for Pepsi TV and are in the process of finalizing something for Marico’s Parachute.

    We keep adding brands and coming up with integrated creative solutions for clients.

    What is going to be your strategy to improve ad sales across the bouquet?
    Ad sales is a critical function. Improvisation on every strategy whether it is ad sales, programming or marketing is always important. The whole objective is to keep bettering what has been done before. Our internal mantra is: we are our own competitors.

    Keeping that in mind, the strategy really is to focus and come up with the best marketing solutions for clients and to be seen more as a partner in the game rather than creating a them-versus-us situation. We try to see wherever a partnership can be further consolidated and figure out how to bring the best value to a client. At the same time not losing focus on what you think is value for your brand.

    So whether it is Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO or CNN, the distinction we bring to the table is the solution providing techniques or approaches we have.

    With CNN, for example, we did this exercise with the department of tourism. We created six films for them where we needed to identify certain genres to highlight facts about Indian tourism in the international market. Such initiatives make the difference.

    With the news channels space opening up in the last couple of years, how is CNN perceived in the market versus earlier when there was not much competition in India?
    I think the perception is still the same that CNN is a global leader. CNN clearly brings that value to the table wherein it is an international news channel. We are not even in the space of competing with Indian channels and we don’t consider them as competitors. Our position is clearly distinctive and the clients we go and talk to are the people who are looking for international audiences and not so much the Indian audiences. That’s where the clear distinction lies.

    For us, it’s not about what the other news channels are doing because that’s not where we are placing ourselves. With all the surveys that we have done globally and at the Asia Pacific level, CNN is the clear leader in every aspect. That’s where our positioning stands and will continue to.

    What are the properties on each channels – Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO – that you believe will drive revenues in the next fiscal?
    We have so many of them. As a channel per se, when you take kids into account, Cartoon Network will have a clear focus on better content coupled with marketing support, more communications techniques and mediums. Between Cartoon Network and Pogo, that’s where the consolidation will happen.

    For HBO again, better content and hence better integrated solutions to clients will be able to drive growth apart from the rate increase that will drive revenues. The same goes for CNN as well. The strategy remains the same.
    For Cartoon Network and Pogo we have defined three pillars, which are: content, creativity and choice. This will be coupled with innovation as well.

    So if we say content is king, then innovation is key. That is important because in today’s dynamic environment where there is so much of choice, if you’re not going to be different then you will be left behind. So, how you make yourself different is not found in just one big Black Book. The difference lies in every aspect of how we do our business.

    In Cartoon Network and Pogo’s case, we’ve been around for the last 10 years and in these 10 years we were in a monopolistic environment so we were obviously number one then. But even in a multi-layered environment we have still maintained our leadership position.

    Therein lies the answer and speaks volumes about our credibility and what we bring to the table. We know the kids best, we listen to them and going by what we hear, we replicate what we have on-air. Those are the things which will continue to be our focus in the coming years.

    You have recently been given added responsibility of overseeing programming, marketing, production, research and licensing to drive Cartoon Network and Pogo’s business initiatives and revenue growth. Are there any new initiatives or new revenue generating areas that you are looking at in the kids’ space?
    Like I said, we believe we are our own competitors and we will be focused on what we think is best so as to take it to the next level.

    New media is going to be a huge focus in India in the coming years. We will be seeing how we can leverage that — whether it is wireless or dotcom – and how we can integrate them in our portfolio.

    Our products and licensing division too has huge potential. It is our philosophy that Cartoon Network and Pogo are super brands in the kids’ entertainment space and we have consolidated our position in the last 10 years. But how do we take our experience of television, outside of television is what this division will help us to. This will create multiple touch points for our brands. From television to a bus stop, mall, shop and a theme park, Cartoon Network will be omnipresent. At every level, wherever you are, your brand will be there and that’s the kind of experiential marketing is what we will be focusing on.

    When will the branded theme parks be ready in India?
    We are launching Pogo Planet first by mid-next year and the Cartoon Network theme park will be launched by the end of 2007.

    What do you think about the recent buyout of Hungama by Disney? How will it impact the overall kids’ channels’ space in India?
    Actually this consolidation is something that we were expecting. In fact, we were expecting it earlier. This doesn’t come to us as a surprise because when you have to deal with well entrenched players, you need things like this to happen.

    That said and done, we will not change our strategy, our thinking and how we want to deal with our business. Those cannot be based on other people’s strategies or on changing market dynamics. We will do what we think is best for us because that’s where our forte lies. We will continue to re-invent and keep pushing the envelope as much as we can to maintain our leadership position.

    All said and done, Disney will now be in a better position in the space and Hungama is a strong brand. How do you see the kids’ channels’ market changing with this development?
    I think fragmentation is a reality and that’s something every genre has experienced in these 10 years of the cable and satellite boom in the country. And what is interesting to know is that despite the fragmentation happening in the kids space, we are still maintaining our leadership position. I just want to reiterate to everyone that just don’t forget that we have been here for 10 years and you can’t overnight come up with something, which our experience has build for us.

    Secondly, in a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge. So while people have come in and taken a bit of share, within that itself we are in the number one and two positions. In terms of audience shares, the analysis that we do is based on what the industry benchmarks are in terms of a 24 hour channel share. You can’t have an analysis based on specific markets and time bands and say you’re number one!

    While we are still the leaders, we are not being complacent about it. We are rolling out many new initiatives and of course our biggest launch this year is going to be Galli Galli Sim Sim. That’s taking the whole association with Sesame Workshop to the next level. It is going to change the whole game, not only in terms of television viewing but also in terms of education in the country.

    These things are only going to consolidate our position in the kids’ channels’ space.
    Have you seen any new brands/categories coming in the kids space?
    Over the last few years we have seen a huge shift of focus in brands that we used to call originally non-traditional advertisers, who one would have thought would not come on to a television channel — whether it is the banking sector, financial sector or personal products. Now over the last year or so, the lines between the traditional and nontraditional have blurred.

    Even now about 35 per cent of my audience base is adults. So, we are talking to them too and you will see a lot of advertisers who are not just selling confectioneries, sweets and candies. We have grown our advertiser base and that’s where the opportunity lies – how do you increase the pie by tapping into other genres of advertising.

    Clients like L’oreal, TVS, Citibank, ING Vyasa, P&G and Levers brands like Clinic All Clear and Surf have come on to our kids’ channels.
    And what about HBO?
    HBO again has seen a huge shift in advertisers. The base has expanded. Telecom and financial sectors have been new additions, which we have managed to pull away from the English news genre.
    What are the challenges involved in selling a channel where decisions are based to a degree on perception in the absence of high ratings as in HBO?
    It is about managing perceptions and managing clients’ expectations. These are key to brands like HBO. As you rightly said, these are not sold on ratings but on the environment you’re buying into, the value you’re bringing for the brand and on how you’re able to differentiate the buy on the channel versus a rating driven channel.

    Relationship building is another important aspect in the market, which is a big connect that we have in the market across all the brands we represent. While HBO has been a recent entrant in our lives, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have built many relationships in the industry. Our aim is to always find ways to consolidate our relationships in the market.
  • UTV announces ‘Katti Batti’

    UTV announces ‘Katti Batti’

     MUMBAI:  After clutter breaking and iconic films like Dev D, A Wednesday, Barfi!, Kai Po Che and numerous others, UTV Motion Pictures now is looking at bringing a unique love story about new age relationships and breaking up and making up in the world of today, the sort of contemporary romantic relationship never before seen on Indian celluloid – Katti Batti! The film will be directed by Nikhil Advani and will bring together the eclectic pairing of actors Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut.

     

    Katti Batti is an unusual love story with a twist, and has been creatively developed and driven by UTV Motion Pictures from its inception. UTV’s creative team first spotted the potential in Katti Batti’s script by first time writer Anshul Singhal. Then began the search for a director who could bring the same passion to the film, a search which ended with Nikhil Advani coming on board. UTV, Nikhil and Anshul have honed and polished the script for the past year to make it one of the most zany and heartwarming love stories in contemporary Hindi cinema.

     

    “We are very excited to be taking our creative journey on Katti Batti to the next phase. It is a most unusual love story steeped in the culture and language of today’s relationships. We wanted to make sure that the script gets the right director at the helm and a cast that can justify the two incredibly real, funny and layered lead characters. Our creative team steered the entire project through wonderfully and we are thrilled to have Nikhil, Imran and Kangana on board for the film. We couldn’t have asked for a better director and cast for the film,” said Disney India managing director Siddharth Roy Kapur.

     

     Advani added, “UTV spotted a gem of a script with Katti Batti and it was critical that it got the cast that justified it! Am personally elated by this casting combination as it is a dream to work with Kangana – her body of work has not dulled her ability to bring humility to her craft. Imran on the other hand is drawing from new personal experiences and emotions and brings with him as well, a fresh approach.”

     

    Actor Imran Khan, who will be essaying the role of Maddy, said, “I have always wished to be a part of films that make me proud as an actor. Katti Batti will be one such film. My last outing with UTV gave the audiences Delhi Belly, and we have worked together in the past on many successful films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, I Hate Luv Storys and Ek Main aur Ekk Tu. Now we hope to recreate the magic with Katti Batti. Nikhil Advani is a great story teller and Kangana is one of the finest actors of our generation. I am eagerly waiting to kickstart the film!”

     

    Kangana who plays the character of Payal concluded, “It is a beautiful story. Writers have used elements like the battle of the sexes, issues of urban couples, expanded truth and non linear narrative. We have one of the leading creative studios UTV as the producers and I have worked with them in the past on Fashion and Life in a Metro, two of my most memorable films. I just hope I do justice to this story that might change the perspective of love and love stories for us and for coming generations.”

     

    Katti Batti goes on the floors later this year and is scheduled for a worldwide release in 2015.

  • BBC Worldwide appoints Akhauri Sinha as the COO of Content and Production

    BBC Worldwide appoints Akhauri Sinha as the COO of Content and Production

    MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide India has appointed Akhauri Sinha as the COO of Content and Production. Based in Mumbai, Akhauri will report to Myleeta Aga, SVP and General Manager India and Content Head for Asia, and will oversee BBC Worldwide’s production business in the country.

     

    Akhauri will head the production of BBC Worldwide formats and local originally developed concepts in both fiction and non-fiction genres, for the Indian market. He is also tasked to formulate and implement local development strategies to maximise commissioning opportunities within the territory.

     

    Akhauri joins BBC Worldwide from Moving Picture Company (MPC) in Bangalore where he headed the India studio for the global visual effects giant. Prior to that, Akhauri worked with Nimbus and UTV, managing the film entertainment division and business development, respectively.

     

    “I am very pleased to have Akhauri join the BBC Worldwide family,” said Myleeta Aga. “Akhauri has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the media industry and has managed major production and other media businesses. With him working closely with our team on the ground, I am confident that BBC Worldwide in India will continue to produce quality formats and local productions that will appeal to our growing audience.”

     

    Last month, BBC Worldwide India was recognised at the 2013 Asian Television Awards when Disney Q Family Mastermind (India) was awarded with the Best Game/Quiz Programme. The format was adapted from the classic BBC format, Mastermind, which was revised to include families as participants. It airs on Disney Channel India.

     

    The sixth and latest season of the Hindi version of Dancing with the Stars, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which aired on Colors, achieved its best audience figures to date – the grand finale, on 14th September 2013, pushed the show to the top of weekend programming nearly doubling the ratings from 2012.  There is also a regional Bengali version of the show.

     

    Source: BBC Worldwide India

  • Disney UTV presents a movie slate with the biggest stars across multiple languages!

    Disney UTV presents a movie slate with the biggest stars across multiple languages!

    MUMBAI: After witnessing the most successful year for any studio ever in 2013, on the back of commercial blockbusters such as Chennai Express, YehJawaaniHaiDeewani and Race 2; and high concept films such as Kai Po Che, ABCD, Ship of Theseus, The Lunchbox and Shahid; Disney UTV will pack the very best in movie entertainment for audiences in 2014 and beyond, with an incredible line up of movies!  The Studio is all set to gun for an even bigger piece of the Box Office pie with a power packed slate of releases, featuring the biggest stars in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Hollywood.  At the same time, the studio is committed to continue to push the envelope, with concept driven films showcasing young new talent in front of the camera and behind it. With this slate, Disney UTV will have films that span a wide variety of genres from drama, action and horror to romance, comedy and thrillers. The slate also features the first slate of locally produced Disney branded  movies including Khoobsurat, P.K.. ABCD 2 and JaggaJasoos.

     

    “Disney UTV has produced some of the most trendsetting and cult movies of the past decade and we are confident that our upcoming releases will keep the same tradition alive. Our foremost effort is to ensure that we bring our audiences great stories that are original, innovative and delivered by the best talent in the business. We are delighted to associate with some of the most talented names in the industry – established names and debutants – to deliver a slate of movies that will entertain audiences of all ages and tastes.” added Amrita Pandey, VP and Head, Theatrical, Television & Digital Distribution – Studio, Disney UTV

  • IBF panel hopes to standardise TV ratings system

    IBF panel hopes to standardise TV ratings system

    The Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF), which has representation from all major channels, is setting up a committee to review the television rating systems in India.

    Presently, there are no uniform guidelines wherein agencies can rate programmes on various channels.

     

    “The IBF is putting together a technical committee to prescribe the technical specifications for a rating system which would be valid for India,” the Financial Express quoted Bhuvan Lall, executive director, IBF, as saying.

     

    The IBF has 29 members, including representatives of Doordarshan, Star, Zee, Sony, Discovery, TV Today, Sahara, ESPN, BBC, UTV, Enadu, Sabe and Sun TV, among others.

     

    The review committee, which is expected to present a final report in the next three to four months will have representatives from all major broadcasters/TV channels, Lall said.

     

    After the committee finalises its report, independent rating agencies that broadcasters subscribe to will have to conform to the guidelines in the report, according to Lall. The IBF expects the initiative to be the first step in offering a fair rating system for TV programmes.

     

    Rating of TV programmes is a major issue in the industry, and the IBF is determined to address all issues that impact the industry as a whole, Lall said.

  • IndiaCast UTV vs DishTV: Who really won?

    IndiaCast UTV vs DishTV: Who really won?

    MUMBAI:  It’s a battle that has both warring parties claiming victory. We are referring to the IndiaCast UTV Disney vs Dish TV scrap wherein each has been taking potshots at each other on an ‘on-request channel’ scheme that the platform has been running which involves the aggregators’ channels.

    Both petitioned the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) for a resolution and judgment.

    The matter was heard by the TDSAT today. IndiaCast’s pleas were:

    *Declare that the ‘on request’ categorisations of IndiaCast UTV channels in its current form be declared null and void.

    * Declare that the payment of monthly licence fees by DishTV be done in terms of TRAI regulations.

    * Declare that the scrolls/crawls being run by DishTV on IndiaCast UTV is (sic.) absolutely illegal.

    *Permanently restrain Dish TV from running any scroll in any manner whatsoever.

    *Pass an ad interim ex-parte order directing Dish TV to pay licence fees to IndiaCast UTV on the basis of the number of subscribers of packages in which the aggregators channels are placed.

    * Pass an ad interim order restraining Dish TV from, in any manner whatsoever switching off or blacking out the aggregator’s channels to subscribers, subscribing to the package in which the IndiaCast UTV channels exist.

    DishTV’s plea was:

    * IndiaCast UTV be restrained from issuing false, frivolous, and baseless alert notices to the subscribers of DishTV.

    *Declare the alert notice issued by IndiaCast UTV as illegal, malafide and defamatory.

    * Direct IndiaCast UTV to issue an unconditional and unqualified apology for publishing the wrong false and misleading alert notices to subscribers of DishTV.

    * Direct IndiaCast UTV to issue a corrigendum in all the newspapers and channels with the same prominence where the alert notices have been published.

    At the time of writing both claimed that the tribunal had ruled in their favour.

    While IndiaCast UTV stated that the TDSAT has struck down the ‘on-request channel’ scheme, Dish TV said it has not, adding that it is going to continue with it – albeit with a rejoinder that it will be called an ‘a la carte on request channel scheme.’

    IndiaCast UTV, on its part, has agreed to DishTV’s pleas to stop running the alert notices in newspapers and on air.

    Sources in IndiaCast UTV say their fears about the scheme were that DishTV could have mis-utilised it by making its channels available in both the DTH operator’s base and other subscriber packs and also in its a la carte offerings.

    If subscribers did not send an SMS confirming that they wanted the IndiaCast UTV channels, these would be dropped from their pack offerings, even as subscribers would continue paying as per earlier pack prices. Since subscribers would have unsubscribed, Dish TV would not be liable to make payments to IndiaCast UTV despite collecting the entire price for the pack (inclusive of the IndiaCast UTV channels).  This, IndiaCast UTV executives feared, would lead to a loss of revenues for them.

    They point out to an earlier interview in which DishTV CEO R.C. Venkateish was quoted as saying that the ‘on request channel’ scheme “is not a la carte offering but a scheme that will run on existing packs. We intend to progressively classify a number of channels as ‘on request channels’.”

    DishTV’s lawyers, however, clarified with the TDSAT today that the IndiaCast UTV channels would not be offered in all the various subscription packs that the operator offers but rather as a la carte offerings from 1 January 2014. And this is exactly what the aggregator was seeking, say IndiaCast UTV sources.

    Earlier agreements between DishTV and IndiaCast UTV for 22 channels in its bouquet are slated to expire on 31 December 2013, while those for another 11 are slated to expire on 31 March 2014.

    DishTV sent out an official statement, which said:

     “The TDSAT has disposed off the petition of IndiaCast UTV and has upheld the ‘on request DishTV’ scheme where the channels of IndiaCast UTV will be provided by DishTV to its subscribers on a la carte basis.  On the petition of DishTV, the TDSAT has also directed IndiaCast UTV to stop publishing advertisements against the ‘on request channel’ scheme of DishTV. We have also been allowed to run the scrolls publishing the ‘on request channels’ scheme by mentioning that the channels will be available on a la carte basis.”

    We at indiantelevision.com don’t know if we have seen the last of the exchange of fisticuffs between the two. Let’s wait and watch how things pan out in the coming days.

  • Dish TV threatens IndiaCast with legal action

    Dish TV threatens IndiaCast with legal action

    MUMBAI: The Dish TV vs IndiaCast battle has just taken an ugly turn. India’s oldest DTH operator has fired a salvo at the aggregator by issuing a statement that claims that it has issued a legal notice to it for “the false and malafide advertisement that it issued today.”

     
    It has asked IndiaCast to cease and desist from “spreading false and malafide information” regarding channels on DishTV. 

    “All necessary steps including criminal and civil actions against Indiacast UTV and its functionaries are being contemplated,” says a Dish TV spokesperson.

    However, an IndiaCast spokesperson said that they haven’t yet received any notice from Dish TV.

    Readers may recollect that leading Indian newspapers today carried a public notice from IndiaCast stating that channels it distributes might be discontinued from Dish TV subscribers’ packages from 1 January and replaced with movies on demand unless customers message or call the DTH operator clearly saying they wanted to continue receiving them. The ads asked them to call up Dish TV or in the alternative subscribe to another cable TV or DTH service. Promos along the same lines have also been running on all the IndiaCast channels. 

    IndiaCast had issued the ad keeping in mind that DishTV is running an “on-request channel” campaign which will see channels being unsubscribed unless subscribers opt for them. The DTH operator is also rewarding subscribers with points if they choose to unsubscribe from IndiaCast channels which they can use to watch movies. 

    The channels that are mentioned in the IndiaCast notice include:  Colors, CNBC TV 18, MTV, CNN IBN, Bindass, Nick, IBN7, CNBC Awaaz, UTV Movies, History TV, Disney, Hungama, Sonic, Disney XD, UTV Action, Comedy Central, VH1, UTV World Movies, Nick Jr, Disney Junior and IBN Lokmat.

  • Hungama TV rebooted

    Hungama TV rebooted

    MUMBAI: Disney UTV’s kids’ channel – Hungama TV – has had a makeover of sorts. The new avatar imparts a more local flavour while retaining the ‘unapologetically fun loving, mischievous and boisterous’ character of the channel.

    The redesigned page was launched on 1 October and it took the in-house team at Disney Interactive a little less than two months for the conceptualisation, direction and execution.

    Of the reboot, Disney UTV Media Networks director – creative services Prashant Madan says: “We have taken the traditional values of Hungama TV, and what it stood for, and just given it a new voice. And we wanted to reach out and put out a message as to what the new voice would be.”

    It's more like a challenge rather than a question explains Madan speaking about the new tagline – Hungama Machaya Kya?

    The brand refresh has been three-pronged; replete with a new tagline – Hungama Machaya Kya?, a new on-air look and package, and a fresh interactive feel.

    “So when we are talking about fun, we just don’t want to show it but make our users feel it, so our live action would really place our brand in a unique place as other kids’ brands don’t do that and it’s a very stand-out thing that we intend on doing. For our positioning, we used real kids to portray what we are trying to say. Like in adults, we have thought leaders, in kids, we have action leaders. So we wanted to inspire other kids and that is where the live action animation comes into play. And that kind of feeling can only be portrayed in true light with the right use of animation and graphics,” elaborates Madan.

    Supplementing the new look for the channel is a music video featuring kids in a colourful, playful mood, bringing alive emotions they experience in everyday life.

    “We have gone a step further with the graphic packaging as well, by adding a lot of things that kids find attractive and love to do. Like flying kites, latoos or playing marbles. So we have drawn inspiration from these small things that kids love to do at that age and converted them into something far more fun and engaging.”

    Incidentally, this is just the first phase of the revamp and the second phase will happen over the course of the year and will be more marketing and content-led.

    Madan says the new tagline is based on a recent survey by the channel where it emerged that there are always a few kids in every group who dictate the action and activities of the flock. Hungama decided to highlight these kids through its tagline while inspiring other children to follow their example and live life to the fullest. “So it’s more like a challenge rather than a question… so go out there and live life is what we are trying to say,” explains Madan.

    Additionally, the channel plans to go more local through its shows like Veer – The Robot, Luv Kush, King Vikram, and Suryaputra Karan.

    The brand refresh has been three-pronged; replete with a new tagline – Hungama Machaya Kya?, a new on-air look and package, and a fresh interactive feel

    So what’s the response so far? “It’s a bit too early to put numbers on the results of the revamp but with time, we will surely be studying them, as it’s something that our users need to acclimatise to,” says Madan.

    Of Disney UTV’s four youth-centric channels – Disney, Hungama, Disney XD and Disney Junior – Hungama is the only channel that is truly home-grown in nature. “We are a channel that is very Indian at heart, and extremely driven by Indian values and visuals, we drew our inspiration for this from the funfair that happens, because we wanted to imbibe the colours, the energy and the vibrancy that is in abundance in these melas, and so we have used those colours and also made ample use of symbols like the kite, latoo, see-saw or the marble contest to make the packaging very vibrant and Indian in nature,” rounds off Madan.