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Tag: Zee News

  • Zee Sangam drops TEN format; to be national news channel

    Zee Sangam drops TEN format; to be national news channel

    MUMBAI: The Zee group has a reputation for reinventing itself from time to time.

     

    The latest is Zee Media Corporation’s flagship news channel, Zee News, is all set to get a cousin in the newly-rebranded Zee Sangam, which will be a national channel 16 April onwards. Before this, Zee Sangam was called Zee UP/Uttarakhand.

     

    The new-look Zee Sangam will air 40 per cent news from Uttar Pradesh with the remaining news from the rest of the nation including regional stories. 

     

     When contacted, Zee Media CEO Alok Agrawal confirmed that the channel has decided to drop the Terrestrial Entertainment Network (TEN) format that it had wanted to give to Sangam and has now embarked on making it a national channel.

     

     The differentiating factor between Zee News and Zee Sangam is that while the flagship channel will focus on news from the globe, Sangam will be regional-focused with a national perspective. Since the channel is known in Uttar Pradesh, the focus will be on stories from UP. Operating out of Noida, Vasindra Mishra will be the editor and Vinod Das the business head of the channel.

     

     Currently, the network is lining up the various programmes and beefing up on manpower as well as distribution. The channel will be available on all leading cable TV and direct to home (DTH) platforms in Mumbai and Delhi and other parts of the country. 

  • Amagi Media to tie up with 5 broadcasters

    Amagi Media to tie up with 5 broadcasters

    KOLKATA: Amagi Media Labs is gearing to increase its reach. The Bengaluru based technology and media startup that facilitates geo-targeting of television advertisements, is now expanding its services to five more national broadcasters. And all this in the next two-three months.

     

    “We are in discussions with broadcasters who have presence largely in the Hindi speaking markets (HSM),” informed Amagi Media Labs business head LS Krishnan.

     

    Amagi had recently roped in Zee Media as a broadcast partner and in turn added Zee News and Zee Business to its channel roster. “IBN7, CNBC Awaz, Times Now and UTV Movies, among others are our partners,” he said.

     

    The company is also looking at getting the fourth round of private equity funding. “We have signed the paper and expect the funds flowing in the company, anytime sooner,” added Krishnan, without divulging any detail on the amount to be infused in Amagi for further expansion of business.

     

    Krishnan who was addressing the press in Kolkata, stressed on the eastern region becoming an important destination for national brands. “The region is important for brands that are looking for deeper penetration and reach. 45 per cent of viewers in West Bengal are Hindi speaking. The region contributes around 20-25 per cent to our topline. We aim to scale up in terms of advertisers here,” he said.  

     

    Currently, Amagi has around 50 clients in the state. Some of which are: Shalimar, Konark Cement and Keo Karpin. “80 per cent of the revenue comes from the FMCG sector,” concluded Krishnan.

     

  • Zee News brings ‘Change Maker Awards’

    Zee News brings ‘Change Maker Awards’

    MUMBAI: One of the leaders of the Hindi news channels Zee News has come up with an initiative to recognise creative talents across the country. ‘Change Maker Awards’ will be held in March 2014 to highlight areas where change is required in various sectors of society such as environment, social issues and civic issues.

     

    Online entries are being invited for print, television, radio, digital and out of home categories from creative talents across India.

     

    An official statement from the company says that the awards have been created to ‘salute and reward such creative ideas that revolve within when it comes to make things better for everyone’.

     

    Speaking on this initiative,Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) VP-marekting Rohit Kumar said, “Zee News has always read the nerves of its audience and change itself according to demand and environment. Our constant endeavor has been to recognize and facilitate change makers to substantiate a positive India. Change Maker Award is to promote and to provide a platform to such individuals.”

     

    The jury will consist of names such as Creativeland Asia Founder and Creative Chairman Raj Kuru, Havas Worldwide India managing partner and chief creative officer Satbir Singh, Flipkart Sr. VP- Marketing Ravi Vora, Raymond Director – Marketing Mrinmoy Mukherjee, BITM Managing Partner & Chief  Creative Officer Prathap Suthan.

     

    Bang In The Middle Managing Partner & Chief Creative Officer Prathap Suthan said, “There cannot be a better time than now for these awards. The nation is on full boil as far as the youth, energy and change is concerned, especially with the elections drawing near. More importantly, I believe that inviting, including, and involving creative people from advertising to take a shot at change just might fire some big ideas. I really hope that all our talent finds and uses this opportunity to bring up braver ideas. Our country needs all the help and hope it can get.”

     

    Ex Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Qureshi said, “I am glad that Zee News is using its preeminent position to encourage an effort towards positive thinking. The Change Maker Awards is a well intentioned initiative that should unearth innovative ideas that can change people’s lives.”

     

    Previous initiatives of Zee News include ‘My Earth My Duty’, ‘Aapka Vote Aapki Taqat’, ‘Gift a Life’ etc. The last date of submission is 15 March 2014. 

  • Q3: Digitisation boosts broadcasters’ revenues

    Q3: Digitisation boosts broadcasters’ revenues

    MUMBAI: Digitisation of cable TV services in major cities has helped broadcasters improve their income from subscriptions in the third quarter ended 31 December, 2013, but the cap on advertising has hit some of them badly as the regulation got implemented at the beginning of the quarter.

     

    The advertising revenues of the industry rose by about 10 per cent in the third quarter, largely on account of robust growth at general entertainment channels (GECs), according to analysts.

     

    ADVERTISING REVENUE

     

    Sun TV saw its advertising revenue fall 7.2 per cent on year to Rs 272 crore in the third quarter, as the cap on advertising hurt the leading television network from south India. The fall in Sun TV’s advertising revenue was despite an increase in advertising rates, analysts said.

     

    GroupM’s Senior Director, Analytics, Central Trading Group, Harsh Deep Chhabra, says news channels are expected to take a bigger hit than the GECs because of the ad cap. While the impact of the advertising cap on news channel could be as high as up to 35 per cent, it could be 10-15 per cent on GECs.

     

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ ex-sports advertisement revenue growth was more than 20 per cent year on year, due to gains in market shares and launch of new channels.

     

    Barring the short-term impact of reduction in advertising inventory, advertising spends on television are expected to grow in healthy double digits over the next many years, according to Zee Entertainment Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Punit Goenka.

     

    The advertising revenue growth at Zee Media, which has a group of general and business news channels, was 3.1 per cent at Rs 61.39 crore in the third quarter, against its subscription revenue growth of 21.6% at Rs 270 crore.

     

    The third quarter had seen relaunch of Zee News channel with refreshed programming and look.

     

    TV18 Broadcast’s consolidated advertising revenues grew 3 per cent year on year, as entertainment channels led by Colors and MTV delivered strong double digit advertising revenue growth. Advertising environment for news and infotainment continued to be sluggish.

     

    In the first half of 2013-14 too, advertising revenues at TV18 Broadcast had grown by 3 per cent year on year, with the advertising revenues at Colors growing by more than 15 per cent.

     

    SUBSCRIPTION REVENUE

     

    Sun TV’s subscription revenues rose 27% year on year to Rs 167 crore in the third quarter, basically driven by a 45.9% increase in analogue subscription revenue and a 19.6% rise in direct-to-home subscription revenue. The company expects robust growth in subscription revenue to continue as the full benefits of phase I and Phase II digitisation of cable TV are yet to be reflected as Chennai and Coimbatore are yet to be fully digitised.

     

    The Chennai-based broadcaster’s operating profit margin came under pressure because of higher cost of content, in addition to a decline in advertising revenue.  Multiple non-fiction shows telecast during the quarter led to a 428 basis points year-on-year contraction in operating margin to 73.6%, according to a results update by Angel Broking.

     

    It said Sun TV management expects content cost to go down in the next quarter as no non-fiction shows are planned to be telecast in the fourth quarter of 2013-14.

     

    TV18’s net distribution income (subscription revenues minus carriage/placement fees) continued to grow steadily. In the third quarter, the net distribution income was  Rs 43.6 crore, a growth of 145 per cent year on year.

     

    Zee Entertainment’s subscription revenues were up 11.4 per cent year on year to Rs 456.50 crore in the third quarter. The company’s domestic subscription revenues grew by 12.2 per cent year on year to Rs 332.20 crore in the third quarter.

     

    ZEE Media’s subscription revenue was up 21.6 per cent year on year at Rs 270 crore in the third quarter.

     

    New Delhi Television did not provide a break-up of its revenues from its broadcast operations. The news broadcaster said its Hindi news business remains buoyant with NDTV India reporting robust revenue growth. NDTV only said its revenues from broadcast operations in the third quarter were up 22 per cent year on year at Rs 131.02 crore.

     

    B.A.G. Films & Media reported improved a 29.1 per cent year on year rise in operating revenue to Rs 23.60 crore in the third quarter. The break-up of the revenue was not available.

     

    OPERATING PERFORMANCE:

     

    TV18 Broadcast reported its highest ever quarterly operating profit at Rs 77.5 crore, up 61 per cent year on year. Its net distribution income continued to grow steadily. In the third quarter, the net distribution income was  Rs 43.6 crore, a growth of 145 per cent year on year.

     

    On a proforma basis, including the results of ETV Entertainment, TV18 Broadcast’s operating profit was Rs 108.1 crore. ETV Entertainment reported a sharp reduction in losses compared to the previous two quarters as programming and marketing investments made in the first half led to an upswing in ratings and revenues.

     

    NDTV’s reported Rs 3.29 crore of operating profit in the third quarter against an operating loss of Rs 1.98 crore a year ago.

     

    B.A.G. Films too had an operating profit (of Rs 8.56 crore) in the third quarter against operating loss of Rs 1.51 crore a year earlier.

     

    Zee Entertainment’s operating profit in the third quarter was Rs 290.70 crore, up 11.3 per cent despite operating profit margin contracting to 24.5 per cent from 27.8 per cent a year ago.

     

    Sun TV’s operating profit fell 1.1 per cent year on year to Rs 372 crore in the third quarter, as its revenues were impacted by fall in advertising revenue and increase in content cost due to reality shows.

  • Zee News ‘Ananya Samman 2013’ Honoured ‘Real Heroes Of The Nation’

    Zee News ‘Ananya Samman 2013’ Honoured ‘Real Heroes Of The Nation’

    MUMBAI: In line with its five-year long tradition of acknowledging and recognizing the contribution of military and paramilitary forces, Zee News, part of Nations largest news Network Zee Media Corporation Ltd. felicitated the heroes of the nation with ‘Ananya Samman 2013’. This year Zee News honoured the personnel from forces, who have done remarkable work for our society. Param Vir Chakra Awardees were also honoured.

    At a well attended function at Taj Palace (New Delhi) people from all walks of life, including politicians, bureaucrats etc. were present in large numbers prominent amongst were Shri. Salman Khurshid, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, Shri. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana, Shri. Lal Krishna Advani Senior Leader of BJP, Shri. Ram Vilash Paswan, President, Lok Janshakti Party and Shri. Sharad Jadav, President of Janta Dal United.

     

    Ananya means exceptional and Zee News believes in honouring those men who dedicated and sacrificed their lives defending the nation and also honouring their families who feel their loss every second of their lives.  Conceptualized in 2008, following the milieu of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Zee News “Ananya Samman” recognizes and salute the exemplary courage and valour shown by the real heroes of India in thwarting the attacks by foreign and domestic infiltrators.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr.  Alok Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Media Corporation Ltd. said, “We respect Indian Armed forces who relentlessly guard the Nation, be it on the borders or at the time of internal crises.  Zee Media as a responsible Media House understands its duty and feels proud to honour their unconditional support and dedication. Today, we take this opportunity to commemorate the brave army and para –military forces that protect our motherland”.

    Mr. Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor, Zee News said, “Being the oldest and the most responsible news channel we have enormous duties towards the Nation.  We understand our role and through Ananya Samman we honour and acknowledge the great work done by the ‘Heroes of the Nation’ and share their exemplary acts of courage with millions of viewers. It’s our way to give back to society.”

     

    The “Ananya Samman 2013” felicitation ceremony commenced with an introductory speech. After the speech, felicitation of the real heroes begun along with an AV on their act of courage. The event also featured some patriotic songs by the artists and concluded with a Vote of Thanks. Before the final conclusion Army Band presented National Anthem.

    Enclosed please find the names of the brave men, who dedicated their lives for the nation.
    NAMES OF BRAVE MEN FELICITATED AT ANANYA SAMMAN 2013

        
    Indian Army

    1.Shaheed Hav Rajesh Kumar, Ashok Chakra (ARMY)

    2.Shaheed Rifleman Suraj Prakash, Shaurya Chakra (ARMY)
        

     

    Indian Navy

    3.Lieutenant Dharambir Singh Sihag, (NAVY)

    4.Mahavir Singh Petty Officer (NAVY)

        
    Indian Air Force

    5.Shaheed AC Kannan,  Shaurya Chakra  

    6.Shaheed Sgt Mustafa Ali,  Shaurya Chakra

        
    Border Security Force

    7.Shri R K Negi

    8.Asst Commandant Shahuraje Pawar
        

    Indo Tibitian Boarder Police

    9.Commandant (First Battalion, ITBP)

    10.Commandant (Eighth Battalion, ITBP)
        
    Central Industrial Security Force

    11.Cont/GD Arjan Singh

    12.Const/GD Sanjay Kumar
        

    Life Time Contribution

    13.Naib Subedar Bana Singh
        
    Param Vir Chakra Awardees

    S.No    Name

    1.        Late Captain Vikram Batra

    2.        Late Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey

    3.        Veer Abdul Hameed

    4.        Lance Naik Karam Singh

    5.        Late Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

    6.        Major Shaitan Singh

    7.        Major Dhan Singh Thapa

    8.        Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat

    9.        Subedar Joginder Singh

    10.      Lance Naik Albert Ekka

    11.        Naik Jadu Nath Singh

        
    About Zee Media Corporation Ltd: Zee Media Corporation Ltd., the largest News Network in India, has a unique cluster of news, current affairs and regional news channels under the banner, including Zee News, Zee Business, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal, Zee 24 Taas, Zee Madhya Pradesh Chhatisgarh, Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttrakahand, 24 Ghanta, Zee 24 Ghantalu & Zee Rajasthan. The Media powerhouse has comprehensive and more options for the new age news consumer through Zeenews.com – which is one of the fastest growing news websites in India as per Comscore Direct, Google Analytics and has strong social media presence, not only in India but across the globe as well. As a responsible media house, the network has been committed to serve the nation, not only by providing relevant and quality news, but also by highlighting issues of national significance and addressing them regularly. For further  details please visit: http://zeenews.india.com

     

  • News Express brings Sanjeev Kumar as network sales head

    News Express brings Sanjeev Kumar as network sales head

    MUMBAI: After quitting India TV and joining News Express as CEO, Vinod Kapri has been working on getting his A team together. The latest to be recruited is  media professional Sanjeev Kumar who will be heading  the channel’s network sales.

     

    Kumar has over seven years of experience, the last being as the country head for ANN7 in South Africa. He has also worked as a vice president of sales at Zee News handling the channels Zee News, Zee UP/UK, Zee Punjabi, Zee MPCG. He was also associated with the Outlook group and Bennet Coleman and Co.

     

    Kapri says, “Sanjeev Kumar has a very rich experience of media sales and is a step further in our endeavour to build a team of best professionals in media.”

     

    He has already beefed up the channel’s editorial and managerial teams and is also focusing on improving  its distribution.  Amit Tripathi was earlier roped in as COO, Satish K Singh as the editor, Ravikant Mittal as managing editor and Jacob Matthew as executive editor.

     

    While the channel isn’t available on a lot of platforms as of now, it has struck a deal with one of India’s  biggest DTH operators – Tata Sky – recently. Close to 11 million subscribers will get to watch News Express from 5 February onwards.

  • Zee News unveils new colours and dynamic energy through TVC

    Zee News unveils new colours and dynamic energy through TVC

     

    NEW DELHI: Weeks after it decided to get the youngsters of the country hooked on to its Hindi news channel, Zee News, Zee Media Corp (ZMCL) has launched a new television commercial unveiling the channels’ new look.

     

    A set of vibrant colors are being used to promote their philosophy that ‘News is never black and white; there are many shades, many hues to news’. The new TVC that has been created by the agency Bang in the Middle at a cost of nearly Rs 20 – 30 lakh will run for a month across multiple platforms like GECs and multiplexes besides leveraging its own networks to target the masses.

    In a press release, Zee News said it was committed to provide viewers with various aspect of news, which has been highlighted through the TVC.

     

    Speaking on this occasion ZMCL marketing and distribution VP Rohit Kumar said, “Under the revamp, the focus is on the youth. As always, we have striven to stay focused and relevant. With this new campaign the objective is to influence youth and their conscience. Our attempt is to strike a chord with them, their thoughts and attitude through this campaign.”

     

    The channel underwent a brand name change last year as Zee News changed to Zee Media Corp and saw a 15 per cent rise in viewership. For this new gamble they have taken, it will take three to six months for the effects to be seen.

  • Zee Media brings DNA under its fold

    Zee Media brings DNA under its fold

    MUMBAI: It was in early 2012 that the Subhash Chandra owned company Essel Group bought out its Joint Venture (JV) partner D B Corp’s 50 per cent stake in the English national newspaper DNA, cementing the media baron’s presence in the print media. Now, it has taken a long leap again. In a recent announcement to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) announced its intention to venture into the print media business with the amalgamation of Essel Publishers that brings out DNA and itself.

     

    Following a postal ballot held between 30 October and 28 November, 95.46 per cent or 652 people out of 683 shareholders were in favour of the amalgamation.

     

    “Having already built a nationwide largest television news network with its varied news channels, with an object of creating a news powerhouse in the country, Zee Media aspires to expand its product offering across multiple platforms, regions and languages,” read the document to investors on the amalgamation scheme.

     

    And it was in keeping with Zee group chairman Subhash Chandra statement in a release a while ago that the company is on a mission to consolidate its broadcast, print and internet content under one umbrella.

     

    According to ZMCL CEO Alok Agrawal, the merger process has just begun and will take a year to complete. And the net result (says the document sent out to shareholders following which they gave the fusing of the two firms the nod) will be that : “Zee Media will be in a position to leverage the combined network of resources, working in an integrated newsroom through multiple platforms as well as providing a bouquet of services to advertisers which would strengthen its market reach.”

     

    “Stories will be shared across the two mediums thus allowing English, Hindi and other regional languages to benefit from each other,” says Agrawal. With this move, ZMCL employees will be also be multi-tasking just like in other efficiently run media organisations the world over.

     

    At the same time, it means additional work as well. “Employees will get cross exposure now. Those who accept the challenge will prosper and those who don’t will falter. That’s the law of the land,” remarks Agrawal.

     

    Since 2009, the management of DNA has been handled by the Essel Group with Malcolm Mistry as the current CEO. The integrated newsroom will take some time to evolve. Initially, the focus will be on evaluating the requirement for separate offices for the two media entities, consolidating the teams wherever possible in various cities nationally, and in the process generate savings.

     

    ZMCL has its eye set firmly on expanding DNA by launching new editions in newer towns in phases. DNA is currently published from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore and Bengaluru. Delhi would be the next target;however, Agrawal says it will take some time as Delhi is a very competitive market with The Times of India and The Hindustan Times fiercely battling each other.

     

    According to the Indian Readership Survey 2012 Q4 topline findings the circulation of DNA was 972, 000. The number may well have gone up significantly since then.

     

    Was it easy to convince shareholders about the expansion plans? “The overwhelming response we got was surely a bit of a surprise but they saw the good opportunity. As a TV channel, our reach was limited and the amalgamation makes it more holistic and well rounded,” explains Agrawal. ZMCL claims that its bouquet of six channels in the news space reach out around 130 million viewers.

     

    The deal proposed to shareholders was that for every 11 shares of Re 1 each held in Essel Publishers, 2 shares of Re 1 each from ZMCL would be issued and allotted. But no shares would be given for fractional entitlements. Post the announcement, the market value of ZMCL’s share saw a spike and at the time of filing this report it was quoting at Rs 14.04 on the BSE.

     

    The authorised share capital of Essel Publishers and ZMCL put together has been enhanced to Rs 170 crore with Rs 70 crore from Essel Publishers and Rs !00 crore from ZMCL.

     

    The amalgamation scheme became effective from 3 December and thus Essel Publishers now stands dissolved without being wound up. And all the newspaper staff have henceforth become ZMCL employees.

     

    ZMCL’s financial result for Q2 2014 showed that advertising and subscription revenues were higher than the previous quarter. Total revenue for Q2 2014 was Rs 160.7 crore with ad revenue at Rs 52.92 crore and subscription revenue at Rs 24.9 crore. PAT stood at Rs 2.8 crore while EBIDTA stood at Rs 74.8 crore.

  • Zee News targets Gen Y

    Zee News targets Gen Y

    MUMBAI: ZMCL’s (ZEE Media Corporation Ltd) main Hindi news channel Zee News is targeting the youth demographic.

     

    For starters, the management has given the channel and programming packaging a total makeover with bright and peppy colours being added. Fresh, zingy promos have been hitting the airwaves as part of a campaign titled ‘Khabrein apke rangon mein’ which tries to drive home the point “that news is never black and white, there are several hues to it.”

     

    For some time now, the channel has been pitching that the Indian youth need to change their thinking to change the nation (soch badlo desh badlo). And this new campaign is another effort on the part of Zee News to lure the fickle but curious youth to tune in to its daily bulletins.

     

    Says ZMCL CEO Alok Agrawal: “The aim is to be their eyes, ears, and conscience. The channel will be in tandem with their world, in sync with their energy. With ‘Khabrein Apke Rangon Mein’, we will interact with them, touch their life and wear their pride. We aim to empower, influence and impact the opinion of this youthful and vibrant India.”

     

    “In today’s scenario the youth is interested in what is happening nationally and globally,” says ZMCL editor Sudhir Chaudhary.  “Our efforts will be to reach and connect with the viewers, especially youth and provide them with news that is contemporary, vibrant and topical.”

     

    Many have tried but few have succeeded in hooking the quickly evolving young viewer – for too long. Will Zee News’ fresh push yield results?

  • ZMCL hires Dwivedi as national sales head

    ZMCL hires Dwivedi as national sales head

    MUMBAI: Zee Media Corp Limited (ZMCL) has got a new hire:  national sales head Harsh Vardhan Dwivedi has hopped on board. He will be in-charge of two channels – Zee Uttar Pradesh and the newly acquired, Zee Maurya, also known as Zee Bihar/Jharkhand. To be based in Noida, he will be reporting into Zee News chief sales officer Jitesh Rajdeo. Alongside, he will also be handling a team of about 20-25 people.

     

    Dwivedi earlier headed retail sales for Network 18’s five channels – ETV Madhya Pradesh/Chattisgarh, ETV Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand, ETV Bihar/Jharkhand, ETV Rajasthan and ETV Urdu (North).

     

    This is Dwivedi’s second stint with the Zee TV group. He earlier worked in the position of sales manager from 2006 to 2009 for both Zee News and Zee TV.

     

    “It’s going to be a good experience as now ZMCL is catering to an unexplored market. There is more opportunity for us to grow in the regions after the downfall of Mahuaa. Zee has a big background and a good understanding of the market,” says Dwivedi, who is excited about his new job.

     

    Dwivedi started his TV career with Sahara India TV Network after which he moved to Zee as sales manager for ZEEL (Zee Entertainment Enterprises) and Zee News. He has also worked with Mahuaa as the regional sales head (north) in the past.