ITV

Tag: Zing

  • ‘Ek Villian’ cast Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor say ‘Pyaar tune kya kiya’ on Zing

    ‘Ek Villian’ cast Sidharth Malhotra and Shraddha Kapoor say ‘Pyaar tune kya kiya’ on Zing

    MUMBAI: Zing’s Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, electrifies the small screen as Bollywood celebrities Sidharth  and Shraddha Kapoor turn to hosting on Zing!

     

    Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, the real love inspired series launched in May seems to be on a blitzkrieg to showcase some of the most versatile content to the discerning Indian viewer. The forthcoming episode will witness stars of Ek Villian play celebrity hosts, and present a rather special episode.

     

    This week’s story revolves around Mitalee, a homely girl hailing from a small town in Maharashtra.  Mitalee belongs to a middle class background, is extremely hard working and is daddy’s little girl! She trusts her father’s every word and fully understands the need to excel academically. Thus when she finds love in her colony friend Ankit, it’s a very secret affair as her family would not approve of it.  To them it would seem that Mitalee could spend that time wisely, by studying.

    But being the studious girl she is, she dedicatedly preps for her college exams. So much so, that she topped not only her entire class, but the entire college! One would assume after such success it’s surely the time to celebrate. But fate had other plans for Mitalee, even though she left for a night out with close friends, she never returned!

    Can one decision, one minute change her life forever? Is it ever possible for Mitalee’s life to ever be the same again? Watch this unpredictable, episode with Sidharth Malhotra and Sharddha Kapoor taking viewers on a roller coaster ride!

    Speaking on the occasion Sidharth stated,” I am extremely thrilled to be a part of Pyaar tune kya kiya. The format of this show is so new and refreshing as we are left to decipher our own endings. This series really amazes me as one would go to any length to save their love much like Ek Villian. This episode is very dear to my heart as I identify with the storyline”.

    Adding to this, Sharaddha said,” I’ve had so much fun on the sets of Pyaar tune kya kiya and I would love to come back. After having experienced the show first hand, it excites me all the more and I will try to watch it every week”.

  • Archana Kanade quits Zee TV UK

    Archana Kanade quits Zee TV UK

    MUMBAI: Folks attending MipCom and MipTV were pretty familiar with the petite Archana Kanade. Until she stopped attending the world’s leading TV content markets after being appointed as the business head of Zee Network UK’s free to air channels around three years ago. Now Archana has decided to part ways with Zee after six years with the company. Apparently, the lady is taking up an independent assignment.

     

    She has had a good innings with the network, and was running both Zing and Lamhe (a classic programming channel)  in the UK. At the time of her departure, Zing looks healthy ranking as  England’s No 1 Brit-Asian Bollywood channel. Archana had the responsibility of localizing programming in the UK and introduced shows such as Brit’s Bollywood, Cloud 9, Grinds My Teeth, and Rock the Vibe.

     

    Says the ever-smiling Archana in a press release issued by the network: “Working with Zee and its initiatives has been a great pleasure. I’ve had the opportunity to work on Zee’s channels at the perfect time when the FTA business was still budding – giving me the chance to turn around the channels for growth, focusing on the gaps in the market. I wish Zee Network continues to do well and reaches even newer heights.”

     

    Adds Zee Network CEO Europe Neeraj Dhingra in the same press release: “Archana’s contribution has been valuable to the progress of the organisation at key points in its history. Her experience of 19 long years in the industry has added to the strength of how the network’s products now stand. Her vigour and vision has been a great asset and I offer her my whole-hearted support in her future ventures.”

     

  • Dish TV adds 8.1 lakh subscribers in FY-2014; ARPU up from Rs 158 to Rs 170

    Dish TV adds 8.1 lakh subscribers in FY-2014; ARPU up from Rs 158 to Rs 170

    BENGALURU:  Dish TV Limited (Dish TV) in its earnings release for FY-2014 says that it has added about 8.1 lakh net subscribers in FY-2014 and 2.26 lakh subscribers in Q4-2014 to take its total subscriber base to 1.14 crore net subscribers during the period.

     

    The company also claims that it has increased ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) from Rs 158 during the previous year to Rs 170 in FY-2014. It says that it has managed to contain the subscriber churn to 0.6 per cent per month.

     

    Note: (1) 100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

    (2) Standalone figures in this report 

     

    FY-2014 standalone revenues stood at Rs 2508.98 crore recording 15.79 per cent growth over the Rs 2166.80 crore in FY-2014. Dish TV reported standalone operating revenue of Rs 636.91 crore, recording 14.68 per cent growth over the Rs 555.40 crore in corresponding period last fiscal and 2.10 per cent more than the Rs 623.81 crore in immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Dish TV’s net loss for FY-2014, impacted by a prior period adjustment of Rs 116.4 crore, was Rs (-154.2) crore as compared to a loss of Rs (-66.75) crore in FY-2013. Net loss for Q4-2014, impacted by the above mentioned prior period adjustment of Rs 116.4 crore, increased to Rs (-149.05) crore compared to Rs (- 43.62) crore in Q4-2013 and a loss of Rs (-28.36) crore in Q3-2014, says the company.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Dish TV for FY-2014 and Q4-2014

     

    Dish TV’s Total Expense (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 at Rs 2482.30 crore (98.94 per cent of Total standalone revenue) was 12.07 per cent more than the Rs 2214.96 crore (102.22 per cent of Total standalone revenue) in FY-2013. Q4-2014 Tot Exp at Rs 657.05 crore (103.16 per cent of Total standalone revenue) was 4 per cent more than the Rs 631.78 crore (101.28 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q3-2014 and 13.21 per cent more than the Rs 580.36 crore (104.49 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q4-2013.

     

    The company’s finance cost increased 3.37 per cent in FY-2014 to Rs 132.68 crore (5.29 per cent of Total standalone operating income) from Rs 128.36 crore (5.92 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in FY-2013. Dish TV’s Q4-2014 finance cost at Rs 32.63 crore (5.12 per cent of Total standalone operating income) was 8.41 per cent more than the Rs 30.10 crore (4.83 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q3-2014 and (-5.01) per cent lower than the Rs 35.85 crore (6.18 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q4-2013.

     

    Dish TV’s Programming/content and other cost (Content cost) in FY-2014 at Rs 261.38 crore (10.42 per cent of Total standalone operating income) was 15.81 per cent higher than the Rs 225.70 crore (10.42 per cent of Total standalone operating income). Q4-2014 content cost was 2.29 per cent more at Rs 66.98 crore (10.52 per cent of Total standalone operating income) as compared to the Rs 65.48 crore (10.5 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in the immediate trailing quarter and 15.3 per cent more than the Rs 58.09 crore (10.46 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

     

    The company paid Rs 288.48 crore (11.5 per cent of Total standalone operating income) as licence fees in FY-2014 which was 25.49 per cent more than the Rs 229.89 crore (10.61 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in FY-2013. Dish TV paid Rs 82.38 crore (12.93 per cent of Total standalone operating income) towards licence fees in Q4-2014 which was 10.96 per cent more than the Rs 74.24 crore (11.90 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q3-2014 and 34.34 per cent higher than the Rs 61.32 crore (11.04 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q4-2013.

     

    Dish TV’s selling and distribution expense is made up of two parts – ‘commission’ and ‘other selling and distribution expense’ (distribution exp).

     

    Commission expense in FY-2014 at Rs 183.67 crore (7.32 per cent of Total standalone operating income) was 17.84 per cent more than the Rs 155.87 crore (7.19 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in FY-2013. Q4-2014 commission expense at Rs 50.65 crores (7.95 per cent of Total standalone operating income) was 0.56 per cent more than the Rs 50.37 crore (8.07 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q3-2014 and 31.94 per cent more than the Rs 38.39 crore (6.91 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q4-2013.

     

    Distribution Exp in FY-2014 at Rs148.42 crore (5.92 per cent of Total standalone operating income) was 0.44 per cent more than the Rs 147.77 crore (6.82 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, Dish TV paid (-5.85) per cent lower towards distribution exp at Rs 32.66 crore (5.13 per cent of Total standalone operating income) as compared to the Rs 34.69 crore (5.56 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q3-2014 and (-8.9) per cent lower than the Rs 35.85 crore (6.45 per cent of Total standalone operating income) in Q4-2013.

     

    Dish TV’s take

     

    Dish TV chairman Subhash Chandra said, “The Media industry had its share of opportunities and challenges all through the year. Digitisation kept the industry on its toes. In an uncertain macro environment, Dish TV pursued its strategy of self-funded growth; deleveraging the business while being selective about its subscriber additions notwithstanding the noise around digitisation. The result, a healthier Balance Sheet coupled with the largest subscriber base in the industry and a free cash positive business which is much better equipped to capitalize on the opportunities ahead.”

     

    Dish TV managing director Jawahar Goel added, “Unlike fiscal 2013, fiscal 2014 was a disruptive period where we had to choose between immediate benefits and long term sustainability in the hyper competitive DTH industry. Choosing the later, we continued to deleverage while maintaining our subscriber acquisition price point. With a much manageable and scalable debt profile now, we have started 2014 with a significant positive overhaul to our macro parameters.”

     

    “With a new government at the Centre, the DTH industry is optimistic about rationalisation in the tax regime. As notification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is taking time, we look forward to allowance of abatement in Service Tax along with moderation in Entertainment Tax in line with the prevailing structure in Gujarat and other forward looking states. We are also hopeful of an early resolution of the DTH license renewal and payment of license fees matter in the industry’s favour. We also expect a firm push to digitisation and are confident that encryption, packaging, billing and other critical requirements will be implemented at the last mile,” he added.

     

    “Dish TV’s fourth quarter subscriber adds are a result of some serious strategic initiatives taken earlier. The ‘Zing’ sub-brand launched as part of a differentiated strategy to cater to the Phase III & IV markets got a tremendous response and even bolstered the flagship brand’s sales. We exited the fourth quarter bagging the highest incremental market share while keeping a check on our churn, which remained at 0.6 per cent per month. Making further headway on our Sri Lanka Project, we launched test signals as per plan,” said Goel.

  • Zing launches Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya!

    Zing launches Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya!

    MUMBAI: How far would you go to save your love? If your love was at risk, what would you do? What is the line between love and passion?
    Stay tuned to Zing this Friday, 23rd May, 2014 as it answers all these queries and many more with the launch of its new television series ‘Pyaar Tune KyaKiya’. Theshow telecasts 13 original episodes depictingreal,young, burning love,with raw emotion unlike anything ever witnessed in the Indian home before!

    Set in the heart of India,the show seeks inspiration from heart throbbing love stories of everyday. Zing’s – Pyaar Tune KyaKiyadelves into the lives of star crossed lovers, played by the biggest celebrities on Indian Television. The weekly series demonstrates real love stories, where passion meets crime with a twist! Each story is bound in a rich mix of lover’s affection and devotion imprinting the minds of viewers with the question “Isne crime to kiya, lekin kuch galat nahi kiya!”

    Keeping in line with the unusual show format celebrity hosts, Meiyang Chang and SurbhiJyoti will take viewers through a journeyof the plot, background and characters during each episode. On his association with the show, Chang mentioned “Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya is very close to my heart as I believe in pursuing my dreams just like these lovers. I play the role of a Narrator and direct the audience, aiding them with necessary facts to conclude the outcome of each amorous saga. I also really appreciate that we the hosts, shoot at the plot during each episode making this format of production very innovative, bringing out more connection to each story.”

    SurbhiJyoti went on to add “Shooting Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya was so much of fun! I too am a narrator and my role is to ensure the pieces of each story are seamlessly put together for our viewers to follow. The stories are based on real love stories and are very touching. I always feel for the characters and their emotions on screen. I feel the series is unlike any show currently on television and our fans would love our new avatar!”

    Speaking about Zing’s foray into this newly explored genre of fiction, Mr Vishnu Shankar, Programming Head at Zing stated, “Zing as a channel is skewed towards the youth audience. This fact becomes vital when we seek to provide varied content that keeps these youngsters coming back for

     

    more. So keeping in line with our philosophy, we are proud to announcePyaar Tune KyaKiya. It’s a show that’s different involves passionate, open ended love stories leaving the viewers empathizing with the antagonist rather than succumbing him to his wrong doings. The show is very bold in nature and has an amazing start cast including Sana Khan, ShaleenMalhotra, PratyushaBanerji, Ayaz Ahmed and many more. The content is captivating even to me and we are extremely delighted to add this original series to our bucket of shows”

    Adding to the response MrAnurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head- Zing stated “We recently revamped the channel and positioned it as fun-loving and for the young. It has always been my personal belief that youth nowadays are bolder and follow their heart where ever it would lead them. Similarly for Pyaar Tune KyaKiya we drew inspiration from the confidence of this younger generation. We tried to bring alive a novel concept to the regular love-fiction already on air by adding the unique touch of letting the audience decide for themselves the conclusion of each episode. It gives me great pride to launch Pyaar Tune KyaKiya only on India’s wholly youth oriented channel”

    Relive passion like you knew it with the premiere of “Pyaar Tune KyaKiya” on Friday 23rd May, 2014 at 7 pm!

  • Zing sings a new tune

    Zing sings a new tune

    MUMBAI: Zing, the music channel from Zee Entertainment, has undergone a complete change in look and strategy for the fourth time starting 1 April, since its inception in 1997.

     
    With the new rebranding, the channel aims to strengthen its position in the 15-24 year olds by adding fresh music and new fiction content to the current programming. The new positioning is targeted at strengthening Zing’s position in the minds of the youth.

     

    The channel was revamped earlier as Zee Muzic and Music Asia. However, explaining the rationale behind the new positioning, ZEE Niche Channels EVP & business head Anurag Bedi said, “Today’s youth believe in living out loud. They believe in carving their own niche and learning from their own experiences instead of relying on others. They would rather make their own mistake and learn from that than not follow their heart. This is exactly what we would like to reiterate through our positioning. We want them to live with a zing, to live ‘ekdum’ awesome!”

     

    In terms on content, Zing now plans to venture into the space of fiction shows. According to the statement released earlier, these shows are set to epitomise the spirit and lifestyle of the youth across the country. The first show will be launched in the month of May and will be in line with the channel’s new positioning. An hourly block of content will be created, which will be increased as the year progresses. Apart from that, a refreshed library of Bollywood music will be interspersed with the existing programming.

     
    The channel has also tied up with the film 2 States and has roped in the lead pair Alia Bhatt & Arjun Kapoor for a promotional video.  The channel, with its all new avatar and promising new fiction shows will keep the youth hooked and wanting more.

  • Dish TV launches Zing brand for regional markets; to also launch Dish Box Office

    Dish TV launches Zing brand for regional markets; to also launch Dish Box Office

    KOLKATA: Direct-to-home TV services provider Dish TV has embarked on a content strategy that differentiates its services from competitors.

     

    Dish TV today launched a brand called Zing for targeting regional markets where Phase III and Phase IV digitisation has opened up significant opportunity.

     

    The DTH TV provider would also soon launch Dish Box Office, an expanded movie-on-demand service.

     

    Starting with West Bengal, the DTH TV provider will start offering Zing in Odisha later this week and subsequently extend it to Gujarat and Maharashtra.

     

    Zing is part of Dish TV’s strategy to search for newer ways of reaching out to specific viewers and engaging with them through relatable content. With Zing, a customer in West Bengal will be able to choose from a number of packs which will include all available Bangla channels.

     

    The Zing packages are priced at Rs 175, Rs 249 and Rs 349. The company plans to spend Rs 7 crore on a 360 degree brand awareness and marketing campaign.

     

    “With more than 10 to 12 million analogue television homes in West Bengal to be digitised in phase III and IV, we would like to grow our business here,” said Dish TV CEO R C Venkateish.

     

     “Besides the content, all above-the-line (ATL) and below-the-line (BTL) advertising, packaging and other marketing activities will be available in Bangla,” said Dish TV India COO Salil Kapoor.

     

    As part of Dish Box Office, Dish TV would offer half-a-dozen movies through the day instead of just one movie on demand now. “As the reach of this offering is comparable to any movie channel, we hope to reach at least 50 per cent of our active subscriber base,” Kapoor said.

     

    Talking about phase 1 digitisation in Kolkata, Kapoor said DTH has a market share of around 30 per cent, of which Dish TV’s share of around 28 per cent. Dish TV has a subscriber base of around 11.8 million in India.

  • Zing and Zee Cafe now available for Virgin Media

    Zing and Zee Cafe now available for Virgin Media

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has branched out to UK wide audiences with the debut of two more of its channels, Zing and Zee Café, on Virgin Media.

    With local shows, Bollywood entertainment, Hollywood insights, movies, music, drama, reality shows and more, Zing covers a novel blend of programmes that make it exclusive in the British Asian space.
     
    The channel will target its audience across various platforms, including millions of Virgin Media homes, Sky, Freesat, Yamgo Mobile, TouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

    Virgin Media audience will now be able to view the UK‘s first ever British Asian drama Cloud 9 on Zing, Monday to Friday 6.30 pm and 10.30 pm. Setting a record in the South Asian entertainment space, Cloud 9 is an English drama series. Zing will now be available on channel 813.

    Zee Cafe will be available to watch on Channel 811 with a mix of entertainment for everyone, including soaps, historic dramas, mythology, news, lifestyle, horror, cookery, movies and business.

    Both channels will be making quality content available to Virgin Media‘s pay TV subscribers and will be an addition to Zee‘s subscription channels already on Virgin Media‘s Asian Mela Pack which include: Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zee Punjabi.

  • Star expands presence in Netherlands with UPC deal

    Star expands presence in Netherlands with UPC deal

    MUMBAI: UPC, the second largest cable operator in Netherlands, has further consolidated its Asian digital television entertainment offering to the South Asian diaspora by adding Star Gold and Star Life OK.

    With the addition of Star Gold and Star Life OK, UPC now carries three Star network channels on its platform which also includes Star Plus.

    On UPC Nederland, all the Star Network channels offer 24-hour Hindi language entertainment subtitled in English. The new channels will be available for a one-month free view from 15 April in the Hindi pack.

    Star UK and Europe SVP Yeshpal Sharma stated, “The Netherlands is home to the second largest Hindi speaking population after the UK and we are delighted to partner with UPC to offer additional Star channels in this significant market.”

    From 15 April, subscribers can watch Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Life OK, Zee TV, Zee Cinema and Zing as part of the new Hindi Pack for €15.25 per month, says UPC.

    UPC Nederland VP marketing and service Hans Blom said, “Due to the large Hindi speaking population amongst our customers, the Hindi Pack is our leading ethnic premium pack. Our Hindi speaking customers requested us to bundle our Hindi offering and expand the number of channels. In collaboration with Star TV we did. We are happy we can now announce an interesting and entertaining bundle of Hindi channels for a competitive price.”

  • Zee TV launches HD service in Canada with ECG

    Zee TV launches HD service in Canada with ECG

    MUMBAI: Zee TV in partnership with Ethnic Channels Group (ECG), Canada‘s largest distributor of third language television services, launches Zee TV Canada in HD.

    Zee TV HD is available on NEXTV along with Zee Cinema and Zing, the company said in a statement.

    Zee already has six channels in Canada catering to the diverse group of viewers: Zee TV, Alpha ETC Punjabi, Zing, Zee Salaam, Zee Tamizh and Zee Cinema.

    Zee Americas Director – Distribution Akhilesh Gupta said, “Zee TV HD was the first South Asian Network to go HD in the US last year and we are very pleased to now announce the launch of Zee TV Canada in HD.”

  • Zeel ropes in 18 sponsors for 13th Zee Cine Awards

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has roped in 18 sponsors for the 13th edition of its Bollywood awards property ‘Zee Cine Awards‘.

    Zeel, which will air the award ceremony across its seven channels, has got on board Hindustan Unilever‘s skin care brand Fair & Lovely as the presenting sponsor, while the powered by sponsor is Pune-based real estate developer DSK Group. Zeel has also created a category titled Fitness Partner and has got Sugar Free as the sponsor in the category. Geetanjali Jewelers is the trophy sponsor of the event.

    There are a total of 14 associate sponsors for the show — Revital, Volini, Amway, Cherry Cough Syrup, Asian Paints, Cavin Kare, Pataka Tea, Everest Masala, Suzuki Bikes, Quickr.com, Imperial Blue, Mahindra Quanto, Nyle Shampoo and Apollo Tyres.

    Zee Cine Awards will air on Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zing, Zee Marathi, Zee Bangla, Zee Tamil and Zee Telugu.

    Zeel chief sales officer Ashish Sehgal told Indiantelevision.com that all the ad inventories for the show have been sold out. The show had a few spots which have been bought by Nestle.

    “Zee Cine Awards is our biggest property and this year it will make around Rs 300 million, which is 30 per cent higher than the last year,” Sehgal added.

    According to him, the presenting sponsor will consume 10-12 per cent of the ad inventory, the powered by and fitness sponsor will collectively utilise around 12-13 per cent and the remaining will be used by associate sponsors and Nestle.

    Ernst & Young will be the auditors for the awards.

    Zee Cine Awards compete with Colors‘ Screen Awards, Star Plus‘ IIFA Awards, Sony Entertainment Television‘s Filmware Awards and Max‘s Stardust Awards.

    Zee Cine Awards is being held on 6 January at Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai.

    The Red Carpet, a curtain raiser to the awards show, will air at 7.30 pm on 20 January followed by the main event at 8 pm which will run for four hours.