Public broadcaster Doordarshan’s salary bill in FY17 jumped by 20.82% to Rs 1,418.51 crore, thanks to the implementation of the 7th Central Pay Commission even as revenue saw an upside & other operating costs saw a decline. Doordarshan’s revenue, which had fallen in FY16, has seen a rebound with a 10.06% growth to Rs 831.88 crore. In the previous fiscal year, revenue had fallen by 17.03% to Rs 755.79 crore. This information was provided by Minister of State in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Dishum Acquires TV Rights
Dishum Broadcasting has acquired the broadcast rights to the International Bhojpuri Film Awards (IBFA) 2017. The IBFA will air exclusively as a 3 hour extravaganza on the company’s upcoming Bhojpuri GEC Dishum on 27th Aug, 2017. Dishum, which is the 1st channel from Dishum Broadcasting, is slated to launch on 15th Aug, 2017.
New Broadcast Deals For The Deep
DHX Media, Technicolor & A Stark Production have announced several new international broadcast deals for the CG – animated underwater adventure series The Deep. The newly signed deals for The Deep Season 2 include Universal Kids (US), Nickelodeon (Greece), NRK Super (Norway), YLE (Finland), POP (Italy), Biggs (Portugal), RTBF’s OUFtivi (Belgium), MBC3 (Middle East), Minimax (CEE), KidZone TV (Baltics), Multimania (Russia), Hop! (Israel), SVT (Sweden), TSR (Switzerland), SRC (French Canada) & Zap (Angola & Mozambique). These add to a rooster of previously announced deals which were Australia’s ABC ME, CBBC in UK, Netflix in US, Germany’s Super RTL & Canada’s Family CHRGD.
Sony Pictures Television Networks To Acquire Majority Stake
Sony Pictures Television Networks has reached an agreement to acquire a substantial majority stake in Japanese anime distributor Funimation, subject to regulatory approvals and certain other closing conditions, valuing the company at approximately $150 million. Funimation CEO Gen Fukunaga will retain a minority stake in the business and remain CEO.
BBC’s International News Services Mark 70 Years
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Partition of India, India’s independence from the British Raj and the creation of an independent Pakistan, BBC’s international news services, BBC World Service, BBC World News television and the website bbc.com / news, present a season of special features & programmes. Using timelines, memoirs & testimonies, BBC World Service reports in English, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu and other languages on the reasons & events that led to Partition, and how, once the borders were drawn, millions were forced to migrate, 100’s of 1000’s lost their lives, and human relations & identities were altered forever. In live broadcasts, BBC also connects people in India & Pakistan to celebrate the things that unite the 2 nations.
BookMyShow Acquires Nfusion
Online ticketing company BookMyShow has acquired digital entertainment company Nfusion for an undisclosed amount in an all -cash deal. Nfusion’s scalable tech solutions, especially CMS (content management system), will be key to the success of BookMyShow’s foray into audio entertainment. The ticketing company is entering audio entertainment with its new offering Jukebox. All users who book movie tickets on BookMyShow are rewarded with music credits that can be redeemed to download their favorite songs on the Android or iOS app.
Now Dish TV Will Allow You To Pick A Channel
Even as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) new tariff order is being contested in the courts, DTH operator Dish TV has gone ahead with a pricing of Rs 8.5 per channel. According to Dish TV, the new pricing partly adopts TRAI’s new tariff order, which is in “litigation by vested interests”. Subscribers will have to take the basic service pack. They can then opt for popular channels by just paying Rs 8.5 per channel. Customers can also choose popular “High Definition” channels priced at Rs 17 per channel.
Delhi HC Retrains IT Department
In a major relief for NDTV, the Delhi High Court has directed the Income Tax (I – T) department not to take any coercive steps against the media house in connection with a Rs 428 crore demand raised by the authority. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) had recently upheld the department’s tax demand notice against the media company, following which the latter moved the Delhi High Court to restrain the authorities from taking any coercive action.
DEN Q1 PBT Turns Around
DEN Networks has reported a consolidated profit before tax (PBT) of Rs 6 crore versus a loss of Rs 35 crore in the previous quarter and a loss of Rs 38 crore in Q1 of 2016 – 2017. After launching OTT & gaming services, the multi – system operator has taken another initiative to enable its high -definition (HD) set – top boxes (STB’s) with broadband connectivity by using a Wi – Fi USB dongle. This will convert any normal TV to a smart TV and consumers will be able to use their mobile handsets as a remote control for the TV. This will also enable the customer to watch different apps like YouTube on TV.
Radio City Q1 Net Up 42%
Music Broadcast Ltd (MBL), which operates radio stations under the Radio City brand, has posted a 42% jump in the net profit to Rs 10.84 crore in the quarter ended 30th Jun, 2017 compared to Rs 7.62 crore a year ago. The company, which runs 39 FM radio stations, posted a revenue of Rs 70.3 crore in the fiscal 1st quarter, up 12% from the year – ago period. EBITDA for Q1’18 grew by 16% with a margin of 32% despite the launch of new stations. EBITDA stood at Rs 22.2 crore compared to Rs 19.1 crore in Q1’17.
Zayed Khan To Make A Small Screen Serial Debut
Zayed Khan is all set to make his small screen serial debut with Sony Entertainment Television’s new upcoming show Haasil. The show is produced by Alchemy Productions and is said to be a thriller drama. Producer -director Siddharth P Malhotra confirmed the news, adding that the show is in the early stage and that the shooting is yet to commence.
ChuChu TV receives “Diamond Play Button”
ChuChu TV received a “Diamond Play Button”, a recognition from YouTube, for surpassing 10 million subscribers with only 154 videos. ChuChu TV is the 3rd channel to have received the “Diamond Play Button” in India & 2nd channel worldwide in the family of entertainment & pre – school education space. The YouTube “Diamond Play Button” is the highest award on YouTube and is given to a YouTuber that surpasses the 10 million subscribers’ mark.
Fork Media Acquires Majority Stake
Digital ad – tech company Fork Media has acquired a majority stake in Rappio Advertising, a start – up that has a platform for digital audio advertising. Rappio, founded in 2016, is a platform that enables brands to use their audio advertising formats, like ad jingles, promos, announcements, et al to be played back as ringtones on end – user smartphones. Users can select from a variety of “ad ringtones” provided by Rappio and set it as their ringtone. Users are incentivised each time their phone rings playing out an ad tune.
Ashish Bagga Resigns
After being with the company for 15 years, India Today Group CEO Ashish Bagga has decided to move on. The news of his resignation was communicated to the employees in an internal mail. In the transition period, Ashish Bagga’s direct reportees will jointly report to Kalli Purie (group editorial director, broadcast & new media) & Dinesh Bhatia (group chief financial officer). Ashish Bagga was responsible for forging strong relationships between India Today Group & international media groups such as US based Hearst Corp, Germany’s Axel Springer & Daily Mail of UK. He spearheaded the group’s foray into diversified multimedia play with e -commerce, transit retail & education besides direct – to – consumer and the digital business.
Discovery To Acquire Scripps Networks
US & Global Infotainment, lifestyle, kids & sports broadcaster Discovery is buying lifestyle broadcaster Scripps Networks Interactive for $14.6 billion or $90 per share. The purchase price represents a premium of 34% to Scripps’ unaffected share price as of 18th July 2017. The transaction is expected to close by early 2018. Scripps’ portfolio includes Travel Channel & Food Network.
Madras HC Reserves The Verdict
The Madras High Court recently reserved its verdict in the dispute between Star India -Vijay TV & Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in the tariff order issue. A decision is expected sometime in Aug, 2017. The parties, including Star India, Vijay TV, TRAI & intervenors All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) & Videocon d2h, have filed their written submissions. Star India had challenged TRAI’s tariff order and interconnection regulation, arguing that the regulator did not have any jurisdiction to do so.
Ashok Venkatramani Joins Google Chrome
Former ABP News Network CEO Ashok Venkatramani has joined Google Chrome Data Analytics & Media as director. Venkatramani brings with him 25 years of experience in sales, marketing & general management roles in FMCG and broadcasting sectors. Google Chrome DM has been a pioneer for over 8 years in broadcast distribution audits and primary media research in India. Over the years, the company has built strengths across big data and primary consumer research & analytics. In his role, he will be working closely with the group’s leadership team.
Brittania Selected For World Premiere TV Screening
The new drama series Britannia, the 1st ever co – production between Sky & Amazon US, will have its World premiere TV screening at Mipcom 2017. The global entertainment content market, Mipcom takes place in Cannes, France from 16th Oct, 2017 – 19th Oct, 2017. The World premiere TV screening of Britannia is scheduled for Mon, 16th Oct, 2017 in the Palais Des Festivals.
Sony Acquires Rights For Telecast
After an extended period of gestation, Cue Slam, the league featuring pool & snooker organised by Sportzlive & BSFI, will kick off on 19th Aug, 2017. It will run until 25th Aug, 2017. Sony Pictures Sports Network has done a 3 year deal for the telecast of the event, which will air on Sony ESPN & Sony ESPN HD.
Punjab Government Likely To Charge Rs 50
The Punjab Government is planning to charge Rs 50 as entertainment tax per television for cable TV & direct – to – home (DTH) connections. The state Government’s local bodies department, headed by cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sindhu, has decided to impose Rs 50 as entertainment tax per TV for cable & DTH connection, Hindustan Times has reported. This will help the department mop up a revenue of Rs 400 crore annually, which will help fill the empty coffers of urban local bodies (ULB’s) & panchyats.
NDTV Narrows Q1 Loss
New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) has narrowed its fiscal 1st quarter consolidated net loss to Rs 22.01 crore compared to Rs 44.55 crore a year ago. Total income stood almost flat at Rs 109.6 crore in the quarter ended 30th Jun, 2017 as against Rs 108.57 crore in the 1st quarter of FY17. Total expenses was Rs 128.43 crore, down 13.08% from Rs 147.76 crore in the prior year.
Dish TV – Videocon D2h Merger Gets A Nod
Direct – to – home (DTH) companies Dish TV & Videocon d2h are close to completing the merger process with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) giving its approval. Dish TV will now seek approval from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB). The order of the NCLT will also be filed with the Registrar of Companies (RoC). The appointed date for the scheme of arrangement is 1st Oct, 2017. The GDR portion of the merged entity will be listed on the London Stock Exchange. The earlier plan was to list on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange in the form of GDR’s.
Gap Between Republic TV & Times Now Narrows
English news channel Republic TV, which maintained its lead in Week 29 with 1.38 million weekly impressions, saw a miniscule drop of 0.21% compared to its earlier – week tally. However, rival Times Now saw its viewership grow by 11.73% to 1.25 million weekly impressions.
