Hindi movie channel Sony Max is all set to make the Christmas weekend merrier with the world television premiere of 2017’s romantic comedy, Mubarakan on 23rd Dec, n2017 @ 8 pm.
Surya TV To Launch A Thriller Show
Malayalam GEC Surya TV is all set to launch a new thriller show Avaril Orral directed by Jayaraj Vijay, an experienced film director. Starting 18th Dec, 2017, the show will be featured every evening from Mon to Sat 8.00 pm onwards. The show also marks the television debut of Mollywood’s most successful film producer of recent times, Listin Stephen. The story of Avaril Oral is written by famous film scriptwriters Bobby & Sanjay.
MIB Levies Processing Fee
The ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has levied a processing fee on TV channels in case there is a change of satellite, channel name / logo, language of channel, category of channel, mode of transmission, teleport, teleport location & category of channel from general entertainment to news for temporary uplink of a live event. In case, there is a change of satellite, channel name / logo, language of channel, category of channel, mode of transmission of channel, teleport & teleport location, the ministry will charge a processing fee of Rs 1 lakh for national channels & Rs 50,000 for regional channels.
Top News Channels See A Jump
The top 5 Hindi news channels in urban + rural HSM have seen a jump in their viewership in week 49 of BARC ratings. The pecking order, however, has remained unchanged. In rural HSM, News18 India replaced News Nation at #5 even as the top 4 remained unchanged. There was no change in the pecking order in urban HSM.
Rishtey Cineplex Replaces Sony Wah
Rishtey Cineplex has once again grabbed the top position in rural HSM by replacing Sony Wah in week 49, as per BARC India ratings. Sony Wah has dropped to the 2nd position followed by Star Utsav Movies. Zee Anmol Cinema fell to the 4th position while Sony Max stayed put at the 5th position. Rishtey Cineplex had four movies in the top 5 while Sony Wah had 1.
Star Movies Replaces Movies Now
Star Movies has dislodged Movies Now to become the numero uno English movie channel in week 49, as BARC India ratings. Movies Now fell to the 3rd position while Sony Pix moved to the 2nd. HBO replaced Zee Studio at #5. Sony Pix’s Never Back Down No Surrender was the most watched film during the week. 2 other films from Sony Pix, Blue Streak & The Spy Next Door figured in the top 5. Star Movies’ Escape Plan & MNX’s Mr. Nice Guy completed the top 5 chart.
Viu To Simulcast Its Adventure Reality Show
Viu, the premium video on demand service by Vuclip & PCCW, is all set to launch its 1st ever adventure reality show I Can You Can in partnership with Nicotex. The show is produced by BBC India. With the introduction of this new style of journey based content, Viu continues to offer fresh & compelling content in a variety of genres. The 6 episodic series is all set to go live on 17th Dec, 2017 @ 7 pm IST and will be telecast every Sun. It will be available on Viu and will be televised as a simulcast on National Geographic.
Star Bharat Becomes #1 Channel
Star Bharat has topped the Hindi GEC urban + rural (U+R) HSM chart in week 49 for the 2nd time since its launch in Aug, 2017. Earlier, the GEC had topped the U+R HSM chart in week 45. The channel witnessed growth on the back of its marquee show Kya Haal Mr. Paanchal, which was also the most -watched show in U+R HSM. Zee TV, which was leading the chart last week, dropped to the 3rd position with 63.64 crore weekly impressions, while Colors moved up to grab the 2nd place with 64.30 crore weekly impressions. Sony Entertainment Television (SET) moved up to the 9th position with 39.55 crores weekly impressions whereas Sony Sab dropped to the 10th spot. Other positions remained unchanged.
BBC Launches VR Spacewalk
BBC has launched a virtual reality (VR) spacewalk in partnership with VR production studio Rewind Anyone. Home – A VR Spacewalk is an interactive VR experience that was launched recently for the HTC Vive & the Oculus Rift and is available to download for free via the Steam Store and the Oculus Store. Inspired by the Nasa training programmes used by British astronaut Tim Peake, Home – A VR Spacewalk enables would be astronauts to embark on a spacewalk 250 miles above the Earth’s surface, something only 217 people have ever done for real. They are tasked with making a repair on the outside of the International Space Station, before being confronted with a terrifying emergency situation.
History TV18 To Showcase Evolution
This holiday season infotainment broadcaster History TV18 brings viewers the evolution in the celebration of Christmas in US over the last 5 decades, including the impact of politics, media & television on the celebrations with “Christmas Through The Decades”. The 4 episodic series will premiere on 16th Dec, 2017 and will be relayed every Sat & Sun @ 7 pm.
Dishtv Launches Non – Stop Offer
Direct to home (DTH) operator DishTV has launched a non – stop offers for Punjabi audiences. The DTH operator has launched new acquisition & recharge offers for new customers (on acquisition) as well existing customers (on recharge). The acquisition offer for new non – stop offer is priced Rs 2600 including GST while the change in existing non – stop offer is priced Rs 2390 including GST. The recharge offer for new & existing subscribers is priced Rs 1199 & Rs 885 including GST respectively.
Times Network Appoints Sujeet Mishra
Times Group’s TV broadcasting arm Times Network has appointed Sujeet Mishra as Head of Marketing, Times Now. In his role, Sujeet Mishra will lead the brand’s strategic planning & communication including new brand initiatives, consumer research, & market development across ATL, BTL & digital platforms. Based in Mumbai, Sujeet Mishra will report to Times Network EVP Vivek Srivastava.
MIB Orders Ban
The ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has ordered bans on Assamese news channel DY 365 & Gujarati news channel VTV for violation of the content code. The ministry has prohibited the transmission or re – transmission of DY 365 for 3 days on any distribution platform throughout India with effect from 15th Dec, 2017 to 18th Dec, 2017. In the case of VTV, the ministry has prohibited the transmission or re – transmission of the channel for 1 day on any platform throughout India with effect from 16th Dec, 2017 & 17th Dec, 2017.
Dish TV To Negotiate Content Deals
Direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV has said that it will negotiate content deals with broadcasters based on the data it has collected of more than 0.5 million subscribers who have subscribed channels on a la carte basis. Barring sports & regional channels, Dish TV has started providing channels on a la carte based on Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) new tariff order even as the matter is stuck in Madras High Court.
Sony SAB To Launch New Show
After the launch of Partners – Trouble Ho Gayi Double, Hindi GEC Sony SAB is all set to launch yet another hilarious show Jijaji Chhath Per Hain. The show will have Hiba Nawab & Nikhil Khurana as the protagonists. The launch date & the timing of the show have not been revealed.
Asianet Lines-Up Special Programming
Malayalam GEC Asianet has lined – up special programming for Christmas beginning 24th Dec, 2017. The channel will telecast special episodes of Comedy Stars, Dare The Fear & Badai Bungalow amongst others. As part of its special line – up, the channel will air Thondimuthalum Dhrisakshiyum on 24th Dec, 2017 @ 5.30 pm. On 25th Dec, 2017 it will air premieres such as “Baahubali 2” @ 9 am, “Sunday Holiday” @ 4 pm & “Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela” @ 7 pm.
EC Pulls Up News Channels
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has pulled up news channels for airing interviews with Congress president – elect Rahul Gandhi a day before the 2nd phase of Gujarat polls. The ECI has issued a statement stating that the interviews violated Section 126(1)(b) of The Representation of the People Act, 1951. The ECI has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat to initiate necessary action by filing FIRs against the channels. It has also asked the channels to stop airing the interview.
Zee Tamil To Premiere Maragadha Naanayam
Zee Tamil will host the world television premiere of the critically acclaimed film Maragadha Naanayam on 17th Dec, 2017 @ 4 pm. The fantasy – comedy -thriller film that features Aadhi Pinisetty & Nikki Galrani is written & directed by ARK Saravan.
Zee Classic To Air Kai Po Che
Zee Classic will air buddy film drama Kai Po Che under its property “India’s Finest Films” on 15th Dec, 2017 @ 10 pm. Based on Chetan Bhagat’s book “Three Mistakes Of My Life” & directed by Abhishek Kapoor, Kai Po Che has won both critical & commercial acclaim. The movie stars Rajkummar Rao, Sushant Singh Rajput & Amit Sadh in lead roles. The 3 friends in Kai Po Che, each represent new side of India, the capitalist (Rajkummar Rao as Govind Patel), the political (Amit Sadh as Omkar Shastri) & the emotional (Sushant Singh Rajput as Ishaan Bhatt).
Vishnu Shankar Takes Charge
Vishnu Shankar has replaced Rajesh Iyer as the business head of Hindi GEC &TV. Iyer, who was heading the channel since its launch, had recently joined YuppTV as COO for APAC & Middle East.
&Privé HD To Celebrate Steven Spielberg’s 71st
&Privé HD, the premium English movie channel, will celebrate Steven Spielberg’s 71st birthday, which falls on 18th Dec, 2017, with a special film festival titled “Club Privé: Spielberg Edition”, a curation of 5 of Steven Spielberg’s best movies exploring different sides of human emotions. The special segment will air from 18th Dec, 2017 to 22nd Dec, 2017 @ 11 pm on the channel.
Movies Now Brings Back “100 Mania” Property For A 5th Season
Movies Now is bringing back its mega property “100 Mania” from 15th Dec, 2017 @ 9 pm for the festive season. The channel has curated a line – up of Hollywood blockbusters like Furious 7, Jurassic World, Disney’s The Jungle Book, Minions & Mad Max Fury Road.
&Privé HD To Premiere Fathers And Daughters
&Privé HD premiere American – Italian drama Fathers And Daughters on 17th Dec, 2017 @ 1 pm & 9 pm. The film is directed by Gabriele Muccino and features Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Diane Kruger, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer & Jane Fonda amongst others.
Republic TV Partners Gramener
Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV has partnered data science company Gramener for its exclusive coverage of Gujarat Elections 2017. The special election coverage will be powered by Gramener. Gramener will help enhance the visual look both on – air and on Republic’s digital platforms to present the data in a comprehensible & meaningful manner. The data science company handles large scale data via non -traditional analytics & visualises it in real time which helps identify the right questions and draw out insights.
Mindshare Ropes In MK Machaiah
GroupM’s full service media agency Mindshare has appointed MK Machaiah, known as Mac, as chief innovation officer South Asia. In this role, Mac will lead the integrated approach to consumer engagement & strengthen brand propositions across all consumer touchpoints including traditional, social & experiential. He will be responsible for setting up Innovations Lab through systemic integrations of Content+, Social & Activations and building sports practice. He will build future ready capabilities & revenue models by assessing scope of each practice, set the innovation vision & drive the team to work on client specific propositions.
Tata Sky Close To Signing A Deal
Direct to home (DTH) operator Tata Sky has said it is close to signing a deal with broadcaster Star India. In Nov, 2017, Star India had issued a disconnection notice to Tata Sky on account of non – signing of subscription agreement by the DTH operator. Having paid Rs 16,347.5 crore for the Indian Premier League (IPL) media rights till 2022, Star is looking at a major upside in the subscription revenue. Incidentally, Star & Tata Sky are closely linked as the former’s parent company 21st Century Fox, directly & indirectly, holds 30% stake in the DTH operator.
Star Bharat To Air A New Show
Hindi GEC Star Bharat is strengthening its programming line – up with the launch of new fiction show Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki from 1st Jan, 2018 @ 9.30 pm, every Mon – Sat. The show is going to be a remake of Star Jalsa’s popular show Bhojo Gobindo.
Asianet Airs Kasthooriman
Malayalam GEC Asianet launched a family drama Kasthooriman on 11th Dec, 2017. The show airs every Mon – Sat @ 8.30 pm. The show features a new star cast along with popular actors Ambarish, Praveena, @ Raghavan as the lead.
Firstpost Clocked 6.1 Min Average Time
Network18’s English news portal Firstpost has clocked in highest engagement numbers with 6.1 minutes average time spent per visit on the portal in Oct, 2017, as per the recent comScore MMX report. According to the report, the portal has recorded a consistency in the News / Information – General news category with the desktop traffic of 4 million Unique Visitors (UVs) for the month and has got mentioned amongst the top 5 leading Indian publishers in the space.
Republic TV & BTVI In Strategic Content Alliance
Arnab Goswami helmed Republic TV & Business Television India (BTVI) have entered into a strategic alliance for content & programming around Union Budget 2018. The Republic TV – BTVI alliance promises to offer viewers a distinctive experience. In the days ahead, both partners will work together to combine their respective domain knowledge & skill sets around Union Budget 2018 programming.
TV Today Invests Rs 28.6 Crores
News broadcaster TV Today Network has invested Rs 28.6 crore in its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Mail Today Newspapers. The investment, which represents 16.67% of the increased paid – up share capital of Mail Today Newspapers, will be used by Mail Today Newspapers for repayment of debt & for business operations. Mail Today Newspapers runs an English tabloid Mail Today. The paper has only one edition in Delhi.
