Big Ganga’s 2016 roadmap

Regional channel BIG Magic Ganga from Bihar steps up with fresh opportunities in 2016. The run begins with rebranding the channel to Big Ganga, which falls in line with rebranding activity of Reliance Broadcast Network’s other television and radio channels.

Speaking exclusively to IndianMediaBook, Big Ganga’s spokesperson said “Our focus is to continue exploring new opportunities and deliver quality original content, to give brands a bigger platform to garner more visibility. With this exercise we will gradually fortify the channel’s position in the rural belt, making it easily available for discerning viewers”

The channel leads across regional general entertainment genre in the Bihar & Jharkhand belt and is seen strengthening its distribution with India’s leading free to air digital Network – DD Free Dish, thus trying to penetrate across the rural regions of the country. With popular shows like BIG Memsaab, Teekhi Khabar, election special Raag Chunavi, blockbuster movies every weekend, along with devotional shows Mangal Utsav for Diwali and Chhath special, BIG Ganga offers an exquisite and dynamic content for family viewing which resonated well with the masses

“We aim to grow and expand even more and bring in more innovative content for our audience. With more unique shows in the pipeline, BIG Ganga is poised to engage, enrich and entertain new audiences across the country.” added the spokesperson.

The channel was earlier seen holding on to the local flavor with celebration of festivals such as ‘Shravan’ called as Shravan Mein Bum Bum’ which included airing a musical event from Baijnath Dham, a special travelogue, on-air movie festival, devotional music shows and contests.

In the last year, the channel has created a niche for itself in the Bihar and Jharkhand region and was seen growing in television ratings week on week. Big Ganga is seen among the leading channels in the Bhojpuri market. With more than 15 million ratings the channel stood at no.2 as per BARC rating matrix.

Plans ahead:

In 2016, Big Ganga plans to celebrate more than 50 festivals thereby enhancing the authentic regional flavor through locally shot programs, derived from local insights such as establishing self-identity and preserving local culture. The channel intends to focus more on inculcating deep understanding of the socio-cultural fabric & reflecting the pride of people from the region. Adding to the bucket of popular shows, the channel plans to launch new ones such as Makar Sankranti, Rasoi Ki Rani, BIG Memsaab Season 7, Mele Ka BIG Star, Shaurya Samman, Ganga Bhojpuri Cine Awards etc.

Source: IndianMediaBook - Television

Fox International Channels announces top level management as Hernan Lopez steps down

Hernan Lopez stepped down as CEO, Fox International Channels. Lopez plans to venture into his new business.

On the other side, Fox International Channels announces the new management structure for Europe, Latin America and Asia. Jan Koeppen will become President of Fox Networks Group Europe; Carlos Martinez is being placed as President of Fox Networks Group Latin America; and Zubin Gandevia will become President of Fox Networks Group Asia.

“The last 18 years at Fox have been amazing. At Fox, I’ve been fortunate to sit alongside some of the best and most talented people in all of media”, commented Lopez.

Jan, Carlos and Zubin will oversee Fox Network Group in their regions, reporting to Peter Rice and Randy Freer.

As commented in a media report, Rice said, “I’d like to thank Hernan for his exceptional leadership in developing our global television strategy and for his outstanding contribution to the expansion of our entertainment, sports and lifestyles programming in so many markets around the world.I have tremendous confidence in our new international organizational structure and look forward to continued success under the leadership of Jan, Carlos and Zubin.”

FIC’s global production business which is based in Los Angeles will continue to fulfil its current responsibilities and will now be housed inside FX Productions. FIC’s marketing division based in the U.S. will also continue with its current responsibilities and now be housed inside FX Networks. Entertainment syndication will be absorbed into 20th Century Fox Television syndication group, and global sports acquisitions will be absorbed into Fox Sports Media Group.

Source: IndianMediaBook - Television

SPN India launches Sony ESPN & Sony ESPN HD

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), in collaboration with ESPN announced the launch of its two new channels, Sony ESPN and Sony ESPN HD; which will go live on 17^th January. With this, SPN has expanded its sports cluster to four channels –Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD, Sony Six and Sony Six HD.

Speaking on the collaboration, NP Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Pictures Networks India, said, “As a network, SPN is focused on becoming the first choice in television and digital entertainment. Our collaboration with ESPN is a targeted step in that direction as it helps us ink another milestone in our growth trajectory. Not only that, the launch of the SONY ESPN cluster of channels validates our intent to provide stylized, high-quality and insightful international sporting content to viewers in India and across the Indian sub-continent.”

Sony ESPN channels will kick-off their sporting calendar with the live broadcast of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. Later this year, the collaboration between SPN and ESPN will also see the launch of a new multisport digital website and App that will complement the Sony ESPN channels, as well as the existing leadership of ESPN cricinfo and Sony Liv’s digital offerings.

Commenting on the association, Mike Morrison, Vice President & General Manager, ESPN Asia Pacific, said, “For more than 35 years, ESPN has been known for its quality, personality and authority. The launch of these channels, and the complimentary digital properties in the months ahead, creates a world-class multi-media stage on which the combined expertise and resources of our two companies can deliver amazing content and products to Indian fans.”

SPN and ESPN are also looking at developing ESPN cricinfo programming in the coming months around major cricket events and to complement cricket coverage on the Sony ESPN and Sony SIX channels.

“ESPN has always had a strong connect with Indian audiences. Our partnership with ESPN will further strengthen our Sports bouquet with four channels SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD, Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD. Our programming line-up starts with the Australian Open followed by marquee football properties like Liga BBVA, Serie A TIM and FA CUP leading to UEFA EURO 2016 will give every sports fan a reason to celebrate our extensive offering clubbed with analysis presented by expert panellists,” commented Prasana Krishnan, EVP & Business Head, Sports Cluster, Sony Pictures Networks India.

The programming line-up on Sony ESPN channels includes UEFA Euro 2016, 2018 FIFA World Cup La Liga BBVA, Serie A TIM, Emirates FA Cup, UEFA European Qualifiers for 2018 WC, FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016, Australian Open, Hopman Cup, Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Champions Tennis League, UFC, NFL, ATP 1000, ATP 500, ATP 250 and ATP World Tour Finals.

“This launch is a great day for Indian sports fans. The launch of SONY ESPN and SONY ESPN HD channels is a first step as part of our collaboration with SPN, coming at a time when the sports media landscape in India is expanding and consumers demand for quality content is on the rise. We’re thrilled to be working with the team at SPN and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead,” added Ramesh Kumar, Vice President, ESPN India and South Asia.

Source: IndianMediaBook - Television

BARC Week 51 Regional Mapping: Zee Marathi, Sartha TV & Sun TV leads the regional chart

Marathi

Zee Marathi led the chart with 152099 GVTs, followed by sister channel Zee Talkies with 82426 GVTs. Colors Marathi stood at third position with 77862 GVTs. Star Parvah and Maiboli occupied fourth and fifth position with 24315 GVTs.

Bangla

With 267262 GVTs, Star Jalsha topped chart. Zee Bangla stood at second spot with 165155 GVTs, followed by Jalsha Movies and Zee Bangla Cinema with 79535 and 35241 GVTs, respectively. Colors Bangla was at fifth position with 31634 GVTs.

Bhojpuri

Bhojpuri Cinema stood at top spot with 15820 GVTs, followed by Big Magic Ganga with 12279 GVTs. Dabangg was at third position with 6809 GVTs.

Dangal TV occupied fifth spot with 3579 GVTs and ETV Bihar Jharkhand stood at fifth spot with 2740 GVTs.

Oriya

In Oriya market Sarthak TV maintained its lead with 111015 GVTs. Tarang stood at second spot with 70120 GVTs, followed by Colors Oriya with 18725 GVTs.

At fourth position was Odisha TV with 14823 GVTs and Alankar was at fifth spot with 10579 GVTs.

Tamil

Sun TV stood strong at the lead position with 1042599 GVTs. KTV occupied second spot with 325553 GVTs and Star Vijay was at third position with 214321 GVTs.

Polimer and Kalaignar TV stood at fourth and fifth position with 107967 and 84670 GVTs, respectively.

Telugu

Among the Telugu players, Maa TV continued to lead with 384977 GVTs, followed by ETV Telugu and Zee Telugu with 384816 and 314851 GVTs, respectively.

Gemini TV occupied fourth position with 307265 GVTs, followed by Gemini Movies with 196697 GVTs.

Kannada

Colors Kannada led the chart with 268806 GVTs, followed by Udaya MOvies with 141118 GVTs. Udaya TV occupied third spot with 140356 GVTs.

Zee Kannada and Survana stood at fourth and fifth position with 136734 and 132432 GVTs, respectively.

Malayalam

With 273833 GVTs, Asianet topped the chart once again. Mazhavil Manorama remained at second spot with 158167 GVTs, followed by Surya TV and Flowers TV with 114628 GVTs and 87234 GVTs, respectively. Kiran TV stood at fifth position with 52646 GVTs.

Source: IndianMediaBook - Television

Colors enters into animation genre through Chhoti Anandi

Balika Vadhu was the show which established Colors in Indian Television industry and its leading character Anandi turned out to be one of the most popular characters of all time. Colors is comfortably resting on the top spot among Hindi GECs and now to attract the kids, the channel is all set to launch its first animated series titled Chhhoti Anandi.

Starting from 17^th January, the show will be simulcast on Colors and sister channel Rishtey at 10AM on every Sunday.

Commenting on the launch, Raj Nayak, CEO, Colors, said, “Over the past 7 years, Anandi’s character has appealed to viewers across the globe. Taking note of her sustained popularity, we have decided to launch a home-grown animated series Chhoti Anandi. This is for the first time on Indian television that a popular fiction show character is being adapted into an animated series. Through Chhoti Anandi, we plan to engage and strengthen our bond with the tiny tot audience and present a show that is visually appealing and entertaining at the same time.”

The show will capture adventures of Anandi’s playful childhood. Chhoti Anandi is an 8 year old brave, righteous child and an apple of everyone’s eye. She is wise beyond her years and is known to find innovative and unique ways to solve problems of her village folks. The series will highlight her entertaining yet mischievous side as she explores innumerable escapades in the company of her friends in the by lanes of a village in Rajasthan.

“Chhoti Anandi’, our first association with Colors and Sphereorigins, is a very special project for us. It is the first time a popular television character has been adapted for an animated series. The brief was to maintain the inherent Indian-ness and the essence of Anandi’s character in a fun manner, and we combined superior graphics with vibrant colours in the hope of providing viewers with an engaging proposition,” added Anish Patel, Founder & CEO, Hop Motion.

Chhoti Anandi and her pack of friends aka Chhote Sipahi – Nattu, Champa, Phuli and Chiku will be seen going on an adventurous joyride from Amazon Jungle, to the era of Dinosaurs, and also to the period when kings and queens reigned. Additionally, audience will get to see a similar backdrop, color and music as that of Balika Vadhu with an inspiring message for the viewers at the end of every episode.

Source: IndianMediaBook - Television