MUMBAI: The growth of the digital medium in India, in the past few years, has been a stellar one. Currently standing at 400 million active users, the country is the second largest consumer of the internet in the world. The falling data prices and access to cheaper smartphones have led to more and more people relying on the internet to access everything from news to entertainment, to health tips, to banking facilities and what not.

One can guess the popularity of this medium by having a look at the sky-high numbers Hotstar recorded this IPL season. The content streaming platform registered a viewership of 267 million in just first three weeks of the game, which was significantly higher than the 202 million of the complete season last year.

MUMBAI: Colors Marathi has roped in three sponsors for the second season of Bigg Boss Marathi, which will air from 26th May every Monday to Sunday at 9.30 pm. The three sponsors include Rin as presenting partner and two special partners Puraniks and Helo App.

Viacom 18 Business Head – Marathi Entertainment Nikhil Sane said that the number of sponsors will increase as the show progresses. “For any non-fiction show, the last week becomes the critical closure. The last season was the first season and sponsors came midway, the last season show ended with 9 sponsors,” said Sane.

Produced by Endemol Shine India, the show will see the return of Actor, Director, and Producer, Mahesh Manjrekar as the host. For the digital savvy viewers, the original, unseen and un-dekha footages will be available anytime on Voot.

MUMBAI: Colors Marathi is all set to bolster its programming line-up with the launch of four new shows between May and June. The first to launch is non-fiction show ‘Bigg Boss Marathi 2’ on 26th May. This will be followed by a fiction show ‘Laxmi Narayan’ on 27th May.

‘Bigg Boss Marathi 2’ will every Monday to Sunday at 9.30 pm while ‘Laxmi Narayan’ will premiere on 27th May airing every Monday-Saturday at 7 pm.

Commenting on the new line-up, Viacom 18 Business Head – Marathi Entertainment Nikhil Sane said, “Immediately post the launch of Big Boss Marathi 2 on 27th May, we will have a new serial ‘Laxmi Narayan’, a show on goddess Lakshmi and Vishnu. Plus there are a couple of new shows which are in the pipeline which we will launch between June and July.”

MUMBAI: TV broadcasters have supported the idea of having an entry-level net-worth criterion for multi system operators (MSOs). In their submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) consultation paper on the subject, the broadcasters have stated that the time has come to corporatise MSOs along with having a higher entry-level net-worth.

The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) submitted that the broadcasters have become dependent on the MSOs for their subscription revenue under the MRP regime.

It further stated that MSOs have not been able to upgrade their existing technologies to ensure that their Subscriber Management Systems (SMSs) and Conditional Access Systems (CAS) are generated in line with the regulations.

MUMBAI: The multi system operators (MSOs) have told the The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that the present rules regarding the eligibility and net worth for MSO needs to be overhauled and there is a need to prescribe an entry-level minimum net worth for the MSOs to allow only serious players to enter the cable TV business.

The TRAI had issued a consultation paper on the entry-level net worth requirement of MSOs in Cable TV services. The objective of the consultation paper is to deliberate whether there is a need to fix entry level net worth for MSO.

Rule 11(3) of Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 mentions about the financial strength of the applicant for the grant of MSO registration without explicitly details thereof. Presently, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) specifies a minimum entry level net worth requirement for broadcasters and headend-in-the-sky (HITS) operators.

MUMBAI: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has released its data for top advertisers and brands for the period between 04 May 2019 and 10 May 2019.

The data reflects top 10 advertiser and brands across genre on Indian television, including OOH screen, (U+R): 2+, Individuals NCCS All, demonstrating ads that were inserted the most in week 19 of 2019.

Top Advertisers:

Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser (India) Ltd, and ITC remain the top 3 advertisers in week 19’s BARC ratings as well with 125502, 83591, and 31455 ad insertions on TV, respectively.

Marico also held tight to the fourth spot, which it had acquired the last week, with 30028 insertions.

The fifth position was secured by Cadburys India, which took a tremendous leap from past week’s ranking on number 9, with 28636 insertions.

MUMBAI: After a successful first edition, the Star Re-Imagine Awards returned this year in a bigger and better avatar with Bisleri (Best Creative TV) and Netflix (Best Creative Digital) bagging top honours. Showcasing excellence in creativity (Best Creative on TV and Best Creative on Digital), these campaigns were broadcast on TV and Digital during the recently concluded, VIVO IPL 2019 on Star Sports Network. Gautam Thakar, CEO, Star Sports and Guest of Honour, Rahul Dravid, one of India’s finest batsmen and cricketing legend, and the recent under 19 ICC World Cup winning coach, felicitated the winners.

MUMBAI: After dominating the digital entertainment space for the last few years, Netflix’s reign is now being challenged by upcoming Disney+. The direct-to-consumer platform of Walt Disney Co has been even touted as a “Netflix killer”. However, a recent survey is showing that the new entrant will not pose a great threat to the Reed Hastings-led streamer after its debut.

According to a recent survey by Piper Jaffray, as few as 7 per cent of Netflixcustomers said they would cancel their subscription in favour of Disney+. 20 per cent of the respondents indicated that they would take up both subscriptions. The remaining 73 per cent they didn't plan to subscribe to Disney+ at all.

Mumbai: Network18, India’s most diversified media conglomerate today announced Key elevations in its senior management team.

Avinash Kaul ,Managing Director A+E Networks I TV18 & Chief Operating Officer – Network18 gets elevated as CEO- Broadcast, Network18.

Puneet Singhvi, Who currently heads Digital & Corporate Development at Network18 Media & Investments Limited is now elevated as President Digital – Corporate Strategy.

Priyanka Kaul along with the existing role as President for marketing and special Initiatives to take additional charge as CEO of FORBES Magazine, Which was vacant after the exit of Joy Chakraborthy.

MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Network18 has reshuffled its top deck with three key elevations. As part of the reshuffle, Avinash Kaul has been elevated as CEO-Broadcast of Network18. Earlier, he was the chief operating officer of the company.

Puneet Singhvi, who served as digital head of Network18, has been promoted as President-Digital & Corporate Strategy. Priyanka Kaul, who heads the company’s focus business and is President for Marketing & Special Initiatives, has been given the additional charge as CEO of Forbes India.

In November 2018, Network18 had made key elevations at the top level following Joy Chakraborty’s exit. Avinash Kaul, who was then the COO of Network18, had got the added responsibility of sales.

Rahul Kansal, who had joined the company as a brand advisor, had taken charge of the overall marketing for the network. Priyanka Kaul, who had joined as president – marketing and special projects, was entrusted with the responsibility of broadcast focus & branded content.