MUMBAI: Jagran Prakashan Ltd (JPL), publishers of Dainik Jagran, has reported a 21.54 per cent fall in its standalone net profit for the quarter ended 31 December 2011 due to rupee depreciation.

The company has posted a net profit of Rs 413 million, as against Rs 526.4 million a year ago.

?The net profit is after accounting for sharp depreciation of rupee resulting in accounting for mark to market exchange fluctuation loss of over Rs 86.7 million as against mark to market exchange fluctuation gain of about Rs 3 million in the year ago period (both net of tax),? the company said.

Operating revenues jumped 13.29 per cent to Rs 3.24 billion, from Rs 2.86 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

The company?s expenses also surged 21.11 per cent to Rs 2.55 billion, compared to Rs 2.11 billion a year ago.

?Our overall performance in a challenging environment was more than satisfactory. Growth in advertisement revenue and outdoor advertising was outstanding and probably the highest in the industry. However, concern remains for the remaining financial year because macro economic conditions are still not conducive for growth. All round innovation is going to be the key to drive the growth and I am confident that the team will strive harder to give the desired results. Lower than expected profit is not too worrying as it will start improving once currency risk is normalized and growth in revenue happens on expected lines. As far as newsprint prices are concerned, they are likely to remain stable,? JPL CMD Mahendra Mohan Gupta said.

JPL?s operating profit stood at 26.27 per cent at Rs 851.2 million, as against Rs 897.5 million a year ago.

Advertisement revenues were at Rs 2.23 billion, up 14.91 per cent from Rs 1.94 billion. Event and Outdoor revenues were at Rs 288.8 million, up 14.61 per cent from Rs 252 million.

Circulation revenues at Rs 622.8 million rising 9.28 per cent from Rs 570 million, while digital revenues (excluding advertisement revenue) stood at Rs 23.2 million, up 15.55 per cent compared to Rs 20 million a year ago.

Mumbai: Hindi general entertainment channel Zee TV will launch a new fiction property, Punar Vivah, on 20 February.

Produced by Shashi-Sumeet Mittal, the show captures the journey of a man and a woman, who, having faced a debacle in their first attempts at marriage, are brave enough to give life a second chance.

The show delves into the dynamics of remarriage, showcasing the trials and tribulations that are a part of readjusting to a second life partner.

The show will air Monday-Friday at 10.30 pm slot. It will be replacing Bhagonwali - Baante Apni Taqdeer that goes off-air on 17 February.

Zee TV head- fiction programming Sukesh Motwani said, "In keeping with Zee TV?s recently launched brand positioning of ?Umeed Se Saje Zindagi?, we are proud to present a new show that resonates well with the spirit of enduring hope.

"Punar Vivah is all about being brave, giving life a second chance and making new beginnings in search of love and happiness. The treatment of the show is positive, progressive and mature. It?s not a preachy show that aims to propagate remarriage or drive in a serious, social message. It?s an intelligent, sensitive look at all that two people go through in readjusting to a new partner after already being used to the ways of one. It is as much about how their children cope with the upheaval."

At present, Sony Entertainment Television?s fiction show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain is leading the 10.30 pm slot on weekdays.

Motwani added, "There have been many good shows that have run well on different channels in the same time slot. Pavitra Rishta and Bidaai have run simultaneously at 9 pm slot and both were loved by the audience. So, it depends on the show?s concept. If it?s good and will interest audience, they will come along."

The channel plans to launch Punar Vivah with an aggressive, interactive marketing campaign that will stir up discussions amongst the viewers about the issue of remarriage through a judicious mix of outdoor, print and electronic media.

Gurmeet Chaudhary and Kratika Sengar are the male and female protagonists in the show.

MUMBAI: UK?s leading pay-tv sportscaster, Sky Sports, has renewed partnership with England Cricket Board covering television, mobile and online medium.

The exclusive deal with Sky means that there will no live cricket on free-to-view television.

The new deal begins in 2014 and continues until the end of the summer in 2017.

ECB?s current four-year deal with Sky which began in 2009 and will run through to 2013 is estimated to be in the region of ?280 million.

Sky Sports has been awarded exclusive live coverage of all of England?s Test matches played at home, including series against India (2014), Australia (2015), Pakistan (2016) and South Africa (2017), One-Day Internationals and T20 matches, plus selected fixtures including England Lions and women?s matches.

The broadcaster will also have rights to televise at least 60 days of domestic cricket each summer covering each of the major competitions and including every county.

The new deal will take Sky?s partnership with the ECB into its 12th year and also provides an option for Sky to extend the deal for an additional two years to cover tours by India in 2018 and Australia in 2019.

Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: "Cricket is flourishing in England and Wales, with increased participation, record attendances and success for England?s men and women. Through extending our partnership, the ECB can invest on and off the pitch and the game can continue to grow."

ECB Chairman Giles Clarke said, "Noone should be in any doubt that our partnership with Sky has been of immense benefit to the wider game. World-class support structures for our successful England teams, major ground improvements at county level, a flourishing coach education programme and a five per increase in participation at our ?Focus? clubs are all by-products of this relationship."

Sky first showed live coverage of the England cricket team in 1990 with the tour of the Caribbean, the first ever live ball by ball coverage of an overseas series. The broadcaster has shown cricket every month over the last five years and in 2010 celebrated its 150th live England Test match.

The company plans to launch Sky Sports F1TM HD, a brand new dedicated channel providing live coverage of every Grand PrixTM from the 2012 Formula 1TM season, in March.