Disney Channel to make entry into Tamil and Telugu via pre-school block
The channel is ageing up its pre-school content; Disney Junior, the newly created block for the 2-7-year-olds, will start from 4 July & occupy 11 am-12.30 pm band, Monday to Friday.
(29 June 2011)

Broadcasters to suggest formula on surrogate ads
Government asks Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the News Broadcasting Association to finalise within three weeks their strategy relating to surrogate advertisements.
(28 June 2011)

New Hindi news channel to spend Rs400mn on distribution
Sai Prasad Group to launch News Express by mid-July; the full HD format Hindi news channel will have an editorial team of 300 people across eight states.
(27 June 2011)

Reliance Broadcast to grow annually at 30%
Reliance Broadcast aims to grow its revenue at an annual rate of 30% over next 5 years; radio biz to account for 40% of total revenue, down from 70%, & TV to contribute 40%.
(29 June 2011)

Offending TV channel to go out of IBF: Shah
Justice Shah, Chairperson of the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council, says any channel which refuses to abide by the directives of the Council will have to opt out of IBF.
(30 June 2011)

Colors gains to widen gap with Zee TV
Colors, which had dropped ratings to stand dangerously close to Zee TV, has now widened the gap as it gained 33 GRPs to end at 263 GRPs; Zee maintains status quo with 228 GRPs.
(29 June 2011)

ESPN Star Sports to rake in Rs1.5bn from India-England series
ESPN Star Sports ropes in Maruti, Nokia, Seagrams and Tata DoCoMo as sponsors for the India-England series; the broadcaster is targeting eight sponsors.
(25 June 2011)

India-West Indies ODIs average 1.5 TVR
Lack of big names & non-prime time matches result in relatively weaker ratings; 5 ODIs deliver TVR of 1.51 on Ten Cricket compared to 3.65 between India and South Africa.
(27 June 2011)

Dish TV ups STB price as step to expand margins
Dish TV ups price of its STBs by Rs200 a unit from 1 July, a move that will allow it to save Rs600 min in FY'12 as it plans to add 3mn subs; 2nd hike in year to help expand margins & subscriber acquisition cost to fall to Rs2000.
(30 June 2011)

Police raids cable ops in Maharashtra, Gujarat over Taj Television’s complaint
Taj TV, which runs Ten Sports, Ten Cricket and Ten Action+, says police has raided premises of cable ops in 3 places each in Maharashtra and Gujarat on complaints filed by it.
(28 June 2011)

Cannes: India adds 2 Gold on final day
India takes its final score to 24 metals that include four gold and 10 silver; BBDO India and Ogilvy & Mather India win in the newly launched Creative Effectiveness and Film Craft categories.
(27 June 2011)

Cannes 2011: BBDO's 'W.A.L.S' shortlisted
BBDO India's ‘Women Against Lazy Stubble' campaign for Gillette has been shortlisted in the newly introduced Creative Effectiveness Lions category.
(24 June 2011)

O&M’s 'Train' on track for Film Craft Lions
Ogilvy & Mather's 'Train' campaign for Indian railways gets shortlisted in the Film Craft Lions category; the spot gets recomended in the ‘Best Use of Music’ sub-category.
(24 June 2011)

Colors appoints Pavithra Vivek as head - Property Sales
Pavithra Vivek moves in from Aidem Ventures; she will report to Simran Hoon & will be responsible for revenue generation on reality shows, AFPs, special projects & provide customised solutions to advertisers.
(30 June 2011)

Double Dhamaal off to a good start, nets Rs235mn in opening weekend
Double Dhamaal nets Rs235million in opening weekend; Ready has collected Rs1.14billion in three weeks and Shaitan Rs66million in two weeks. BOX OFFICE!
(27 June 2011)

India's digital cinema growth sans big players
Though India now has 5000 digital cinemas, only 300 screens are Digital Cinema Initiatives compliant and 3000-4000 yet to be converted.
(25 June 2011)

Double Dhamaal alternates between good and mediocre
Double Dhamaal has an old-fashioned theme with intermittent gags, gimmicks & buffoonery; one may enjoy the film while in the cinema but there is nothing to take home. FILM REVIEW!
(24 June 2011)