Raghav Bahl's next big growth drive
IndiaCast, in which TV18 has 75% stake and Viacom 25%, is poised for growth in a digital era; it adds ETV channels (except Telugu) and 3 markets in the South while bringing under one roof content syndication.
(9 june 2012)

Sony Pictures ups stake to 94% in MSM, Indian promoters exit
SPT to pay $271 million for 32% stake from the Indian promoters; Standard Chartered Bank brokers the deal that values MSM at $846 million.
(14 june 2012)

WPP on the prowl for digital deals in India, buys 51% of Hungama Digital via JWT
WPP is on the prowl for digital deals in India; opening up the next new frontier, JWT's purchase will help it control the digital & promotions marketing division of Hungama Digital Entertainment.
(13 june 2012)

IBF asks TV channels to stop telecast of superstitious programmes
The IBF advises members to stop telecast of programmes relating to persons like Nirmal Baba; says shows promoting superstition & blind belief should not be encouraged.
(9 june 2012)

Govt sticks to digitisation deadline
In meeting with stakeholders, I&B Minister tells Govt not agreeing to defer 1st phase of digitisation in 4 metros; final decision after Task Force meeting on 15 June.
(8 june 2012)

Prasar Bharati's operating expenses far outstrip rev in FY'12
Revenue stands at Rs 11.83 bn for the first 10 months of the fiscal; deficit stares large at Rs 16.68 bn, I&B sources say.
(13 june 2012)

Govt earns Rs 2.2 bn as licence fee from DTH in 2011-12
The 6 private DTH players up their licence fee to Govt from Rs 1.78 bn in 2010-11; Tata Sky leads with Rs 793 mn in Fy'12, followed by Airtel Digital TV with Rs 618.7 mn.
(14 june 2012)

Parliamentary Committee presses for speedy recovery of dues to DD from producers & media agencies
Parliamentary Standing Committee for IT seeks information from I&B about action taken against producers and media agencies who owe DD Rs 4.96 bn till 31 March 2011.
(12 june 2012)

IndusInd Media moves Tdsat against Trai’s tariff order
IndusInd Media and United Cable Operator’s Welfare Association challenge Trai’s tariff order for DAS in Tdsat; the sector tribunal agrees to list the matter on 25 June.
(11 june 2012)

PwC estimates OTT to rake in $552 mn in India by 2015
India to have 176 mn OTT viewers by 2015; mobile Internet TV is one of the biggest growth areas in India with a 3rd of Indian smartphone users watching TV on their smartphones.
(12 june 2012)

Slowdown to impact outdoor advertising
Zenith Optimedia CEO Satayajit Sen ranks outdoor as 3rd most impacted, after print and radio; expects outdoor space to post low single-digit growth.
(12 june 2012)

Broadcasters get breathing space as Tdsat stays Trai's ad cap rule
Tdsat stays the Trai notification till the hearing comes up on 17 July; broadcasters need time to weed out the ad inventory flab that they have created due to economic compulsions.
(11 june 2012)

Signals are for a mild ad slowdown: Mindshare's Lala
Slashing the early forecast, Mindshare principal partner Jai Lala peggs the growth figure at 8-10% this year on the back of a weak GDP growth & a dip in sports advertising revenues.
(9 june 2012)

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Colors may fetch ad rev of Rs 450 mn
Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa gets Cadbury Bournvita as the presenting sponsor and is powered by Streax Hair Colour; Colors to lock in 6 associate sponsors, out of which 4 are already on board.
(8 june 2012)

Hindi GECs slide in 2nd week after IPL
After gaining 30 GRPs post IPL, Hindi GEC genre fails to hold ground in second week; barring Life OK all channels see fall, while Zee TV, Colors and Set are in a cut-throat battle.
(13 june 2012)

Rowdy Rathore nets Rs 1 bn in 10 days, Shanghai bombs
Rowdy Rathore nets Rs 1.01 bn in 10 days; Shanghai mops up Rs 122 mn in 1st weekend, Ishqzaade ends 4th week with Rs 469.5 mn, while Jannat 2 loses steam. BOX OFFICE!
(11 june 2012)

Shanghai is a boring fare
Based on Gravas’ 1969 French political thriller Z, Shanghai's script is patchy with characters poorly etched and a lot of things taken for granted or left unexplained. FILM REVIEW!
(8 june 2012)

Executive Dossier

‘We have been growing at 9-10 per cent every year’ Interview with Viacom18 EVP and GM Sonic and Nickelodeon India Nina Elavia Jaipuria