Post Swayamvar, Imagine launches Pati Patni Aur Woh

NDTV Imagine has some good reason to smile. In the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) space, the final episode of its marriage-based reality show, called Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, clocked in ratings of 8.4 TRPs on August 2, 2009. This is the highest score for a non-fiction show till now in 2009.

To maintain the performance consistency of the channel via the Rakhi factor, the channel is coming up with yet another show centered around marriage theme. Rakhi Sawant and her ‘official husband’ Elesh Parujanwala are getting ready to take their relationship to the next level, by playing parents on a new reality show, called Pati Patni Aur Woh.

Pati Patni Aur Woh is being launched after Rakhi Ka Swayamvar. Nikhil Madhok, vice-president, marketing, NDTV Imagine, explains that in the GEC space, its the innovation that has gone up drastically to maintain the lead position.

Madhok says, “Some time back, there were two-three shows being launched annually and these shows were being replaced after a long period. Now every other month, there is a new launch as channels have at least six-seven new shows lined up for a year.”

Meanwhile, Rakhi has even decided on a name for her child. “I will call her Khushi,” she says. When asked about the concept behind the show, she says, “I don’t know. All I know is that I am going in a house just to have a picnic for one month.”

Rakhi and Elesh will be joined by four other celebrity couples – Shilpa Saklani and Apurva Agnihotri; Juhi Parmar and Sachin Shroff; Mouni Roy and Gaurav Chopra; and Debina Bonnerjee and Gurmeet Chaudhary.

The show’s format is borrowed from The Baby Borrowers (BBC Worldwide Productions), in which five couples, aged 16 to 19, start off by attempting to look after a baby for three days, before moving onto toddlers, preteens, teenagers and finally an elderly person.

In the Indian version, the couples will spend an entire month in a closed environment, monitored by cameras all the time, which will also capture their journey as they embark on a new life of discovery as first-time parents.

Rajat Sharma’s India TV to launch Wiz channel

There finally seems to be some ‘breaking news’ from the company, which specialises in and swears by that term. Rajat Sharma, chairman, Independent News Service (INS) and editor-in-chief, India TV will launch his second 24-hour TV channel, called India TV Wiz, a hybrid news channel in Hindi and English.

Speaking to us, Sharma says the new channel will be launched by the end of this financial year. “A unique bouquet of content, which will make it a national phenomenon, is under the offering.” he says.

“Wiz will be available on analogue cable TV and all digital platforms. The aim is to connect with new-age audiences through the fast-emerging digital media business – India TV Interactive. It will be plugged on to new media platforms from day one.” Sharma says.

India TV, Sharma says, has been witnessing steady growth over the past year. “Four our new channel we desire to maintain the same consistency of India TV, but in an more innovative manner. The programming line-up for Wiz will ensure a better connectivity and interactivity with our viewers.”

In January 2008, Bangalore-based Shyam Equities has invested Rs 100 crore in INS, the parent company of India TV. The company has been valued at Rs 500 crore, and Shyam Equities has bagged a 20 per cent stake offloaded by the holding company.

Sharma had said earlier that the Shyam Equities development will lead to strategic growth beyond India TV. This includes launching a bouquet of channels, a distribution blitz in key international markets, and a significant entry into non-news and non-television media.

In March 2007, Fuse+ Media, an entity of ComVentures, a leading Silicon Valley based venture capital and private equity group, had placed the equivalent of Rs 50.9 crore of FDI in INS for a 19.17 per cent stake.

Rakhi’s Swayamvar is India’s most watched TV show

Rakhi Sawant, the outspoken, wannabe-bride on NDTV Imagine has not only managed to select her groom on television, but has also achieved in garnering the maximum ratings for any reality show in last two years.

As per Tam data, the grand finale of Rakhi Ka Swayamvar Faisle Ki Raat, which was aired live on 2 August from 9-11.30 pm, fetched a whopping TVR of 8.4 for the channel.

The viewers remained captivated by Rakhi and her tantrums to make the finale the top rated show among the Hindi GECs (general entertainment channels) during the week. It also helped the channel to notch a total of 141 GRPs in the week ended 2 August.

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar had been into controversies from the very beginning. While on one hand, there was Rakhi selecting and rejecting perspective contestants as per her whims and fancies, there were news channels on the other hand trying to create scoops out of the show.

It is pertinent to note here that News24 conducted a sting operation, saying that the show was rigged, ultimately helping the property to garner more eyeballs.

Rakhi Ka Swayamvar that hit the television screen on 29 June witnessed the best non-fiction opening with a TVR of 4.1, till Sach Ka Saamna launched on Star Plus. But the show did what it was created for. It gave NDTV Imagine a major upward push. The channel which was hovering around the 100 GRP (gross rating points) mark on a weekly basis, before the launch of the show, zoomed up by over 25 GRPs per week.

Overall, the show that was spread over a 6-week span fared an average of 2.8 TVR.

On a week-on-week basis, the show managed an average TVR of 2.8 in its first week. The ratings dipped slightly in the second week (2.3 TVR) but as word of mouth about Rakhi’s hunt for a dulha spread, the ratings soared higher. However, after an average of more than 3 TVR for two consecutive weeks, the three remaining contestants and Rakhi lost some of the charm as average rating slumped to 1.5 TVR in the fifth week.

The final week (average 5.9 TVR) saw two major events in the show, Mehendi Sangeet on 1 August (3.4 TVR) and the finale, where she picked NRI Elesh Parujanwala as her to-be groom.

And now, the channel has decided to milk all the publicity around the couple, and has roped in them to contest in their upcoming reality show, Pati Patni or Woh, which is adaption of international format show Baby Borrowers. BBC Worldwide, which holds the rights of the show is producing it for the channel.

Zee Cinema launches Cinema Ka Baadshah mobile game

Zee Cinema, the 24 hour movie channel of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, has launched an mobile game, called Cinema Ka Baadshah, which aims to take the channel’s target audience interaction to digital platforms.

This is not the first time that Zee Cinema is using an digital activation to promote itself with the youth. Last year, it has launched an online game to promote its Shanivaar Ki Raat Sitaron Ke Saath property.

The Cinema Ka Baadshah game is downloadable on mobile network with active GPRS for Rs 10. The game has elements like live characters, digital sound effects, high definition visual look and a storyline, which represents a Bollywood movie in its own style.

The new game, which aims to set new benchmarks for the industry, has been launched by the little wonders – Afsha and Dhairya on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs reality show.

Speaking to Televisionpoint.com, Mohan Gopinath, business head, Zee Cinema, says, “We opted for an mobile game because it is a popular format for digital marketing and it also help us to derive revenues out of the mobile platform”

Gopinath adds, “We are promoting the game through our own channel and using word of mouth advertising to attract the youth. We have provided a 360 degree entertainment to our viewers with properties like Klub MJ Hunt, our online game – Shanivaar Ki Raat and now Cinema Ka Badshah.”

Production houses to seek legal recourse on DD ban

Banned for two years by Doordarshan, a majority of the 13 production houses are seeking legal recourse.

The production houses were banned for submitting blank or repeat tapes under the Short-Term Acquisition Scheme for 2006-07 launched by Doordarshan.
Though none wanted to be named for fear of compromising their position, the heads of these houses told indiantelevision.com that they were already seeking legal advice. It is learnt that a High Court has stayed the order with regard to one production house.

Some, however, said they had written letters to Doordarshan explaining their position and seeking personal hearing, and would approach the courts only if they did not receive a satisfactory reply. The proprietor of one house alleged conspiracy by some corrupt DD officials.

Parliament was informed late last month that the tapes were submitted to meet the deadline for submission of remaining episodes of the recommended programmes. The ban is effective from April this year.

The companies include BAG Film and Media Ltd, Saif Entertainment, Tirupati Production, Astra Productions, Touchstone Communications, Rainbow Films, Matrix Entertainment, Magick Works, Vaishnu Films, Shrey Media Entertainments, Montage Films, Meghna U-Matic Vision, and Bajaj Animation Kendra.

The pubcaster had invited TV producers to participate in the special scheme in 2007 if they had ready programmes on special subjects. The special topics included 150 years of the First War of Indian independence and shows for family viewing.

This is not the first instance of blank tapes being submitted to Doordarshan. A total of around 250 blank tapes had been submitted in early 2007 for the DD Urdu channel.

DD, AIR to get Rs 1 bn to boost transmitters in border areas

The range and capacity of Doordarshan and All India Radio (AIR) transmitters in border areas is being augmented, following persistent complaints that stronger signals from across the border result in jamming Indian channels.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is understood to have set aside a budget of around Rs 1 billion for this purpose.

When pointed out that this was not a new complaint, Ministry sources told indiantelevision.com that Prasar Bharati was an autonomous body and the government could interfere only up to a certain extent.

“In fact, senior officials in Prasar Bharati have themselves not got used to the fact that they work for an autonomous organisation,” the source quipped.

The sources also regretted that one reason for the weak signals was the fact that cable and direct-to-home operators often did not carry Doordarshan channels on the prime band as required under law under Section 8 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995.

Sony TV taps Balaji movie CEO to head biz ops

After the turmoil and the forced exit of many senior executives, Multi Screen Media (formerly Set India) is filling up the positions. The company has tapped Ajit Thakur, the chief executive of Balaji Telefilms’ movie business, to take charge of its flagship Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC).

Thakur will join as Sony Entertainment Television business head from 1 July, a source in the company says. Albert Almeida, who was heading the channel, had to quit the organisation amid a clean-up operation in March.

Thakur will have the tough task of reviving Sony TV which has sunk in ratings to lag way behind rivals Star Plus, Colors and Zee TV in the Hindi GEC space. Sony, in fact, will have to contend with a steadily progressing NDTV Imagine for the fourth spot.

Sony got Gurdip Bhangoo from BBC Asian Network to head the channel’s programming and overhauled its prime time on 25 May. The channel is set to launch British broadcaster ITV’s popular celebrity reality show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here (Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao) to step up its ratings.

Zee TV to fill 9 pm slot with Balaji show Pavitra Risshta

Zee TV, the No 3 Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), is set to launch a new fiction show, Pavitra Risshta, from 1 June. 

Produced by Balaji Telefilms, the show will replace Saat Phere in Monday-Friday 9 pm slot.Says Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) COO National Channels and Zee TV business head Nitin Vaidya, “We have always believed in subjects that establish a strong connect with the viewers, be it with Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, Choti Bahu or Betiyaan; all of them deal with pertinent issues. In Pavitra Risshta we are talking about the strong emotional bond that every daughter shares with her mother. This interesting saga brings in the flavour of the mother-daughter relationship

and a mother’s search for a desirable match for her daughter.” 

The show has been shot in a modest environment sans any glamour and grandeur. It essays a middle class household’s routine and lifestyle.

The role of lead protagonist Archana is played by Ankita Lokhande while Savita Prabhune and Ajay Rohila are also playing pivotal role. 

The show focuses on the life of Archana who belongs to a middle class Maharashtrian family, based in Mumbai. Being the eldest daughter of her family, Archana chose to take responsibilities of her siblings rather than focusing on education. As Archana grows up to a marriageable age, her mom realises that her daughter was devoid of all the good things in life during her growing up years. Hence, the mother vows to get her marriedto a well educated and sophisticated guy. But destiny has something else planned for Archana.

Star Plus to co-sponsor Kolkata Knight Rider

Hindi general entertainment channel Star Plus has partnered with Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Rider (KKR) as co-sponsor for the IPL franchisee.

As part of the sponsorship deal, KKR players will have the Star Plus logo displayed on the back of their T-shirts during the matches.

Says Star Plus EVP and GM Keertan Adyanthaya, “Star Plus and Shah Rukh Khan have had a long-standing association with each other. It is indeed a pleasure to have the Kolkata Knight Rider team wear T-shirts with our logo as they endeavour to win the IPL.”

GEC Genre: Colors surpasses Star Plus supremacy in Week 15

For about nine years, Star Plus has ruled the Indian television as the number one Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC). In these nine years, many channels have been close to Star Plus in some odd weeks, but none of them have been successful in surpassing supremacy of the numero uno channel. 

Colors, with its unique and innovative programming, has finally done it, by surpassing Star Plus by 25 GRPs. In the last four weeks, Colors was almost close to Star Plus, but the latter still held the number one position. 

As per TAM Media Research, in Week 15 (C&S, 4+, HSM), Colors managed to rake in 292 GRPs, while Star Plus garnered 267. Zee TV, at number three place, managed to fetch 236 GRPs, making it an equally interesting battle. 

The GRPs of both Colors and Star Plus dipped from the previous week. While Colors’ GRP came down from 298 to 292, that of Star Plus dipped from 307 to 267. 

However, Zee TV has gained marginally from 235 to 236. The relative channel shares of Colors, Star Plus and Zee TV stand at 25 per cent, 22 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.

Even as Colors is excited about reaching the top in such a short time, Star Plus is optimistic of regaining its leadership. 

Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said, “Star Plus is a leader and an innovator since the last nine years. Leadership is a position that needs to be held week after week, consistently and steadily. We are confident that we will regain our leadership.”

It may be noted that from April 01, Colors had turned pay even though the channel is offering promotional schemes in CAS markets and is still on air in these pockets. The uncertainty on the impact of going pay on ratings settles a bit now considering that the channel has managed to stay around its numbers for two weeks now. 

In Week 15, Colors aired five movies. Singh is Kinng, which was telecast without any commercial breaks, fetched a TVR of 2.4 on Colors on Sunday. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na got a TVR of 1.3; while Bhoothnath got 1.2. Another movie, Indra The Tiger recorded a TVR of 1. These films were telecast with two to three breaks. Colors garnered 50 GRPs from the movies alone.

Colors has focused on the three Ds – distribution, differentiation and disruption. Colors has done quite a few innovations – roping in Akshay Kumar to host Fear Factor and Shilpa Shetty to anchor Bigg Boss season 2, telecasting a child marriage story on prime-time and having a kids’ laughter reality show.

Mona Jain, India head, strategic investments, India Media Exchange (IMX), says that if Colors is able to maintain its top rank for four to five weeks, it would be a huge competition for Star Plus. “One week is not a true benchmark (to assess leadership),” she said.

In Week 15, NDTV Imagine is at number four place with 90 GRPs, followed by Sony with 78 GRPs at number five. Star One follows with 60 GRPs, while Sab TV, with 49 GRPs, is at number seven.

Sahara One has raked in 48 GRPs, followed by Star Utsav and DD1, each of which have 26 GRPs. 9X and Real have recorded 23 and 19 GRPs respectively.