Sony Pictures-Ten Sports deal cleared by CCI

MUMBAI: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) yesterday tweeted its approval to the proposed acquisition of the sports broadcasting business of Ten Sports by Sony Pictures Networks India. Acquisitions beyond a threshold need approval from CCI, which keeps a check on business practices across sectors.

In August-end 2016, ZEEL had informed the BSE about the approval by its board of directors for the proposed sale and transfer of Zee’s sports broadcasting business to Sony Pictures Networks in an all-cash deal worth US$385 million. SPNI CEO NP Singh had then said that the acquisition of Ten Sports Network would strengthen SPN's offering for viewers of cricket, football and fight sports, complementing their existing portfolio of international and domestic sporting properties.

Ten Sports network is currently held by two subsidiaries of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL)—Taj Television Ltd, Mauritius, and Taj Television (India) Pvt. Ltd. Sony Pictures Networks India is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of channels.

Ten Sports channels being acquired are -- Ten  Cricket, Ten Sports, Ten 1, Ten 1 HD, Ten 2, Ten 3, Ten Golf HD which operate in many countries including the Indian sub-continent, Hong Kong, Maldives, Singapore, the Middle East and the Caribbeans.

Sony Entertainment TV plans to expand its early prime time to 6pm

MUMBAI: With the launch of its new offering Peshwa Bajirao, Sony Entertainment Television has entered the 7.30 pm time slot. The channel has expanded its prime time to 7.30pm, and plans to expand it further to 6pm time band in coming 12-18 months.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Sony Pictures Network India CEO NP Singh said, “With this show, we begin our prime time to 7.30pm, and soon we will have a show at 7pm time-band. Our objective is to start prime time at 6pm in 12 to 18 months' time.”

Singh further added, “Sony TV’s weekend shows are running successfully. We are focusing on the growth and reach of viewership of our weekday property and that will happen by launching the new slots on the channel and the launch of new shows on those channels.”

Sony Entertainment Television EVP and business head Danish Khan said, “The intention is to expand the prime time from 6pm to 11.30pm but one thing at a time. 7.30 pm time slot we are opening now, and, hopefully by April, we will open the 7pm time band. The programming philosophy for Sony is novelty, variety and quality. We are working on banking a writing script in advance also we are shooting in advance. Like we are launching Peshwa Bajirao on Monday with 20 episodes in bank that is to drive the quality. Also we are hoping that we will bring some novel concept.”

Firstly, it was Star Plus which opened the early prime time slot and later followed by other Hindi GECs entered the space but most of the channels failed to get the positive ratings in those early prime time specially 6pm and 6.30pm. But 7pm and 7.30pm time band became the prime time for all the channels and the space become more competitive with time.

“There are seven Hindi GEC channels, and India is a huge country with a different set of audience fragmentation. It's important to have a variety in GECs. In small towns, the prime time starts early, whereas in urban India people watch television slightly late. The overall HSM numbers might not look very big but, in the sub groups of geography, some shows are blockbusters. I think there is huge appetite for early prime time,” informed Khan.

Well, how successfully Sony is able to encash the expanded prime time, only time will tell.

Sony Entertainment launches historical series 'Peshwa Bajirao'

MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television is bringing to television viewers the glorious life of India’s only undefeated warrior/commander -- Peshwa Bajirao, his unconventional ways, his principles in life, his passion and his ideologies.

A warrior such as him is not born; he was nurtured and raised with values& principles by his mother Radhabai and the astute strategies of war with a fearless approach to life were ingrained into him by his father Balaji Vishwanath. It was in the court of Maharaja Shahu where he learned the art of politics and diplomacy which made him a conqueror of both land and heart.

Peshwa Bajirao’s short but impactful life makes for a riveting story.

Sony Entertainment Television EVP & Business Head Danish Khan said, "The inspirational and compelling story of Peshwa Bajirao is relevant to our lives and times. His love for the motherland, his unconventional approach in tackling challenges and his upbringing makes for a delightful and motivational television watch. We are delighted to partner Sphereorigins' Sunjoy Waddhwa, Nilanjana Purkayasstha and their young creative team to bring this story alive.”

Sphereorigins CMD Sunjoy Waddhwa said, "We are very happy to be associated with Sony TV for the historical series “Peshwa Bajirao”. The show is based on the fierce Maratha warrior. The story focuses on the life of a legendary Peshwa, from his childhood to a great and fierce 'yodha'. We have infused all the authenticity of the story on the sets, as well as in the costumes, jewellery, armour, furniture etc. We, at Sphereorigins, are excited at the launch of the show and are optimistic that the audience will enjoy it”.

Rudra Soni, who will be seen as Bajirao, said, “I am extremely delighted to play the great warrior, Peshwa Bajirao. It is a moment of pride to be associated with this show as I was very fond of playing this character right from the time I did the movie Bajirao Mastani in which I played young Nanasaheb. I was really inspired after reading the story of Peshwa Bajirao and the Marathi legacy in depth.”

Anuja Sathe, who plays the role of Radhabai, says, “It’s a huge responsibility to play the role of Bajirao’s mother, Radhabai, and I am sure people will like the authenticity we are offering. I am glad people are anticipating and expecting one of the most riveting story telling on Indian television and Peshwa Bajirao is going to be one.”

Manish Wadhwa, to be seen as Balaji Vishwanath, says, “Given the grandness and victorious story of Peshwa Bajirao, the responsibility of parenting and making Baji a warrior was a challenge. I hope the audience connect with the show as a lot of effort has been put behind it.”

Hindustan Lever, Patanjali had largest TV ad insertions

BENGALURU: Over the last four weeks of calendar year 2016, Hindustan Lever Limited (Lever) and Patanjali have been the top advertisers in terms of number of television ad insertions according to Broadcast Audience Research Council of India (BARC) data for weeks 49 (Saturday 3 December 2016) until week 52 (Friday 30 December 2016). The data covers Top 10 Advertiser’s Across Genre: All India (U+R) : 4+ Individuals.

Lever with 64,264 (36.19 percent), 62,655 (31.95 percent), 66,922 (29.44 percent) and 86,817 (33.40 percent) adinsertions in weeks 49, 50, 51 and 52 respectively of 2016 held numerouno position as top television advertiser in terms of ad insertions. Patanjali with 18,539 (10.44 percent), 23,430 (11.95 percent), 33,064 (14.55 percent), and 33,381 (12.84 percent)television ad insertions in weeks 49, 50, 51 and 52 respectively of 2016 stood second.

Bharti Airtel Limited, Ponds India and Brooke Bond Lipton India Limited were the other brands that were present across all the 4 weeks among the top 10 television advertisers in terms of ad insertions.Smithkline Beecham was amongst the top 10 advertisers in terms of television ad insertions for weeks 50, 51 and 52. Please refer to Figure A below for list of Top 10 Advertisers across genre: All India (Urban + Rural): 4+ individuals.

As is obvious from the charts above, the total number of insertions has increased steadily from week 49 from 177,582 to 259,961 (by 82,379 insertions 46.39 percent increase) in week 52. The increase in total number of ad insertions by the top 10 advertisers between weeks 49 and 50 was 18,533 (10.44 percent); between weeks 50 and 51 was 31,169 (15.89 percent); between weeks 51 and 52 was 32,677 (14.38 percent).