Biz Asia - Main

Balaji movie CEO joins Sony TV as biz head

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:12:24 +0000

After shedding up to 50 jobs at its main office in India, Multi Screen Media has now confirmed the appointment of former Balaji Telefilms movie CEO Ajit Thakur.

He will join as Sony Entertainment Television Asia's business head from 1st 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.

One of Thakur's main jobs will be revive the flanking channel, which has struggled in the TRP race. It continues to face stiff competition from Colors, ZEE TV, STAR Plus and distant number four NDTV Imagine. This, despite the channel launching a slew of new shows and repositioning at the end of May.

Sony TV's 'Iss Jungle Se...' delayed

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:15:14 +0000

Sony Entertainment Television Asia's Indian answer to 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' has been delayed by a week due to technical issues.

A source told TellyChakkar, "Unfortunately, the show may be delayed by a week. The reason is that we are facing some technical problems that are delaying the telecast of the show. Also we expected all the contestants in Malaysia by the first week of July but some of them might reach late there. Though practice sessions are being conducted in Malaysia for the contestants who have reached it will take some time to start the real shoot."

A source at Sony TV UK confirmed that the show has been delayed until Monday 13th July. The time slot remains the same - Monday to Thursday at 22:00 and Fridays at 21:00.

Details emerge of Yash Raj Films TV show

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:17:31 +0000

Details of the much awaited Yash Raj Films TV production have finally come to light today.

India ratings: STAR Plus & Colors share top spot

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:42:04 +0000

In Week 25, STAR Plus and Colors are at par, with a relative channel share of 21 per cent each, in the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) genre, according to data from TAM Media Research (C&S, 4+, HSM).

STAR Plus, which has garnered 242 GRPs in Week 25, has lost 2 percentage points; while Colors has added a few GRPs and stands at 241 GRPs.

ZEE TV has maintained its number 3 position this week, with a 19 per cent relative share of the GEC pie. The channel has garnered 227 GRPs in Week 25.

NDTV Imagine remains unshaken at number 4 with 104 GRPs, the channel holds a 9 per cent share. Sony Entertainment Television Asia, at number 5, with a relative channel share of 8 per cent, seems to be inching closer to Imagine. In Week 25, the gap between the two is 6 GRPs.

SAB TV is at number 6 with a 6 per cent share and had 67 GRPs, while STAR One is at number 7 and has managed to get a 5 per cent share with only 53 GRPs. DD1 retains its 4 per cent share. This is followed by Sahara One at number 9, which holds a 3 per cent share, with 32 GRPs in its fold.

Among the other channels, STAR Utsav and 9X have 2 per cent share each with 23 and 20 GRPs respectively each; while Real has 1 per cent share with only 11 GRPs.

Among the Top 10 programmes on Hindi GECs, 'Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai' rules the charts again, with the highest TVR of 6.7. 'Bidaai' has recorded a TVR of 5.4, followed by 'Balika Vadhu', which garnered 4.7. ZEE TV's 'Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo' is at No. 4 in Week 25, with a TVR of 4.3. At No. 5 is Colors' 'Uttaran', which fetched a TVR of 3.9.

Report from TelevisionPoint

NDTV Imagine goes into 'Rakhi' overdrive

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:44:17 +0000

NDTV Imagine has left no stone unturned to promote its new reality TV adventure 'Rakhi Ka Swayamvar'.

As well as a half-hour daily fix of updates on Rakhi Sawant's matchmaking at 22:30, the channel has also confirmed a spin-off -'Rakhi – Mann Ki Baat', which will air straight after the main show.

The format of 'Rakhi – Mann Ki Baat' will see an informal chat between Ram Kapoor (the host) and Rakhi talk about the main episode and her likes and dislikes of what's been happening on the show in a candid way.

The UK telecast will be shown on a day-delay basis to India. In India, the show kicks off on Monday (29th June), in the UK on Tuesday (30th June) at 21:30 - 22:30.

'Iss Jungle Se Mujhe...' rumoured celebs

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:03:51 +0000

Sony Entertainment Television Asia's Indian answer to 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' kicks off next week and rumours of the celebrities joining the Malaysian jungle have been doing the rounds.

According to India-Forums, Channel [V] presenter Ruby Bhatia has been approached for the show. Another name that is floating around is of the item girl, Deepal Shaw who is popularly known as Baby Doll. Karan Wahi, actor of STAR One's show 'Remix' also has been asked to feature on the show but rejected the channel's offer due to other work commitments.

Few other big names who have been approached are Faizal Khan brother of Aamir Khan, Adnan Sami's wife Sabah and the Bollywood sexy siren Antara Mali.

Shweta Tiwari, Fiza Chand Mohammad and Mouli Ganguly are also tipped to be part of the show as contestants.

'Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao' will be presented by Sony TV favourite Mini Mathur alongside VJ turned actor Yudhishtir (Yudi). Mini has previously fronted 'Indian Idol' for the channel.

The show commences on Monday 6th July at 22:00.

Brit Asia TV drops BARB viewing ratings

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:52:01 +0000

Popular British Asian music channel Brit Asia TV has decided to opt out of its audience being measured by the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB), according to AGB Nielson.

The website has reported that Brit Asia TV will cease reporting after Tuesday 30th June.

It is not known why the channel has made this decision but costs could be a factor. BizAsia.co.uk did attempt to contact the channel but did not receive a response in time of filing this article.

BARB subscribers pay an annual registration fee of over £5,000 and a quarterly subscription fee. UK Asian subscription TV broadcasters instead depend on subscriber figures to observe the popularity of its channel(s). Free-to-air channels determine the success of their programmes and the channel on the whole by its income revenue.

According to BARB data, the channel regularly attracts a weekly reach between 150,000 - 200,000.

ZEE Muzic, Sunrise TV and Prime TV are now the only three Asian broadcasters currently registered to BARB.

Related link:
Brit Asia TV signs up to BARB system

ZEE Network UK secures more cricket

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:31:21 +0000

ZEE Network UK has confirmed that it will broadcasting even more cricket, in addition to the upcoming Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka, starting in early-July.

Asian TV channels switch to Jackson death

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:31:46 +0000

Asian TV news channels last night switched to rolling coverage of the tragic death of pop legend Michael Jackson.

Movie premieres galore on NDTV Imagine

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:03:27 +0000

NDTV Imagine is doing all it can to ensure viewers remain glued to its free-to-air service on Sky Digital.

As BizAsia.co.uk has previously reported, the channel has acquired the rights for two of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters - 'Ghajini', which is India's biggest hit in history and 'Chandi Chowk To China', which in contrast did poor business at the box office but was backed by Hollywood giants Warner Brothers.

'Ghajini' starring Aamir Khan and Asin will get its special premiere on Sunday 12th July at 21:00.

'Chandni Chowk To China' starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone will premiere on Saturday 1st August.

Both films will screen on UK television for the first time.

Updated: 26/06/09

Related link:
NDTV Imagine to begin weekday movies