Media and entertainment network Viacom18 celebrated the 73rdIndependence Day with a host of integrated campaigns that celebrated the spirit of today’s India and what independence means to its citizens.  Ranging from Colors Cineplex’s #FreeFromHate, MTV’s #SwagTantra, Nickelodeon’s Mera Wala India to Comedy Central’s #LaughAsOne, these campaigns targeted diverse issues that are relevant to the network’s varied audiences.

The Indian Readership Survey’s latest findings as per 2019 Q2 data has confirmed the growing appeal of the internet.

IRS 2019 Q2 data released by the MRUC (Media Research Users Council) clearly shows that consumption of news on digital platforms is on the rise. With deeper internet penetration, cheaper data plans and significant growth of the smartphone user base this news comes as no surprise. The report also states that the reach of Print, Television, Radio and Cinema vis-à-vis the previous IRS quarter largely remains unchanged. And whilst the Total Readership (TR) of publications remains steady, the Average Issue Readership (AIR) has seen a marginal decline. It is the largest readership survey with a reporting sample size of 3.36 lakh households.

MUMBAI: Airtel Digital TV, the DTH arm of Bharti Airtel, is planning to launch a set top box (STB) that will also have the capability to offer broadband service.

Bharti Airtel MD and CEO – India & South Asia Gopal Vittal has said that the STB will also offer a full converged entertainment experience. The launch of this STB will allow the telco to have a converged play across multiple services.

“One of the things we are looking at is to bring in a box, which will kind of offer a full converged entertainment as well as the capacity to deliver broadband. This will happen soon, and we are very excited that once we do that, then it is a full converged play that we can potentially deliver across multiple spaces. There have been some concerns about cord-cutting in the urban areas and metros. We have not seen any evidence of that yet,” Vittal said during the Q1 earnings conference call.

MUMBAI: Hinduja Ventures Ltd (HVL) is reorganising the media and communications business of IndusInd Media and Communications Ltd (IMCL) into itself. The board of HVL has accorded in-principle approval to the proposal.

The media business of IMCL consists of digital content distribution business carried out through multiple platforms including satellite and fibre and also the broadband business carried out through its subsidiary.

“The Board of Directors of Hinduja Ventures Limited (HVL) at its meeting held today have accorded In-Principle approval for reorganization of Media and Communications undertaking of IndusInd Media & Communications Limited (IMCL), into HVL subject to all statutory/ regulatory approvals and approval of the shareholders,” HVL said in a regulatory filing.

MUMBAI: With 1.7 million impressions per week, Indian Pro-wrestling is the second most viewed sport of the country. According to a report published by FICCI, In 2018, Wrestling became the most viewed sport with 20% sports viewership surpassing cricket which held 19% of the total sports viewership. Despite that fact, the sports entertainment industry has never been promoted in the country and has always been dominated by International Pro-Wrestlers courtesy of companies like WWE and TNA.

While a few Indian wrestlers like Khali, Jinder Mahal, and Kavita Devi, have been featured on international platforms they are few and far between. DSport sees the whitespace being a platform where Indian wrestlers can showcase their skill.

MUMBAI: In a major step towards implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the ministry of information & broadcasting (MIB) has decided to implement Accessibility Standards for Persons with Disabilities in television programmes for private TV channels from this Independence Day.

The ministry noted that public broadcaster Doordarshan has been carrying the sign language interpretation of the address of President of India on the eve of Independence Day and Prime Minister’s address from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day every year.

This year too, President’s address and the entire function from Red Fort will be telecast live with sign language interpretation on DD Bharati channel, it added.

In a significant beginning from this year’s Independence Day, the ministry has asked private satellite news TV channels also to telecast a short programme on Independence Day Celebrations, along with corresponding sign language interpretation, in the afternoon/evening of 15th August.

Mumbai: Republic Media Network’s leading news channel R. Bharat will now be seen in the UK through Sky platform from 15th August 2019 and will be available at a premium position on channel number 708.  After launch in MENA Region and North America, this is the next overseas expansion of the fastest growing media network in India.

Arnab Goswami led Republic Media Network will launch a separate UK beam with locally curated programs and events.

MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has acquired the balance 26 per cent equity stake in Zee Network Distribution Ltd. The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange about the development in a letter.

“In this regard, we wish to inform you that, upon completion of all conditions precedent including inter alia change of name of the subsidiary after removing the word 'Turner' to Zee Network Distribution Ltd, the company has concluded the said acquisition and accordingly, Zee Network Distribution Ltd has now become a wholly-owned subsidiary on and from 9 August 2019,” the company said in it.

MUMBAI: Amidst a cricket-dominated sports broadcasting sector, Discovery Communication’s two-year-old sports channel DSPORT is focusing on niche genres. While the channel has been looking at a localisation strategy since the beginning, it is now launching a new wrestling entertainment show Dangal Ke Soorma from 24 August.

Prior to the launch of the show, Lex Sportel MD and CEO RC Venkateish spoke to Indiantlevision.com on the objective of the show, advertisers’ response, marketing strategy as well as the content line up of DSPORT for the rest of the year. He also spoke on the industry issues regarding the impact of the new tariff order and economic slowdown on the channel.

Times Network has launched Times Now World and Mirror Now in the Middle East on du TV, a digital entertainment offering delivered by UAE-based telecom operator du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC).

Offering content to viewers across news, Hollywood, and Bollywood entertainment, Times Network is a curator of segmented and differentiated content across genres. With a presence in over 100 countries, the network further strengthens its foothold in the UAE catering to the content preferences of Indian and South Asian communities.