VIACOM18
Sony’s Gaurav Banerjee dismisses concerns over foreign investment in India’s media sector
Citing the presence of YouTube, Netflix and Amazon, Banerjee said global media companies recognise India’s long-term growth potential and continue to invest billions of dollars in the market.
'Investors must have a long-term view to unlock India's sports market potential': JioStar VC Uday Shankar
Uday Shankar highlights that India's sports industry presents substantial long-term investment opportunities, particularly in cricket and others. He urges potential investors to adopt a longer timeframe beyond five years for returns. Shankar also notes that while cricket remains dominant, other sports are gaining significant audiences as well. The challenges include rising media-rights costs and competition with technology platforms. Furthermore, simplifying cricket formats could enhance viewer enjoyment and excitement over time.
YouTube was close to selling to Yahoo. How Google sealed the $1.65 billion deal at 3 A.M. in a Denny’s parking lot
YouTube was close to selling to Yahoo in 2006 before Google agreed to pay $1.65 billion for the video platform. The deal was finalized in an unusual setting: a Denny’s parking lot at 3 a.m., where executives signed the merger documents under BlackBerry phone lights.
PKL media rights in flux as JioStar, teams seek to avert an ISL-style fallout
Pro Kabaddi League media rights talks involve JioStar seeking a fee reduction and franchises protecting the previous benchmark. Franchise owners are divided on open bidding, fearing a collapse like the Indian Super League. JioStar incurred losses and viewership has stagnated, prompting discussions for league growth. Discussions also include reducing franchise fees while increasing revenue share for teams.
GTPL Hathway overtakes Tata Play to become India’s largest TV distributor by revenue in FY26
GTPL Hathway has unexpectedly outperformed Tata Play in revenue in India's television distribution sector, even though it maintains a smaller active cable subscriber base. Both segments, cable and DTH, are facing challenges due to the growing popularity of streaming platforms. GTPL's expansion efforts include launching a new HITS service and making strategic acquisitions, while the DTH market continues to decline in active pay-TV subscriptions.
Viacom18 becomes subsidiary of Reliance Industries
Viacom18 transitions to a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited post the conversion of 24.61 crore CCPS into equity shares, granting Reliance an 83.88% equity share capital. This marks a shift from Network18's control, positioning Reliance at the helm of Viacom18's strategic direction.
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Viacom18, Star India expect to complete merger by October
Viacom18 and Star India plan to finalize their merger by October after securing approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Already sanctioned by creditors and shareholders, CCI's detailed market assessment will determine the merger's competitive impact. The combined entity will dominate both TV and streaming, holding substantial sports rights.
Anil Jayaraj quits as CEO of Viacom18 Sports
Anil Jayaraj, Viacom18's sports CEO, resigned after nearly three years. His departure coincides with Viacom18's merger with Star India under Reliance Industries. Sources revealed Jayaraj submitted his resignation on Monday, but Viacom18 did not respond to requests for comments
Paramount Global exited Reliance's Viacom18 with attractive returns: Top executive
Paramount Global's recent sale of its 13.01% stake in Viacom18 to Reliance Industries has allowed the company to exit its Indian joint venture with a profitable return on investment. Paramount fully divested from Viacom18 for ₹4,286 crore, while continuing content licensing agreements. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024 or early 2025, pending regulatory approval. The merger agreement between RIL, Walt Disney's Star India, and Viacom18 will impact the ownership structure, with RIL and Viacom18 set to hold a majority stake in the proposed merged entity.
Paramount to sell its remaining stake in Viacom18 to RIL
Paramount Global is set to sell its remaining 13.01% stake in Viacom18 to Reliance Industries for ₹4,286 crore, valuing the Indian media company at around ₹33,000 crore. The transaction is subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. The transaction is also subject to the completion of the proposed joint venture involving RIL, Viacom18, and The Walt Disney Company's Star India.
Star-Viacom18 likely to post $200 million loss on sports, streaming: Report
The Reliance Industries-Walt Disney Company deal aims to merge Viacom18 and Star India, creating a media giant with profitable entertainment, but lossmaking sports and streaming businesses. The proposed merged entity's entertainment business is projected to generate $600 million in Ebitda on $1.3 billion revenue.
Viacom18's sponsor list for IPL 2023 swells to 23
Earlier, Viacom18 had roped in Dream11 as a co-presenting sponsor, along with JioMart, PhonePe, and Tiago EV as co-powered sponsors. The associate sponsors included Appy Fizz, ET Money, Castrol, TVS, Oreo, Bingo, Sting, AJIO, Haier, RuPay, Louis Philippe Jeans, Amazon, Rapido, Ultra Tech Cement, Puma, Kamla Pasand, Kingfisher Power Soda, Jindal Panther TMT Rebar, and Indeed.
Viacom18 to shift sports content to JioCinema
The company plans to make the JioCinema app the streaming destination for live sports. These include football leagues LaLiga (Spanish), Ligue 1 (French) and Serie A (Italy), as well as the NBA and ATP Masters (Tennis) and Abu Dhabi T10 (cricket) properties. The decision on the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be taken later.
Mukesh Ambani’s tryst with sports rights continues with Italian Serie A
Viacom18, the joint venture with American entertainment conglomerate ViacomCBS, has a clutch of entertainment channels in Hindi, English and regional languages, as well as a content studio and a video streaming service, Voot.
Viacom18 to launch its biggest entertainment property ‘Bigg Boss’ on OTT first
The six-week edition, ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ will not be available on TV and will later transition into the regular TV version of the popular reality show.
Rajesh Iyer to lead Viacom18's four regional markets
This is Iyer’s second stint at Viacom18. In his earlier tenure, Iyer had served for six years, and was head of marketing of the flagship GEC, Colors, before joining Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEE) in the leadership team and launching second GEC, &TV.
Sudhanshu Vats steps down as MD of Viacom18
Vats was responsible for expanding Viacom18’s footprint into new business lines, including digital (Voot), experiential entertainment and consumer products.
Viacom18 gears up to launch Kannada movie channel
This will be Viacom18’s third Kannada channel after leading general entertainment channel Colors Kannada and youth focused channel Colors Super.
Superior technology and content diversity is VOOT's backbone, says Viacom18 MD Sudhanshu Vats
From new shows to expansion plans, the top boss shares what’s in the pipeline for VOOT.
Every film is like a massive product launch, says Ajit Andhare of Viacom18 Motion Pictures
Viacom18 Motion Pictures top boss said they've made success out of films many thought would not succeed.
Viacom18’s Voot unveils new brand identity; gears up for regional and international play
Voot has decided to push the paddle on regionalisation, expand into international markets and launch premium service.
10 years, 500+ mn audiences, 80 countries: Sudhanshu Vats says Viacom 18's story is being written every day
Vats says this is just the start, and new worlds are opening up to them.
Viacom18 elevates Narayan Ranjan as Chief of Staff
Ranjan would be responsible for mergers and acquisition, internal audit, internal control as well as the admin function.
Viacom18 launches video-on-demand platform Voot
"As more people move towards consuming content online, it is time for Viacom18 to move into the world of connected screens, hence Voot," Vats added.
Viacom to launch video-on-demand service soon
Viacom18 is ready to enter the Indian over-the-top (OTT) video streaming space with the launch of ‘VOOT’ by the end of this month.
Viacom18 launches digital biz, appoints Gaurav Gandhi as COO
The new entity 'Viacom18 Digital Ventures' will bridge traditional broadcasting and digital innovation, the media firm said in a statement.
Viacom18 rules out entering sports area in short-term
Viacom18 has said it is not keen on entering the sports broadcasting space in the short-term as the country does not have a strong sporting culture.
Viacom18 rules out entering sports area in short-term
As on an average, Indians spend only 4% of daily TV viewing time on sports whereas it is nearly 12.5 per cent in the US and the UK.
Viacom18 to launch English comedy channel from Jan 23
Viacom18 Media, a joint venture between Viacom and Network18, will launch a comedy channel in English named 'Comedy Central' in the country next week.
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