Week at a glance: Decoding OTT content code; Live news on OTT; Brands & IPL on a break

Decoding the OTT Content Code: A tale of two self-regulatory bodies

In case of the OTTs, there will be a three-tiered grievance redressal system, where first tier will allow for self-regulation by publishers, next tier allows for self-regulation by the self-regulation bodies of the publishers, and finally an oversight mechanism by the central government. 

Discontinuing live news on OTT – who stands to gain and who loses?

Disney+ Hotstar is contemplating removing its live news offering from the platform by June 30, following ambiguity around the IT Rules (Social Media Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Act, 2021 on classification of news platforms. The OTTs are at a loss on how to classify live news and are awaiting clarification from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Currently, Disney+ Hotstar, MX Player, VOOT, ZEE5 and JioTV are offering live news via their platforms. 

Being a search engine, new IT rules don’t apply to us, Google tells Delhi HC

A week back, Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google, had said that it was committed to complying with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, which came into effect from May 26, 2021. 

Delhi HC issues notice to Twitter over non compliance of IT Rules 2021

Delhi High Court issued a plea against micro-blogging platform Twitter for non-compliance of social media intermediary guidelines that came into effect on May 26. The plea urged the court to direct the social platform to appoint a Resident Grievance Officer under Rule 4 under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Ethics Code) Rules 2021 without delay. 

Will the 5-month break in IPL 2021 affect the momentum for brands?

After suspending Season 14 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mid-way in early May this year due to rising number COVID-19 cases among the players and staff, BCCI has now confirmed that the remainder of IPL Season 14 matches will be played in the UAE in September-October 2021. If some of the key players are missing, some of the brands might think of revisiting their spends and presence in IPL 2021 for the remainder matches. 

How female gamers are transforming the gaming landscape in India

With 252 million unique visitors to games-related sites in March 2021 (as per ComScore), India is one of the largest gaming markets today. From gamers to streamers to game developers and entrepreneurs, women are increasingly straddling different roles in the gaming industry. A study conducted by InMobi, analysing usage patterns between January 2020 and January 2021, revealed that 43% of the mobile gaming audience in India was women and across diverse age groups. 

IBF Announces The Formation Of The DMCRC

The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), which is soon going to be renamed as Indian Broadcasting & Digital Foundation (IBDF), the apex body of broadcasters and OTT operators, has appointed Justice (Retd.) Vikramjit Sen as the Chairman, along with six other eminent industry members for the newly formed Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC). The Council constitutes prominent personalities from the Media & Entertainment industry and Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs), with experience in IPR, programming and content creation. 

Viacom18 launches COLORS Gujarati in UK

Viacom18 Media has launched its regional entertainment channel, Colors Gujarati, in UK. IndiaCast Media Distribution, jointly owned by TV18 & Viacom18, has partnered with Sky & Virgin Media for the channel launch. Currently, the network offers its flagship general entertainment channel COLORS along with the premium entertainment channel COLORS Rishtey and the movie channel COLORS Cineplex in UK. With this new addition, COLORS Gujarati will become the only Gujarati language channel to be available to UK viewers. 

How mythological shows are climbing up the viewership ladder again

During the first wave of COVID-19, BARC India data for Week 13 revealed that DD National registered viewership of 580 million in the 9-10.30 am time band during the re-telecast of Ramanand Sagar’s mythological series ‘Ramayan’. Amid the second wave of COVID-19 infections, where people are once again confined to their homes, Mythological serials have registered tremendous growth. What makes mythological shows have a long shelf life is the fact that the stories and characters are deeply embedded in our cultural ethos. 

Managing customer service during COVID crisis – How Cos are going beyond the brief

Pandemic or not, Customer remains the King. As companies grapple with the challenges and disruptions brought on by the global pandemic and multiple lockdowns, the customer care department is possible one of the hardest hit units of an organisation. 

How the PR industry is switching gears to meet the pandemic challenges head-on

While crisis communication is a forte of the Public Relations industry, keeping the communication channels up and running during the pandemic period has been a challenge for all businesses. For the PR industry, the challenge has been two-pronged – keeping their business operations robust at a time when the entire team is working remotely, while at the same time also handling the communications mandate for their clients when business margins are squeezed. 

Vinod Dua and TV5 & ABN cases - when SC took a stand on Sedition charges against media

The Supreme Court took two important decisions regarding sedition charges brought against a journalist and two news channels. In its judgement yesterday (June 3, 2021) in the sedition and other charges levied against veteran journalist Vinod Dua by a BJP leader from Himachal Pradesh, the Supreme Court quashed the charges and stated that “every journalist is entitled to protection” from such charges under the 1962 order in the Kedar Nath Singh Vs State of Bihar case. 

From casual game to spectator sport – experts discuss the rise of Indian Esports

Indian Esports is brimming with potential. Today, video game streamers and creators with a following of 50-150K can earn Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 per month. Adgully’s latest Twitter Chat episode – titled ‘Spectator Mode: Rise of India Esports’ – sought to understand how the Esports gaming ecosystem is shaping up in India. The panellists comprised of Esports creators, Esports start-ups and non-profit organisations that are the backbone of the Esports industry. 

Experts discuss the elements to build a unique design language for brands

As the focus of consumer companies moves from offering great products to offering great experience, the role of good design has become a salient factor in the brand journey and can be a game changer. On Friday, May 28, 2021, Adgully organised a GullyChat on the topic ‘The role of design in a brand’s journey’, which was joined by some of the leading experts on design in the country. 

Television forms more than 80% of Parle’s media spends: Krishnarao Buddha

In conversation with Adgully, Krishnarao Buddha, Senior Category Head, Parle Products, speaks at length about Parle’s partnership with IBM for distribution, changes in consumer behaviour during pandemic, the communication and marketing strategies during these challenging times and much more. 

American whiskey category in India growing at a CAGR of over 20% YoY: Vineet Agrawal

In an exclusive interview with Adgully as part of our weekly AG Talk column, Vineet Agrawal, Marketing and Commercial Director - India Area, Brown-Forman, spells out Jack Daniel’s plans for India and how this global iconic brand Jack Daniel is consolidating their position the country, consumer behaviour trends in the pandemic times, growing focus on creating great in-home experiences and much more. 

Weikfield will invest about 30% of the overall media budget on Digital: DS Sachdeva

In conversation with Adgully, DS Sachdeva, CEO, Weikfield Foods, speaks about how the brand has strategised to increase its share of the consumers mind, introduced new product categories and strengthened its media strategy, with increasing focus on digital. 

PR today is an integrated approach pivoted on multi-dimensional strategy: Bhaskar Majumdar

In conversation with Adgully, Bhaskar Majumdar, Head - Corporate Affairs, Communication & Digital, Egis India, sheds light on the paradigm shift in the role of PR professionals and corporate communications experts in the pandemic times. 

We reside in the pockets of our customers through mobile phones: Sonia Notani

In an exclusive interview with Adgully, Sonia Notani, Chief Marketing Officer, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited, speaks in depth about how they have navigated during these times and what are some of the new marketing initiatives and campaigns that they have planned to closely engage with their audience. 

The disruptive idea was to be seamless: Karan Shroff, Unacademy

Unacademy has aced the branding game with popular brand campaigns and strategic associations with creators like The Viral Fever and properties like IPL. In conversation with Adgully, Karan Shroff, Chief Marketing Officer, Unacademy, talks about the their IPL campaign 'Kya Hum Live Hai?', strategy around the company’s association with cricket and maximising their IPL association in the coming years. 

Start-up ecosystem has not lost momentum even after the COVID outbreak: Aaron Fernandez

Aaron Fernandez found his first fortune, and a sense of purpose too in Goa. In conversation with Adgully, Aaron Fernandez, Founder, Kilowott, narrates the fascinating story behind Kilowott, how the company is overcoming the gap created by the lack of full-service companies within the technology sector, growing clients organically in Europe and much more. 

Sony flexes its regional muscle for telecast of UEFA EURO 2020 and Copa América 2021

Football Fans in India can gear up for the biggest football festival with two of the most prestigious international football tournaments – UEFA EURO 2020 and Copa América 2021 – on Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN). The Network has announced a range of programming initiatives for the tournaments to bring the global marquee events closer to viewers in India. 

India’s active Internet population to touch 900 mn by 2025: IAMAI- Kantar report

According to IAMAI Kantar ICUBE 2020 Report, India is likely to have 900 million active Internet users by 2025 as against around 622 million as of 2020, registering a growth of about 45% in the next five years. 

HBO Max names Amit Malhotra as MD of Southeast Asia & India

WarnerMedia has announced that Amit Malhotra will join the company later this month as Managing Director for HBO Max in Southeast Asia and India. He will report to Johannes Larcher, Head of HBO Max International, and will be responsible for the rollout and management of WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform in Southeast Asia.

Media
@adgully

News in the domain of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Business of Entertainment