TV top choice for kids despite popularity of digital platforms?

Experts from television industry say children nowadays look for stories and conversations that are both relatable and engaging

e4m by Aditi Gupta
Published: May 31, 2023 8:42 AM  | 7 min read
kids TV

Television, it seems, remains the top screen choice when it comes to kids’ genre despite the growing popularity of digital platforms like YouTube and OTTs.

Speaking to exchange4media about the way kids consume content, especially during summer vacations, and how it impacts viewership and advertisers, experts from the television industry said children nowadays look for stories and conversations that are both relatable and engaging.

Uttam Pal Singh, South Asia – Head of Kids Cluster, Warner Bros Discovery, opined, “Currently, there is a notable trend in India, where OTT and TV co-exist. Despite the increasing popularity of digital platforms, TV remains significant, as 98% of Indian households have single TV.”

He said this makes co-viewing an essential aspect of viewership, particularly when it comes to kids' programming.

Quoting the KPMG's 2022 Analysis, Singh said TV penetration in India is estimated to reach 76% in 2026 compared to 70% in 2020, with TV-viewing individuals reaching 900 million.

“For kids, animated content rules both on television and on digital. However, TV has mass appeal and remains top choice for kids' entertainment, surpassing other options. Indian kids TV broadcasters are investing more on locally developed and produced content which reigns in popularity,” Singh said.

Expressing a similar viewpoint, Ronojoy Chakraborty, Head-Programming, Sony YAY!, shared, TV remains the top choice for kids, and as per a 2022 survey, about 57% of kids preferred watching TV while 33% watched both and only 10% watched content on just OTT.

“We released Searchlight 2022, a survey that we conducted in association with Kantar Research to understand the habits and preferences of kids better. As part of the research, we found that about 57 per cent of the kids surveyed preferred watching TV. Only 10 per cent watched content on OTT and 33 per cent watched both. 

“The way kids consume content has changed over the last several years owing to multiple reasons. However, when it comes to the kids’ genre, TV continues to be their screen of choice. As category leaders, we are consistently curating new concepts in content for kids to keep them entertained,” Chakraborty said.

He, however, said that Sony YAY! is adapting to the changing landscape by embracing digital strategies to take the experience beyond television.

Talking about the change in the way kids consume content and impact on viewership, Singh said, “These are fascinating times we live in. Children nowadays are confident in expressing themselves and have clear preferences for the content they enjoy and want to see. They look for stories and conversations that are both relatable and engaging.

“We constantly strive to understand our audience's preferences to ensure we deliver the best possible content. For example, we recognised the increasing popularity of Japanese Anime among young adults and children due to the increased exposure to global and local content in the last few years,” he said.

Singh also said that offering content in various Indian local languages has contributed immensely to the success in kids genre and increased viewership in recent times.

“Another important factor contributing to our shows' success, whether original or acquired, is providing content in local languages. To that effect, we have made a strategic effort to expand our offerings in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi. It is a prime driver that has led to increased viewership for this genre in recent years,” he told e4m.

In a recent interaction with e4m, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, spoke about how their channel Nickelodeon keeps kids interested in its content despite there being so many options available with them to watch content on multiple platforms.

She had said that “despite the fragmentation and choices that children have today, they realise that the content given on the kids genre or on Nickelodeon is tailored for them.”

As summer vacations are going on, channels like Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, Sony YAY! and Nickelodeon have come up with new content line-ups for kids.

Sharing the line-up and formats across Warner Bros Discovery’s network channels – Cartoon Network, POGO and Discovery Kids, Uttam Pal Singh said, “We ringed the summer season with new offerings, giving our fans (kids, young adults and families) relatable storylines and engaging formats to enjoy.”

“We kickstarted the summer on POGO with the celebrations for 15 golden years of the beloved 'Chhota Bheem' birthday with #HBDBheem campaign and the premier of globally popular 'Mighty Little Bheem' for the first time on Indian Television.

“Moreover, we have 'Chhota Bheem' Big Pictures, a new format of presenting stories for the flagship IPs. For Mother’s Day celebration, we had 'Little Singham YudhKaal’ adventure between Little Singham and his mother and 'Tittoo' movie premier on POGO,” he told e4m.

For Cartoon Network, Singh said, “We announced the 'CN Superhero Summer' campaign and kicked off the excitement with the launch of 'Dragon Ball Z Kai' show which will continue to engage and excite the Otaku community and fans along with new episodes of the superhero action-comedy 'Teen Titans Go!'.

“Lastly, 'Kris, Roll no 21' and 'Mr Bean: The Animated Series' on Discovery Kids with 'Non-Stop Masti Summer' will continue entertaining audiences throughout the summer,” he said.

Sharing the lineup for Sony Yay! Chakraborty said, “Our new lineup of shows this summer include brand new episodes of the popular show Oggy and the Cockroaches, featuring the beloved character Oggy and his mischievous arch-nemesis, the cockroaches. Oggy and the cockroaches Next gen which showcased the fun banter of Oggy and his friend Piya the baby elephant.”

Experts also said that due to the increased co-viewership in kids’ genre, brands across categories like food and beverages, stationary, personal care and home care have been advertising with the channels.

“TV has strengthened its position as a family-viewing platform in India, with the kids’ genre as the key contributor. Thanks to the immense popularity of Cartoon Network, POGO, and Discovery Kids characters and the loyal viewer base, brands across categories such as snacks/food & beverages, student stationary, personal care/hygiene, home care, and consumer durables have contributed to our channels.

“For the summer campaigns, brands that have traditionally advertised on television continue their commitment with new shows and IPs for their campaigns and new brand launches. We also have brands who are advertising on Kids TV for the first time purely due to the immense popularity of our iconic characters Chhota Bheem and Little Singham,” Singh said.

According to Chakraborty, Sony YAY! has onboarded advertisers who are dedicated to providing an incredible experience for kids and their families.

“Our advertisers primarily belong to categories that revolve around products specifically designed for kids and mothers. These categories include Food and Beverages, Personal Care/Hygiene, Laundry, and Household Products.

“In addition to the brands on the channel Sony YAY! also has an exhaustive portfolio in its Licensing and Merchandising business. The L&M portfolio includes over 100+ homegrown toons and the brand is also the Master licensee for popular characters like Oggy and the cockroaches and Naruto in India,” he said.

Viacom 18’s Jaipuria had earlier told e4m that, "On the channel, advertisers normally come as a whole for summer. So it's not like they come for just a specific show unlike GEC where advertisers want to spend on one specific show. Hence, the channel is sold as a channel and not as a slot."

Speaking on the ad rates she had said, "I would love to get far more because we have a reach higher than a lot of other genres but we don't get paid what we deserve. But like I said, over the years, and because I've seen the space grow, of course, we've moved into a trajectory where advertisers are now willing to pay us good money, but not the best.”

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ZEE Entertainment’s board announces Monthly Management Mentorship program

The program aims to guide and enable the management team to achieve key performance metrics

e4m by e4m Staff
Published: Mar 26, 2024 3:29 PM  | 4 min read
ZEE

The Board of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE) has institutionalized a structured Monthly Management Mentorship (3M) Program. The objective of the 3M Program is to guide and enable the management team to achieve key performance metrics, including the targeted 20% EBITDA margin, proposed by the MD & CEO. This step, led by ZEE Chairman, R. Gopalan, underscores the Board's unwavering commitment towards delivering higher value to all stakeholders.

In his recent interactions with the press and investors, Gopalan reinforced the granular approach undertaken by the Board, to protect the interest of all stakeholders of the Company. The institution of the 3M Program is a firm step in this direction. In order to drive the 3M Program, the Board has formed a Special Committee to review the management’s business performance and provide the required directional guidance. The Special Committee comprises of ZEE Chairman, Mr. R. Gopalan and Mr. Uttam Prakash Agarwal, Chairman of the Audit Committee.

The 3M Program Special Committee has conducted the first set of extensive review sessions with the management to evaluate business vertical plans, enhance the revenue generation approach and optimize resource utilization for improved efficiencies across the Company.

R. Gopalan, Chairman, ZEE, speaking after the completion of the first phase of the 3M Program, said, “After completing a detailed set of 33 meetings with various business verticals, corporate functions and leaders of the management team; our confidence and belief in the potential of the Company to deliver the targeted results, has certainly strengthened. Under the able leadership of Mr. Punit Goenka as the MD & CEO of the Company, the businesses are well-aligned and focused towards the set goals for the future. Leveraging the external lens and an outside-in perspective, the Committee has provided its independent, neutral and fresh views to the business leaders enabling them to further improve their efficiency and performance. The Board has also advised the MD & CEO to further simplify the management structure and optimize the utilization of the human capital.”

The 3M Program Special Committee has also identified business verticals that require a critical assessment. The same include – 1) Margo Networks (Sugarbox) 2) Teleplay & Zindagi 3) Hipi 4) Weyyak and 5) English Cluster of Linear TV Business.

The Special Committee has advised that the identified business verticals will need to substantially reduce losses and enhance their performance levels. The 3M Program Special Committee has also invested its time in conducting a detailed analysis of the Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), which had incurred an expenditure of approximately Rs. 600 Cr. in the last year. The Committee has noted that the TIC has developed a substantial level of technology and tools; however, it has highlighted the immediate need to focus on Return on Investment. The Special Committee appreciated the efforts sown in by the TIC in the realm of gaming and product development; but is also of the view, that many of the development projects have reached its maturity levels. After reviewing the TIC’s approach to gradually emerge as an independent technology company; the Committee has advised that the management should stay focused on its core expertise, ethos and DNA i.e. Content. Hence, it has advised the management to utilize the services of TIC to enhance its Content Development and Distribution process.

It has also advised that the management should leverage the TIC’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools to gain a deeper insight into the consumer profiles. With this view, the Committee has advised that the management should reduce the expenditure at the TIC by 50%, for the Financial Year 2024-25; and utilize its services to enhance the Company’s content development, distribution and monetization approach. The 3M Program Special Committee has also reviewed the Music Business of the Company, and has advised its leadership team to enhance the monetization avenues and subsequently increase the vertical’s contribution to the Company’s bottom line.

It has also advised that the Music Business should focus on further optimizing its costs, without losing its leadership position in the market. The Board is extremely focused on ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance, having already taken several incremental steps to bring in additional measures that protect the intrinsic value of the Company. To safeguard the interest of the stakeholders of the Company, the Board has also recently constituted an 'Independent Investigation Committee' to fact check / review / examine all allegations raised by the regulatory agencies against the Company, its Promoters and KMPs through a deep dive exercise; and make a submission to the Board, outlining its recommendations and suggesting necessary actions.

The recent appointment of three Independent Directors, following shareholder approval on 15th March 2024, underscores the shareholders' confidence in the Board of the Company. Going forward, the Board remains resolute in its commitment to provide guidance and advice to the management towards achieving the Company’s set objectives.

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'Shantanu Guha Ray, a fine man gone too soon'

Suhel Seth remembers friend Shantanu Guha Ray as an inveterate foodie, a quintessential Bhardalok, a man of impeccable taste and a terrific human being

e4m by Suhel Seth
Published: Mar 25, 2024 6:42 PM  | 4 min read
Shantanu Guha Ray Suhel Seth

Holi is a festival of colours. Where vibrancy and joyousness dance together in a celebration at the advent of spring. Holi 2024 didn’t start off as one would have ever imagined. We lost Shantanu Guha Ray (SGR): journalist, friend, connoisseur and aficionado like very few.


I first met Shantanu Guha Ray many many years ago at a debate that we used to do for Business Today, which was conceived by the duo Sanjoy Narayan and R Sukumar. He came up to me after the debate and started speaking to me in Bengali. In those days I used to smoke cigars and he and I began talking about cigars and the virtues of a Cuban versus a Dominican. In him, I also found an inveterate foodie and in addition to exchanging tips on where one found excellent Bangla food in Delhi, we also got talking about the Pujos (Durga Puja) and he remembered how I had, many decades ago, created and managed The Sharad Shamman Purashkar for Asian Paints in Calcutta led by the inimitable Bharat Puri. It was then he told me that he celebrated Durga Puja here in Delhi every year and it was a Baroari Pujo: as in a Pujo celebrated at home rather than in a pandal as a community event.


Later that year, I got a message from him inviting me to Chittaranjan Park to his Baroari Pujo: that is who SGR was: a man of impeccable taste with a warmth that would melt many a heart. And ever since, we were always in touch. We would talk about business trends; discuss new restaurants; dissect the intricacies of dishes and most importantly share an affection that was pure and without any agenda. Many years later, SGR called me to say he had just finished writing a book called ‘TARGET’: which was basically about how the Government then comprising P Chidambaram and Ramesh Abhishek had hounded and harassed Jignesh Shah of 63 Moons. Both Chidambaram and Abhishek were in power then and SGR asked me if I would be willing to write the foreword to the book: it took me no time to say yes, and within the next five minutes he emailed me the manuscript. It was only through this book that I discovered SGR’s deep commitment to investigative journalism couched in language that was pithy and relatable much like the man himself. The book was launched at The India International Centre and the Bangla Mafia was in full attendance. In many ways, SGR was the keeper of Bangla traditions and a great guide to those starting.


Professionally there was little that we could do or did together but I always had the highest regard for the man’s ethics and his tenacity to, as he would often say, write ‘copy’ on issues that he felt strongly about. But his craft of writing was only one minuscule facet of the man and his repertoire. To me. he was always someone who loved life; loved the solace of his home; the affection of his friends and the opportunity that life provided him to help others.


With his passing, he leaves behind a legion of friends; an army of colleagues he worked with and people who relied on his every word in print. He leaves behind his lovely wife and adorable daughter who, only recently, he married off in style at an old Baari outside Calcutta.


He will be missed not just for his journalism. Not just for his knowledge on food or his ability to spot a good cigar. Not for the ‘Bhog’ he would send every Puja or the gifts he would shower on his friends from tea to Moghlai Parathas.


He will, foremost, be known for his humanism. And for his enduring goodness.


And for being the quintessential Bhardalok.
 

(Suhel Seth is Managing Partner of Counselage India)

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Renowned journalist Shantanu Guha Ray no more

With a career spanning over 25 years, he made significant contributions to the field of journalism, earning accolades and recognition along the way

e4m by e4m Staff
Published: Mar 25, 2024 2:43 PM  | 2 min read
Ray

Senior journalist Shantanu Guha Ray, a prominent figure in the world of journalism, breathed his last, leaving behind a legacy of insightful reporting and incisive analysis. His demise marks the end of an era in Indian journalism.

An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication and The Wharton School, Shantanu Guha Ray was celebrated for his profound knowledge and versatile writings that spanned across a diverse range of subjects. With a career spanning over 25 years, he made significant contributions to the field of journalism, earning accolades and recognition along the way.

Ray's stint as Asia Editor with Central European News showcased his prowess in navigating complex global issues and reporting on them with precision and clarity. From investigative exposes to human interest stories, business analyses, and sports coverage, his work encapsulated the multifaceted nature of the journalistic endeavor.

Notable among his achievements were his groundbreaking investigations into the 2011 coal scam, where he unearthed irregularities long before they were officially exposed, and his in-depth coverage of the controversial deal between the Airports Authority of India and the GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited.

Throughout his illustrious career, Shantanu Guha Ray was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Ramnath Goenka award for his exceptional coverage of cricket, the Laadli award for his impactful reporting on cervical cancer deaths in India, and the WASH award for his outstanding contributions to water-related issues.

His passing is mourned by the journalism fraternity and beyond, as colleagues, admirers, and readers remember him for his unwavering commitment to truth and integrity in reporting.

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Dish TV shareholders reject candidature of 3 independent directors: Report

In an EGOM of shareholders, 80% of votes were cast against the appointments of Sunil Khanna, Bhushan Puri and Sonal Bankim Parekh as directors

e4m by e4m Desk
Published: Mar 23, 2024 10:55 AM  | 1 min read
Dish TV

Dish TV India's shareholders have rejected the candidature of three independent directors, as per a media report.

The decision was taken in an extraordinary general meeting of the Dish TV company shareholders, in which 80% votes were against the appointments of Sunil Khanna, Bhushan Puri and Sonal Bankim Parekh as directors.

Sixteen directors have been ousted so far from the company board.

In December last year, Dish TV shareholders had rejected the candidature of four independent directors.

Dish TV was effectively left without a functional board at that point.

 

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Tata Play collab offers premium consumer targeting on linear TV: Amrutha Nair, Disney Star

At the Pitch CMO Summit 2024, held in Mumbai, Amrutha Nair, Disney Star’s Head of Entertainment, Ad Sales and Strategy, unveiled a new ad product in collaboration with DTH player, Tata Play

e4m by Aditi Gupta
Published: Mar 22, 2024 8:59 AM  | 5 min read
Amrutha Nair

To provide premium targeting of consumer cohorts to advertisers/brands, Disney Star, in collaboration with DTH player Tata Play, has launched an ad product to provide premium audience targeting on linear TV. 

Unveiling the new ad product at the Pitch CMO Summit 2024, held in Mumbai, Amrutha Nair, Disney Star’s Head of Entertainment, Ad Sales and Strategy observed that premiumization of consumer cohorts has become a trend across all categories of advertisers and sharper targeting has gained importance.

During a spotlight session on ‘Premium Audience Targeting on Linear TV’, Nair said that this new ad product will enable brands to reach out to the most premium consumer cohort in the eight metros.

“Today, premiumization is the trend which is very visible across all advertisers, be it any category – automobile, consumer durable, and even CPG for that matter. It is the premium brands which are at the top of the price hierarchy that are driving the topline for organisations. Because of premiumization, it has become super important for sharper targeting for brands to affluent audiences,” she said.

She explained that there is usually a perception among advertisers that advertising on linear TV gives massive spillover.

“TV has a 900 million reach and if a brand wants to reach out only to the premium cohort, this reach is considered a spillover. Because of this reach, broadcasters will be pricing ads for the entire 900 million being reached out to. So it became prohibitively expensive for brands that want to reach out to premium audiences. They also believed that linear TV lacked targeting capabilities,” she said.

This new ad product of Disney Star in collaboration with Tata Play will allow premium audience targeting on linear television through HD channels and address the need of advertisers to target the premium consumers in the market they want to reach, which is the top eight metros.

Elaborating on why the collaboration with DTH player, Tata Play, Nair said that they have a huge subscriber base.

“Tata Play is a leading DTH player in the market in India. Ever since they were launched in the country, they have a significant consumer/subscriber base that pays a higher ARPU than the average cable bill that a consumer pays.

“Also, due to this new product, Tata Play homes in eight metros, watching the same show as the rest of the country, will watch advertisements meant only for them.

While thanking Tata Play’s CEO Harit Nagpal, Nair said that this collaboration is a result of continuous effort to innovate and find a way to fulfil the customer need to reach out to a premium cohort of audiences in the eight metros.

Targeted ads will be placed within top-rated content on leading HD channels – Star Plus HD, Star Gold HD, Star Bharat HD, Star Pravah HD, Star Maa HD, Star Vijay HD and Star Jalsa HD.

Talking about how this will impact the brand and the advertisers, Nair said, “It is the big screen ultimately, not an ad on the mobile phone where creativity is getting lost and where there is lack of attention. On the big screen, there is guaranteed attention and memorability.

“Also, appointment viewing will ensure brand visibility among the highest-rated TV shows. Targeting has eluded television for a very long time but this time we are bringing a new technology to enable targeting of premium audiences on linear television. Lastly, the elevation of return on ad spends (ROAS). As you can control your spends, ROAS is also guaranteed,” she said, adding that Tata Play Panel data will be the basis of campaign planning, measurement and billing. And cost per completed view (CPCV) will be the currency, she said.

Nair explained that this new product also allows starting a campaign with Rs 5 lakh instead of a crore, which is normally needed for a TV campaign.

“Today if we have to do a TV campaign, it will require a minimum of a crore. So many advertisers are not able to come to television. Plenty of brands are only available in the eight metros. In this case, the campaign can start with just a Rs 5 lakh outlay with a 0.28 CPCV. This uniform rate is across the seven HD channels with three levels of targeting – Geo, behaviour and affluence.

“Geo targeting which means delivering the ads just in these eight metros in the Tata Play high ARPU consumer cohort. Behaviour is extremely important. If a consumer is watching professionally generated content, the attention is significantly different from when they are watching usage-created content. A Rs 600+ ARPU consumer chosen to be on television on an everyday basis, this the affluent audience that we are offering,” she said.

She further said that this premium audience-targeted ad product is ideal for businesses whose share from the top 8 metros is greater than the rest of India's business; brands targeting affluent cohorts from the 8 metros; brands offering high-ticket size products and services; and brands that have chosen mediums other than linear television.

Going forward, Nair said that the aim is to include all HD channels under the network of Disney Star; form partnerships with other pay TV distribution platforms and target beyond the eight metros to include all India's high ARPU audiences.

She also said that this collaboration brings a game-changing innovation to linear television, something that has never been done before as the ad product on HD channels enables a host of new sets of premium brands to access linear television as an advertising platform.

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Sebi won't take action on summons to Subhash Chandra for 3 weeks: HC told

Sebi had issued the summons to the Chairman Emeritus of Zee Entertainment Enterprises in an alleged fund diversions case

e4m by e4m Desk
Published: Mar 21, 2024 7:58 AM  | 1 min read
Sebi Subhash Chandra ZEE

In a relief to the Chairman Emeritus of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Subhash Chandra, Sebi has submitted before the Bombay High Court that it will not be taking any action for three weeks on the summons issued to him in an alleged fund diversions case.

Subhash Chandra had moved court alleging that Sebi's summons "indicated they had already been proved conclusively".

As per media reports, the division bench has asked Sebi to file its reply in two weeks. The matter has been adjourned for three weeks.

Sebi had earlier accused ZEEL of a Rs 2000-crore fund diversion. ZEEL had said the claims were incorrect and false. 

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16th ENBA edition: Jury meet concluded in New Delhi

ENBA honours excellence in Television News, recognizing outstanding broadcasters and industry leaders  

e4m by e4m Staff
Published: Mar 20, 2024 11:05 AM  | 5 min read
16th ENBA edition

The jury meet for the 16th edition of the prestigious e4m News Broadcast Awards (ENBA), hailed as the country’s foremost News TV Awards, concluded on March 19, 2024 at The Leela Palace Chanakyapuri. 

Established in 2008, ENBA honours excellence in Television News, recognising outstanding broadcasters and industry leaders pivotal in shaping the future landscape of Television Broadcasting in India. With categories ranging from Best News Channel of the Year in Hindi and English to Best CEO of the Year and Best Editor in Chief, ENBA is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating excellence in TV journalism.

The ENBA jury, comprising eminent personalities, has been instrumental in upholding the award's integrity. Over the years, luminaries like Sh. Harivansh Narayan Singh, Dr. Kiran Karnik, Sh. Kailash Satyarthi, Dr. Nasim Zaidi, Mr. S.Y. Quraishi, Mr. N. Ram, and Mr. Sanjay Gupta have led the jury panel.

After rigorous scrutiny and discussion, the winners were shortlisted to be announced on the main day of ENBA, which is to be held on March 30, 2024 in New Delhi. 

Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor in chief, exchange4media & Businessworld said, “The festival of democracy, the general elections are around the corner and both, the news channels and digital platforms in news will be actively engaging with viewers and voters in India. exchange4media for the last 24 years is India's number one editorial platform for media, advertising and marketing and in all these years, ENBA has made a prominent name for itself. This year is the 16th edition and has become the gold standard for excellence in news broadcasting with record entries and participation.” 

This year, the esteemed jury included a diverse array of accomplished individuals: 

  • Dhanendra Kumar - Chairman, Competition Advisory Services (India) LLP
  • S. Ravi - Managing Partner, Ravi Rajan & Company; Chairman, TFCI
  • Dr Annurag Batra - Chairman & Editor-in-chief, exchange4media & Businessworld
  • Arjan Kumar Sikri - Jurist and Former Judge
  • Alok Mehta (Padma Shri) - Former President, EGI
  • Arvind Kumar Goel - Renowned Educationist and Philanthropist
  • Ashish Shelar - President, Maharashtra BJP
  • Syed Zafar Islam - Former MP, Rajya Sabha
  • Harsha Razdan - CEO - South Asia, Dentsu
  • Sandeep Mahajan - Chairman & Managing Director, Goodyear India Limited
  • Markand Adhikari - Chairman & MD, SRI ADHIKARI BROTHERS (SABGROUP)
  • Veer Sagar - Chairman, Selectronic India
  • Rohit Ohri - FCB Global Partner
  • Vaibhav Dange - Former Advisor, National Highways Authority of India, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
  • Pramod Dubey - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
  • Rajeev Jain - Sr. Vice President- Corporate Marketing, DS Group
  • Shalabh Mani Tripathi - Media Advisor, Hon. CM, Uttar Pradesh
  • Shazia Ilmi - National Spokesperson, BJP
  • Jaiveer Shergill - National Spokesperson, BJP
  • Vinit Goenka - Spokesperson, BJP Delhi
  • Charu Pragya - Spokesperson, BJP
  • Anurag Bhadouria - National Spokesperson, Samajwadi Party
  • Sunil Bhargava - IAS (Retired) and Cultural Entrepreneur
  • Deepali Naair - Group CMO, CK Birla Group
  • Shubhranshu Singh - Chief Marketing Officer, Tata Motors CV
  • Amit Gujral - Chief Marketing Officer, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd.
  • M. Q. SYED - C.M.D., Exhicon Events Media Solutions Ltd.
  • Dikshu C. Kukreja - Honorary Consul General of The Republic of Albania, New Delhi
  • Vinod Agnihotri - Consulting editor, Amar Ujala
  • Saurav Banerjee - Managing Director & Founder, MyyTake
  • Shashank Bajpai - Counsel for Union of India Supreme Court and Managing Partner Vardharma chambers
  • Vandana Bhargava - Founder and Chairperson, House of VSB
  • Shivani Malik - Founder, Mother's Kitchen
  • Anu Sehgal - Founder, Digital Mill Consultants and Social Media Influencer
  • Shama Mohamed - National Spokesperson, Indian National Congress
  • Ruby Sinha - Founder and President, BRICS CCI WE
  • Sandeep Dahiya - Founder & CEO, Branquila Brand Ventures
  • Suman Saraf - Managing Director, Radha TMT
  • Harvannsh Chawla - Founder & Managing Partner, K R Chawla & Co. Advocates
  • Janardan Pandey - Founder & Managing Director, Nett Value Media
  • Salil Kapoor - Independent director on board, ESSCI ( Electronic Sector Skill Council of India )
  • Vishal Talwar - Director, IMT Ghaziabad
  • Atul Hegde - Co-founder, Rainmaker Ventures
  • Atif Rasheed - National Executive Member, Bharatiya Janata Party OBC Morcha
  • Sudhir Mishra - Founder & Managing Partner, Trust Legal
  • Sunil Chauhan - Founder, Fabcafe by Fabindia
  • Amit Goel - Editorial Director, The Pioneer
  • Pulkit Narayan - Founder & CEO, DangleAds Technologies
  • Ishank Joshi - CEO, Mobavenue Media
  • Jamal Shaikh - Chief Operating Officer - Lifestyle Media Businesses, RP Sanjiv Goenka Group
  • Bhuvan Lall - Author & Film Producer
  • Acharya Shailesh Tiwary - Vedic Tantra Guru
  • Acharya Praveen Chauhan - Astrologer, Palmist, Occultist, Author, Research Scholar (Psychology)
  • Prateek Bhatt - Writer, Astrologer, Face Reader, Numerologist, Spiritual Guru

These eminent personalities from diverse backgrounds and expertise played a crucial role in recognising and honouring outstanding contributions in the realm of Television Broadcasting.

Rohit Ohri, FCB Global Partner said, “This is the first time I have been part of a jury that judges news broadcasting, production and programming. The jury too consists of very diverse people from entrepreneurs to spokespersons of political parties. So, it's been a really interesting experience for me.”

Alok Mehta, Former President, Editors Guild of India opines this is a huge platform that recognises news and media professionals from all over the country. This award by exchange4media has made history for itself and in the coming times this will gain as much prominence as the Oscars of news and broadcasting industry.”

Deepali Naair, Group CMO, CK Birla Group added, “I have found the jury experience, last year and this year, to be very invigorating. There is very active discussion and debate during the selection process since the jury comes from completely different backgrounds. The entries this year have a lot of variety and I have noticed an increased focus on regional news, especially Hindi and Punjabi.”

To know more about the winners attend the NewsNext Summit 2024 and ENBA Awards 2023 by registering here.

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