Entertained and Delighted… Indian Audiences give NDTV Imagine a superb launch
~NDTV Imagine outperforms all GEC launches in the last 4 years; notches 55 GRPs in Week 1~ ~ The channel debuts at # 3 In Weekday Prime Time viewership (Mon-Thu) ~ ~The first episode of Ramayan rates 1.8 TVR, the highest for any episode on a new channel~
Mumbai, February 01, 2008… Two weeks after its on-air launch, NDTV Imagine, the new Hindi General Entertainment channel from NDTV Ltd., spearheaded by Sameer Nair has arrived into the mindspace of Indian viewers, creating a place for itself in the Hindi GEC category. According to the latest TAM data, NDTV Imagine’s launch has outperformed all other GEC launches in the last four years; notching up an impressive 55 GRPs and a 1.7% channel share in Week 1 itself. This has catapulted the channel to the # 3 position in the primetime band (Mon-Thu) in the basket of 9 Hindi GEC channels.
Delivering on its promise of bringing fresh ideas and concepts into Indian living rooms, the programming on NDTV Imagine has connected with viewers across the country. Ramayan, India’s greatest epic, retold on an epic new scale, has received a fantastic response. According to TAM data, the first episode rated 1.8 TVR, the highest rating for any episode on a newly launched channel. In the key Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) of UP and MP (10mn + towns), Ramayan averaged more than 5 TVR. Other shows on the channel have also made impressive debuts. Nachle Ve with Saroj Khan at 1900-2000 hours slot took the channel to the # 3 position in this time band. Ratings for the show rose through the week to touch 0.9 TVR on Friday. The period drama Dharam Veer saw its ratings double from day 1 to the end of week 1. On Wednesday and Thursday of Week 1, NDTV Imagine was the # 3 GEC in terms of All Day GRPs.
Commenting on the impressive launch ratings, Mr. Sameer Nair, CEO, NDTV Imagine said, "We are delighted with response to the brand, the channel and its programming. The ratings are a clear indicator of the connect we have made with viewers across the country. It is a good start and we promise to continue to entertain and delight our audiences with fresh and compelling programming."
Mr. Harsh Krishna Rohatgi, EVP- Revenue Management and New Ventures further added, “We appreciate the tremendous support we have received from the advertisers who came on board even before we launched. The viewership in the launch week underscores our programming & marketing strategy backed by strong distribution and delivers great value to our clients from the first week itself. On the back of this, we are hopeful of bringing on-board even more advertisers in the next couple of weeks.”
NDTV Imagine offers programming across genres, ranging from light-hearted family soaps to period dramas and from high voltage music and dance entertainers to the most glamorous events in the entertainment business. With the launch of 4 new shows this February – Dhoom Macha De, Radhaa Ki Betiyan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi, Ek Packet Umeed and Raajkumar Aaryyan, the channel continues with its promise to entertain and delight audiences, hour after hour, day after day, week after week!
About NDTV IMAGINE
NDTV Imagine is the new entertainment initiative from NDTV Ltd. Spearheaded by Sameer Nair, the company has planned strategic forays into key businesses in the media and entertainment space. Ace director and producer, Karan Johar is a creative consultant and brand ambassador of this initiative. This is further strengthened by the experience of Dr. Prannoy Roy and other seasoned professionals. The company launched its Hindi General Entertainment channel, NDTV Imagine on January 21st, 2008, which promises to 'Entertain and Delight' audiences with a whole new world of Hindi entertainment. Catering to the needs of the entire spectrum of television viewers, the channel offers a wide variety of fresh programming across genres ranging from light-hearted family soaps to period dramas and from music based shows to the most glamorous events of the industry. As part of its larger plans for this dynamic and exciting business, the company has also recently launched NDTV Lumiere, an initiative which will bring contemporary cutting edge world cinema to discerning Indian audiences.
About NDTV
NDTV Ltd, founded in 1988, is India's largest news and infotainment network. It is home to the country's best and brightest reporters, anchors, camerapersons and producers; 23 offices and studios across the country host India's most modern and sophisticated production, newsgathering and archiving facilities. NDTV has an unmatched track record of successfully launching three news channels in India and two abroad: NDTV 24x7 is a clear leader in the English news segment, NDTV Profit, a 24-hour business plus channel, is India's number one business news channel, NDTV India is amongst the country's leading Hindi news channels, and NDTV MetroNation is fast emerging as one of the most watched city specific channels. It is credited with pioneering several broadcasting and programming initiatives in Indian television and has expanded into one of the nation's biggest broadcasting houses by growing beyond news broadcasting and venturing into non news verticals.
NDTV Networks, a subsidiary of NDTV was incorporated to seize opportunities in areas 'beyond news'- entertainment, lifestyle, media technology and outsourcing. NDTV Good Times is the leading channel in the lifestyle space. NDTV Astro Awani in Indonesia became the leading news channel within three months of its launch. As an organization, NDTV is committed to one cause: to use its extensive expertise, technology and reach to create unparalleled coverage of the latest in domestic and international news, sports and entertainment for viewers at home and around the world. For more information visit www.ndtv.com
