Movies
CCI fines Karnataka film and TV bodies guilty of preventing non-Kannada programming into state
NEW DELHI: Holding them guilty of anti-competitive practices, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a fine of Rs 20.24 lakh on three organisations of TV and filmmakers by banning or prohibiting the release of dubbed television serials and feature films in Karnataka.
A bench headed by CCI chairperson Ashok Chawla ordered that Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Karnataka Television Association (KTVA), and Kannada Film Producers Association (KFPA) should deposit the amount of penalty imposed upon them within 60 days of the receipt of the order and file a compliance report within six months. The Bench also comprised members S L Bunker, Sudhir Mital, Augustine Peter, and U C Nahta.
KFCC is to pay penalty of Rs 16.82 lakh calculated at the rate of 10 per cent of its average income for three financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11; while a penalty on KTVA of Rs 1.74 lakh and Rs 1.68 lakh on KFPA – calculated at the rate of eight per cent of their average incomes for three financial years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 has been imposed on them.
The Commission did not find the Karnataka Film Directors Association (KFDA), Kannada Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) and Karnataka Film Artists, Workers and Technicians Union (KFAWTU) guilty of any malpractice as they were not involved in the production of films or television series.
The Commission directed KFCC, KTVA and KFPA to ‘cease and desist from indulging in practices, which are found to be anti-competitive in terms of the provisions of section 3(1) read with section 3(3)(b) of the Act.’ It also asked the bodies to bring in place, in letter and in spirit, a Competition Compliance Manual to educate its members about the basic tenets of competition law principles. These erring associations should play an active role in creating awareness amongst its members of the provisions of the Act through competition advocacy.
The director general of the Commission who examined the veracity of the complaint by viewers body Kannada Grahakara Koota and its president Ganesh Chetan found that the history of ban on dubbing of films in Kannada may be traced back to late fifties and early sixties. In 1962 the local film makers under the banner of Sahitya Parishath, an organisation for the development of Kannada culture and language) declared a ban on dubbed films in Karnataka. After this declaration, reportedly no dubbed film has been released in Karnataka. Although there is no legal restriction on dubbing or release of a dubbed film in India or in Karnataka, yet due to boycott or ban imposed by the film trade associations and some other organisations the dubbed films in Kannada language are not made or released.
The DG also found that there were cases of vandalism when some TV channel attempted to show a programme, and a Kannada producer was banned from releasing a film despite his claims that it was a Kannada film. Actor-producer Aamir Khan said he had written to the bodies to allow the telecast of dubbed versions of Satyamev Jayate, but without success.
Referring to a similar order given by the Commission in regard to KFCC, it noted, “It is abundantly clear that KFCC has been found to be indulging in anti-competitive conduct in various cases. This is a case of continuous violation of the provisions of the Act and of complete disregard to the competition law principles.”
The penalty was imposed “having regard to the nature of anti-competitive conduct and its recurrence.”
With regard to penalty under section 27 of the Act, the Commission said it has to be determined after taking into account the aggravating and mitigating factors pertaining to each contravening Party. Further, the anti-competitive conduct needs to be penalized sufficiently to cause deterrence in future among the erring entities engaged in such activities.
The Commission said any form of restriction to deny market access to other language films or programmes is not justified. It should be the choice of a film producer or artiste as to whether his film should be dubbed in other language or not. Similarly the viewer should have the choice as to which movie or programme to watch. Restrictions cannot be imposed on the film exhibitors and distributors and television channels to exploit the exhibition of validly obtained rights of a film or programme. Any kind of regulation or restriction by an association falls foul of competition law provisions.
The Commission agreed with the findings of the DG that the conduct of the three bodies clearly results in limiting and restricting the market of dubbed films/serials in Kannada language in contravention of section 3(1) read with section 3(3)(b) of the Act.
Some other programmes not permitted since 1999 included Doordarshan series Ramayanaand The Sword of Tipu Sultan, and programmes like Rani Jhansi and Luv Kush made by private channels, apart from Telugu programmes dubbed in Kannada.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
