GECs
YouTube ad revenue may rise by 50 per cent to $5.6bn
MUMBAI: YouTube, the online video streaming giant, is growing than ever before. According to a new report by eMarketer, YouTube’s advertising revenue is expected to rise by more than 50 per cent to $5.6 billion in 2013, also posing a threat to traditional TV ads.
The report by eMarketer claims that YouTube has become a huge favourite among advertisers and it will account for 11 per cent of advertising revenue at Google, YouTube’s parent. Earlier in May, Morgan Stanley predicted that YouTube’s gross revenue would reach $4 billion in 2013, while Barclays suggested a likely figure of $3.6 billion and Jefferies & Co’s $4.5 billion
Google has not revealed YouTube’s earnings, but eMarketer research suggests that the search engine got a bargain when it paid $1.65 billion for the site in 2006. However, the streaming site does not keep all the advertising revenue as it has to pay a share to advertising partners and providers of content.
Google’s public statistics for YouTube include the fact that the service attracts one billion people watching more than six billion hours of video a month, with 80 per cent of its traffic coming from outside the US, and 40 per cent of its viewing on mobile devices.
Advertisers are keen to buy slots on YouTube because of its young audience, who prefer to watch TV programmes through their computers, tablets and mobile phones rather than conventional televisions.
About 79 per cent of YouTube’s US ad revenue is from video advertising, with an estimated $850 million for the year. That would give it a 20.5 per cent share of the overall $4.15 billion US video ad market. eMarketer estimates that YouTube video-ad revenue would hit $1.22 billion in 2014, taking a 21.1 per cent share.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
