MAM
WB plans to double ad revenue on content ramp up
MUMBAI: WB, the hybrid channel from the Turner stable, is looking to double its ad revenue this year as it pushes up its content.
WB will air its first movie premiere 300 on 6 November at 9 pm and is aggressively attempting to build its franchise blocks.
The channel has been able to attract 60 brands in its first year of operations in India.
Says Turner Entertainment Networks, South Asia VP deputy GM Monica Tata, “This year WB‘s monthly revenue has grown 50 per cent over 2009. This growth comes from doubling the number of clients in 2010 (over 2009) and WB today has a portfolio of over 100 active brands. WB surpassed last year‘s revenue in the first half of 2010.”
With the festive season coming up, WB expects revenues to double by year-end.
Ponds once again tied up with the channel for its on-going Festival Of Lights initiative. 300 will be presented by Garnier Men Deodorant and powered by Spice Telecom in Association with Hero Honda. There are also brand integrations that the channel does such as Thumbs Up- Nitro, Garnier Biggg Ticket and Samsung Fast Forward. For the family audience, WB has Sunday Brunch in association with Knorr.
Since launching last year, WB has focussed on building its franchise blocks that set the tone for the kind of films that it airs. “Recently, we have added franchises in accordance to our focussed weekend strategy such as the Saturday Night Biggg Ticket block; Sundays Back-to-Back block; Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Trilogy block.This has also shored up our ad revenue,” says Tata.
WB aims to beef up its weekend lineup. “We are aggressively engaging audiences with our offering during the key movie viewing periods that include Saturday Night. WB offers single break movies, adding to the viewer‘s movie viewing experience, with a minimum two-minute break,” says Tata.
WB is currently celebrating the festival season with Festival Of Lights with movies in six themes. Apart from 300, the upcoming titles include 10000 BC, Speedracer and Golden Compass.
When asked about the importance of movie premieres as just having library content does not work in terms of getting viewership and ad revenue, Tata disagrees saying that while new titles have a ‘sparkle‘ value, what consistently drives viewership are good movies that have repeat value.
“Channels cannot run on only new titles, there aren‘t that many available! Look across channels and you will realise what works are good movies and what works even better are great action movies. An English movie viewer wants to see a good movie and that is the WB promise.”
She points to movies like Matrix Revolutions and The Mask that fared well in the ratings sweepstakes among the 15-44 SEC A,B demographic.
“WB‘s relative share of the genre in the digital panel is about 80 per cent higher than its overall share in C&S 15-44 SEC A,B. This clearly showcases Indian viewer‘s high preference for WB (as they choose WB and pay to view it) and is a big stamp on the quality of WB‘s content.”
In terms of innovations, she points to 9 pm on Saturday nights where it offers viewers the chance to watch movies with just a two-minute break. Being a hybrid channel, WB also airs TV shows. It launched the animated version of George Lucas‘ cult, science fiction series Star Wars The Clone Wars in July and the action thriller series Human Target in September.
WB, she adds, has been growing its WB Breakfast Franchise with shows like Good Morning Miami, Four Kings and New Adventures Of Old Christine.
In terms of the ratio between movies and shows, she says that WB currently operates in a 70:30 ratio when it comes to movies and television series.
“We feel that the mix and balance between the two is just right and is working well for the channel,” Tata adds.
Media analysts, however, believe WB has a lot of catching up to do with its sister channel HBO and Star Movies. It will also have to contend against established player Zee Studio and Pix which is beefing up its content following its output deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
