News Broadcasting
BBC Worldwide teams up with 19 Entertainment for ‘Pop Goes English’
MUMBAI: BBC Worldwide and 19 Entertainment, whose pop act credentials include The Spice Girls, have announced a new joint venture – Pop Goes English. The aim, says the channel, is to revolutionise the international English language teaching market.
An official release informs that the partnership will create a series of television programmes and other learning materials to encourage children across the globe to learn to speak English. The first 19 Entertainment band to feature in Pop Goes English will be a pop group. Music from new bands and artists will follow as the Pop Goes English format develops.
19 Entertainment is a UK music and television company and is renowned for its global innovation and cross platform entertainment properties. Drawing on a universal fascination with the world of showbiz and pop music to teach English was originally the brainchild of 19’s Simon Fuller, says the release.
Earlier in the year, BBC Worldwide launched its football-themed Goal TV programme and learning materials to coincide with the 2002 World Cup. For Pop Goes English, BBC Worldwide will develop a series of multi-media materials using the S Club brand, including mini television programmes, videos, books and CD-ROMs, all featuring a combination of lyrics, dance steps and karaoke graphics to make learning English simple and fun for children aged seven to 11.
The release states that young local music artists will host Pop Goes English, acting as interpreter and teacher alongside live S Club performances and songs, including international hits, Bring it all Back and Reach. The first development is already underway in China and Taiwan, with national pop artist e-Vonne, provided by Universal Music, Taiwan. Further developments of the concept with new and existing BBC Worldwide broadcasting and publishing partners around the world are anticipated shortly.
This project continues 19’s partnership with BBC Worldwide, which has led to S Club programming being broadcast in over 100 countries around the world, the release adds.
BBC Worldwide has also developed a new S Club Challenge book with band photos, facts and figures, combined with games, quizzes and challenges to solve, and even a chance to develop musical composition skills using the tips on song writing – all designed to make a lively, interactive challenge for S Club fans.
News Broadcasting
GenNext takes charge as Network18 reshuffles leadership
With Avinash Kaul bowing out, Network18 hands reins to younger leaders, streamlines operations, and pushes data-driven growth across TV, digital and regional markets
MUMBAI: Network18 is redrawing its leadership map just as a long-time lieutenant bows out. Avinash Kaul, a central figure in the broadcaster’s rise since 2014, is leaving after 12 years to pursue “professional and personal goals”, triggering a broad-based reshuffle that puts a younger cohort directly under the top brass.
Kaul joined at a pivotal moment during the company’s transition and went on to scale the television business, combining strategic nous with data-led decision-making and a sharp read of the news landscape. “Avinash has been an integral part of the Network18 story,” the company said, thanking him for his leadership of the broadcast business and wishing him the best for the future.
In his wake, Network18 is betting on what it calls a “young and restless” leadership bench. “The team has taken charge and proved its mettle in quite adverse circumstances,” the note said, adding that “GenNext has seamlessly stepped in as we continue to outperform our peers.”
Operationally, the structure is being flattened. Smriti Mehra, S Shivakumar and Mitul Sangani will work directly with the top leadership, as they did in the fourth quarter. Ganesh Iyer and Abhinay Chauhan continue in their existing roles, while younger executives are being handed wider mandates across social, digital, connected TV and linear.
The reporting lines are being tightened to drive revenue and product momentum. Prabhat Chatterjee, business head–Forbes, and Arun Thapar, president–content and communication for AETN-18, will report to Smriti Mehra, alongside Mallika Nath Handa, who will lead special projects spanning new shows and non-linear properties. Jayesh Gokalgandhi, CFO for AETN-18, will report to Ramesh Damani.
Mitul Sangani will oversee expansion in Hindi and regional markets, with Sidharth Newatia, CRO–ILC, focusing on reach and revenue growth, particularly in tier-II and III markets. Pankaj Soni, head of marketing–ILC, will also report to Sangani while working functionally with Ganesh Iyer.
The group is also consolidating its branded content play. Moneycontrol’s branded content business will be folded into News18 Studio, with Don Zarrar moving to work with Shivakumar while continuing to lead existing studio and Focus teams.
International and platform growth are being bundled together. Pranav Bakshi takes on additional charge of the international business alongside connected TV and social platforms, with Naveen Mathur, who leads revenue management for the international unit, reporting to him. Bakshi continues to report to Puneet Singhvi.
On the technology and operations side, Rajesh Sharma, head of broadcast technology and IT; Rahul Singh, head of events and technical operations; and Bhupender Bhardwaj, head of IT security, will now report to Singhvi. Darshil Parekh, head of sales strategy, planning and operations, will work directly with Ramesh Damani and the top leadership, with Stanley Cyril, who manages digital sales operations, reporting to him.
Data is being pushed to the centre of decision-making. Jitamitra Mohanty, who leads research and analytics, will now work with Santosh Menon to turn audience data into “actionable insights that drive content strategy, product innovation and sustainable viewership growth”.
The message is clear: fewer layers, faster calls, sharper bets. With Kaul’s exit closing one chapter, Network18 is handing the wheel to a younger crew and doubling down on scale across screens. The race, it signals, will be run at full tilt.
