MAM
‘Sport’ sports the top slot among Asian audiences for OOH viewing
MUMBAI: Sport is the top choice of viewers regardless of where they’re watching television across several Asian markets, states the latest findings of the out-of-home (OOH) viewing research from the first Asian OOH survey.
The survey undertaken by Synovate and commissioned by ESPN Star Sports was conducted to gauge OOH viewing in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok and was expanded to include the cities of Shanghai and Beijing.
The first phase of the results revealed that 88 per cent of all those surveyed watch out-of-home, with a whopping 9 out of 10 watching out of home in cities such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Sport occupied a market share of 87 per cent of the OOH choice of programming.
“Our OOH findings reflect studies in the US as well as existing research that sport is an appointment viewing priority not only in but out of the home as well. Research shows a sizeable, captured and passionate audience that cannot be ignored by advertisers, marketers and media planners in their media buying decisions,” elucidates ESPN Star Sports Managing Director Rik Dovey.
Continued Dovey, “After this round of research, it is clear that OOH viewing is prevalent across Asia and sport is what they are watching. What’s significant is that this viewing phenomenon is as big in China as well. Ongoing research in collaboration with our distribution partners in China as well as surveys like this demonstrate that our programming is desirable and watched.”
The findings also suggest that over 60 per cent of viewers are missed out by traditional in-home meter systems across the six-city study, with the figure climbing to 80 per cent in Bangkok.
The diversity of sport viewed out-of-home emerged as another interesting finding from the survey. 96 per cent of respondents who watched sport claimed football was their sport of choice led by the English Premier League (84 per cent)., The UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup also showed healthy growth in Singapore and Hong Kong. However, other sport popular with OOH viewing includes basketball, tennis and motoracing, all of which are showing strong upward growth.
A large number of viewers plan their OOH viewing experience, with 73 per cent visiting a commercial establishment such as a pub or a restaurant and 41 per cent joining friends in order to enjoy a game better. Most watched in a group of at least 2 friends – with the numbers increasing with bigger match-ups. In established markets, the average group size tended to be larger.
“People watch sports from a wide variety of locations out of home. Restaurants, pubs and bars featured high on the list of commercial premises, whilst viewing at a friend’s home was the most popular non-commercial location. Around three quarters of out of home viewers are glued to the screen once a month or more frequently, a clear indication of how important the audience is to broadcasters and especially sports channels,” notes Synovate Media Director Steve Garton.
MAM
Karnataka clears Rs 4,824 crore investment projects across 13 districts
37 new industries approved, projects expected to create 14,525 jobs.
MUMBAI: If investment is the fuel of economic growth, Karnataka has just stepped on the accelerator. The Government of Karnataka has approved industrial projects worth Rs 4,824.31 crore, a move expected to generate 14,525 new employment opportunities across the state, according to a report by Press Trust of India. The approvals were granted during the 158th meeting of the Karnataka State Level Single Window Approval Committee, chaired by state industries authorities.
Karnataka industries minister M B Patil said the committee cleared 37 new industrial proposals and two additional investment projects spread across 13 districts, including Vijayapura, Bagalkote, Chitradurga, Kolar and Ramanagara.
The projects span a wide range of sectors such as information technology infrastructure, sugar manufacturing, technical textiles, compressed biogas, aerospace, jewellery manufacturing, electronics, software services and hospitality, including five star hotel development.
Patil said the diverse mix of industries reflects Karnataka’s strategy of attracting investments across both traditional manufacturing sectors and emerging technology driven industries.
Of the total proposals cleared, 22 projects fall under the large and medium industry category, each involving investments of more than Rs 50 crore.
Together, these projects account for Rs 3,908.68 crore in investment and are expected to create approximately 12,475 jobs.
Another 15 projects are classified as new industrial ventures with investments ranging between Rs 15 crore and Rs 50 crore. These projects collectively represent Rs 350.60 crore in investment and are expected to generate around 1,750 jobs.
In addition, the committee approved two further projects worth Rs 565.03 crore, which are expected to create about 300 employment opportunities.
Among the notable proposals cleared by the committee is a major information technology infrastructure development project by Bagmane Constructions Private Limited with an investment of Rs 494.65 crore.
Another significant project involves Karnataka Bangaru Sugars Pvt Ltd, which received approval to establish a sugar manufacturing facility worth Rs 443.50 crore.
In the textiles sector, Kleine Pax Ltd secured approval to set up a technical textiles manufacturing unit involving an investment of Rs 376 crore.
The hospitality sector also saw a major proposal, with Trishul Buildtech and Infrastructure Pvt Ltd receiving approval to develop a five star hotel project worth Rs 300 crore.
Meanwhile, the state also cleared a compressed biogas production facility by Troult Grass Pvt Ltd involving an investment of Rs 257.77 crore in Mudhol.
In the electric mobility segment, Tsuyo Manufacturing Pvt Ltd has been approved to set up a motor and controller manufacturing facility for electric vehicles, with an investment of Rs 250 crore.
Officials said the distribution of projects across multiple districts is expected to strengthen regional industrial development and expand employment opportunities beyond the state’s established technology hubs.
With the approvals spanning sectors from traditional manufacturing to next generation technologies, Karnataka aims to reinforce its position as one of India’s leading investment destinations while supporting job creation across diverse industries.
