GECs
AOLTW to shorten name by getting rid of AOL tag
MUMBAI: A little over two and a half years have gone by since internet company America Online merged with Time Warner. Now the chickens have come home to roost as far as the online unit is concerned.
AOL Time Warner is all set to get rid of the AOL moniker which has proven to be a source of embarrasement for the executives of Time Warner. A board meeting will take place tomorrow which is expected to put the name change into effect. While AOL’s boss Jon Miller has been arguing for a name change since last month all the problems stem from his division. As reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com in July while Time Warner reported strong second-quarter earnings AOL’s operating income was reduced by 23 per cent to $210 million from $247 million. AOL lost 846,000 subscribers in the quarter, more than analysts were expecting. Adding to Time Warner’s woes was the fact that the Securities and Exchange Commission found problems with AOL’s accounting of two deals with Germany’s Bertelsmann.
The company will now go back to its pre-merger stock ticker of TWX, change all its signs and corporate stationary. It will rename its new headquarters at Columbus Circle the Time Warner building. The company will start occupying the building in March.
Meanwhile a CNNmoney report indicates that since the merger the company has lost $200 billion of market value. Employees’ retirement accounts have been destroyed.
In related news despite negotiations to merge with BMG, AOL Time Warner is eyeing a sale of a majority stake in Warner Music to EMI. EMI made a $3.5 billion offer for Warner Music’s recorded music business earlier this year, but was rejected. The New York Post reports that there is market speculation that EMI’s sale of $243 million in convertible bonds was made to secure financing for another aim at Warner. Negotiations between Warner and BMG have slowed down because the two companies use different accounting methods.
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.
