News Broadcasting
Crown Media net revenue up 52 per cent
MUMBAI: Crown Media Holdings has reported its operating results for the three months ended 30 September 2002, posting a net revenue increase of 52 per cent.
The media major’s net revenue in the quarter just ended stands at $40.1 million, up from $26.3 million in the prior year’s quarter. Advertising revenues for the quarter totaled $18.2 million, an increase of 103 per cent from the third quarter of 2001. Hallmark Channel subscribers increased 15 per cent to 95.7 million worldwide as of 30 September 2002, from 82.9 million subscribers as of 30 September, 2001.
It was reported last month that the channel would look to cut over 100 jobs in the Asia region in a bid to contain operating costs. It has already closed down its Singapore sales office.
The channel ended the quarter with 47.5 million subscribers in the United States and 48.2 million international subscribers across 110 countries. Subscribers of the domestic channel increased 20 per cent, and subscribers of the international channel increased 12 per cent over the third quarter 2001. For the twelve months ended 30 September 2002, Hallmark Channel was the fastest growing cable network in the US based on subscribers, claims an official release.
In the US during the quarter just ended, the channel premiered the two-part Hallmark Entertainment produced Johnson County War, which became the network’s second highest rated original mini-series. Total day viewership increased by 50 per cent for female adults (25 to 54) as compared to the third quarter of 2001.
Hallmark Channel US will launch the Hallmark Keepsake Sweepstakes in conjunction with approximately 4,500 Hallmark Gold Crown(R) stores this November. The largest ever promotion between a cable channel and a retail network, it will include the broadcast of five world premiere holiday events from mid-November through Christmas, the release says. Over 140 million game pieces will be distributed and more than two million prizes will be given away in this holiday “match and win” contest.
Crown Media, that announced corporate restructuring of its operations in October plans to implement its new strategy by decentralizing many oversight and non-technical support functions located in its US offices and transferring these responsibilities to regional staff. In Latin America, the company is in negotiations to enter into a strategic alliance with a local distribution partner who, under Crown Media’s direction, will manage the Hallmark Channel in this region, says the release.
The restructuring, which is expected to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2003, will result in a 30 per cent reduction of the Company’s workforce, the release says.
Hallmark Channel will continue to be distributed to its global subscriber base of over 95 million. Once the restructuring is completed, the company expects to realize annual savings of $25 million related to decreased overhead and amortization costs, facilitating the company’s plan to achieve EBITDA breakeven in the second half of 2003.
News Broadcasting
Times Network to air JVC Exit Poll across 5 regions on April 29
Four-hour broadcast spans states and Puducherry with data-led analysis
MUMBAI: Times Network is set to roll out what it calls one of its most expansive election programming efforts yet, culminating in the JVC Exit Poll on 29 April, with a multi-hour broadcast spanning key poll-bound regions.
The exit poll will air across Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, beginning at 5pm and 4pm respectively. Co-powered by Vedanta and Jindal Stainless, the programming aims to combine on-ground reportage with data-driven projections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
The network has deployed over 50 journalists across these regions, gathering voter sentiment and local insights in the run-up to polling. The effort builds on its ongoing election formats such as Election Yatra and Election Premier League, which have tracked campaign narratives and community-level issues.
In parallel, Times Now Navbharat has focused on constituency-level reporting in West Bengal through its Jan Gan ka Mann series, capturing voter opinions across diverse segments.
The coverage has also featured interviews with prominent political leaders. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and V D Satheesan have appeared on the network’s election specials. From Tamil Nadu, voices including deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran, BJP leader K Annamalai and NTK’s Seeman have also featured in discussions.
On the day of the exit poll, the network’s primetime anchors, including Navika Kumar, Zakka Jacob and Sumit Awasthi, will lead the coverage. They will be joined by a panel of political analysts, psephologists and senior journalists offering real-time insights and interpretation of trends.
The programming will integrate grassroots reportage with analytics from the JVC Exit Poll, aiming to give viewers an early sense of electoral outcomes ahead of the official results on 4 May.
With its combined English and Hindi broadcast reach, Times Network is positioning this effort as a comprehensive look at voter sentiment, blending field reporting, data and debate to decode what could lie ahead when the final mandate is revealed.
