Awards
Nine Gold orders shutdown of DD Metro division
HFCL-Nine Broadcasting India Ltd (HNBIL) today closed the chapter on what has been an acrimonious relationship and declared it would not bid for the prime time slot on national broadcaster Doordarshan’s Metro channel “due to the unrealistic non-financial terms of the contractual arrangements proposed by DD.”
The statement put the lid on speculation that Nine Broadcasting might make a fresh pitch for prime time slots on DD Metro after the failure of Prasar Bharati’s efforts to attract bids. This is in spite of reports that the pubcaster would be calling for fresh bids without the requirement of a minimum floor price.
The company announced that the television business of HNBIL on Metro would cease to exist from 10 September 2001. After that date, HNBIL will downsize its operations and a core team will remain to explore further opportunities but the company itself is not shutting down, an official release said. However, all the staff related to the DD Metro business have been told to look for jobs elsewhere.
The statement said HNBIL was still interested in the partnership with DD Metro but only if DD was willing to deal with HNBIL on realistic terms.
The statement called the tender for DD Metro slots as unrealistic because:
1) New media and Internet rights to belong to DD.
2) The hold back clause for the re-runs of programmes for one year after the play out of the final episode could date programmes by more than two years before replay thereby reducing their value
3) The rigid FCT allocation, the fact that DD, without any financial consideration will use the programmes on DD World thus reducing the value of any international sale for the shows.
4) And most of all, the clause that DD reserves the right to terminate the contract without notice and without ascribing any reason to the company on-air makes it a pointless contract.
Listing the channel’s successes in the nine months it had been on air, the statement said Nine Gold had:
* Increased the viewership base on DD Metro from 15.6 million to 25.6 million (7-10 pm).
* The time spent by viewers for the 7-10 pm block increased by 89%.
* Ratings have increased by 200% and revenue has increased significantly.
* Viewership in C&S homes has quadrupled.
And the options available to HFCL Nine Broadcasting CEO Ravina Raj Kohli ?
Film production for one (seems to be a popular theme with both broadcasters – Zee, Sony – and content providers – UTV, Balaji Telefilms) and then there is its subsidiary Nine Entertainment which could become a full fledged content provider.
One thing that HFCL Nine will have to write off with the closure of its Metro operations is what industry sources estimate to be Rs 1,500 million in accumulated losses built up over the last nine months.
Awards
Ajay Kakar to chair jury for ad:tech Honours Awards 2026
Industry leaders join jury as nominations surge for marketing tech awards
NEW DELHI: The ad:tech Honours Awards 2026 are gearing up for a bigger second edition, with Ajay Kakar, head of corporate branding at Adani Group, set to chair the jury for India’s technology-focused marketing awards.
Organised in partnership with the International Advertising Association India Chapter, the awards celebrate the growing influence of technology in shaping modern advertising and marketing outcomes. This year’s edition has drawn a strong response from across the industry, signalling rising momentum around innovation in marketing technology.
The organisers say the nominations reflect a wide range of ideas and approaches, highlighting how brands and agencies are increasingly leaning on platforms, tools and data to sharpen their campaigns and connect with audiences more effectively.
Leading the evaluation process, Kakar will head a jury made up of senior leaders from across brands, agencies and technology platforms.
The jury panel includes Amaresh Godbole, CEO, digital technology business at Publicis Groupe; Bishwajeet S, head of marketing and PR at Volkswagen India; Carol Goyal, executive director at Rediffusion and CEO of Aesthetic Intelligence Lab; Kushal Sanghvi, director at Komerz; Lara Balsara, executive director at Madison World; Rana Barua, group CEO India, sea and North Asia; Deepak Oram, senior vice president growth marketing and martech; and Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi, head of marketing and creative solutions at Amazon Ads India.
The ad:tech Honours Awards aim to recognise not just creative campaigns but the smart use of technology that delivers measurable impact and business results. Categories this year reflect the rapidly evolving digital landscape, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing, content ecosystems, automation, martech and adtech integration, and commerce-led marketing.
The winners will be announced on 17 March 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi during ad:tech New Delhi 2026. The event is expected to bring together leaders from brands, agencies, platforms, creators and technology partners for an evening celebrating the ideas and innovations shaping the future of marketing.iconductor industries.
