Madison Outdoor Media Services, a division of the Mumbai-based Madison Advertising, expects to earn Rs 7-8 crore in revenues by selling space for on-ground hoardings across all the venues for the forthcoming Indo-Pakistan cricket series. Madison, which won in-stadia rights for 40% of the space available, bidding against a couple of Pakistani companies and Ten Sports, has tied up with Sign Source, among the largest Pakistani companies in outdoor media, to undertake local execution of the work. Mr Sam Balsara, Chairman, Madison, said that the tie-up with a local company would help sell space to Pakistani companies. "It was also thought necessary in order to ensure accurate execution." The Pakistan Cricket Board had divided the signage space available at stadia into "unrestricted lots" and "restricted lots". The former constitutes 60 per cent of the space and the latter 40 per cent. Madison has won the bid for the former, which means it can only sell space to Pakistani companies or to multinational companies that have a presence in Pakistan. Nimbus has bagged the rights for the "unrestricted lot" or 60 per cent of the space. Madison will be targeting FMCG and auto companies, which sell in India and have a presence in Pakistan as well for example, HLL and Hyundai. Source: The Hindu Business Line, Feb.21, 2004

"Election Commission has taken a decision not to permit (election) advertisements on channels", Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters. He said his Ministry during its interaction with the Election Commission had expressed its inability to the poll panel to monitor the large number of channels to ensure that there was no abuse by any political party through issue of TV advertisements. In a communication to his Ministry, the EC said it has "decided that Rule 7(3) of the Cable TV Networks Rules, 1994 prescribed under Section 6 (advertisement code) of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 which prohibits ads on Cable TV Networks of political nature or towards any political end should continue to be on the statute book". Asked whether there was ban on political advertising on websites as some parties have planned e-campaigns, he said it was matter to be considered (by the poll panel). To a query about "India shining" ads by the Government on several TV channels, he said that these would be stopped as soon as the model code of conduct comes into force. Source: Outlookindia.com, Feb.27, 2004

Aaj Tak has launched an array of new programmes and segments to its existing programming portfolio keeping in mind the forthcoming General Elections. These initiatives are being launched in a phased manner. According to a company statement, "These programming initiatives will provide comprehensive information on the scenario, and complement the channel's coverage of the elections in its bulletins." The complete election-related programming initiative has been christened Chunaav 2004: Aap Ki Sarkar. The main properties under this initiative include Vote Bank, Aaj Ka MP, Election Express, Badalte BoI, Kahani Chunav Ki, Fast Forward, Thodi Si Bewafai, Yeh Raaste Hain Vote Ke, Danke Ki Chot Par, Huzoor Ke Raaj Mein, Chunavi Chaat and Satta Pe Satta. Aaj Tak will also commission an opinion poll on the elections, and other specific issues pertaining to the elections. To be conducted by a leading research agency, these polls would provide viewers and the electorate with vital information on the issues and candidates expected to play a major role in these elections. Source: Agencyfaqs.com, Feb.27, 2004

Rupert Murdoch's direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting venture with the Tatas is beginning to shape up. That's just when the controversial cable TV distribution system-CAS-is all set to fade out. Space TV Pvt Ltd (Tata-STAR joint venture) has filed its DTH application with the government. In Mr Murdoch's application, which was submitted on Tuesday, Tata Sons holds 80 per cent. STAR officials Jagdish Kumar and Ajay Sharma have the remaining 20 per cent in the Space TV DTH venture. In an earlier avataar of Space TV, Mr Kumar and Sharma had controlling stake. That plan didn't get past regulatory norms. STAR announced a revamped version last month. Space TV has paid the entry fee of Rs 10 crore, said sources. Also, the application has mentioned that there would be four directors-three from Tata Sons, besides Mr Jagdish Kumar of STAR. The initial investment for the project is estimated to be around Rs 400 crore. Government would now examine the equity structure of the company, before granting other clearances including those for frequency allocation and satellite platform. Rival Subhash Chandra-promoted ASC Enterprises soft-launched its DTH project last year. It is claiming brisk offtake of DTH dishes in Punjab hinterland, but remains weak on content. Sony and the bulk of Star channels remain out of bounds though ESPN and Star Sports have finally joined in. State broadcaster Prasar Bharati is also expected to enter the DTH market soon. Source: The Financial Express, Feb.26, 2004

Television news broadcaster, NDTV, will float an initial public offering (IPO) in either April or May to raise over Rs 100 crore, joining the growing list of companies and promoters wishing to sell shares to the public. New Delhi-based NDTV has appointed ICICI Securities, Kotak Mahindra Capital and JM Morgan Stanley as advisors, industry sources said. The prospectus will be filed with SEBI over the next two weeks. The issue's exact size has not been decided, but sources estimate it to be Rs 100-150 crore, similar to the amount raised by rival firm TV Today in December last year. The sources said the NDTV offer could be a combination of fresh issue and offer for sale by other investors such as the US investment bank Goldman Sachs. NDTV is majority owned by firms of its promoter Prannoy Roy and his family. Source: The Economic Times, Feb.25, 2004

Compiled by