Source Assessment -- Star Ananda TV (part 2)

Top rated news programs on Star Ananda (contd...)


Name of Program: Abar Kolkata (Kolkata again)
Time: Daily 8 PM IST
Description: Roundup of the day's news along with news analysis, and discussions.



Name of Program: Ek Dojon Golpo (a dozen stories)
Time: Daily 10 PM IST
Description: Summarizes the 12 best stories of the day.






Name of Program: Star khobor (Star news)
Time: Daily 0900 PM IST
Description: Exclusive scoops, dramatization of major news stories, live audience reactions, critical analysis of news events.






Name of Program: Baire Durey (outside, far away)
Time: Different times
Description: News from around the world.




Availability: STAR Ananda is a 24-hour free-to-air satellite news channel using INSAT 4A. It can also be availed from the Direct-To-Home (DTH) operator TATA Sky (channel 852), which has an agreement with the STAR group.

Internet presence: The news channel also has an active internet presence with a dynamic website www.starananda.in. The website is in Bengali and has an interactive list of programs, daily schedule and is regularly updated to feature the breaking news of the day.

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Transcript of the news release by Indiantelevsion.com which says "STAR Ananda elected #1 TV Channel on Counting Day in Kolkata!"

"On Counting Day in Kolkata!

Beats General Entertainment Channels and News Channels to emerge as the undisputed choice of viewers on Counting Day in Kolkata with Highest Market Share, Channel Share and Time Spent.

All Top 10 news programmes in TAM Week 19 on STAR Ananda

Bengali television viewers voted with their remotes on Counting Day and delivered a flattering verdict for credibility, programming and quality of coverage, selecting STAR Ananda as the undisputed # 1 television channel in 'any category' in Kolkata. STAR Ananda scored as the # 1 watched TV Channel on counting day with a 30% marketshare ahead of ETV Bangla and Aakaash Bangla (both GEC Channels) and far ahead of the rest of the news television world with Kolkata TV's 7% and 24 Ghanta TV's 5% (amongst all Bengali Channels). Channel Share was again tops for STAR Ananda at 15.59 ahead of ETV Bangla, Aakaash Bangla and Kolkata TV according to the latest TAM ratings (May 11th 2006; CS 15+). On the important parameter of Time Spent too, STAR Ananda scored at the top of the list at 54 minutes to ETV Bangla and far ahead of the next news contender CNBC-TV18 and Kolkata TV.

STAR Ananda scored with 58% marketshare amongst all news channels on Counting Day in Kolkata and in All of West Bengal at 55%, thus reiterating that despite the initial buzz of new launches, when it comes to credible news delivered on the biggest day of West Bengal elections, the people of Kolkata and indeed West Bengal only trust and watch STAR Ananda. Little wonder then that STAR Ananda delivered with all Top 10 news programmes for the entire TAM Week 19 on STAR Ananda in Kolkata and West Bengal (CS15+; May 7-13, 2006; TAM)! Meanwhile, a quick snapshot of the other big ticket events of the Bengal elections - Exit Polls - reveals that STAR Ananda is ahead of its closest news competitor by at least 2 times over. In the 5-stage polls, the All of West Bengal figures reveal that STAR Ananda scored with a 33% marketshare in the 1st of the Exit Polls on the 15th of April against Kolkata TV's 15% and Aaj Tak's 12%; on the 22nd of April STAR Ananda scored with 42% vis-à-vis 24 Ghanta TV's 14% and Kolkata TV's 11%; on the 27th of April, STAR Ananda was ahead at 41% against 24 Ghanta TV's 18 % and Kolkata TV's 17%; on the 3rd of May STAR Ananda again decimated the competition with a 32% marketshare against 24 Ghanta TV's 16% and Kolkata TV's 13%; on the 8th of May STAR Ananda scored at 32% vs. Kolkata TV's 16% and 24 Ghanta TV's 14%; and finally on the counting day on 11th of May STAR Ananda closed with a whopping 55% marketshare, nearly 4 times ahead of closest competitor Kolkata TV at 14% and 24 Ghanta TV at 9%!

The impressive showing for STAR Ananda comes on the heels of several new Channel launches and programming initiatives. The West Bengal legislative elections were meant to be an acid test for news media in a very politically aware West Bengal. STAR Ananda has thus received a thumping endorsement for its positioning as the expression of the Bengal on the move, and for its mandate as the Voice of the Bengali.

STAR Ananda has constantly scored with its programming, positioning and packaging, bravely showcasing the people's point of view. The recent ratings are merely a huge endorsement of its stand to empower viewers. Having introduced a paradigm shift in news broadcasting, this unambiguous success of STAR Ananda will leave much to be desired from other Channels."

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Source Assessment -- Star Ananda TV (part 1)

STAR Ananda is the first 24-hour free-to-air [free-to-air (FTA) television broadcasts are sent unencrypted and may be received via any suitable receiver] national Bengali news channel in India. Launched on 1 June 2005, the channel is a joint venture of STAR, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, and the Anandabazar Patrika Group [ABP] and is hosted under the umbrella of MCCS (Media Content and Communications Services India Limited). STAR Ananda claims to have introduced a "paradigm shift" in the broadcast of regional vernacular news. It claims to provide "in-depth" and "extensive coverage" of local, national and global news. Star Ananda has the highest TRP ratings for news programs compared to other major news channels like 24 Ghanta, Tara News and Aaj Tak. It also has the highest market share, channel share [viewing share of various channels], and highest ratings according to Indiantelevision.com.

Star Ananda exhibits a pro-reform, pro-industrialization, and a distinct centrist slant in reporting. It also shows a definite political nuance whereby the channel always commends the West Bengal Chief Minster, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, whereas it portrays the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in a poor light.

Name of source: STAR Ananda

Operated by: Media Content and Communications Services India Limited (Joint venture between STAR group and ABP group)

General Introduction: STAR Ananda is a 74:26 joint venture between Ananda Bazar Patrika [ABP] TV – a 100% subsidiary of ABP Private Limited, and STAR News Broadcasting Limited, a subsidiary of the STAR Group; two of the biggest brands in Indian media. Headquartered in Kolkata and housing state-of-the-art production facilities, STAR Ananda comprises an extensive bureau network. Headed by Uday Shankar, CEO MCCS, the channel boasts of its "unparalleled, comprehensive and incisive news coverage." According to data provided by Television Audience Measurement India, the channel received forty-five per cent of the viewership among all news channels on its first day of service (June 1, 2005) and 38 per cent over the next four days. With an over 40 per cent majority market share in the Kolkata and West Bengal markets amongst all news channels in its first week, STAR Ananda continues to consolidate its hold over Bengali viewership.

Programming: The top news programs include Ek Dojon Golpo (A Dozen Stories) and Star Khobor (News).

Listed below are the top rated news programs on Star Ananda:

Name of Program: AAJ Ey Rajye (Today in this state)
Time: Daily 0500 PM Indian Standard Time [IST]
Description: Covers news from the 18 districts of West Bengal.

Name of Program: Akhon Kolkata (Kolkata Now)
Time: Daily 0600 PM IST
Description: Covers news from around the city and provides a roundup of the daily news.

Name of Program: 7 Tar Duniya (The world at 7)
Time: Daily 0700 PM IST
Description: News update for the day also includes national, international and sports news.