CHINTAMANI RAO : Articles

Issues of transparency in the Advertising business

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |10/03/2018

The dishonesty starts with the pitch. Even if they don’t actually fudge the numbers, often an agency in a pitch does a great deal of window dressing to what it presents.

Justice delayed, but not denied

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |28/08/2017

Last week the Supreme Court upheld a Delhi High Court verdict barring Doordarshan from sharing with cable operators the live feed of cricket matches for which private broadcasters had the exclusive rights.

NBA vs Republic TV —Pot calling the kettle…?

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |22/05/2017

Republic TV’s entry, its over-the-top first week ratings, and its alleged manipulation of distribution expose the weaknesses of a system where the ratings agency is broadcaster-owned.

The Yogi and the Commissar

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN BOOKS |20/10/2016

It’s the season for media biographies, as NDTV and TV18 publish their life stories. If NDTV comes across as self-righteous TV18 is open about its sins of commission.

Like the curate’s egg: good in parts

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN BOOKS |27/07/2015

Nalin Mehta’s impressive knowledge of the television industry is evident in his latest book but bias and inconsistencies mar it.

So where should the money come from?

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |25/08/2014

THE MEDIA REGULATION DEBATE: The TRAI report does not explain who is allowed to own or finance media, nor does it do enough homework.

Way forward for the ad cap stand-off

BY CHINTAMANI RAO| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |03/09/2013

TRAI was not wrong to insist on a cap, but it couldn't have come at a worse time: the coincidence of the economic slowdown and digital distribution.

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Media Watch Briefs

Amazon resisting voluntary censorship

The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.

Let the games begin

Clearly, the run to the 2019 elections is on. A journalist received a call from someone saying they were from Aajtak channel and were conducting a survey, asking whom she was going to vote for in 2019. On being told that her vote was secret, the caller assumed she wasn't going to vote for 'Modiji'. The caller, a woman, also didn't identify herself. A month or two earlier the same journalist received a call, this time from a man, asking if she was going to vote for the BSP.