Bharat Express

We Are Exploring And Making The Most Of Content Syndication Opportunities: Upendrra Rai, Chairman, Bharat Express

In an interview with BW Business World magazine, Upendrra Rai, Chairman, CMD and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat Express News Network, highlights Bharat Express’ vision of the future of news, embracing emerging technologies and focusing on personalized content delivery.

Upendrra Rai Chairman

Upendrra Rai, Chairman of Bharat Express News Networks

How is Bharat Express evolving its content delivery and production methods to ensure relevance and audience engagement amid changing consumer preferences?

At Bharat Express, we have adopted a multi-platform approach of presenting news content not only on television but also on digital platforms such as websites, social media, mobile apps and streaming services. This approach enables the channel to reach audiences and cater to different consumption habits. Additionally we use data analytics to better understand audience preferences and behavior, tailoring news content to meet the specific interests of different groups or individuals.

We prioritize experimentation with interactive formats like live question-and-answer sessions, surveys, quizzes, and user-generated content. Recognizing short attention spans and bite-sized content consumption, we create short news segments, highlights or summaries that deliver key information quickly and concisely, suitable for platforms such as social media or mobile apps. Are.

Additionally, we invest in storytelling techniques such as immersive graphics and animations along with engaging visuals. These visual elements enhance the storytelling experience, making news content more engaging and easier to understand, especially for younger audiences.

As traditional revenue models face disruption, what is Bharat Express’s strategy for financial stability?

To address the disruption of traditional revenue models, Bharat Express relies on alternative revenue streams, such as expanding digital advertising efforts by leveraging the channel’s online platforms, including website, mobile app and social media channels.

Offering targeted advertising opportunities based on user data and behavior can attract advertisers looking to reach specific audiences. We are working on introducing subscription-based models that provide premium content or exclusive features to customers.

We are also exploring and making the most of content syndication opportunities by licensing news content to other media outlets, streaming platforms or international broadcasters. We are partnering with brands to create branded content or sponsored segments that align with the channel’s editorial values ​​and audience interests.

We are organizing live events, conferences or experiential activations related to news topics or subjects covered by the channel and also monetizing these events.

How does Bharat Express measure audience engagement in a Fragmented Media Environment and which strategies have been most effective in retaining and growing the audience and reader base?

Like other TV news channels, Bharat Express tracks traditional metrics such as audience ratings, audience reach and demographic analytics to measure the size and composition of audiences across different programs and timeslots.

Additionally, at Bharat Express we closely monitor audience engagement through digital analytics tools to track online audience engagement metrics such as website traffic, social media interactions, video views, click-through rates and time spent on digital platforms. Keep.

These metrics provide information about audience behavior and preferences in the digital space. Additionally, we actively monitor social media metrics such as likes, shares, comments, retweets and mentions to measure audience engagement with news content on social platforms.

We track audience retention metrics, such as average watch duration, bounce rates, and returning users, to measure how effectively a channel is retaining its audience and frequently- The bar is encouraging engagement.

We analyze content performance data to identify which topics, formats and storytelling techniques resonate most with audiences.

How is Bharat Express leveraging emerging technologies like AI and Machine Learning to enhance its news gathering process, improve audience interactions and streamline operational management?

As AI has significantly impacted modern-day business activities, Bharat Express has adopted AI-powered tools to automate news articles and AI-based anchoring. These tools enable TV news channels to quickly produce timely and relevant content to keep up with the 24/7 news cycle.

Al-powered transcription and translation tools automatically transcribe spoken content from video footage or live broadcasts, as well as translate them into multiple languages. It streamlines the process of captioning videos, making news content accessible to a wider audience, and improving SEO for digital platforms.

We are also focusing on AI and Machine Learning Algorithms to optimize various operational processes like resource allocation, scheduling and workflow management within a TV news channel. By automating repetitive tasks and identifying areas for improvement, channels can reduce costs while streamlining operations and also allocate resources more effectively.

What steps is Bharat Express taking to ensure authenticity of content and combat misinformation in the age of rapid digital dissemination of information?

News broadcast on Bharat Express goes through three levels of checking and certification. Our organizational structure is designed to prevent news from being broadcast directly or to our social media platforms without verification.

Initially the news producer reports the incident as it happens at the ground level. Then it is verified at the bureau level. After this it is sent to the assignment desk, where it has to go through another round of authentication. Finally, once the news is cleared by the output team, it is broadcasted. These steps of verification reduce the chances of any false news being broadcast.

In the rare event that misinformation is broadcast, the channel takes immediate corrective action and takes responsibility for the error. Then measures are taken to prevent such incidents in future.

Can you elaborate on the leadership principles of Bharat Express and how they foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity within the organization?

Bharat Express strongly believes in and practices core leadership qualities, where leaders have a clear vision for the organization, emphasizing the importance of innovation and inclusivity for the success of the channel.

They effectively communicate this vision to all team members, motivating them to embrace change and contribute to the overall growth of the channel. Our leadership is built on four pillars: Financial Perspective, Customer Perspective, Learning & Development Perspective and Internal Process Perspective.

Leaders at Bharat Express empower employees at all levels to take ownership of their work and contribute ideas for innovation. They create an environment of trust and psychological safety, where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and challenging the status quo.

As audience preferences evolve, what measures is Bharat Express taking to personalize content delivery and provide a tailored experience for its viewers and readers?

Bharat Express is implementing a multi-pronged approach to personalize content delivery and provide a tailored experience to its viewers and readers as audience preferences evolve:

  1. We customize news content and recommendations based on data-driven insights about specific user profiles.
  2. Multi-platform delivery: Bharat Express caters to different consumption preferences by providing content across different platforms such as TV, website, social media, mobile apps and streaming services.
  3. Interactive features: Interactive formats like surveys, questions and answers and user-generated content on social media platforms enable audiences to express their interest and engage with relevant content.
  4. Focus on diverse voices: Featuring a range of journalists and contributors with diverse perspectives, Bharat Express can offer a broad spectrum of news coverage while attracting audiences with diverse viewpoints.

By integrating these strategies, Bharat Express aims to provide a personalized news experience that keeps viewers and readers engaged and informed on topics relevant to them.

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