New Delhi, 6th April, 2014: CNN-IBN and IBN7 (a part of the Network18 conglomerate) have gained a reputation for leadership in election programming, robust analysis and credible and accurate projection of likely outcomes. In a first-of-its-kind partnership in India, the Network has joined hands with technology leader, Microsoft India, to create the CNN-IBN Microsoft Election Analytics Centre, to power its television and online platforms with election data and analyses. The center will use Microsoft software and hardware technologies to bring deep analysis, trends and data visualization during the General Elections 2014, to its viewers. The center will also enable CNN-IBN and IBN7 viewers to find, search and engage with election data like never before in India through an ‘Indian Election’ app, and online platforms such as Bing.com, IBNLive.com, Firstpost.com and others.
Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India, said, “With a billion people gearing up to make their voices heard, there is a lot of data out there that can sometimes be confusing. Using cloud services, big data analysis and data visualization will help CNN-IBN present that data in a manner that makes sense to the Indian voter, and helps them engage with the election process much more than ever before.”
Commenting on the partnership, Ajay Chacko, COO, Network18 said, “General Elections 2014 are possibly the most complex electoral exercise ever undertaken. Technologically enabled tools and skills are required to decode, decipher and analyze the subtle nuances of these elections. We are excited about partnering with Microsoft in this context and leveraging their leadership in technology and analytics. We are confident that this will further add to our legacy of credibility and accuracy in elections programming.”
Adding further, Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN Network, said, “We are very excited about the partnership with Microsoft India. We have always believed in putting our viewers first and giving them the best we can. This partnership is another step in that direction. Microsoft with its vast expertise in technology and analytics will definitely add value and precision to our programming this election.”
The CNN-IBN Microsoft Election Analytics Center will use a range of Microsoft devices and services, and leverage analysis of current and historical data to provide people with intelligent election insights. Available to viewers and readers on CNN-IBN, IBN7, IBNLive.com, Firstpost.com and several other online platforms from Network18 and Microsoft, the analysis will be powered by data visualization by a Microsoft partner, Gramener.
Election content will come alive in the CNN-IBN and IBN7 studios on the Microsoft Perceptive Pixel Interface, an 82” Windows 8 powered touch display device. The IBN Network will fully integrate these inputs in their analyses and programming on General Elections 2014. Online, the content will be available at www.bing.com/elections and www.ibnlive.com/elections where visitors can access analytics on Indian election trends over the years across parties, candidates and constituencies.
To get access to this rich information right on their fingertips Windows Phone and Windows 8 tablet users can download the ‘Indian Elections’ app from the Windows Store, over the next few days, Subsequently, the app will also be available for iOS and Android users.
About Network18
The Network18 Group is a media and entertainment company with interests in television, internet, films, e-commerce, magazines, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its subsidiary ‘TV18 Broadcast Ltd.’ [BSE: 532800, NSE: TV18BRDCST], the group operates news channels – CNBC-TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, CNN-IBN, IBN7 and IBN-Lokmat (a Marathi regional news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group). TV18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18, which houses a portfolio of popular entertainment channels – Colors, Colors HD, MTV, Comedy Central, Vh1, Nick, Sonic, Nick Jr. /Teen Nick and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the group’s filmed entertainment business. TV18 has also forayed into the Indian factual entertainment space through A+E Networks | TV18 (a joint venture between A+E Networks and TV18 Broadcast) and operates HistoryTV18. TV18 and Viacom18 have also formed a strategic joint venture called IndiaCast, a multi-platform ‘content asset monetization’ entity that drives domestic and international channel distribution, placement services and content syndication for the bouquet of channels from TV18, Viacom18 and other broadcasters. Through ‘Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.’ [BSE: 532798, NSE: Network18], the group operates its digital, publishing and e-commerce assets including moneycontrol.com, ibnlive.com, in.com and firstpost.com. ‘Network18’ also operates e-commerce properties like HomeShop18 and bookmyshow.com and publishes Forbes India, the nation’s first local edition of a foreign news magazine title, in collaboration with Forbes Media. In addition, through ‘Network18’, the group operates Network18 Publishing, a player in the special interest publishing space. ‘Network18’ has investments in Yatra, Stargaze and other Capital18 portfolio companies.
About Microsoft India
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 6,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research and development and customer services and support, across nine Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. Microsoft is committed to touching and transforming lives and businesses in India through technology.
For more on Microsoft India:
Log onto: www.microsoft.com/india/msindia
Follow us on: www.twitter.com/MicrosoftIndia
Follow us on: http://www.facebook.com/MicrosoftIndia
Follow us on: http://in.linkedin.com/company/microsoft
