MUMBAI: Universal Communications, a leading content production, distribution and marketing company, has obtained a good response for its new afternoon slot programmes on Doordarshan Trivandrum's DD 4 (Malayalam), DD Chennai and DD Podhigai. The new programmes include Chandrodayam (Malayalam) and Pennurimai (Tamil). Parle Products and Nirma are the presenting sponsors for the programmes.
On DD Trivandrum and DD 4, Chandrodayam will be telecast in a new time slot starting 3:50 pm. It airs immediately after the number 1 serial Valayalam which has a rating of 20 in the 25 years plus females category.
Chandrodayam revolves around family values and highlights the importance of attachment and positive sentiments in relationships. The storyline of Chandrodayam is all about the difficult circumstances which create conflict and confrontation amongst the family members. Universal Communications spokespeople claim that the serial has obtained a good response due to its good production values.
Also shown in the 2:30 pm slot is a comedy serial called Detective Anand. Targetted at the female audiences, the serial has been shot on outdoor locales including the beaches in Kerala. Detective Anand has a rating of 18 in the females 25 years plus category, claim Universal Communication spokespeople.
Pennurimai is telecast on DD Chennai at 2:40 pm and has managed to get a rating of 6.4 in the females 25 years plus category. The title, which literally means women's rights, is about a female protagonist who lives in a hostel and gets involved in the people who come to reside in the same premises. The female lead goes on to carve out a niche for herself in politics and fights for women's rights.
Universal Communications also sells spots on DD Bangalore/DD Kannada for the prime time feature film on Sunday afternoon. On DD Mumbai and DD10 Sahyadri, Universal markets Marathi feature film on Sunday at 4 pm and Saturday at 3:30 pm; and Marathi comedy show Laurel & Hardy on Sunday at 6:30 pm.
"Universal Communication is also involved in production, distribution, marketing, buying, selling, import and export of feature films, television programmes, video films and other television software," says Universal Communications MD Padmakar Nandekar who was responsible for the success of TV serial Jungle Book on National Network of DD1.
Nandekar was one of the key persons responsible for developing Friday & Saturday night films on DD1. In fact, these programmes make a major contribution to DD Mumbai's revenues, he adds.
An official statement claims that the yearly turnover of the company is in excess of Rs 200 million. It is associated with all top advertising agencies and clients.