Category: Over The Top Services

Mumbai: The desi dating app, QuackQuack, celebrates its massive growth upon reaching 25 million users making its position firmer in the virtual dating market. Debuted in early 2010, QuackQuack saw a gradual and steady rise for the first ten years of its launch, followed by a massive boom in numbers, clocking over 20M app downloads. The homegrown dating app is currently adding more than 1,50,000 users a month, among which 26 per cent are from tier one and 74 per cent from tier two Indian cities; 20  of user growth is seen from the South, whereas 78 per cent of the new additions came from the Northern cities.

The Indian dating app maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward fake profiles and launched a feature wherein users can keep track of banned profiles in real time.

QuackQuack’s statistics show its growing popularity in cities like Surat, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Patna, Indore, and Nagpur, besides the prime metropolitan cities. The app’s founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, “It delights us to see so many people place their trust in QuackQuack. In the last year itself, we recorded around 31.4 lakh matches on our app. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the steady growth of our community. We have always wanted to secure our footing in Tier two Indian cities along with Tier one; in the last nine months, QuackQuack has gained more than 72 per cent of new users from smaller towns and cities”.

Tier one Vs. Tier two

The app explains how Tier one and Tier two users have their own unique way of dating. Tier one users have no specific preference when it comes to location; they usually connect with Tier one and two women equally. Whereas Tiertwo men, especially the ones who have moved to metropolitan cities, are seen matching specifically with Tier two women based on shared nostalgia for the suburbs.

Women in the lead

QuackQuack shared how it has seen a massive rise in the number of women from the eastern cities of India, more than a 50 per cent increase in the last few months. The app has also witnessed a swell in female users from Tier two cities compared to Tier one cities. Moreover, speaking about the latest dating trends, QuackQuack disclosed how Tier two female users are dating for more reasons than love. Urbanising is the up-and-coming trend in the virtual dating world- female daters from smaller cities and towns are choosing to date and marry men from metropolitan cities and migrate for additional advantages such as better career opportunities and an upgraded lifestyle. 23 per cent of women found it opportunistic, while 41 per cent of women and 36 per cent of men believed it to be harmless.

Are you a Jugaadu?

Among other new trends unfolding in India’s homegrown dating app, Jugaad seems to be the most interesting and productive one. As the name suggests, it’s an innovative problem-solving approach wherein users relocating to new cities use the app to make the transition more seamless. According to QuackQuack’s observations, 36 per cent of men and nine per cent of women matched with people from the new city through the app to learn more about the local culture, find out the best restaurants around town, local hangout spots, traffic scenes, the easiest way to commute within the city and more.

GenZ, GenX, Millennials and more.

Almost 27 per cent of the new addition to the QuackQuack community is GenZ. Millennials, GenX, and more made up the other 73 per cent. The app says there are some stark differences between GenZ and Millennials daters. While GenZ rejects the concept of soulmates, the Millennials romanticize the idea and are almost enamoured by it. The daters between 18 to 22 are more open to experimenting with their relationship preferences, choosing open relationship, casual, serious, and more; users between 22 to 28 are seen picking both casual and long-term relationships, depending on their match, but the people above 28 generally prefer long-term exclusive relationships and dating that can lead to marriage. There has also been a positive increase in Gen X and Boomers, with more divorcees and single parents taking a second shot at love.

The app has deftly targeted Tier two cities with vernacular ads and brand campaigns, and its popularity has since soared in smaller Indian cities and towns along with the metros in the past few years. With over 25 Million users under its belt, QuackQuack is looking at a promising future.

Mumbai: Known to produce and distribute content created by social media stars and digital content creators,  QYOU Media India announces that it has entered into a partnership with globally recognised spiritual leader, Sadhguru, to launch a new eponymous channel dedicated to delivering his holistic and inspirational spiritual and wellness programming. In association with the Isha Foundation, the channel aims to impart his renowned practical wisdom and powerful yogic practices to help viewers manage their body, mind, emotions and fundamental life energy.   

The channel will feature the yogi, mystic and spiritual master, Sadhguru’s candid interviews with Indian and international personalities, enlightening lectures and life lessons, calming and enriching music from the library of the Sounds of Isha along with guided meditation and yoga for inner well-being. Viewers will be provided with an opportunity to embark on a journey of personal growth and provided with a unique space for unbridled expressions on life, mysticism and spirituality. Sadhguru has built an extraordinary following on social platforms with over 25 million worldwide followers and subscribers across YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and more. 

Sadhguru TV Powered by QYOU Media will be exclusively available on the Q Play app along with leading Connected TV platforms including Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Xiaomi, TCL, One Plus and dozens of other Connected TV (CTV) brands. The new channel adds a major new category to strengthen QYOU Media India’s growing list of channels in the emerging FAST (Free Ad Supported TV) channel ecosystems that are rapidly becoming a phenomenon both in India and globally for attracting massive television viewership and accompanying advertising revenue. 

Speaking on launch of Sadhguru TV Powered by QYOU Media, QYOU Media India COO Krishna Menon said, “Since the launch of QYOU Media India we have been introducing universally appealing channels that are genre-defining. Our partnership with the Isha Foundation for the launch of ‘Sadhguru TV’ on Connected TV is a testament to our commitment for our viewers. The channels thought-provoking programming is sure to take viewers on a transformative journey filled with growth and self-discovery. We are certain that the channel will keep viewers engaged, positively and help us build QYOU Media India as a one stop destination for quality and differentiated content.”

Mumbai: In an effort to combat piracy and support legal streaming – manoramaMAX, the popular OTT platform, has launched an anti-piracy campaign with their new movie release “Live” which is directed by acclaimed filmmaker V.K Prakash. “Live” cast including Mamta Mohandas, Shine Tom Chacko, and Priya Varrier, has taken a bold step in urging viewers to watch the film exclusively on manoramaMAX, the leading OTT platform delivering exclusive Malayalam content.

Their collective message emphasizes the importance of supporting the creators and the industry as a whole by watching the film only through authorized channels. As part of this campaign, a video has been uploaded to YouTube, seemingly offering the entire film for free. However, after the initial few minutes, the cast of “Live” appears on screen, using this clever twist to convey their anti-piracy message. They address the viewers directly, urging them to refrain from engaging in piracy and instead encouraging them to download the manoramaMAX app to watch the complete movie legally.

This innovative approach not only catches the attention of potential pirates but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the harmful effects of piracy on the film industry. In conclusion, “Live” movie’s anti-piracy campaign exemplifies the industry’s determination to combat piracy and promote legal streaming.

manoramaMAX, the exclusive OTT platform for Malayalam content, has emerged as the go-to destination for Malayalam cinema enthusiasts. The platform continues to redefine the OTT experience for Malayalam cinema enthusiasts, ensuring best-in-class entertainment while actively contributing to a piracy-free ecosystem.

Mumbai: Prime Video announces a blockbuster line-up of highly anticipated Indian and international original series and popular movies across multiple languages for Prime members ahead of Prime Day 2023 on July 15 & 16. Customers can enjoy a diverse range of shows and movies, from the original horror series Adhura (Hindi) and the final season of the global hit series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan to the superhero film Veeran (Tamil) and family entertainer Anni Manchi Sakunamule (Telugu).   

Prime Day celebrations have started early on Prime Video with the premiere of the Tamannaah Bhatia-starrer Jee Karda (Hindi) – an original series that beautifully explores the complexities of love and friendship, and the original movie Tiku Weds Sheru (Hindi) – a dramedy about two eccentric, starry-eyed characters who want to make it big in Bollywood. This is in addition to the Hindi version of the massive global blockbuster Ponniyin Selvan: II, and the delightful Telugu family entertainer film Anni Manchi Sakunamule, both of which are already available on Prime Video.

The lead-up to Prime Day will also see the premiere of the original horror series Adhura (Hindi) which promises many chilling shocks and surprises, and Sweet Kaaram Coffee (Tamil) – an original series that beautifully encapsulates an unforgettable journey of three women from different generations rekindling their love for life. However, the celebrations don’t just end here, as customers are in for a treat with the premiere of the superhero film Veeran (Tamil), and Hostel Days, a Telugu adaptation of the hit Young Adult comedy-drama series.

#PrimeDay is back – July 15th & 16th

get ready to #DiscoverJoy with these immersive stories and more pic.twitter.com/5fRAXUbZCK

— prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) June 28, 2023

Taking the entertainment quotient up a notch, Prime Video will also premiere the final season of the globally renowned original series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, the second season of the hit original series The Summer I Turned Pretty, the acclaimed film Babylon, and action thriller Kandahar (already streaming), giving customers a bouquet of the best international content, in addition to Indian.

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Not just this, Prime members can also avail of up to 50 per cent discount when purchasing add-on subscriptions from among the 18 popular video streaming services available on Prime Video Channels. These include Lionsgate Play, discovery+, Eros Now, Stingray All Good Vibes, Curiosity Stream, AMC+, ManoramaMAX, VR OTT, hoichoi, MUBI, Docubay, Shorts TV, iWonder, Animax+GEM, My Zen TV, Acorn TV, Museum TV, and Nammaflix. With Prime Video Channels, Prime members get to watch even more shows and movies and experience no hassle login and billing while enjoying all Prime Video features like IMDb’s X-Ray, a single watchlist and download library for offline viewing, across these 18 OTT services.

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Mumbai: AWAL has announced the launch of AWAL in India and South Asia, following the acquisition of OKListen, a digital music platform for independent artists and record labels.

Based in Mumbai and supported by Sony Music India, AWAL will offer independent-minded artists in the region a range of services including global marketing, creative, sync and brand partnerships, radio promotion and distribution as well as access to real-time comprehensive music analytics.

OKListen founder and CEO Vijay Basrur has been appointed as head of India & South Asia, AWAL, reporting to AWAL CEO Lonny Olinick and Sony Music India managing director Vinit Thakkar.

“The independent music community across the region is full of potential,” said Olinick. “Together with Vijay, I look forward to AWAL becoming a true creative hub for India and South Asia’s independent artists, with resources dedicated to developing careers that are committed to creator integrity and global success.”

 “AWAL alongside Sony Music, provides an exciting and comprehensive offering for artists at any stage of their career, putting the artist first and in control of their own future, and enabling more opportunities to showcase their music to fans around the world,” said Thakkar.

“It’s a privilege to join AWAL and spearhead the next chapter for the company and its global roster in the region,” added Basrur. “AWAL is already well known in the region for helping artists at any stage of their career. I look forward to bringing AWAL’s expertise and global reach to our creators and developing the next phase in their careers.”

 Basrur brings more than 23 years of music, technology and business experience to the company. He founded OKListen in 2012 as India’s first homegrown digital distribution service. To date, OKListen works with more than 4,000 musicians across India, including leading independent artists such as The Local Train, When Chai Met Toast, Bipul Chettri, Sanam and more.

Prior to founding OKListen, Basrur worked with several digital startups and corporations in a wide range of product, technology and digital transformation leadership roles. Basrur is also on the Board of Trustees for the Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) which focuses on biodiversity conservation.

Mumbai: Indian music composer duo Vivek-Mervin, consisting of Vivek Siva and Mervin Solomon have come together with Divo to release their latest single “Na Na Na Na”. The song “Na Na Na Na” is an enchanting composition that transports the listeners on an evocative journey through the rain-soaked landscapes of the soul.

The song is a melodious track that brings out soulful melodies with poignant lyrics, mirroring the spectrum of emotions experienced during the rains. It weaves together traditional Tamil musical elements with modern music composition, creating a unique auditory experience.

The song is digitally distributed by Divo, who is the official label partner along digital distribution partner. Divo is one of India’s leading and well-established digital media and music companies, which has recently been acquired by Warner Music India. Divo has played a vital role in the digital amplification of the album.

Starting from the teaser launch to the entire music distribution and digital marketing of the music across various platforms. Divo will be looking after the entire distribution on streaming platforms and publishing along with influencer and content marketing.

“Na Na Na Na” is penned by writer Vishnu Edavan with performances by Saraswathi Menon and Anthony Hadlee. The video is directed by Hariharan A.

Speaking on their latest single, Vivek-Merkin commented, “We are elated to bring “Na Na Na Na” to our fans and once again collaborate with Divo for our digital distribution. This is our second single with them, after Addictive. Digital medium today is the most effective medium to connect with the right audience and fans, and with Divo, we are confident to do so in the right manner. We hope the song is appreciated and liked by all.”

Divo founder and director Shahir Muneer said, “We are glad to continue working with Vivek-Mervin to bring our hit and famous songs. Their rendition is pleasant and contributes well to the Tamil Music industry. We hope to continue bringing new songs for your audience.”

Mumbai: The Asia Video Summit marked a successful return to Hong Kong, with almost 300 delegates attending the conference in person and virtually.

Hosted by the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), the Summit conversations centred around the key themes of ‘The Making of Korea and the Model for Who’s Next?’, ‘Video at the Crossroads’, ‘Technology Taking Over’, ‘The State of Video 2023’ and ‘The Advance of Advertising’, with a special opening session to set the stage, led by Henry Tan, Special Advisor, Astro, & Chairman, Astro Awani and Vivek Couto, Executive Director, Media Partners Asia with Louis Boswell, CEO, AVIA.

While recognising there are many important and challenging issues evolving in the industry, the mood was upbeat across the two-day summit.  The conversation with Couto and Tan touched upon much of this and while recognising the importance of advertising on premium video which was growing, Tan also added that there was no better business than long term subscription, even if for now the mantra of streaming companies was to give the consumer full flexibility.

Discussing how Korea had generated such success in ‘How The Wave Was Launched’, Blintn CEO Peter Choe said that the Korean “export mindset” had been a key factor while Studio Dragon producer and advisor Hyun Park said that Korean writers were very good at changing their style of storytelling to capture the market. However, the most important was to understand what the consumer wants, and that’s what Korea has become so good at, added Warner Bros. Discovery GM Korea Jeeyoung Lee.

This focus on content continued with local experts on Chinese and Thai entertainment. In both markets, a good ecosystem of support and incentives was welcomed to nurture local talent. Cooperation within the region could possibly push growth across Asian markets, said TVB deputy GM – legal and international operations Desmond Chan.  There was particular optimism around the prospects for Thai content, and while recognizing this, The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Thailand commissioner Prof. Pirongrong Ramasoota stressed the importance of “light-touch governance” to allow “industry players to be more creative and innovative with their content.”

The topic of monetization was also widely debated over the two days of the Summit. Gaming and e-commerce were seen as additional touchpoints and opportunities for cross-pollination with video to grow the consumer base. VS Media CEO Ivy Wong shared that one-click purchase and seamless integration was what made e-commerce so successful in China, compared to other regions where consumers will have to go through several clicks to make the purchase. For Akamai Technologies, head of solutions engineering HK William Wong, the key takeaway was not to focus on a single platform, but to diversify to capture different markets.

With the shift from linear to digital advertising, the time for CTV (Connected TV) could be upon us as “CTV is here to stay and will continue to grow. Dollars follow eyeballs. . . premium content with quality will earn more credible trust for our brands,” opined The Trade Desk GM of inventory development Douglas Choy. Magnite MD Asia Gavin Buxton added that collaboration was key in terms of cross measurement to take CTV onwards, with audience and ad experience being the key driver behind that.

AVIA CEO Louis Boswell presented highlights from a recent commissioned research that measured the impact of advertising in a premium OTT environment versus mass streaming video environments (UGC / video sharing services) including (1) consumers felt that premium OTT was higher quality (58 per cent OTT vs 36 per cent mass) and commanded higher attention than mass streaming video environments (49 per cent OTT vs 35 per cent mass); and (2) both product recall (10 per cent uplift) and brand recall (12 per cent uplift) were significantly higher for the same ads when shown in a premium environment.

Closing off the Summit with a positive outlook, TV5MONDE MD APAC Alexandre Muller said that Asia was where there were growth and opportunities for the video industry.  “There are definitely challenges but people are excited because we are looking for solutions,” said AsiaSat CEO Roger Tong. “The bright spot is the diversity that we are seeing. . . There is so much diversity that it allows us to be more creative and if we maintain our creativity in solving the problems, then we will be able to perform better,” concluded Tong.

The Asia Video Summit is proudly supported by Lead Sponsor Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Gold Sponsors BytePlus, InvestHK, INVIDI, Irdeto, Warner Brother Discovery and Silver Sponsors AsiaSat, Broadpeak, Endeavor Streaming, FashionTV, France24, Lightning, Magnite, MEASAT, Nagra, Paramount, Publica.

Mumbai: aha, India’s No.1 local OTT platform, has unveiled the highly anticipated trailer of “Arthamainda Arun Kumar”, a captivating web series that delves into the transformative journey of Arun Kumar amidst the challenges of the corporate ladder. This narrative promises to resonate with viewers from all walks of life, offering valuable insights into love, loss, and the pursuit of finding one’s own space is all set to release on 30 June on aha.

Produced by Arre Studio and Laughing Cow Productions, “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” brings together a talented ensemble cast, including the gifted performers Harshith Reddy, Ananya Sharma, and Tejaswi Madivada, who breathe life into the characters and add depth to their journeys in the corporate landscape. As an official remake of Arre Studio’s acclaimed “Official Chukyagiri,” this adaptation introduces fresh perspectives to corporate drama.

Actor Priyadarshi, the special guest of the trailer launch event, shared, “I am thrilled to be part of the trailer launch for aha original web series ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar.’ It’s an exciting project that delves into the complexities of the corporate world. The series offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and aspirations of individuals in the corporate landscape. I’m confident the trailer will captivate the audience and leave them eager to experience the full series.”

aha content and non-subs revenue head Vaasudev Koppineni, spoke about the series and shared his excitement, stating, “In ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar,’ we explore the complex nature of experiences within the corporate milieu. It is a story of growth, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams seen through the eyes of a lovable character like Arun Kumar. With its universal themes and relatable characters, this series will strike a chord with the audience and inspire them to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.”

Arre Studio COO & co-founder Niyati Merchant said, “We’re very excited to see one of our favourite shows Official Chukyagiri be re-born as Arthamainda Arun Kumar in Telugu, a show which has seen immense love from viewers across three seasons. Remakes are truly reflective of the strength of the story & characters and it’s very encouraging to see our content find audiences in new languages. We’re very happy to find a great collaboration in aha & Laughing Cow Productions that have brought new life to this franchise.”

The trailer offers a tantalising glimpse into Arun Kumar’s transformation as he navigates the complexities of the corporate realm, driven by ambition and confronted with personal challenges. It sets the stage for an immersive viewing experience, inviting audiences to embark on an unforgettable exploration of self-realisation and triumph.

With its commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality content, aha continues to redefine the digital entertainment landscape. “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” is a testament to aha’s mission of offering exceptional Telugu entertainment that resonates with viewers, showcasing the brand’s dedication to engaging storytelling and thought-provoking narratives.

Prepare to witness the captivating “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” journey exclusively on aha. As the series unfolds, viewers will be enthralled by its compelling storytelling, relatable characters, and profound messages.

Mumbai: Binge-worthy, the best spy thriller, an absolute treat, incredibly mounted, adapted to perfection and many more. The Night Manager has been loved by fans, critics and the film fraternity equally, Disney+ Hotstar announced the date of Hotstar Specials’ The Night Manager: Part 2, now releasing on June 30, 2023. The first part saw the clash between Shelly Rungta (Anil Kapoor) and Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur) left the fans wondering what next. 

Directors and actors share a special bond, as they work together to bring characters to life. In The Night Manager, Tillotama Shome aka Lipika had a great character arc. As The Night Manager part 2 is about to be released, we cannot wait to see what the show has in store for all its fans. Tillotama Shome shares how her directors Sandeep Modi and  Priyanka Ghose were a solid rock to her as together they delved into deeper details of the character bringing Lipika to life once again for The Night Manager part 2 

Opening up about the preparations, Tillotama Shome said, “For my character Lipika, I just had to pay attention to her walking and talking style. Multiple discussions with my directors really helped in fully flesh out the small and big details. For example, after every location scout my directors, Sandeep Modi and  Priyanka Ghose would personally show me spaces that they would have envisioned to shape Lipika. It felt really lucky to have  directors who would share so much with me and this really pushed me to do more.”

Get set for a journey of twists, turns and thrill with The Night Manager: part 2 on Disney+ Hotstar from 30 June onwards 

Mumbai: ZEE5 India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and multilingual storyteller for millions of entertainment seekers, introduced SharePlay with the OTT premiere of Salman Khan starrer blockbuster, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. The feature allows the platform’s subscribers to watch content through FaceTime on iPhones and iPads for an enhanced collective viewing experience. This initiative is in line with ZEE5’s commitment to create new experiences through best-in-class technology solutions across multiple touchpoints, exclusively for its subscribers.

ZEE5 CTO Kishore A K, expressed his enthusiasm for introducing this new feature, emphasised the platform’s dedication to innovation and delivering exceptional viewing experiences to its audience and said, “At ZEE5, our constant endeavour has been to push boundaries and introduce fresh, immersive experiences for our viewers. The addition of SharePlay enables us to provide our users with a captivating social engagement feature, seamlessly integrated into their content consumption journey. As digital technology advances rapidly, we anticipate significant transformations in content engagement, elevating the overall enjoyment. This move marks a significant milestone, inspiring us to continually adapt, refine, and innovate in order to surpass ever-evolving consumer expectations and set new standards for in-app experiences.”

Available on iPhones and iPads, viewers can initiate the SharePlay feature on ZEE5 app via FaceTime or iMessages. Users can invite up to 32 people, depending on the device’s bandwidth, to join a single session, facilitating virtual reunions with friends and family. Once connected, the feature sends a notification to members, offering the option to choose between “Watch Together” or “Play Only for Me’, depending on their preference. SharePlay also includes a smart volume feature that dynamically adjusts audio and enables premium subscribers to stream a wide variety of shows and enjoy music together. This allows members to establish a real-time connection with others on the call, synchronising playback and sharing playback controls.