Category: Over The Top Services

Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar and BBC Studios have announced their upcoming modern comedy ‘Dead Pixels’, the Telugu adaptation of the popular British series under the same title. The six-part series will be produced by BBC Studios India and Tamada Media Ltd., with animation by Keyframe Studios, directed by Aditya Mandala, written by Akshay Poolla and features an exciting star cast headlined by popular actors Niharika Konidela, Harsha Chemudu, Sai Ronak, Akshay Lagusani and Bhavana Sagi.

Dead Pixels follows the journey of three young friends whose lives revolve around an online video game, with the ultimate goal of defeating a virtual villain. Based in the city of Hyderabad, the show comically depicts their obsession with the game and how it interferes in different aspects of their daily lives. The group, however, is in for a shock when a new player arrives and upends their dynamics in both the virtual and real world. The stakes are high as online alliances and rivalries are formed that are as potent as the ones in the flesh.  The show highlights the importance of acceptance and underscores that everyone can form their own community of friends and support systems, rising above their similarities and differences.

Sameer Gogate, general manager, BBC Studios Production India shared, “We are excited to partner with Disney+ Hotstar on this young modern comedy. This immersive British format provides an insight into the lives of new age introverts and depicts their relationships and social interactions. We’re also delighted to be working with Tamada Media to produce this series and fulfill the increasing appetite for premium content for our local audience.”

Saideep Reddy Borra and Rahul Tamada, the producers and co-founders of Tamada Media shared “We are pleased to partner with BBC Studios India and Disney+ Hotstar to bring an intriguing story, a modern comedy, to our local audience. This adaptation was a fun project to work on and can’t wait to share it with everyone now.”

The original Dead Pixels series was created and written by Jon Brown and directed by Al Campbell with the second series being directed by Jamie Jay Johnson It was produced for Channel 4’s E4 in the UK and was the channel’s best performing comedy launch in over five years. It was produced by Various Artists Ltd and is distributed worldwide by BBC Studios.   

Dead Pixels is the latest in a long line of more than ten successful productions by BBC Studios India Production over the last couple of years.

Mumbai: The detective fiction mystery novel ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ written by legendary British novelist and crime genre queen Agatha Christie, will be adapted for Sony LIV.

The original, titled ‘Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley,’ is directed by Bhardwaj’s home banner, Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures, and produced by Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films in association with Agatha Christie Limited.

The series will follow Charlie Chopra’s journey to solve a deep mystery set in the snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh.

Vishal Bhardwaj, along with Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan, serves as the show’s co-screenwriter in addition to his roles as director and co-producer.

Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Paoli Dam are among the series’ impressive ensemble cast members.

Sony LIV content head Saugata Mukherjee said, “Detective fiction has been a perennial favourite with our audience and what better than an Agatha Christie novel. We are delighted to be bringing one of her classics ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ adapted rather skilfully in an Indian setting by none other than Vishal Bhardwaj. We are thrilled to have Vishal onboard as his ingenuity in adapting literary classics remains unrivalled.”

Director and producer Vishal Bhardwaj said, “I grew up devouring all Agatha Christie mysterious tales. Her plots, characters and setting remain unparalleled  in the genre and continue to excite storytellers even today.  It has been an incredible journey collaborating with James Prichard , great grandson of Agatha Christie, who always brought unique perspectives to our team. Sony LIV and Priti Shahani have been the perfect partners for me to adapt this thrilling and mysterious world.”

Tusk Tale Films Private Ltd. founder Priti Shahani said, “Working with Vishal Bhardwaj as the director of Sony LIV’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “The Sittaford Mystery” is truly an exciting journey. His ability to attract the right combination of talent and his artistry of bringing uniqueness and colour in each character make his stories truly captivating.  This adaptation will be a beautiful representation of Agatha Christie’s original work.”

Agatha Christie Ltd. CEO James Prichard said, “My great grandmother has many fans in India and I am really excited for them to enjoy this adaptation by Vishal Bhardwaj which takes the story of The Sittaford Mystery and reimagines it in India.”

Mumbai: aha, an OTT platform, has launched its new season of Telugu Indian Idol with a musical event. The competition has been a fan favorite since last year and has launched the careers of some of the most talented singers in the industry. This year’s competition promises to be bigger and better than ever, with some of the most unique talents from across the world competing for the coveted title. Telugu Indian Idol is being produced by Fremantle India.

To kick off the evening of entertainment, aha has planned a tribute to the singer S P Balasubrahmanyam. The evening will begin with the unveiling of his statue in his native town, which will remind everyone of his incredible contributions to the industry and a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Adding to the excitement, the night will also feature a LIVE concert by SS Thaman, one of South India’s music directors. The musical concert will also feature performances by Geetha Madhuri and Hemachandra.

“The reason behind planning this larger than life event in Nellore is two-fold – Nellore is the hometown of musical maestros and what can be better than launching the world’s biggest musical stage from this city. Secondly, Nellore is one of the strongest markets for aha and this is our way of thanking our audiences,” said aha CEO Ajit Thakur.

“We are thrilled to be creating the second edition of Telugu Indian Idol with Aha. Being on ground in Nellore today is no coincidence: it is intended not only as a salutation to the incredible talent from here including our season one winner but also a precursor to this season where we have left no stone unturned to bring you talent from every possible nook and cranny of the Telugu speaking world. We are eager to share with the audiences the magic of music and the roller coaster of emotions that we have strung together along with the super talented Thaman, Geeta, Kartik, Hemachandra and of course our promising contestants,” said Fremantle India MD Aradhana Bhola.

Mumbai : Warner Bros. Discovery reported a net loss of $2.1 billion in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year after writing down $1.85 billion in assets and incurring nearly $1.2 billion in restructuring costs. The company reported revenue of $11 billion.

Excluding the effects of foreign exchange, revenue decreased by 9 per cent , and the business suffered a 14 per cent  decline in ad sales for its TV networks even as it attempted to increase subscriber numbers for its HBO Max and Discovery+ streaming services.

In a statement, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav suggested that much of the hard work involved knitting together the former WarnerMedia and Discovery Communications, was complete. “We’re seeing strong momentum across the enterprise,” he said, noting that “we believe we have repositioned our businesses to take full advantage of the many opportunities ahead.”

However, despite its efforts to boost the financial performance of its new streaming assets, the massive media conglomerate experienced decreases in its core TV business.

Revenue for the TV networks owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, including Discovery, CNN, and Food Network, fell 6 per cent  to about $5.5 billion, with losses in affiliate fees and advertising. The company’s studio activities witnessed a 23 per cent decrease in revenue as a result of less money being made from licensing its content.

Meanwhile, losses in its streaming operations have been reduced. The operating loss in its streaming operations for its streaming assets was $217 million in the quarter, compared to pro-forma losses of $728 million the previous year.

During a conference call with investors Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels,, announced a new target of $4 billion in cost savings by the end of 2024.

Mumbai: Sony LIV has announced a digital-only episode – “Gateway to Shark Tank India 2,” which will soon stream on Sony LIV. This exclusive episode is co-presented by Happilo, a dry fruit and healthy snacking brand. Furthermore, the episode will feature Happilo founder & CEO Vikas D. Nahar as a guest shark along with the existing panel.

Coming from a family that engaged in growing pepper and coffee, Nahar was naturally inclined towards building brands. This passion led him to start Happilo with an initial capital of just INR 10,000 and two members in his team, and from there on there was no looking back. Happilo is a six-year-old enterprise with a revenue run-rate of INR 500 Cr, and a leading player in the dry-fruit and nuts segment offering healthy snacking options to consumers. The company today has a strong presence in e-commerce platforms and retail stores across the country. Through his business acumen, he not only expanded his business with the right product innovation, marketing, distribution & smart R&D strategy but also backed new startups and helped them grow. Happilo has successfully marked its presence in the industry today and is further enhancing its value with multiple associations across industries.

“Gateway to Shark Tank India 2” provides select aspiring entrepreneurs with another opportunity to present their business ideas and concepts to seasoned investors and renowned business professionals.

Sony LIV Ad sales revenue Ranjana Mangla said, “The show has made its way into the hearts of millions of viewers and aspiring entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to partner with Happilo and other sponsors for an exclusive “Gateway to Shark Tank India 2” to promote the zeal of business owners. The digital-only episode aims to encourage the ongoing spirit of entrepreneurship in our nation. This unique conceptual integration is a testament to our constant endeavor to provide disruptive and scalable opportunities for brands to seamlessly integrate and showcase their brand purpose.”

Nahar added, “Shark Tank India is the harbinger of change and enjoys a highly engaged audience. I am excited to join the panel as a guest Shark to support creative minds and give them a window to dream big. I believe it’s important to foster the nation’s youth, promote innovation, and celebrate an entrepreneurial mindset to boost India’s growth trajectory.”

Mumbai :LaLiga is decided on the football field, but it is also played off the field: on match days, in the locker rooms, in the stands, and nearby. The first sports series produced by Netflix in Spain will revolve around LaLiga.

The documentary series, which is currently in pre-production, will focus on the 2023-2024 LaLiga competition and will premiere on Netflix worldwide next year. The series will take an inside look at everything that happens in the Professional Football League behind the scenes and the more personal stories of one of the world’s most followed leagues, similar to Netflix’s growing slate of sports programming such as Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Break Point.

LaLiga executive director Óscar Mayo said,  “For LaLiga, to be the star of Netflix’s first sports series in Spain is a unique opportunity to take our football beyond the fans, to share with the world the excitement of the sport we love, and the chance for all our fans to see LaLiga from a totally different angle.” 

Director Álvaro Díaz said, “At Netflix, we have always been committed to bringing must watch series and films to our members around the world. We are very proud and excited to share this project with LaLiga, which is an unprecedented opportunity to experience the excitement of one of the most exciting sporting competitions on the planet, first-hand.”

Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the ultimate anime destination for fans worldwide, announced today a slate of celebrity presenters set to appear and participate in the seventh annual Crunchyroll Anime Awards, taking place March 4, 2023 in Tokyo, including Robert Rodriguez, Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, Pinocchio), WWE Superstar Zelina Vega, Juju Smith-Schuster of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, top streaming talent and more.

“I love anime, it’s an art form that has always inspired me. For the creators, it’s unbound creativity and freedom of expression, where they can make truly iconic, creative worlds and characters,” said Robert Rodriguez, award-winning writer and director of such iconic films as Sin City and most recently an episode of The Mandalorian. “Anime is a crucible for new ideas and fresh perspectives in entertainment. So I’m very excited to help celebrate the grand winners being honored at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Japan.”

The full list of talent includes:

•     Aidan Hutchinson, American football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.
•     Finn Wolfhard, actor, musician and director (Stranger Things, Pinocchio, Ghostbusters, IT)
•     Hunter Schafer, actress and artist (Euphoria and the upcoming The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes)
•     Jacob Bertrand, actor (Cobra Kai)
•     Juju Smith-Schuster, American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League
•     Robert Rodriguez, film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician (Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn, Alita: Battle Angel)
•     Zelina Vega, WWE Superstar
•     Sykkuno, one of the largest streamers on YouTube Gaming (9.8M+ followers)
•     Valkyrae, one of the biggest female streamers in the world (13M followers) and the co-owner of 100 Thieves

Additional global talent and musical performances will be announced soon.

“I have been a huge anime fan since I was a kid. It has been a part of my whole life, till this day, it has helped me so much.  I’m an NFL athlete and I get to represent this anime world. So for me to present an Anime Award to some of the greatest shows in the world, it’s the best,” said Juju Smith-Schuster, NFL wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off a Super Bowl win.

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards is the leading yearly awards program honoring the creators, musicians, and performances across streaming and theatrical powering the global love of anime. This year’s nominees represent anime excellence across more than 30 anime studios, eight streaming platforms, over 50 series and films, and celebrating more than 50 voice actors.

The Anime Awards will take place at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo on Saturday, March 4, 2023, with a live ceremony hosted by renowned voice actress Sally Amaki and popular entertainer Jon Kabira that will gather the creators and talent behind the anime community’s favorite series. Fans can watch the Anime Awards livestream on the Crunchyroll channels on YouTube and Twitch. In India, the Anime Awards is exclusively streaming on Sony LIV.

Sony Music Solutions, part of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., will support Crunchyroll in the execution of the event, which will be streamed for global audiences.

Mumbai: Mind Wars, a brainchild of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., has announced the launch of its new app which will immerse students in a gamified quizzing experience. Mind Wars, which prides on being a multichannel ecosystem for quizzing students across India, has announced that this app will be accessible to all across both Android and Apple phones. While the app will offer quizzing across various subjects like current affairs, general knowledge, and mythology amongst others, it will also enable students to revise their subjects in the most engaging manner.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. executive VP Umesh Kr Bansal said “This is a very exciting phase in the journey of Mind Wars. The new gamified application will be a wonderful addition to the educational system, where a student will be able to gain holistic knowledge while playing amazing quizzes! At Mind Wars, we have always aimed to provide students with knowledge-based alternatives that will enable them to become smarter. The application promises to strengthen our brand mission towards the same.”

To add to the fun and knowledge intake, the app gives users multiple gaming options in its universe for them to take quizzes as per their interests and liking. From challenging your peers to entering open battlegrounds to scale the leader board, the Mind Wars app connects students across India to intellectually stimulate each other. The game also has unique elements like Mudras – the currency of the Mind Wars Universe, A galaxy Utopia – The road to The Mind Palace, a place of infinite wisdom, and much more.

Mind Wars has always prioritised the three biggest stakeholders in any education system: students, parents and schools sharing an entrusted relationship with them. Every facet of the application has been carefully designed to inculcate their specific needs and provide a comprehensive and engaging ecosystem for the students to nurture their knowledge and retention abilities.

The brand has been a forerunner in a new era of education since its inception in 2019. With its outstanding off ground activities, it offers students a comprehensive education.

Mumbai: EORTV, India’s OTT Platform and a web streaming app has announced its innovative programming slate hinged on pride festivals around the world. EORTV has streamed four Pride festivals thus far at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Goa. Taking a step forward and keeping consumers’ preferences in mind, EORTV has now collaborated with Goa Pride Festival to launch a film making competition. The festival in turn is organised by Moustache Escapes.

In a bid to extend its key agenda of inclusion, this special programme will promote new and budding filmmakers, artists & technicians and the winning film will make it to the EORTV platform. The pack will consist of one best winning film in the Professional and Mobile category each, best director, best cinematographer and best actors who will in turn get a chance to work on EORTV’s projects which are under production. Other than covering the ‘Pride Festival’ and streaming the best film from the competition, the prize distribution ceremony and naming of the winners will also be a part of EORTV’s content slate.

The content of these films that will partake in the competition will have to be based on the LGBTQIA+ community but could be from various genres such as drama, comedy, romance, thrillers, docu-dramas etc. The next edition of Goa Pride Festival will be held from 7 April 2023 to 9 April 2023 at Sangria, Vagator, Goa. The festival is a carnival of various activities, screenings and performances. The Goa Pride Festival stands to show acceptance, solidarity, inclusion, love and pride. With Goa Pride Festival, EORTV Embarks on innovative, Interactive & Inclusive Programming.

“Over the past one and a half years, we have witnessed a high appetite for LGBTQ focused movies and engaging content. Since the launch of EORTV, we have curated and produced the best stories on our platform across genres. This new programming slate is going a step further to create a platform for the young talent to create good content and give them a chance to reach a huge viewership through our channel. We are happy to partner with the Goa Pride Festival as our aim is to find strength through love, inclusivity and unite the community with mainstream society. There is no better way of doing it than hands on where we actually give an opportunity to people to come and work with us,” said EORTV founder Deepak Pandey.

The mission of this coming together of Goa Pride Festival and EORTV is to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community by raising awareness and providing access to diverse events and opportunities to create content and bring people together in the spirit of celebration, advocacy and community engagement.