ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • ShemarooMe partners with Airtel Xstream to expand its reach

    ShemarooMe partners with Airtel Xstream to expand its reach

    Mumbai: OTT platform ShemarooMe has entered into a partnership with Bharti Airtel’s video streaming service Airtel Xstream Premium to strengthen its presence by tapping into the telecom giant’s over 300 million customer base across India.

    With this partnership, users will get access to ShemarooMe’s content library along with 14 other Indian and global OTTs with a single access login on Airtel Xstream Premium app, available on mobile and large screens (TV, tablet and PC) at Rs 149/month and Rs 1499/year, said the statement. 

    “We are delighted to partner with Airtel Xstream and expand our reach across the country,” said Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada. “The partnership with Airtel will not just enable us to reach out to a wider audience but also allow the users of Airtel Xstream to get access to ShemarooMe’s varied content repository. With this association, we have strengthened our longstanding relationship with Airtel and look forward to more such collaborations.”

    ShemarooMe has a network of over 50 partners across platforms such as e-commerce, banking & payment app, telecom, OEMs, media, and ISPs/broadband.

    “Through this partnership, Airtel customers will get access to ShemarooMe’s entire content library in addition to other OTTs, unlocking the exciting world of video entertainment for India’s growing tribe of digitally connected audiences,” remarked Airtel Digital CEO Adarsh Nair.

  • Comcast launches Eros Now app on X1 and Flex devices

    Comcast launches Eros Now app on X1 and Flex devices

    Mumbai: Global media and technology company Comcast has announced the launch of Eros STX Global Corp’s OTT platform Eros Now on its X1 and Flex platforms.

    The service replaces Eros Now SVOD product offering Xfinity customers the ability to stream high-definition, ad-free titles including films and original series. Eros Now’s catalogue with over 12000 titles features a range of South Asian language content in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and other regional languages.

    “We are excited to bring Xfinity subscribers even more great international entertainment through our partnership with Eros Now. We are committed to expanding our offering of thousands of hours of premium South Asian movies, originals and music in high definition and multiple languages, as well as making it more easily accessible to our customers who can simply say ‘Eros Now’ into the Xfinity voice remote,” said Xfinity Consumer Services executive director – multicultural video & entertainment Keesha Boyd.

    Eros Now CEO Ali Hussein added, “The US is the largest market for us outside India. With this partnership, Eros Now will further consolidate its position as a preferred platform for the consumption of Indian content.”

    Xfinity customers can subscribe to the Eros Now app via their X1 TV Box or Xfinity Flex streaming TV Box, available for $4.99/month.

  • SonyLIV to stream ‘Gullak 3’ starting 7 April

    SonyLIV to stream ‘Gullak 3’ starting 7 April

    Mumbai: SonyLIV and TVF have joined hands to bring the third season of  “Gullak” on 7 April. Since its premiere in 2019, the show has been a fan-favourite because of its relatable storytelling and outstanding casting, said the platform.

    “We anticipated a great response to ‘Gullak,’ but what we received was unprecedented,” said Sony Pictures Networks India head – content SonyLIV and Sony Entertainment Television Ashish Golwalkar. “The audience loved the characters, the story, and everything that came with the show. This was reason enough to renew the series for the third time. It has resonated well with audiences due its compelling narrative, stellar cast, and honest depiction of a simple, middle-class Indian household. We are excited to partner with TVF once again to tell this beautiful story and are hopeful for a bigger and better season three.”

    The show continues with Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Harsh Mayar, and Sunita Rajwar reprising their respective roles. 

    “’Gullak’ instantly connected with the audience because of its simplicity,” said director Palash Vaswani. “People instantly connected with the experiences of an Indian middle-class family and their way of living. With the third season, our aim was to hold on to that sentiment and strengthen it with relatable instances and humour that make the story beautiful. It is a huge responsibility to deliver on expectations, and we hope our viewers enjoy this season as much as the previous ones.”

  • Inox launches digital wallet ‘InstaPay’

    Inox launches digital wallet ‘InstaPay’

    Mumbai: Multiplex chain Inox Leisure Ltd (Inox) on Friday launched a payment wallet called ‘InstaPay’ in the presence of actor John Abraham.

    The digital wallet can be used on the Inox website, mobile app, or at the box office and concession counters to make payments for film tickets and food and beverage purchases across Inox multiplexes in India, said the national multiplex chain in a statement. 

     

    “InstaPay wallet users will be able to avail specially curated offers by Inox including vouchers and other rewards,” it added.

    “As a torchbearer of technology and digital interventions in the cinema exhibition sector, we are proud to offer yet another customer-centric feature in the form of InstaPay,” said Inox Leisure Ltd chief executive officer Alok Tandon. “We aim to strengthen our bond with an enhanced affinity which would come with the use of a convenient feature like a wallet. It would also help us to understand the user behavior in a better manner, and allow us to roll out curated offers and experiences on the basis of their consumption patterns.”

  • Amazon miniTV announces new show ‘Murder in Agonda’

    Amazon miniTV announces new show ‘Murder in Agonda’

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV has announced a new crime thriller “Murder in Agonda” set for the premiere on 8 April. Created by Arré Studio and directed by Vikram Rai, the five-part murder mystery stars Shriya Pilgaonkar, Aasif Khan, Kubra Sait, and Lillete Dubey in lead roles.

    The crime series will have fresh episodes releasing every Friday.

    “Amazon miniTV has been offering its viewers a continuous stream of engaging and good quality content for free, and we are elated to be releasing Arré Studio’s crime drama thriller. Featuring some of the country’s finest talent, we are positive that this show will resonate well with audiences,” said Amazon Advertising head Girish Prabhu.

    “We at Arré Studio are excited to partner with Amazon miniTV to bring this unorthodox crime thriller series to our audiences. It is a marquee project for us, and it builds on the success of our previous productions, ‘Transistor’ and ‘Sorry Bhaisaab,’ while marking our foray into the genre of ‘cozy mysteries’,” shared Arré Studio’s creative director Sharan Saikumar.  “We are confident that the strong narrative and powerful performances of a stellar cast will leave the audience hooked and wanting for more.”

  • SonyLIV to exclusively stream 64th Grammy Awards in India

    SonyLIV to exclusively stream 64th Grammy Awards in India

    Mumbai: SonyLIV has announced that it will be exclusively streaming the 64th edition of Grammy Awards in India on 4 April at 5:30 a.m IST. Streaming from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, the award ceremony will be hosted by comedian and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah.

    Presented by The Recording Academy, the prestigious music award ceremony celebrates and honours the great work of musicians from across the globe.

    This year’s most-nominated artist with 11 nods is Jon Batiste (Stephen Colbert‘s Late Show bandleader) for ‘We Are’. He’s also been nominated in categories like Best R&B Album, plus Record of the Year and Best Music Video for his track “Freedom.”

    Second in line is Doja Cat and HER with eight nods followed by Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo each with seven nods.

    Grammys 2022 will feature live performances by Billie Eilish, Brandi Carlile, Brothers Osborne, BTS, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X, and Olivia Rodrigo.

     Nominations in the ‘Record of the Year’ category include “I Still Have Faith In You,” Abba, “Freedom,” Jon Batiste, “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, “Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon, “Right On Time”, Brandi Carlile, “Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA, “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish, “Montero” (Call Me By Your Name), Lil Nas X, “drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo and “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic

    “We Are”, Jon Batiste, “Love For Sale”, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, “Justice” (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber, “Planet Her” (Deluxe), Doja Cat, “Happier Than Ever”, Billie Eilish, “Back Of My Mind”, HER, “Montero,” Lil Nas X, “Sour”, Olivia Rodrigo, “Evermore,” Taylor Swift, and “Donda,” Kanye West, have been nominated under ‘Album of the Year’ category.

    Contenders for ‘Song of the Year’ include, “Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran, “A Beautiful Noise,” Alicia Keys Featuring Brandi Carlile, “drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo, “Fight For You,” HER, “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish, “Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA, “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X, “Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon, and “Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile.

  • Disney+Hotstar’s ‘Anupama – Namaste America’ to premiere on 25 April

    Disney+Hotstar’s ‘Anupama – Namaste America’ to premiere on 25 April

    Mumbai: Following its announcement of the 11-episode prequel to hit TV serial “Anupamaa,” Disney+ Hotstar has set 25 April as release date for the digital series titled “Anupama – Namaste America.” The streaming platform has roped in “Baa Bahoo Aur Baby” fame Sarita Joshi as ‘Moti Baa’ in the upcoming show. 

    Rupali Ganguli who plays the titular character will be seen in a younger look, nine years into her marriage, along with her on-screen husband Vanraj (played by Sudhanshu Pandey) and the rest of the cast. The prequel show will reveal the story of Anupamaa as the timid yet persevering homemaker, and how the seeds of discord and distance were sowed in her marriage. “Joshi will be seen as heading the Shah family as Vanraj’s great grandmother,” said the platform in a statement.

    “I have worked with Rupali Ganguli previously in Baa Bahoo Aur Baby, and I truly admire the way she pulls off all her characters, especially Anupamaa. I am excited to work with her again,” said Sarita Joshi. “The character of Moti Baa has lived through Anupamaa’s tribulations and knows how society holds back women, but she wants to mend it by complimenting and uplifting Anupamaa’s life in a refreshing new way. I feel extremely proud to have got to play her. I hope Anupamaa’s fans enjoy the character of Moti Baa too because I had a gala time playing it.”

    Launched in July 2020, “Anupamaa” has already aired over 500 episodes. A Hindi adaptation of the popular Bengali series “Sreemoyee,” the show is centered on the life of a Gujarati homemaker.

  • Manish Menghani elevated as director of content licensing at Prime Video & Amazon Studios

    Manish Menghani elevated as director of content licensing at Prime Video & Amazon Studios

    Mumbai: Amazon India has elevated Manish Menghani as director of content licensing for Prime Video and Amazon Studios. 

    Menghani has been associated with the e-commerce giant since it launched Prime Video in India.  

    He previously held the position of head of acquisition – India content at the company.

    Prior to Amazon, Menghani has worked with media organisations such as Reliance Broadcast Network as head of programming and Hungama as AVP and head of content. 

  • Subscription fatigue drives 103% growth in FAST viewing hours in 2021: Amagi report

    Subscription fatigue drives 103% growth in FAST viewing hours in 2021: Amagi report

    Mumbai: In 2021, the total Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) viewership hours grew by 103 per cent, while the average session duration increased by eight per cent. Ad impressions grew by a robust 134 per cent, reminiscent of the $50 billion in ad opportunities up for grabs for content owners each year across FAST platforms, as per the latest edition of the FAST industry report by Amagi. With this, FAST is quickly becoming the content model of choice for viewers and brands alike.

    The Amagi Global FAST Quarterly Report reveals 99 per cent growth in number of channels, 134 per cent growth in ad impressions, and 103 per cent growth in viewership hours on the Amagi platform. A global player in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV, FAST performance is accelerating across the globe, driven by subscription fatigue and consumers’ growing demand for linear viewing experiences. 

    In a trend that’s picking up, audiences are increasingly watching FAST TV via their mobile devices, in addition to Connected TV (CTV).

    Across the board, these strong indicators of engagement mean now is the time for media players to leverage FAST’s rapid momentum and establish or extend their presence in the space. Amagi’s analysis of viewership and content monetisation trends for top ad-supported platforms across the US & Canada, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America for 2021 further suggests that FAST content is exploding, with channels ranging from niche to mainstream.

    Global content brands are entering the FAST space at a rapid pace, adding a wide variety of mainstream and niche genres to the mix. While news continues to be the most sought-after content on ad-supported platforms, FAST channels are also offering audiences everything from movies, documentaries, music, horror, crime, food, travel, anime, sports, and more. In 2021, the genres with the greatest increase in channels were movies, sports and entertainment, closely followed by music, documentaries and news, reflecting their popularity among consumers in this increasingly crowded space.

    Ad-supported streaming platforms are starting to see steady growth in their ad revenues. As top FAST services like Pluto TV and Tubi continue to up the game by investing in quality content, bringing audiences with them, advertisers are clearly following. In 2021 alone, ad impressions grew by a robust 134 per cent, reminding of the $50 billion in ad opportunities up for grabs for content owners each year across FAST platforms.

     “With the remarkable rise of FAST TV, we’re seeing the promise and potential of ad-supported models begin to come to fruition,” says Amagi co-founder Srinivasan KA. “Consumers are exhausted by the cost and overwhelming choices of subscription services. Increasingly, they are clamoring for linear, ‘lean back’ viewing experiences across a wide range of genres—and our latest FAST report reflects that clearly.”

    “As brands enter and expand into the FAST space at a rapid rate, competition is only growing fiercer. Our latest industry report confirms that continued investment in FAST remains essential. We expect 2022 to be a big year for innovation in the FAST universe—across programming, advertising and distribution—and will continue to report the data-backed insights content owners, streaming platforms and advertisers need to stay ahead in the streaming game,” he adds.

    This third edition of Amagi’s FAST industry report aggregates data from its proprietary platform, Amagi Analytics, on viewership and content monetisation trends to uncover insights on top ad-supported platforms across the US & Canada, EMEA, APAC, and Latin America for 2021. The report analysed year-over-year growth of total hours of viewing (HOV) and ad impressions between December 2020 – December 2021, across 2000+ channels on 50+ FAST platforms on Amagi’s dynamic server-side ad insertion platform.