Category: Over The Top Services

Streamer Dazn acquires Australian Foxtel group from News Corp & Telstra for A$3.4 bn

MUMBAI: It’s a deal that’s happening down under but it’s given streaming platform Dazn group an upper hand as it continues its march towards spreading its wings even further globally. News Corp and Telstra owners of the Foxtel group– once a prized pay TV operator in Australia now turned streamer – have agreed to sell it to the Dazn group in a deal that values it at A$3.4 billion, including debt. Dazn is a privately-held global streamer owned by British-Ukrainian billionaire Len Blavatnik.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dazn will pay News Corp’s loans to the tune of $578 million in cash on account of Foxtel, give it a board seat and a six per cent shareholding in the acquiring company. 35 per cent Foxtel owner Telstra’s debt of A$128 million too will be repaid and it will end up with a three per cent minority interest in Dazn. Foxtel’s existing debt will be refinanced by Dazn when the deal closes.

Founded in 2016, Dazn has more than 3,000 employees and reported a top line of $3.2bn in 2023, having grown its annual revenues by over 50 per cent on average from 2020 to 2023, through diverse revenue streams comprising subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, and transactional video on demand. It has more than 300 million viewers across 200 markets. Dazn streams over 90,000 live events annually and is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL internationally. The platform features sports and leagues from around the world including Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

A press release mentioned that the agreement follows a strategic and financial review of Foxtel as part of its ongoing efforts to optimise its portfolio and simplify its corporate structure. With Dazn’s global reach, industry leading technology and broad content portfolio, the proposed transaction enhances Foxtel’s position as a digital-first, streaming-focused business, led by the current CEO, Patrick Delany, and his management team. The Foxtel group includes the Foxtel, Hubbl, Flash, Kayo Sports and Binge streaming brands along with Fox Sports and Foxtel Media. Foxtel has 4.7 million streaming subscribers

The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of fiscal 2025, is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. For News Corp financial reporting purposes, Foxtel will be classified as discontinued operations as of the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

“This agreement is a victory for News Corp shareholders, Dazn, and sport fans in Australia and around the world,” said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson. “Foxtel has been transformed into a genuine digital and streaming leader in Australia, and we believe Dazn is the right owner to take the business to the next level with their technological capabilities, global footprint and compelling sports rights. This transaction also allows News Corp to focus on our other growth pillars of Dow Jones, digital real estate and book publishing, while benefiting from repayment of our shareholder loans and an improved credit profile. We are proud to be a long-term partner of Dazn and its talented team.”

Dazn chief executive officer Shay Segev said: “Australians watch more sport than any other country in the world, which makes this deal an incredibly exciting opportunity for Dazn to enter a key market, marking another step in our long-term strategy to become the global home of sport. Foxtel is a successful business that has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, and we are confident that our global reach and relentless pursuit of innovation will continue to drive the business forward and ensure long-term success.
“We are committed to supporting and investing in Foxtel’s television and streaming services, across both sports and entertainment, using our world-leading technology to further enhance the viewing experience for customers. We are also committed to using our global reach to export Australia’s most popular sports to new markets around the world, and we will continue to promote women’s and under-represented sports.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN, to realise our ambitious vision for the future of sport entertainment.”

Foxtel chairman Siobhan McKenna, said the agreement with DAZN was international recognition of the transformation of Foxtel from an incumbent pay TV operator to a sports and entertainment digital and streaming leader. “Over the last seven years the Foxtel team, with the strong support of News, have achieved an extraordinary turnaround in an intensely competitive environment.”

Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said: “News Corp’s unwavering support and guidance has seen Foxtel successfully reinvent itself into a dynamic, streaming-led business delivering strong financial performance. We are excited to embark on the next chapter with Dazn, a premier global sports streaming provider, as our new shareholder. Dazn’s backing will enhance our strategy needed, provide access to their global reach, and strengthen the infrastructure and technology to accelerate our transformation. Most importantly, we will continue to be a proudly Australian-based business, led by local management, committed to delivering locally-produced sports and entertainment content for our audiences.”

December 23, 2024
MPA’s Ace cracks down on sports piracy mob in Vietnam

MUMBAI: Now it’s the turn of the Motion Pictures Association (MPA’s) Alliance for Creativity & Entertainment (Ace) to bust a piracy racket. The world’s leading anti-piracy coalition, announced the shutdown of a notorious live sports piracy ring based in Vietnam and viewed extensively throughout the world.

Unbelievable, but true, the operation’s illicit sites logged 812 million visits over the past 12 months, making it one of the largest sports piracy rings in the world, and the largest sports piracy syndicates taken down by ACE to date.

The shuttered sites include online sports piracy outlets such as bestsolaris[dot]com, streameast[dot]to; markkystreams[dot]com; crackstreams[dot]dev; and weakspell[dot]to.

Through an intensive, global investigation, Ace identified and approached the sites’ Hanoi-based operators, who agreed to immediately transfer 138 domains to it.

“The shutdown of this globally notorious live sports piracy ring is a huge victory in our campaign against the piracy of live sports programs and follows other recent successful actions by Ace and law enforcement in Vietnam,” said MPA executive vice-president & chief content protection officer Larissa Knapp. “Ace’s live sports members face a unique threat when it comes to digital piracy, as live sports broadcasts lose substantial commercial value once the game ends. The takedown serves as a warning to piracy operators everywhere – including operators in live sports piracy – that Ace will identify and shut down their illegal operations.”

Primarily targeting audiences in the US and Canada, the sites streamed sports events daily, including content from all the US sports leagues and global leagues of every category. The illicit operation affected all Ace members, including ACE’s sports tier members beIN Sports, Canal+ and Dazn.

“DAZN stands with Ace in the fight to eradicate piracy, which undermines the sports ecosystem at all levels,” said Dazn chief operating officer Ed McCarthy, “It is very pleasing that a criminal operation of this scale was taken down. Piracy often compromises the security of fans’ data, which is then used for illegal purposes, so the closure of this piracy ring has the added benefit that potential subscribers will be guided toward legitimate content providers like Dazn.”

December 21, 2024
Netflix lands Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027 & 2031 exclusive rights for the US

MUMBAI: It was an unexpected move and it’s definitely resulted in a goal – an outright goal, leaving all other competitors wondering what its next play will be. Streaming giant Netflix has signed an agreement with the world’s football federation Fifa to exclusively stream the 2027 and 2031 instalments of the Fifa Women’s World Cup in the US.

The Fifa Women’s World Cup will be the first competition to be acquired in full by Netflix, which further reinforces the tournament’s status as the single biggest women’s sporting event on the planet and provides an outstanding platform to further promote the game.

The deal will provide US-based fans with unparalleled access to every match live and to immersive coverage, including star-studded studio shows in what is set to be an unprecedented celebration of the women’s game. The agreement includes Puerto Rico and covers all languages, with top-tier talent poised to feature in a dual telecast for both English- and Spanish-language broadcasts in the US.

“This is a landmark moment for sports media rights,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino. “As a marquee brand and Fifa’s new long-term partner, Netflix has shown a very strong level of commitment to growing women’s football. This agreement sends a strong message about the real value of the Fifa Women’s World Cup and the global women’s game. Fifa and Netflix partnering together makes this a truly historic day for broadcasting and for women’s football.

“Besides broadcasting the tournaments themselves, Netflix will play a key role in terms of bringing the fascination of women’s football to a multimillion audience in the lead-up to both final tournaments, thereby enabling us to further increase their appeal.”

“I’ve seen the fandom for the Fifa Women’s World Cup grow tremendously – from the electric atmosphere in France in 2019 to, most recently, the incredible energy we saw across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand last year,” said Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria. “Bringing this iconic tournament to Netflix isn’t just about streaming matches, it’s also about celebrating the players, the culture and the passion driving the global rise of women’s sport.”

Following Fifa’s decision to partner exclusively with Netflix, the 2027 and 2031 editions of the Fifa Women’s World Cup are poised to reach even greater audiences and to set new benchmarks in terms of US engagement. The Fifa Women’s World Cup 2027 which will take place in Brazil from 24 June to 25 July 2027, will see the 32 best national teams from around the globe compete for glory. The host nation(s) of the 2031 edition of the Fifa Women’s World Cup will be decided by the Fifa Congress in due course.

In addition to offering live coverage, Netflix will produce exclusive documentary series in the lead-up to both tournaments, spotlighting the world’s top players, their journeys and the global growth of women’s football.
Netflix has proved its ability to tell compelling stories from the world of football through programming such as Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team, Captains of the World (in partnership with FIFA), Neymar: The Perfect Chaos, Beckham, Sunderland ’Til I Die and Boca Juniors Confidential, with upcoming documentaries set to be released on Vinícius Júnior and José Mourinho

With Netflix landing football in its programming, one will have to wait and watch whether it will do the same in India – by outbidding one and all for the rights to some premier cricket. Sony Sports, Sports18, Star Sports, JioStar, Zee TV – watch out – in Netflix you have got a competitor who will keep you guessing its next move and it has an open cheque book to outbid you if it can.

December 20, 2024

Airtel’s festive surprise: Unwrapping Zee5’s entertainment treasure trove

MUMBAI: Just when you thought Santa was saving his best for Christmas, Airtel decided to beat him to it!

In a move as delightful as unwrapping your favourite gift early, Bharti Airtel has teamed up with Zee5 to deliver a digital feast for its wifi customers.

Starting with plans priced at Rs 699 and above, Airtel users can now dive into Zee5’s treasure trove of premium content—at no extra cost.

This holiday season, your binge-watching dreams come bundled with your broadband!

Through this collaboration, Zee5’s exclusive offerings—including original shows, chartbusters, and OTT movies—will become part of Airtel wifi’s ecosystem. Customers can enjoy 1.5 lakh plus hours of content, spanning multiple genres and languages, with hit titles such as Sam Bahadur, RRR, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, Manorathangal, and The Chronicles of Amaragiri.

Bharti Airtel CMO & EVP customer experience, Amit Tripathi highlighted the significance of the partnership, “Partnerships are at the core of Airtel’s DNA, and we are delighted to partner with Zee5 in our endeavour to build a world-class digital content ecosystem. Zee5’s rich library adds a lot of depth to our content portfolio, enhancing the overall experience for our users. We remain committed to building our content portfolio with a single agenda of delighting our customers with the very best.”

Zee5 CBO, Manish Kalra echoed the sentiment, “At Zee5, it has been our endeavour to democratise access to high-quality entertainment by making our diverse content library available to a larger audience. The collaboration with Airtel strengthens our commitment to offering viewers a seamless entertainment experience across genres, languages, and formats.”

Airtel wifi plans and benefits

With this integration, Airtel wifi customers can enjoy access to over 350 HD TV channels and 27 OTT platforms, including Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and now Zee5.

Plan	Speed	Benefits
Rs 699	Up to 40 Mbps	Zee5, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs
Rs 899	Up to 100 Mbps	Zee5, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs
Rs 1099	Up to 200 Mbps	Zee5, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs
Rs 1599	Up to 300 Mbps	Zee5, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs
Rs 3999	Up to 1 Gbps	Zee5, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

Customers can claim their complimentary Zee5 subscription through the Airtel Thanks app.

With Zee5 joining Airtel’s lineup, the partnership reinforces Airtel wifi’s position as a frontrunner in delivering a comprehensive and enriching digital entertainment experience, offering unparalleled content variety to its subscribers.

December 20, 2024

Indian government wants streamers to develop a social conscience

MUMBAI: Most creators have been singing hosannas about how streaming platforms have allowed them to express themselves freely. But how freely? That’s a question that the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) is posing. Especially in light of its observation that “certain streaming content available on OTT platforms is inadvertently promoting, glamorising or glorifying the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through such portrayal by the main protagonist and other actors. Such a portrayal has serious repercussion, particularly regarding the potential influence on young and impressionable viewers.”

In advisory to the industry, the MIB has advised OTTs to stop portraying drug use or abuse as fashionable or acceptable to society especially when it is part of the narrative of a series or film. And it has also cautioned them that should the streamer or content creator choose to portray misuse of psychotropic substances, liquor, smoking, tobacco or any behavior that is likely to incite the commission of any offence, including infliction of self-harm, and that children and young people may potentially copy, then they should place the film or series in a higher classification of self-certification.

The ministry has directed the platforms to put in place measures like carrying public health messages and disclaimers about the dangers of drug abuse, especially in programs in which it is part of the story line. Then it has requested them to arouse their corporate social responsibility conscience and make and popularise content and documentaries which highlight how substance abuse is health-harming in the long term. Accepting that OTT content is beginning to impact public opinion and behaviour, it has reminded them of their social responsibility and how their content helps shape culture and society.

The advisory also warns that in case they find any streamer crossing the red line, strict regulatory scrutiny will follow under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 read with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), 1985. And if evidence is found conclusive, then strict penalties will apply.

Are the writers and creators and commissioning editors in streaming platforms listening? As well as the standards and practices guys?

December 18, 2024
Prime Video releases O Womaniya! Report 2024, highlights gender gaps

MUMBAI: In an era where superheroes fly across screens and futuristic worlds captivate our imagination, one battle remains stubbornly grounded in reality: the gender gap. Despite women making strides into traditionally male-dominated spaces, their presence is still a drop in the ocean of overwhelming disparity.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the entertainment sector-a realm that thrives on stories yet often silences half its storytellers.

The fourth edition of O Womaniya! 2024 report, released by Prime Video in collaboration with Ormax Media and Film Companion Studios, pulls back the curtain on gender representation across 169 Indian films and series in nine languages.

Streaming platforms may lead the way, but the industry’s persistent imbalance reminds us that while screens evolve, some stigmas refuse to fade.

The report introduced a unique Gender Equality Toolkit to help filmmakers evaluate female representation in their projects at the content inception stage. This toolkit analyses films and series through four critical parameters to ensure women’s agency and active participation in storytelling.

Key findings showed that only 31 per cent of the analysed titles passed the Gender Equality Toolkit test, with streaming series performing better, at 45 per cent. Additionally, the data revealed that female-led commissioning significantly improved representation, with 48 per cent of such titles passing the test. Meanwhile, traditional gender evaluation using the Bechdel Test revealed nearly half of the titles still failed to meet its benchmark.

Among creative roles, only 15 per cent of head-of-department (HOD) positions in direction, cinematography, editing, writing, and production design were held by women. Streaming content contributed the most, with over 20 per cent female HODs. Editing emerged as the most female-represented department, particularly in streaming projects.

In marketing, women occupied only 29 per cent of trailer talk time, reflecting incremental progress over the past two years. Streaming platforms showed higher female representation in promotional trailers. Prominent series and films such as Made in Heaven Season 2, Sweet Kaaram Coffee, and Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo featured notable female-centric narratives and voices.

Corporate leadership saw a slight decline, with only 12 per cent of CXO or director roles at leading media and entertainment firms held by women.

“At Prime Video, we firmly believe that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is not just good to have — it is essential to driving meaningful change. We have worked intentionally and persistently to build a diverse, inclusive, and equitable ecosystem, creating more opportunities for women, both in production and within our organisation. In a collaborative industry such as ours, the true impact of DEI can only be realised when it is embraced across the board, with each of us committing to fostering an environment where women are seen, heard, and truly valued,” said Prime Video, India, director & head of production, international originals, Stuti Ramachandra. “O Womaniya! exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing female representation in the industry. This latest edition of the report calls on all of us to accelerate these transformative efforts—not merely taking small steps, but making bold strides toward a world where opportunities and growth are defined by capability and talent, not gender.”

Ormax Media founder & CEO, Shailesh Kapoor underscored the toolkit’s value, adding, “With every edition of O Womaniya!, we have looked at expanding the scope of the report. In this year’s edition, the introduction of the Gender Equality Toolkit offers a nuanced perspective on representation of women in entertainment. The toolkit is designed to be action-oriented, and can help creators and producers evaluate new ideas at their end, from an inclusivity perspective.”

Film critic and producer Anupama Chopra reflected on the industry’s progress and challenges: “The entertainment industry is under greater scrutiny than ever before. With every step forward and every gap left uncovered, stakeholders are reflecting on how they can drive meaningful change. Every action and conversation around gender inclusivity matters and with the O Womaniya! Report and the newly launched Toolkit, we are moving closer to creating an equitable industry. I am deeply grateful to Prime Video and Ormax Media for their partnership in this groundbreaking initiative.”

As the entertainment industry faces increasing scrutiny, initiatives like the O Womaniya! report continue to push for transformative change, ensuring talent and opportunities are defined by merit, not gender.

Access the full report at www.owomaniya.org.

December 17, 2024
Doctors premieres 27 December on JioCinema; Trailer out now!

MUMBAI: In the heart of a bustling hospital, where lives hang by a thread and every second pulses with tension, heroes walk among us—silent, resilient, and often unpraised.

Doctors, the unsung gods in scrubs, juggle life and death daily, their world a chaotic mix of hope, heartbreak, and unrelenting pressure.

But what happens when their own lives spiral into turmoil?

JioCinema is closing the year with a bang, bringing audiences Doctors—an electrifying medical drama packed with love, revenge, and redemption. Directed by Sahir Raza and premiering on 27 December, and with a powerhouse cast led by Sharad Kelkar, Harleen Sethi, Aamir Ali, Viraf Patell, and Vivaan Shah, Doctors promises a rollercoaster of emotions, high-stakes drama, and binge-worthy intensity that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Prepare to witness life, love, and betrayal play out against the backdrop of life-saving miracles—because sometimes, even gods bleed.

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios) and Alchemy Films Pvt Ltd, the story follows Dr Nitiya Vasu (Harleen Sethi), a fiercely determined resident who enters the Elizabeth Blackwell Medical Centre with a hidden agenda. Her mission: retribution against her mentor, Dr Ishaan Ahuja (Sharad Kelkar), a renowned neurosurgeon she believes sabotaged her brother’s career. However, as their worlds collide within the intense pressures of the medical field, Nitiya begins to uncover truths that challenge her motives and awaken unexpected emotions.

Sharad Kelkar on Dr Ishaan Ahuja, “Playing Dr Ishaan Ahuja has been an incredible journey. He’s a deeply layered character, shaped by his past but unwavering in his dedication to his work. Preparing for this role took me beyond acting workshops—I spent hours shadowing real doctors to grasp their struggles and emotions. Doctors is a story that will resonate with anyone who appreciates resilience and human connection.”

Harleen Sethi on Dr Nitiya Vasu, “Dr Nitiya Vasu’s character pushed me to explore emotional depths I hadn’t tapped into before. Preparing for her journey wasn’t just about medical jargon—it was about channelling her pain, passion, and purpose. Navigating her dilemmas within the world of medicine was both challenging and rewarding.”

Aamir Ali on the show’s emotional impact, said, “Doctors opened my eyes to the dedication and humanity that define the medical profession. It’s a powerful show for the holiday season—perfect for family viewing. I can’t wait to hear what the audience thinks about this heartfelt story.”

Get ready to witness the emotional rollercoaster of Doctors—a story where love and revenge collide—streaming 27 December exclusively on JioCinema.

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December 17, 2024
Audio streaming platform Eshtory readies for an aggressive push

MUMBAI: Even as many a player is rushing into the video streaming platform space, here’s one which is stepping into audio streaming. Called Eshtory, it is founded by former MyFM CEO Harrish Bhatia, radio vet Viplove Gupte, and sales vet Nilesh Kadam. At some stage or the other the trio was employed at MyFM, which was a part of the Dainik Bhaskar group.

Funding has come their way through strategic investments from Abhijit Realtors founder Abhijit Majumdar and Radio Orange CEO Inu Majumdar, who has also taken on the position of chairperson of OrangeGlobal Stories, the firm behind Eshtory.

Eshtory’s logo was unveiled by minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur recently. Scheduled for launch in January 2025, the app promises to offer listeners a seamless and immersive experience with original, high-quality, compelling narratives. Beyond entertainment, the platform will serve as a hub for homegrown storytellers, showcasing regional tales to global audiences and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of creative talent, says the company.

OrangeGlobal Stories co-founder Bhatia pointed out that the team is not just building a platform, it is flagging off a movement. He expounded: “We are united by a shared vision to celebrate the boundless power of imagination and creativity. In a fast-paced world, stories have the power to inspire, entertain, and connect. Through Eshtory our mission is to transform storytelling into an immersive experience, delivering original fiction that resonates across cultures and geographies. We aim to redefine how stories are told and experienced. We aim to bring voices from every corner of the world to light, offering narratives that are original, fresh, and unforgettable.”

The company says it has kept aside a marketing and digital promotion war chest of $36 million to be spent over the next three years to build up its user base. This strategic allocation aims to enhance the platform’s reach and engagement via, large-scale brand awareness, advanced digital strategies, targeted ad campaigns and tailored content promotion.

They will need all the muscle power they can muster. The Indian audio streaming marketing is teeming with competition with the likes of Audible from Amazon, Pocket FM, Kuku FM, Pratilipi among others. But the good part is the global audio storytelling market is expected to grow to $53.46 billion by 2032, with strong contributions from emerging markets like India and rapid growth in the Asia-Pacific region. In India, the convergence of affordable data, widespread smartphone penetration, and evolving consumer preferences has propelled the audio OTT sector into a high-growth trajectory.

Amid this momentum, the company says, it is uniquely positioned to fill critical gaps in the market. By prioritising quality and originality, the platform says, it will stand apart in a space often dominated by tech-driven approaches, offering listeners a reimagined storytelling experience that caters to both local and global audiences. With India emerging as a creative hub for diverse storytelling, OrangeGlobal Stories seeks to redefine the audio landscape by showcasing compelling narratives that resonate across cultures and geographies. .

Added OrangeGlobal Stories chairperson Majumdar: “As an ardent enthusiast of audio entertainment and the only female CEO leading a radio channel in India, I am incredibly confident that the team will be able to redefine the storytelling experience. OrangeGlobal Stories is not just a platform but a testament to our commitment to delivering the finest audio content that resonates deeply with listeners.”

Now, it’s up to the audience to listen.

December 16, 2024
News18 launches YouTube channel for Maha Kumbh 2025

MUMBAI: Close to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is Triveni Sangam – the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Today, Prayagraj is a husltle bustle of activity as it gets ready to stage the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a magnificent spiritual celebration anticipated to draw 400 million pilgrims from around the world.

And to make sure its influence is felt the world over, news television network News18 has launched News18 Kumbh, an exclusive YouTube channel that provides 24/7 coverage of this extraordinary event. It will bring the vibrant traditions of Indian spirituality into homes globally, offering viewers a virtual pilgrimage that encapsulates the essence of devotion and unity, showcasing the largest religious gathering on earth from 13 January to 26 February 2025.

To get a dekko of the YouTube channels click here: https://www.youtube.com/@news18kumbh

The News18 Kumbh logo was unveiled by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri – the apex religious body of 13 recognized monastic Hindu orders. The showcasing of the logo was streamed directly from the Kumbh Mela on the YouTube channel.

As part of the launch, Prateek Trivedi’s popular show Bhaiyaji Kahin featured a special live episode that captured the rich culture and tradition defining the Kumbh Mela.

According to a press release issued by the network, News18 Kumbh is to provide live coverage from multiple ghats and akharas. With 24-hour live streaming, special programming, and curated shows, the channel will delve into the mythology, spiritual significance, and cultural traditions of the Maha Kumbh. From detailed insights into the Shahi Snan and the importance of bathing rituals for different akharas to key dates, travel advisories, and daily event calendars, News18 Kumbh will serve as a guide for devotees and viewers alike.

As a tribute to the spirit of Maha Kumbh 2025, News18 also released a specially composed song that beautifully captured its essence and magnificence.

News18 network has deployed a dedicated team to cover the event. and has set up operations in Prayagraj to bring viewers updates and insights over the two-month-long event.

December 16, 2024
FanCode to stream inter-school sports from Mumbai

MUMBAI: This has been some time in the works. College and high school sports are massive money spinners for all in the US. Indian platforms too are getting in on this future growth opportunity.

Take streamer FanCode; it has obtained the media rights to broadcast some of the marquee events organised by the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) across multiple sports.

Earlier, the Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) and MSSA had inked a partnership which aims to improve young sports by developing grassroots talent.

The coverage begins with the under-16 cricket championship for the Harris Shield which is being streamed on FanCode for the second year in succession. Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English School and Modern English School ,Chembur are facing off in this year’s final between December 16-18 at Brabourne Stadium. The Harris Shield has seen the emergence of greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Yashasvi Jaishwal, among many others. It is being accompanied by the coverage of the championship battle for the under-14 Giles shield .

FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said that the decision to telecast the Harris Shield last year was a landmark one for amateur sports. “We are delighted to continue providing a platform to the next generation of superstars and extending this to sports beyond cricket, with athletics, hockey, football and other events that MSSA will organise. This is also in line with our larger goal of nurturing a sporting culture, by offering a platform for families and friends to come together and show their support for the athletes,” he added.

Among the other events that are to be streamed include: the inter-school athletic meet, Inter-school Hockey Tournament finals for The Aga Khan Hockey Cup, and Inter-school Football Tournament.

Sports lovers can watch the tournament via FanCode’s mobile app, TV app for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, Airtel XStream, OTT Play, Prime Video, WatchO, and the FanCode website.

December 15, 2024