ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Gujarati film Hellaro now streaming on ShemarooMe

    Gujarati film Hellaro now streaming on ShemarooMe

    Mumbai: The acclaimed Gujarati film Hellaro, directed by Abhishek Shah, is streaming on ShemarooMe from 2 October 2024, coinciding with Navratri. It made history as the first Gujarati movie to win the National Award for best feature film, telling a powerful story of women’s resilience and transformation in a repressive society.

    Since its debut, Hellaro has gained attention at various film festivals and won multiple awards, including the National Film Awards’ special jury Award for its 13 leading women and a special mention at IFFI for its music and choreography.

    The cast includes Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, Niilam Paanchal, and others. The film follows a group of suppressed women in Kutch whose lives change after meeting a stranger with a dhol in the desert, leading them on a journey of freedom and self-discovery.

    Director Abhishek Shah reflects on this remarkable journey: “Creating Hellaro has been a deeply personal experience for me and the entire team. We have seen how the film resonates with audiences, shedding light on the struggles women face in our society. Winning Best Film National Award for the first time for a Gujarati language is an incredible honor, but I truly hope ‘Hellaro’ inspires meaningful conversations about empowerment and resilience. It wasn’t easy to bring this story to life; we built an entire village in a barren landscape, complete with fifteen traditional bhungas, a chowk, and a temple—something you can still see on Google Maps!”

    Shraddha Dangar expressed her excitement about the film coming on ShemarooMe: “Hellaro is a very special movie for me. As it streams on ShemarooMe, we’re thrilled for fans in India and around the world to experience the powerful performances and vibrant storytelling that make our film so special. The movie beautifully used Garba to represent women’s journey from suppression to liberty in a patriarchal society. We practiced Garba barefoot in the scorching sands of Kutch, but the love we received from the audience made it all worthwhile. Since Hellaro, I’ve encountered many inspiring stories that have motivated me to take a stand. Playing Manjhri transformed me; it awakened a strength within that encouraged me to draw courage from the incredible women around me. I feel empowered to advocate for change and share their stories, and I hope our film inspires others to do the same.”

  • Zee5 announces Mithya season two

    Zee5 announces Mithya season two

    Mumbai: Zee5 has announced the return of the psychological drama Mithya for the second season after the success of the first season. The series revolves around the tumultuous relationship between two half-sisters, marked by ambition, betrayal, and revenge.

    Directed by Kapil Sharma and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Rose Audio Visual Production, the second season of Mithya features a stellar cast, including Huma Qureshi and Avantika Dasani as the half-sisters, alongside Rajit Kapur and Indraneil Sengupta in prominent roles. They are joined by Naveen Kasturia in the new season who will be seen as a mysterious character adding more spice to the lives of the two sisters.

    The second season delves deeper into the complex and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships of all the significant characters in the series. With tensions escalating and the stakes higher than ever, Mithya season two premieres soon on Zee5.

    Zee5 CBO Manish Kalra said, “After seeing the love the audience had for a successful first season, we are thrilled to bring back Mithya with a more thrilling narrative. With their powerful performances, the cast has brought the complex and layered plot to life, ensuring the series further exemplifies our focus on creative storytelling. Mithya season 2 is also a result of our longstanding and creatively fulfilling partnership with Applause Entertainment and Rose Audio Visuals. We’re looking forward to audience response to Mithya S2 while strengthening our commitment to deliver exceptional stories.”

    Applause Entertainment MD Sameer Nair, ” We’re thrilled to return with Mithya for a gripping second season that delves even deeper into its complex narrative. This is far from a conventional thriller — the set-up, location, and intricate relationships push the boundaries of storytelling. At its heart, Mithya is a tale of betrayal and revenge, with the tension between the half-sisters and their fathers reaching new heights. Grounded in a distinctive and immersive narrative, this season draws viewers deeper into a psychological drama of sisters, traumas, and secrets.”

    Rose Audio Visuals producer Goldie Bhel said, “We’re thrilled to bring Mithya back for Season 2. This series has always been about exploring the grey areas of truth, deception, and the human psyche, and with this new season, we’re diving even deeper. The response to Season 1 was incredible, and it’s pushed us to take bigger creative risks this time around. We’ve crafted a story that’s darker, more intense, and full of surprises, and we can’t wait for the audience to experience what’s next.”

    Director Kapil Sharma expressed, “We are absolutely thrilled to bring our audiences the new season, that is not only rich in story arcs but also visually stunning. Set in breathtaking Darjeeling, we have captured some wonderful performances by the talented cast with high-octane visuals and thrills that enhance the intensity of the narrative. The buzz surrounding the return of Mithya is immense, and we aim to lift our audience’s expectations a notch higher.”

  • Lionsgate Play brings another chapter of the Fallen franchise

    Lionsgate Play brings another chapter of the Fallen franchise

    Mumbai: Action, explosives, and the city of love under siege! Starring Tewfik Jallab, Ritu Arya, Ban Addis and Sean Harris, Paris Has Fallen follows the gripping story of a protection officer and an MI6 operative teaming up after a terrorist attack. They suspect a mole as they race to thwart a larger conspiracy threatening Paris. The series is the latest installment in the infamous Fallen franchise and it’s the best one yet! Catch the entire Has Fallen franchise exclusively on Lionsgate Play, the Home of Action as Paris Has Fallen premieres this 18 October.

    Talking about his thoughts on the script and the series Tewfik Jallab said, “When I first read the script, I thought it was amazing. I read the whole thing in like, less than a day. So that was great. I was just thinking ‘Wow, this is a great show. I would love to watch it as an audience.’ To be able to play Vincent – it was a gift. There is everything for an actor. There is a good balance between action, personal lives, love story too. I think there is.. everything. It is the kind of show for everyone. They’re gonna love it”

  • JioCinema appoints Ishan Chatterjee as CBO

    JioCinema appoints Ishan Chatterjee as CBO

    Mumbai: JioCinema has announced the appointment of Ishan Chatterjee as chief business officer. Ishan’s appointment reflects JioCinema’s commitment to accelerate its transformation into a tech-enabled company, delivering cutting-edge, seamless digital experiences to its rapidly expanding user base.

    As chief business officer, Ishan takes charge of overall monetisation for JioCinema. In this role, he is responsible for revenues from sports, and SMB revenue growth across sports and entertainment. Ishan joins JioCinema from YouTube India where he served as managing director and played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s strategy and growth in the country. With over two decades of experience, including 13 years at Google, Ishan has also had a remarkable journey with McKinsey and Hindustan Unilever. He is an alumnus of The Wharton School and St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.

    Ishan will play a key role in JioCinema’s leadership team and closely work with Kiran Mani.

  • Zee5 adopts common media application format

    Zee5 adopts common media application format

    Mumbai: Zee5 has successfully adopted the common media application format (CMAF) at a wider scale to transform content delivery and enhance viewer experience. The innovative move, implemented by the company’s technology & innovation centre based in Bengaluru, facilitates smoother video playback across devices and allows Zee5 users to experience good AV quality even in areas with low internet bandwidth.

    By optimising bandwidth consumption and reducing operational costs, Zee5 is expanding its reach to 100 million users, ensuring more viewers can have access to high-quality streaming. CMAF is a versatile and extensible standard designed to package segmented media, enabling seamless cross-device compatibility. By adopting CMAF, Zee5 is not only ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience but also reducing latency, a critical factor in live streaming of sports, news and events.

    Reflecting on the impact of CMAF, Zee’s chief technology and product officer Shiva Chinnasamy said, “Our strategic focus is to provide best-in-class AV experience even in areas with low internet. CMAF allows us to serve content more efficiently, ensuring no data wastage while delivering high-quality immersive experiences to every viewer, no matter their bandwidth. Zee5 is focusing on building in-house capabilities to provide robust services and experience to their consumers and adoption of CMAF is a crucial step to achieve the same.”

    Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “At Zee5, we remain focused on enhancing viewer experience through cutting-edge technology. Adopting the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) is a step forward in Zee5’s vision to democratise access to quality entertainment. This ensures that even in regions with low internet connectivity, our users can enjoy seamless viewing experiences. This strategic move reflects our commitment to bring quality content to a broader audience, which also aligns with our goal of delivering immersive entertainment across multiple devices. CMAF represents a significant step in further refining how our viewers engage with content on our platform.”

    Commenting on the success of the format, Zee’s SVP & head of video engineering Suneel Khare said, “The implementation of CMAF is strategic. It allows us to streamline and improve our content delivery, enabling real-time low-latency streaming while significantly reducing data requirements. This enhancement ensures smoother playback even in regions with low bandwidth, expanding Zee5’s reach to a broader audience, including those with limited internet access.”

    Zee5’s successful implementation of CMAF has resulted in several key advantages, including:

    . Low-latency streaming: Essential for live events, CMAF ensures near real-time video delivery, minimizing delays and enhancing live event viewing.

    . Bandwidth optimization: The efficient CMAF packaging reduces data consumption, enhancing video quality in low-bandwidth environments.

    . Cross-device compatibility: CMAF supports both HLS (HTTP live streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) formats, ensuring consistent video playback across mobile devices, Smart TVs, and more.

    . Future-ready encryption: CMAF utilises Widevine CBCS technology, a standard for content protection that allows for seamless playback across both Apple & Android devices and ensures a seamless and secure streaming experience.

    Zee’s principal architect of video engineering Rahul Banerjee added, “With CMAF, the real-time improvements in video quality and reduced buffering have significantly enhanced viewer engagement. This upgrade ensures viewers enjoy higher-quality streams with minimal delays, even in regions with weaker internet connectivity.”

    CMAF has enhanced the viewer experience and provided operational benefits for Zee5. By optimising content packaging, it has reduced storage requirements by over 30 per cent while keeping CDN (content delivery network) costs stable despite increased demand for higher-resolution content. Additionally, CMAF’s scalability allows Zee5 to expand its global reach in over 12 languages, maintaining consistent performance during peak usage.

    With CMAF, Zee5 improves operational efficiency and strengthens its commitment to delivering quality content to a diverse audience. The platform’s approach to content packaging and delivery positions it well for the evolving OTT landscape.

  • Hallmark upgrades OTT using Accedo One

    Hallmark upgrades OTT using Accedo One

    MUMBAI: When Hallmark was looking at relaunching its streaming service, it reached out to its partner Accedo and extended its partnership. Together, the two elevated the features – as part of Accedo One –  of its newly rebranded streaming service, Hallmark+ which officially launched on 10 September.  

    According to an Accedo release, Hallmark+, seamlessly integrates ad-free viewing with exclusive retail and product benefits, offering fans an unparalleled Hallmark lifestyle experience. 

    The features are: 
    Unauthenticated homepage: This feature allows potential users to explore and experience the richness of Hallmark+ without the need for immediate sign-up. With this feature, Hallmark+ aims to entice new users through a compelling initial interaction, fostering trust and interest even before they commit to a subscription.

    Conditional containers: Conditional containers display content tailored to individual user preferences, behaviours and login status. 

    Gifting options: In line with Hallmark’s tradition of celebrating relationships and special moments, the new gifting options provide users with the ability to purchase and send Hallmark+ subscriptions. This feature reinforces Hallmark’s position as a thoughtful and heartfelt brand, perfect for gifting during holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions.

    Design facelift: To align with modern user expectations, a complete redesign of the OTT service interface was undertaken. The new design is intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing, providing a fresh and seamless navigation experience.

    “The support we received from the Accedo team during this intense period was unwavering. Utilising Accedo One platform to further grow and expand our offering has accelerated our progress tremendously, allowing us to bring Hallmark+ to market fast and greatly optimize our internal resources,” says Hallmark Media. SVP technology Lusha Bodie.

    “We are highly impressed with the Hallmark team, its ambitious vision, and the new direction of Hallmark+. We believe this will greatly benefit its loyal customers. It is especially encouraging to see Hallmark leveraging several new key features of Accedo One in its re-launch,”  says Accedo SaaS Products SVP Fredrik Andersson.

  • Prime Video presents: Trailblazers, celebrates women of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios

    Prime Video presents: Trailblazers, celebrates women of Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios

    Mumbai: The inaugural Prime Video presents: Trailblazers took place in London today, an event celebrating the women of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. Hosted by Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke and Prime Video International VP Kelly Day, the showcase featured guest appearances from actors Priyanka-Chopra Jonas, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, directors Charlotte Brändström and Louise Hooper, and producers Amy Pascal, Sue Vertue and Lindsey Weber, at Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s South Bank Centre.

    Creative talent from both in front of and behind the cameras joined Salke and Day at the event, attended by industry guests and Prime Video female executives, including global heads of Amazon MGM Studios and regional Prime Video leaders. Hosted by broadcaster Clara Amfo, the event discussed global franchises, appealing to younger audiences, and the rise of action heroines. Participants included Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Octavia Spencer, the cast and directors of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The event previewed international series and films like Citadel: Diana, The Devil’s Hour Season 2, Culpa Tuya, My Fault: London, La Virgen Roja, The Office Australia, and Pimpinero: Blood and Oil.

    During the live showcase, Jennifer Salke commented: “We’ve had a mission to be a destination for women all around the world, and we’re starting to see progress with that” and Kelly Day added “we’ve expanded the storytelling so much for women, and it’s brought so many new customers to the service and ignited a lot of passion for our female viewers.”

    As part of an on-stage fireside chat, Octavia Spencer said, “For me, there weren’t a lot of female executives. So, to see how vastly different the industry is, how many opportunities are made available to us, I think it’s imperative that we come into the industry with as much in our arsenal as we can give.”

    Commenting on the upcoming Australian Original adaption of The Office, Felicity Ward told Clara Amfo: “Ricky Gervais approved a female lead. He was very excited about a female lead” and on the importance of female commissioners, Laura Osma (Pimpinero: Blood and Oil) said “so many stories have been hidden for so long but now we can delve into them”.

    During a fireside conversation with Jennifer Salke, on what the industry is getting right, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said, “I was wanting to get out of the box and here with Amazon is where I got that, it takes huge courage to back local stories”

    “Women are at the core of our business – from our incredible actors, our inventive producers and our executive teams,” said Amazon MGM Studios head Jennifer Salke. “We also know that women around the world love to be moved by incredible storytelling and we look forward to bringing them all a compelling slate featuring some of the most talented women working both in front and behind the camera.”

    “As we look to grow Prime Video internationally, women will be central to driving that success,” added Day. “From the millions of viewers globally, to the women running the Prime Video and Studios teams in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the US, to the women starring in and delivering our biggest shows and movies, Prime Video is being shaped by trailblazing women.”

    The following announcements were made at Prime Video presents: Trailblazers:

    . Greenlight: Prime Video announced a spinoff series, The Untitled Neagley Project, starring Maria Sten (Reacher, Swamp Thing). Created by co-showrunners and executive producers Nick Santora (Reacher, Prison Break) and Nicholas Wootton (Law & Order, Prison Break), and produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Skydance Television, and CBS Studios, the series will premiere on Prime Video in over 240 countries. It follows Frances Neagley, a private investigator, seeking justice after a friend’s suspicious death.

    . First-look clip: An exclusive clip from Citadel: Diana, the highly anticipated Italian series from the Citadel universe, was revealed. Starring Matilda De Angelis, the action sequence is set at the Cretto di Gibellina in Sicily. De Angelis performed most of her own stunts, with the series featuring approximately 850 stunts. The show premieres globally on 10 October.

    . First-look images: Images from the new UK Original movie My Fault: London, set to launch in 2025, were unveiled. Based on Mercedes Ron’s bestselling Culpables trilogy and following the success of Culpa Mia, it stars Asha Banks and Matthew Broome.

    . Trailer: The official trailer for Season 2 of The Devil’s Hour was introduced by Jessica Raine. Premiering globally on 18 October, the psychological thriller stars Peter Capaldi, Nikesh Patel, Phil Dunster, and new cast member Saffron Hocking.

    .  Skills: The £10 million Prime Video Pathway programme, launched in 2022, has seen 64 per cent of all places filled by women, including in traditionally male-dominated fields like Sound, Camera, and Lighting at the National Film and Television School Craft Academy.

  • JioCinema Premium unveils festive October lineup

    JioCinema Premium unveils festive October lineup

    Mumbai: As the festive season approaches, JioCinema Premium rolls out a thrilling lineup of shows and movies for October, ensuring a perfect blend of entertainment for everyone. From reality shows to international dramas, JioCinema’s offerings promise to keep audiences hooked throughout the month.

    Kicking off on 6 October, Bigg Boss returns for its 18th season with Salman Khan as host, offering exclusive behind-the-scenes content on JioCinema. Additionally, Bigg Boss Kannada 11 will stream simultaneously on the platform, complete with interactive features for viewers.

    For fans of international dramas, Suits premieres in Hindi on 11 October, bringing the excitement of legal battles at a fictional New York law firm to a wider audience. On 19 October, get ready for the latest season of Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas. The highly anticipated Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, hits the platform on 23 October. Meanwhile, The Penguin, starring Colin Farrell, continues to release weekly episodes every Monday.

    Bollywood premieres include Amar Prem Ki Prem Kahani on 4 October, featuring Aditya Seal and Sunny Sharma, and The Miranda Brothers, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Meezan Jaafri, which releases on 25 October. Both films promise to keep movie lovers entertained.

    For the younger audience, new episodes of Chikoo and Bunty arrive on 11 October, while a Motu Patlu mini-movie will stream on 21 October before its TV debut.

    Get ready to binge-watch this festive season with JioCinema Premium’s exciting content lineup.

  • Shark Tank India season four filming begins

    Shark Tank India season four filming begins

    Mumbai: After three game-changing seasons, Shark Tank India is back with an all-new season. This season is once again set to showcase innovative ideas and deals that could influence the future of start-ups in India.

    The shooting of the first episode has kicked off with a lineup of impressive sharks: People Group, founder and CEO Anupam Mittal; boAt Lifestyle, co-founder and CMO Aman Gupta; Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, executive director Namita Thapar; Lenskart, co-founder and CEO Peyush Bansal; and OYO, founder and group CEO Ritesh Agarwal. As the season unfolds, audiences can look forward to the addition of new sharks to the panel, bringing their dynamic energy and entrepreneurial expertise to the mix.

     

     

    This season promises an exciting twist with the dynamic duo of comedian Ashish Solanki and Sahiba Bali taking the role as hosts, ready to bring their unique flair to the show.

    Since its debut, Shark Tank India has encouraged countless Indians to present their entrepreneurial dreams. This year’s campaign, “Sirf Dream Job Nahi, Apne Dream Idea Ke Peeche Bhaagega India,” will showcase passionate entrepreneurs and dreamers pitching their best to turn their aspirations into reality.

    Stay tuned for updates on Shark Tank India 4, coming soon to Sony LIV.

  • Red Bull expands partnership with JioTV

    Red Bull expands partnership with JioTV

    Mumbai: Red Bull India is excited to announce a dynamic partnership with JioTV, one of India’s leading OTT platforms, for the highly anticipated global street dance competition; Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals. This collaboration marks a significant milestone, bringing the world of premier street dance to a broader audience across India, available to stream live exclusively on JioTV.

    As part of this exciting collaboration, Red Bull TV is now accessible to JioTV users through both the JioTV mobile app and JioTV+ on connected TVs via JioFiber and JioAirFiber. In a groundbreaking move, JioTV will open its platform to all smartphone users, enabling access to Red Bull TV without the need for a Jio SIM, making exclusive Red Bull content more accessible than ever before. As anticipation builds for the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals, the event will stream live, delivering high-energy dance battles straight to smartphones and living rooms across India. This partnership is further enhanced by JioTV’s innovative features, typically seen only in live sports broadcasts, which will elevate the dance battle experience to unprecedented heights.

    . MultiCam Fun: Switch between multiple camera angles to catch every move from different perspectives.

    .  360° Viewing: Immerse yourself in the event with a full 360-degree view, experiencing every beat and rhythm from all corners of the venue.

    .  Ultra View: Enjoy uninterrupted, full-screen vertical dance action in stunning high-definition quality.

    .  Key Moments: Relive the best dance moments with instant replays of key battles and flawless moves.

    .  Engage With Emojis & Stickers: Interact with live updates and express real-time reactions using fun stickers and emojis.

    .  Vote Live: Cast a vote for your favourite dancer and watch the results live on-screen.

    This event marks the fourth major collaboration between Red Bull and JioTV, following previous partnerships for the Red Bull Showrun, Red Bull Soapbox Race and Red Bull BC One events in 2024. As Red Bull India continues to push boundaries in live entertainment, this partnership offers a new distribution platform for its creative initiatives, and many more are on the horizon.

    The Red Bull Dance Your Style World Finals will take place in Mumbai, India, on November 9, 2024, making it the first time the global competition has landed in the country. Dancers from across the world will compete for the title, including T and Saumya from Mumbai, representing India on the global stage. Their journey exemplifies the incredible talent thriving in the Indian dance community.

    Leading up to the World Finals, a full week of exciting events will celebrate the global dance scene, featuring workshops, panel talks, and performance showcases. Red Bull and JioTV’s collaboration is poised to set a new standard for dance entertainment in India.