ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Prime Video announces global streaming premiere of Kalki 2989 AD

    Prime Video announces global streaming premiere of Kalki 2989 AD

    Mumbai: Prime Video entertainment destination, announced 22 August 2024 as the global streaming premiere of the Telugu action-adventure blockbuster Kalki 2989 AD. Directed by the visionary Nag Ashwin, this cinematic spectacle is brought to life through stellar performances from an ensemble of distinguished actors, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. Produced by Priyanka Dutt, C. Aswani Dutt, and Swapna Dutt under the banner of Vyjayanthi Movies. After a record-breaking theatrical run, Kalki 2989 AD will stream on Prime Video in India and over 240 countries and territories on 22 August in its original language, Telugu, with dubs in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, and subtitles in English. Kalki 2989 AD marks the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just ₹1499/year.

    Set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2898 AD where nature has vanished and darkness prevails, this marks the first installment in the Kalki Cinematic Universe.

    “Kalki 2898 AD has captivated audiences with its immersive storytelling and visionary portrayal of a post-apocalyptic future. The film’s compelling narrative brought to life by stellar performances by its magnificent cast, and its evocative depiction of a dystopian world have struck deep chord with viewers as it witnessed monumental success at the box office,” said Manish Menghani, Director – Content Licensing, Prime Video India. “. Starting 22 Aug, we invite viewers worldwide to experience this meticulously crafted magnum opus mythological epic, in its original language Telugu and in dubs in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam on Prime Video. “

    Applauded for his powerful performance as Bhairava, a bounty hunter, Prabhas shares, “Working on Kalki 2898 AD with a visionary director like Naga and an exceptional cast has been truly exhilarating. The film not only pushes the boundaries of storytelling with its blend of mythology and futuristic elements but also delves deep into the complexities of human nature. Portraying Bhairava, a character driven by strength and conviction, has been incredibly rewarding. After all the love that Kalki 2898 AD has received from audiences in theaters, I cannot wait for its global premiere on Prime Video. I hope viewers will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.”

    Sharing his thoughts on the global streaming premiere C. Ashwani Dutt, producer of Kalki 2898 AD said, “Following a triumphant box office run and an overwhelming response from audiences of all ages, Vyjayanthi Movies couldn’t have asked for a more special way to celebrate its 50th year. Kalki 2898 AD will be streaming on Prime Video for a worldwide audience in its original language Telugu and with dubs in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. We are thrilled for viewers to experience the Kalki universe, with its impactful performances and a narrative that is both visually stunning and deeply gripping, leaving the audience eager for more.”

    Director Nag Ashwin said, “With Kalki 2898 AD I was keen to create a cinematic experience that breaks new ground, transcends traditional boundaries, and shares our cultural mythology on a global scale. The overwhelming success of the film at box offices worldwide is truly humbling. It signifies the universal appeal of films that are deeply rooted in Indian mythology. While it has received immense love in theaters, I am thrilled for Kalki 2898 AD to now stream on Prime Video, reaching an even larger audience worldwide.

    Kamal Haasan, portraying Supreme Yaskin in Kalki 2898 AD, reflects, “Being part of this grand cinematic endeavor has been both memorable and humbling. The film represents a significant leap forward for Indian cinema. It’s been a privilege to contribute to such an ambitious project, and I look forward to its streaming premiere on Prime Video, where it can captivate new audiences worldwide.”

     

     

  • Amazon miniTV hosts screening of Naam Namak Nishan in Mumbai

    Amazon miniTV hosts screening of Naam Namak Nishan in Mumbai

    Mumbai: In a night brimming with pride and emotion, Amazon miniTV, hosted an exclusive screening of its series Naam Namak Nishan in Mumbai last night. The event brought together the entire cast and crew, including Varun Sood, Danish Sood, Helly Shah, and Roshni Walia, offering a first look at the inspiring story that promises to stir the nation’s soul. The screening was a momentous occasion, filled with emotion and pride as the team witnessed their hard work brought to life on screen.

    As the lights dimmed and the screening began, the audience was taken on an emotional journey through the lives of cadets, their intense challenges and the emotional growth that defines the making of a soldier. In addition to the Mumbai event, a screening was held at the OTA, where parts of the series were filmed. The team was honoured to return to the academy to share the first episodes with the cadets and officers. This special screening, facilitated by Lieutenant General Michael AJ Fernandez, AVSM, VSM, commandant of OTA, offered an authentic glimpse into the lives of the cadets, connecting real-life cadets and officers with the series and amplifying its impact.

    As the nation celebrates Independence day, Naam Namak Nishan stands as a stirring tribute to the valour and bonds that define our armed forces. The series is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV.

  • ‘The Penguin’ to premiere on JioCinema Premium on 20 September

    ‘The Penguin’ to premiere on JioCinema Premium on 20 September

    Mumbai:  JioCinema Premium has announced the premiere of the upcoming HBO series, The Penguin, on 20 September. The eight-episode drama, from the world of DC Studios, continues the epic Batman crime saga initiated by filmmaker Matt Reeves in the global blockbuster – ‘The Batman’.

    The series dives deep into the psychology of Oz Cobb, portrayed by popular Irish actor Colin Farrell, as he embarks on a ruthless journey to become Gotham City’s new Kingpin and a formidable opponent of Batman.

     

     

    The Penguin will also be available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi on JioCinema Premium.

  • Nadiadwala Grandson & Banijay Asia team up for series and films

    Nadiadwala Grandson & Banijay Asia team up for series and films

    Mumbai: In a major development for the Indian entertainment industry, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE), led by the visionary filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, and Banijay Asia (part of Banijay Entertainment), the production powerhouse led by Deepak Dhar, have created a strategic collaboration to create original series and films as well as adaptations of popular international hits, to usher in a new era of premium content for Indian audiences.

    Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment founder Sajid Nadiadwala expressed his excitement saying, “At NGE, we have` always strived to deliver top-notch entertainment to the Indian audiences and partnering with Banijay Asia to create cutting edge content across genres and formats is a thrilling venture for us. Our vision has always been to push the boundaries of entertainment, and this partnership is a significant step towards achieving that goal. This is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with Banijay Asia, and we look forward to this creative synergy”.”

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India founder & Group CEO Deepak Dhar commented: “We are excited to partner with Sajid Nadiadwala, a visionary whose contributions to Indian cinema are unparalleled. He has given audiences hit franchises like Housefull, Baaghi, and Kick, as well as content-driven films like Chhichhore and Super 30. His dedication to filmmaking and his ability to connect with the Indian & global audiences makes this partnership an interesting one. This collaboration further reinforces our commitment to produce high-quality content that resonates with audiences across the globe. With Sajid’s creative vision and our expertise in content creation, we are poised to set new benchmarks in the world of entertainment”.”

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief development officer Mrinalini Jain said, “Partnering with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment offers a unique opportunity to blend our strengths in content development with Sajid Nadiadwala’s cinematic vision. His unparalleled expertise and creative vision are invaluable assets in this collaboration which represents a shared commitment to creativity, innovation, and storytelling excellence. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of entertainment by delivering compelling originals and adaptations that captivate audiences in India and worldwide”.” 

  • Prime Video unveils Angry Young Men trailer

    Prime Video unveils Angry Young Men trailer

    Mumbai: Prime Video unveiled an intriguing and emotion-packed trailer for its upcoming original docuseries, Angry Young Men. The three-part docuseries captures the personal and professional journey of the legendary writer-duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, more popularly known as Salim-Javed. In the 1970s, they revolutionized Indian cinema by reinventing the Bollywood formula, introducing ‘angry young man’ heroes in a romance-dominated industry, and making action dramas a beloved genre. Produced by Salman Khan Films, Excel Media & Entertainment, and Tiger Baby, Angry Young Men is executive produced by Salma Khan, Salman Khan, Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, and marks the directorial debut of Namrata Rao. Angry Young Men is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide on August 20. Angry Young Men is the latest addition to the Prime membership.

    The trailer of the docuseries presents an emotional and inspirational look at the extraordinary journey and enduring legacy of Salim-Javed. It immerses the audience in the rich Bollywood realm that they created, spotlighting their iconic characters and blockbusters such as Deewar, Don, Sholay, Trishul, and Dostana—films that have left an indelible imprint on Indian cinema. From their modest origins to becoming the first screenwriters to achieve stardom, it showcases rare archival footage, offering a nostalgic glimpse into their personal relationships, camaraderie, and creative brilliance through their unforgettable collaboration across 24 films. Heartfelt reflections from industry figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Helen, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan further highlight the significant impact Salim-Javed had on their careers.

    Salim Khan said, “I started my career in front of the camera but realized that my true strength lay in telling stories. That’s when I decided to focus on what came naturally to me – writing. I then met Javed who was equally passionate about writing, and together we did some fantastic work together, which I am very proud of. We had an excellent run and achieved great success, and also challenged industry norms along the way. It feels wonderful that our journey is being documented for future generations, and I hope they will be inspired to do their best and not be confined by society’s prescribed roles. I’m excited for audiences across the world to see our journey unfold on Prime Video.”

    Javed Akhtar shared, “I arrived in this city as a young man with no job, contacts, or money and often going to bed hungry; despite that, quitting never crossed my mind. What I always knew, however, was that my life story was something I would want to share with the world. The support we have received from our family, friends, and the industry in documenting our journey has been heartening and I would like to thank them all for their love. We’re delighted to share our story on Prime Video with a global audience, offering them a candid look into our journey from early struggles to achieving our dreams.”

    Angry Young Men director Namrata Rao shared her enthusiasm for her debut project, saying, “Directing this docuseries on Salim-Javed has been an amazing experience. Their story is so inspiring, full of twists & turns and it has been a great opportunity for me to start my journey as a director. Interacting with Salim and Javed saab has taught me so many things about film writing, about life and dealing with the odds an artist face. They are effortlessly candid, witty and vociferous storytellers. Their stories are filled with both deep insights and charming anecdotes. It’s also a journey into the larger-than-life cinema of the 70s. I’m excited for everyone to see the unfiltered story of these two legends on Prime Video in India and across 240 countries and territories on 20 August.”

  • Tata Play brings Star Plus’ iconic serials

    Tata Play brings Star Plus’ iconic serials

    Mumbai: Tata Play announced the launch of yet another sought-after offering – Tata Play Superhit Serials. Seeped in nostalgia, this new value-added service will bring back the shows of the 2000s for the subscribers. Powered by Star Plus, the service will feature the reruns of the channel’s most popular shows that touched the hearts of millions and still hold a strong cult following. The demand for such shows is considerable since they are no longer available on any TV channel.

    Tata Play Superhit Serials promises a captivating lineup of content that reigned supreme in that decade. Featuring strong-willed female protagonists and complex family dynamics, such as ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’, ‘Kasautii Zindagi Kay’, ‘Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan’, ‘Kaahin Kissii Roz’, as well as period dramas with rich collection of characters and stories like ‘Hatim’, ‘Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan’, and the must-watch romance drama ‘Navya’, the service will bring back the best of Star Plus shows from the 2000s.

    Commenting on the launch, Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri said, “Our research revealed a significant demand for beloved classic shows. With a sizeable audience reminiscing about iconic properties like Kasautii, Kahaani, etc., we recognised the need to revisit and curate these groundbreaking programs that till date enjoys a strong resonance in the minds of the viewers. We collaborated with Star Plus to revitalize these gems and bring their timeless appeal back to families in the form of Tata Play Superhit Serials.”

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with Tata Play to bring back some of Star Plus’ most beloved serials that have left an indelible mark on Indian television. This initiative goes beyond merely reviving classics; it’s about reigniting the excitement and anticipation among our viewers who cherish these timeless stories and characters,” said Disney Star head – distribution and International Gurjeev Singh Kapoor. “Audiences, across generations, can fully immerse themselves in these shows, which still resonate today, through a seamless, ad-free viewing experience. Our commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment that resonates with viewers and stands the test of time remains at the core of everything we do,” he added.

    The reruns will feature popular actors such as Sakshi Tanwar, Shweta Tiwari, Ronit Roy, Urvashi Dholakia, Cezanne Khan, Ali Asgar, Rupali Ganguli, Haussain Kuwajerwala, Juhi Parmar, Sudha Chandran, Hiten Tejwani, Kiku Sharda, Anita Hassanandani, Eijaz Khan, Iqbal Khan and many more. Iconic characters like Prerna, Parvati, Komolika, Mr. Bajaj, Anurag Basu will return to Indian homes through this special offering. Tata Play subscribers can access these shows ad-free for a nominal fee of Rs 2 per day.

    Tata Play serials join Tata Play’s range of over 45 entertainment and infotainment Platform Services suitable across age groups and providing content across genres like Entertainment, Kids, Learn, Regional, Devotion and much more. For more information, log onto Choose Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky) DTH Services in India | Tata Play

  • Brands of Tomorrow season two to premiere on 19 August on Disney + Hotstar

    Brands of Tomorrow season two to premiere on 19 August on Disney + Hotstar

    Mumbai: In a masterful display of narrative artistry, Advaita Innovation Labs (AIL-India) unveiled Brands of Tomorrow (BOT) last Independence Day, presenting a riveting docuseries that brought India’s most innovative and socially responsible brands to the forefront.

    Premiering on Disney+ Hotstar, this groundbreaking series redefined traditional storytelling by illuminating the vision and ventures of pioneering businesses. The inaugural season of Brands of Tomorrow featured the bold and inspiring stories of visionary startups such as Power Gummies, Nasher Miles, Chowman, Regrip, Zoff Spices, and Freakins.

    Building on its remarkable success and widespread acclaim on Disney+ Hotstar, Advaita Innovation Labs (AIL-India) is launching the second season of Brands of Tomorrow this Rakhi on 19 August on Disney+Hotstar.

    The forthcoming season promises to revolutionise the business and enterprise narrative landscape, blending cinematic excellence with compelling storytelling to showcase the dynamic fusion of innovation, purpose, and profitability that defines contemporary Indian entrepreneurship.

    Brands of Tomorrow founder Suchayan Mandal stated, “When we launched Brands of Tomorrow last year, we faced significant challenges convincing others of the importance of long-form content for founders. However, the overwhelming response we now see—evident in our overflowing inboxes and the strong turnout at our founder meetups—underscores the vital role of showcasing founders’ success stories in a cinematic narrative. Brands of Tomorrow is not just about data; it’s about humanising the stories of founders and inspiring India to believe in the power of entrepreneurial dreams.”

    In Brands of Tomorrow (BOT) – Season 2, they claim to have elevated their selection criteria compared to the previous season. Following the success of their debut, they report a significant increase in inquiries via social media and during the founders’ meetups (FOMO mixers) across tier one and tier two cities in India. They assert that it quickly became evident that limiting their episodes to six would no longer suffice due to the immense demand from brands and their founders. As a result, they expanded the roster to 14 episodes, each featuring a brand narrating its journey.

    Selecting the featured brands was challenging, as every brand that registered demonstrated maturity in revenue, products, and business impact. They refined their selection process by prioritising compelling stories and meaningful social impact. This season, they feature brands like Wow Momo, Fit & Flex’s zero-added-sugar cereals, the Virendra Sehwag-backed fintech startup GetePay, and Nilon’s, a 500-crore pickle brand. They assert that each of these brands has carved out a unique identity in the Indian market and made significant contributions to their respective categories through innovation.

    In the previous season, they achieved nearly 15 million views. This season, they are targeting 25 million views, driven by the social media influence of the selected brands, each of which commands a significant following and digital presence. They are confident that, considering the combined viewership of season one and season two, they will reach 50 million views. By the end of the year, with the launch of the next season, they anticipate this number to rise to 80 million. They claim that their audience distribution is balanced, with 58 per cnet from metropolitan areas and 42 per cent from smaller towns, and that their broad appeal spans demographics, particularly within the 25- to 45-year-old age group.

    Brands of Tomorrow show designer Sayantani Chakrabarty stated, “We are redefining how the stories of Indian founders are told. At a time when founders are emerging as India’s newest icons, various platforms—ranging from funding-focused reality shows to podcasts and social media videos—are striving to capture and share their inspiring journeys. With our show’s prestigious reach, it was imperative that we craft an approach that reflects the leadership values of these founders and resonates deeply with our audience. To achieve this, we employed the ‘rule of thirds’ in filming the interviews, a technique commonly used in global Netflix documentaries, to create a sense of awe and gravitas around featured founders. Our production is meticulously crafted to offer a cinematic experience, allowing viewers to engage with the content relaxed and immersively. The goal is to deliver a masterclass in entrepreneurship, offering genuine insights from India’s business legends through Brands of Tomorrow.”

    Advaita Innovation Labs claims to have developed intellectual properties like Brands of Tomorrow and Gods of Gourmet in collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar. Following the response to Brands of Tomorrow Seasons 1 and 2, AIL India is preparing for a third season. Additionally, they claim there is significant interest from SMEs, the backbone of India’s economy. This Diwali, they will debut Brands of Tomorrow: Rising Bharat—a series where SMEs will share their stories on Disney+ Hotstar.

    Among the 14 brands featured in season two, they highlight an 86-year-old grandfather who launched the hair oil brand Avimee from his apartment in Surat. Disillusioned with sugar-laden cereals, a marathon runner created Fit & Flex, a brand offering zero-added-sugar cereals. A former CMO at a media company left her career to start Koparo, a laundry detergent brand aimed at protecting her daughter. Inspired by the tragic loss of her sister to a brain illness, one woman founded Neuphony, a company that develops brain-wearable devices for monitoring brain health. Additionally, four friends established a 3,000 crore momo brand, and a second-generation entrepreneur expanded a pickle business to a 500 crore enterprise.

    Brands of Tomorrow is an IP they claim is crafted to elevate D2C brands by amplifying their operations and market presence across India. The show’s concept centers on sharing these brands’ narratives through their founders’ voices, fostering strong brand recall and recognition. Leveraging Hotstar’s precision targeting technology, they assert that they effectively reach the ideal audience, a feature highly valued by the participating founders. Additionally, they are planning to launch regional editions of Brands of Tomorrow, tailored to resonate with diverse linguistic and cultural segments across the country.

    AIL India is also developing several new IPs to launch later this year, including Brands of Tomorrow Season 3 and Brands of Tomorrow: Rising Bharat.

  • Revenues up 11 per cent in 1H 2024 for Southeast Asia’s premium VOD sector

    Revenues up 11 per cent in 1H 2024 for Southeast Asia’s premium VOD sector

    Mumbai: The premium video-on-demand (VOD) landscape in Southeast Asia continues to grow revenues at a double-digit pace with viewership relatively robust, as revealed by the latest analysis conducted by ampd, the digital measurement platform owned and operated by Media Partners Asia (MPA).

    Southeast Asia’s premium VOD category generated more than 230 billion minutes in viewership over 1H 2024, up four per cent Y/Y, driven by growth in the Philippines and Indonesia. Category revenues, including subscription fees and advertising sales, grew 11 per cent Y/Y to US$895 million with gains across the region’s five main markets, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. Indonesia continues to retain the first position in terms of revenues. The region added one million net new SVOD subscriptions over 1H 2024 to reach 48.8 million, representing Y/Y growth of 5 per cent. Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia led customer growth.

    MPA executive director Vivek Couto said: “While price increases have moderated customer growth, growing penetration beyond the major urban centers in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand remains a major opportunity as premium sports, local, Asian and US content moves online. Korean, US, Chinese & Japanese content captured 80 per cent of premium VOD viewership in Southeast Asia in 1H 2024. While Korean content remains the major driver, Chinese dramas are increasing freemium viewership. US content remains the leading acquisition funnel across global services. Local content maintains strong reach, with acquisition impact.”

    Netflix and Viu both grew revenues at a significant double-digit pace in 1H 2024. Netflix’s share of category viewership reached 50 per cent in 1H 2024 overall, dominating viewership in Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore but facing strong local competition and more complex category dynamics in Indonesia and Thailand. Netflix’s category revenue share, including ads, reached 40 per cent in 1H 2024. Viu had 10 per cent viewership and category revenue share in 1H 2024. In spite of shedding subs, Disney+ revenues continue to grow as the service focuses on a higher ARPU customer funnel. WeTV retained a robust category engagement share in SEA at eight per cent in 1H 2024. Amongst local players, Vidio leads in Indonesia with 20 per cent category revenue share in 1H 2024 and 17 per cent viewership share, driven by heartland local dramas and sports. Thailand’s True ID led Thailand with 27 per cent premium VOD category viewership share though it remains second to Netflix in revenue share.

    Premium VOD viewership in Southeast Asia (1H 2024)

    Source: ampd

  • Amazon miniTV unveils Yeh Meri Family season four trailer

    Amazon miniTV unveils Yeh Meri Family season four trailer

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV has unveiled the official trailer for the much awaited fourth season of Yeh Meri Family, powered by Mamaearth. Premiering on 16 August, the brand-new season will transport us back to the nostalgic 90s, a time of innocent joys, heartfelt connections, and unbreakable family bonds. Set in the monsoon of 1995, season four continues to explore the everyday adventures of the Awasthi family, while capturing the playful and heartfelt relationship between siblings Rishi and Ritika. Produced by TVF, the new season marks the return of the fan-favourite cast, including Hetal Gada, Anngad Raaj, Rajesh Kumar, and Juhi Parmar in their beloved roles.

    The trailer provides a preview of the new season, highlighting family togetherness alongside various challenges, including Rishi’s antics and Ritika’s teenage struggles. It features nostalgic scenes such as dancing in the rain and making paper boats, reflecting the simple pleasures of childhood. Season four emphasizes the bond between Rishi and Ritika through their playful pranks and strong connection, showing how their relationship endures through various situations. The new season, with its focus on family moments, pays tribute to the 90s and reconnects viewers with childhood memories.

    Expressing her delight of returning in the fourth season, Juhi Parmar shared, “Neerja has been loved so much and I feel so grateful that I have had a character that takes us down nostalgia lanes as my debut to OTT.  People have loved the simplicity of Neerja and as strict as she is on the outside, there’s a softness to her which every mother and woman in our country can relate to.  I’m glad that with Yeh Meri Family we are being able to reconnect with our audience on the simple joys of life that used to exist once upon a time and I’m looking forward to all of us entertaining our audience again with another season full of lots of ups and downs, laughter, emotions and so much more.”

    Amazon miniTV head of content Amogh Dusad shared, “Yeh Meri Family has gone on to become an integral part of our content offering and we’re proud to present the fourth season on Amazon miniTV. The authentic portrayal of the 90s family life is endearing and relatable for audiences across India. This season promises to be a delightful continuation of the beloved series, and we can’t wait for our audience to experience the magic of the 90s, once again with the Awasthis.”

    “Yeh Meri Family continues to capture the heart of what it means to be part of a family, with its authentic portrayal of love, laughter, and life’s simple moments. Season 4, set in the nostalgic monsoon of the 90s, delves deeper into these timeless connections and celebrations, bringing back cherished memories for our viewers. We are excited to partner with Amazon miniTV to share these touching stories and offer a heartfelt tribute to the era that shaped so many of our lives,” added TVF president Vijay Koshy.

  • Nippon TV secures their first format deals in Malaysia

    Nippon TV secures their first format deals in Malaysia

    Mumbai: Japan’s multiplatform entertainment powerhouse – Nippon TV has announced that they have finalised a deal with Astro, Malaysia’s content and entertainment company which has acquired the rights to Nippon TV’s award-winning scripted formats Love’s In Sight! (60 min. eps.) and Homeroom (60 min. eps.). Juita Viden, one of Malaysia’s largest independent distributors of local and international content, brokered the Malaysian adaptation deal for both formats. Astro is set to air the Malay-language version of Love’s In Sight! (Dari Mata Turun ke Hati in Malaysia) starting 12 August and Homeroom (Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi in Malaysia) to follow. The announcement has been made by Nippon TV’s format licensing and content business – Sally Yamamoto.

    Astro vice president of Malay, international, kids & on-demand Azlin Reza Azmi said, “We are very excited to partner with Nippon TV to bring two award-winning Japanese scripted series to our Malaysian audience. Astro is constantly looking to create content based on rich characters and stories to exceed our customers’ growing expectations of compelling storytelling at high production values. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing high-quality entertainment to our customers. The upcoming series, Dari Mata Turun ke Hati and Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi are adaptations of the hit series and will retain the core elements that have made them successful in Japan, with a local twist to resonate with our Malaysian audience. With the localization of these series featuring fresh and prominent local talents, we aim to keep our customers engaged with more ways to watch celebrated worldwide series through relevant local context, expressions, and creativity.”

    “We are delighted to be announcing two first-time format deals in Malaysia for Love’s In Sight! as well as Homeroom, thanks to the enthusiasm of our partners in Malaysia, Astro – which have shared our passion for these exciting adaptations,” commented Yamamoto. “Love’s In Sight!, based on a hit manga, vividly depicts the lives of social minorities and is full of love, laughter, and emotional moments. Homeroom, already adapted in Turkey and Thailand, is set to provoke thoughtful discussions among the Malaysian audience. With Mother now adapted in eight countries, Nippon TV will keep committing to share unique stories to the global content landscape.”