ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Arre to launch new series ‘A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend’

    Arre to launch new series ‘A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend’

    MUMBAI: Arre, the digital media brand co-founded by Ronnie Screwvala, B. Saikumar and Ajay Chacko will premiere a new sci-fi thriller series titled A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend. The platform has associated with Gillette Flexball for the series which will release on 9 April 2016.

    The web series is the story of a relationship between a man and woman…only, the woman is the first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence Simulated Humanoid Assistant (A.I.SHA), created by the show’s protagonist, Sam.

    Tech geek and coder Sameer Luthra (Sam) is frustrated with life and his soul-sucking boss (Sid, played by Raghu Ram). A.I.SHA, his secret project, is what keeps him going. A.I.SHA is the best thing that ever happened to Sam. A.I.SHA is beautiful, A.I.SHA is smart. A.I.SHA is also crazy. Can A.I.SHA redeem or ruin Sam’s life? Do we truly understand the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What if AI was to become self-aware? Is it man and machine or man versus machine?

    Produced by Raghu Ram and Rajiv Laxman through their first production venture, Monozygotic, Ram will also be seen playing a pivotal role in the show. “I’m very excited to step into creating fiction for the first time in my career with A.I.SHA. With the arrival of a new-age digital media destination like Arré, there is a scope for telling fresh, new, and edgy stories for young people that’ll never be told on TV. I hope the new viewers like what we’ve worked so hard to create,” said Ram.

    Commenting on the association and the initiative, Gillette India country marketing manager Karthik Srivatsan said, “Gillette is extremely proud to collaborate with Arré in launching, A.I.SHA, India’s first digital sci-fi thriller web series. The partnership resonates the core belief at the heart of Arré and Gillette. While Gillette’s core philosophy has always been to innovate, to serve evolving consumer needs, Arré has come up with this modern-age content destination in line with evolving viewership patterns. While, with the recent launch of Gillette FlexBall, Gillette has rebuilt the modern man’s shaving with the revolutionary FlexBall technology that has been specifically engineered to provide a three dimensional motion for the ultimate shaving experience, A.I.SHA is the first-of-its-kind clutter-breaking online series, which we are sure will keep the audience glued.”

    To bring technical authenticity, the series has also partnered with Palo Alto Networks, the next-generation security company,as the cyber security advisers and Dell as the technology partner.

    Watch the trailer of the web series:

    A.I.SHA #MyVirtualGirlfriend Trailer | An Arre Original Web Se…

    Sam is a 26-year-old app developer, a loner and a loser, until he creates the most beautiful app of his life. His revenge on his bullying boss, Sid, is his magnum opus – A.I.SHA. But all is not perfect with his perfect creation. What happens when the app gets a mind of her own? Sam can run, but can he hide from his Virtual Girlfriend? #MyVirtualGirlfriend

    Posted by Arre on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

  • Arre to launch new series ‘A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend’

    Arre to launch new series ‘A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend’

    MUMBAI: Arre, the digital media brand co-founded by Ronnie Screwvala, B. Saikumar and Ajay Chacko will premiere a new sci-fi thriller series titled A.I.SHA – My Virtual Girlfriend. The platform has associated with Gillette Flexball for the series which will release on 9 April 2016.

    The web series is the story of a relationship between a man and woman…only, the woman is the first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence Simulated Humanoid Assistant (A.I.SHA), created by the show’s protagonist, Sam.

    Tech geek and coder Sameer Luthra (Sam) is frustrated with life and his soul-sucking boss (Sid, played by Raghu Ram). A.I.SHA, his secret project, is what keeps him going. A.I.SHA is the best thing that ever happened to Sam. A.I.SHA is beautiful, A.I.SHA is smart. A.I.SHA is also crazy. Can A.I.SHA redeem or ruin Sam’s life? Do we truly understand the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? What if AI was to become self-aware? Is it man and machine or man versus machine?

    Produced by Raghu Ram and Rajiv Laxman through their first production venture, Monozygotic, Ram will also be seen playing a pivotal role in the show. “I’m very excited to step into creating fiction for the first time in my career with A.I.SHA. With the arrival of a new-age digital media destination like Arré, there is a scope for telling fresh, new, and edgy stories for young people that’ll never be told on TV. I hope the new viewers like what we’ve worked so hard to create,” said Ram.

    Commenting on the association and the initiative, Gillette India country marketing manager Karthik Srivatsan said, “Gillette is extremely proud to collaborate with Arré in launching, A.I.SHA, India’s first digital sci-fi thriller web series. The partnership resonates the core belief at the heart of Arré and Gillette. While Gillette’s core philosophy has always been to innovate, to serve evolving consumer needs, Arré has come up with this modern-age content destination in line with evolving viewership patterns. While, with the recent launch of Gillette FlexBall, Gillette has rebuilt the modern man’s shaving with the revolutionary FlexBall technology that has been specifically engineered to provide a three dimensional motion for the ultimate shaving experience, A.I.SHA is the first-of-its-kind clutter-breaking online series, which we are sure will keep the audience glued.”

    To bring technical authenticity, the series has also partnered with Palo Alto Networks, the next-generation security company,as the cyber security advisers and Dell as the technology partner.

    Watch the trailer of the web series:

    A.I.SHA #MyVirtualGirlfriend Trailer | An Arre Original Web Se…

    Sam is a 26-year-old app developer, a loner and a loser, until he creates the most beautiful app of his life. His revenge on his bullying boss, Sid, is his magnum opus – A.I.SHA. But all is not perfect with his perfect creation. What happens when the app gets a mind of her own? Sam can run, but can he hide from his Virtual Girlfriend? #MyVirtualGirlfriend

    Posted by Arre on Tuesday, April 5, 2016

  • nexGTv goes live across the world

    nexGTv goes live across the world

    MUMBAI: The flagship offering from Digivive Services, nexGTv launched the next phase of its growth by announcing its global availability from today. nexGTv – which has hitherto been India-centric in scope and business, aims to take its Live TV content offering of more than 150 channels, together with 1,000 plus movies as well as a huge inventory of VOD and television shows to attract large clusters of the global Indian diaspora onto its freemium platform.

    In the first phase, nexGTv has already secured the requisite digital rights to screen content beyond Indian borders for more than 11,500 hours of programming from close to 20,000 hours of programming it hosts on the platform. Given the large swathes of Hindi, English and Tamil-speaking communities abroad, nexGTv will focus initially to ensure that content in these three languages is made available on both its Web and App platforms.

    Aside from the aggregated content, nexGTv will also utilize this opportunity to globally showcase India’s very first mobi-series and nexGTv’s premier Original series – It’s My City.

    It’s My City is a 14-episode bi-weekly series starring Priyanka Chopra that highlights the lives and challenges of four girls in a city far from home, premiered recently on nexGTv.
    Speaking on the occasion, nexGTv COO Abhesh Verma said, “We’re delighted to go live across the world! Having earned our spurs in the Indian market over the last five years fine-tuning our product, content catalogue and consumer understanding, we’re confident that we’re ready for our global consumers. Our endeavour is to deliver the best product and streaming experience to our audiences across the globe. We’re confident that our mix of aggregated content including Live TV, VOD as well as original premium programming will resonate very well with our audiences.”

    He further added, “nexGTv will be currently targeting its expansion in more than 140 countries through the global billing on its Android app and will be looking to expand its global footprint in tandem with Google Play store. Markets with significant Indian diaspora will be our priority in order to establish a strong foothold. The vast variety and multiple genres of content on our platform comprising devotional, fitness, comedy, kids, infotainment, entertainment, news, movies and music will act as a strong magnet for our international users.”

     

  • nexGTv goes live across the world

    nexGTv goes live across the world

    MUMBAI: The flagship offering from Digivive Services, nexGTv launched the next phase of its growth by announcing its global availability from today. nexGTv – which has hitherto been India-centric in scope and business, aims to take its Live TV content offering of more than 150 channels, together with 1,000 plus movies as well as a huge inventory of VOD and television shows to attract large clusters of the global Indian diaspora onto its freemium platform.

    In the first phase, nexGTv has already secured the requisite digital rights to screen content beyond Indian borders for more than 11,500 hours of programming from close to 20,000 hours of programming it hosts on the platform. Given the large swathes of Hindi, English and Tamil-speaking communities abroad, nexGTv will focus initially to ensure that content in these three languages is made available on both its Web and App platforms.

    Aside from the aggregated content, nexGTv will also utilize this opportunity to globally showcase India’s very first mobi-series and nexGTv’s premier Original series – It’s My City.

    It’s My City is a 14-episode bi-weekly series starring Priyanka Chopra that highlights the lives and challenges of four girls in a city far from home, premiered recently on nexGTv.
    Speaking on the occasion, nexGTv COO Abhesh Verma said, “We’re delighted to go live across the world! Having earned our spurs in the Indian market over the last five years fine-tuning our product, content catalogue and consumer understanding, we’re confident that we’re ready for our global consumers. Our endeavour is to deliver the best product and streaming experience to our audiences across the globe. We’re confident that our mix of aggregated content including Live TV, VOD as well as original premium programming will resonate very well with our audiences.”

    He further added, “nexGTv will be currently targeting its expansion in more than 140 countries through the global billing on its Android app and will be looking to expand its global footprint in tandem with Google Play store. Markets with significant Indian diaspora will be our priority in order to establish a strong foothold. The vast variety and multiple genres of content on our platform comprising devotional, fitness, comedy, kids, infotainment, entertainment, news, movies and music will act as a strong magnet for our international users.”

     

  • Viacom18 launches its AVOD platform VOOT; to move its entire content library

    Viacom18 launches its AVOD platform VOOT; to move its entire content library

    MUMBAI: Finally setting to rest about when it would launch its OTT platform, Viacom18 launched its digital VOD platform VOOT. VOOT will be an advertising led VOD platform and will be available for free on iOS, Android and web.

    In a major move aimed at curating the largest repository of kids’ characters in the Indian OTT space, VOOT will house popular characters from across networks – from Nick characters like Dora, Spongebob, Motu Patlu to external popular characters like Chhota Bheem and Pokemon. In what it claims to be another first for an Indian OTT player, VOOT has launched with the largest repository of original content. VOOT Originals will roll out shows in both long and short formats across genres like comedy and drama. Bollywood actors Gulshan Grover, Baba Sehgal, Alok Nath and a host of celebrity scriptwriters and directors will be front-lining these shows. Furthermore, Viacom18 will move its entire content library, including COLORS, MTV and Nick, to be digitally available only on VOOT.

    Commenting on the launch, Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “India is at the cusp of a digital boom with over 400 million (20 crore) internet users and 200 million plus (20 crore plus)smart phone users spending significant amount of time online with entertainment and allied content being the prime driver. As more people move towards consuming content online, it is time for Viacom18 to move into the world of connected screens. Hence VOOT.”

    VOOT’s target audience strategy is in line with Viacom18’s larger strategy – it is a one stop destination for tots to adults. And this is where VOOT brings its unique proposition. Explaining further, Vats added, “With Kids’ content and our entire VOOT Originals line-up, the focus was to get people addicted to happiness. Through our content strategy, that is what we have held true. Our television channels also provide a very robust content bank that we will build upon, for the digital consumers. VOOT will be Viacom18’s singular gateway to quality and differentiated content, in the digital medium.”

    Echoing his CEO’s enthusiasm, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi explained further, “As a network we are a content powerhouse, be it through our television channels or through our film studio. Our content strategy for VOOT is true to Viacom18’s philosophy of inclusive entertainment. Between VOOT Originals, VOOT Kids, our network content and content-around-content created exclusively for the platform, the idea is to peddle happiness to the ‘always wanting’ India, racing to go digital. Our marketing campaign, set to kick off in the next few days, also highlights this brand philosophy that is at the core of VOOT. ”

    With digital advertising led video-on-demand category set to develop into a $1 billion business opportunity, Viacom18 has lined up an aggressive mix of business, content and marketing strategies. “From a business standpoint, we are following the advertising led VOD model. As the market matures in the next 12-24 months, we will be evaluating both freemium and subscription led models,” explained Gandhi.

    The VOOT bouquet of offerings will include fresh, new content mix, keeping in mind the varied demands of the consumer base. VOOT has planned six originals through its launch phase, and is all set to introduce India’s first mockumentary – Badman. Written and directed by Soumik Sen and co-written by stand-up comedian Anubhav Pal; this 4-part film has Gulshan Grover playing himself. Soadies, a comic spin off of the ever popular Roadies, was also unveiled at the launch. With Baba Sehgal in the lead role, the web sit-com produced by Frames has all his trademark antics to laugh your guts out.

    Comedy rules the roost on VOOT. With a web series ‘Chinese Bhassad’ written by Raahil Qaazi (Co-writer of Do Dooni Chaar) and directed and produced by Saurabh Tewari and a talk show with a ‘twist; called’Sinskari’ starring Alok Nath and produced by Monozygotic is all set to keep you in splits this April!

    In the ‘Content around content’ category, there will be specially curated and platform exclusive shows, exploring never before seen footage and storylines to get you hooked. Rounding up the VOOT content mix, will be all of Viacom18’s channels’ shows. The OTT platform will offer a personalised experience and intuitive product features to engage the always on generation. With VOOT Viacom18 continues to enrich the lives of every Indian with something for everyone.

  • Viacom18 launches its AVOD platform VOOT; to move its entire content library

    Viacom18 launches its AVOD platform VOOT; to move its entire content library

    MUMBAI: Finally setting to rest about when it would launch its OTT platform, Viacom18 launched its digital VOD platform VOOT. VOOT will be an advertising led VOD platform and will be available for free on iOS, Android and web.

    In a major move aimed at curating the largest repository of kids’ characters in the Indian OTT space, VOOT will house popular characters from across networks – from Nick characters like Dora, Spongebob, Motu Patlu to external popular characters like Chhota Bheem and Pokemon. In what it claims to be another first for an Indian OTT player, VOOT has launched with the largest repository of original content. VOOT Originals will roll out shows in both long and short formats across genres like comedy and drama. Bollywood actors Gulshan Grover, Baba Sehgal, Alok Nath and a host of celebrity scriptwriters and directors will be front-lining these shows. Furthermore, Viacom18 will move its entire content library, including COLORS, MTV and Nick, to be digitally available only on VOOT.

    Commenting on the launch, Viacom18 group CEO Sudhanshu Vats said, “India is at the cusp of a digital boom with over 400 million (20 crore) internet users and 200 million plus (20 crore plus)smart phone users spending significant amount of time online with entertainment and allied content being the prime driver. As more people move towards consuming content online, it is time for Viacom18 to move into the world of connected screens. Hence VOOT.”

    VOOT’s target audience strategy is in line with Viacom18’s larger strategy – it is a one stop destination for tots to adults. And this is where VOOT brings its unique proposition. Explaining further, Vats added, “With Kids’ content and our entire VOOT Originals line-up, the focus was to get people addicted to happiness. Through our content strategy, that is what we have held true. Our television channels also provide a very robust content bank that we will build upon, for the digital consumers. VOOT will be Viacom18’s singular gateway to quality and differentiated content, in the digital medium.”

    Echoing his CEO’s enthusiasm, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi explained further, “As a network we are a content powerhouse, be it through our television channels or through our film studio. Our content strategy for VOOT is true to Viacom18’s philosophy of inclusive entertainment. Between VOOT Originals, VOOT Kids, our network content and content-around-content created exclusively for the platform, the idea is to peddle happiness to the ‘always wanting’ India, racing to go digital. Our marketing campaign, set to kick off in the next few days, also highlights this brand philosophy that is at the core of VOOT. ”

    With digital advertising led video-on-demand category set to develop into a $1 billion business opportunity, Viacom18 has lined up an aggressive mix of business, content and marketing strategies. “From a business standpoint, we are following the advertising led VOD model. As the market matures in the next 12-24 months, we will be evaluating both freemium and subscription led models,” explained Gandhi.

    The VOOT bouquet of offerings will include fresh, new content mix, keeping in mind the varied demands of the consumer base. VOOT has planned six originals through its launch phase, and is all set to introduce India’s first mockumentary – Badman. Written and directed by Soumik Sen and co-written by stand-up comedian Anubhav Pal; this 4-part film has Gulshan Grover playing himself. Soadies, a comic spin off of the ever popular Roadies, was also unveiled at the launch. With Baba Sehgal in the lead role, the web sit-com produced by Frames has all his trademark antics to laugh your guts out.

    Comedy rules the roost on VOOT. With a web series ‘Chinese Bhassad’ written by Raahil Qaazi (Co-writer of Do Dooni Chaar) and directed and produced by Saurabh Tewari and a talk show with a ‘twist; called’Sinskari’ starring Alok Nath and produced by Monozygotic is all set to keep you in splits this April!

    In the ‘Content around content’ category, there will be specially curated and platform exclusive shows, exploring never before seen footage and storylines to get you hooked. Rounding up the VOOT content mix, will be all of Viacom18’s channels’ shows. The OTT platform will offer a personalised experience and intuitive product features to engage the always on generation. With VOOT Viacom18 continues to enrich the lives of every Indian with something for everyone.

  • VOOT plans to launch separate app for kids

    VOOT plans to launch separate app for kids

    MUMBAI: Viacom 18’s latest offering, its OTT arm VOOT, is banking heavily on the network’s rich kids content. Not only that, it plans to go beyond the network’s flagship shows like Motu Patlu and Shiva, and acquire kids content from an array of producers, small and large.

    The OTT player has already acquired digital rights to internationally acclaimed properties like Pokémon and Chhota Bheem for the platform that went live yesterday.

    “The idea is to bring together the top character shows under one digital platform to make the most of this booming market for kids content online with the aim being a market leader in the domain,” said Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi.

    When quizzed about the possibility of VOOT launching a separate app for kids, Gandhi shared that they are considering it ‘within a year’s’ time. Currently the OTT platform has a separate section for kids’ content within the same app.

     

  • VOOT plans to launch separate app for kids

    VOOT plans to launch separate app for kids

    MUMBAI: Viacom 18’s latest offering, its OTT arm VOOT, is banking heavily on the network’s rich kids content. Not only that, it plans to go beyond the network’s flagship shows like Motu Patlu and Shiva, and acquire kids content from an array of producers, small and large.

    The OTT player has already acquired digital rights to internationally acclaimed properties like Pokémon and Chhota Bheem for the platform that went live yesterday.

    “The idea is to bring together the top character shows under one digital platform to make the most of this booming market for kids content online with the aim being a market leader in the domain,” said Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gaurav Gandhi.

    When quizzed about the possibility of VOOT launching a separate app for kids, Gandhi shared that they are considering it ‘within a year’s’ time. Currently the OTT platform has a separate section for kids’ content within the same app.

     

  • Hotstar.com’s Ajit Mohan targets 100 million digital viewers this IPL

    Hotstar.com’s Ajit Mohan targets 100 million digital viewers this IPL

    MUMBAI: Star India has long presented itself as undisputed disruptor when it comes to the Indian media and entertainment industry. The disruption wave does not look like settling down any too soon. Star India digital head and president Ajit Mohan is now chasing history: something that The Facebook achieved in early 2015 and India’s largest telco Airtel got to in 2009.

    “Our objective is to reach out to 100 million users this IPL for our digital streaming services,” says Mohan with a smile on his face.

    Star India started the online streaming of cash rich Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2014. The matches were streamed on Starsports.com and as per Mohan’s analysis over 21 million people logged on to watch the action on their hand held devices.

    A year later, Star India invested a whopping Rs 302.02 crore to outbid then Multi Screen Media or MSM (now Sony pictures Networks or SPN) and Times Internet (TI) bid to acquire the streaming rights for three more years.

     “The reach doubled and we got to over 42 million viewers. Not only that we also witnessed a significant traction when it came to time spent watching,” discloses Mohan.   

    Complementing Star’s unfettered digital disruption is the improving bandwidth condition in India. The affluent metro youth who are considered to be the biggest spenders and are always engaged with their hand held smart devices. It is these mobile natives that Hotstar is targeting this year.

    “The audience we cater to is what makes Hotstar an attractive platform for advertisers. The response we got so far for IPL is overwhelming and we are extremely happy with it. We are selling as per slots exactly how it happens on television,” avers Mohan.

    The digital innovation of Murdoch’s media conglomerate has roped in nine brands so far. Flipkart, Volini, Raymond, Axe have come on board as sponsors, while the other large advertisers include Lloyd, Hindware, Hero Fincorp, Airtel and Amazon.

    “The metro is either working or returning back by the time IPL matches start and hence the streaming service is the go-to for cricket lovers. Moreover, with 3G getting better and 4G coming in, the infrastructure is also looking good so the streaming service is becoming more useful,” explains Madhouse COO Milind Pathak.

    The growth of Hotstar continues unabated as per Mohan, especially its reach. It was at just two per cent of TV a year back. Today, Mohan, says it has multiplied manifold. “Hotstar has already reached 40 to 45 per cent of television audiences,” he points out. “I believe more than compete with TV, what we are doing is adding another screen and forming a consumer habit which is a great benefit for the industry.”

    The leapfrogging numbers are not only because of the sacks full of dollars being spent on content, but also on account of an aggressive marketing overdrive. Captain of the Indian cricket team M S Dhoni promotes the platform. And for IPL the media house signed on with ad creative power house Lowe Lintas to unleash a cutting edge campaign.

    “With our analysis we found out that affluent male youth in metros are the ones who spend most of the time on their mobile phones and our creative is targeted at them. Also there is a perception that Indian youth are selfish and stay by themselves which is not totally true and that’s why it has the tagline Screen Chota hai magar Dil bada,” says Mohan.   

    The promotional spots focuses on youth and their connection with community. It shows that although they are always in their own world, but whenever needed they become an active part of the society.

    Last year Starsports.com streamed the matches along with Hotstar, “This year also we will continue to stream the action on both the platforms. The rights that we have are for a five minute delayed stream; an addition that we have this year is the fact that both Hindi and English commentary will be available for audiences to enjoy,” reveals Mohan.

    Digital is still perceived as an ancillary consumption medium, mainly for snacking and for small pieces of content, not long form.  Mohan believes Hotstar is paving many a pioneering path. “We broke all such myths, we proved the perception wrong,” he says with a wide grin. “One more wrong notion that we tore apart was that India was not ready for a premium OTT platform. With the time spent on OTT that we witnessed in the past and the way it is increasing now, I must say that the platform is only going to get bigger.”

  • Hotstar.com’s Ajit Mohan targets 100 million digital viewers this IPL

    Hotstar.com’s Ajit Mohan targets 100 million digital viewers this IPL

    MUMBAI: Star India has long presented itself as undisputed disruptor when it comes to the Indian media and entertainment industry. The disruption wave does not look like settling down any too soon. Star India digital head and president Ajit Mohan is now chasing history: something that The Facebook achieved in early 2015 and India’s largest telco Airtel got to in 2009.

    “Our objective is to reach out to 100 million users this IPL for our digital streaming services,” says Mohan with a smile on his face.

    Star India started the online streaming of cash rich Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2014. The matches were streamed on Starsports.com and as per Mohan’s analysis over 21 million people logged on to watch the action on their hand held devices.

    A year later, Star India invested a whopping Rs 302.02 crore to outbid then Multi Screen Media or MSM (now Sony pictures Networks or SPN) and Times Internet (TI) bid to acquire the streaming rights for three more years.

     “The reach doubled and we got to over 42 million viewers. Not only that we also witnessed a significant traction when it came to time spent watching,” discloses Mohan.   

    Complementing Star’s unfettered digital disruption is the improving bandwidth condition in India. The affluent metro youth who are considered to be the biggest spenders and are always engaged with their hand held smart devices. It is these mobile natives that Hotstar is targeting this year.

    “The audience we cater to is what makes Hotstar an attractive platform for advertisers. The response we got so far for IPL is overwhelming and we are extremely happy with it. We are selling as per slots exactly how it happens on television,” avers Mohan.

    The digital innovation of Murdoch’s media conglomerate has roped in nine brands so far. Flipkart, Volini, Raymond, Axe have come on board as sponsors, while the other large advertisers include Lloyd, Hindware, Hero Fincorp, Airtel and Amazon.

    “The metro is either working or returning back by the time IPL matches start and hence the streaming service is the go-to for cricket lovers. Moreover, with 3G getting better and 4G coming in, the infrastructure is also looking good so the streaming service is becoming more useful,” explains Madhouse COO Milind Pathak.

    The growth of Hotstar continues unabated as per Mohan, especially its reach. It was at just two per cent of TV a year back. Today, Mohan, says it has multiplied manifold. “Hotstar has already reached 40 to 45 per cent of television audiences,” he points out. “I believe more than compete with TV, what we are doing is adding another screen and forming a consumer habit which is a great benefit for the industry.”

    The leapfrogging numbers are not only because of the sacks full of dollars being spent on content, but also on account of an aggressive marketing overdrive. Captain of the Indian cricket team M S Dhoni promotes the platform. And for IPL the media house signed on with ad creative power house Lowe Lintas to unleash a cutting edge campaign.

    “With our analysis we found out that affluent male youth in metros are the ones who spend most of the time on their mobile phones and our creative is targeted at them. Also there is a perception that Indian youth are selfish and stay by themselves which is not totally true and that’s why it has the tagline Screen Chota hai magar Dil bada,” says Mohan.   

    The promotional spots focuses on youth and their connection with community. It shows that although they are always in their own world, but whenever needed they become an active part of the society.

    Last year Starsports.com streamed the matches along with Hotstar, “This year also we will continue to stream the action on both the platforms. The rights that we have are for a five minute delayed stream; an addition that we have this year is the fact that both Hindi and English commentary will be available for audiences to enjoy,” reveals Mohan.

    Digital is still perceived as an ancillary consumption medium, mainly for snacking and for small pieces of content, not long form.  Mohan believes Hotstar is paving many a pioneering path. “We broke all such myths, we proved the perception wrong,” he says with a wide grin. “One more wrong notion that we tore apart was that India was not ready for a premium OTT platform. With the time spent on OTT that we witnessed in the past and the way it is increasing now, I must say that the platform is only going to get bigger.”