ITV

Category: Over The Top Services

  • Shemaroo’s digital evolution: OTT, telecom, and marketing insights

    Shemaroo’s digital evolution: OTT, telecom, and marketing insights

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment has emerged as a trailblazer, seamlessly navigating the realms of broadcast, OTT and FTA platforms. With a rich legacy spanning decades, Shemaroo has continuously adapted to technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences, cementing its position as a leader in the industry.

    Last month, the conglomerate took a significant leap in its expansion in the global telco, ISP (Internet Service Provider), and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) landscape by collaborating with four international telecom operators to extend its OTT platform, ShemarooMe.

    In this move, partnerships with Zain, STC, and Mobily in Saudi Arabia, along with Vodafone in Qatar, facilitated by DCB (Direct Carrier Billing) partners, 3A net and one97 communications, showcase Shemaroo’s commitment to delivering diverse entertainment experiences worldwide.

    Furthermore, effective marketing strategies are essential for capturing audience attention and driving user engagement. For broadcast platforms, Shemaroo adopts a multi-faceted approach, utilizing traditional advertising channels such as television, print, and outdoor media to create awareness and generate buzz around its content offerings. Strategic partnerships with broadcasters and syndication agreements further amplify the reach of Shemaroo’s content, ensuring maximum visibility among viewers.

    On the other hand, marketing strategies for OTT platforms focus on leveraging digital channels to target specific audience segments. Through targeted online advertising, social media engagement, and influencer partnerships, Shemaroo effectively promotes its OTT offerings, driving subscriptions and maximizing viewer retention.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Shemaroo Entertainment – Digital Business COO Saurabh Srivastava along with CMO Anuja Trivedi. Srivastava explained in depth about the plans for OTT app-ShemarooMe, telecom business expansion and YouTube channels milestones whereas Trivedi emphasised on Shemaroo’s marketing plans for broadcast & OTT platforms.

    Edited excerpts

    Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd COO- Digital Business Saurabh Srivastava

    We are focused on increasing regional content offerings on our OTT platform, ShemarooMe, considering cost rationalization and improved evaluation metrics to achieve sustainable growth. We are actively investing in content and marketing, exploring opportunities in both SVOD and AVOD subscription models. Looking ahead, we aim to enhance user experience through personalization.

    Expanding our telecom business, our goal is to provide entertainment across borders. By the year’s end, we aim to reach around 29 telecom providers across Southeast Asia, SAARC, and the MENA region, providing high-quality content to meet diverse viewer preferences.

    Through our YouTube channels, Shemaroo Entertainment engages millions of fans daily by offering diverse content. With the two YouTube channels surpassing 50million subscribers and a cumulative base of over 138 million subscribers across all channels, we see a substantial audience there. We’re optimistic about our digital platforms’ future and through our content strategy and offerings, we remain committed to providing high-quality entertainment to our audiences across the globe.”

    Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. CMO Anuja Trivedi

    Our marketing strategy at Shemaroo Entertainment for both broadcast and OTT platform revolves around building awareness and fostering engagement while showcasing our unique offerings. With our OTT platform, ShemarooMe and broadcast channels- Shemaroo Umang, Shemaroo TV, Shemaroo MarathiBana and Chumbak TV, we aim to directly cater to our audience’s preferences.

    Recognizing the immense potential in the Gujarati market, we are proud to position ShemarooMe as the premiere Gujarati-first platform. This emphasis is a crucial aspect of our marketing efforts.

    Our past campaigns have focused on building our brand and establishing a strong presence in the industry. And with our recent collaborations like partnering with Balaji Telefilms for the new show ‘ChaahengeTumheItnaa’ on Shemaroo Umang and our extensive collection of Gujarati movies on ShemarooMe, we are poised for further growth.

    We understand the impact of influencers and AI in content marketing and have implemented the same in our campaigns. Recent initiatives like for the promotion of the movie ‘Shubh Yatra,’ an AI-generated news reporter was created who describes the protagonist’s journey and collaborations with relevant influencers for our other projects on ShemarooMe have been successful.

    Our marketing approach for all our brands emphasizes building awareness first, followed by consideration, to maximize our impact in the market.

  • Accedo launches OTT video managed services offering

    Accedo launches OTT video managed services offering

    Mumbai: Global video solutions provider, Accedo, has launched a dedicated OTT video managed services offering. Designed to reduce complexity and risk for video service providers, the offering will see Accedo take complete ownership of operating and enhancing OTT video services, managing the entire end-to-end ecosystem, including technology, functionality, people, and processes.

    The managed services offering draws on Accedo’s extensive experience in designing, building and deploying video experiences for many of the world’s leading OTT services. The company’s broad suite of solutions covers a vast array of video streaming use cases, with a focus on user experience and innovation. This, in combination with its extensive and long-standing network of technology partners from across the OTT ecosystem, means that Accedo is able to provide a UX-driven end-to-end offering, leveraging best-of-breed solutions in a single holistic package covering all aspects of running and growing a competitive video business.    

    The offering will enable video providers to streamline and improve efficiencies to get the most out of every part of the video technology ecosystem. As part of the managed service, Accedo will be managing multiple vendors and technology stacks as well as constantly monitoring, evaluating, and challenging the technology roadmap, identifying opportunities for service optimization and ensuring a high level of flexibility and scalability.

    Accedo CEO Michael Lantz commented: “The OTT ecosystem has become increasingly complex over the past decade. Running a successful and competitive video service means that every part of the service puzzle needs to be fully optimized. At the same time, video providers are battling fierce competition and increasing churn, while trying to deliver an optimized user experience across countless different and constantly evolving variations. We are already addressing many of these challenges for our customers and the Managed Services offering is a natural extension of that experience. It will further help our customers put their focus into core business activities such as content acquisition, monetization strategies, and distribution.”

    Accedo will be exhibiting at NAB on booth W2166, and presenting the OTT video managed services solution, from 13 – 17 April. Book a meeting with Accedo at NAB

  • Crunchyroll to add fan-favourite anime “Dragon Ball Super”

    Crunchyroll to add fan-favourite anime “Dragon Ball Super”

    Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, is bringing one of the most followed anime Dragon Ball Super to India. Starting 29 March 2024 Indian anime fans can watch the series on Crunchyroll. All 131 episodes of Dragon Ball Super will be available in English dubs and subs.

    The Dragon Ball phenomenon began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from the beloved late Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” – becoming a top-ranked title throughout its ten and a half years of publication.

    The Dragon Ball Super English voice cast includes Sean Schemmel as Goku, Christopher R. Sabat as Piccolo and Vegeta, Matthew Mercer as Hit and David Gray as Zamasu.

    Dragon Ball Super synopsis:

    The threat of Majin Buu has passed, and Goku and friends are all living in peace. The day of Bulma’s birthday party arrives, and everyone gets together again for the first time in a while. Then there appears Beerus, the universe’s god who oversees destruction. Goku gets his friends’ help to become the legendary Super Saiyan God, and gets into a fierce fight with Beerus, but he’s not quite as powerful as the God of Destruction. Beerus ends the fight and informs Goku of a shocking fact. This universe where Goku and crew live is only one of a total of twelve universes. What’s more, each universe has its own God of Destruction, which means there might be opponents out there even stronger than Beerus! Having caught a glimpse of hitherto unknown strength, Goku goes along with Vegeta to train under Whis. During this time, forces of evil come to attack Earth enmasse. Leading them is none other than Frieza, the emperor of the universe, and he’s acquired a new transformation!! To face him, Goku changes into his own new form, Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan. A fierce battle once again commences!!

    And then…

    The story finally moves beyond the universe, into a new phase! Now the world of Dragon Ball will reach a new dimension that’s beyond imagination!!

  • EazyDiner Foodie Awards joins News9 Plus for culinary honour

    EazyDiner Foodie Awards joins News9 Plus for culinary honour

    Mumbai: EazyDiner Foodie Awards and News9 Plus are delighted to unveil an exclusive collaboration slated for March 23rd at the Grand Hyatt. This milestone partnership marks a significant achievement for both organizations as they unite to honour excellence in the world of food and beverage.

    Recognised as the ‘Oscars of the food and beverage industry,’ the EazyDiner Foodie Awards have earned widespread acclaim for their commitment to celebrating innovation and excellence in gastronomy. With seven successful events hosted across three cities including Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru, these awards have become a beacon of recognition within the industry, revered by food enthusiasts, industry insiders, and social influencers alike.

    “We are delighted to collaborate with EazyDiner Foodie Awards, a platform that resonates with our fervour for celebrating excellence,” said Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer, TV9 Network. “This collaboration marks a significant stride in offering our viewers an exclusive glimpse into the world of esteemed industry leaders, celebrity chefs, and visionary entrepreneurs,” added Das.

    Furthermore, this partnership introduces ‘Lounge Knights,’ an innovative platform curated by News9 Plus, aimed at cultivating engagement and the exploration of culinary brilliance.

    “EazyDiner Foodie Awards are the biggest restaurant awards voted by the people who dine at these amazing restaurants. Cheers to the creators of delicious experiences! Honouring the artisans of taste, the architects of ambience, and the maestros of culinary delight. Here’s to the hoteliers, restaurateurs, foodies, and the enchanting places they craft, where every bite is a symphony and every meal a masterpiece,” said EazyDiner & Postcard Hotel founder Kapil Chopra.

    EazyDiner co-founder & CEO Sachin Pabreja expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership during this year’s EazyDiner Foodie Awards 2024, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with News9 Plus to extend the reach of the EazyDiner Foodie Awards to a broader audience. Our mutual dedication to acknowledging and honouring excellence within the food and beverage industry underscores our commitment. We extend our best wishes to all the nominees and express our gratitude to EazyDiner foodies for their invaluable votes.”

    As News9 Plus and EazyDiner embark on this collaborative journey, both organisations envision a mutually beneficial relationship founded on the shared aspiration of creating an unforgettable experience that celebrates the vibrant culinary landscape and inspires future innovation.

  • Weekend Unwind with visual artist Santanu Hazarika

    Weekend Unwind with visual artist Santanu Hazarika

    Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that delve into the minds of digital content creators through a fun lens, aiming to understand the person behind the creative journey a little better.

    In this week’s session, we have Santanu Hazarika. Hazarika is a multidisciplinary autodidact visual artist based in Mumbai. He is a video gamer and an illustrator. He dropped out of engineering to become the first ever Redbull World Doodle Art Champion in 2014 in Capetown, South Africa.

    So without further ado, here it goes…

    Your mantra for life

    You should be experimental and always be curious, you should also question everything and create things to surprise yourself. Not the people around you.

    A book you are currently reading or plan to read

    The book that I am reading is “Gödel, Escher, Bach” by Douglas Hofstadter. It’s a book that tries to go into the science of creativity. The book includes Physics text, old science, and new science including logic.

    Your fitness mantra

    Well, my fitness mantra is pretty simple: workout, run and eat as much as required.  This is what I feel is important because overeating and overindulging causes stress. It doesn’t matter what you are eating, but the right proportion of food is important.

    Your comfort food

    Rice and Aloo Pitika l Assamese style mashed potatoes, with Assamese chicken curry and also there is a thing called Khar, it’s a special thing made by chat banana leave and water.

    A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down

    Everything changes and you should always have hope.

    The last time you tried something new

    I can’t recall exactly when was the last time I tried something new, but more or less I am up for everything. I have mostly tried everything except for skydiving. That is something that I really wanna try.

    A life lesson you learned the hard way

    I have learned that you cannot be impatient and everything will happen in its due time. There are always things that are beyond your control so you shouldn’t get anxious or drive yourself crazy by thinking that you can control everything around you.

    What gets you excited about life

    Meeting new people, having experiences, and obviously enjoying life in a way where I get to do things that I’ve always dreamt of as a kid, so I think right now I am just trying to fulfill all the things that I couldn’t do as a child. That is what is exciting for me at the moment.

    What’s on top of your bucket list

    I really want to settle down in Japan. Have my own house in a quiet old town in the countryside in Japan and just be happy there.

    If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be

    Practicing more art. I wish I had started at a very young age to draw and sketch and was more focused as a teenager or a kid then, I might have had more skills to express myself more diligently and accurately.

    One thing you would like to change about the world

    I want to see people have more empathy towards each other. I would like to see people be more kind towards each other. I think that is something that we lack and forget, which is being kind to others and yourself.

    An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times

    I love watching anime and every time I’m going through something really hard. I rewatched some of the old anime that I always used to watch while growing up like Naruto or Dragon Ball Z. It motivates me.

    What lifts your spirits when life gets you down

    Hope- because everything changes and the fact is I have started from zero and come this far, then I could do it again and I think that lifts me up.

    Your go-to stress buster

    Traveling, going out, being in nature, or playing video games throughout the day.

  • Tata Play in association with Disney Star launches Tata Play 4K platform service

    Tata Play in association with Disney Star launches Tata Play 4K platform service

    Mumbai: As the consumer need for top-tier viewing experiences in entertainment continues to soar, Tata Play, the No.1 Direct-to-home platform in India, in association with Disney Star is launching the Tata Play 4K platform service, this Tata IPL Season. The service will cater to a large cohort of audiences desiring access to ultra-high definition 4K content via television. Tata Play Binge+ Android Set-top box viewers will have the opportunity to elevate their experience of watching Disney Star’s marquee sporting events like Tata IPL, ICC T20 World Cup, and a string of popular movies like D-Day, Arjun Reddy, Goodluck Jerry, A Thursday, Talvaar and many more on the Tata Play 4K service.

    With an introductory price of INR 99/month, Tata Play 4K Service promises to make each exhilarating sporting moment an exceptional viewing experience, offering unparalleled clarity, detail, and immersion. With four times the resolution of standard HD, Tata IPL on Tata Play 4K service will deliver stunning visuals that will bring every scene to life, making it feel like you’re right there in the action.

    Speaking about the launch of Tata Play 4K Service, Tata Play’s Chief Commercial and Content Officer, Pallavi Puri said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Tata Play 4K in association with our content partner, Disney Star. As we introduce our first-ever 4K service for Tata IPL, we’re poised to revolutionize the sports viewing experience for our subscribers. And it will not just rest with Tata IPL. We are gearing up to introduce a robust content pipeline with key sporting events and blockbuster movies, international content on the Tata Play 4K service, ensuring a consistently dynamic and enriching visual immersion on TV.”

    “We are excited to usher in a new era of television viewing with the Tata Play 4K service. This collaboration with Tata Play represents our shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and providing audiences with unparalleled viewing experiences. The introduction of the 4K service, starting with the Tata IPL this year, signifies our commitment to always better viewer experience, bringing sports and entertainment to life like never before. We are thrilled to witness how this service will metamorphose living rooms across India into immersive theatres of Ultra HD excitement and drama, igniting a revolution in TV viewing,” said Disney Star head of distribution and international Gurjeev Singh Kapoor.

    Tata Play 4K joins Tata Play’s range of 40 entertainment and infotainment value-added services suitable across age groups. Tata Play Value Added Services have been providing content across genres like Entertainment, Kids, Learn, Regional, Devotion etc, that ensures every viewer is entertained throughout without any dearth of choices. 

  • JioCinema Welcomes Dalmia Cement as Associate Sponsor for TATA IPL 2024

    JioCinema Welcomes Dalmia Cement as Associate Sponsor for TATA IPL 2024

    Mumbai: JioCinema, India’s leading streaming platform, today announced an exciting partnership with Dalmia Cement, a major Indian cement company, as an associate sponsor for the highly anticipated TATA IPL 2024 season.

    This collaboration brings together two of India’s most trusted brands, promising an exceptional cricket viewing experience for millions of fans nationwide. With
    Dalmia Cement joining the TATA IPL 2024 journey, JioCinema is geared up to offer an unparalleled level of engagement and entertainment throughout the tournament.

    Commenting on the association, spokesperson for JioCinema, said: “We are delighted to welcome Dalmia Cement on board as an associate sponsor for the TATA IPL 2024. Dalmia Cement’s reputation for innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with the dynamic spirit of the IPL. This partnership promises to be a win-win, not only for both brands but also for our viewers who can expect an even more exciting and enriching cricket experience on JioCinema.”

    Sameer Nagpal, COO, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd., added: “We are thrilled to partner with JioCinema as an associate sponsor for the TATA IPL 2024. The IPL is a national phenomenon, uniting millions through their love for the game. This massive platform provides us with a unique opportunity to educate crores of aspiring home owners in India, about the importance of RCF (ie roof, column & foundation) in ensuring that their dream house lasts for generations to come”.

    TATA IPL 2024 will commence on JioCinema with the southern derby as MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings face off with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22, 2024. Viewers will be able to catch the latest season for free in 4K across 12 languages introducing Haryanvi for the first time, multi-cam options including the much-hyped Hero Cam, and many more fan-engagement features, including ‘Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan’.

  • Chana Jor app partners with Playbox TV

    Chana Jor app partners with Playbox TV

    Mumbai: Chana Jor app, a go to destination for snackable entertainment content has partnered with Playbox TV (A one stop entertainment solution), giving you access to a vast selection of content along with Chana Jor, under one subscription on a single app.

    Chana Jor app offers users entertaining, laughable and snackable content as its name suggests. Content resonates with everyday story spanning through various genres, including comedy, drama, love stories and more. It holds a reputation for delivering content that resonates with diverse audiences. With Playbox TV’s massy reach and consumer friendly experience, this partnership is set to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for viewers seeking a break from the mundane.

    Chana Jor app COO Archita Jasani spoke about the collaboration, “This partnership marks an exciting milestone for us, as it broaden our audience reach and offer our engaging content to even more viewers. With this collaboration with Playbox TV, we’re enhancing accessibility and convenience for our users, ensuring that they can easily enjoy our diverse range of entertainment content.”

    Playbox TV COO Angad Sule expressed, “The current market has seen a rise in the demand for comedy content. Our goal is to provide our customers with richer and more diverse content and this partnership with Chana Jor helps us to enrich our offering. This partnership will help our viewers enjoy a more diverse and rich content and hel us fullfil our mission.”

    Chana Jor is the only all Hindi app in India and world today and this collaboration aims at bringing Chana Jor’s content reach more households and consumers who wants to enjoy local, regional and even international content being available in their native Hindi language. From stand-up specials to hilarious web series, users can now access a curated collection of laughter-inducing content at their fingertips.

    Playbox TV’s onboarding of Chana Jor App opens the doors to a world of laughter, drama and more, offering users a well-rounded entertainment experience.

  • JioCinema offers fans a ‘Golden’ opportunity on opening day of TATA IPL 2024 with Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan

    JioCinema offers fans a ‘Golden’ opportunity on opening day of TATA IPL 2024 with Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan

    Mumbai: JioCinema announced it is bringing back its popular predict and win game Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with a bang this season with My11Circle as the presenting sponsor. When Chennai Super Kings take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22, viewers will be able to win gold worth Rs 50 lakhs as the first prize, while the second prize will be gold worth Rs 10 lakhs and 50 winners get a chance to win Rs 1 lakh respectively on Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan.

    In addition to this, fans will stand a chance to win a motorcycle and a Smart TV every game, from the second match onwards. JioCinema has sweetened the contest this season where fans can also try their fortunes at winning the weekly bumper prize for this season, an elegant hatchback car.

    Free-to-play, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan will also offer viewers multiple brand coupons of great value for every right answer. Viewers can hold the phone in portrait or landscape mode, a new introduction for fans this year, which will open a chat box at the bottom of the screen where the question appears before every over along with four options. Viewers who give the most correct answers during the match, stand a chance to win the grand prizes.

    Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan aims to enhance the viewer’s experience and involvement while watching the TATA IPL on JioCinema vis-à-vis passively watching the league on legacy platforms. Introduced last season, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan was an instant success as lucky contestants drove away a premium hatchback car. Within just one season of IPL, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan became a platform for heartwarming tales of changed fortunes from India’s heartlands.

    “My11Circle is thrilled to come on board as presenting sponsors of the Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan on JioCinema. It’s a perfectly synergized partnership that will give us the most opportune way to connect with our consumers during the IPL,” said Games 24×7 associate VP – Brand & Marketing Avik Kanungo. “This collaboration is a meaningful way to connect with live cricket audience at scale in an event that no one in India affords to miss.”

    “Our intent is to reinvent the live sport viewing experience by making it more engaging and that is why we have upped the stakes this season on Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan,” said a Viacom18 Spokesperson. “Gamification of content makes the digital sport consumption experience more meaningful as it incentivises their commitment to the platform. For sponsors, this massive, engaged audience, increases their brand visibility, engagement, and potentially driving new users for their brands.”

  • ‘Zee Family Pack’ unveiled on YouTube TV

    ‘Zee Family Pack’ unveiled on YouTube TV

    Mumbai: Embark on an immersive journey into South Asian entertainment with the much-anticipated launch of Zee’s new video packages, now gracing screens nationwide on YouTube TV. Unveiling the “Zee Family” package, this strategic partnership introduces an impressive selection of 18 premium channels on the YouTube TV platform, dedicated to captivating the diverse and vibrant South Asian community across the United States.

    Asia TV USA Ltd and YouTube TV are thrilled to announce the successful launch of 18 channels from Zee Entertainment in the USA. This partnership marks a significant milestone in catering to the diverse needs of the South Asian population in the USA, particularly regional language speakers such as Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi etc, the regional languages have seen tremendous growth in the last decade as per the data released in the 2020 US Census.

    This landmark collaboration not only reaffirms the availability of the flagship Hindi general entertainment channel Zee TV, but also introduces a total of 17 additional ZEE channels, offering a rich variety spanning multiple languages. The expanded lineup includes popular channels such as Zee Cinema, &TV, Zee Bangla, Zee Tamil, Zee Telugu, Zee Kannada, Zee Keralam, Zee Marathi, Zee Punjabi, Zee World, and others.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd president of content and international markets Punit Misra, emphasized the strategic significance of the U.S. market within ZEE’s global strategy. “The rising South Asian population in the U.S. not only underscores our commitment but also presents a unique prospect for us to fulfill the evolving content preferences of this expanding demographic in the U.S. The strategic partnership with YouTube TV will enable viewers in USA, access to a vast repertoire of rich, multi-lingual content from India showcasing the Country’s culture and traditions, ensuring an immersive and fulfilling viewing experience for consumers.

    This collaboration with ZEE marks a significant stride in delivering a premium suite of channels tailored to the South Asian audience to YouTube TV customers nationwide. Emphasizing the importance of this alliance, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief business officer for international business Ashok Namboodiri affirmed, “Our partnership is pivotal in realizing our growth objectives in the U.S., guaranteeing the provision of a diverse range of entertainment options specifically curated for the South Asian audiences subscribing to YouTube TV.”

    For more details on our South Asian TV packages on YouTube TV, immerse yourself in the India Family pack experience at https://tv.youtube.com/store. Elevate your entertainment and embrace the diversity!