ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Disney announces merger of Viacom18 business with Star India

    Disney announces merger of Viacom18 business with Star India

    Mumbai: As per the report released by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Viacom18 in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, has unveiled a landmark strategic partnership that will combine its business with Star India, aiming to lead the digital transformation of India’s media industry.

    This joint venture (JV) will significantly reshape the media and entertainment landscape, offering a broad spectrum of high-quality content and an enhanced digital experience for consumers in India and the Indian diaspora globally. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) will hold a 16.34 per cent stake, Viacom18 will own 46.82 per cent, and Disney will hold 36.84 per cent in the JV. RIL will invest Rs 11,500 crore at closing to drive the JV’s growth strategy, valuing it at Rs 70,352 crore (approximately US$8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies.

    Viacom18 reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024, demonstrating strong growth across all segments. For Q4 FY24, the company’s operating revenue surged 63.0 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 2,419 crore, fueled by impressive performances in Sports, Movies, and News. Revenue from the Media business saw a remarkable increase, driven largely by the sports segment, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other significant sporting events contributing to this growth. Additionally, the release of ‘Fighter,’ a major film of 2024, bolstered revenue in the Movies segment. However, continued investments in Sports and Digital platforms impacted consolidated EBITDA for the quarter.

    For FY24, Viacom18 achieved an annual operating revenue of Rs 9,297 crore, up 49.4 per cent Y-o-Y, marking one of its strongest performances. The News business saw a 19 per cent increase in revenue Y-o-Y, while Viacom18’s revenue grew by 62 per cent Y-o-Y, with Sports being the primary driver of this growth. Investments in new verticals, particularly Sports and Digital, supported the substantial revenue increase. The group’s digital platforms, including JioCinema, Moneycontrol, and News18, saw strong growth, although these investments also impacted EBITDA.

    As per the RIL report, Viacom18’s TV network share increased by 70 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 11.4 per cent, supported by strong performances in Hindi General Entertainment Channels (GEC), Movies, and Sports. Notably, Colors achieved its highest Gross Rating Points (GRPs) in eight years and climbed to the #1 position in the market during the quarter. JioCinema witnessed a significant 50 per cent increase in reach on the opening day of IPL 2024, with 11.3 crore viewers, and introduced new features such as commentary in regional languages and enhanced camera angle options.

    The network also saw record reach and engagement for its TV network shows, with notable increases in viewership and watch-time for Bigg Boss Hindi and Bigg Boss Kannada. JioCinema’s coverage of various sporting events, including the Women’s Premier League (WPL), saw substantial growth in watch-time and reach.

    Network18’s TV News bouquet maintained its position as the highest-reach news network in India, with an all-India viewership share of 10.9 per cent. It retained leadership in English news (CNN News18), Business news (CNBC TV18), and Hindi news (News18 India). The network’s digital portfolio also demonstrated significant growth, with Moneycontrol becoming India’s #1 subscription-based news platform and Firstpost achieving rapid growth on YouTube.

    In addition to the JV with Disney, Network18 announced the merger of TV18 and E18 with Network18, consolidating TV and digital news assets, and the Moneycontrol business into one listed company through a Scheme of Arrangement, which is currently in the process of obtaining requisite approvals.

    This strategic alignment and financial performance underscore Viacom18’s strong market position and its commitment to driving innovation and growth in the media and entertainment sector.

  • Moneycontrol to Congregate Leading Voices at ‘Startup Conclave 2024’

    Moneycontrol to Congregate Leading Voices at ‘Startup Conclave 2024’

    Mumbai: Moneycontrol, a financial news platform, has announced the second edition of the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2024. This premier event, set for 9 August 2024, at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru, is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and resilient startup ecosystem in India. The conclave will bring together a diverse group of policymakers, investors, leading startup founders, industry leaders, and emerging entrepreneurs for an engaging exchange of ideas and strategic insights.

    Following a challenging two-year funding winter, India’s startup landscape is witnessing a remarkable resurgence marked by increased profitability, late-stage funding, a vibrant secondary market, and numerous tech IPOs. Themed “Persist | Reset | Rebuild” this year’s conclave will emphasize the resilience and adaptability of startups in the face of an AI-driven world and evolving regulatory frameworks. The event will delve into the future of India’s startup ecosystem, providing essential insights for the next wave of entrepreneurial success.

    Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2024 will feature a series of insightful sessions led by prominent figures including Karnataka Minister for IT-BT and science & technology Priyank Kharge; Karnataka Government, department of electronics, information technology, biotechnology and science & technology, secretary Dr Ekroop Caur; India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant; Narayana Health, founder and chairman Dr Devi Prasad Shetty; SoftBank, head of India and EMEA Sumer Juneja; PhonePe, co-founder and CEO Sameer Nigam; Swiggy, co-founder Sriharsha Majety; Sorin Investments, founder and chairman Sanjay Nayar; Games24x7, co-founder and co-CEO Bhavin Pandya; Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, chief of engineering Nabendu Das; IndiQube, co-founder Rishi Das; Adobe, head of sales channel & SMB, digital media India & SA Ajay Joseph; DTDC Express, CEO Abhishek Chakraborty; Peak XV Partners, MD Shailesh Lakhani.

    Moneycontrol has been instrumental in nurturing the startup community, sharing compelling narratives of innovation, success, failure, and resilience. Through initiatives like the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave, the platform continues to champion the entrepreneurial spirit and support the growth of India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.

    Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2024 is supported by banking partner IDFC FIRST Bank, exclusive logistics partner DTDC, VC partner Peak XV, workplace partner IndiQube, and associate partners Games24x7, Share.Market, Adobe, Tally, Reliance India Ltd, state partner KITS, luxury partner Da Milano Italia and event technology partner Townhall.

    The event will commence at 10:00 am on 9 August 2024, at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru, and will be livestreamed for a global audience.

  • Shilpa Rao & Anirudh Ravichander reunite for ‘Devara’ second single

    Shilpa Rao & Anirudh Ravichander reunite for ‘Devara’ second single

    Mumbai: Singer Shilpa Rao continues her collaboration with renowned music director Anirudh Ravichander as they reunite for the upcoming song from the Telugu film ‘Devara’ second single. After making waves with her successful collaborations in Tamil cinema, notably with music director Anirudh Ravichander on hits like “Chaleya” and “Kaavaalaa”, Shilpa and Anirudh are now with melodious eagerly awaited film ‘Devara’ second single.  

    Anirudh Ravichander, known for his dynamic musical compositions, teams up once again with Shilpa Rao to create what is expected to be another chart-topping soundtrack. Their collaboration on the second single will come out in four different languages: Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada, adding a fresh and exciting dimension to Devara’s musical landscape.

    “Working on the song was a completely new experience for me,” said Shilpa Rao. “The song has such a sweet and fresh vibe with the bouncy words, capturing the slow dance feel of Telugu music so smoothly. Collaborating with Anirudh is fantastic—it felt more like a jam session than just recording. He always imagines my voices in ways that I couldn’t. I loved every moment and learned a lot during the process.”

    Devara, directed by Koratala Siva, features an impressive cast including Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan. The film is set to release on 27 September 2024, in multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. The film’s narrative is an action-drama, promising a captivating experience for audiences across India.

  • Moneycontrol PRO & Waterfield Advisors with PwC India returns with third edition of Indian Family Business Awards

    Moneycontrol PRO & Waterfield Advisors with PwC India returns with third edition of Indian Family Business Awards

    Mumbai: To honour and recognise families that have significantly contributed to India’s economic growth, entrepreneurial spirit, and job creation, Moneycontrol PRO, a fast-growing subscription service, and Waterfield Advisors, a leading independent multi-family office and wealth advisory firm, have united once again along with PwC India as the process partner to host the third edition of the ‘Indian Family Business Awards 2023’

    The previous edition of the Indian Family Business Awards in 2022 received an impressive response with 140 plus entries across various categories and 200 plus on-ground attendees. The upcoming 2023 edition of the event promises to be even grander.

    This year, the awards is segregated into five different segments – Super (under Rs 1,000 crore), Mega (between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000 crore), Giga (over Rs 5,000 crore), Best Startup Family Business (under Rs 1,000 crore & 5 years of existence) and Philanthropy Award (Best Family Business). To qualify for the awards, a family business must have been established in India and should be operational for at least 10 years, while start-ups must have been incorporated at least five years ago.  Additionally, the family should hold a majority stake and/or control in the business.

    Presented by Moneycontrol PRO, co-created with Waterfield Advisors, process partner PwC India, the Indian Family Business Awards 2023 will feature various categories – Best Family Business, Best Governance, Most Innovative, Disruptive & Transformational Family Business, Best Family Business Led by a Woman, Best Startup Family Business and Philanthropy. This year too the participation process involves self-nomination. Once nominations are submitted, the process partner to review the applications and determine their suitability under the various award categories and, where necessary, conduct personal interviews or meetings with them. They then submit their report to the Jury panel. The Jury panel then shortlist the winners post thorough discussions. The esteemed Indian family business award 2023 winners to be honoured and felicitated with a grand on-ground ceremony.  

    In its third year, the distinguished jury for the awards will include Soumya Rajan (Founder & CEO, Waterfield Advisors); Sonu Bhasin (Founder of FAB – Families and Businesses); Gopal Srinivasan (Chairman, TVS Capital Funds Limited); and Gaurav Dalmia (Chairman Dalmia Group Holdings).

    Waterfield Advisors founder & CEO Soumya Rajan stated, “We conceptualised the Indian Family Business Awards (IFBA) to honour India’s family businesses. At Waterfield, as trusted advisors to this illustrious community, we acknowledge their immense contributions to India’s economic progress. Over the first two seasons, we have laid the foundations for an event that is now much anticipated. We are excited for a grander third season and encourage family businesses across India to participate.”

    PwC India  Partner & Leader – Entrepreneurial & Private Business Falguni Shah stated, “As trusted advisors to family businesses, we are honoured to be the process partners for the India Family Business Awards (IFBA). This prestigious platform allows us to support and celebrate the best in the industry. We eagerly anticipate the journey of evaluating submissions from across the country, uncovering unique strengths, and providing insights that truly make these businesses stand out.”
     

  • Cricket and festive shopping: A winning combination for brands

    Cricket and festive shopping: A winning combination for brands

    Mumbai: The festive season is now close enough for shoppers to seek amazing deals and fill their carts with the best offerings. As the excitement builds, brands are zeroing in on the most effective campaigns to capture the attention of these eager shoppers. And what better way to stand out than through the universal appeal of cricket? Starting 19 September , the lineup is thrilling, with the Indian team battling for glory against major rivals: Bangladesh, New Zealand, and South Africa. By integrating the excitement of high-stakes cricket into festive campaigns, brands can tap into collective enthusiasm, driving higher impact and resonance.

    Team India will step on the crease for two Tests and three T20Is against Bangladesh from 19 September to 12 October, three Tests against New Zealand from 16 October to 5 November, and four T20Is against South Africa from 8 November to 15 November. These T20Is and test matches offer advertisers a prime opportunity to connect with audiences and add to the festivities across Navratri, Dussehra, Karwa Chauth, Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhaidooj and Chhath Puja.

    With JioCinema and Sports18 holding the digital and TV rights for these matches respectively, the comprehensive coverage will enable highly targeted and impactful media campaigns. It means potentially reaching out to over 630 million passionate fans, across devices – wherever they are tuning in from! With millions of viewers opting to watch the matches on CTV devices, including 4K experiences, brands can also target premium audiences who seek top-quality experiences and are likely to make high-ticket purchases. Leveraging comprehensive coverage, innovative ad formats, and precision targeting across 80+ cohorts, brands can ensure their campaigns are engaging and effective throughout the festive cricket period.

    The festive season is synonymous with increased shopping and spending. Over the past two years, this period has seen a remarkable 30 per cent increase in auto sales, reflecting a strong consumer appetite for high-value purchases and new vehicles during the celebrations. Credit card spending has risen by 1.3x, highlighting a significant boost in consumer confidence and willingness to spend on varied goods and services. Lifestyle and apparel sales have experienced a 1.6x increase, underscoring a heightened focus on personal and fashion-related purchases as consumers indulge in festive shopping.

    This year, 50 per cent of consumers are preparing to increase their online spending during the festive season, driven by the convenience and variety offered by digital platforms. As Indians embrace celebratory shopping sprees, brands must leverage this surge in expenditure. With its broad appeal, cricket provides the ideal backdrop for marketing campaigns that tap into the season’s shopping trends and consumer enthusiasm.

    Compared to Kantar India benchmarks, brands have witnessed a two times uplift across Brand KPIs by advertising on bilateral tournaments with JioCinema. The remarkable results underscore the significant impact of integrating cricket into advertising strategies. With the festive season approaching, the impact is anticipated to be even greater, and brands must stand ready at the crease to maximise their reach and engagement.  

    Brands can tap into Fence Ads for high visibility during live matches, Midroll Carousels to create engaging experiences during the breaks and Expandable CTAs to encourage fans to take immediate action. Social Banners and Scorecard Branding can help brands own the exciting conversations around live matches, enhancing the viewer experience. Branded VODs can facilitate deeper engagement by tapping into key match moments and Frame Ads ensure consistent visibility for the time viewers spend outside the live, consuming on-demand content.

    Combining these formats with precision targeting across over 80 audience cohorts allows brands to tailor their messages to specific segments, maximising relevance, and impact. This targeted approach ensures that campaigns reach the right people, enhancing effectiveness and ensuring brand messages resonate strongly with their intended audiences. Brands must make the most of India’s excitement for cricket to make a memorable impact during the festive season.

  • Radio City and Beatchain launch Muzartdisco

    Radio City and Beatchain launch Muzartdisco

    Mumbai: Indian radio station – Radio City has partnered with Beatchain, the innovative technology company behind a groundbreaking A&R tool, to launch “Muzartdisco.” Set to launch at ‘All About Music,’ India’s only B2B music industry conference, in Mumbai on 6 August 2024, Muzartdisco will be open to the vast and diverse community of Indie artists worldwide, providing access to Beatchain’s range of creator services, tools, and educational content tailored for Indie artists.

    Beatchain’s white-label technology powers digital ‘arenas’ that can be owned and customised by music companies and labels, catering to artists across genres and territories. Muzartdisco will offer a comprehensive suite of tools for distributing, promoting, and marketing music while allowing artists to retain their full rights and gain exclusive data insights into the performance of their music through a personal dashboard. This new platform is set to revolutionise our country’s music scene by empowering independent artists and amplifying their voices globally.

    Artists using Muzartdisco will have the chance to earn career-changing opportunities offered by Radio City, including a nationwide radio breakout campaign with airplay, social media shoutouts across its networks, an artist of the month website feature, and a nomination for a Radio City Freedom Award – a nationally recognised awards ceremony celebrating Indie music. Additionally, it will provide unique studio sessions, mentoring, collaborations with renowned artists, writers, and producers, and photoshoots. The platform will also include a “Fan Builder” feature, enabling artists to build a sustainable fan base and create a thriving music career.

    Radio City CEO Ashit Kukian commented, “Radio City envisions to connect with audiences worldwide, and this partnership will be yet another stepping stone in that direction. Muzartdisco, India’s first one-stop platform for independent artists, will provide 360-degree opportunities to sustain artistic careers as well as avenues to promote and track their growth. We possess the right mix of communication and marketing tools to enhance the presence of artists on this platform which can be leveraged through cross-pollination with our other internal IPs like SMINCO, Happydemic, JioTV+ amongst others. This will ensure that, by using the latest technologies, we establish a strong foundation for a center stage where all Indie artists can showcase their talents and capture hearts globally.”

    Beatchain chief strategy officer Luke Mendoza stated, “Technology has revolutionized the music industry, democratizing access to music for consumers and creating incredible opportunities for artists. But, the sheer volume of music now available is making music discovery and cut-through more difficult. Our platform enables A&R teams and labels to identify real talent – those already demonstrating the qualities needed for a thriving music career – and can connect artists directly with industry tastemakers. By combining our technology with Radio City’s extensive reach and passion for Indian independent music, will offer artists unlimited opportunities to launch and sustain a career in music.”

    Understanding the need of the hour, Radio City is strengthening efforts through “Radigitalisation” to seamlessly transition from radio to digital. By tapping into various digital platforms, they ensure that their content reaches where the end consumer is, maximising reach and visibility for individuals and helping them gain the recognition they deserve.

  • Google & Kantar study reveals key to news subscriptions

    Google & Kantar study reveals key to news subscriptions

    Mumbai: Google, in partnership with Kantar, has released a new research report titled, “The Indian News Consumer: Willingness to Pay and Key Drivers” at the third edition of the Google News Summit.

    At a time when newsrooms are experimenting with different combinations of formats, revenue streams and content types, the study shines a light on the levers that drive online news subscriptions and how these vary across languages. The study incorporates qualitative and quantitative data from over 2000 respondents and nine languages. The insights aim to equip publishers with the knowledge to navigate the digital landscape, capitalise on reader revenue opportunities, and foster sustainable growth, particularly in local language markets.

    Shedding more light on the findings of the research, Kantar director – B2B & technology, Biswapriya Bhattacharjee said, “Indian digital news consumers increasingly crave immersive, more relevant news consumption experiences, creating a prime opportunity for premium offerings. However, the price-sensitive nature of the market necessitates a diversified revenue strategy. What also comes out strongly is that in order to expand the user base, a meaningfully different and well-communicated value proposition is essential.”

    Google India head of India news partnerships, Durga Raghunath said, “The Indian digital news market is experiencing dynamic growth, driven by increasing internet penetration and an expanding ecosystem of local language publishers. Understanding the nuances of reader revenue models is crucial for the sustainability and growth of digital news. As part of our ongoing efforts to support the news ecosystem, this research provides valuable insights into reader preferences and behaviors, empowering publishers to make informed decisions about their monetisation strategies and build stronger connections with their audiences.”

    Understanding barriers and opportunities for reader revenue in India:

    Users, while recognising the value of quality journalism, are overwhelmingly driven by convenience and deterred by cost and a lack of clarity regarding the value proposition of paid subscriptions.

    ●    67 per cent of current subscribers in the study cited “reliable content” as a primary factor in their decision to subscribe.

    ●    Among those who haven’t subscribed, the top three barriers cited are “overwhelmed by too many plans/prices” (39 per cent), “limited budget” (35 per cent), and “lack of flexible payment/cancellation options” (33 per cent). This contrast underscores the need for publishers to clearly articulate the value proposition behind each while addressing pricing and flexibility concerns.

    ●    Once again, user preferences vary interestingly by language. The study consistently reveals that “news in the preferred language” is a highly valued content element across various language groups, including Hindi (67 per cent), Bengali (75 per cent), Tamil (63 per cent), and Gujarati (79 per cent).

    While subscription and other revenue models have varying appeal, the overall willingness to pay for digital news content, whether through subscriptions or other models, is comparable between local language and English language news consumers in India.

    ●    Both Kannada and Tamil speakers are relatively more receptive to subscriptions. They are also open to sharing first-party data and micro-transactions in the form of either pay-per-content or mini-access pass.

    ●    In contrast, first-party data is likely to be the way to unlock value with Bengali and Malayalam speakers. This diversity provides publishers with a wider range of revenue models to explore.

    Opportunities for news publishers

    ●    Marketing a clear value proposition: Publishers need to bridge the gap between subscription offerings and audience understanding of the key value proposition. Highlight the unique value of content, emphasizing features like in-depth reporting and specialised coverage not available for free.

    ●    Simplify and streamline subscription: Prioritise transparent pricing, simplification, and flexibility. Offering clear pricing, easy cancellation, and sufficient free trials can build trust, demonstrate value and drive conversions.

    ●    Diversify revenue streams: One size doesn’t fit all. Experiment with micro-transactions, first-party data sharing, and ad-supported models alongside subscriptions.

    ●    While users value ad-free experiences, affordability is an important consideration. Consider a hybrid model offering a small subscription fee with limited ads. Invest in robust newsletters to cultivate a loyal audience and provide additional value.

    ●    Offer flexibility and control: Empower users with flexible payment options like shorter billing cycles and customisable plans. While free trials attract new subscribers, focus on long-term value through bundled plans to ensure retention. Features like saving articles and content filtering provide greater control over their news experience.

    ●    Elevate the Indic language experience: The research also reveals that Indic language publications often encounter difficulties navigating subscription processes and accessing content. Dedicate resources to build a seamless experience for Indic language users, including intuitive interface design and easy language-switching functionality.

    While barriers to paid subscriptions exist, so do substantial opportunities. By prioritising a clear value proposition, a user-centric approach to design and functionality, payment flexibility, and tailored strategies based on language demographics, news publishers can enhance user confidence, increase willingness to subscribe, and drive growth in the evolving digital landscape.

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to release globally on 23 August

    The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to release globally on 23 August

    Mumbai: Amazon MGM Studios announced The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season Two: Amazon Original Series Soundtrack) will be released worldwide on 23 August, tied to the highly-anticipated return of the series later this month. Available across all music streaming services, the full episodic score for the second season of the Amazon Original series was composed by Emmy Award-winner Bear McCreary (Da Vinci’s Demons). The soundtrack will also include two new songs featuring renowned vocalists Rufus Wainwright and Jens Kidman.

    Digital and streaming of the Season Two soundtrack will be available on August 23rd, and on that same date, vinyl can be pre-ordered at Amazon Music and HERE. A special Collector’s Edition will also be available for pre-order exclusively on Amazon Music. Following each episode, Amazon Music will release a weekly soundtrack album containing the score for that episode, which is only available on Amazon Music.

    For the epic first season of Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, composer Bear McCreary wove a tapestry of symphonic orchestra, bombastic percussion, and folk instruments from across Europe and North Africa, combined with solo vocalists and choirs singing in the iconic languages of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. For the gripping second season, McCreary has built atop that foundation with dynamic new themes and colours, including Bulgarian women’s choir and gadulka for Rhûn, children’s choir for the pastoral city of Eregion, Hardanger fiddle for new character Estrid, and deathly whispers for the terrifying Barrow-wights.

    After collaborating with the iconic Fiona Apple for the first season’s “Where the Shadows Lie,” McCreary continues the tradition by inviting two featured vocalists to join him on new songs for the Season Two score. Grammy-nominated artist Rufus Wainwright brings thoughtful introspection to his rendition of “Old Tom Bombadil.” “The Last Ballad of Damrod,” a song about a vicious Hill-troll, is brought to terrifying, screaming life by Jens Kidman, the unforgettable lead singer of Grammy-nominated Swedish extreme-metal band Meshuggah. While balancing these diverse and eclectic musical influences, McCreary always refers to Tolkien’s writings for inspiration. “I am honoured to continue forward on this journey, bringing the events of Tolkien’s Second Age to life on the screen,” says McCreary.

    Series stars Sophia Nomvete, Benjamin Walker, Rory Kinnear, and Daniel Weyman also lend their vocal talents to several songs on the soundtrack. Nomvete’s dwarven character of Princess Disa is a lead resonator who sings to the mountain, while Walker, who plays an Elven king, sings a sorrowful tune in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Elvish language. Kinnear, who joins the show this season as the first live-action version of the fan-favourite character Tom Bombadil, and Weyman, who portrays the mysterious Stranger, also collaborate on a reprise of “Old Tom Bombadil.”

    “This new soundtrack is a stunning companion to the series’ continued exploration of the Second Age” said Bob Bowen, worldwide head of music for Amazon MGM Studios. “With the debut of Season Two on the horizon, we’re excited to give fans a further glimpse into the epic series.”

    Season Two of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will debut on Prime Video on August 29, 2024, in more than 240 countries and territories around the world, and in multiple languages.

    In Season Two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without an army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the peoples of Middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on Season One’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots… as friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all… each other.

    The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness.

    The first season of The Rings of Power has been an unprecedented success, viewed by more than 100 million people worldwide, with more than 32 billion minutes streamed. The highly anticipated series attracted more than 25 million global viewers on its first day, marking the biggest premiere in the history of Prime Video, and also debuted as the No. 1 show on Nielsen’s overall streaming chart in its opening weekend. The show has driven more Prime sign-ups worldwide during its launch window than any other previous content to date. The season finale also created a global cultural moment, with multiple series-themed hashtags, including #TheRingsofPower and others, trending in 27 countries across Twitter for over 426 cumulative hours throughout the weekend.

    The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is produced by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, and Gennifer Hutchison, along with co-executive producer and director Charlotte Brändström, producers Kate Hazell and Helen Shang, and co-producers Clare Buxton, Andrew Lee, Glenise Mullins, and Matthew Penry-Davey. Additional Season Two directors include Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper.

    To view and download The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power assets, please visit the Amazon Studios press site HERE. 

  • Republic Records signs AP Dhillon

    Republic Records signs AP Dhillon

    Mumbai: Republic Records, owned by Universal Music Group, has signed AP Dhillon to their roster. Known for artists like Taylor Swift, Post Malone, John Legend, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, and Drake, Republic Records continues to expand its diverse lineup.

    This deal marks a significant step for brown representation globally and sets a precedent for future talent and the community. “Republic Records got and understood who I am from day one. We’re all in harmony when it comes to this new music, and now I just can’t wait to show everybody what we’ve been cooking up,” stated AP Dhillon.

    Dhillon has been independently releasing music since 2019. He is famously known for his 2020 single – Brown Munde – one of the most viral and trending songs on the billboard, amassing nearly 700 million YouTube views to date. With the new deal, the singer-songwriter will be on Republic Records’ roster and he is all set to release a single – Old Money – with the label this Friday (9 Aug) and a new album, The Brownprint, following two weeks later, on 23 Aug.

    AP Dhillon has also directed the music video for his upcoming single – Old Money – and the clip will star Bollywood icons Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt. As AP Dhillon revealed, “I came up with a concept that was influenced by all my favorite action movies, and Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt showed up and killed it. Old Money is the perfect way for me to start my next era, especially with going big for the music video. I hope you love it as much as I do.”

    Dhillon has also co-produced The Brownprint, with DZL (Future, Central Cee), Luca Mauti (J.Cole, Eminem) and AzizTheShake (BIA, Central Cee) also contributing to the upcoming album.

  • Zigly celebrated ‘International Happy Pets Day’ on 4 Aug Pan-India

    Zigly celebrated ‘International Happy Pets Day’ on 4 Aug Pan-India

    Mumbai: Zigly, India’s premier tech-enabled omni-channel Pet care brand from Cosmo First Ltd, celebrated the first-ever International Happy Pets Day (IHPD) celebration that took place on August 4th, 2024. This landmark event, coincided with Friendship Day, aimed to celebrate the extraordinary bond between humans and their four-legged companions while promoting responsible Pet parenting.  

    The day-long festivities held across 23 experience centres in 11 cities, featured a host of engaging activities for both pets and pet parents. Attendees participated in interactive pet yoga sessions, fun quizzes and animal trivia, photo opportunities with professional pet photographers, free health check-ups and anti-rabies vaccinations for pets, live entertainment, and meet-and-greet sessions with popular Pet influencers. All participants received exclusive goodie bags.

    A highlight of IHPD was the launch of Zigly’s innovative “Happy Pet Index”, a comprehensive tool designed to measure and monitor pet health beyond standard vaccinations. This ground-breaking initiative aims to set a new standard in pet care and well-being. Several initiatives were also planned online at www.zigly.com. Alongside, Zigly also unveiled its first-ever rap anthem, “Tujme Basti Meri Jaan” a heartfelt tribute to the love and joy our pets bring into our lives. This anthem celebrates the timeless bond between pets and their humans.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Zigly (@ziglyforpets)

     

    Cosmo First & Zigly group CEO Pankaj Poddar stated, “International Happy Pets Day represents a significant milestone in our mission to enhance the lives of pets and pet parents. By launching the Happy Pet Index, we are not just celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives, but also providing a tangible way to ensure their ongoing health and happiness. This event embodies Zigly’s commitment to fostering a community dedicated to responsible and joyful pet parenting and we celebrated this with the launch of first wrap song dedicated to all pets”

    While Zigly currently operates in India, IHPD reflects the company’s global vision for pet care. Collaborations with international brands underscore the event’s worldwide significance and promise to bring a diverse range of products and experiences to attendees. Pet parents and animal lovers were invited to join this unforgettable celebration of the human-animal bond. Each participant had the opportunity to create a lasting memory with their pet through complimentary paw print keepsakes.