ITV

Category: iWorld

  • JioCinema Premium gives a sneak peek of Bigg Boss OTT 3

    JioCinema Premium gives a sneak peek of Bigg Boss OTT 3

    Mumbai: The buzz surrounding Bigg Boss OTT 3 has reached fever pitch as JioCinema Premium dropped a teaser of the host for India’s biggest digital reality phenomenon. Taking it to the official Instagram handle, the cryptic glimpse features the host, whose identity remains shrouded in mystery, strolling around the iconic hot chair, while teasing viewers with the phrase ‘Bahot hogaya re jhakaas, karte hain na kuch aur khaas,’ announcing Bigg Boss OTT’s arrival in June. Unveiling the new emblematic Bigg Boss eye, the teaser signals exciting twists and turns in the upcoming season.

     

     

    So, don’t miss a beat as Bigg Boss OTT 3 unfolds. Stay tuned only on JioCinema Premium! 
     

  • JioCinema Premium to launch intense murder mystery series, ‘Gaanth’ on 11 June

    JioCinema Premium to launch intense murder mystery series, ‘Gaanth’ on 11 June

    Mumbai: Post the astounding success of Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond and Murder in Mahim, JioCinema Premium is set to add another gripping original series, Gaanth, to its diverse repertoire of original content. Gaanth, premiering on 11 June, stars Manav Vij, Monika Panwar and Saloni Batra in key roles. The series is premised on an unsolvable and bone chilling case that blurs the lines between reality and perspective.  

    Gaanth takes viewers to the eerie streets of East Delhi, where a strange case of mass suicide captures both media and police attention. As the 40-year-old disgraced Police Inspector Gadar Singh (played by Manav Vij) gets the charge of the gritty case, he is determined to get to the root of the crime and find the truth. The mystery deepens with the introduction of a psychiatric intern Sakshi Murmu (played by Monika Panwar), who possesses a unique gift for perceiving patterns invisible to the human eye. Singh and Murmu form an unlikely partnership to unravel the mystery of the peculiar crime scene- seven bodies hanging from seven ropes in a cramped, hazy corner of a house. While the world perceives the situation differently, these two sleuths, in their quest for the truth, uncover a crypt buried in the past, leading them deeper into a web of crimes spanning decades. Together they uncover layers of the case intertwined with media sensationalism, religious beliefs, superstitions, and social psychosis. A Tipping Point series, Gaanth is produced by Ajit Andhare, created by Soham Bhattacharya, and directed by Kanishk Verma.

     

     

    Manav Vij said, “I have always been a fan of psychological thrillers. They make you think deeply, transforming you into an investigator as you unravel the mystery in your mind. When I was offered Gaanth, I realized it wasn’t just about playing a cop in a crime thriller; the character had intricate nuances. Gadar Singh is profoundly layered, struggling with inner demons while pursuing the ultimate truth behind the eerie crime. After filming, it took some time for me to detach from the character. Despite the challenges, playing such complex roles is immensely rewarding.”

    Monika Panwar shared, “It’s always exciting to be part of stories that are different and also give you a chance to think and experiment. Gaanth is special as I play a caring psychologist in a dark thriller. I feel my character brings much-needed positivity to the show. Life has been slightly unfair to her, and she willingly gets involved in a murder investigation while discovering sides of herself that were long hidden.”

    Actor Saloni Batra also added, “Being in a uniform automatically instils a sense of responsibility in your mind, especially, for a show like Gaanth which entirely circles around the investigation of a brutal crime. After reading the script, I was extremely excited to get into the skin of the character, since it was completely different from what I had done before. I had to work on the body language, the tone, her relationship with seniors and colleagues around and most importantly, her back story. I had a great time working on these nuances. Manav sir’s presence enhanced and got to life every moment for me because of his sincerely beautiful energy and the camaraderie we shared, which let me be my most vulnerable. He helped me a lot with his insights and experiences.”

    Unlock the web of crimes with, ‘Gaanth’, premiering on 11 June on JioCinema Premium.

  • Crunchyroll to launch on Amazon channels in India

    Crunchyroll to launch on Amazon channels in India

    MUMBAI: Anime lovers in India are in for a treat. Crunchyroll, the anime OTT from Sony Pictures is being readied for a launch on Amazon channels in India and in many countries in south east Asia.

    Speaking at an investor analyst call on 30 June, Sony Pictures chairman & CEO Tony Vinciquerra announced that the rollout of Crunchyroll on Amazon is going to happen in a couple of months. 

    “We have more that 13 million subscribers,” he said. “Crunchyroll is going to be our prime driver for us. We have not really pushed the service in Asia. We are now building up the inventory for our launch. The Amazon channels deal has done very well for us in the US and we are confident it will do as well in south east Asia and India as well.”

    AnimeTimes, another service, from Japanese firm Avex Pictures is already available on Amazon channels in India. 

  • Pocket FM coughs up the most powerful audio story with ‘The Coughing Episode’

    Pocket FM coughs up the most powerful audio story with ‘The Coughing Episode’

    Mumbai: This World No Tobacco Day, audio series platform Pocket FM took a creative approach to raise awareness about the adverse effects of smoking with ‘The Coughing Episode’. The thought-provoking campaign on its social media pages was driven by a unique audio twist to encourage Pocket FM’s community to consider a tobacco-free lifestyle.

    Pocket FM’s social media channels such as Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube buzzed with a special 71-second episode. In this special episode, a narrator experienced a persistent cough – a common consequence of smoking. However, the episode soon turned into a powerful message about the harmful effects of smoking, encouraging listeners to lead a tobacco-free life.

    Complementing the online efforts, Pocket FM aired a multi-city public service announcement across radio stations like Fever FM and Radio One. The public service announcement used humour to connect the dots between smoking and a raspy voice, urging listeners to take the pledge to quit smoking, reminding everyone that a healthy lifestyle is the real soundtrack of a great life.

    Pocket FM head – branding & communications Vineet Singh said, “Audio is one of the most powerful tools, whether entertainment or education. At Pocket FM, we are using this power to shed light on the serious health hazards of tobacco. By creatively integrating a surprise element in our content,  we want to engage our listeners while inspiring them to make healthier choices. This World No Tobacco Day, let’s all take a moment to pledge to stay tobacco-free and support a healthier future.”

    As part of this initiative, Pocket FM is encouraging everyone to join the conversation and spread the word via Pocket FM’s World No Tobacco Day content with using the hashtags #WorldNoTobaccoDay and #PocketFM.

  • OnePlay launches OneSpace

    OnePlay launches OneSpace

    Mumbai: OnePlay, a leading player in the cloud gaming industry, proudly announces the launch of OneSpace, a groundbreaking cloud PC service. This innovative addition to OnePlay’s cloud gaming platform promises to revolutionise how users play AAA games while also seamlessly running different softwares and other PC-related applications on any device. OneSpace can be accessed through the OnePlay platform with new upcoming WebRTC Support for Linux, iPhone & IOS. With OneSpace, users can bid farewell to limitations on the type of hardware they need to play their favourite games or perform other PC-related tasks and seamlessly access high-end PC capabilities on the cloud.  

    This innovative subscription service gives users access to OnePlay’s expanding library of over 350+ games and applications, streamed directly to their devices. OneSpace delivers unmatched performance to its users with 24GB DDR5 RAM, a 4-core, 8-thread CPU clocked at 4.3+ GHz, and 256GB+ NVMe SSD storage with built-in backup.

    Commenting on the launch, OnePlay co-founder & CEO Harshit Jain said, “With OneSpace, we mark a new era of end-to-end cloud gaming and workspace that will change the way people view and use streaming. By providing access to a versatile platform, we are empowering not just gamers but all users to unlock the full potential of gaming and PC usage, without being limited by their hardware capabilities.”

    Furthermore, OneSpace ensures seamless connectivity with a Gigabit network connection for an exceptional browsing experience and supports high frame rates up to 120FPS and beyond, ideal for any high-end PC usage. OneSpace delivers excellent performance per rupee and runs seamlessly on web browsers or the OnePlay platform. Users can enjoy top-tier graphics supporting NVIDIA’s RTX, DLSS, and frame generation technologies. Future scalability options will allow users to choose from different GPU models, configurations, and storage capacities to meet their specific needs.

    OneSpace will be available starting May 31 on the OnePlay website, with a monthly subscription fee of Rs 1299. Visit the website for more information https://www.oneplay.in/.

  • Oliver Kahn discusses leadership in ‘Duologue with Barun Das S2E2 CTV premiere

    Oliver Kahn discusses leadership in ‘Duologue with Barun Das S2E2 CTV premiere

    Mumbai: The second episode of ‘Duologue with Barun Das’ Season 2 premiered on India’s only 24×7 digital English CTV news stream News9 Live, at 9 pm on 25 May 2024. Episode 2 features the serial disrupter of the news media landscape engaging in an in-depth conversation with legendary German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn. The webisode dives into Kahn’s unparalleled career, his insights into leadership, and his reflections on the essence of the beautiful game.

    Barun Das, the MD and CEO of TV9 Network, kicks off the conversation by expressing his overwhelming admiration for Oliver Kahn, acknowledging him as a true legend and the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time). Delving into the challenges of being a goalkeeper, the two men share experiences about the loneliness at the top and the immense responsibility of serving as the last line of defence – on the pitch or in an organisation.

    In a never-seen-before revelation of the secrets to his success, Kahn shares intimate details of his journey, reflecting on the three key levers of leadership. The conversation navigates the delicate balance between physical prowess and mental fortitude in the realm of sports, with Kahn reflecting on how sheer hard work compensated for his perceived lack of natural talent in his early days of football.

    In a walk down memory lane, Kahn recalls the reasons for his interest in the art of goalkeeping, and the two men who shaped the destiny of the legend he would go on to become. Retracing the ups and downs of his career, he finds common ground with Barun Das in their approach towards adversity, leadership and responsibility.

    While on the subject of the latter, Kahn bares an uncharacteristically vulnerable side to himself, talking about the importance of learning to deal with loss in a sport where, as he puts it, “the winner takes it all”.

    One of Kahn’s most defining moments, both as a player and as a person, took place during the crucial, final minutes of the 2002 World Cup final, when Germany conceded a second goal to Brazil, with Oliver Kahn in the post. What was learned only later, however, was that Kahn played on even with torn ligaments in his right hand.

    “That’s what you have to do as a leader. There are no excuses. You are responsible”, he says, talking about the ill-fated match. Refusing, even today, to let the injury be cited as the reason for his concession of the goals, he says, “I was the goalkeeper. I made the mistake… And I have to take responsibility for that mistake. There are no excuses for that”.

    Ever the goalkeeper at heart, Kahn also shares his appreciation for the keeping chops of the player on the Argentine side who he believes to be the true, underrated star of the 2023 World Cup.

    Having plenty of managerial experience as former CEO of Bayern Munich, Kahn also shares his thoughts on the future of football in India, emphasizing three crucial boxes that he believes need ticking for India to take its soccer teams to global turfs.

    The conversation, between one legendary CEO and a legendary player-turned-CEO, will be followed by an episode featuring the renowned author and alternative medicine advocate Dr. Deepak Chopra, on Saturday the 1 June 2024, only on News9 Live. 

  • QuackQuack launches human matchmaker model for enhanced dating experience

    QuackQuack launches human matchmaker model for enhanced dating experience

    Mumbai: The leading Desi dating app, QuackQuack, has launched its latest initiative, the Human Matchmaker Model, designed to offer the smoothest and most successful dating experience ever. This new feature combines cutting-edge technology coupled with human expertise to provide the app’s valued paid users with tips, tricks, and more comprehensive support in finding the perfect match. The app’s founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented on the launch, “We currently have over 3 crore people on our app, and every component of this model is crafted with our users’ concerns and feedback in mind. From hand-holding our paid subscribers for better and more successful matches to dating tips from dating experts, this new model will offer an enhanced dating experience. We are planning offline events like mixers, and the advantages of availing it will be even greater.”

    Profile maker: Drafting the perfect profile.

    QuackQuack’s Human Matchmaker Model will assist paid users in crafting the most engaging and appealing profile that will effectively attract more matches. The model offers tips backed by extensive research on how to draft a compelling bio, suggestions to pick the right picture to set as the display image, and professional assistance to optimize other elements on the profile to attract perfect matches.

    Online and offline dating tips

    Dating experts will offer detailed dating tips for both online and offline dating. QuackQuack’s surveys show around 44% of users are concerned about safety, and 26% of daters are hesitant to approach potential matches. The app listened to its users and crafted the Human Matchmaker model, where they will get assistance with initiating a conversation with a potential match, advice on the best time to be active on the app for the most promising results, and guidance to date and interact safely.

    Personalised match suggestions

    The Human Matchmaker Model will use a combination of user preferences, likes, interests, and other important attributes to suggest a more personalized and compatible match. This approach increases the chance of finding a genuine connection.

    Customised messages

    QuackQuack’s observations have shown that a simple Hi might not be enough to get a reply, and it also highlighted that most daters are uncertain about how else to start a conversation. To do away with their users’ worry, the app’s Matchmaker Model will help craft personalized messages that are proven to get more responses. These strategically tailored messages will catch the attention of users even amidst a crowd of matches.

    Profile analysis

    Users can benefit tremendously from in-depth analysis of profiles that have shown interest in them. If someone has liked or visited a profile, an expert will analyze the action, and give guidance on how to check their profiles, interpret these actions, and the best ways to proceed. It will help users make informed decisions.

    First priority for matchmaking events

    QuackQuack is also planning exclusive matchmaking events soon and paid users availing Human Matchmaking Model will be given the first priority, free tickets to these events, and more preferences, allowing users exclusive opportunity to meet potential matches IRL. 

  • NEXA Music Season 3: Celebrating the power of Indie music in India

    NEXA Music Season 3: Celebrating the power of Indie music in India

    Mumbai: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) announced the launch of NEXA Music Season 3, a transformative platform celebrating the vibrant and diverse indie (independent) music landscape in India.

    Music is a cornerstone of the NEXA philosophy, embodying the brand’s belief in creating experiences that inspire. NEXA Music stands on the ‘Create. Inspire’ brand philosophy, caters to the connected, demanding, and evolved urban consumer.

    This season, NEXA Music forays into regional music in addition to English music, offering participating artists a unique opportunity to showcase their talent to a global audience alongside superstars such as King, Raja Kumari and Arjun Kanungo under the guidance of A.R. Rahman.

    Announcing the launch of NEXA Music Season 3, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd senior executive officer, marketing & sales Partho Banerjee said, “NEXA Music is about breaking boundaries and creating extraordinary experiences. With Season 3, we are embracing India’s rich and diverse musical landscape. With NEXA Music, our goal is to discover and nurture artists from every corner of the country, bringing their unique voices to the forefront. Under the spotlight of globally renowned musicians like Mr. A.R. Rahman, these artists will create original compositions that resonate globally. We anticipate an overwhelming response to NEXA Music Season 3 as we continue to offer the NEXA global experience.”

    Expressing his enthusiasm, A.R. Rahman commented, “India is a treasure trove of diverse musical talent. NEXA Music Season 3, in partnership with Qyuki, is an extraordinary initiative to unearth and celebrate both English and regional music from across the country. The last two seasons have given several artists access to global platforms for displaying their talent. I am delighted to be part of this journey and look forward to discovering exceptional talent that will bring the richness of Indian English and regional music to the world stage.”

    NEXA Music was created to promote and cultivate original indie music talent in India. Seasons 1 and 2 each saw the emergence of 24 standout musicians mentored by global music icon A.R. Rahman supported by Clinton Cerejo. The winners of each season saw their efforts culminating in the release of original tracks and music videos, amassing millions of views on YouTube and establishing a strong digital presence on leading audio streaming platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.

    Building on the robust foundation of the last two seasons, NEXA Music Season 3 will embrace the rich tapestry of India’s diverse musical landscape. Besides English music, it will also spotlight artists who sing in regional languages, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create and share their unique musical expressions on a global platform.

    Emerging artists from anywhere in India can submit their tracks on www.nexamusic.com to participate in NEXA Music Season 3. The jury comprising A.R. Rahman, NEXA, and Qyuki will shortlist contestants from all entries received. These contestants will be showcased at the ‘NEXA Music Lab’, which identifies and focuses a spotlight on their talent.

    NEXA Music Season 3 will continue to be anchored by its two foundational pillars: NEXA Music Lounge and NEXA Music Lab.

    ●    NEXA Music Lounge: The Lounge will showcase headline performances from top indie artists and winners of previous seasons, who will contribute their original compositions to elevate the NEXA Music platform. Season 3 will feature indie legends including Raja Kumari, King, and Arjun Kanungo in addition to the curator, A. R. Rahman.

    ●    NEXA Music Lab: The NEXA Music Lab is where selected participants will receive guidance from international music publishers alongside global music icon A.R. Rahman. Emerging artists will have a platform to showcase their original work, allowing for complete creative expression.  This ensures their original compositions and music videos reflect their true artistic vision.

    NEXA Music Season 3 promises to be a landmark album, celebrating the depth and diversity of India’s musical heritage. By embracing talent across the country, it will continue to redefine the musical landscape, creating a vibrant and inclusive platform for artists to shine.

    Artists can click on www.nexamusic.com to participate and submit their entries.

  • MY FM launches new humour property – ‘Babaji Practical Hai’

    MY FM launches new humour property – ‘Babaji Practical Hai’

    Mumbai: MY FM, the radio arm of Dainik Bhaskar Group, launched a new comic sparkler, “Babaji Practical Hai,” a unique content that adds humour to everyday situations. With every capsule, one will laugh out loud as Babaji brings to light the absurdities of life.

    It features the witty and insightful character Babaji, who addresses common life challenges. The character offers a playful commentary on life’s ups and downs. From the hustle and bustle of the office to the nuances of married life, or just trying to get through the day, Babaji has something practical and hilarious to say. His humour and jibes are set to become the antidote to our daily grind.

    “Babaji Practical Hai” is aired daily, once every hour, across MY FM network.

  • MCA’s WhatsApp tipline trusted to combat AI-generated misinformation

    MCA’s WhatsApp tipline trusted to combat AI-generated misinformation

    Mumbai: The Misinformation Combat Alliance’s (MCA) Deepfakes Analysis Unit (DAU) Tipline on WhatsApp has emerged as a trusted resource for raising public awareness and a critical instrument in helping combat the spread of AI-generated misinformation. The WhatsApp tipline became available for public use on 25 March 2024 and has received hundreds of messages, successfully assisting people to discern between real and synthetic media.

    Users can flag AI-manipulated content in the form of audio notes and videos by sending it to the WhatsApp tipline and will receive assessments on whether a piece of media is AI-generated or contains elements of it. The tipline offers multilingual support in English and three regional languages (Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu).

    With millions of Indians using WhatsApp, the collaboration between Meta and MCA represents a continued effort to empower users with tools to verify information on its service, especially to curb the spread of AI-generated misinformation.  

    In the short span of the DAU tipline being operational, the team has reviewed challenging content manipulated using AI technology. It has seen noticeable trends emerge that can help educate the public on spotting deepfakes, empowering them to debunk false claims and prevent the spread of such misinformation.

    Analyzing the trends based on the messages received on the DAU tipline, the bulk of the content has been in the form of videos.

    ●    In most cases where AI is used to manipulate videos, the original audio tracks have been replaced with AI-generated audio. There are multiple examples of this kind of audio tampering in videos featuring actors, businessmen, politicians, and even TV anchors.

    ●    Memes of politicians and their likenesses created using A.I. have sometimes involved face-blending techniques or cheaper techniques lacking sophistication.

    ●    In a few videos analysed, the team was able to assess that the mouth of a subject had been recreated using generative A.I. so that their lip movements could synchronise with their words to produce what is called a lip sync deepfake.  

    DAU head Pamposh Raina said, “The strength of the DAU lies in the collaborative model which it is building by partnering with detection and forensic experts, which in turn is helping DAU’s fact-checking partners who are an integral part of this project. At the end of the day, our goal is to drive public awareness on the issue of algorithm-based fabrication and I am confident that this kind of a symbiotic model can be replicated across the globe to combat misinformation spread through audio and video content produced using generative AI.”

    Next time you’re not sure if something is a deepfake, send it to the DAU tipline on WhatsApp.

    1.    Start a chat with the DAU on WhatsApp by forwarding audio notes or videos you want to verify to +91 9999025044.

    2.    In response to your message, you will receive an assessment report on whether a piece of media is AI-generated or contains elements of it.

    3.    Follow DAU’s WhatsApp Channel where you can receive assessments of verified content in real-time (https://bit.ly/dauwachannel).

    MCA is a cross-industry alliance bringing companies, organizations, institutions, industry associations and entities together to collectively fight misinformation and its impact. Currently, MCA has 16 members including fact-checking organizations, media outlets, and civic tech and are inviting strategic partners to collaborate in this industry-wide initiative to combat misinformation and create an enlightened and informed society. Seven detection and forensics partners are lending their expertise and knowledge to support the Deepfakes Analysis Unit.