ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Graphic India’s ‘The Legend of Hanuman’ tops the chart as the #1 Hindi Show on Disney+Hotstar

    Graphic India’s ‘The Legend of Hanuman’ tops the chart as the #1 Hindi Show on Disney+Hotstar

    Mumbai: Graphic India announced that Season 3 of its hit animated series, The Legend of Hanuman, has ranked as the #1 show in Hindi on 22 January 2024, above all other live action shows and films on Disney+Hotstar streamed that day.

    Having premiered on 12 January, Season 3 of the series continues to be a trailblazer, setting an unprecedented milestone for the Indian animation industry.

    The series has been a breakout success in India with independent media consulting and data analytics group, Ormax Media listing it in the Top 3 Hindi shows or films in India for the past two weeks across all streaming platforms in the country. Ormax estimates the show received 8 million views in the first 10 days.

    Along with its previous seasons, The Legend of Hanuman is the only animated series to be listed in the Ormax Media chart of top 5 shows and movies. The series has also received an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences across age groups, resulting in a 9.2 IMDB audience feedback rating and 4.9 (out of 5) Google audience review rating, making it one of the highest scores for any original Indian streaming show or film.

    The series was created by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan J. Kang and Charuvi Agrawal, and produced by Graphic India.

    Devarajan and Kang are the series showrunners and Executive Producers, with Devarajan as the lead writer and Kang as the lead director.

    Graphic India founder and the series co-creator, Sharad Devarajan commented, “The Legend of Hanuman continues to be an unprecedented milestone for original Indian animation, and we are so honored by the positive responses we have received for Season 3 so far. Our hope was to create a transcendent moment for Indian animation and to do justice to this amazing hero that has inspired countless millions of people for thousands of years. We wanted to have Indian audiences experience the medium of animation as a new form of sophisticated storytelling that captures the complex subject matter and deeply spiritual themes of our mythologies. I hope people of all ages will continue to discover and enjoy the series in the weeks, months, and years ahead.”

  • All India Gaming Federation announces the second edition of AIGF Knowledge series

    All India Gaming Federation announces the second edition of AIGF Knowledge series

    Mumbai:   All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the apex industry body for the online gaming sector in India, announced the upcoming second edition of the AIGF Knowledge Series. This groundbreaking initiative is set to take place at Bengaluru GAFX 2024, a flagship annual event of the Indian animation, VFX, gaming, and comics (AVGC) industry, supported by the Government of Karnataka.

    The “AIGF Knowledge Series” is a cohesive module to spark up conversations and create awareness about the online skill gaming landscape. The series will be held in collaboration with different states in the country to foster insightful and riveting discussions across strategic gaming themes through panel discussions, fireside chats by various domain experts from the industry and gaming ecosystem.  The first edition was successfully conducted in Meghalaya and the second knowledge series is scheduled to take place at Lalit, Bengaluru, on 31 January 2024, starting at 3 pm. Renowned industry experts, thought leaders, and key stakeholders will gather to share valuable insights into the latest developments, challenges, and solutions in the realm of online gaming safety.

    The Indian online gaming industry is at the cusp of transformation and is poised to only grow further. In 2023, India’s online gaming market had revenues of Rs 260 billion ($ 3.1 billion) and is expected to grow to Rs 625 billion ($ 7.5 billion) in the next five years, as per a report. An event of this nature is intended to benefit game creators, industry, and gamers alike and serve towards the goal of creating a safe, secure, trusted and accountable gaming ecosystem within Digital India.

    All India Gaming Federation CEO Roland Landers expressed his delight at introducing AIGF’s flagship knowledge series in Bengaluru. He stated, “Our objective with this series is to facilitate insightful and engaging discussions on strategic gaming themes. We also aim to collaborate with other key states in the future to enhance outreach and awareness towards online gaming. Through this knowledge series, we invite all stakeholders in the gaming industry to actively participate in this insightful event. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, we can collectively contribute to the development of a safer and more trusted online gaming ecosystem.”

    Moreover, as the Indian online gaming industry continues to evolve, the AIGF Knowledge Series at Bengaluru GAFX 2024 stands as a pivotal platform for industry stakeholders to collaborate, share insights, and shape the future of the online gaming landscape.

    Event Registration Link: https://aigf.glueup.com/event/97443/register/

  • Airtel paid Rs 8325 crore in advance for spectrum acquisitions backed in 2015

    Airtel paid Rs 8325 crore in advance for spectrum acquisitions backed in 2015

    Mumbai: In the strategic move, Bharati Airtel prepaid all liabilities for the spectrum acquired earlier in 2015.

    As per the company statement, ‘ Bharati Airtel has prepaid Rs 8325 crore to the DoT (department of telecommunications) for spectrum acquired in 2015 on Tuesday.’

    The company’s advance payment decision is to save interest costs and maintain more cash flows and working capital needs ahead of 5 G spectrum sales in March 2024. Back in 2015, Airtel bought 111.6 MHz of spectrum for Rs 29130 Crore out of which Rs 7832.58 crore was paid already.

    The company needs to renew airwaves of approximately Rs 4200 crore. In the last 5 G spectrum sale, the government sold 71 per cent of 72 GHz spectrum amounting to Rs 150173. In 2015, the company made two rounds of payments of Rs 8815 crore and Rs 8024 crore respectively.

  • Amish Tripathi’s documentary, “Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: The Return of A Splendid Sun” to premiere on 25 January on JioCinema

    Amish Tripathi’s documentary, “Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: The Return of A Splendid Sun” to premiere on 25 January on JioCinema

    Mumbai: JioCinema is all set to premiere the iconic documentary Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: The Return of a Splendid Sun on 25 January. Presented by Dilip Piramal and Amish Tripathi, written by Anirban Bhattacharya and Pranav Chaturvedi, the documentary takes the viewers through the history of the sacred land of Ayodhya and the events that marked the revolutionary phenomenon.

    The trailblazing documentary traverses through the nuances of the events unfolded in the unconquerable city that became the heart of the civilization, laced with the purest feeling of the devotion towards Maryada Purushottam Ram. Through the eyes of Amish Tripathi, the documentary starts with throwing light on the life of Lord Ram and reveals the story of the demolition of the temple in the 16th Century. What follows are series of events that capture the conflicts and landmark decisions, along with insightful anecdotes from the locals, as well as from the prominent personalities from various fields. This momentous journey continues to live in the hearts of millions across the world. 

  • It is a complete package’: Prerna Lisa about her release Badi Heroine Banti Hai

    It is a complete package’: Prerna Lisa about her release Badi Heroine Banti Hai

    Mumbai: – Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service recently released its rom-com series, Badi Heroine Banti Hai. Capturing the essence of romance, drama, thrill, and mystery, the series chronicles the story of Kajal as she moves to Mumbai from a small town and her fates get tangled with her CEO Advait, igniting a love-hate relationship between them. Prerna Lisa who essays the character of the quirky and fun-loving Kajal, recently shared her thoughts on the series.

    Talking about what makes the series special and distinct from other rom-coms, Prerna Lisa shared, “I think the fact that it has everything is what makes it so special and different. You can’t specify it or categorize it in any particular genre. Though it shifts towards an angle of romantic drama, it also is a beautiful amalgamation of thrill, mystery, comedy, and all the things that you might or might not expect from a series. It is a complete package for sure.”

    Talking about the series Prerna further shared her thoughts, saying, “It will surely be Badi Heroine Banti Hai since it is a romantic comedy. And I have already seen it, so hands down it is my favorite.”

    Created by Gul Khan, Badi Heroine Banti Hai features Prerna Lisa, Rajeev Siddhartha, Nehal Chudasama, and Utkarsh Kohli in pivotal roles. The series is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free, available on Amazon’s shopping app, on Fire TV, and Play Store.

     

  • Prime Video’s Rainbow Rishta, bags a nomination for outstanding documentary at the Prestigious 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

    Prime Video’s Rainbow Rishta, bags a nomination for outstanding documentary at the Prestigious 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

    Mumbai: Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, has earned a nomination in the ‘Outstanding Documentary’ category at the prestigious GLAAD Media Awards for Rainbow Rishta, its unscripted Original series that explores the theme of queer love. This historic nomination marks the first time an Indian unscripted series on queer-love is being acknowledged at this prestigious award. The GLAAD Media Awards, founded in 1990, are recognized as the most prominent annual LGBTQ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences worldwide. The ceremonies for the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 14, 2024, and in New York City on May 11, 2024.

    Rainbow Rishta, which premiered on Prime Video in November 2023, is a first-of-its-kind series for any Indian streaming service that beautifully encapsulates six real-life love stories and experiences of members from the LGBTQIA+ community from India who move mountains to make their seemingly impossible dreams come true. The six narratives weave a vibrant tapestry, encompassing a range of stories such as vow exchanging ceremony between a doting couple, the dilemma of a 30 year old drag queen navigating their first date, the challenges faced by a young lesbian couple in Assam in search of a home, the story of a solitary man hoping to find love again, a doctor/ actor’s tryst of evading the world of casual dating, and a couple embarking on an adventurous road trip to Hampi to test the waters. Amusing, endearing, motivational, and innovative, these narratives are intricately linked through a common theme – the profound expression of love. They delve into the realms of seeking companionship, taking bold risks, nurturing families, grappling with loneliness, and collaboratively building homes.

    Showcasing myriad facets of love, the series is a VICE Studios Production, written by Monisha Thyagarajan, Navin Noronha, and Sneha Nair, and is directed by Jaydeep Sarkar, along with story directors – Hridaye A. Nagpal and Shubhra Chatterji.

    “Rainbow Rishta is a celebration of love in its myriad forms, presenting a compelling and diverse exploration of human connections and resilience. It’s a moment of true pride and honor for us to be nominated at the 35th edition of the prestigious GLAAD Media Awards and we express our gratitude to our creators for delivering this authentic representation, and a heartfelt appreciation to our cast for graciously allowing us into their lives,” said Prime Video Originals head India & Southeast Asia Aparna Purohit. “At Prime Video, we firmly believe that diversity, equity and inclusion, is not just needed, it is essential at every stage and in every sphere of our lives. Rainbow Rishta fearlessly shines a light on the lows, highs, and the challenges encountered by the members of the LGBTQIA+ community and serves as an evidence that inclusive storytelling can transcend all geographical and linguistic borders, and contribute towards demystifying and dismantling the biases that persist globally against the queer community. The nomination at GLAAD Media Awards reinforces our commitment to fostering narratives that not only entertain but also challenge perceptions and contribute towards a more inclusive and an accepting world.”

    Sarkar said, “Being recognized and appreciated for their efforts and work is truly fulfilling for any filmmaker, but being nominated at a coveted and prestigious award, such as the GLAAD Media Awards, is a matter of great pride for me and the entire team that worked tirelessly to bring Rainbow Rishta to life. Through an unbiased lens we tried to give authentic queer stories about love, freedom, triumphs, and choices a place in the mainstream. Rainbow Rishta aims to put personhood and humanity before labels, as it navigates the path of self-acceptance, extending from within to friends, family, and society. Everyone who worked on this docuseries was deeply empathetic towards the theme and I believe this incredible synergy of love and acceptance has been felt and appreciated by the audiences the world over, and now being recognized by the GLAAD Media Awards.”

    VICE Studios, Samira Kanwar, sharing her thoughts on the nomination said, “Rainbow Rishta is a show made with love, about the universality of love. While building out the series, we knew we wanted the series to spark conversations, build empathy and break preconceived notions, all whilst staying authentic to the experiences of the LGBTQAI+ community. We are so grateful to our incredible cast who allowed us into their lives in honest and moving ways, and to the fantastic crew who recognised the importance of what we were making – together we have genuinely created something incredibly important and real. The docuseries being nominated for Outstanding Documentary at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards, is truly a testament to the heart and soul that everyone who worked on it brought to this show and something we are truly proud of at VICE Studios.”

  • GIGABYTE and Skyesports launch Rs 125,000 Cafe League 2024 in five cities

    GIGABYTE and Skyesports launch Rs 125,000 Cafe League 2024 in five cities

    Mumbai:  GIGABYTE, a global leader in computer hardware, has tied up with Skyesports esports tournament organiser, to bring the GIGABYTE Cafe League 2024, a high-octane grassroots-level esports tournament, where players from five different cities can compete in their local gaming cafes for bragging rights and a share of the Rs 1,25,000 Prize Pool.

    The GIGABYTE Cafe League 2024 will head to 5 different cities across India. In each city, players will have the chance to compete in an open-for-all Counter-Strike 2 tournament, featuring an Rs 25,000 Prize Pool. Registrations for the tournament are currently open. After registering, players can head over to the below-mentioned cafes to take part in this competition.

    https://forms.gle/DzJv5DRgbJirbVndA

    1   Kolkata (Fusion Max Cafe): Jan. 19 to 21

    2   Mumbai (Next Level Gaming, Goregaon): Jan. 26 to 28

    3   Nasik (Next Level Gaming, Yeolekar Mala): Feb. 2 to 4

    4   Faridabad (The Cabal): Feb. 9 to 11

    5   Pune (Rapid Rounds Gaming Cafe): Feb. 16 to 18

    Additionally, each city in the GIGABYTE Cafe League 2024 will have a dedicated experience zone, offering players a chance to game on state-of-the-art GIGABYTE laptops like the GIGABYTE G5 MF and the AORUS 15 9KF.

    Commenting on the exciting tournament, GIGABYTE India the Asst. general manager Supriya Gawde Mankame said, “GIGABYTE is thrilled to be a catalyst in the resurgence of the vibrant gaming cafe culture in India, especially as we witness the post-COVID-19 return to the heart of gaming – the local cafes. The GIGABYTE Cafe League 2024 is not just an esports tournament but also a celebration of the community in local gaming cafes across the country. At GIGABYTE, we believe in ‘Upgrading Your Life,’ and with this partnership, we are not just elevating esports; we are nurturing a cultural resurgence that goes hand-in-hand with the joy of gaming at your local cafe.”

    Adding on the grassroots-level GIGABYTE Cafe League Skyesports head of global business partnerships  Sashank Bhandaru said, “Gaming cafes present the core of the Indian PC gaming culture and we are thrilled to be partnering with GIGABYTE for the GIGABYTE Cafe League 2024, elevating esports from the grassroots while showcasing the cutting-edge GIGABYTE laptops directly to gamers. Additionally, as pioneers of the Counter-Strike 2 Esports ecosystem with our $1 million roadmap for the game in 2024, the association with GIGABYTE came as a natural partnership as we look to support more grassroots initiatives for the promising gaming title.”

    In each city, the GIGABYTE Cafe League will happen over three days. In the first two days, the offline qualifiers will be held as the top local teams vie for a spot in the exciting Finale on Day 3. Finally, the top teams will convene on Day 3, which will be a live-streamed affair on the Skyesports YouTube channel, to determine the city champions.

    Embed link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrsY_XXxKmCI8AI8gRf-0uw 

  • Vi introduces Swiggy One on Vi Max postpaid plans

    Vi introduces Swiggy One on Vi Max postpaid plans

    Mumbai: After introducing the industry-first initiative, ‘Choice’, which enables Vi users to choose their preferred benefits across entertainment, food, travel, and mobile security, Vi telecom operator announced the addition of popular food delivery platform ‘Swiggy’ to their Vi Max postpaid portfolio as one of the benefit options for its users.

    Strengthening its postpaid portfolio, Vi now offers Vi Max individual and Vi Max family postpaid Users ‘Swiggy One Membership’ valued at over Rs 2500, at no extra cost. Vi Max Postpaid users on plans Rs 501, Rs 701, REDX Plan Rs 1101 as well as Vi Max Family Plan Rs 1001, and 1151 plans will be able to access Swiggy One membership as one of the added benefits from a wide range of options.

    Vi Max users opting for Swiggy One will get:

    ·         Unlimited free deliveries on food orders above Rs 149 & up to 30 per cent extra discount on over 30K restaurants

    ·         Unlimited free deliveries on orders  above Rs 199 on Instamart

    ·         Up to 40 per cent off on Dine out and get two additional coupons worth Rs 150/month

    ·         10 per cent off on all Swiggy Genie delivery fees

    With this, Vi Max postpaid individual and family plan users can opt for a benefit of their choice such as: Entertainment (OTT): Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV and SunNXT); Travel: Easemytrip; Security: Norton 360 Mobile Security and Food: EazyDiner and now Swiggy One membership.

    Vi Max postpaid plans also offer other unique benefits such as Set Your Own Credit Limit and Priority Customer Service.

    To know more on the new postpaid plans from Vi, log on to https://www.myvi.in/new-connection/buy-postpaid-sim-connection-online 

  • Games24x7 Foundation unveils ‘Wheels of Change’ on national girl child day

    Games24x7 Foundation unveils ‘Wheels of Change’ on national girl child day

    Mumbai: Games24x7 Foundation, the non-profit arm of Games24x7, one of online skill gaming companies, is reshaping the landscape of education for underprivileged girls with the launch of ‘Wheels of Change’ on National Girl Child Day. A response to the staggering challenge of over 5.5 Lakh out-of-school girls in India1, this initiative addresses the prevalent issue of distance acting as a deterrent for girl students, often a decisive factor in their unfortunate dropout.

    In unveiling the ‘Wheels of Change’ initiative, Games24x7 co-founder and CEO Bhavin Pandya declared, “The Games24x7 Foundation passionately commits to dismantling barriers faced by aspiring girl students in an effort to promote education for all in our country. A small step towards this large endeavour is taken in the distant towns of Dharashiv, Maharashtra of ensuring access to high school education for girl students. At the Games24x7 Foundation, our vision is to empower the youth, catalysing lasting impact for future generations. Through the ‘Wheels of Change’ initiative, we aim to empower a cultural transformation, fostering a society where learning and aspiration know no bounds. This endeavour is fuelled by the unwavering support of the Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, propelling our mission to build an inclusive and progressive future.”

    Maharashtra’s student dropout rates stand at a 10.7 per cent annual rate at the secondary level (national average 12.6 per cent) in 2021-2022. However, in five districts, it soars past 15 per cent. Recognising this as a barrier to the new National Education Policy 100 per cent enrolment goal by 2030, Games24x7 Foundation is set to distribute 1000 bicycles in Dharashiv district—specifically Bhoom, Washi, Paranda. The initiative aims to offer a sense of independence, security, and shorter commutes, breaking barriers to education for deserving girls.

    The ‘Wheels of Change’ is Games24x7 Foundation’s impactful stride, building on Games24x7’s successful ventures in education, hunger, and healthcare. Collaborating with local authorities, the foundation will host orientation sessions on road safety and will compile data on attendance, punctuality, and educational aspirations, offering valuable insights into the initiative’s transformative impact. This marks a pivotal step in the Foundation’s mission for building a framework to stimulate impact for generations to come.

    Games24x7 Foundation stands strong with its parent organisations’ previous collaborations with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF), Hemkunt Foundation, Christel House and many more non-for-profit organisations driving impactful initiatives. Notably, Games24x7’s partnership on a child trafficking study with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation lending their tech for good, brought forward a tool for KSCF and its partners to analyse data collected from the vulnerable children in real time. These initiatives lay the foundation for meaningful change in countless lives across the nation.

    Learn more about our initiatives and the Science of Gaming ethos at https://www.games24x7.com/csr

  • Radio City Q3 results: 13 per cent revenue growth and 25 per cent growth in EBITDA

    Radio City Q3 results: 13 per cent revenue growth and 25 per cent growth in EBITDA

    Mumbai: Music Broadcast Limited (MBL), India’s private FM radio broadcaster has reported its un-audited financial results for the quarter ended 31 December 2023.

    Key highlights – Q3FY24:

    ·  Q3FY24 top line of Rs 60.4 Crores; 11 per cent growth YoY
    ·  EBITDA at Rs 15.3 Crores; 5 per cent Growth YoY
    ·  EBITDA margin at 25.3 per cent

    Key Highlights – 9MFY24:

    ·  9MFY24 Top line of Rs 165.9 Crores; 13 per cent growth YoY
    ·  EBITDA at Rs 40.1 Crores; 25 per cent growth YoY
    ·  EBITDA margin at 24.2 per cent
    ·  Maintained a strong Position with 19 per cent volume market share

    Includes other income

    Commenting on the results, Radio City director, Shailesh Gupta said, “I am pleased to share that our revenues experienced an 11 per cent growth in the Q3FY24 with EBITDA margins at 25.3 per cent. Our focus continues towards the digital business which has a significant growth moving forward.

    At Radio City, we’ve executed a range of strategies to expand our positioning in the radio industry. According to Aircheck 15 Markets, in the third quarter, we successfully retained our market share at 19 per cent. Additionally, our comprehensive Omni-channel framework allows us to maximize the extensive reach of our networks, ensuring the delivery of optimal value to our clients.

    About the growth in the advertising sector, the real estate industry experienced a notable 17 per cent year-on-year increase in spending. The pharmaceutical industry expanded by 15 per cent, while the auto industry demonstrated an impressive growth of 26 per cent compared to the previous year. On the finance side, the industry experienced a 9 per cent growth. Meanwhile, on the Jewellery front we witnessed a massive growth of 44 per cent and government advertising also saw a good growth of 22 per cent YoY.

    In Q3FY24, our digital business witnessed a growth of 27 per cent Y-o-Y. We are aligning ourselves with the ever-changing media landscape, one that is indifferent to specific platforms, with a central focus on digital for content creation, distribution, consumption, and engagement. To ensure a smooth experience across diverse platforms, we are strengthening our capabilities to stand at the forefront of the digital technology revolution. This involves delivering top-tier entertainment that resonates with the evolving preferences and needs of our audience.

    Radio City remains a preferred choice for both longstanding and recently acquired clients in the field of radio advertising. For Q3FY24, out of the overall client base utilizing the radio platform, 39 per cent have selected Radio City for their advertising campaigns. Additionally, among the newly acquired clients in the radio domain, 31 per cent have specifically chosen to feature their advertisements on Radio City.

    We take pride in deriving 31 per cent of our income from a variety of offerings that includes, proactive proposals, digital initiatives, sponsorships, and special events.