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  • India’s Esports contingent concludes historic debut campaign at Asian Games 2022

    India’s Esports contingent concludes historic debut campaign at Asian Games 2022

    Mumbai: India’s 15-member Esports contingent wrapped up its remarkable journey at the ongoing Asian Games 2022 as the nation’s DOTA 2 team exited the competition at the China Hangzhou Esports Centre on Friday.

    The DOTA 2 squad led by skipper Darshan Bata (A35), and comprising Krish Gupta (Krish-), Abhishek Yadav (Abhi-), Ketan Goyal (Evil-Ash), and Shubham Goli (Madness) endured a 0-1 defeat against Kyrgyzstan in their opening group game before going down 0-1 against the Philippines in the second group stage game to bow out of the competition.

    In what was Esports’ debut as an official medal sport at the prestigious tournament, India had participated in four of the seven total titles namely: DOTA 2, League of Legends, EA Sports FC Online, and Street Fighter V: Champion Edition.

    “We are proud of our Esports athletes’ resolute efforts and gritty performances at the Asian Games 2022. Each and every athlete from the contingent is an inspiration for India’s budding Esports community that wants to represent their country in Esports. This tournament has provided an invaluable experience and motivation for our Esports athletes to build upon and enhance their gameplay for the future,” said Esports Federation of India director and Asian Esports Federation (AESF) VP Lokesh Suji.

    India’s prolific League of Legends team captained by Akshaj Shenoy (Kai), and comprising Samarth Arvind Trivedi (CrankO), Mihir Ranjan (Lotus), Sanindhya Malik (Deadcorp), Aakash Shandilya (Infi), Aditya Selvaraj (Krow) finished fifth at 19th Asian Games after suffering a hard-fought 0-2 defeat against Vietnam in the quarter finals.

    The country’s star EA Sports FC Online athlete, Charanjot Singh, secured the ninth place out of a total pool of 36 leading athletes from the continent in this competition. The 20-year-old began his campaign with a 0:2 defeat to China’s Liu Jiacheng in the Round of 32 but bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins against Aristorenas Jorrel of Philippines, Alrowaihi RKM of Bahrain, and Yessentayev Olzhas of Kazakhstan in the Losers Bracket Round 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

    However, his campaign came to an end after enduring another 0-2 defeat against Liu Jiacheng of China in the Losers Bracket Round 4. His compatriot Karman Singh exited the competition after going down by 1-2 against Aldhafiri Meshari of Kuwait in the Losers Bracket Round 2.

    “Despite the competition being fierce, our League of Legends team secured a remarkable fifth-place finish, while Charanjot Singh achieved a commendable ninth place among the continent’s top EA Sports FC Online athletes. We are now eagerly anticipating the Asian Games 2026, where Esports will once again be an official medal sport, and our full-strength Indian contingent will give their all in pursuit of glory,” added Lokesh Suji.

    In Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, the talented Ayan Biswas clinched a Top 16 place for India. He began his campaign on a winning note against Nguyen Khanh Hung Chau of Vietnam from the Round of 32 suffering a defeat against Alrayfal Abdulrahman Salem A of Saudi Arabia in the Winners Bracket Round 1. He then beat Vietnam’s Nguyen again by 2-0 in the Losers Bracket Round 2 but fell short against Yeh Man Ho of Hong Kong in the Losers Bracket Round 3.

    Ayan’s teammate, Mayank Prajapati began his tournament against Rajikhan Talal Fuad T of Saudi Arabia and fought valiantly in a fiercely contested 1-2 defeat. He then endured another loss against Al-Mannai Abdulla of Qatar by 0-2 in the Losers Bracket Round 1 and exited the tournament.

    Having been featured as a demonstration event in 2018, Esports made its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 where a total of 476 athletes from 30 different countries competed for gold medals in seven different titles.

     

  • Lionsgate Play’s October lineup: Comedy, Mystery, and Halloween chills

    Lionsgate Play’s October lineup: Comedy, Mystery, and Halloween chills

    Mumbai: Something’s brewing this Halloween and we bet you’re going to love it! As you come knocking on Lionsgate Play’s door, we’ve got nothing but treats for you this October. From something saucy in Joy Ride and Minx to something sweet in Past Lives, we’ve got it all simmering a cauldron. Building anticipation throughout the month with exhilarating titles like the star-studded dramedy Maggie Moore(s), cap off the month with a Halloween special in Lizzy Caplan’s Cobweb. So get your pumpkin spice lattes and blankets in order as Lionsgate Play promises to unleash a treasure trove of thrills this spooky season.

    Exclusive to Lionsgate Play

    Movie Premiere

    Joy Ride – release date: 6 October 2023

    These girls just wanna have fun! Packed with comedy, drama and some NSFW instances, Joy Ride follows Audrey Sullivan on a path to self-discovery. When Audrey’s business trip to Asia goes wrong, she calls on her childhood bestie, Lolo, her college friend Kat and Lolo’s eccentric cousin Deadeye for help. Stranded in a country with nowhere to go, this wild squad embarks on a journey of utter chaos and debauchery that unveils their true loving selves. Starring Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu in titular roles, Joy Ride is the vacation we all want to go on.

    Past Lives – release date: 13 October 2023

    A love story that makes everything pale in comparison. Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro, Past Lives is the heart-wrenching tale of two childhood friends who are separated when Nora immigrates to America. Almost a decade later when Hae Sung comes looking for Nora, they both confront destiny, love and the choices they made. Directed by Celine Song, the film is soul food for every romance lover.

    Maggie Moore(s) – release date: 20 October 2023

    A murder mystery like no other. When Police Chief Sanders comes across two dead bodies with the same name, he’s stumped. On a mission to uncover this tangled web of lies, he meets and falls in love with Rita, a nosy neighbor who solves a good mystery. With Tina Fey, Jon Hamm and Nick Mohammend at its helm, Maggie Moore(s) is sure to leave you befuddled.

    Cobweb – release date: 27 October 2023

    Cobweb is what nightmares are made of. Eight-year old Peter is plagued by a mysterious noise coming from the inside of his bedroom wall – a knocking that his parents insist is a fragment of his imagination. But as the sound and his fears intensify, he starts to believe that his parents may be hiding a terrible secret. Starring Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman and Woody Norman, the film is sure to leave you clutching your blanket every night.

    Series Premiere

    Minx Season 2 – release date: 6 October 2023

    Your favorite feminists are back! Minx Season 2 starring Jake Johnson and Ophelia Lovidbond takes us down the journey of Doug and Joyce as they open the first erotic magazine for women. Amid societal protests and navigating the cut-throat, money-hungry industry, Joyce and Doug fight for the survival of the magazine. Oscar Montoya and Jessica Lowe also return to this laughter riot with their own quirky quips.

  • Inspire Films Limited’s maiden IPO gets oversubscribed 129 times; garners Rs 1,823 crore

    Inspire Films Limited’s maiden IPO gets oversubscribed 129 times; garners Rs 1,823 crore

    Mumbai: Founded in 2012 by media veteran Yash Patnaik under his banner Beyond Dreams Entertainment Private Limited, Inspire FIlms has a rich history of producing top-notch content that has left a lasting impact on audiences across India. With an impressive portfolio of over 6,000 hours of content, including 35 original productions, Inspire Films has firmly established itself as a leading player in the world of Indian OTT platforms and broadcasters.

    The company’s commitment to creating cutting-edge content is evident in its partnerships with renowned platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Jio Cinema, MX Player, Voot Select, and broadcasters like Star Plus, Sony Entertainment Television, Colors, Zee TV, Sun Network, and many others. This extensive reach allows Inspire Films to connect with a diverse and vast audience, ensuring that its unique storytelling captivates viewers from all walks of life.

    Under the visionary leadership of its founder and managing director Yash A. Patnaik and chief creative director Mamta Patnaik, Inspire Films has consistently delivered high-quality series that have become household names. Some of their popular series, such as Dear Ishq, Ek Veer Ki Ardaas Veera, Sadda Haq, Kuchh Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, Ishq Main Marjawan, Tere Ishq Main Ghaayal, Rakshabandhan have not only garnered critical acclaim but also captured the hearts of millions of viewers.

    Moreover, Inspire Films has successfully ventured into multiple regional languages, including Tamil, Malayalam, and Marathi, with series like Chocolate and Vachana Dile Tu Mala, showcasing the company’s dedication to exploring diverse storytelling.

    The goodwill and reputation of Inspire Films within the entertainment industry are impeccable, reflecting their commitment to excellence and creativity. With the promise of new project announcements on the horizon, it’s clear that Inspire Films is poised for even greater achievements in the future, continuing to inspire and entertain audiences with its compelling content.

    The Inspire Films IPO has garnered significant interest and strong subscription numbers, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s potential. The Inspire Films IPO saw robust demand, with a subscription rate of 129.08 times on the last day of bidding. This level of oversubscription is a strong indicator of investor enthusiasm for the company.  The retail portion of the IPO witnessed exceptionally high demand, with a subscription rate of 180.41 times. The IPO was offered in a price band of Rs 56 to Rs 59 per share, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. Inspire Films shares are expected to be listed on the NSE SME platform with a tentative listing date of 5 October.

    The IPO consisted entirely of a fresh issue of 35.98 lakh equity shares. At the upper end of the price band, the company aimed to raise Rs 21.23 crore from the IPO. The proposed allocation of shares in the IPO was divided with 18.9 per cent reserved for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB), 33.3 per cent for Retail Investors, and 14.29 per cent for Non-Institutional Investors (NII).  Narnolia Financial Services Ltd. served as the book-running lead manager for the Inspire Films IPO, while Maashitla Securities Pvt Ltd acted as the IPO Registrar.

    The strong response to the Inspire Films IPO indicates positive market sentiment and investor confidence in the company’s business prospects. It will be interesting to see how the company performs on the stock exchange after its listing, and it may attract further attention from investors and analysts in the coming days.

  • Four out of every five readers look for festive offers in the newspaper

    Four out of every five readers look for festive offers in the newspaper

    Mumbai: In the age of digital, consumers still look to The Times of India group publications for brand and sale offers re-iterating the fact that the print medium is still the best for discovery. And the festive season is no exception. With the stock markets at all-time high and many categories seeing healthy growth, brands are banking on the festive season to achieve their best performance of the year.

    In its third edition, “Times Wishlist” was back this year asking the most important questions for the festive season. “Times Wishlist” is a one-of-a-kind campaign that asks consumers questions about their purchasing behaviour during the festive period.

    This year was our most comprehensive analysis yet, with questions about not just what they want to buy but when they buy, where, and what sources influence their decisions. Emerging as the most popular choice, four out of five readers turn to newspapers for festive deals and offers and three in four prefer to shop in physical stores.

    A whopping 56 per cent of readers are looking to buy consumer durables this year, while 48 per cent are in the market for mobile phones. 33 per cent of people looking to buy mobile phones, intend to spend over Rs. 40,000 on the same. More than half of the readers who want to buy a car are planning to spend more than Rs. 20 lakhs.

    There is also a lot of excitement around the regional festivals, with around 69 per cent of readers in Kolkata looking forward to Durga Puja making festive purchases, while over 35 per cent in Ahmedabad will be shopping during Navratri.

    It is now up to the brands to use these valuable insights to make their move, as there is a captive audience waiting.

     

  • ZEE5 global reports 75 per cent rise in CTV viewing among US South Asian audience

    ZEE5 global reports 75 per cent rise in CTV viewing among US South Asian audience

    Mumbai: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, has revealed significant growth in both engagement and viewership in the United States on connected TVs. The business has reported over a 150 per cent increase in its connected TV user base and a 75 per cent jump in viewership for this segment over the year driven significantly by 4K content launches and an increasingly personalised and improved user interface.

    The platform has recently shared a first-ever look into viewership trends of South Asian and South Asian content in the US, pointing to a 35 per cent y-o-y increase in content consumption over 2022 and a 46 per cent growth in watch time of original content.

    Driving the Connected TV growth are Smart TVs, Google TVs, and Amazon Fire TV, among which the Amazon Fire TV registered the highest growth in consumption in the last year, closely followed by Smart TVs

    ZEE5 Originals like Maya Bazar – For Sale, Vyavastha, and Abar Proloy, as well as blockbuster movies like Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, and Tarla are the most-watched titles in their respective categories. More than 83 per cent of the viewership of movies, in fact, is seen on connected devices,

    TV shows have also continued to keep viewers hooked constituting a significant share of content watched on connected TVs, with the category witnessing a three times y-o-y increase in viewership. Hindi, Telugu, Bangla, and Marathi TV shows were the most watched with viewership peaking on weekdays, particularly on Thursdays and Wednesdays. Legacy titles, such as “Kundali Bhagya,” “Bhagya Lakshmi,” and “Kumkum Bhagya,” account for a significant portion of the content watched.

    Leading these trends was the city of San Jose. Data reveals the city to be the highest consumer of content on connected devices in the US, with close to a two-times increase in users.

    ZEE5 Global chief business officer Archana Anand said, “We are thrilled to see the rapid growth in viewership in the US and how well our content has resonated with a diverse South Asian audience. Connected TVs have seen the highest increase in viewership in the last year especially on the back of our 4K content launches, becoming the preferred choice for viewers who seek a larger-than-life content experience while watching our rich library and blockbuster movies. We are committed to meeting the evolving preferences of our viewers by bringing them a seamless and enriching entertainment experience on the devices of their choice.”

    As a special limited-time offer, users opting for the monthly pack can apply coupon code FIFTYZEE5 to avail 50 per cent off on their first month. 

  • ‘Tol Mol ke Bol’ makes a comeback with Rahul Dua on Eloelo App

    ‘Tol Mol ke Bol’ makes a comeback with Rahul Dua on Eloelo App

    Mumbai: Eloelo live entertainment application is thrilled to announce the return of ‘Tol Mol Ke Bol’, an engaging live game show built on the “Price is Right” format, exclusively on the Eloelo app. The show will be hosted by the celebrated comedian & Shark Tank host, Rahul Dua.

    Commencing on 3 October 2023, viewers can catch the show every Tuesday at 8 PM IST on the Eloelo app. This interactive live show presents an item on-screen for participants to guess its exact price. The player with the closest estimate wins the opportunity to take home exciting cash prizes.

    “Tol Mol Ke Bol” is set to offer an exciting 8-episode interactive experience that combines entertainment with rewards in cash prizes. Hosted on the Eloelo platform which has an extensive user base with over 37 million users and 120K creators. It’s an inclusive Invitation for participants from every corner of India, offering them the exciting prospect of being rewarded with cash prizes worth Rs one lakh.

    Rahul Dua, Host of the gameshow, said, “I am immensely excited to bring the classic Tol Mol ke Bol back to the people of India. Eloelo App is one of the leading live streaming platforms and this partnership with them is going to be a game changer for digital live entertainment. It’s going to be an extravaganza, where I will directly engage with participants and have a blast with them in real time. This is a new adventure for me, and I just can’t wait for the fun to kick off on Eloelo!”

    Eloelo COO Nisheeth Pandey said, “We are committed to building interactive entertainment which people can participate in with their friends and families, and is deeply ingrained in Indian sensibilities.  Tol Mol ke Bol brings back an Indian classic in a new digital, live format, and will definitely engage people across age groups. Rahul Dua hosting the gameshow will be seen in a new avatar, and we are excited to partner with him”

    Eloelo has recently raised a Pre-Series B funding round of $22 million, co-led by Courtside Ventures, Griffin Gaming Partners Mixi Inc, Waterbridge Ventures, Lumikai Fund, Kalaari Capital, Conviviality Ventures and Rocket Capital. Eloelo app further offers a diverse range of shows, including Lovehouse, Tambola, Ludo, and the latest addition, Tol Mol Ke Bol. The recent funding and continuous addition of interesting shows are intended to propel Eloelo’s business growth to newer heights.

  • Saregama acquires majority stake in Pocket Aces

    Saregama acquires majority stake in Pocket Aces

    Mumbai: A new chapter in Saregama’s growth story commences with a majority acquisition in a fast-growing digital entertainment company Pocket Aces Pictures Pvt Ltd, that owns direct relationships with over 95M younger digital-first customers across Instagram, YouTube, etc. Saregama will acquire 51.8 per cent shares for Rs  174 crores with a clear path to further acquire another 41 per cent stake in the next 15 months at pre-agreed multiples. The transaction is an all-cash deal.

    This acquisition will further strengthen Saregama’s strategic ambiton to take leadership position in new music across all Indian languages.  

    Pocket Aces, a youth-focussed digital content creator and publisher, boasts of an IP catalog of over 3000  content pieces ranging across web series, sketches, music videos and reels on its channels FilterCopy, Nutshell and Gobble, and releases over 30 new pieces of content every day. The company’s talent management arm, Clout, manages over 100 digital influencers, and its long-form studio, Dice Media, has created relatable youth-centric web series across OTT platforms such as Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon.

    Pocket Aces’ revenue from operations was Rs 104 cr in FY23. Revenue has grown by 34 per cent CAGR over the last 4 years and is expected to grow even faster in future.

    Acquiring Pocket Aces will add on a whole new dimension of IP and a distribution network of over 95 million followers, which Saregama will leverage to further popularize its music library among the 18-35 audience segment. It will also create synergies across the artiste & influencer management and long-format video creation businesses of the two companies.

    Saregama vice chairperson Avarna Jain said, “This acquisition signifies the confluence of tradition and innovation. While we have always been leaders in the realm of music and media, this partnership with Pocket  Aces will add new dimensions to our business as we tap into the burgeoning young digital audiences.”

     

  • IAMAI demands imposing revenue sharing mechanisms between internet companies and TSPs smack of rent-seeking

    IAMAI demands imposing revenue sharing mechanisms between internet companies and TSPs smack of rent-seeking

    Mumbai: The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has in its counter comments submitted to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on the consultation paper “Regulatory Mechanism for Over-The-Top (OTT) Communication Services, and Selective Banning of OTT Services” said that demands for imposing revenue sharing mechanisms between internet companies and telecom service providers (TSPs) smack of rent-seeking.

    IAMAI also flagged demands made by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). The COAI has called for regulatory intervention to ensure “largest traffic originators” pay a ‘fair share charge’ to telecom companies to account for capital investments made by the latter to “accommodate surging data traffic”. Similarly, ICRIER has called for the imposition of a ‘Broadband Infrastructure Levy’ to be applied at 3% of India operations of “significant” OTT service providers based on “specialized contracts” between service providers and network operators.

    According to IAMAI members, by requiring “largest” OTT service providers to pay TSPs for data used by consumers, TSPs would effectively be charging twice for the same service – as they already charge consumers for data. In any case, “surging data traffic” is merely data consumed by consumers that they have already purchased from telecom companies. Therefore, the “strain” on infrastructure of TSPs occurs when they sell data to consumers beyond their infrastructural capacity – a fact that has been conveniently ignored.

    Opposing demands to bring OTT service providers under regulations typically reserved for telecom companies, IAMAI highlighted that such demands fail to recognise that telecom service providers are subject to a special regulatory and licensing regime by virtue of the control that they exercise over valuable national resources such as spectrum. Therefore, the introduction of a telecom regulatory regime for OTT service providers would be an act of over-regulation.

    Over-the-top service providers have provided high quality content for little-to-no cost to users. This in turn has spurred the rapid growth of data consumption and economic activity in India. Mandating revenue-sharing mechanisms between OTTs and TSPs would effectively reverse this phenomenon by disincentivising growth for OTT based businesses, for whom a volume-based revenue sharing mechanism would be a glass ceiling for continuing growth and may prove to be an entry barrier for startups.
     

  • CleverTap recognised as the 2023 best overall marketing automation company

    CleverTap recognised as the 2023 best overall marketing automation company

    Mumbai: CleverTap, the all-in-one engagement platform was recognised as the 2023 best overall marketing automation company at the sixth edition of the MarTech Breakthrough Awards. The award recognises the most innovative companies, technologies, and products within global advertising, sales, and MarTech. Winning this award highlights CleverTap’s dedication towards innovation within the Marketing Automation space; enabling brands to drive customer engagement with its all-in-one engagement platform. CleverTap’s solutions help brands maximize customer lifetime value by creating real-time, personalised experiences at scale.

    Meeting the demands of the modern MarTech industry requires a very high degree of automation. CleverTap sifts through vast datasets to drive targeted customer engagement through automated segments, advanced analytics, actionable intelligence, and omnichannel experiences. CleverTap has made concerted efforts towards decreasing any campaign’s dependence on manual intervention. It helps brands scale experimentation and personalization to optimize campaigns at scale. Powered by TesseractDB – an innovative database enabling speed and scalability, the all-in-one platform enables over 2000 businesses to automate their marketing campaigns, and enhance product experiences through continuous granular experimentation and optimisation. Not just that, the product has demonstrated the ability to drive customer engagement and retention, leading to a positive impact on business growth by empowering brands to maximize customer lifetime value.

    CleverTap extends a huge thank you to customers, partners, and the committed team members who contributed to the development of our product; ultimately paving the way for the success that brought this award.

  • Minx Season 2 to return on Lionsgate Play on 6 October

    Minx Season 2 to return on Lionsgate Play on 6 October

    Mumbai: Your favorite feminist show is back with some new twists. Lionsgate Play is set to premiere the second season of Minx, with global icons Jake Johnson and Ophelia Lovibond reprising their roles in the series. Minx takes us down the journey of Doug and Joyce as they open the first erotic magazine for women. Amid societal protests and navigating the cut-throat, money-hungry industry, Joyce and Doug fight for the survival of the magazine. With Jake and Ophelia returning, Oscar Montoya and Jessica Lowe also return as Minx Season 2 premieres exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 6 October.

    Talking about where his character Doug is in Season 2, Jake Johnson said, “At the end of Season One, Doug gives the magazine to Joyce. So at this point, Doug is no longer part of Minx. He’s just part of the bottom dollar. And I think when season two starts, Doug instantly has regrets because you know, Minx makes him a lot of money. And it’s really good for his business. So instantly, when Doug starts at season two, it’s how do I get Minx back? How do I get Joyce back? And how do we get this team rolling again?”

    Minx Season 2 is coming to your screens exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 6 October.