ITV

Category: iWorld

  • GST council sticks to its earlier decision: Imposes 28 per cent tax on online gaming

    GST council sticks to its earlier decision: Imposes 28 per cent tax on online gaming

    Mumbai: The GST council has stuck to its earlier decision to impose a 28 per cent levy on the full face value of bets placed on online gaming, casinos and horse racing, and planned to implement it from 1 October.

    Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who chaired the Council’s meeting, said the Centre would now strive to amend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law in Parliament’s current session itself to enable the implementation of the levy, despite dissent from Sikkim and Goa over the modalities of the tax for casino users.

    Tamil Nadu finance minister Thangam Thennarasu raised concerns about the levy’s impact on the State-wide ban on online gaming, which Sitharaman said would be addressed in the language of the new norms to explicitly state the tax cannot be levied where a ban is in place.

    Delhi government’s representative sought a fresh review for the online gaming sector, but most other States leaned towards sticking to the council’s decision last month which had been taken after three years of deliberations, Sitharaman conveyed after the virtual meeting.

    The online gaming industry, which had termed the council’s decision a death knell endangering billions of dollars of investments and thousands of jobs in the sunrise sector, remained anxious but appreciated a critical clarification on the valuation rules for the 28 per cent levy, approved by the council on 2 August.

  • MY FM brings to you “Dil Se Bharat” with Ranveer Allahbadia

    MY FM brings to you “Dil Se Bharat” with Ranveer Allahbadia

    Mumbai: MY FM India is delighted to announce the launch of its highly anticipated show “Dil Se Bharat” on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas in July and Independence Day in August. The show, hosted by famous YouTuber, motivational speaker and leadership coach Ranveer Allahbadia, is captivating audiences with his collection of patriotic stories that embody the spirit and essence of India.

    Ranveer Allahbadia, popularly known for his dynamic storytelling, will take listeners on an emotional journey through the rich tapestry of India’s war history and extraordinary tales of heroism. The show started on 22nd July and will continue until the August end, delivering a series of soul-stirring narratives of the Kargil war and Kashmir conflict; which resonate deeply with the hearts of every Indian.

    MY FM CEO Rahul Namjoshi said, “We are excited to launch ‘Dil Se Bharat’ with Ranveer Allahbadia, a show that perfectly aligns with the core values of MY FM. We believe that these stories of bravery and patriotism will touch the hearts of our listeners. With the onset of the festive season, we are ready with our power-packed content lineup, this is the beginning and we’ll roll out more unique content in the days to come”.

    Tune in to MY FM to experience the magic of storytelling as Ranveer Allahbadia brings to life the stories of valour and courage. Stay Tuned!

  • Get ready for the crime thriller of the year: Por Thozhil slated to premiere only on Sony LIV 11 August!

    Get ready for the crime thriller of the year: Por Thozhil slated to premiere only on Sony LIV 11 August!

    Mumbai: With an astounding IMDb rating of 8.5, Por Thozhil (The Art of War) has already solidified its position as a crime thriller that ensures an enthralling cinematic experience. Sony LIV is all set to take you on an adrenaline-pumping experience with the exclusive premiere of the blockbuster Tamil film – Por Thozhil. After taking the big screen by storm, the acclaimed film is slated to make a thunderous entry into your living rooms on the 11 August. 

    In the chilling backdrop of gruesome murders, the story follows a young cop’s quest to face his fears. With a mysterious and distant veteran by his side, he must track down a cunning serial killer. As they delve into the twisted mind of the psychopath, a relentless cat-and-mouse game unfolds. But will they be able to uncover the killer’s sinister motives before it’s too late?

    Produced by Applause Entertainment in association with E4 Experiments & Eprius Studio the film is helmed by debutant director Vignesh Raja. With stellar performances from Sarath Kumar, Ashok Selvan, and Nikhila Vimal, ‘Por Thozhil’ is written by Vignesh Raja and Alfred Prak.

  • REPRESENT creates unique Reddit AMA experience for fans

    REPRESENT creates unique Reddit AMA experience for fans

    Mumbai: In an industry first initiative in India, REPRESENT organizes a one-of-its-kind “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) series on Reddit, the home of thousands of communities, endless conversation, and authentic human connection. Leading artists, including Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, KSHMR, Lost Stories, Savera, OAFF, and Hanita Bhambri, have participated in these REPRESENT-organised AMA sessions over the last six months.

    With a vision to give fans direct access to their favorite artists, these AMA sessions were hosted in the popular r/india Reddit community – a community with more than 1.8 million members. During the sessions, fans had the opportunity to directly interact with their favourite artists and have their questions answered in real time – completely live and candidly.  A total of six Reddit AMA sessions have been organized by REPRESENT to date, and collectively they have garnered more than 5.5 million views, and a whopping 7000 questions for the artists.

    Talking about the collaboration, REPRESENT head of marketing & promotions Sidhantha Jain said, “At REPRESENT, we’ve always believed in disrupting norms, venturing beyond traditional platforms, and seeking fresh avenues to foster genuine artist-fan connections. The recent Reddit AMA series underscored the importance of authenticity and personal engagement in music marketing. The AMA interviews allowed artists not only to answer questions but also to share stories, build one-on-one relationships, as well as ensure every fan felt seen and heard. They brought a unique, personal touch to the Reddit community that transcended the boundaries of traditional media formats. Through organizing these Reddit AMA sessions, we’ve enabled our artists to connect with an audience that appreciates the meaning behind the art and relishes the opportunity to delve deeper into their favorite artists’ narratives. We’re excited to create even better experiences for redditors in the future.”

    Malik’s AMA, in particular, has been one of the most popular AMA sessions in India this year, attracting over 2500 comments and 3000+ upvotes. Core to Reddit’s community of communities for over a decade, AMA sessions on the Reddit platform have firmly established themselves as a digital icon, appearing and influencing far beyond the corners of Reddit. A fan favourite of everyone from Bill Gates to India’s leading artists such as Priyanka Chopra and Ramesh Aravind, AMA sessions provide a peek behind the curtain and candid, real-time access to those who inspire, intrigue and excite. 

  • Loco partners with LiveLike to turbocharge fan experiences with a new loyalty rewards program for gamers

    Loco partners with LiveLike to turbocharge fan experiences with a new loyalty rewards program for gamers

    Mumbai: Loco, the world’s leading independent esports and live-streaming platform, has partnered with LiveLike, a leading audience engagement suite. Together, Loco and LiveLike aim to enhance the live-streaming experience for users and provide innovative, interactive features to the gaming community.

    Through this partnership, Loco is using the LiveLike platform, which was built to drive brand affinity, retention and loyalty, identify superfans and reward them by allowing them to complete quests, unlock status badges, and earn points that can be redeemed for prizes. Loco has begun to introduce users to the quest feature, available within every livestream, encouraging users to participate and take their viewing journey to new heights. In early testing, Loco has had an overwhelming response, with over 1 million users initiating a quest, and 70% successfully completing at least one.

    Loco has introduced four distinctive types of quests – Daily, Fan, Top Fan and Super Fan, carefully designed to engage and reward its users. Based on each quest, users can earn points by time spent watching live streams and unlock premium perks by sending stickers to streamers. LiveLike’s platform seamlessly facilitates all of these quests, efficiently converting points into currency and keeping track of completed quests to update user accounts accordingly. The fan rewards encompass a range of exciting benefits, such as customized and exclusive merchandise giveaways, opportunities to attend meet and greets with top streamers, discount codes for e-commerce and in-game items, and much more. Through these engaging quests and rewards, Loco aims to provide a captivating and fulfilling experience for its users within the gaming community.

    Additionally, Loco has also introduced polls, another interactive feature from the LiveLike suite. This integration not only encourages user registration but also enables participants to share their thoughts, promoting a vibrant community and fostering a sense of inclusivity.

    Commenting on the partnership, Loco co-founder Anirudh Pandita said, “At Loco, we are on a mission to turbocharge fan experiences, ensuring that each user feels like more than just another person in the crowd. Our partnership with LiveLike allows us to take interactivity to new heights, providing opportunities for fans to engage with streamers in ways they never could before. With Loco, you can truly be a super fan, and that’s the value we strive to deliver to our dedicated community. Exciting new features are already being introduced on our platform, and we are eager to showcase what’s next to our creators and users.”

    LiveLike CEO & co-founder Miheer Walavalkar said, “Gamers, game fans and live streamers have set nearly every key trend in our industry over the past few years, yet there is still so much more that can be done to harness their passion. I am incredibly impressed by what Loco has built in such a short amount of time, starting by identifying and successfully connecting with the gaming community in India, and proud that they have chosen LiveLike to raise the bar by providing an unparalleled experience.”

    Loco has captivated millions of users with dynamic content that showcases popular gameplay videos of beloved titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India, Free Fire Max, Valorant, CS GO, Dota 2, Call of Duty, FIFA, and more. Since June 2020, Loco has grown to have 60M Registered Users (with 9x year-on-year daily active user growth); 600K+ streamers (with 4x year-on-year creator sign up growth); and 20M Monthly Watch Hours, which is nearly 4x of the nearest competitor. Today, highly active users spend 60+ minutes on Loco daily watching live content, making it the go-to choice for India’s gaming community.

  • Snapchat unveils lens creator rewards in India

    Snapchat unveils lens creator rewards in India

    Mumbai: Snap Inc. is introducing Lens Creator Rewards, a new way for Snap AR creators, developers, and teams to be rewarded for building top-performing Lenses on Snapchat. India is amongst the top five markets where lenses from Lens Creators achieve the most community engagement.

    This program is designed to celebrate the most creative Lenses that help Snapchatters express themselves and have fun with friends – from imaginative new looks to try on to amazing AR scenes they can explore.

    Every month, a Lens Creator could be awarded up to $7,200 if they have the top-performing Lens in India, the United States and Mexico. The program is open to new and current Lens Studio community members from nearly 40 countries including India. To participate, AR creators should build Lenses and can check more details on eligibility here: Lens Creator Rewards Terms. In India, Snapchat continues to witness a remarkable emergence of AR creators from various parts of the country, constantly adding to the vibrancy of the platform’s AR community.

    Snap AR ambassador and creator Pradeepa Anandhi expressed her enthusiasm, stating “The Lens Creator Rewards program presents an exceptional opportunity for AR creators to receive the recognition and rewards they truly deserve for their creative contributions. The program’s monthly cash prizes serve as a powerful motivation, inspiring both established and aspiring AR creators to push the boundaries of their imagination and offer a truly unique and immersive experience for Snapchatters. As an AR creator myself, I am eagerly looking forward to participating in this program and contributing to our vibrant AR community on Snapchat.”

    “Snapchatters love Lenses built by our global AR community of more than 300,000 AR creators, developers, and teams around the world. At Snap, we’re committed to rewarding the value that AR creators bring to the platform as they advance their skills and grow their businesses through the new Lens Creator Rewards Program” said Global head of AR developer relations at Snap Inc Joseph Darko.

    Over the past five years, Snap has enabled our AR community to build Lenses for brands and partners, experiment with creating Lenses with digital goods, and explore the future of AR today through our GHOST Innovation Lab and our Spectacles creator program. Today, we’re thrilled to offer a new way for AR creators to unleash new creative possibilities and grow their businesses.

    With the incredible scale of AR creation and deep engagement from Snapchatters, Snap Inc. is committed to supporting AR creators as they advance their skills and grow their businesses by empowering and rewarding creativity.  

  • Lokmat Media Group announces the third edition of Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023

    Lokmat Media Group announces the third edition of Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023

    Mumbai: Lokmat Media Group proudly presented the much-awaited third edition of the Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023, continuing its dedication to recognising outstanding work in the digital media realm. Established in 2021 by Lokmat, the annual event serves as a proactive community of influencers and enthusiasts who are committed to fostering the growth of digital influencers across the state.

    The selection process for the winners was a comprehensive three-step procedure. Participants first submitted their applications to compete in the prestigious awards. Subsequently, a panel of judges evaluated the contestants, shortlisting three finalists and winners in each category. The official announcement of the competition results and the names of the exceptional winners across various categories followed suit.

    As the Lokmat Social Media Awards enters its third edition, Lokmat takes pride in introducing several new and exciting categories this year. The award categories include Influencer of the Year, Rising Star, Viral Creator, Beauty, Celebrity, Comic, Dance, DIY, Education, Entertainment, Parenting, Fashion, Food, Gaming, Luxury, Macro, Micro, Finance, Music, Photography, Regional, Social Cause, Tech, Travel, Health Care, Fitness, and others.

    To maintain the highest level of integrity in the judging process contestants were evaluated by an esteemed panel of independent judges, each representing the top experts in the industry. Each nominee underwent a rigorous assessment based on various criteria, such as creativity, engagement, multiplatform presence, execution, consistency, trendsetting abilities, and virality.

    This year’s final jury comprises notable personalities, including Humans of Bombay founder Karishma Mehta; Nikhil Chandwani, author; Madhura Bachal, renowned Youtuber (Madhura’s Kitchen) and Krishna Prakash, chief of Maharashtra Police Force one.

    The Lokmat Social Media Awards commenced with a warm welcome speech from Sunjay Awate, Editor, Lokmat, Pune. The presence of notable personalities like Punit Balan, chairperson of Punit Balan Group; Saurabh Ghadge and Karan Sonawane, Orange Juice Gang; Pravin Tarde, director and actor; and Girija Oak, actress added to the allure of the event.

    The evening was further elevated by captivating performances by the incredible Mentalist Vivek Desai, as well as the talented members of the Orange Juice Gang. Their enchanting acts left the audience mesmerised, making the event truly memorable.

    The event was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including the Title partner of the event Rahul Talele, Group CEO of Kolte Patil Developers Ltd. The event was powered by Lokmanya Society Pune, Sushil Jadhav, zonal head, while Dr Sanjay Chordiya, chairman of Suryadatta Group of Institutes, played the role of the Academic Partner. Additionally, Dr Saagar Balwadkar, director of Kings Royal Riders, played a pivotal role as the driving partner of the event.

    Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 winners list is given below with the category and the winner’s name:

    The Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 serves as a platform to honour and appreciate the remarkable efforts of digital media influencers who have left an indelible mark on the industry. Lokmat Media Group remains committed to fostering a vibrant community of influencers and enthusiasts, making significant contributions to the digital landscape.

  • Get ready to binge on heartwarming Hallmark Movies Now, exclusively on Tata Play!

    Get ready to binge on heartwarming Hallmark Movies Now, exclusively on Tata Play!

    Mumbai: Tata Play Binge, one of India’s OTT aggregator platforms, further expanded its global content portfolio by announcing its latest milestone addition, Hallmark Movies Now – an American OTT platform known for its heartwarming romances, delightful comedies and thematic content around seasons and holidays. Hallmark Movies Now joins Tata Play Binge’s expansive portfolio of 25+ OTT apps.

    Hallmark Movies Now provides positive and lighthearted entertainment the whole family can enjoy, spotlighting content from American pop culture juggernaut Hallmark Channel, which reigned as the #1 entertainment cable network of the year in 2022 and drives a prevalent, devoted fanbase for its brand promise to put feel-good programming into the world. On Tata Play Binge, audiences can expect a diverse selection of series and movies that guarantee a fulfilling experience throughout the year. Tata Play Binge will stream some of Hallmark Movies Now’s hit Hallmark films like ‘The Beach House’, ‘Love in Store’, ‘Dater’s Handbook’ starring Meghan Markle, along with the some of the platform’s most beloved titles like ‘Fashionably Yours’, ‘Her Pen Pal’, ‘Caribbean Summer’, ‘The Secret Ingredient’ starring Chef Maneet Chauhan, and the fan-favorite series ‘When Calls the Heart’, among others. With a robust library of seasonal films and shows, the OTT platform’s content library is sure to tug heartstrings. 

    Talking about this latest addition, Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri said, “With each new OTT partner addition, Tata Play Binge presents an unparalleled selection that sets us apart from the rest. It has established itself as a vibrant destination where audiences can indulge in exceptional content from around the world, redefining their streaming experience. With its huge catalogue of Binge worthy content, we are certain Hallmark Movies Now will leave a mark on our viewers.”

    “We’re proud to partner with Tata Play Binge and further expand the presence of our widely beloved Hallmark movies and series in India,” said Hallmark Media SVP, international distribution, Francisco Gonzalez. “Subscribers are sure to enjoy the positive impact of Hallmark Movies Now’s signature brand of feel-good content.”

    Hallmark Media is represented by Brandwith, a premier representative and distribution company in the Asia Pacific Region.

    Hallmark Movies Now will join the band of 25+ popular OTT platforms on Binge like Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, MX Player, SonyLIV, ReelDrama, Jio Cinema, Aha, Planet Marathi, NammaFlix, Chaupal, SunNxt, Hungama Play, Eros Now, ShemarooMe, Hoichoi, Voot Kids, manoramaMAX, Koode, Tarang Plus, Curiosity Stream, EPIC ON, ShortsTV, Travelxp and DocuBay. Content from all these platforms is available to viewers of Tata Play Binge through a single subscription and single user interface. Free gaming is also available on Tata Play Binge as another point of engagement. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video plans are available for Tata Play DTH subscribers. Viewers can enjoy all the apps on large-screen connected devices through Tata Play Binge+ Android Set Top Box, Tata Play edition of the Amazon FireTV Stick and www.TataplayBinge.com.

     

  • Revenant Esports and KREO powering up together as official peripherals partners

    Revenant Esports and KREO powering up together as official peripherals partners

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports, one of Asia’s fastest-growing esports organisations, announced today that it is partnering with KREO, a pioneering consumer electronics brand catering to gamers and creators. KREO will now serve as the official peripherals partner for Revenant Esports. 

    Revenant Esports’ Founder and CEO, Rohit Jagasia, said, “We at Revenant Esports always believe in partnering up with the top brands of the country. As one of India’s fastest-growing esports organisations, the tie-up with KREO, a company pioneering peripheral products, came as a natural partnership. We are an organisation which has prioritised diversification from the get-go, having esports teams across PC and mobile games. With KREO’s impressive product lineup serving both mobile and PC gamers, we are very excited to enter this mutually beneficial partnership.”

    Revenant Esports’ esports rosters will now be powered by KREO products. In return, the KREO logo will receive a strategic placement on the Revenant Esports’ official jersey. Additionally, Revenant Esports and KREO will be working together to bring unique activations for gaming and esports fans. Stay tuned to Revenant Esports’ Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube channels for more information. 

    KREO CEO Ishan Sukul said, “Kreo was built on the premise of providing high quality, cutting-edge products to gamers and creators, assisting them in their journey to be the very best (…cue Pokemon theme song). Keeping this in mind, we are proud to join forces with Revenant in a dynamic partnership, where we blend the reach and skill that Revenant brings, with our product arsenal. From the adrenaline-filled moments to the breathtaking victories, our shared commitment to excellence creates a bond that goes beyond the game which Rohit and I shared from day one. We’re proud to have our slew of products such as our Gaming Mouse range (Hawk, Falcon), Gaming Keyboards (Hive), Microphones (Rec), Gaming earwear and Mobile gaming accessories in the hands of one of the fastest growing teams in India. Now onto some Pwnage.”

    According to Statista.com, India recorded about 421 million online gamers in 2022, with about 90 million of these paying for online games. The industry has huge potential to bring a significant boost to esports and gaming peripheral brands. Additionally, the gaming market in India is estimated to be valued at $2.6B, a number which is expected to grow to $8.6B by 2027, according to the India Online Gaming Report 2023 by e4m. 

    Revenant Esports has cemented itself as one of the top esports organisations in the country. The Mumbai-based organisation has five esports rosters in Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Call of Duty: Mobile, Brawl Stars, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Pokemon UNITE, respectively. The organization’s esports athletes have represented the country internationally on many occasions, most recently in CS:GO at the IESF World Championship’s Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Riyadh.

    Revenant Esports boasts an impressive lineup of content creators as well, including Alpha Clasher, Bitty, Ayush Is Live, and Emperor Plays, who have a combined YouTube subscriber count of more than three million. KREO recently raised Rs. 6.5 crores in a seed funding round led by Sauce.vc.

  • Competition is heating up as Hip Hop India unveils Its top 12 contestants

    Competition is heating up as Hip Hop India unveils Its top 12 contestants

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTVs dance reality show, Hip Hop India has been making all the right moves with riveting performances and taking the dance community by storm. The episodes have witnessed raw talent from different walks of life, garnering immense popularity and admiration from the judges – Remo D’ Souza and Nora Fatehi. The fun-filled groovy weekend had Hip Hop India captivating its viewers with electrifying episodes.

    After four days of extensive auditions, the streaming service’s dance reality show Hip Hop India roped in its top 12 contestants, with immense competition among SOLOs, DUOs and crew teams and ‘Gully Se Glory Tak’ award takeovers. They were cherry-picked by eminent judges Remo D’Souza and Nora Fatehi. The viewers witnessed the phenomenal craft exhibited by these young dancers, expressing their art through dance forms of their expertise, with the pursuit of entering the top 12. Sarthak from the SOLO team floored the judges with his mesmerising performance on the song making him the first contestant to get selected in the top 12. Anshika from Uttar Pradesh upped the dancing ante with her quirky personality that was showcased in her dance act, receiving immense applause from the judges. Rahul Bhagat performed a unique rendition of the song “Mai toh tere pyaar me deewana ho gaya” that compelled Remo and Nora to give him a standing ovation.

    Sunil, Ranchi Ki Gully Se, entertained everyone with a power-packed performance, beautifully blending the art forms of Bugaloo & Waving, with the judges declaring it to be an absolutely brilliant performance. Divyam and Darsham – Mumbai Ki Gully Se danced their way into the hearts of the judges on the melodious “Raanjhanaa” with an open-style hip hop in perfect synchrony. The Nupur 78 team of five, set the Hip Hop India stage on fire with an unapologetically fierce performance on “Kesariyaan Saiyaan Saiyaan” leaving the judges speechless. With an extravaganza of talent from all over India and a plethora of dance forms to opt from, the final top 12 contestants are Sarthak, Anshika, Himanshu, Sunil and Rahul from the SOLO group, Divyam & Darsham and the Nupur 78 team from the DUO group.

    Helmed by Amazon miniTV in the quest of creating a rampant buzz and garnering an urban street culture revolution, Hip-Hop India is exclusively streaming on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app and on Fire TV.