ITV

Category: iWorld

  • JioCinema brings back Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with MRF

    JioCinema brings back Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with MRF

    Mumbai: JioCinema today announced the return of its popular predict and win fan engagement contest Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with India’s largest tyre manufacturer MRF as the title sponsor. The contest will tip-off with the limited-over matches from India’s Tour of West Indies from 27 July and run till 13 August.

    The two-Test series between India and West Indies registered a peak concurrency of over 2.2mn on JioCinema, much higher than the World Test Championship Final match between India vs Australia. Across the two Tests, more than four Cr viewers witnessed the action from the Caribbean on JioCinema.

    Introduced first during the 2023 TATA IPL, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan was a runaway success as tens of thousands won exciting prizes including over 60 contestants driving away a premium hatchback. The contest also brought out stirring stories of how winning the car changed fortunes for many from India’s heartlands.

    “We are excited to have MRF come on board as title sponsor of Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan,” said a Viacom18 Spokesperson. “This partnership is a testament to the faith MRF has in our endeavour of continuously reinventing live sports consumption on digital and elevating the overall experience of fans and viewers”.

    Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan will offer viewers gift coupons for every correct answer and a chance to win free tickets for the 2023 ODI World Cup during every ODI and T20 match of the tour. Viewers need to hold the phone in portrait mode. A chat box will open at the bottom of the screen where the question appears before every over along with four options. Viewers who give the most correct answers during the match, stand a chance to win free tickets.

    JioCinema will offer fans high-quality live coverage in 11 languages catering to the diverse linguistic preferences of viewers across the country, making the experience even more inclusive and enjoyable. The limited-overs contest kicks off with the first ODI on July 27 at 7:00 PM IST on JioCinema.

  • Elon Musk’s ‘X’: A new era of Twitter and super apps?

    Elon Musk’s ‘X’: A new era of Twitter and super apps?

    Mumbai: Weeks after the launch of Threads, a lookalike app of Twitter, and its ongoing rivalry with Twitter’s owner Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur announced a major rebranding of the microblogging site. In a tweet, Musk revealed that Twitter will now be known as “X,” with its iconic bird logo being replaced by a glowing, bright ‘X.’

    The move is part of Musk’s vision to create a ‘super app’ similar to China’s WeChat, which offers a range of services beyond social networking. The rebranding also includes Twitter’s parent company, now called “X Corp,” wholly owned by “X Holdings Corp.”

    Here’s what industry experts have to say about the latest announcement.

    TheSmallBigIdea COO and co-founder Manish Solanki

    The platform has always set a benchmark with its trail-blazing innovations. With evolving times, Twitter is now ready to set the bird free. No frills or fancy designs, just a minimalist X is enough to rattle the many users. While this may divide the community, the timing of this rebranding is crucial. This could signify a significant departure from the platform’s current identity and potentially pave the way for Twitter’s evolution into a more multifaceted and innovative digital space.

    FoxyMoron, Zoo Media business head-North Alin Choubey

    Twitter’s rebranding as ‘X, the everything app’ certainly introduces a wave of anticipation, but I also recognize certain apprehensions surrounding this shift. While a logo change is just the surface, questions arise about how the platform will execute its vision and differentiate itself from competitors. WeChat’s success in China sets a high bar for ‘X’ to deliver a seamless, comprehensive experience to users worldwide. As Twitter merges into X Corp, concerns arise about potential disruptions or challenges during the transition. However, I remain cautiously optimistic, ready to navigate these uncertainties and collaborate with ‘X’ to harness its immense potential for reshaping digital communication and connections.

    Pulp Strategy founder and MD Ambika Sharma

    “I have mixed feelings about the change of the Twitter logo. On one hand, the blue bird logo was iconic and familiar, symbolizing Twitter’s unique identity. On the other hand, I understand Elon Musk’s desire to modernize it, as the current logo might seem dated and not reflect Twitter’s cutting-edge path.

    The new “X” logo appears more modern and minimalist, potentially attracting new users while distancing Twitter from its murky recent past. Whether the new logo will be a success in revitalizing Twitter or alienate existing users remains to be seen. Only time will tell how users will receive the new design.”

  • GOVO joins forces with Amazon MiniTV for dance reality show – Hip Hop India!

    GOVO joins forces with Amazon MiniTV for dance reality show – Hip Hop India!

    Mumbai: GOVO, an emerging force in the audio industry, is thrilled to unveil its partnership with Amazon MiniTV, the renowned streaming platform, for the highly anticipated dance reality show, “Hip Hop India!” This collaboration sets the stage for a remarkable transformation in the Indian dance landscape, uniting exceptional talent and delivering an unrivalled entertainment experience.

    “Hip Hop India” is poised to redefine the boundaries of dance competitions, showcasing the best of hip-hop talent across the nation. GOVO together with Amazon MiniTV’s widespread influence, aims to captivate viewers and create an unforgettable dance spectacle that celebrates the power of beat, moves, and the art of hip-hop. The show features the exciting “Bass ka Boss – Battle Round,” where contestants will take the stage to compete. Embracing the roles of judges, the dynamic duo of Remo D’Souza and Nora Fatehi will be gracing the stage of the dance reality show.

    Commenting on the collaboration with Amazon MiniTV, GOVO founder and co-founder Varun Poddar and Piyush Jalan said, “We’re excited to team up with Amazon MiniTV for ‘Hip Hop India,’ a ground-breaking series that not only showcases exceptional dancers but also provides a dynamic platform for their talent to shine. Our goal is to enhance the show’s electrifying atmosphere and deliver an unforgettable sonic adventure that perfectly complements the incredible performances. By amplifying the dancers’ skills and artistry through an immersive audio experience, we aim to uplift and celebrate them, giving them a remarkable opportunity to captivate audiences and make a lasting impact in the world of hip-hop.”

    Hip Hop Dance India organized a record-breaking event at Film City Goregaon. On the 21, they planned to gather 2000 dancers to perform a choreographed hip hop routine for precisely ‘5 minutes and second seconds’, with the aim of breaking the Guinness World Record. If anyone from the team was interested in attending, the organizers made vanity van arrangements accordingly.

    The collaboration between GOVO and Amazon MiniTV creates a powerful alliance that unites dancers from all walks of life, providing them with an extraordinary stage to showcase their exceptional talent. 

    With the stage set and contestants preparing to give it their all, it’s time to witness the journey from “Gully se Glory Tak!” Starting from 21 July, the show will exclusively stream on Amazon MiniTV, accessible for free within Amazon’s shopping app and Fire TV.

  • FanCode bags exclusive digital rights for Lanka Premier League

    FanCode bags exclusive digital rights for Lanka Premier League

    Mumbai: FanCode, India’s premier sports destination, will exclusively livestream the upcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in India. The fourth edition of Sri Lanka’s biggest T20 tournament is scheduled to take place from 30 July to 20 August 2023 and the matches will be played in Colombo and Kandy.

    Cricket fans will be able to watch all the action from the championship on FanCode’s mobile app (Android, iOS), TV app available on Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, Airtel XStream, OTT Play, WatchO and fancode website (www.fancode.com)

    The five teams participating in this year’s edition are the Colombo Strikers, Dambulla Aura, Galle Gladiators, Jaffna Kings, and Kandy Falcons. Stars like David Miller, Babar Azam and Shakib Al Hasan have confirmed their presence to go along with top class Sri Lankan players like Mahesh Theekshana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Angelo Matthews.

    IPG Group CEO & founder Anil Mohan, “This year’s edition of the Lanka Premier League is going to be its biggest and we’re happy to be working with FanCode for its digital streaming in India. The league has continued to attract interest from broadcasters and advertisers across the globe, and this shows the strong market there is for Sri Lanka cricket. This can only bode well for the sport in the country.”

    FanCode co-founder Prasana Krishnan said, “Lanka Premier League will feature some of the top names in the game and we’re delighted to be able to bring the action to millions of cricket fans across India. Along with quality content, our user-first approach – be it the interactive overlays or statistics on demand – has resonated with cricket fans and we will continue to deliver on it.”

    Along with a long term partnership with ICC, FanCode has also partnered with multiple cricket boards across the globe including England Cricket Board, Cricket Ireland, New Zealand Cricket and West Indies Cricket Board.

    Previously, FanCode livestreamed The Hundred, Caribbean Premier League and Super Smash in India.

  • Hallmark Movies Now’s heartwarming content finds a new home in Tata Play Binge

    Hallmark Movies Now’s heartwarming content finds a new home in Tata Play Binge

    Mumbai: Tata Play Binge, one of India’s leading 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 Francisco Gonzalez, SVP, International Distribution, Hallmark Media. “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.

  • Disney+ Hotstar welcomes the ‘new’ Commando in town – Prem

    Disney+ Hotstar welcomes the ‘new’ Commando in town – Prem

    Mumbai: Tales of valour, patriotism for the country, high-octane action and the journey of our hero, our ‘Commando’. Directed by visionary creator and director Vipul Amrutlal Shah, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd. and starring talented debutante Prem in the lead role, Disney+ Hotstar announces its upcoming action-thriller series, Commando, the series also stars the immensely passionate and talented Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra and Ishteyak Khan in pivotal roles.

    Producer, creator and director Vipul Amrutlal Shah said, “Commando is the story of a visionary hero and his journey of bravery, patriotism and brotherhood. A power-packed action and drama , Commando is sure to grip the audiences. Roping in Prem to essay the role of the ultimate Commando was an incredible journey we embarked upon. He is extremely talented and slips into the character with ease. Moreover, collaborating with Disney+ Hotstar once again was a great experience.”

    Witness this power-packed action series – Commando will soon unfold only on Disney+ Hotstar

  • Five titles that stirred conversations around the 75th Emmy Nominations

    Five titles that stirred conversations around the 75th Emmy Nominations

    Mumbai: The Emmy Awards is one of the most sought-after nights on national television. As fans gear up for this star-studded event, there’s one more affair that keeps them on the edge of their seats – the ‘Nominations’. When Yvette Nicole Brown and Frank Scherma took center stage on 12 July to unveil the prestigious nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards, they sure did stir up some piping hot ‘tea’ for netizens and twitterati alike. So as you get ready for this glamorous evening set to stream LIVE exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 19 September, here are the snubs and ‘you go bud’ titles from the 75th Emmy Award Nominations.

    The curious case of Jeffrey Dahmer – controversy always!

    Evan Peter starrer ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ earned a whopping 13 nominations this year at the Emmy’s. This has seemingly created a massive stir amongst audiences across. In a statement to The Wrap, Thomas Jacobson – lawyer to the victims said, “By celebrating and rewarding these portrayals, there is a risk of normalising the actions of individuals like Dahmer, potentially desensitising audiences to the real-life consequences of violence.” While some fans believe credit is due, others think profiting off of trauma is unfair. So the question remains – How far is too far?

    Sima Auntie takes the cake! – hmm, still thinking why!

    Indian matchmaking has been the talk of the town ever since its first season in 2020. With Sima from Mumbai having the internet in a chokehold, through countless memes and hilarious tweets the show has landed an Emmy Nomination for the second time. True to her character, Sima Auntie shared a heartfelt message on hearing about the nomination, “The recognition is an answer to all the people who were saying negative things about the show. Negative mein bhi maza hai, at least show hit ho raha hai.” Now it is left to see if India will take this award home.

    Success(ion) Indeed – SO deserving!

    It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Succession dominated the 75th Emmy Nominees this year. Sitting on the throne with 27 nods of acknowledgement its way, the two-time best drama winner ruled with its last season. From outstanding drama series to lead actor, the show has this award season tucked neatly under its thumb. Fans can’t contain their excitement as they wait to see their favorite stars take home the gold.

    No curtsy for the prince and his princess?

    After baring their heart and soul for the tell-all docuseries, ‘Harry & Meghan’, this duo has been royally dismissed. A sureshot to earning at least an nomination at this year’s Emmy Awards, the viewership for this so-called confession from the former prince and princess of Wales simply didn’t make the cut. Royal expert, Ingrid Seward weighed in on the couple’s devastation saying, “Meghan and Harry will concentrate in this and make it a positive, however irritated they might be not to be in the Emmy nominations.” It is left to see whether or not they come back stronger than a 90s trend.

    Only ‘Snubs’ in the Building

    One of the biggest Emmy snubs this year was undoubtedly Selena Gomez and Steven Martin losing out on nominations for the fan-favorite series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. While Martin Short received well-deserved recognition for lead actor in a comedy role, his co-stars were given little to no acknowledgement. So, will the Selenators hold a grudge or is all going to be forgiven?

    Surprise Surprise!

    The 75th Emmy Nominations had some expected wins, a few snubs but also a whole lot of surprises. From Ted Lasso and Jury Duty leading the comedy nominations to Obi-Wan-Kenobi proving that Star Wars is omnipresent, a flurry of wildcards had fans tingling with excitement. Kathryn Hahn and Kumail Nanjiani also made the list for unexpected nominees this year.    

    Watch the rest of the drama unfold only on Lionsgate Play as the 75th Emmy Awards stream LIVE on 19 September in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

  • ESFI: 28 cent GST excludes Indian Esports targets iGaming

    ESFI: 28 cent GST excludes Indian Esports targets iGaming

    Mumbai: In the recently conducted 50 meet of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council in New Delhi, it was announced that 28 per cent GST will be levied on the full value of online gaming, horse racing, and casinos. Further, the GST Council further agreed that there should be no distinction between a ‘game of skill and a game of chance.’

    Clearing the confusion regarding whether the GST will have any sort of impact on the Esports or video gaming industry of the country, Esports Federation of India (ESFI) president & acting director general of Olympic Council of Asia Vinod Tiwari stated, “It is imperative first to understand that the 28 per cent GST is going to be applicable to the iGaming sector, including Real Money Gaming (RMG), fantasy sports, teen patti, rummy, and poker which are categorised under gambling or betting in the rest of the world. Contrary to some media reports, this GST is neither applicable nor will it have any impact on the ‘Video Games’ or the Esports industry.”

    “Esports has been officially recognised as a sport by the government which finally and thankfully distinguishes it from any and all activities like iGaming such as fantasy, teen patti, rummy, poker, betting, and gambling, among others. It will carry on to be taxed the way it always has been. Theories of ‘game of skill’ and ‘game of chance’ which only exist in our country neither apply nor are relevant in the Esports ecosystem,” said Tiwari.

    In April of this year, the government made amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to lay out a comprehensive framework for the online gaming ecosystem. According to Tiwari instead of using the umbrella term of “online gaming”, the GST council should have ideally used the more specific term “iGaming’ which is known worldwide, or even “online real money game” which is defined in “The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules to avoid the confusion.

    “We must acknowledge the TRUTH that the primary objective of the 400 million Indian video gamers (and approximately three billion gamers worldwide) is ‘purely entertainment’, and not financial gains or making money. It is regrettable that in India, our video games or Esports Industry is often unjustifiably associated with ‘iGaming, betting, RMG, gambling, and many more, which creates unnecessary confusion and misperceptions,” he added.

    Additionally, it is crucial to highlight that video game publishers have strict policies against implementing entry fees for any Esports events organised using their video games, further separating it from iGaming.

    Having been included as a demonstration title in 2018, Esports is also going to make its full-fledged debut as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games where India will be participating in four titles – League of Legends, FIFA Online 4, Street Fighter V: Champion Edition, and DOTA 2. Moreover, Esports has recently been officially designated as one of the medal sports in the 20 Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

    The inclusion of Esports in major international multi-sport tournaments is a testament to the giant strides it has been making to cement its position as a mainstream sport within the country.

  • Revenant Esports sweeps India Circuit to qualify for the Brawl Stars Championship 2023 LCQ

    Revenant Esports sweeps India Circuit to qualify for the Brawl Stars Championship 2023 LCQ

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports, Asia’s fastest-growing esports organization, has scripted history by becoming the first Indian team to qualify for the Brawl Stars Championship (BSC) 2023 Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). The organization is set to represent the country at the LCQ, which will take place as a LAN event, against the top teams of the world for a slot at the Brawl Stars World Finals 2023. 

    Revenant Esports’ Brawl Stars roster features Hero-x, Ashmit “Sergeant Clash” Raj Singh, Prashant “Trashant” Malik, and Jerome “Response” Kuek Jiaen. The team has been absolutely dominant in the National Circuit, with back-to-back victories in the Brawl Stars Championship India Monthly Finals, cementing its name as the best roster in the country. 

    For the 2023 season, India was added as a new region to the Brawl Stars Championship. As a part of this, Supercell announced six monthly qualifiers for the country between February and August. These qualifiers featured an open-for-all format with the top teams receiving Qualification Points for the LCQ. After an immensely successful season, which saw Revenant win four of the five Monthly Qualifiers so far, the team has built an inaccessible lead in the qualification standings. 

    Thus, Revenant Esports has qualified for the Brawl Stars Championship 2023 LCQ, which will happen as a LAN event at an undisclosed venue later this year. The top four teams from the LCQ will move on to the Brawl Stars World Finals 2023, where they will face the best of the world for a share of the $750,000 prize pool and the title of world champions. 

    Commenting on the qualification to the international LCQ, Sergeant Clash said, “Making it to the Brawl Stars Championship 2023 LCQ is a big goal that we have managed to achieve – but our work only starts here. We have trained tirelessly to build our dominance in the Indian scene, but it’s now time for us to focus on defeating global teams. We are here to seize this opportunity and will be giving our best for a shot at the title and making all our Indian fans proud. 

    This won’t be the first international outing for Revenant Esports in Brawl Stars. Earlier this year, the team flew to Japan to compete in the Snapdragon Mobile Masters, finishing in seventh place. “We learned a lot from the Snapdragon Mobile Masters and have made some internal changes to ensure we are better prepared this time,” Clash added. 

  • Kaivalyadhama launches a documentary on the Science behind yoga

    Kaivalyadhama launches a documentary on the Science behind yoga

    Mumbai: Is Yoga a Science? As it approaches its centennial year, Kaivalyadhama announced the launch of a documentary titled, “Yogic Science”. The documentary aims to demystify yoga, by delving into the Science behind Yoga. The film captures the evolution of Yoga over the last 100 years and breaks perceptions and common myths, through scientific experiments and validations. 

    The documentary was released by Rahul Nawrekar, speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly at the NCPA, Mumbai on 21 July 2023. The event was also attended by prominent personalities like Suresh Prabhu, centenary committee chairman, chancellor Rishihood University, and former cabinet minister

    The documentary also captures Kaivalyadhama’s seminal work in the field of Yoga, for almost a century. It narrates the enchanting story of the evolution of this institute, nestled in the Sahyadri mountains, in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Kaivalyadhama holds the distinction of being the world’s first institution to undertake scientific research in Yoga and establish the world’s first yoga college. Throughout its history, Kaivalyadhama has propagated yoga in its purest traditional form, backed by scientific research.

    At the heart of the documentary lies the indomitable spirit of Swami Kuvalayananda, the founder of Kaivalyadhama, affectionately known as the “Yogi Scientist.” It was Swami Kuvalayananda who introduced Yoga therapy to the world, revolutionising the field and bringing its therapeutic benefits to the forefront. Over the years, Kaivalyadhama has been pushing boundaries, with its groundbreaking research, in the application and benefits of Yoga in Cancer care, Gene therapy, dealing with Auto-immune disorders, and beyond.

    Kaivalyadhama CEO Subodh Tiwari said: “This documentary encapsulates our commitment to preserving the authenticity of Yoga while pushing the boundaries of research and education. As we celebrate our centenary milestone, we invite audiences worldwide to join us in this cinematic exploration of our legacy and the profound impact Yoga can have on individuals and society”.

    The documentary takes viewers on a captivating journey, exploring the institute’s rich heritage, its profound contributions to the field of Yoga, and the significant impact it continues to make in transforming lives. Annually, Kaivalyadhama positively impacts the lives of over 10,000 individuals worldwide. Some of the prominent personalities who have been patrons of the institute include Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and JRD Tata.