ITV

Category: iWorld

  • BBC Player and BBC Kids collaborate with Prime Video channels to make a grand entry into India

    BBC Player and BBC Kids collaborate with Prime Video channels to make a grand entry into India

    Mumbai: Prime Video, one of India’s most popular entertainment destinations and BBC Studios has launched BBC Player and BBC Kids on Prime Video Channels in India. The subscription-based service will provide Indian viewers a curated line-up of popular British content spanning from world-class original British dramas, comedy, documentaries, factual shows, entertainment to lifestyle programming and children’s shows – all on a single destination, for the first time in India. Prime members can now purchase an annual add-on subscription to BBC Player for Rs 599 and enjoy full access to BBC Kids as well. Alternatively, members can also subscribe to BBC Kids only for Rs 199 annually.

    BBC Player will be an all-encompassing multi-genre content offering inclusive of BBC Kids, an international children’s brand from BBC Studios. Get ready to be entertained by new and old favourites! Be intrigued by crime thriller Six Four, get access to content for the first time in India such as British political thriller The Diplomat, and enjoy humorous titles such as comedy-drama Chivalry and comedy sitcom Citizen Khan. These will sit right alongside plot-driven, engrossing suspense and thriller shows such as Sherlock, Unforgotten starring Sanjeev Bhaskar, and BAFTA award winning Happy Valley. Don’t miss out on the world’s biggest motoring show Top Gear, the cliff-hanging baking battle on The Great British Bake Off and a lot more on the platform. What’s more, a documentary on Donald Trump, The Trump Show, medical comedy drama and BAFTA TV award winning This is Going to Hurt starring Ben Whishaw, mystery drama The North Water starring Colin Farrell, romance drama The Pursuit of Love starring Lily James and Dominic West, real-life experiences of London’s West Indian community in Small Axe with John Boyega, , docu-series on climate activist Greta Thunberg Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World, and dance entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing, the original British version of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

    BBC Kids will offer BBC Studios’ well acclaimed kids’ shows targeted toward the age group of 0-12 years, as a separate subscription. Shows such as Hey Duggee, Go Jetters, JoJo & Gran Gran, Sarah & Duck, Junior Bake Off, among others.

    On announcing the launch, BBC Studios South Asia – vice president distribution Stanley Fernandes said, “We are excited to bring BBC Player and BBC Kids for the very first time to audiences in India. We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Prime Video to launch these subscription-based video on demand services. These brands will offer a curated, multi-genre content line-up, offering the best of British entertainment to the discerning Indian audience.  Subscribed members will gain access to some of BBC Studios’ latest hits as well as our classics shows, including our well acclaimed wealth of kids’ entertainment, all under one roof.  We have seen the success of these brands in other markets globally and we can’t wait to see the excitement in India with this launch on Prime Video Channels.”

    Prime members can purchase an add-on subscription to BBC Player which also provides access to BBC Kids at INR 599 annually, or they can purchase a standalone add-on subscription to BBC Kids at INR 199 annually.

    “Since its launch in India, Prime Video Channels has seen exponential growth in India with people subscribing to channels of their choice from the length and breadth of the country. Our customers also have the convenience to access a significantly wider selection of Indian and international content through the 20 Channels. In fact, multiple global streaming services have chosen to launch and expand their reach in India with Prime Video Channels,” said Prime Video India head – Prime Video channels Vivek Srivastava. “In sync with our philosophy of super-serving our customers with even greater choice and accessibility, we are thrilled to collaborate with BBC Studios. Their wide range of programming is highly renowned and enjoyed by audiences world over. With the launch of BBC Player and BBC Kids, Prime members in India too, will be able to enjoy their favourite British content on a single destination for the first time.”

  • TM Music drops Badal’s coolest hip-hop anthem: ‘This is Haryana

    TM Music drops Badal’s coolest hip-hop anthem: ‘This is Haryana

    Mumbai: The spirit, the colours, the vibe. Get ready to witness the magic of Haryana! TM Music unveils its latest anthem that transports us to the hinterland of hip-hop and Akhadas.

    ‘This is Haryana’, featuring rising hip-hop sensation Badal, is a snazzy celebration of a state that is a bright melting pot of cultures, traditions and thoughts. Crooned, penned and composed by Badal, with music by Yeah Proof, the song’s lyrics perfectly capture the diverse essence of Haryana, and its punchy beats weave a groovy appeal around the tune. “ Haryana” is not just a song; it is a celebration of the uniqueness, energy, and cultural richness of Haryana. It encapsulates the essence of the state, combining the traditional and the modern in a way that resonates with the people and captures their pride and swag. The video is shot in Badal’s hometown of Safido, providing an authentic backdrop that captures the core essence of Haryana. The video showcases various iconic locations and elements representing the state, such as vibrant markets, lush fields, energetic hip-hop moves, the local faces and the authentic Haryana common din.

    A writer, rapper, singer and music producer, Badal is an artist with many musical facets. Fondly called Safidon Ka Chhora, he is crafting an ode to the place he calls home with ‘This is Haryana’. The track melodiously blends an old-school world with a modern twist that defines the soul of today’s Haryana.

    ‘This is Haryana’ also boasts of an uber-cool music video directed by Deepesh Goyal. Personifying the Haryanvi way of life with stylish and funky flair, Badal takes centre stage in the video, as he exudes pure desi hip hop swagger.

    Talking about the tune, singer Badal said, “This is Haryana is very close to my heart as it’s a tribute to my homeland. It has an unabashedly desi heart tune mixed with my signature style. While the song’s core may be local, its appeal is universal. This is a hip-hop anthem that talks about staying true to our roots, an idea that resonates with people no matter what their geography. I look forward to listeners enjoying my latest creation”.

    TM Music co-founder Rohit Sobti said, “This is Haryana celebrates Haryana’s diverse glory. With Badal’s trademark style, funky lyrics, and groovy beats, this track should connect with the Swag of HARAYANA and lovers of independent music. Haryana is a collaborative effort that seeks to glorify Haryana and showcase its diversity, pride, and swag. The song, along with its visually appealing video, is intended to create a sense of celebration and pride among the people of Haryana, while also captivating a broader audience with its catchy beats and vibrant representation of the state”.

    Ever since its inception, TM Music has unearthed gifted talents and glorious music from all over the country. ‘This is Haryana’ is the latest gem in TM Music’s treasure trove of earthy, unique and original music.

  • Singer Sumeet Tappoo bags three awards at third edition of The CLEF Awards

    Singer Sumeet Tappoo bags three awards at third edition of The CLEF Awards

    Mumbai: Sumeet Tappoo, Fiji-born, Mumbai-based singer has become the first artist from Fiji to bag a collection of three awards at the third edition of The CLEF Awards in India.

    The CLEF Awards, an event by Radioandmusic.com is India’s premier independent music awards function celebrating the excellence of artists in various genres and languages.

    Sumeet was nominated in six categories at the awards function out of which he bagged three. Shivohum, a song by Sumeet Tappoo, Prithvi Gandharv and Meenal Jain, won the coveted ‘Song of the Year’ in the general category – a first for a spiritual song to be given this honour as the other nominations were across all genres of music. The second title that Sumeet won was ‘Artist of the Year’ in the Ghazal category. ‘Ghazal of the Year’ was the third award won by Sumeet for his release ‘Ret Ka Ghar’.

    Ret Ka Ghar, released in January this year, has been sung by Sumeet, composed by Prithvi Gandharv, penned by Shakeel Azmi and music production by Mir Desai.

    The other three nominations for Sumeet included ‘Best Music Video’ for Shivohum – a stunning video shot up in the Himalayas by the young and talented Geetesh Yadav, Parth Dubey & Pratham Chourasiya; ‘Artist of the Year’ in the spiritual category for Sumeet, Prithvi and Meenal for Shivohum; and ‘Ghazal of the Year’ for ‘Jab Bhi Milte Hai’ which features music by Sudeep Banerji.

    The third edition of the event was hosted in Mumbai which featured the biggest names in the industry with all the glitz and glamour that an award night has. Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal were also winners amongst a whole host of musical talent from across the nation.

    On the recognition, an excited Sumeet Tappoo said, “Receiving six nominations was in itself an honour and I didn’t think I’d be considered for any of them although I’d hoped for one. But to have won three CLEF Awards is such an incredible feeling and a tremendous blessing because that room was buzzing with the best artists in India. I, along with all the artists across India, are truly grateful to radioandmusic.com and CLEF for creating such an incredible platform.”

    Lauding his team’s efforts, Sumeet added, “The reality is that winning these awards could not have been possible without my fellow artists who have worked very hard and with a lot of passion. I heartily thank Prithvi Gandharv, Meenal Jain, Geetesh Yadav, Parth Dubey, Pratham Chourasiya, Mir Desai, Sudeep Banerji, Shakeel Azmi, Ajay Sahaab, Paras Nath, Manas Kumar, Prashant Sonagra, and so many more who have been an incredible part of these songs.”

    Sumeet dedicated this award to his Sadguru for his blessings and to his mother Maya, father Mahendra, wife Dr Krupali and daughters Saisha and Meera for their sacrifice and constant love and support.

  • Rana Daggubati announces Lords of the Deccan at the Comic Con USA

    Rana Daggubati announces Lords of the Deccan at the Comic Con USA

    Mumbai: Sony LIV in association with Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media, has announced its latest Telugu original, Lords of the Deccan, a historical action-drama series. Rana Daggubati made this announcement at Comic Con USA. Adapted from the Indian bestseller, ‘Lords of The Deccan: Southern India from Chalukyas to Cholas’, written by Anrirudh Kanisetti, the series takes us back in time to witness the birth of the Chalukyas, a dynasty that shaped southern India for centuries.

    Commenting on the announcement, Sony LIV content head Saugata Mukherjee said, “Sony LIV believes in taking great Indian stories to audiences across the globe. And in keeping with that, we are embarking on the exciting journey of capturing the history of the glorious dynasties of southern India by adapting the celebrated book ‘Lords of the Deccan’ by Anirudh Kanisetti. We are elated that we are joining hands with Rana Daggubati on this journey. Together, we are excited about bringing these untold histories – the glorious dynasties, the majestic lands, the valiant kings, and their many wars – to our audiences from across the world.”

    Lords of the Deccan was the author’s debut work and one of the most talked-about history books of 2022. It even won the Book of the Year (Non-Fiction) award at The Mumbai LitFest.

  • Amazon India took its biggest online sale event out to the streets

    Amazon India took its biggest online sale event out to the streets

    Mumbai:  Amazon India had rolled out two compelling campaigns to spotlight its Prime Day Sale. To bring the right offerings to customers, Amazon had bought in an innovative idea along with Blink Digital, an award-winning independent agency.

    The business objective for the brand was to inform Indians about all the incredible deals they could avail of on smartphones during Prime Day. The creative idea for both campaigns – The Prime Day Broadcast and The Unbelievable Hunt for Joy was to reach out to audiences through the typical use of existing media. While the former taps into an audience that might not always be online, the latter draws online users to view this vast array of smartphone deals without incurring big bills on outdoor media expenses/from the comfort of their homes.

    Amazon India is one of India’s largest online e-commerce portals, and most of their communication is targeted primarily at internet users through online media. In India, people are accustomed to ‘viewing’ deals and discounts around them, which often turns into sensory overload. But what if we could get them to actually ‘tune in’ to these intentionally for once by engaging them through a medium that they’ve always resonated with?

    So, they radio’d billboards. And presented them in the form of the Prime Day Broadcast, a radio frequency on Radio 88.8FM which was available on one of Mumbai’s busiest intersections, the Juhu-Tara Road spanning a distance of 2 km. During peak hours, it takes a commuter on average 40 minutes to get across this road. At this location, commuters and passersby who were engrossed in scrolling through their phones could alternatively tune in all day for specially curated updates and offers from Amazon’s Prime Day via the broadcast.

    Additionally, to bring the campaign to life, Amazon India, along with Blink Digital also created The Hunt for Unbelievable Joy. This interactive mobile game was designed to captivate viewers from across the country. This innovative campaign invited users to visit the virtual streets of three Indian cities through the Google Street View mode, a first-of-its-kind collaboration, unveiling the vast range of Prime Day deals on smartphones. These players were on a hunt to spot hidden Amazon boxes to score points. This approach helped in creating an immersive experience for users with the brand.

    “Collaborating with Amazon India on the Prime Day campaign has been a remarkable experience for Blink Digital. As an agency, we thrive on delivering innovative and impactful campaigns, and this partnership had allowed us to do just that. ” explained Rikki Agarwal from Blink Digital.

  • Netflix Q2CY24 results – Paid password sharing/ad revenue saves the day

    Netflix Q2CY24 results – Paid password sharing/ad revenue saves the day

    Mumbai: Netflix’s Q2CY23 revenue stood at USD 8,187mn, a growth of 0.3 per cent QoQ and 2.7 per cent YoY. The company expects revenue growth to accelerate in the second half of CY23 as it will have the full benefits of paid sharing plus continued steady growth in the ad-supported plan.

    Operating income for the quarter stood at USD 1,827mn, a growth of 6.6 per cent QoQ & 15.8 per cent YoY. Operating margin grew 130 bp QoQ and 250 bp YoY to 22.3 per cent. The company is targeting a full year CY23 operating margin of 18 per cent to 20 per cent.

    Total paid subscribers at the end of the quarter stood at 238.4mn, a growth of 2.5 per cent QoQ & 8.0 per cent YoY. The total no. of US & Canada paid subscribers grew 1.6 per cent QoQ & 3.1 per cent YoY to 75.6mn whereas the rest of the world subscribers grew 3.0 per cent QoQ & 10.5 per cent YoY to 162.8mn. Netflix added a total of 5.9 mn paid members in the Q2CY23, as compared to losing nearly 1mn members in Q2CY22.

    The company remains focused on creating a steady drumbeat of must watch shows and movies, improving monetization, growing the enjoyment of games and investing to improve service for members.

    Netflix has been working to improve the monetization through initiatives like paid sharing and advertising. This will allow the company to generate more revenue off a bigger base, which can be reinvested to make the company even better for members.

     

  • Lionsgate Play redefines entertainment in South Asia with new identity

    Lionsgate Play redefines entertainment in South Asia with new identity

    Mumbai: With its roar of success echoing louder than ever, Lionsgate Play, the global entertainment brand that offers specially curated premium content, has unveiled its revamped brand identity across South Asian markets including India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia. Inspired by the concept of a prism, the platform’s new logo reveals multiple perspectives, conveying the diverse narratives of Lionsgate Play and its multifaceted approach to storytelling. The prismatic concept allows for a fluid transition in and out of the brand’s new hero colour, teal, maintaining the cinematic appeal and highlighting a bold new endeavour. Aligned with its refreshed identity, Lionsgate Play will continue strengthening its connection with the viewers and offering a seamless entertainment experience that they can trust.

    As a brand that believes in standing up for what is right and takes the road less traveled to attain its goals, Lionsgate Play is fearlessly committed to its core values of being relentlessly brave, innately inclusive, purposely provocative, creatively empowering, and authentically engaging. The brand’s voice is not just what they say, but how they say it, which is consistent, cohesive, recognisable and unique, enabling them to communicate and connect with its audience, fostering trust and familiarity. Along with its revamped identity, Lionsgate Play will also focus on bringing forth an advanced user interface, enhancing the consumer experience with seamless navigation, faster app loading time and an overall increase in stability promising a polished look and feel when streaming content.

    Sharing his thoughts on the same, Lionsgate Play Asia president Rohit Jain said, “As a brand, Lionsgate Play not only provides opportunities for a range of voices to be expressed, but it seeks to present characters with complexity and depth. The new identity represents innovation, energy and excitement; the perfect embodiment of all that we aim to achieve for the brand. Through this refreshed identity, our goal is to provide premium content that is consistent, original and bold. We hope our efforts appeal to the viewers and showcase the true essence of what Lionsgate Play is about.”  

    Commenting on the new brand identity, Lionsgate executive vice president Amit Dhanuka said, “Lionsgate Play is a global entertainment brand offering premium content at a fair price – we tell stories that embrace unique perspectives and broaden the horizons of our viewers. As Lionsgate Play continues to strengthen its presence across South Asia, our new brand identity will stand testament to present bold, diverse and captivating narratives that resonate with audiences.  The brand refresh reflects the brand’s core values – relentlessly brave, innately inclusive, purposely proactive, creatively empowering and authentically engaging. It is multifaceted in its approach to storytelling, and this is where we draw our inspiration, providing audiences with the best viewing experience.

  • Spellbinding debut: Paw Patrol live! ‘Race to the Rescue Wows kids and parents!

    Spellbinding debut: Paw Patrol live! ‘Race to the Rescue Wows kids and parents!

    Mumbai: The enchanting world of imagination came alive last evening as Paw Patrol Live! ‘Race to the Rescue’, the eagerly anticipated kids’ musical, debuted with a flurry of vibrant colours, loads of laughter and engaging melodies. With a spectacularly successful opening show that left audiences young and old spellbound, the premiere of this captivating production marked a new milestone in children’s theatre in India. Brought to India by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of India’s leading entertainment destination BookMyShow, along with Nickelodeon, VStar Entertainment Group and TEG Life Like Touring, Paw Patrol Live! ‘Race to the Rescue’ shows go live from 20 July onwards for the public with 16 shows across ten days until 30 July.

    Against a backdrop of whimsical sets that seamlessly changed transporting children into the different hotspots on the adventure map of Paw Patrol Live!, props like pompoms given to the children to wave every time they spotted a clue and artists that imbibed the spirit of the pups jumping across the stage and interacting with the young audience, the magical tale unfolded, transporting young hearts into a world of adventure and possibilities that know no bounds! The performance encouraged audiences to engage through call & response and audience interaction, dance with the Pup Boogie and help the pups rescue Mayor Goodway and win the race! From the very first note, the children were drawn into an immersive experience, accompanied by a talented cast of exceptional performers who effortlessly brought the characters to life. As the musical’s contagious tunes resonated through the auditorium and striking elements from the show came to life such as fire engines and police patrol cars driven by the pups, the children were seen jumping up with joy and screaming back answers to the questions asked by the pups. The immersive soundtracks, all sung live by the pups on stage attracted enthusiastic applause after each number. From lively and upbeat melodies to some heart-thumping ones, the songs brought out a whirlwind of emotions, leaving everyone with smiling faces and all feet tapping unanimously! The vibrant costumes were a feast for the eyes, blending animated characters into reality to create a visual extravaganza. 

    The adventurous yet engaging performance spanning over an hour at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre had the kids and their paw-rents grooving and singing along to the Paw Patrol theme song. BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow, presented the opportunity to almost 800 young underprivileged beneficiaries aged between four and ten years, to experience the premiere of the much-awaited musical drama. The musical brought all of Mumbai together across categories with some of the biggest names also being spotted at the premiere of Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue. Some of the city’s famed and much-loved paw-rents including Soha Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia, Soha Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia, Angad Bedi, Ritika Sajdeh (Rohit Sharma’s wife), Mandira Bedi, Sonal Chauhan, Roshni Chopra, Gurdip Punjj, Arjun Punjj, Vandana Sajnani Khattar, Smriti Khanna, Saumya Tandon, Dabboo and Manisha Ratnani along with Karan Johar’s kids Yash & Roohi as also Genelia D’souza Deshmukh’s children to name a few were amongst those cheering loudest at the premiere show of the children’s musical.

    BookMyShow head – Live Events and IP Kunal Khambhati said, “It is exciting to kickstart what will be the best 10 days for the younglings of India as they see the squad of Paw Patrol Live! in all their glory! With parents always looking for immersive experiences that the whole family can enjoy together and kids can engage with and learn from, ‘Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue is the gateway to exactly that and the premiere show proved that beyond doubt. We’ve got some great reviews from the premiere and can’t wait for the audience to experience the magic of this musical-drama as we expand our offerings of entertainment experiences for India further, with Paw Patrol Live!”

    Classic theatrical scenery, along with a high-tech video wall visually transported families to an authentic Paw Patrol Live! environment, including locations from the TV series, like Adventure Bay, The Lookout, Seal Island, Farmer Yumi’s farm and Jake’s Mountain.

    https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/paw-patrol-live-race-to-the-rescue/ET00359309 

  • DoT supports auction as the preferred method for allocation of satcom spectrum

    DoT supports auction as the preferred method for allocation of satcom spectrum

    Mumbai: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has supported auction as the preferred method for allocation of satcom spectrum, backing the stance of telecom firms Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (VI) against satcom companies seeking allocation without bidding, according to media reports.

    Most telecom firms have opposed offering spectrum for satellite communications at an administered price as it may lead to an uneven playing field, as they would be offering the same services. However, satellite companies, led by OneWeb have opposed this, saying that globally, it is given administratively.

    DoT officials were quoted as saying that sitcom airwaves should be given to the highest bidder since several firms are trying to enter the market and that the bandwidth should be utilised for commercial purposes. An auction would be a better way to allocate the airwaves as the satellite spectrum will be used in accessing customers, just like mobile networks, the officials added.

  • Crunchyroll onboards Rashmika Mandanna to celebrate anime across India

    Crunchyroll onboards Rashmika Mandanna to celebrate anime across India

    Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the world’s ultimate home for anime, has announced that actress Rashmika Mandanna is partnering with Crunchyroll to celebrate her love of anime across India.

    Mandanna will join forces with Crunchyroll at various events and activations, helping share her enthusiasm and introduce more fans across India to the breadth and depth of what they can experience on Crunchyroll.  Her well-known love for anime includes titles across romance, action and fantasy as well as iconic franchises like Naruto, Cardcaptor Sakura and Bleach.

    “Rashmika Mandanna’s passion for anime is contagious, energizing, and impossible to ignore,” said Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini. “We are excited to partner with her and invite millions in India to dive into the fantastical worlds, rich stories and complex characters that are beloved by her and millions around the globe as we build the ultimate home for anime in India together.”

    “As an avid anime fan, I am thrilled to join hands with Crunchyroll and become a part of their family. It is an incredible brand that is committed to promoting anime globally,” said Mandanna. “Anime transcends the boundaries of culture, uniting everyone through the power of stories, and I cannot wait for more and more people to experience and embark on this journey with Crunchyroll as they bring the best titles in multiple Indic languages. I am excited to meet and engage with my fellow fans and explore the infinite worlds of Anime together!”

    Debuting in 2016, Mandanna is a versatile and award-winning actor, known for her acting prowess in Kannada, Telugu, Hindi & Tamil Cinema. She enjoys a huge fanbase across the nation and was declared as the ‘National Crush of India’ by Google in 2020. Apart from her stunning skills as an actor and dancer, Indian fans adore her happy-go-lucky nature and style statement.