ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Enigma Gaming unveils as a franchise in India

    Enigma Gaming unveils as a franchise in India

    Mumbai: Mumbai-based Enigma Gaming, home to India’s most talented esports athletes, has been unveiled as the seventh franchise in India’s biggest gaming tournament, the Skyesports Masters. The organisation will be unveiling its star-studded roster soon which will also feature international imports.

    The Skyesports Masters is set to kick off on 8 July with the League Stage happening until Aug. 17. Eight franchised teams will lock horns for a share of the Rs 2,00,00,000 prize pool and the bragging rights. The top four teams of the League Stage will make it to the Playoffs, which are set to be a spectacular on-ground event in front of a live audience.

    Commenting on entering the tournament, Enigma Gaming’s founder and CEO, Aryaman Wasan, said, “Counter-Strike has been a pioneer for the global esports industry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t able to grow in India in the same manner because of the lack of development of esports in the country over the past two decades. Now, with the rapid emergence of esports in India over the past three years, we feel it’s the right time to invest in the game. With a new version coming up and the long-term vision of the Skyesports Masters, we are here to support Counter-Strike for the years to come”.

    Enigma Gaming is set to unveil its roster soon. The organisation has its sights set on conquering the Skyesports Masters from the first year itself with a team consisting of national players as well as international imports. Two of the players will be from the Skyesports Masters cafe qualifiers, an open-for-all grassroots-level initiative which happened across 20 Indian cities. The mixed roster will not only increase the competitiveness of the Skyesports Masters but also give a chance for new players to shine.

    Commenting on the inclusion of Enigma Gaming into the Skyesports Masters, Skyesports Founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “The inclusion of Enigma Gaming, alongside renowned franchises, further solidifies Skyesports Masters’ position as India’s biggest gaming tournament. Enigma’s new roster, consisting of international imports as well, is a testament to their long-term commitment towards the vision of India’s first franchised esports tournament and Counter-Strike”.

    Enigma Gaming joins the likes of Gods Reign, Revenant Esports, Marcos Gaming, Reckoning Esports, Medal Esports, and 7Sea Esports as franchises in the Skyesports Masters. Stay tuned for the final team announcement.

  • Liam Neeson returns in Lionsgate’s Retribution

    Liam Neeson returns in Lionsgate’s Retribution

    Mumbai: How far would you go to protect your family? Promising an action-thriller like no other, Lionsgate presents to you its latest theatrical release Retribution premiering globally on 25th August in theaters near you. Known for his prowess in the action genre, director Nimrod Antal brings back the iconic Liam Neeson in a high-speed chase as he breaks the rulebook to save his family from an anonymous threat. Dropping his kids off, on a seemingly regular day, Matt Turner receives a bomb threat while on-route to his kid’s school. With his kid’s safety being the utmost priority, how will Matt fight his way out of this situation?

    Talking about the official announcement and trailer release of Retribution, Lionsgate VP – licensing & content partnerships Gayathri Guliani said, “We are elated to bring Retribution to our Indian audiences on 25 August; the film is packed with everything a viewer looks for – action, thrills, and drama. After the stellar success of John Wick: Chapter 4 at the Indian box office, Retribution is the perfect addition to our theatrical line-up. With Liam Neeson’s popularity in India, we are sure the film is going to be an absolute treat for fans. Stay tuned for a lot more surprises this year as another exciting title from Lionsgate hits your nearest theater soon.”

  • NXTPLAY to give customers access to over 300,000 hours of content from international and regional OTT platforms

    NXTPLAY to give customers access to over 300,000 hours of content from international and regional OTT platforms

    Mumbai: NXTDIGITAL, the digital media division of technology-led customer experience company Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), have rolled out their Over The Top (OTT) service strategy with the launch of NXTPLAY, their TV and Mobile application. This will be an extension of the successful ‘ONEDigital’ combo service, where the digital distribution major offers linear television, wireline broadband and other services at competitive price points. 

    NXTPLAY offers over 300,000 hours of local and global OTT content in the customer’s favourite genres and local languages. The app, which customers can download from the Google Playstore, is available for television and mobile phones and aims to fill content gaps accessible only through OTT channels. NXTPLAY enables a consumer to discover what content to watch, where to find it, and assess reviews. Consumers can browse content by topic, genre, source, and choice of language. Consumers can also add movies to their view lists and give ratings to the shows.

    Commenting on the launch, NXTDIGITAL COO NK Rouse said, “For us, this is a continuation of one of our business principles centered around “Partnership for Growth”. We have always strived to provide our Digital Service Partners with innovative solutions for their customers. After digital TV via cable and HITS, broadband and other services like public WIFI and CCTV, adding OTT to our services portfolio was a natural progression – considering the surge in popularity of on-demand platforms in India. We’re sure our partners will be excited to engage with a wider universe of customers and build a new revenue stream through this.” 

    NXTDIGITAL advisor Mukund Sharma said, “NXTPLAY is designed as a one-stop content discovery and data platform. The smart recommendation engines for varied content, ease of payment and affordable prices are the three pillars of the service, ensuring consumer delight and long-term customer engagement and retention. Our partners OTTPlay, SABOT, and PLAYFLIX bring 25+ immensely popular OTT platforms with diversified linear and non-linear streams of multi-genre, niche and special interest content.”

  • Sony LIV presents Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s renowned novel

    Sony LIV presents Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s renowned novel

    Mumbai: When the brilliance of the legendary novelist Agatha Christie and the inimitable artistic genius Vishal Bhardwaj converge, they promise a gripping ride of thrills and entertainment. Sony LIV is thrilled to bring an exclusive subscriber-only pilot episode preview of its original detective thriller from today. But it won’t be an ordinary debut, as the pilot episode will take subscribers on an interactive escapade.

    Adapted from Christie’s celebrated novel, Sony LIV’s series is directed, co-produced, and co-written by Vishal Bhardwaj. In a unique interactive initiative, Sony LIV invites the audience to be a part of the creative process by co-creating the title of the baffling detective thriller. Additionally, after watching the pilot episode, users can help Charlie (the protagonist) solve the mystery by finding clues and identifying a character to dig deeper. So, grab your magnifying glasses and get ready to be a part of this thrilling adventure brought to you by Sony LIV.

    The series is produced by Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures along with Priti Shahani’s Tusk Tale Films and in association with Agatha Christie Ltd. Along with Bhardwaj, the show is co-written by Anjum Rajabali and Jyotsna Hariharan. The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring Wamiqa Gabbi, Priyanshu Painyuli, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulshan Grover, Lara Dutta, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Paoli Dam amongst others.

    So, prepare to be astounded by the formidable minds and join Charlie’s course in solving the mystery from now!

  • AVIA releases second phase of its research in premium OTT and mass streaming video environments

    AVIA releases second phase of its research in premium OTT and mass streaming video environments

    Mumbai: The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) has released the second phase of its research into differences between advertising in premium OTT and mass streaming video environments (UGC / video sharing services). While phase 1, completed in 2022, looked at consumer usage and attitudes towards advertising in both environments, phase 2 gauged consumer attention and recall to ads in both a premium and mass environment. Research was conducted between January to April 2023, and conducted by Milieu Insight.

    In line with the findings from the first phase, phase 2 established that both product recall (10% uplift) and brand recall (12% uplift) were significantly higher for the same ads when shown in a premium OTT environment over a mass environment.

    In terms of actions taken, from searching for more information about the product to visiting the brand’s website, reading reviews etc, there was not a notable difference between behaviour of those seeing ads in a premium or mass environment.  And given the higher recall, this still demonstrates that there are likely to be higher conversion rates from ads shown in premium environments.

    Phase 1 of the research established that consumers clearly felt that premium OTT was higher quality (58% OTT vs 36% mass) and commanded higher attention than mass streaming video environments (49% OTT vs 35% mass).

    Commenting on the findings, AVIA CEO Louis Boswell said, “The results are definitive and support what we have long felt obvious – ads that are shown in premium OTT services are more effective than those you see in a social media or video sharing services.  We believe there is a huge opportunity for brands to increase the efficiency of their advertising and rethink the allocation of spend across premium and mass video environments.  OTT is growing in leaps and bounds, and provides a unique and not sufficiently exploited opportunity for advertisers of all sorts to increase the efficiency of their campaigns.”

  • OML Entertainment continues to expand its talent management business

    OML Entertainment continues to expand its talent management business

    Mumbai: OML Entertainment has further expanded its talent roster by onboarding Australian chef Sarah Todd and creator Dr Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju to its massive repertoire of 91 talents, cutting across diverse genres under its talent management business.

    OML has had a front-row seat in mapping evolution, challenges, and opportunities in the creator economy, having built its strengths over 20 years, starting as an artist management agency. The company will leverage this expertise and experience, to represent Sarah Todd & Trinetra, amongst others and offer its 360-degree management across a wide spectrum, including to build their content IPs, strategy for OTT, premium events, strategic brand partnerships, equity deals and much more.

    OML Entertainment senior VP Rishabh Nahar mentioned, “We’ve always looked at the creator ecosystem with an artist-first approach & have been growing our roster outside of comedy as well, to 50+ artists across genres like fashion, travel & lifestyle, chefs, mentalists and writers & directors, amongst other creators. He further added, “We have been actively looking at signing talent across these genres & have always strived to impact pop culture and bridge the gap between arts and its economy, owing to Artist Management being our legacy business. Having been in the ecosystem since 21 years, we’ve been very fortunate to have a diverse roster of 90+ artists.”

    Todd said, “India has always had a special place in my heart and I am thrilled to be a part of OML’s talent roster and work with them to pave new paths in India – OML’s artist-first approach will support me in making a positive impact. I am incredibly excited to take this new step with OML!”

    Gummaraju added, “OML understands the direction of an artist’s growth trajectory & supports their creativity constantly to make their vision a reality. It is truly exciting to have them as a partner in my endeavours. I am looking forward to starting my journey with them as part of their talent roster and scaling greater heights in future with their support.”

    Todd wears both hats – A chef from Australia and a creator. She has risen to the top of the culinary world since her first appearance in Season 6 of MasterChef Australia and further went on to become a finalist in MasterChef Australia S14: a global talent, restaurateur, entrepreneur and TV Host. In 2021, she was named in the LuxeBook Top 50 most powerful and influential women leaders in Indian Luxury. As a former high fashion model, she has also worked with some of the world’s most recognisable fashion brands, including Gucci, Hugo Boss, and Pantene. Furthermore, she has ten TV shows under her belt. She has appeared at many prestigious events as a keynote speaker, including the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit and the Economic Times Global Summit alongside India’s PM, Narendra Modi, and most recently recognised by Modi for her contribution to the food industry.

    Meanwhile, Gummaraju is Karnataka’s first transgender doctor. She has been on both India’s and Asia’s Forbes 30 under 30 Lists in 2022, as well as on GQ’s 30 Most Influential Young Indians List two years in a row. As a woman of trans experience, her content often addresses misconceptions and stigma around the queer and trans communities in ways both real and comedic. Gummaraju will soon make her acting debut in the most awaited web series, Made In Heaven Season 2, along with another Amazon Prime Video’s docu-series titled Rainbow Rishtas.

    Over the years, OML has metamorphosed from an artist management agency into a full-fledged media and entertainment organisation and continues to add value, and support the creators and their creativity. By diversifying its roster, the company has been keeping up with the ever-growing and dramatically evolving creator eco

  • Moj celebrates its third birthday with Nanhi Pari Foundation

    Moj celebrates its third birthday with Nanhi Pari Foundation

    Mumbai: Moj, India’s leading short video platform, is thrilled to announce its third birthday celebration, marking a remarkable journey of delivering relatable and joyful content to its consumers in various genres. Over the last three years, consumers have been delighted by the immersive experience and endless happiness that Moj has brought to their lives.

    In collaboration with the Nanhi Pari Foundation, a dedicated NGO working towards improving children’s lives, Moj will host an exciting celebration on 1 July. This event promises an array of captivating activities, from hilarious stand-up gigs and live music performances to thrilling battles, ensuring a joyous experience for everyone and leaving a positive impact in its wake.

    The highlight of this celebration is the introduction of a virtual cupcake within the Moj platform. While numerous virtual gifts exist, users will now have the opportunity to send a brand-new virtual gift, a cupcake. On 1 July for every ten virtual cupcakes received, Moj will gift a real cupcake to a child supported by the Nanhi Pari Foundation, with an aim to spread joy. This initiative exemplifies Moj’s commitment to amplifying its reach and impact, as well as its dedication to nurturing the community.

    To further enhance this initiative, Moj has enlisted the support of five influential creators who have been an integral part of the Moj Family since its inception. Apoorva Arora Prasad, Himanshu Shrivastav, Sushil Brahmbhatt, and Shweta Pavan will actively promote the celebration across Moj and various social media platforms. Their encouragement will inspire their fans to join in the festivities and contribute virtual cupcakes, ultimately bringing smiles to the faces of those in need.

    Moj creator, Himanshu Shrivastav, said, “As Moj celebrates its third birthday, I reflect on the platform’s immense impact on Indian creators. Moj has been instrumental in supporting creators’ growth, understanding their needs, and launching features that simplify content creation. Through programs, on-ground activities, and a strong sense of community, Moj has nurtured and groomed countless creators. Today, as Moj turns three, we are honored to be part of this journey and confident that the platform will continue to thrive. The Moj creator community is thrilled to celebrate by bringing smiles to the faces of the future generation, as we believe even small gestures can make a big difference”

    Expressing her excitement, ShareChat and Moj head of consumer marketing Mousumi Mishra, shared, “As we commemorate our 3rd birthday, our primary goal is to spread joy and create a meaningful impact. Through our collaboration with the Nanhi Pari Foundation and the invaluable support of our remarkable creators, we aim to foster a sense of community, compassion, while spreading happiness.”

    Nanhi Pari Foundation founder Azhar Khan added “The Nanhi Pari Foundation echoes the call, urging all to partake in the festivities and spread happiness among the less fortunate. Through the purchase of virtual cupcakes on the Moj app, individuals can actively contribute to this virtuous endeavor. With each sale of 10 virtual cupcakes, Moj graciously pledges to gift a tangible cupcake to the Nanhi Pari Foundation, ensuring that joy cascades to the cherished children they champion, illuminating their days and painting smiles on their countenances.”

    In an effort to engage the community further, Moj will launch a unique lens featuring the cupcake, inspiring users to share their celebratory moments using the hashtag #MojTurns3. Together, let us join hands, spread joy, and make Moj’s third birthday a memorable milestone in our shared journey of compassion and positivity.

  • Catch the trailer of College Romance 4

    Catch the trailer of College Romance 4

    Mumbai: Sony LIV’s most loved gang from College Romance is back for one last time! Amidst movie nights, adventures, trips, job interviews, and heartfelt farewells, they confront their anxieties and insecurities, making their way into the real world in the finale. Will they stumble or stand tall as they step into the real world? Join them on a journey of friendship, self-discovery, and the triumph of embracing their madness!

    Created by The Viral Fever and produced by Arunabh Kumar, College Romance season 4 is directed by Ashutosh Pankaj. The show features Gagan Arora, Apoorva Arora, Keshav Sadhna, Shreya Mehta, Nupur Nagpal, Jahnvi Rawat, and Eklavey Kashyap in pivotal roles.

    Commenting on the show, Gagan Arora said, “College Romance has received a lot of love from the audiences since its inception. They have seen the characters mature through the years and have been fully invested in their journey as a gang, just like we have been. So, it is an emotional moment for all of us as we bring the final season. The viewers will surely be reminded of their senior year of college with this season as everyone will take important decisions and prepare to step into the real world. Our hearts are full and we can’t wait for the audiences to embark with us on this journey one last time! Watch the gang for the one last time on Sony LIV from 14th July.”

  • DistroTV and OnePlus TV partner to bring top notch streaming service

    DistroTV and OnePlus TV partner to bring top notch streaming service

    Mumbai: DistroTV, one of the largest independent, free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app, has announced that it is expanding its content offerings to OnePlus TV. OnePlus TV users can stream DistroTV’s impressive and diverse content lineup with 270 channels globally and 180 channels in India anytime on the Cloud TV platform.

    DistroTV features more than 270 Channels globally and 180 channels in India and growing, with everything from news, sports, movies, music & entertainment, and lifestyle content. This includes original content and new channel offerings that cater to Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, English, Punjabi and adding more languages and channels. 

    “We are excited to partner with OnePlus. India is a large and vibrant digital market with Smart TV volumes at more than 90% of all new Televisions sold in the country. We are bringing the best of Indian and International FAST content to the Indian audiences,” said DistroScale (parent company of DistroTV) co-founder & CEO Navdeep Saini. 

    “The Connected TV ecosystem with FAST is bringing premium and brand safe AVOD opportunity with long form content partners on the live streaming channels. This partnership will emerge as a significant source of entertainment for OnePlus TV viewers. The advertisers will get an opportunity to reach out the premium digital audience on Connected TV with our ad solutions,” said DistroScale CEO (India, SEA and MENA) Vikas Khanchandani. 

  • Rishabh and Mahima’s social media birth date change sparks speculation

    Rishabh and Mahima’s social media birth date change sparks speculation

    Mumbai: In a surprising twist, famous sports icon Rishabh Pant and acclaimed actress Mahima Chaudhry have left their devoted fan bases puzzled with recent changes to their birth dates on social media. These unexpected modifications have sparked speculation and raised questions about what’s the motive behind them.

    Rishabh Pant, the dynamic Indian cricketer known for his explosive batting prowess, has changed his birth date to “Second D.O.B: 5th Jan 2023”. As per his new social media profile, Rishabh Pant is now five months old. This cryptic alteration has reverberated throughout the cricketing world, leaving pundits and fans searching for meaning behind this.

    Similarly, Mahima Chaudhry, a versatile and highly regarded actress celebrated for her captivating performances, has captivated her admirers with an equally confusing adjustment. Her birth date on social media now appears as the mysterious “Second D.O.B: 8th Nov 2022”, which means Mahima Chaudhry is seven months old.

    In a world where social media serves as a platform for expression and interaction, the changes to Rishabh Pant and Mahima Chaudhry’s birth dates have caused a stir. As fans eagerly await further insights, one thing is certain—these alterations have ignited curiosity and intrigue, leaving the world wondering about the motivation behind these enigmatic changes.