Category: iWorld

Mumbai: The Asia Video Summit marked a successful return to Hong Kong, with almost 300 delegates attending the conference in person and virtually.

Hosted by the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), the Summit conversations centred around the key themes of ‘The Making of Korea and the Model for Who’s Next?’, ‘Video at the Crossroads’, ‘Technology Taking Over’, ‘The State of Video 2023’ and ‘The Advance of Advertising’, with a special opening session to set the stage, led by Henry Tan, Special Advisor, Astro, & Chairman, Astro Awani and Vivek Couto, Executive Director, Media Partners Asia with Louis Boswell, CEO, AVIA.

While recognising there are many important and challenging issues evolving in the industry, the mood was upbeat across the two-day summit.  The conversation with Couto and Tan touched upon much of this and while recognising the importance of advertising on premium video which was growing, Tan also added that there was no better business than long term subscription, even if for now the mantra of streaming companies was to give the consumer full flexibility.

Discussing how Korea had generated such success in ‘How The Wave Was Launched’, Blintn CEO Peter Choe said that the Korean “export mindset” had been a key factor while Studio Dragon producer and advisor Hyun Park said that Korean writers were very good at changing their style of storytelling to capture the market. However, the most important was to understand what the consumer wants, and that’s what Korea has become so good at, added Warner Bros. Discovery GM Korea Jeeyoung Lee.

This focus on content continued with local experts on Chinese and Thai entertainment. In both markets, a good ecosystem of support and incentives was welcomed to nurture local talent. Cooperation within the region could possibly push growth across Asian markets, said TVB deputy GM – legal and international operations Desmond Chan.  There was particular optimism around the prospects for Thai content, and while recognizing this, The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Thailand commissioner Prof. Pirongrong Ramasoota stressed the importance of “light-touch governance” to allow “industry players to be more creative and innovative with their content.”

The topic of monetization was also widely debated over the two days of the Summit. Gaming and e-commerce were seen as additional touchpoints and opportunities for cross-pollination with video to grow the consumer base. VS Media CEO Ivy Wong shared that one-click purchase and seamless integration was what made e-commerce so successful in China, compared to other regions where consumers will have to go through several clicks to make the purchase. For Akamai Technologies, head of solutions engineering HK William Wong, the key takeaway was not to focus on a single platform, but to diversify to capture different markets.

With the shift from linear to digital advertising, the time for CTV (Connected TV) could be upon us as “CTV is here to stay and will continue to grow. Dollars follow eyeballs. . . premium content with quality will earn more credible trust for our brands,” opined The Trade Desk GM of inventory development Douglas Choy. Magnite MD Asia Gavin Buxton added that collaboration was key in terms of cross measurement to take CTV onwards, with audience and ad experience being the key driver behind that.

AVIA CEO Louis Boswell presented highlights from a recent commissioned research that measured the impact of advertising in a premium OTT environment versus mass streaming video environments (UGC / video sharing services) including (1) consumers felt that premium OTT was higher quality (58 per cent OTT vs 36 per cent mass) and commanded higher attention than mass streaming video environments (49 per cent OTT vs 35 per cent mass); and (2) both product recall (10 per cent uplift) and brand recall (12 per cent uplift) were significantly higher for the same ads when shown in a premium environment.

Closing off the Summit with a positive outlook, TV5MONDE MD APAC Alexandre Muller said that Asia was where there were growth and opportunities for the video industry.  “There are definitely challenges but people are excited because we are looking for solutions,” said AsiaSat CEO Roger Tong. “The bright spot is the diversity that we are seeing. . . There is so much diversity that it allows us to be more creative and if we maintain our creativity in solving the problems, then we will be able to perform better,” concluded Tong.

The Asia Video Summit is proudly supported by Lead Sponsor Create Hong Kong of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Gold Sponsors BytePlus, InvestHK, INVIDI, Irdeto, Warner Brother Discovery and Silver Sponsors AsiaSat, Broadpeak, Endeavor Streaming, FashionTV, France24, Lightning, Magnite, MEASAT, Nagra, Paramount, Publica.

Mumbai: aha, India’s No.1 local OTT platform, has unveiled the highly anticipated trailer of “Arthamainda Arun Kumar”, a captivating web series that delves into the transformative journey of Arun Kumar amidst the challenges of the corporate ladder. This narrative promises to resonate with viewers from all walks of life, offering valuable insights into love, loss, and the pursuit of finding one’s own space is all set to release on 30 June on aha.

Produced by Arre Studio and Laughing Cow Productions, “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” brings together a talented ensemble cast, including the gifted performers Harshith Reddy, Ananya Sharma, and Tejaswi Madivada, who breathe life into the characters and add depth to their journeys in the corporate landscape. As an official remake of Arre Studio’s acclaimed “Official Chukyagiri,” this adaptation introduces fresh perspectives to corporate drama.

Actor Priyadarshi, the special guest of the trailer launch event, shared, “I am thrilled to be part of the trailer launch for aha original web series ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar.’ It’s an exciting project that delves into the complexities of the corporate world. The series offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and aspirations of individuals in the corporate landscape. I’m confident the trailer will captivate the audience and leave them eager to experience the full series.”

aha content and non-subs revenue head Vaasudev Koppineni, spoke about the series and shared his excitement, stating, “In ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar,’ we explore the complex nature of experiences within the corporate milieu. It is a story of growth, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams seen through the eyes of a lovable character like Arun Kumar. With its universal themes and relatable characters, this series will strike a chord with the audience and inspire them to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.”

Arre Studio COO & co-founder Niyati Merchant said, “We’re very excited to see one of our favourite shows Official Chukyagiri be re-born as Arthamainda Arun Kumar in Telugu, a show which has seen immense love from viewers across three seasons. Remakes are truly reflective of the strength of the story & characters and it’s very encouraging to see our content find audiences in new languages. We’re very happy to find a great collaboration in aha & Laughing Cow Productions that have brought new life to this franchise.”

The trailer offers a tantalising glimpse into Arun Kumar’s transformation as he navigates the complexities of the corporate realm, driven by ambition and confronted with personal challenges. It sets the stage for an immersive viewing experience, inviting audiences to embark on an unforgettable exploration of self-realisation and triumph.

With its commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality content, aha continues to redefine the digital entertainment landscape. “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” is a testament to aha’s mission of offering exceptional Telugu entertainment that resonates with viewers, showcasing the brand’s dedication to engaging storytelling and thought-provoking narratives.

Prepare to witness the captivating “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” journey exclusively on aha. As the series unfolds, viewers will be enthralled by its compelling storytelling, relatable characters, and profound messages.

Mumbai: Binge-worthy, the best spy thriller, an absolute treat, incredibly mounted, adapted to perfection and many more. The Night Manager has been loved by fans, critics and the film fraternity equally, Disney+ Hotstar announced the date of Hotstar Specials’ The Night Manager: Part 2, now releasing on June 30, 2023. The first part saw the clash between Shelly Rungta (Anil Kapoor) and Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur) left the fans wondering what next. 

Directors and actors share a special bond, as they work together to bring characters to life. In The Night Manager, Tillotama Shome aka Lipika had a great character arc. As The Night Manager part 2 is about to be released, we cannot wait to see what the show has in store for all its fans. Tillotama Shome shares how her directors Sandeep Modi and  Priyanka Ghose were a solid rock to her as together they delved into deeper details of the character bringing Lipika to life once again for The Night Manager part 2 

Opening up about the preparations, Tillotama Shome said, “For my character Lipika, I just had to pay attention to her walking and talking style. Multiple discussions with my directors really helped in fully flesh out the small and big details. For example, after every location scout my directors, Sandeep Modi and  Priyanka Ghose would personally show me spaces that they would have envisioned to shape Lipika. It felt really lucky to have  directors who would share so much with me and this really pushed me to do more.”

Get set for a journey of twists, turns and thrill with The Night Manager: part 2 on Disney+ Hotstar from 30 June onwards 

Mumbai: ZEE5 India and Bharat’s largest home-grown video streaming platform and multilingual storyteller for millions of entertainment seekers, introduced SharePlay with the OTT premiere of Salman Khan starrer blockbuster, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. The feature allows the platform’s subscribers to watch content through FaceTime on iPhones and iPads for an enhanced collective viewing experience. This initiative is in line with ZEE5’s commitment to create new experiences through best-in-class technology solutions across multiple touchpoints, exclusively for its subscribers.

ZEE5 CTO Kishore A K, expressed his enthusiasm for introducing this new feature, emphasised the platform’s dedication to innovation and delivering exceptional viewing experiences to its audience and said, “At ZEE5, our constant endeavour has been to push boundaries and introduce fresh, immersive experiences for our viewers. The addition of SharePlay enables us to provide our users with a captivating social engagement feature, seamlessly integrated into their content consumption journey. As digital technology advances rapidly, we anticipate significant transformations in content engagement, elevating the overall enjoyment. This move marks a significant milestone, inspiring us to continually adapt, refine, and innovate in order to surpass ever-evolving consumer expectations and set new standards for in-app experiences.”

Available on iPhones and iPads, viewers can initiate the SharePlay feature on ZEE5 app via FaceTime or iMessages. Users can invite up to 32 people, depending on the device’s bandwidth, to join a single session, facilitating virtual reunions with friends and family. Once connected, the feature sends a notification to members, offering the option to choose between “Watch Together” or “Play Only for Me’, depending on their preference. SharePlay also includes a smart volume feature that dynamically adjusts audio and enables premium subscribers to stream a wide variety of shows and enjoy music together. This allows members to establish a real-time connection with others on the call, synchronising playback and sharing playback controls.

Mumbai:  News9 Plus, the world’s first and only news OTT platform, has conducted an in-depth investigation to uncover alarming levels of lead contamination in vegetables sourced from the Yamuna floodplains. The story, which is now available exclusively on the News9 Plus OTT platform, raises serious concerns about the health risks associated with the consumption of these toxic vegetables, particularly for children.

The Yamuna River, spanning 52 kilometres in Delhi, houses a highly polluted stretch of 22 kilometres, extending from the Wazirabad barrage to the Kalindi Kunj barrage. Local farmers cultivate vegetables on these floodplains, utilising the Yamuna water for irrigation. Unfortunately, this practice has led to the vegetables becoming laden with toxins, including lead, a slow poison. These vegetables could make their way from the toxic floodplains to the kitchens.

Following the ground-breaking story ‘White Froth, Black Truth’, which the team uncovered in 2022, that shed light on the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna River, News9 Plus took a step further by conducting an extensive investigation to assess the impact of this pollution on the lives of over one crore people residing in the vicinity.

To delve deeper into the subject, Nivriti Mohan of News9 Plus, the journalist uncovering the reality of the food on our plate, along with experts collected vegetable samples from the Yamuna floodplains as well as local markets and subjected them to rigorous lab testing for heavy metal contamination.

Speaking about the tests conducted at Delhi Test House, Suman Jha, the Quality Manager, highlighted the concerning results, stating, “Disturbingly, a significant 23% of the samples tested revealed shockingly high levels of lead (Pb) contamination, surpassing the permissible limit of 2.5mg/kg set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. In certain cases, the concentration of lead was found to be four times higher than the approved limit.”

Disturbingly, 66 per cent of the samples with high lead contamination originated from two locations on the Yamuna floodplains: Yamuna Bank Khadar and Sarai Kale Khan. Additionally, 34 per cent of the failed samples were obtained from local markets, all of which comprised green leafy vegetables. This suggests that due to their perishable nature, locally grown vegetables from the floodplains are being supplied to the local markets without the requisite scrutiny.

The investigation features ground reportage and expert analysis by environmentalists, scientists, medical health experts, and researchers. Contributors include Chandra Bhushan, President and CEO of iForest, Diwan Singh, an Environment and Yamuna Activist, Dr. CS Seth, Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, DU, Piyush Mohapatra, Sr. Programme Coordinator at Toxics Link, Dr Rahul Bhargava, Haematologist at Fortis Hospital Gurugram, Dr Sonia Lal Gupta, Neurologist at Metro Group of Hospitals, Dr Ajit Saxena, Paediatrician, and Dr Anshuman Kumar, Chief Cancer Surgeon at Dharmashila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.

The perspectives of local vendors and farmers have also been included in the analysis. The investigation has sought input from institutions like The Energy and Resources Institute to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

The implications of this contamination are grave, especially for children who are most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Paediatricians and neurologists emphasise the potential long-term consequences, such as impaired cognitive skills, stunted growth, and even seizures or coma in extreme cases. Lead exposure in adults can lead to behavioural changes, lethargy, fatigue, memory issues, and more serious health problems, including various cancers.

Going forward, the investigation also offers a few solutions as suggested by these experts.

The alarming findings of the News9 Plus special investigation serve as a wake-up call for authorities, farmers, and consumers alike to take urgent action to safeguard public health and ensure the availability of uncontaminated vegetables in the market.

Mumbai: JioCinema’s much-awaited crime thriller, Asur 2, has become a nationwide phenomenon, captivating audiences with its enthralling fusion of mythology and forensic science. This distinctive combination has become the show’s signature, setting Asur apart as a truly unique and powerful crime thriller. The riveting series has created history, becoming India’s biggest-ever series within just three weeks of its release on JioCinema. It is also now the most popular Indian show as per IMDb worldwide ratings (ranked 50 across the globe).  

The show which bowed down to the audiences’ demand and released all its balance episodes in one go on 3 June (as against its daily episode plan), has delivered the scale and pace of viewership that has yet to be seen in the Indian streaming landscape. With a staggering nearly three crore viewers and close to 300 crore minutes of Watch Time in just over two weeks, Asur 2 is well and truly on its way to setting a record that will take some getting to.

The first season of Asur garnered a devoted fan base, thanks to its gripping storyline and outstanding performances by Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti. The show expertly weaved together the mysteries of mythology and the enthralling realities of forensic science, creating an irresistible combination that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Now, in its highly anticipated second season, Asur has exceeded all expectations, taking the mesmerizing narrative to new heights. Fans are spellbound by the show’s compelling storyline, which unfolds with precision and keeps them hooked right till the very end.

Asur 2 has captured the hearts of fans and viewers across India, solidifying its position as a top-rated web series. Audiences are captivated by the show’s legendary signature track, spine-chilling lyrics, and soulful beats, as they embark on a journey through the mystical ghats of Benaras and witness the powerful portrayals by the talented ensemble cast, featuring Ridhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, Amey Wagh, Meiyang Chang, Abhishek Chauhan, and Gaurav Arora.

Arshad Warsi, reprising his role as the popular and much-loved forensic expert, Dhananjay Rajpoot, shared his gratitude for the overwhelming response to the new season “I always knew Asur was an exceptional show. I am glad that today, everyone mirrors the same feeling! With the kind of fandom this show has created, we’re glad this season could take the excitement to new heights. For me, the hero of the show has always been the gripping and fast-paced storytelling.  I am not surprised but yes, grateful that this one-of-kind- crime thriller is now ranked as the most popular show from India!”.

Barun Sobti also shared his thoughts on the show’s stupendous success, “I don’t think anything could have prepared us for this kind of fandom and critical acclaim for Asur 2. Despite a 3-year hiatus, the reaction to the trailer itself was absolutely phenomenal! From recreating the show’s iconic dialogues and themes to the incessant demand to be able to binge-watch the show in one go – the fandom for this show is unprecedented compared to any OTT web series. The outpouring of love continues and only grows every single day and now with IMDb ranking it as India’s most popular show, we can safely say, Asur 2 has only started its journey of creating new benchmarks in cinematic excellence!”

Adding to the fandom of Asur 2, Mumbai Police shared a quirky Asur-inspired social media post to generate awareness amongst citizens.

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A post shared by Mumbai Police (@mumbaipolice)

Mumbai: The Global Chess League, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, today announced JioCinema as the OTT partner for the inaugural edition. From 22 June 2023, onwards, all the matches of the league being held in Dubai will be streamed LIVE on the platform.

As part of JioCinema’s commitment to helping the Global Chess League reach a wider audience, the league will be streamed free to all viewers.

Viacom18 – sports head of strategy, partnerships & acquisitions Hursh Shrivastava, said, “We are excited to be a part of the chess revolution that the Global Chess League will bring about. Through JioCinema, we will provide a one-of-a-kind experience for chess fans while also helping the sport grow its fan base. We are looking forward to a successful partnership with the league”.

The annual league will feature a unique mixed-team format wherein, each of the six franchises will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously. The top two teams will compete for the Global Chess League Championship title on July 2nd, 2023.

Global Chess League Board chairperson Jagdish Mitra said, “One of the league’s core objectives is to promote and popularise chess worldwide. With JioCinema, we have the ideal partner for bringing the league closer to the audience. We are confident that the league will reach new heights as the world’s most-watched and engaging chess league. We look forward to a successful collaboration with JioCinema in setting new standards for fan engagement”.

The league will also set the standards for technological innovations in the sport of chess as Tech Mahindra and FIDE will explore innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, among others.

Mumbai: aha, India’s no.1 local OTT platform, unveils the highly anticipated trailer of “Arthamainda Arun Kumar,” a captivating web series that delves into the transformative journey of Arun Kumar amidst the challenges of the corporate ladder. This thought-provoking and relatable narrative promises to resonate with viewers from all walks of life, offering valuable insights into love, loss, and the pursuit of finding one’s own space is all set to release on 30 June on aha.

Produced by Arré Studio and Laughing Cow Productions, “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” brings together a talented ensemble cast, including the gifted performers Harshith Reddy, Ananya Sharma, and Tejaswi Madivada, who breathe life into the characters and add depth to their journeys in the corporate landscape. As an official remake of Arré Studio’s acclaimed “Official Chukyagiri,” this adaptation introduces fresh perspectives to corporate drama.

Actor Priyadarshi, the special guest of the trailer launch event, shared, “I am thrilled to be part of the trailer launch for aha original web series ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar.’ It’s an exciting project that delves into the complexities of the corporate world. The series offers a fresh perspective on the challenges and aspirations of individuals in the corporate landscape. I’m confident the trailer will captivate the audience and leave them eager to experience the full series.”

aha content and non-subs revenue head Vaasudev Koppineni spoke about the series and shared his excitement, stating, ” In ‘Arthamainda Arun Kumar,’ we explore the complex nature of experiences within the corporate milieu. It is a story of growth, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams seen through the eyes of a lovable character like Arun Kumar. With its universal themes and relatable characters, this series will strike a chord with the audience and inspire them to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery.”

Arré Studio co-founder and COO Niyati Merchant said, “We’re very excited to see one of our favorite shows Official Chukyagiri be re-born as Arthamainda Arun Kumar in Telugu, a show which has seen immense love from viewers across three seasons. Remakes are truly reflective of the strength of the story & characters and it’s very encouraging to see our content find audiences in new languages. We’re very happy to find a great collaboration in aha & Laughing Cow Productions that have brought new life to this franchise.”

The trailer offers a tantalising glimpse into Arun Kumar’s transformation as he navigates the complexities of the corporate realm, driven by ambition and confronted with personal challenges. It sets the stage for an immersive viewing experience, inviting audiences to embark on an unforgettable exploration of self-realisation and triumph.

With its commitment to delivering diverse and high-quality content, aha continues to redefine the digital entertainment landscape. “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” is a testament to aha’s mission of offering exceptional Telugu entertainment that resonates with viewers, showcasing the brand’s dedication to engaging storytelling and thought-provoking narratives.

Prepare to witness the captivating “Arthamainda Arun Kumar” journey exclusively on aha. As the series unfolds, viewers will be enthralled by its compelling storytelling, relatable characters, and profound messages.