ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Budapest to host 2025 CS2 Major as Starladder brings playoffs to 20,000-seat MVM Dome

    Budapest to host 2025 CS2 Major as Starladder brings playoffs to 20,000-seat MVM Dome

    MUMBAI: It’s game on for Budapest. Starladder has announced that the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025 will take place in Hungary’s capital, culminating in a blockbuster playoff showdown at the 20,000-seat MVM Dome—the largest CS2 Major venue to date.

    Set to run from 24 November to 14 December, the Major will bring together 32 of the world’s best CS2 squads, each fighting for a piece of the $1.25 million prize pool and one of the most coveted titles in esports.

    The opening phase will unfold at the 2,000-capacity MTK Sportpark, Budapest’s freshly upgraded esports-ready venue. From up-close matches to high-decibel cheers, the early rounds promise fans an electric offline experience ahead of the high-stakes finals.

    The MVM Dome takes over from 11-14 December, transforming into a cathedral of competition with immersive lighting, mega-sized LEDs and theatrical effects built for stadium-scale esports drama. One of Europe’s most advanced arenas, the Dome will host four days of playoffs designed to dazzle on-site and online audiences alike.

    “Hosting another Major is an incredible honor, and we’re determined to make it unforgettable,” said Starladder CEO Roman Romantsov. “Budapest gives us the perfect stage to push the boundaries of what a live CS2 event can look and feel like. From day one to the Grand Finals, we’re building something that fans—both in the arena and watching around the world—will remember. We invite every Counter-Strike fan to be part of this iconic moment with us.”

    Set against the backdrop of Budapest’s festive season, the tournament offers a unique blend of esports spectacle and holiday charm—an experience that aims to be as memorable off-screen as it is on.

    Tickets for all stages, including the MVM Dome playoffs, are now on sale at: major.Starladder.com

  • Kutingg flips the script with India’s first all-vertical short story platform

    Kutingg flips the script with India’s first all-vertical short story platform

    MUMBAI: If you’re watching stories the same way you scroll through reels, Kutingg just got your angle right, literally. In a move that redefines how stories are told and watched, Kutingg, the latest brainchild from Balaji Telefilms Ltd, has launched as one of India’s first platforms dedicated entirely to short-form vertical content. Designed for thumb-scrolling, on-the-go viewers, Kutingg ditches the traditional widescreen for a full-screen, mobile-only experience crafted to keep pace with India’s screen-happy youth.

    From romantic flings and campus crushes to suspenseful thrillers and slice-of-life dramas, Kutingg’s storytelling comes fast, fierce, and formatted for the vertical world. The platform’s lineup of originals aims to deliver emotionally charged narratives in snackable episodes ideal for lunch breaks, commute scrolls, or late-night binge dips.

    Commenting on the launch Balaji Telefilms Ltd Group chief revenue officer (CRO) Nitin Burman said, “We’ve always been at the forefront of innovation, and with ‘Kutingg’, we’re introducing a new storytelling format that offers an intimate and engaging viewer experience. This mobile-first, vertical format is designed to meet the evolving viewing habits of today’s audience. Kutingg breaks traditional screen boundaries and represents the future of content snackable, striking, and personal. Our vision with Kutingg is to redefine how stories are consumed, offering an immersive, flexible viewing experience that aligns with the fast-paced, on-the-go lifestyles of young India. We’re proud to be pioneers in leading this change.”

    With vertical viewing now second nature to most mobile users, the platform isn’t just keeping up, it’s setting the pace. Burman added that Kutingg will also serve as a dynamic canvas for emerging storytellers to play with form, angles, and narrative flow in ways the traditional 16:9 simply doesn’t allow.

    Kutingg is not just a content initiative, it’s a cultural cue shift. With this vertical leap, Balaji’s Altt is once again placing itself ahead of the curve, showing that the future of storytelling might just be told one swipe at a time.

  • Timex jumps into quick commerce with Instamart to deliver watches on the double

    Timex jumps into quick commerce with Instamart to deliver watches on the double

    MUMBAI: Timex has added a new tick to its retail playbook. The watchmaker has entered the quick commerce space by launching its Timex and TMX collections, including TMX Kids, on Swiggy Instamart starting 1 May. From birthday rushes to last-minute gifting, watches are now just a few taps away.

    As part of its omnichannel strategy, Timex is targeting urban shoppers who value speed, convenience, and style. With collections ranging from Rs 699 to Rs 7000, the brand aims to cater to gifting, fashion, and functional needs without the wait. The launch also includes TMX Kids watches priced at Rs 699 and Rs 799—marking its move into accessible entry-level segments.

    “Quick commerce is redefining how brands connect with consumers, offering speed, convenience, and accessibility like never before. As this space continues to grow, it’s crucial for brands to evolve alongside it. At Timex, we are proud to strengthen our presence on platforms like Swiggy Instamart, ensuring our products are easily accessible to consumers, offering them a seamless shopping experience in just a few clicks”, said Timex India MD Deepak Chhabra.

    Initially available across Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, Timex plans to scale nationwide in coming months. The move signals a sharper retail pivot from the heritage brand as it adapts to changing consumer behaviour and delivery expectations.

    Besides Swiggy Instamart, Timex is already live on Flipkart-Minutes and Myntra-Now—cementing its quick commerce footprint across India’s biggest instant delivery platforms. As the gifting economy gets speedier, Timex is making sure time is always on your side.

  • S8ul enlists north American trio for Warzone glory at Esports World Cup 2025

    S8ul enlists north American trio for Warzone glory at Esports World Cup 2025

    MUMBAI: When the battle drops in Riyadh, S8ul will be ready. The Indian esports juggernaut has unveiled its global Call of Duty: Warzone roster for the upcoming Esports World Cup 2025, assembling a seasoned trio from north America to carry its flag on the global stage.

    The new lineup includes Colin Bowers-Wilson (Trikempathy), Braxton Trice (Braxtvn), and Ryder Skarzinski (Ryda)—three players known for their skill, discipline, and grit. With this announcement, S8ul becomes the first Indian organisation to field a dedicated Warzone team internationally, setting its sights on dominance beyond its home turf.

    “We are proud to mark a historic milestone as the first Indian organization to enter the global Call of Duty: Warzone esports arena. Trikempathy, Braxtvn, and Ryda are outstanding athletes whose skill, discipline, and mindset reflect the values we uphold at S8ul. This move reinforces our long-term commitment to elevating Indian representation across all competitive gaming genres and competing with excellence on the world stage”, said S8ul co-founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal.

    Leading the squad is in-game shotcaller Braxtvn, a calm tactician with over $64,000 (approx. Rs 54.5 lakhs) in prize winnings and consistent top-10 finishes at events like the World Series of Warzone and NYSL Warzone Gauntlet. Trikempathy brings aggressive finesse with more than $47,000 (approx. Rs 40 lakhs) earned, while Ryda adds fresh firepower with $15,000 (approx. Rs 12.7 lakhs) in winnings and a fanbase exceeding 450,000.

    “Becoming part of S8ul represents a significant step forward for us as a team. This partnership is not just about one tournament, it is about building something meaningful with an organization that shares our competitive vision and long-term goals. S8ul has established a strong legacy in esports, and we are proud to contribute to that journey. With their backing, we are ready to challenge ourselves and compete at the highest level throughout the year”, said Braxtvn.

    The Warzone announcement follows S8ul’s recent strategic plays in Apex Legends, chess, and StarCraft II, including high-profile signings like GuMiho, Nihal Sarin, and Sharky. With its expanding footprint and elite roster across genres, S8ul is building an esports empire stitched together with precision, ambition, and global intent.

  • Fancode kicks off exclusive five-year Laliga partnership in India

    Fancode kicks off exclusive five-year Laliga partnership in India

    MUMBAI: FanCode, India’s go-to sports platform, has clinched a five-year exclusive deal with Laliga, bringing Spanish football’s top-tier action to Indian screens. Starting with this weekend’s high-stakes ElClásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, FanCode will stream all Laliga EA Sports and Laliga Hypermotion matches — live and in HD.

    The partnership promises wall-to-wall coverage of 380 top-flight Laliga games each season, alongside Laliga Hypermotion fixtures. Fans can catch every match on FanCode’s mobile app, TV app (Android TV, Fire TV, Jio STB, Samsung, LG), and website — all without a hitch.

    Laliga’s star power — featuring football greats like Jude Bellingham, Robert Lewandowski, Vinicius Jr, and Antoine Griezmann — has made it a fan favourite in India. With its clubs already boasting massive followings, from Real Madrid to FC Barcelona, FanCode is poised to expand that popularity with a 360-degree marketing blitz. Expect community events, marquee screenings, social media takeovers, and even player visits to India.

    Laliga president Javier Tebas said: “We are delighted to have FanCode partner with us for the Indian market. At Laliga, we always look for best-in-class partners to deliver Spanish football to fans everywhere. FanCode brings strong local expertise and shares our passion for growing the league’s reach. We look forward to working together over the next five years to bring the best of Spanish football to fans in India.”

    FanCode  cofounder Yannick Colaco added: “We’ve seen first-hand the incredible fan following that Laliga commands in India. With top-tier clubs and world-class players on display, fans can expect high-quality football week in, week out. Our 360-degree approach will ensure a seamless experience across all touchpoints — be it live streaming, engaging with fans to build a strong community or taking the league to new fans. We’re excited to work closely with Laliga to grow the league’s popularity in India.”

    FanCode, which reaches over 160 million sports fans and has logged 50 million app downloads, is already a dominant player in Indian sports streaming, with partnerships across ICC, Formula 1, MotoGP, and more. This new deal with Laliga is set to score big with football fans nationwide.

  • Zepto pads up for PMS with a comfort-first search that feels your feels

    Zepto pads up for PMS with a comfort-first search that feels your feels

    MUMBAI: Ever searched for “appraisal” and been served peanuts? Or typed “Prashant” only to get croissants? On Zepto, it wasn’t just a glitch, it became a vibe. What started as meme-worthy misfires on the quick commerce app’s search bar has quietly morphed into something far more meaningful: a barometer for mood, emotion and, now, premenstrual meltdowns.

    Zepto’s latest feature, the PMS Search Experience, is a dedicated landing page curated by the women of Zepto to tackle the monthly rollercoaster of premenstrual syndrome with empathy and humour. Typing “PMS” into the app now leads users not just to pads and painkillers, but to a digital moodboard of comfort: herbal teas, heating patches, chocolate bars, plush toys, aromatherapy, and even boxing gloves because some days, “ragey” needs a release.

    The page is cleverly divided into relatable moods Crampy, Ragey, Lazy, Irritated, Sad, and Hangry each with tailored product recommendations that promise to soothe, snack or simply see you.

    “We heard you. ‘PMS’ is now a search term on Zepto,” said Zepto chief brand and cultural officer Chandan Mendiratta “This wasn’t just about adding period care SKUs we built what we’re calling an emotion page. Something that mirrors the mental and physical state of our users, especially during tough days. We hope it brings comfort, even if you don’t buy anything. And I want to be clear: I won’t and shouldn’t take credit for this. This was built entirely by the women of Zepto. They get you.”

    The brand, which earlier launched the viral Period Box, seems to be on a roll when it comes to blending commerce with cultural context. In a world where search bars have long been functional, Zepto’s is slowly becoming emotional and refreshingly human.

    For anyone who’s ever searched “Monday blues” or “comfort food” and hoped for more than just items in a cart, this is Zepto quietly saying: we get you.

  • Boat-Blinkit call out Insta-fame fakery with savage PSA for Mother’s Day gifting

    Boat-Blinkit call out Insta-fame fakery with savage PSA for Mother’s Day gifting

    MUMBAI: This Mother’s Day, Boat and Blinkit dropped a digital truth bomb dressed as a PSA—and it stings in the best way. The campaign, launched on 8 May 2025, takes a jab at the superficiality of social media tributes with a sharp, satirical video that’s already making the rounds.

    Featuring the ever-deadpan Satish Ray, the film skewers the gen z habit of throwing up old selfies and half-hearted captions as a substitute for real gratitude. The verdict? Your mum deserves more than recycled memories and emoji-drenched ‘appreciation.’

    “Happy Mother’s Day isn’t a vibe, it’s a responsibility”, Ray says in the video, taking aim at performative affection. The PSA-style clip urges young folks to back up their love with action—and a proper gift.

    Enter the Boat Enigma smartwatch and Blinkit’s turbo-speed delivery.

    The collaboration is clever in its execution. Boat delivers the gift idea, Blinkit promises last-minute redemption, and Ray delivers the message with comedic flair that leaves no ego unbruised. As one Boat spokesperson put it, “This campaign is our way of nudging young people to go beyond the ‘social’ and make Mother’s Day truly special”.

    The takeaway? This year, skip the clout chase. Your mum wants something more meaningful—and she wants it now. The campaign is live across Youtube and Instagram, with shopping available via Blinkit.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Satish Ray (@satishray_)

     

  • Retail’s runway moment as offline struts ahead of digital discounts

    Retail’s runway moment as offline struts ahead of digital discounts

    MUMBAI: Clickbait may be sexy, but cash still walks into stores. That was the clear takeaway at the Phygital Retail Convention 2025 (PRC), where industry heavyweights made a persuasive case for why offline retail continues to bag the profits even as online steals the spotlight.

    “Online is a matter of discount in India,” quipped Kumar Nitesh, CEO of Ajio Business and Trend Footwear, Reliance Retail, summing up the e-tail paradox, it boosts valuations, sure, but often bleeds the bottom line. While online contributes about 25 per cent to business, Nitesh noted it’s the brick-and-mortar game that ensures retailers aren’t just surfing trends but making money from them.

    Earlier in the day, P Senthilkumar, senior partner at Vector Consulting, flagged a deeper inventory dilemma: with fashion trends flying faster than ever, predicting demand has become a retail roulette. “What was sold in the previous session is no longer relevant in the next,” he said, highlighting that the average product lifecycle has shrunk to just four months, a ticking timebomb for inventory planners and merchandisers.

    Management thinker Shiv Shivakumar didn’t hold back either, calling out the “buy two, get one free” gimmickry plaguing the apparel space and lamenting the sector’s lack of innovation. Drawing a sharp contrast, he urged retailers to borrow a leaf from the IT playbook where rupee costs meet dollar revenue to de-risk their models and rethink profitability.

    Zooming out from fashion to the broader consumer mindset, B S Nagesh, chairman of Shoppers Stop and founder of Trrain, urged traditional grocers to embrace tech-driven scalability, echoing the wider theme of phygital fusion. Meanwhile, Nikhil Bhatia of CBRE India offered a glimpse into the future of retail real estate: where families don’t come for shopping, they come for a showdown of experiences.

    Based on insights from 700 voices across metros, Bhatia revealed that entertainment-led retail saw a 150 per cent surge, thanks to rising demand for gourmet food courts, upscale bowling alleys, and family entertainment centres especially in Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. “Entertainment is the new anchor tenant,” he said, painting a vivid picture of malls where dining and dancing might just edge out discount deals.

    At PRC 2025, the message rang loud and clear: online may be the poster child, but offline is still the parent paying the bills. And as the retail universe evolves, the future may just lie in a perfect stitch between the two.

  • Netflix to rewire its homepage in a game-changing move

    Netflix to rewire its homepage in a game-changing move

    MUMBAI: Netflix plans to reimagine its homepage, swapping its classic layout for a sleeker, smarter design that’s more than just eye candy. 

    The streaming giant has confirmed that the new homepage will roll out over the “next few weeks and months,” varying by location, as it dives into fresh waters—live events, games, and a cutting-edge search tool powered by OpenAI’s generative AI.

    According to Netflix chief product officer Eunice Kim, the streamer has been tinkering with its home page  for 12 years, but the current refresh is bigger than ever as it involves a mix of new tech and an expanded entertainment range.

    Netflix’s new look is cleaner, bolder, and all about discovery. Visual elements pop, while shortcuts that used to hide on the left now glide to the top. The revamped recommendation engine is a step up, promising to read your mood like a fortune-teller—whether you’re after a thriller, a tearjerker, or a pixel-packed game.

    Kim added that the new look is a playground for everything Netflix  offers—films, live events, and games. 

    But the behemoth isn’t stopping there. A TikTok-style vertical video feed is also in the works, letting users swipe through bite-sized clips of shows and movies—tap to watch, add to your list, or share the hype.

    For Netflix, the new homepage is more than a fresh coat of paint—it’s a gateway to everything it hopes to be.

  • Natasha Dave rises at Netflix, taking APAC talent reins

    Natasha Dave rises at Netflix, taking APAC talent reins

    MUMBAI: In a move that highlights Netflix’s commitment to empowering its talent across the Asia-Pacific region, Natasha Dave has been named the talent management lead for APAC. Dave, a seasoned HR leader with over 18 years of experience in talent management, strategic HR partnership, and organisational development, transitions to her new role after two and a half years with Netflix, where she previously served as HR business partner for India.

    Describing her journey at Netflix as a transformative experience, Dave credits the streaming giant’s culture and values for shaping her professional growth. Before Netflix, she led talent initiatives at GroupM India and Mindshare, managing chaos with a method to the madness and driving people-centric strategies. Her extensive career also includes leadership roles at Housing.com, Altisource, Intelenet Global Services, HSBC Securities, and Computer Sciences Corp.

    As she steps into her new role, Dave is set to steer Netflix’s APAC talent management strategy, ensuring that the region’s talent thrives in a dynamic, high-performance culture