ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Rannvijay Singha joins Infinitum to launch his global Youtube journey

    Rannvijay Singha joins Infinitum to launch his global Youtube journey

    MUMBAI: Infinitum Network Solutions has welcomed reality TV icon Rannvijay Singha into its creative fold, setting the stage for his official Youtube debut. Known for his rugged charm and youth-centric content, Singha will now partner with one of India’s top multinational content networks to create compelling original digital properties.

    The collaboration will see Singha launch a new phase in his career, crafting content that resonates not just in India but across global markets. Infinitum, which is already home to several successful IPs, will support this journey with its vast creator ecosystem and growing international presence in regions including Europe and the middle east.

    Infinitum Network Solutions founder Satyadev Chada Krishna said, “Singha represents everything we stand for—authenticity, energy, and mass appeal. We are excited to welcome him into the Infinitum family. His association demonstrates our commitment to amplifying Indian voices and stories to a global audience. At Infinitum Network Solutions is already at the forefront of innovation with its existing IPs. With Singha onboard, we will further accelerate this momentum, crafting IPs that not only push creative boundaries but also set new standards in the digital space.”

    Singha said, “Teaming up with Infinitum Network Solutions feels like the right step at the right time. They have established themselves in content creation, and now, with their growing presence in global markets beyond the regional landscape, they are offering exciting new opportunities. For creators like me, it is access to a much wider stage to tell meaningful stories that truly connect to global audiences. I am thrilled to partner with them and explore this new phase of my career within the evolving creator ecosystem.”

  • Cricketer Rinku Singh joins Beastlife as brand ambassador

    Cricketer Rinku Singh joins Beastlife as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Rinku Singh has partnered with sports nutrition brand Beastlife as its new brand ambassador, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to delivering high-quality, athlete-approved supplements to the Indian market.

    Well known for his dedication to fitness and on-field performance, Singh’s association with Beastlife marks a significant milestone as the brand rapidly expands its presence across India’s growing health and wellness space.

    “Impressed by the brand’s vision and the quality of its product range, Singh chose to actively support Beastlife’s growth by using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of clean, reliable, and effective supplements within the athlete community. Beastlife stands for something bigger than just supplements. It’s about creating the finest products with top-quality ingredients, backed by science and integrity. What really drew me in was the brand’s vision to make world-class sports nutrition accessible in India. That’s something I believe in deeply and am proud to support.” said Singh.

    Founded with a focus on integrity and innovation, Beastlife aims to bring globally competitive nutrition solutions to Indian athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

    Beastlife and a renowned fitness influencer co-founder Gaurav Taneja said, “Singh embodies everything Beastlife stands for—discipline, performance and authenticity. As someone who lives and breathes fitness, I understand how important it is to fuel the body with the right nutrition. With Singh joining the Beastlife family, we’re not just adding a celebrated athlete to our corner, we’re reinforcing our commitment to building a brand that India’s fitness community can truly trust. This partnership is a big step in making science-backed, athlete-approved supplements a household name in the country.”

    Beastlife co-founder & CEO Raj Gupta added, “Singh’s belief in Beastlife goes beyond just a partnership. He aligns with what we’re building and wants to help shape the future of fitness in India. His support is a huge validation of our purpose and gives us even more momentum to push boundaries.”

    As fitness culture continues to evolve in India, Beastlife’s collaboration with Singh signals a shared commitment to empowering athletes with transparent, reliable and effective nutritional support.

  • K-dramas rank second on Netflix, just behind US content: Ampere research

    K-dramas rank second on Netflix, just behind US content: Ampere research

    MUMBAI: South Korean content is delivering knockout streaming figures for Netflix, now accounting for a whopping 17 per cent of the platform’s top 500 non-US shows and films, according to fresh research from Ampere Analysis.

    The streaming giant’s Seoul-mates now rank second only to American content for total viewing hours, a relationship that’s proving rather lucrative as Netflix pursues its ad-tier strategy and battles subscriber churn.

    In the latter half of 2024, viewers devoured 7.7 billion hours of Korean content—roughly 8 per cent of all Netflix viewing—outpacing entertainment heavyweights like the UK, Japan and Spain. Squid Game Season 2 topped global charts with a staggering 619.9 million streaming hours, while romance drama Love Next Door and cooking competition Culinary Class Wars also cooked up impressive numbers.

    Viewing share

    The streaming service isn’t playing hard to get, either. Netflix has pledged a cool $2.5 billion to Korean content between 2024 and 2028, having already established relationships with local broadcasting titans CJ ENM, JTBC, KBS, SBS and MBC. Meanwhile, local production capacity continues to expand with facilities like Studio 139 and Samsung Studio now operational.

    Korean media powerhouse CJ ENM is riding this global Hallyu wave with gusto, earmarking $818 million for content in 2025 while eyeing international expansion through Netflix exposure, partnerships with global studios, and potentially launching its streaming platform Tving worldwide.

    “Korean content plays a pivotal role in Netflix’s international success, driving both breakout hits and sustained viewing time,” notes Ampere Analysis research manager Orina Zhao. “South Korean content owners are well-positioned to capitalise on the global Hallyu phenomenon, maximising worldwide audience reach through strategic distribution and collaborations.”

    As the Hallyu wave shows no signs of crashing, Netflix’s Korean romance appears set for quite the happy ending.

  • S8ul signs grandmasters Nihal and Aravindh for Esports World Cup 2025

    S8ul signs grandmasters Nihal and Aravindh for Esports World Cup 2025

    MUMBAI: S8ul has signed grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to represent the organisation at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, where chess will make its official debut.

    With a massive prize pool of dollar 1.5 million, the EWC marks a historic entry for chess into the esports ecosystem—and S8ul becomes the first Indian esports organisation to compete in this format on the global stage.

    Chithambaram, a 25-year-old grandmaster from Madurai, brings an impressive resume. He first gained national attention at age 12 by winning the Indian Under-19 title and later earned his grandmaster title in 2015. He is a two-time National Premier Champion and the only Indian to have clinched the Indian Open across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. Most recently, Chithambaram won the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters and currently ranks fourth in India and 11 globally, with a FIDE rating of 2749.

    “This moment is special not just for me personally, but for Indian chess as a whole. Being part of S8ul’s lineup for the Esports World Cup reflects how far the game has come and how it continues to evolve. The fact that a mainstream esports organisation is investing in chess players shows the growing recognition of chess as both a competitive and spectator sport in the digital space. It feels great to be part of this new wave, and I hope to make my country proud on the global stage,” stated Chithambaram.

    Joining him is Sarin, the 20-year-old prodigy from Thrissur, Kerala. Nihal became a household name after winning the World Youth Chess Championship in the Under-10 category. Since then, he has earned multiple accolades including a runner-up finish at the Chess.com Global Championship 2022, and recent victories at the President’s Cup 2024 and Tashkent Open. He currently ranks 8 in India and 40 in the world, with a FIDE rating of 2687.

    Sarin said, “Being part of the Esports World Cup is a new and exciting experience for me. Chess has traditionally lived in a very classical space, but the way it is now being embraced as part of the esports world opens up a whole new dimension for players and audiences alike. Representing India and S8ul on this global stage is an honour, and I look forward to this opportunity of taking the game I love to a much broader audience and inspire more young minds to pick it up.”

    The addition of chess to the EWC will follow a 10+0 rapid time control format. Players will qualify through events on the Champions Chess Tour in February and May, with the final four slots determined by a Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh. Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has also joined as Global Ambassador for the event.

    S8ul co-founder & CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug remarked, “We are incredibly proud to be the first Indian team to step into the global esports chess arena. Sarin and Chithambaram are not just two of India’s best, but among the top minds in the world. Their addition reflects our commitment to representing India in every genre of competitive gaming, and our belief that esports is about excellence, whether it’s aim or intellect. This is a historic moment for both S8ul and Indian chess.”

    S8ul, already a decorated name in the esports space with three consecutive ‘Content Group of the Year’ wins at the Esports Awards, continues to build on its global presence. Aside from chess, the team will also participate in titles including Apex Legends, EAFC 25, Call of Duty Warzone, and Tekken 8 at EWC 2025.

  • Indian households embrace the telecom multiplay game

    Indian households embrace the telecom multiplay game

    MUMBAI: India’s appetite for bundled telecoms services shows no signs of slowing, with multiplay service revenue expected to waltz from $2.4bn in 2024 to a handsome $3bn by 2029, growing at a steady 4.2 per cent annually, according to analytics firm GlobalData.

    The country’s telecoms operators are engaged in a fierce tango for customers, laying fibre-optic cables faster than monsoon flooding as they tempt households with bundled services that promise both convenience and cost savings.

    Double-play packages—typically pairing broadband with unlimited voice calls—currently dominate the landscape, accounting for a hefty 78.4 per cent of multiplay subscriptions. Triple-play bundles trail at 12.2 per cent, with the premium quad-play offerings taking a modest 9.4 per cent slice of the pie.

    “Double-play services is currently the largest multiplay service category,” notes Sarwat Zeeshan, telecom analyst at GlobalData. “All major operators—Airtel, Jio and BSNL—are bundling unlimited telephony along with their basic fibre broadband plans.”

    Reliance Jio, for instance, offers unlimited calls along with unlimited data at speeds up to 30Mbps for a mere Rs 399 monthly—a proposition that has helped it shimmy into market leadership.

    While double-play will maintain its dominant position through 2029, triple-play subscriptions are expected to fox-trot ahead at a sprightly 16.6 per cent annually. Operators are wooing India’s vast pay-TV audience with packages that marry television, broadband and voice services, often throwing in access to streaming platforms as a  bonus.

    Bharti Airtel’s Rs 699 “Black” plan exemplifies this trend, bundling fibre broadband with television channels worth Rs 260, subscriptions to more than 18 streaming apps, and unlimited landline calls—a veritable smorgasbord of digital delights.

    In this high-stakes dance of telecommunications, Reliance Jio currently leads the pack, with Bharti Airtel following closely behind. Jio’s dominance stems largely from its extensive fibre network, which allows it to transition customers to bundled services with the smoothness of a well-rehearsed ballroom routine.

    As India’s digital transformation continues its merry jig, the multiplay market appears poised for a lively performance in the years ahead.

  • Mumbai Comic Con 2025 blasts off with cosplay, games and girl power

    Mumbai Comic Con 2025 blasts off with cosplay, games and girl power

    MUMBAI: It wasn’t just another Saturday at Jio World Convention Centre. It was the Saturday—where pop culture pulsed through every aisle, comic panels came alive, and Mumbai felt like the center of the multiverse.

    Day one of Mumbai Comic Con 2025 kicked off in spectacular fashion, with thousands of fans dressed head-to-toe in everything from anime classics to MCU icons. You could spot a Spider-Man grooving to DJ beats next to a perfectly hand-crafted Princess Mononoke—it was a wild, wonderful celebration of fandom.

    But it wasn’t just about costumes. Indie Game Utsav, a buzzing zone that stole the show. With over 40 made-in-India PC and console games, this section became the heartbeat of the con. Imagine test-playing raw, brilliant game ideas while casually bumping into reps from Epic Games and Xbox. Yeah, it was that cool.

    The comic zone was a nostalgia-packed haven. Lined with vintage treasures, indie releases, and new-age graphic novels, it was more than a shopping stop—it was a sacred space for storytellers. OG fans clutched their prized first editions while curious newcomers flipped through Indian-origin comics with wide-eyed wonder. Creators were on hand, signing covers, sharing origin stories, and soaking in the love. The energy was pure, geeky bliss.

    The Comic Book Store co-founder Hamza Sayed, Superhero Toy Store founder Devesh Chhabria, Marvel super fan and cosplayer Medha Shrivastava, and influencer Arya Kothari engaged in a dynamic panel discussion on the future of superhero films and their influence on pop culture.

    Moderated by influencer Arya Kothari, the conversation explored the growing fascination with anti-heroes and shifting audience preferences. A key highlight was the discussion around Marvel Studios’ upcoming release Thunderbolts, which focuses on reformed villains navigating complex moral choices.

    And then came a twist of empowerment.

    Hidden behind the colorful chaos was a stage glowing with quiet power—the IAGT (It’s A Girl Thing) Salon. Think sisterhood meets sass, with real stories, raw laughs, and radical confidence.

    The vibe? Electric. The crowd? Madly in love. Cosplayers posed like pros, merch stalls were swamped, and panel discussions had fans leaning forward in excitement. You could feel the joy, the nostalgia, and the pure thrill of being around people who just get what it means to be a fan.

    And guess what? This was just day one.

    Whether you were hunting exclusive collectibles, demoing the next big Indian game, or finding a little feminist fire at IAGT—Comic Con Mumbai proved once again that fandom isn’t just for fun. It’s a feeling.

  • JioHotstar hits 200 million paying subscribers as Uday Shankar eyes domestic growth

    JioHotstar hits 200 million paying subscribers as Uday Shankar eyes domestic growth

    MUMBAI: JioStar India’s JioHotstar  has reached a milestone of 200 million paying subscribers, making it “one of the biggest streaming services anywhere in the world,” according to vice-chairman Uday Shankar. The rapid subscriber growth since JioStar’s merger validates the company’s belief that “Indians are willing to pay” for content, albeit at “very aggressive” pricing.

    “Our challenge is not to compete with someone. Our challenge is to create a much bigger market,” Shankar said on an interview with BloombergTV’s  Haslinda Amin. “We want to get into every household. We want to be if there is a connected device, we want our content to surface there. We want to be the destination for every Indian who has access to connectivity and data to come in every day for all their requirements of premium content.  “

    The streaming service, backed by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, appears well-positioned to weather global trade tensions. As tariffs roil international markets, JioStar’s “heavily domestic focused” business provides shelter from the storm. “Our consumers are largely Indian. Our content and the driver content, most of it is Indian,” Shankar explained.

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains JioStar’s crown jewel, with viewership expected to cross 400-450 million by tournament’s end on  JioHotstar and Star Sports TV channels. However, Shankar views IPL as a “tactical asset” due to its seasonal nature, emphasising the need for year-round content in Indian languages supplemented by Hollywood partnerships.

    While acknowledging potential interest from international investors (read Chelsea club owner Todd Boehly) in IPL teams, Shankar remained coy about JioStar’s future bidding strategy: “We would be very committed to IPL… But then there is a lot of cricket going around, and it finally comes down to the price.”

    Looking ahead, JioStar aims to “consolidate” over the next 12 months by deepening user engagement for its JioHotstar service. “Now that we have got to a sizable number of subscribers, we definitely want to make sure that we get their attention more and more,” said Shankar, though he declined to provide specific subscriber targets beyond the current 200 million. ”Our focus is can we create JioHotstar as an alternative to television as a bouquet, and make sure that we have the attention of everyone every day?”

    With India facing lighter tariff impacts than other nations—26 per cent on some goods, temporarily suspended for 90 days—Shankar expressed optimism about bilateral arrangements between India and the US. Nevertheless, he cautioned that if “global turmoil” continues, “there’ll be impact on consumption, and all of us will be impacted.”

  • JSW Paints hits a six with ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0’ for IPL 2025

    JSW Paints hits a six with ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0’ for IPL 2025

    MUMBAI: When cricket meets colour, sparks fly — and in JSW Paints’ case, so do sponsorships, anthems and a whole lot of vibrancy. The brand has returned to IPL 2025 with ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0’, a souped-up sequel to its previous campaign that paints the town (and your screen) in fifty shades of fandom.

    The campaign comes packed with a new anthem, a blockbuster brand film, and a dazzling display of sporting partnerships. Sunil Gavaskar and Mithali Raj, cricketing royalty themselves, lend gravitas and nostalgia to the campaign, bridging generations with ease. Their inclusion ensures that this isn’t just a marketing play — it’s a celebration of legacy.

    “Cricket is not just a game; it is a festival of emotions, and unity… With ‘Rangon Ka Khel 2.0,’ we aim to capture this essence,” said JSW Paints joint MD & CEO AS Sundaresan.

    JSW Paints has gone big on the cricket pitch by sponsoring five IPL teams — Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Chennai Super Kings. And the rainbow doesn’t stop there. The brand has also partnered three WPL teams: Gujarat Giants, Delhi Capitals, and UP Warriorz, making it one of the most aggressive brand placements this season.

    “Our expanded partnership with IPL and WPL teams reflects our commitment to connecting with fans on a deeper level,” said JSW Paints CBO Ashish Rai.

    The campaign film is a technicolour explosion of energy, unity, and raw cricket love. It celebrates how rival jerseys may clash, but passion paints us all the same.

    “Rival colours light up the field, but the colour of love for the game never changes… This anthem celebrates cricket’s magic—vivid, vibrant, and unifying,” said TBWAIndia CEO Govind Pandey.

    And if that wasn’t enough to get you grooving in your living room, TBWAIndia CCEO Russell Barrett wrapped it up perfectly, “Our campaign brings together the energy of IPL, the excitement of cricket, and the unifying spirit of the game…”

    Whether you’re a Dhoni devotee or a Gill geek, JSW Paints is giving every fan a reason to cheer — in high-definition hues. 

  • RCB serves sweet Kannada lessons with jilebis in culture-first campaign

    RCB serves sweet Kannada lessons with jilebis in culture-first campaign

    MUMBAI: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has bowled fans over with a unique culture campaign that’s as sweet as it is smart. In a bid to make Kannada more accessible to non-native speakers, the team has launched an initiative combining cricket, language, and the irresistible charm of jilebis.

    Long perceived as complex by non-south Indians, Kannada gets a sugary makeover with RCB turning the traditional sweet into a cultural connector. The campaign flips a common online trope about south Indian scripts being confusing by using jilebis shaped like Kannada words—offering fans a delightful way to ‘taste the language’.

    These limited-edition Kannada jilebis are available exclusively at the RCB Bar and Café in Bengaluru from 8 to 11 April. Each pack unlocks a series of beginner-friendly Kannada lessons on RCB’s Youtube channel, featuring popular players like Virat Kohli, Tim David, and Yash Dayal.

    As a bonus, RCB is sponsoring free Kannada classes for 1,000 fans, who can claim or gift the sessions by simply emailing ‘Jilebi Kodi’.

    “As someone who grew up in Bengaluru, it’s really special to see the language being celebrated like this,” said RCB batter Devdutt Padikkal. “It’s not just about Kannada, it’s about making everyone feel at home in the city, and I’m glad to play a small part in helping fans connect more deeply with the city and our team.”

    The campaign has received love from fans across the spectrum for creatively promoting inclusivity and regional identity.

    Kannada actor and cultural icon Shiva Rajkumar shared, “This initiative by RCB is close to my heart. It brings people together, not just to learn Kannada, but to experience the warmth of our city. The campaign is a beautiful way to connect fans with our culture, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

    RCB COO Rajesh Menon said, “What makes RCB truly special is the unwavering support of our fans – no matter where they come from or what language they speak. This campaign is our tribute to Bengaluru, a city that has embraced people from across the country with open arms. By creating jilebis inspired by the elegance of the Kannada script, we’re inviting everyone to savour the rich culture of our home city – quite literally. It’s a bold and heartfelt gesture to surprise our fans and deepen their connection with the team.”

     

  • Match made in mayhem as BGMI hosts India’s biggest in-game wedding

    Match made in mayhem as BGMI hosts India’s biggest in-game wedding

    MUMBAI: Love is in the (digital) air as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) pulls off the unthinkable, hosting India’s Biggest In-Game Wedding, turning virtual battlegrounds into a full-blown mandap. The three-day celebration wasn’t just a stunt, it was an emotion, a testament to how gaming isn’t just about wins and losses, but bonds forged between players.

    At the heart of this heartwarming saga is Tanupreet and Jaspreet, a couple from Meerut who met over grenades and giggles inside BGMI’s multiplayer world. What began as casual team-ups soon turned into connection requests, Synergy milestones, and eventually, a virtual ‘Love Connection’ culminating in a grand digital wedding that redefined matchmaking.

    From mehendi on April 8 to a sangeet on April 9 and the final shaadi ceremony on 11 April , BGMI spared no pixel. Legendary fashion designer Ritu Beri designed custom BGMI-themed wedding avatars, while singer Benny Dayal performed live in-game during the Sangeet, marking his virtual concert debut. Meanwhile, celebrity guests like Karan Johar and Neeraj Chopra played the ultimate FOMO card online: “Mera invite kahan hai?”

    “BGMI today is not just about playing, it’s about belonging” said Krafton India associate director and lead of marketing Srinjoy Das. He added  “This is one of our most emotional and culturally rich campaigns yet that brings together fashion, music, relationships, and storytelling all inside a game. It’s a wedding but also a powerful metaphor for how BGMI brings people together.”

    “BGMI gave us more than just a game it gave us each other,” shared Tanupreet and Jaspreet. “From random team-ups to a real bond, we never imagined it would lead to this. To be married inside the game that introduced us is beyond special.”

    But the celebrations don’t stop there. BGMI is inviting its 200-million-strong community to join the Shaadi Duo event from 20 May to 1 June. Players can team up in Duo Mode, take on challenges, and earn the limited-edition Space Gift Box, a reward symbolising in-game connections.

    Here’s how to join the festivities:

    1    Pair up with your bestie, bae, or battle buddy

    2    Play Classic Mode in Duo

    3    Complete challenges to unlock the exclusive gift

    Importantly, this isn’t just for couples, it’s for everyone who’s found friendship, rivalry, or romance in-game. Features like Synergy, Connection Requests, and Love Connection were central to Tanupreet and Jaspreet’s journey from teammates to soulmates. BGMI wants more players to explore and experience those social layers.

    The campaign, crafted by DDB Mudra Group, didn’t just stop at gameplay. Influencer wedding invitation unboxings, meme-worthy celebrity posts, and emotional fan reactions turned this into a full-fledged cultural moment. BGMI successfully blurred the line between reality and digital, redefining what a game can truly mean.

    So, while others play for the chicken dinner, Tanupreet and Jaspreet played for forever.

    And in a world where love can blossom in a lobby and end at a mandap, BGMI proves that sometimes your plus one is just one headshot away.