ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Bangkok levels up for VCT Ascension Pacific 2025

    Bangkok levels up for VCT Ascension Pacific 2025

    MUMBAI: Game on in Bangkok! The city’s turning into a virtual warzone as VCT Ascension Pacific 2025 kicks off, bringing ten elite VALORANT teams face-to-face in a high-stakes shootout for a ticket to the 2026 Pacific League.

    From 14 to 26 October, the Imperial Samrong Convention Hall will witness the region’s sharpest aimers and coolest strategists clash for two golden berths in next year’s league and a share of the 100,000 dollars prize pool.

    Representing South Asia, Velocity Gaming takes centre stage after clinching a 3–1 victory over S8UL in the Omen Valorant Challengers South Asia qualifiers. The team now sets its sights on conquering Asia-Pacific giants like Boom Esports, Full Sense, and Riddle Order, all gunning for Ascension glory.

    The tournament features two groups of five teams each, battling it out in best-of-three matches before the top six advance to the playoffs. The tension will peak on 25 and 26 October with the upper and lower bracket finals, where only two teams will ascend to the VCT Pacific League 2026.

    Fans can catch the live action in Bangkok or stream every headshot and heartbreak across multiple languages online, courtesy of Acer, Intel, and Benq. For those in Thailand, tickets are available via Ticketmelon, search for “Valorant Ascension Pacific 2025” and grab your seat before they’re gone.

    The countdown to chaos has begun, and in Bangkok this fortnight, only the boldest will level up.
     

  • Saregama and Filtercopy strike a new note with love, drama and music

    Saregama and Filtercopy strike a new note with love, drama and music

    MUMBAI: When love hits the right note, even a classroom can turn into a concert. Saregama and Filtercopy are tuning into a new frequency of music promotion with Ishq At Campus, a micro drama that doubles as a music launchpad. The project reimagines how India discovers songs, blending heart-fluttering storytelling with the rhythm of melody.

    In what’s being called an industry-first, Saregama has teamed up with Filtercopy to build a short-format narrative series around an EP marking a bold step away from traditional music videos. The collaboration spotlights Saregama’s exclusive artist Maahi and his debut EP Talab, transforming the release into a cinematic slice of college romance.

    Across 1–2 minute episodes, Ishq At Campus follows two students navigating the innocent chaos of first love as they prepare for their college fest. But this isn’t just another campus story, each episode weaves in one of the four songs from Talab (Talab, Dildaari, Rahein, and Vaari Vaari), turning everyday moments into lyrical discoveries.

    Released on October 14, 2025, Talab marks Maahi’s first foray as an EP artist under the Saregama Music label. Instead of relying on the usual promotional playbook, Saregama has chosen to embed the music into a story world where songs aren’t simply played, they’re felt.

    The concept borrows from Filtercopy’s growing expertise in micro dramas, short, binge-worthy narratives tailored for the scroll-happy attention spans of today’s audiences. Known for blending relatability with emotion, Filtercopy’s content naturally complements the breezy beats and youthful spirit of Talab.

    Together, the two powerhouses are rewriting the rules of music marketing, creating a new template for content-driven song discovery. By merging the pace of social media with the pull of storytelling, they’re turning passive listeners into engaged viewers and perhaps even hopeless romantics.

    Available now on Filtercopy’s Instagram and Youtube channels, Ishq At Campus is more than a music promo, it’s a feeling set to a soundtrack. Because in this classroom of content, every chord tells a story, and every scene hums with Talab.

     

  • Oncemore.io hits 1 million users in record 42 hours

    Oncemore.io hits 1 million users in record 42 hours

    MUMBAI: When it comes to fan frenzy, Oncemore.io is playing for keeps. In just 42 hours, the AI-driven entertainment platform has hit a staggering 1 million users across 60 countries, faster than Chat GPT, Instagram, Tiktok, or Spotify at launch. Only Threads has matched the pace, but Oncemore.io stands as the fastest independent platform to reach the milestone.

    The platform is designed to make entertainment interactive rather than passive. Fans can explore movies, music, sports, and more through dedicated partner sections packed with exclusive content, immersive games, AI-powered interactions, digital collectibles, and behind-the-scenes access.

    Oncemore.io’s debut partnership was with the Telugu blockbuster They Call Him OG, starring Pawan Kalyan. Fans joined a collective unlock experience, playing themed games to reveal a digital comic book of the hero’s backstory. Every participant also received a personalised digital card, quickly turning into a viral sensation online.

    Founder Akash Mamidi said, “Movies and music have brought me comfort through tough times. Seeing fans crave meaningful interactions with their favourite art has been incredible. We are building a platform that spreads that joy to billions.”

    The platform is backed by Unshackled Ventures, Cherubic Ventures, TA Ventures, Sketchnote Venture Partners, and prominent angels. Following its record-breaking debut, Oncemore.io has already secured a partnership with a major Indian film releasing in early 2026.

    Looking ahead, the platform will introduce adaptive storylines, dynamic challenges, and AI-driven worlds where each fan’s journey is unique. With this next wave of experiences, Oncemore.io aims to be the happiest place on everyone’s device.

  • Mythik brings Disney and Amazon veteran Gunjan Bhow on board

    Mythik brings Disney and Amazon veteran Gunjan Bhow on board

    MUMBAI: Mythik, the tech-first entertainment company aiming to become the “Disney from the East”, has appointed Gunjan Bhow, a veteran of Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and Fire TV, to its global advisory board.

    Bhow joins an illustrious panel of leaders from Softbank, Disney, Marvel, Amazon, BBC and Crunchyroll, who together bring decades of experience in scaling some of the world’s biggest media, entertainment and technology businesses.

    A global figure in digital entertainment, Bhow served as senior vice president and general manager at The Walt Disney Company, where he led direct-to-consumer platforms including Disney Plus, Disney Movies Anywhere and Disney Movie Club. Before that, he played a key role at Amazon in shaping the growth of Prime Video, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, redefining subscription models in the process.

    Currently a board member at the BBC and broadband company Wide Open West, Bhow also advises organisations on AI, media innovation and customer experience. He has held senior roles at Microsoft and Walgreens Boots Alliance and is an inventor on over 20 patents.

    “Gunjan’s leadership in scaling iconic direct-to-consumer businesses makes him an exceptional addition to Mythik’s advisory board,” said Mythik founder and chief executive Jason Kothari. “He embodies the mix of technology, creativity and consumer focus that defines our vision.”

    Bhow added, “Mythik stands at the intersection of technology, storytelling and audience behaviour. I’m excited to help bring timeless stories from the East to the global stage.”

    He joins a powerhouse board that includes Alok Sama (Softbank), Kun Gao (Crunchyroll), Nick Van Dyk (Disney), Bill Jemas (Marvel), John Lynch (Amazon Studios) and Gui Karyo (Marvel and Dapper Labs).

    Mythik aims to reimagine Eastern mythology, history and folktales for global audiences through technology-led storytelling, backed by a founding team drawn from Disney, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Jio and Tencent.

  • LoglineAI Showcases the Future of AI-Powered Storytelling at MIPCOM 2025

    LoglineAI Showcases the Future of AI-Powered Storytelling at MIPCOM 2025

    Cannes, France: LoglineAI, founded by Vishnu Mohta, is set to make waves at MIPCOM 2025, unveiling how the studio is transforming global content development with its intelligent, human-guided AI workflows.

    At the intersection of creativity and technology, LoglineAI helps studios, streamers, and brands turn ideas, scripts, or audio concepts into cinematic-quality videos—faster, more efficiently, and without compromising emotional depth.

    The studio’s adaptive pipeline addresses real-world production challenges such as character and visual consistency, multi-lingual dubbing with accurate lip-sync, emotion-aware scene design, and rapid previsualization. Its integrated approach reduces cost and turnaround time while maintaining storytelling fidelity and creative control.

    Recent collaborations with SVF Entertainment and Sooper highlight these capabilities—producing AI-generated teasers, visual episodes, and concept-testing promos that have redefined content readiness for streaming and theatrical platforms alike.

    “At LoglineAI, we’re not replacing creativity—we’re amplifying it,” says Vishnu Mohta, Founder of LoglineAI. “Our goal is to help creators and studios move from concept to screen with greater speed, consistency, and imagination—powered by responsible AI.”

    Meet the LoglineAI team at MIP Innovation Lab – Pod P-1.C66, where they’ll be showcasing new AI-assisted production workflows, creative case studies, and global collaboration opportunities.

    ? Learn more at logline.ai 
     

  • ShemarooMe splits the screen, not the attention

    ShemarooMe splits the screen, not the attention

    MUMBAI: Looks like binge-watchers can finally give their thumbs a rest. ShemarooMe has rolled out an industry-first Split UI, a smart new feature that puts personalisation front and centre, cutting through the OTT clutter to deliver exactly what viewers want, without the endless scroll.

    With India’s OTT world bursting at the seams, users often find themselves lost in a maze of options. Split UI changes that by letting viewers begin their journey with their favourite genre. The app’s entire interface, navigation, and content suggestions then adapt to that choice, creating a smoother, more focused entertainment experience.

    Since its launch across Android and Ios, over 76 per cent of ShemarooMe users have already switched to the new interface, a sign that audiences are ready for cleaner, smarter streaming.

    “OTT fatigue is real. Users don’t want to scroll endlessly, they want to watch,” said Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. COO – digital Business Saurabh Srivastava. “With Split UI, we’ve made choice effortless and content discovery truly personal. The response so far shows it’s hitting the right note.”

    ShemarooMe is the first platform in India to introduce such deep interface-level segmentation, going beyond simple recommendation algorithms to redefine how audiences interact with OTT.

    The feature will soon expand to Android TV and other connected platforms, because when it comes to streaming, ShemarooMe clearly believes less browsing, more watching is the real showstopper.

  • Plot Twists and Popcorn Make This Diwali a Blockbuster on Zee5

    Plot Twists and Popcorn Make This Diwali a Blockbuster on Zee5

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, forget lighting diyas light up your screens instead. Zee5 is turning the festive season into a cinematic celebration with its new campaign “Iss Diwali, sirf Zee5 par plot badlega… ho jao ready!” and the Bharat Binge Festival, where every twist, turn, and tale promises a reason to binge.

    Breaking away from the typical feel-good festive narratives, Zee5’s latest campaign adds a thrilling spin to Diwali viewing. Drawing from deep audience insights, the platform found that while family dramas and romances remain festival staples, Indian viewers are increasingly leaning towards edge-of-the-seat thrillers, mysteries, and crime dramas. And this festival, Zee5 is giving them exactly that stories that surprise, shock, and stay with you long after the credits roll.

    The Bharat Binge Festival celebrates India’s love for storytelling with a curated line-up of premieres across seven languages Hindi, Marathi, Bangla, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. Think Bhagwat Chapter One – Raakshas, Mrs Dasgupta, Sthal, Veduvan, and Sumathi Valuvu all under one digital roof, uniting diverse regions with one shared festive emotion: great stories.

    Adding more sparkle, Zee5 has rolled out special festive offers between 13 and 20 October. Viewers can grab the Hindi content pack for Rs 149 (down from Rs 199), regional packs for Rs 59 (down from Rs 99), and the all access pack for Rs 249 (regularly Rs 299). The festival gets even bigger with partner perks guaranteed cashback via Paytm UPI Autopay and Cred UPI Autopay, plus a three-month JioSaavn Pro trial bundled with Zee5 subscriptions.

    “Every Diwali tells a story of tradition and togetherness. With the Bharat Binge Festival, we’ve curated bold, genre-led stories that resonate across every language and mood,” said Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran.

    ZEEL chief marketing officer Kartik Mahadev added, “The campaign captures India’s growing appetite for stories that blend curiosity, emotion, and surprise. Much like Diwali itself, every twist on Zee5 lights up with excitement.”

    From high-octane thrillers to heartwarming romances, this Diwali is less about sweets and more about story treats. With out-of-home, digital, and social promotions rolling out nationwide, Zee5 is set to make the festival of lights shine brighter, one binge at a time.

    Because this year, the real firecrackers are the plot twists.

  • Cloud TV tunes into India’s Cultural Waves

    Cloud TV tunes into India’s Cultural Waves

    MUMBAI: Looks like Cloud TV just found its frequency for nostalgia. In a landmark partnership, India’s first homegrown Smart TV operating system has teamed up with Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, Waves, to bring the nation’s cultural heartbeat and entertainment heritage straight to connected TVs across the country.

    The collaboration ensures that Cloud TV’s 12 plus million users, spanning popular TV brands like Lloyd, Micromax, and Croma, can now tune into Waves’ vast digital library. From Doordarshan and Akashvani’s iconic archives to new-age shows, music, and live events, the platform offers content in over 20 languages, uniting India’s timeless stories with today’s digital rhythm.

    Cloud TV COO & co-founder Abhijeet Rajpurohit called the alliance “a digital bridge connecting nostalgia with innovation, heritage with technology.” The goal, he said, is to let viewers experience India’s cultural narrative in a modern, accessible way.

    Echoing this sentiment, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi noted that Waves embodies India’s self-reliant digital vision, giving audiences a seamless way to engage with the nation’s rich cultural and creative ecosystem.

    With Cloud TV OS already powering millions of Smart TVs across brands, the move amplifies Waves’ reach into homes nationwide. Viewers can simply spot the Waves logo on their Cloud TV-powered sets and dive into a treasure trove of shows, radio, podcasts, and archives, where the old meets the new in perfect harmony.

    After all, with desh ka apna OTT meeting desh ka apna OS, India’s story just found its clearest signal yet.

  • Stahl Kitchens and Swiggy Instamart serve up speedy kitchenware

    Stahl Kitchens and Swiggy Instamart serve up speedy kitchenware

    MUMBAI: Stahl Kitchens, one of India’s fastest-growing premium cookware brands, has partnered with Swiggy Instamart to bring its signature tawas, kadhais, frypans, and cookers to doorsteps in record time, sometimes within 10 to 15 minutes.

    By joining the quick commerce revolution, Stahl is reshaping how consumers shop for kitchen essentials. What once took a week to deliver can now arrive before your dough rises, as the brand debuts across key metros including Mumbai, Delhi ncr, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Gurugram.

    The curated selection on Instamart features Stahl’s acclaimed artisan hybrid and artisan triply ranges, known for their durability, residue-free cooking, and chip-proof performance. Also available are the sleek xpress cookers in 1 litres, 1.5 litres, and 2.5 litres variants, designed for fast, safe, and efficient cooking. To mark the launch, customers can enjoy up to 15 per cent off on cookers and 20 per cent off on other cookware for a limited time.

    “India’s culinary landscape revolves around three essential pieces of cookware: tawas, pressure cookers, and kadhais. The inclusion of frypans on Instamart reflects the evolving aspirations of Indian households embracing global cooking trends,” said Stahl Kitchens director & CEO Dhruv Agarwal. 

  • When AI met Arjun, Mahabharat gets an epic tech twist

    When AI met Arjun, Mahabharat gets an epic tech twist

    MUMBAI: Some battles never end, they just get a software update. Collective Media Network’s Historyverse has dropped the trailer for Mahabharat enabled by AI, a retelling of India’s most enduring epic where myth meets machine. Set to premiere on Waves OTT on 25 October 2025, followed by a Doordarshan telecast every Sunday at 11 am from 2 November, the series promises to blend nostalgia with next-gen storytelling.

    The trailer feels like déjà vu dressed in digital armour, familiar faces of dharma and destiny, rendered with the power of artificial intelligence. Behind the screens, a team of writers, researchers, technicians, and engineers at Collective Artists Network’s Galleri5 have built this brave new Kurukshetra pixel by pixel, turning age-old verses into a visual feast that bridges the past and the future.

    “For many of us, watching the Mahabharat on TV was part of our childhood, those Sunday mornings meant something special,” said Collective Artists Network founder & group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “With Mahabharat enabled by AI, we wanted to bring that memory back, but make it feel fresh, relevant, and made for this time. It’s emotional, it’s big, and it’s built with care.”

    At the heart of this digital dharma lies a collaboration between Collective Media Network and Prasar Bharati, a pairing that merges old-school television tradition with cutting-edge creativity. Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi noted, “This is exactly the kind of innovation that keeps our cultural legacy alive for generations to come. It’s exciting to see how technology can reawaken stories that unite people.”

    For viewers, the AI-driven Mahabharat is less of a reboot and more of a renaissance, a chance to relive the grandeur, the moral conflict, and the emotion that once glued an entire nation to its TV screens. Only this time, Bhishma’s armour gleams with digital precision, Krishna’s wisdom echoes through neural networks, and the battle for truth plays out in ultra-HD.

    As Historyverse puts it, the project isn’t just a show; it’s a statement that even in a world ruled by algorithms, the human heart still craves stories of courage, loyalty, and fate. So come October, when conch shells sound and pixels clash, audiences will witness an epic reborn not rewritten, just re-coded.