Category: iWorld

News18 launches YouTube channel for Maha Kumbh 2025

MUMBAI: Close to Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is Triveni Sangam – the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Today, Prayagraj is a husltle bustle of activity as it gets ready to stage the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, a magnificent spiritual celebration anticipated to draw 400 million pilgrims from around the world.

And to make sure its influence is felt the world over, news television network News18 has launched News18 Kumbh, an exclusive YouTube channel that provides 24/7 coverage of this extraordinary event. It will bring the vibrant traditions of Indian spirituality into homes globally, offering viewers a virtual pilgrimage that encapsulates the essence of devotion and unity, showcasing the largest religious gathering on earth from 13 January to 26 February 2025.

To get a dekko of the YouTube channels click here: https://www.youtube.com/@news18kumbh

The News18 Kumbh logo was unveiled by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri – the apex religious body of 13 recognized monastic Hindu orders. The showcasing of the logo was streamed directly from the Kumbh Mela on the YouTube channel.

As part of the launch, Prateek Trivedi’s popular show Bhaiyaji Kahin featured a special live episode that captured the rich culture and tradition defining the Kumbh Mela.

According to a press release issued by the network, News18 Kumbh is to provide live coverage from multiple ghats and akharas. With 24-hour live streaming, special programming, and curated shows, the channel will delve into the mythology, spiritual significance, and cultural traditions of the Maha Kumbh. From detailed insights into the Shahi Snan and the importance of bathing rituals for different akharas to key dates, travel advisories, and daily event calendars, News18 Kumbh will serve as a guide for devotees and viewers alike.

As a tribute to the spirit of Maha Kumbh 2025, News18 also released a specially composed song that beautifully captured its essence and magnificence.

News18 network has deployed a dedicated team to cover the event. and has set up operations in Prayagraj to bring viewers updates and insights over the two-month-long event.

December 16, 2024
Google ropes in Preeti Lobana as country manager India

MUMBAI: There’s a new country manager who’s come on board at Google India. Google president Asia Pacific Sanjay Gupta announced that Preeti Lobana is joining the company as country & vice-president for India.

Said he: “Her leadership and passion for customer-centricity has fueled impactful solutions for businesses across industries empowering millions of businesses to thrive in the digital age. Preeti’s leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our engagement with India’s unique ecosystem, leveraging AI advancements like Gemini to accelerate digital inclusion and unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for every Indian. I am confident that her deep market expertise will guide us in shaping a future where technology truly benefits all.”

“In her new role, Preeti will partner deeply with Roma Datta Chobey, who led as the interim country manager and will continue her exceptional leadership as managing director for Google India’s digital native Industries. Roma’s expertise across diverse sectors, from e-commerce and fintech to gaming and media, will be invaluable as we accelerate innovation and growth for these dynamic businesses.”

An MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, Preeti worked mainly in the financial services sector in the early part of her career before she joined Google in 2016 as director APAC customer experience. Over the next eight years she explored roles such as senior director ads customer care and vice-president publishers, partners, ads content team g Tech. And now she is the country manager and vice-president Google India.

Her financial services exposure began with ANZ Grindlays Bank for 10 years where she went on to head the personal loans department. Then as head of banking services at Standard Chartered Bank. She followed that up with a close to 10 year stint at American Express where she headed global services. She then moved on to Natwest group as managing director and head global financial services India where she stayed for four years.

December 16, 2024
FanCode to stream inter-school sports from Mumbai

MUMBAI: This has been some time in the works. College and high school sports are massive money spinners for all in the US. Indian platforms too are getting in on this future growth opportunity.

Take streamer FanCode; it has obtained the media rights to broadcast some of the marquee events organised by the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) across multiple sports.

Earlier, the Dream Sports Foundation (DSF) and MSSA had inked a partnership which aims to improve young sports by developing grassroots talent.

The coverage begins with the under-16 cricket championship for the Harris Shield which is being streamed on FanCode for the second year in succession. Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English School and Modern English School ,Chembur are facing off in this year’s final between December 16-18 at Brabourne Stadium. The Harris Shield has seen the emergence of greats such as Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Yashasvi Jaishwal, among many others. It is being accompanied by the coverage of the championship battle for the under-14 Giles shield .

FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco said that the decision to telecast the Harris Shield last year was a landmark one for amateur sports. “We are delighted to continue providing a platform to the next generation of superstars and extending this to sports beyond cricket, with athletics, hockey, football and other events that MSSA will organise. This is also in line with our larger goal of nurturing a sporting culture, by offering a platform for families and friends to come together and show their support for the athletes,” he added.

Among the other events that are to be streamed include: the inter-school athletic meet, Inter-school Hockey Tournament finals for The Aga Khan Hockey Cup, and Inter-school Football Tournament.

Sports lovers can watch the tournament via FanCode’s mobile app, TV app for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, Airtel XStream, OTT Play, Prime Video, WatchO, and the FanCode website.

December 15, 2024
Regional OTT Stage‘s board clears preference share issue

MUMBAI: It’s been staging a saleable story by riding on the regional language OTT fascination wave. Harayanvi and Rajasthani dialect streamer Stage recently got the go ahead from its board to issue 31,179 series B preference shares of face value Rs 10 and at an issue price of Rs 27,137 each.

This part of a funding raise of Rs 84.6 crore or $10 million in a round led by new investor Goodwater Capital along with existing backer Blume Ventures. The former’s contribution is Rs 41.95 crore, while the latter will be pumping in Rs 26.01 crore. Blume Ventures will end up with a 13.03 per cent stake making it the largest external investor while Goodwater Capital will have 6.24 per cent.

27 other investors are throwing their money into the investment pot. Among them figure: IA Growth Opportunities Fund I, TSM Ventures, LV Angel Fund and Brew Opportunities Fund.

The funds will be used to scale up its content slate, as well as to introduce Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Maithali languages streams, according to its founders Shashank Vaishnav, Praveen and Vinay Singhal.

The trio claims that the platform, which was founded in 2019 has three million subscribers, with 1.2 million of them in Haryana alone. New subs to the tune of 250,000 are being added every month.

When the round gets completed it would have raised $19 million in its current avatar. Of this, $4.83 million was raised in 2023 from Blume Ventures, NB Ventures and Dholakia Ventures. It had secured $2.5 million in a pre-series A round in January 2022 and $1.5 million from Venture Catalysts in November 2020. Additionally, javelin champion Neeraj Chopra has also invested in the venture and regularly appears in promos for it.

Stage began as a side project (competing with BuzzFeed) at WittyFeed,– a successful initiative that was shuttered in 2018, after Meta blocked its page on Facebook and Rs 7 crore per month in revenue simply vanished. The trio requested their employees to become their angel investors and help them come up with a reincarnation of the service.

More than 50 per cent of the work force agreed and even put in their savings as investments. Brainstorming with them allowed them to come up with the idea to create an OTT offering regional language content. Stage was born under Stage Technologies Pvt Ltd. And it is in this company that investors have been pouring their money.

Content in terms of originals at Stage is produced in house in the local language and dialect using local artistes at a cost of Rs 18-20 lakh per six to eight episodic series. Ditto is the cost for a two to three hour long film is what the trio had revealed on Shark Tank season 2 on SonyLiv and Sony Entertainment Television.

Around a year ago, the company brought in Harsh Mani Tripathi as a cofounder to further improve on the product. Earlier this week, its founders announced that it was being made available as an add-on to Zee-owned streamer Zee5 in the US.

These days Stage is available at Re 1 for a seven day trial after being downloaded. The trio believe that once they sample the series and movies available on the streamer they would not mind paying Rs 199 for a three month subscription.

But the Singhal brothers and Shashank Vaishnav will have to spruce up their act on one front: Stage app’s download page on the Google Play store is flooded with complaints about subscribers getting their bank accounts deducted for Rs 199 even if they chose to cancel after the trial period.. So heavy is the stream of disgruntled subscribers, that Stage has put out a short teaser featuring Neeraj Chopra telling subscribers not to worry as only Rs 1 would be cut, and if more is, then those wanting to unsubscribe will get a refund into their bank accounts.

(Picture: Courtesy Shark Tank, Sony)

December 14, 2024
Borderlands 4 reveals mayhem-fueled first look at The Game Awards

MUMBAI: As chaos engulfs the vibrant planet of Kairos, players will soon confront The Timekeeper, a tyrannical ruler whose iron grip is starting to falter.

2K and Gearbox Software released the first look at Borderlands 4 showcasing new details from one of the most highly anticipated games coming in 2025. Revealed at The Game Awards, a new trailer introduces The Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. A world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect order, unleashing mayhem across Kairos, the most dangerous planet discovered so far in the Borderlands universe.

According to the press release, Borderlands 4 is the most ambitious Borderlands to date, lovingly hand-crafted by the development studio that first forged the looter shooter genre. The title evolves the series’ gameplay and storytelling in new ways while delivering the quintessential Borderlands experience fans know and love, including:

. Intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons on an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.

. The deepest and most diverse Vault Hunter skill trees of any Borderlands title yet, giving players an unprecedented level of expression through their builds. Paired with the most expansive loot chase yet, players will have all the tools they need to seek out and perfect the build that best matches their style.

. Players will be able to seamlessly travel between zones and become immersed in a more dynamic world featuring events and discoverable side missions that encourage and reward exploration.

. New traversal mechanics add to the exploration for loot and add new dimensions to combat. A vehicle that can be summoned almost anywhere will have players racing across the beautiful vistas of Kairos in style.

. Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.

“Borderlands 4 is about freedom and being badass,” said Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. “This is by far the biggest and most insane world we’ve ever made – it’s overloaded with jerkface ratnozzle scrote monsters that need to be put down with the most over-the-top hardcore nuts op guns and loot in any game ever. Oh, and the story also seriously kicks ass!”

Borderlands 4 is currently rated RP for rating pending by the ESRB.

December 13, 2024
YouTube crosses a billion hours of viewing on TV daily globally in 2024

MUMBAI: Hopefully, this will settle the argument once and for all. It’s not Amazon Prime, it’s not Netflix, it’s actually YouTube which is dominating the living room. The latest end of the year report released by the Alphabet-owned streaming platform shows that globally viewers streamed over a billion hours of content on their TVs daily. A billion, yes, please , don’t fall of your chair, it was a billion hours, that makes it about 365 billion hours of viewing in 2024 on TV screens for YouTube. This was revealed by senior director product management YouTube on TV Kurt Wilms in a blog post on the YouTube site.

Content that viewers traditionally watch on TV, like sports and kids programs, gained momentum on YouTube this year, says a blog rounding up YouTube’s viewership trends. Watch time of sports content, YouTube says grew 30 per cent year over year, as users visited it to get their line up of clips, highlights, and post-game interviews, all in one place. That is going to sky rocket in the coming year if creators take to Watch With which it has begun piloting. Watch With is a service which allows influencers to provide live commentary, analysis, and real time reactions to games and events, for their audience. It transforms creators into sports casters.

YouTube says podcast watching is growing rapidly on TVs. Viewers watched over 400M hours of podcasts monthly on living room devices. They’ve been tuning into podcasts similarly to how one would tune into a late-night talk show. The lines between audio-only podcasts and videos have blurred, and more creators are evolving to a multimedia storytelling approach to deepen connection with their audiences on YouTube, says the streamer.

The surge in living room viewership is no accident. The share of videos uploaded to YouTube in 4K is up by over 35 per cent year over year, as creators prioritize high-quality viewing experiences that truly shine on TV screens. And that investment is paying off: the number of creators making a majority of their revenue from TV is up more than 30 per cent year over year.

To further fuel this growth and support creators, YouTube recently made it even easier for viewers to subscribe to their favorite channels while watching on TV by adding the subscribe button directly to the video player. Early tests of this streamlined button show more than a 40 per cent increase in net subscribers through TVs.

Here’s more: families continued to watch together on TVs in 2024. After rolling out an option to easily switch between YouTube and YouTube Kids profiles on TV directly from the YouTube app last year, parents had expressed that they wanted better control. And the streamer is gearing up to introduce a new parent code feature that gives parents the power to prevent kids from accessing content that might not be age-appropriate.

(The picture is courtesy the Hathway Cable and Datacom annual report)

December 12, 2024
Streambox Media signs Blooprint Ecommerce Consulting for next thrust

MUMBAI: When you are trying to disrupt the market, you have to get the best having your back. And that’s something Streambox Media founder Anuj Gandhi and Micromax Informatics founder Rahul Sharma believe in. The duo has launched the subscription-based Dor brand of TVs which they are selling at extremely affordable prices. They began by porting their TVs for sale just on the Flipkart ecommerce site. The stock got sold out quickly. As did the next batch..

Now they are getting ready to get Dor TV on to other ecommerce platforms like Amazon, and possibly going forward even on to TataCliq, AJio, Meesho, Croma and what have you.

That’s probably why they have brought on board ecommerce growth catalyst BPECOM Connsulting (Blooprint Ecommerce Consulting) which is run by former Flipkart employees or Flipsters as they call themselves and founded by Prakash Maharaj and Ajay Maharaj.

Blooprint Consulting uses advanced analytics and industry insights to strategise in services such as building brands, customer shopping experience, merchandising, improving brand profitability, account management, category management, and digital marketing – basically the full Monty to help brands scale online on various platforms without investing in all the people to manage them. The company has worked with brands like Urban Armor Gear, Kikgerm, Natures-Island, Raegr, among many others.

Says Prakash: “We can’t wait to bring our expertise in digital strategy and brand growth to help Dor TV amplify its online presence, engage a wider audience, and accelerate its journey to new heights. Excited to drive innovation together and redefine India’s entertainment landscape.”

December 11, 2024
Glance, Airtel launch AI-powered Glance TV, rivaling Dor TV’s offerings

MUMBAI: Imagine walking into your living room after a long day, sinking into your favorite corner of the sofa, and glancing at your TV-not as a blank, lifeless screen but as an AI-powered gateway to a world of interactive wonders. A flicker of curiosity, a spark of excitement, and suddenly, your television transforms into more than a passive device-it becomes an experience.

This vision of seamless, intuitive engagement has now been made possible by Glance, the brainchild of visionary founders Naveen Tewari and Piyush Shah. With an eye on reimagining how we connect with everyday technology, Glance has taken a bold leap into the future with Glance TV. This groundbreaking platform breathes life into idle connected TV screens, turning them into vibrant, interactive surfaces powered by AI.

Debuting in India through a partnership with Airtel Xstream and Android TV OS, Glance TV is not just a new product—it’s a revolution in how we perceive home entertainment.

For those who dare to dream big and look beyond the ordinary, Glance TV is here to ensure that every moment spent in front of your screen is worth the glance.

Glance TV redefines traditional connected TVs by turning passive moments into engaging, real-time experiences. Unlike conventional screens, Glance TV remains always-on, delivering live, personalised, and trending content tailored to user preferences, even when TVs are not actively used.

In its first deployment phase, Glance TV has already reached over one million Airtel Xstream devices, with users engaging for an impressive average of 200 minutes across three daily sessions. By June 2025, Glance TV aims to expand to four million devices in India, with plans for entry into select global markets soon.

Glance TV offers live updates across diverse categories, including breaking news, entertainment, sports, finance, technology, and more. Its live sports updates deliver real-time scores, statistics, and detailed scorecards. A weather widget further enhances functionality, ensuring users receive essential updates to plan their day effectively. The platform sources content from leading publishers and currently operates in English.

Airtel Digital TV, CEO, Siddharth Sharma said, “Customers increasingly seek platforms offering more than traditional entertainment. Our partnership with Glance elevates customer experience by integrating advanced AI technology directly into their TVs, creating an unmatched interactive platform.”

InMobi co-founder & Glance president & COO, Shah commented, “Glance TV redefines the television experience by elevating screens into dynamic, AI-powered platforms. By blending content with interaction, we transform TVs from mere entertainment devices into intelligent surfaces that engage, connect, and inspire users.”

As India’s connected TV market crosses 40 million devices, the stage is set for a vibrant battle of innovation and consumer delight. Anuj Gandhi’s trailblazing vision with Dor TV ignited the spark, receiving a warm embrace on its debut. Yet, the plot thickens as Glance TV strides into the spotlight, carving its dominance in the digital age.

The question now isn’t just who will lead, but how far they’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible. Will it be Dor TV, with its homegrown roots and pioneering spirit? Or will Glance TV’s bold strides cement its place as the visionary leader of this transformation?

One thing is certain: the journey ahead promises a kaleidoscope of breakthroughs, rivalries, and endless possibilities for the connected future of India.

The spotlight is on—and the story has just begun.

December 11, 2024
Prime Video brings back memories with Cartoon Network classics

MUMBAI: Remember the Powerpuff Girls?

That familiar dude Johnny Bravo?

Well, for those viewers who do and were fond of the girls and Mr Muscles, they can now tune in to Prime Video. It has launched CN Rewind, Warner Bros. Discovery’s new digital channel, as an add-on subscription. As the home to all-time favourite animated shows, CN Rewind is curated exclusively for Prime Video in India, and brings Cartoon Network’s evergreen classics, including The Powerpuff Girls, Tom & Jerry, Scooby-Doo, Johnny Bravo, Looney tunes, Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Ed Edd n Eddy and many more, for fans across India.

Prime members can get access to a diverse range of celebrated animated programming, available both in Hindi and English, by purchasing an add-on subscription to CN Rewind at a special introductory offer of Rs 199 per year, following which the subscription can be renewed at Rs 249 per year.

“Animation remains a popular category on Prime Video across demographics, with younger and older audiences alike. With the launch of CN Rewind add-on subscription on Prime Video India, we are excited to take loyal fans on a nostalgic trip as they revisit their favourite Cartoon Network toons, as well as for younger audiences to discover and engage with these beloved stories,” said Prime Video head of marketplaces India (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals) Gaurav Bhasin.,. “Over the years, through add-on subscriptions, Prime Video has served as a platform for several streaming services to curate exclusive channels and take their content to audiences deep within India. We are thrilled to be the exclusive home for CN Rewind, and are certain that the diverse and timeless library will find deep emotional resonance with our customers across the country.”

Cartoon Network is a cultural phenomenon that redefined pop culture and is reminiscent of special memories for millennials and generations across decades. CN Rewind, with the special offering, will provide fans with the chance to relive those memories in a modern, on-demand format, allowing them to immerse themselves in the same joy and excitement they felt decades ago and to pass those treasured moments to the younger generation.

“There’s a deep emotional connection between Indian audiences and Cartoon Network. CN shows aren’t just cartoons, they’re pieces of our childhood that evoke joy, friendship, and a simpler time,” said Warner Bros. Discovery head of distribution south Asia Ruchir Jain. “With CN Rewind, we’re creating a space where nostalgia can thrive while ensuring these beloved characters continue to inspire and entertain today’s kids in a whole new way.”

Benefits of add-on subscriptions on Prime Video for Prime members include:

* No hassle login & billing: Customers do not have to juggle between multiple usernames, passwords and billing due dates. With add-on subscriptions, all premium content subscriptions are managed within a single destination – Prime Video apps and website.
* More time watching, less time deciding: Customers don’t have to spend time toggling between their favourite services to discover what’s new and popular. With add-on subscriptions, they can browse in one place, search across all their premium subscription and get personalized recommendations. All of this without ever having to leave the Prime Video app or website.
* Enjoy your favourite features, no matter which service: Customers can enjoythe X-Ray feature and a single consolidated watch list and download library for offline viewing. Subscribers can also manage data consumption and much more across all their add-on subscriptions.
* More Choice: With add-on subscriptions, Prime members can access thousands of additional titles across 25+ OTT services, including CN Rewind.

December 11, 2024
Parliamentary panel to review OTT content amidst regulatory debate

MUMBAI: Imagine this: you’re unwinding with your favorite show, only to frantically fumble for the remote as a scene unfolds that you’d rather your child never see—graphic violence, explicit language, or worse, nudity. Frustrated by the glamorisation of crime and violence in thrillers that could inspire the impressionable? It’s a moment every parent dreads, and a dilemma households across the country face in today’s era of on-demand entertainment.

But here’s the big news: relief might finally be on the way.

In a move poised to reshape how we consume digital content, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology is stepping in. Mark your calendars for 20 December, when the committee will meet with leading industry bodies to tackle the hot-button issue of content regulation on OTT platforms. As debates intensify between calls for stricter government oversight and advocates of self-regulation under the IT Rules, 2021, the stage is set for what could be a landmark decision in the OTT landscape.

This is a moment of mixed emotions—hope for a more family-friendly streaming experience, but also trepidation over potential restrictions that might stifle creativity. One thing is certain: change is brewing, and all eyes are now on the committee’s crucial meeting.

The committee, chaired by Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey, has invited organisations such as the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association and the Motion Picture Association of America (India office) to present their views. This dialogue follows Information and Broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s request to prioritise strengthening laws governing social media and OTT platforms.

Dubey emphasised the urgency of addressing content concerns, particularly regarding portrayals of women, obscenity, and vulgarity. “OTT platforms often feature content unsuitable for family viewing. Our meeting with industry stakeholders will address these pressing issues,” he said.

Last month, Vaishnaw highlighted cultural disparities between India and foreign regions housing platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. He stressed the need for stricter regulations, citing examples such as Netflix’s portrayal of the 1999 Indian Airlines hijacking in IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack. The series faced criticism for inaccuracies, prompting Netflix to update its disclaimers.

Industry bodies such as the Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) have pushed for retaining the current self-regulatory framework. Both organisations argue that platform-level self-regulation under IT Rules ensures creative freedom while adhering to constitutional boundaries.

In August, IDMIF and IAMAI assured MIB that their members comply with the code of ethics, avoiding content harmful to India’s sovereignty, security, and public order. They also highlighted caution in portraying racial or religious groups.

As the government explores options like pre-certification for OTT content, industry bodies have urged against additional oversight. They advocate for maintaining the balance between creative expression and compliance.

The 20 December meeting is poised to shape the future regulatory framework for OTT platforms in India, balancing creative freedom, cultural sensitivities, and legal accountability.

December 11, 2024