ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Pocket Films launches short film OTT

    Pocket Films launches short film OTT

    MUMBAI: The big boys are merging their OTTs. Others are announcing new OTTs. Why should the small guys be left out?

    Short film aggregator Pocket Films – run by long time web-preneur Sameer Mody  – has officially announced the launch of its OTT.

    Taking to linkedin Mody  posted: “The only OTT you need for shortfilms is here! Enjoy an elevated viewing experience with our curated content in a variety of genres and languages.”

    The Pocket films OTT is not designed in the manner that most apps are – it has been launched in  a web (mobile responsive) version without any  apparent iOS or android variant which needs to be downloaded. It, however, allows creators to create their profile and upload their films, and permit them to be distributed through the wide  Pocket Films  network. The short films, while limited in number (compared to its YouTube cousin), are available in various genres and in Hindi, Marathi and international languages.  

    Mody who is the founder &  managing director of the company, has been at it for nearly 18 years and over time his firm, according to him, has emerged as the number one partner of You Tube for short content. Pocket Films’ YouTube channel has around 3.91 million subscribers and showcases around 3,000 videos, many created by users.

    The channel generates more than 150 million views each month.  In addition to YouTube,  Pocket Films also distributes its content through OTT platforms, mobile operators, TV channels, in-flight entertainment.

    This apart, it organises short film contests in India in partnership with international film festivals like . Manhattan Short, Indian Film Festival, Stuttgart, River to River Florence, Italy, among others. 

    Recently, Pocket Films has also ventured into production with a special focus on digital series  and short films, especially catering to the growing OTT and digital platforms.

  • Zeel secures landmark ‘Dynamic+’ John Doe order against digital piracy

    Zeel secures landmark ‘Dynamic+’ John Doe order against digital piracy

    MUMBAI: In a groundbreaking move to combat digital piracy, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Zeel) has secured a comprehensive Dynamic+ John Doe order from the Delhi high court. This landmark decision empowers Zeel to protect its vast content library, including movies, TV shows, and OTT offerings on ZEE5, by enabling swift action against rogue websites without repeated court interventions.

    Unlike traditional John Doe injunctions, this advanced framework allows Zeel to directly notify the department of telecommunications (DoT), ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), and internet service providers (ISPs) to block infringing websites immediately. The court’s directive ensures fast-tracked enforcement, enhancing Zeel’s ability to safeguard its intellectual property.

    Key Highlights of the Dynamic+ John Doe order:

    ●   Initial Blocking: The court has ordered the blocking of 103 rogue websites involved in unauthorized streaming of Zeel’s content library.

    ●   Dynamic Notification: Zeel can directly notify DoT, MeitY, and ISPs to block new infringing websites without additional court orders.

    ●   Broader Protection: The order extends beyond live sporting events, covering Zeel’s entire entertainment catalogue, ensuring a robust defense against piracy.

    This proactive approach represents a significant evolution in Indian copyright law, combining swift anti-piracy measures with procedural safeguards. By enabling Zeel to act dynamically, the order not only protects Zeel/Zee5’s diverse audience but also strengthens the broader digital content ecosystem.

    With Saikrishna & Associates as legal counsel, Zeel has set a new standard for digital copyright enforcement, reinforcing its leadership in the fight against piracy.

     

  • Tata Play celebrates World TV Day with campaign on unity through television

    Tata Play celebrates World TV Day with campaign on unity through television

    Mumbai: Tata Play, India’s leading DTH and PayTV provider, launched a heartwarming campaign today to celebrate World Television Day, showcasing the power of television to unite a diverse India. Conceptualised by HumourMe, the ad-film beautifully conveys how television transcends barriers, bridges cultural divides, and fosters shared experiences.

    The campaign portrays a powerful message: “No matter how different all of us may be, TV unites us all together.” It presents television not just as a screen but as a medium that creates connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. The ad-film opens with characters from vastly different walks of life, initially clashing and judging each other. As the story unfolds, they discover camaraderie and common ground, standing united by the stories brought to them through television.

    Tata Play’s campaign transforms the viewing experience into a celebration of togetherness and shared emotions, illustrating how television connects hearts and minds. The film was launched across Tata Play’s social media platforms earlier today and has already garnered widespread engagement, resonating strongly with audiences. This campaign reinforces Tata Play’s commitment to creating enriching experiences for its audience, leveraging the universal appeal of television to celebrate unity amid diversity.

  • Stanfest to bring Ashish Chanchlani, Fukra Insaan and 200 more creators

    Stanfest to bring Ashish Chanchlani, Fukra Insaan and 200 more creators

    Mumbai: Stan has announced India’s biggest creator gathering, “Stanfest 2024”.   The upcoming event on 24 November 2024 at Phoenix Palassio Courtyard, Lucknow, features a lineup of over 200+ creators attending from different genres like Lifestyle, gaming, music, comedy, motovloggers,sports among others. Fans can look forward to seeing Ashish Chanchlani, Abhishek Malhan aka ‘Fukra Insaan,’ Round2Hell, UK07, Mortal, and Anurag Diwedi.

    The event is set to offer a wide range of activities designed to connect and engage attendees with their favorite creators including fun-filled engagement sessions with creators, a mini tournament hosted by the title sponsor of Stanfest, Zupee, and the semi-finals and finals of Esports LAN tournament with the winner getting a Trip to Thailand. The Zupee mini tournament offers fans to play with their favorite creators and get rewards. The event will also celebrate excellence in gaming and esports through an award ceremony. Towards the end, a live music performance would wrap the event on a musical note.

    The event will also offer multiple themed areas designed to offer an immersive experience for attendees.The event sponsors, Bingo and GetRizzed, will have dedicated experience to actively engage the audience with exciting competitions and attractive rewards. Additionally, the Stan arena and Ludo arena will feature multiple interactive booths, offering a variety of gaming activities and immersive experience zones designed to captivate and entertain attendees in the event.. Audiences can participate in tournaments, games to win goodies and rewards including a Royal Enfield Bullet. The event will also feature a cosplay arena where award winning artists will be joining showcasing their talent. 

  • Prime Video launches Channel K

    Prime Video launches Channel K

    Mumbai : Prime Video launched Channel K, Interactive Media Mix,  (IMX)’s Korean entertainment channel, as an add-on subscription. As the home to some of the most popular series, movies, K-pop concerts, and reality shows, Channel K will offer Prime members an immersive Hallyu experience with blockbuster series such as Summer Strike, Personal Taste, acclaimed movies like Our Season, Joint Security Area (JSA), and The Battle: Roar to Victory, NCT Nation and Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience, in addition to providing Indian BTS fans exclusive access to the 2024 BTS FESTA: Message from Jin, with concert footage and documentaries showcasing deep insights into the journey and artistry of these global icons.

    Prime members can enjoy a diverse range of celebrated Korean content by purchasing an add-on subscription to Channel K at a monthly fee of Rs 79, with a special limited-time* inaugural price of Rs 1 for the first month.

    “Since its launch in India, add-on subscriptions on Prime Video have served as the launchpad for several international streaming services in the country,” said Prime Video head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals),  Gaurav Bhasin. “Over the past few years, we have seen tremendous increase in the popularity of Korean content on Prime Video in India, including series like Marry My Husband, No Gain No Love, Jinny’s Kitchen, and more, that were loved by our customers. We are now thrilled to launch Channel K in India and give Prime members an opportunity to get an even wider selection of scripted and unscripted Korean content with this new add-on offering.”

    “Our mission with Channel K is to deliver premium Korean entertainment to a global audience, building cultural bridges and enhancing the viewing experience for Indian fans,” said IMX CEO Sohn Il-Hyung. “Post our successful collaboration in Japan, we are thrilled to work with Prime Video to launch Channel K in India as an add-on subscription, and through their reach in India, take the Hallyu wave even deeper in the country.”

  • The ParentZ announces ‘Misha’

    The ParentZ announces ‘Misha’

    New Delhi: The ParentZ,a comprehensive parenting app designed to support and guide parents in their everyday journey, today announced the launch of Misha, An AI parenting assistant designed to support parents with personalized guidance and practical advice at every step of their parenting journey. Misha aims to be a trusted partner in parenting, customized to meet the unique needs of each family.

    The tool offers 24/7 support, quick recommendations, and a library of helpful resources which helps to adapt each parent’s unique style, making it easier to support your child’s growth and development every step of the way.  

    “Our goal is to empower parents by providing them with a reliable co-parenting partner that reduces the need to sift through endless books or online forums. With Misha, we’re making parenting support smarter, simpler, and more accessible,” said ParentsNKids Network (TheParentZ.com and SchoolMyKids.com) co-founder & head of content Kiran Meena.

    “The ParentZ App is designed to make life simpler for parents, especially when emotions are high or schedules are busy,” said The ParentZ co-founder Arun Meena. “With its intuitive interface, AI-powered capabilities, and customizable features, The ParentZ App stands as the ultimate digital partner for modern families.”

    Misha also leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence to offer personalised advice, reminders, and educational resources, helping parents navigate the complexities of child-rearing with greater ease and confidence. From answering parenting questions in real-time to offering tailored activity suggestions, Misha is designed to be a reliable, supportive companion for today’s busy parents.

    Misha’s key features include:

    1.  Personalised guidance: Misha offers customized advice based on the unique needs of each parent and child, ensuring support that truly aligns with each family’s goals.

    2.  24/7 real-time support: Parents can access Misha any time, receiving instant responses and tailored recommendations to their questions and concerns.

    3.  A Resource-Rich Platform: Misha eliminates the hassle of searching through various parenting resources by providing comprehensive, reliable information directly to parents.

    The beta version of Misha is now available for parents to try, bringing them a step closer to a more guided, supported, and informed parenting experience. The ParentZ invites parents to explore this innovative AI-driven tool and discover how Misha can enhance their daily lives. 

  • Paul-Tyson fight most streamed sporting event ever: Netflix

    Paul-Tyson fight most streamed sporting event ever: Netflix

    MUMBAI: The record for concurrent viewers on a streamer (Disney+Hotstar) for cricket stands at 59 million during the ICC World Cup finals in 2023 between India and Australia. And that too in India  with a population of 1.4 billion.

    That record was left by the wayside during the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight which was streamed on Netflix, peaking at 65 million concurrent streams, with 38 million originating in the US. This made it the most streamed sporting event ever, said Netflix. The fight generated 46.6M views for the entire event. 

    Data provided by monitoring agency TVision revealed that almost 65 per cent off all US TV viewing between 12 am and 1 am EST  on 15 November was accounted by the much publicised slugfest. The Paul-Tyson fight garnered an estimated average minute audience (AMA) of 108 million live viewers globally from opening to closing bell and continued to drive viewing into the weekend with an estimated AMA of 125 million (Live+1).

    The event ranked at No 1 in 78 countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, South Africa, the UK and the US, and in the Top 10 in 91 countries tracked for the week of 11-17 November. The fight generated over 1.4B owned impressions across Netflix’s global social channels. #PaulTyson was the No 1 trending topic worldwide on X on Friday, said Netflix in a statement. 

    The live event also saw Katie Taylor defend her title as the undisputed super lightweight world champion in a brutal 10-round rematch against Amanda Serrano to become the most-watched professional women’s sports event in US history, averaging an estimated 74 million live viewers.  #Serrano was the No. 2 trending topic on X Friday in the US, Brazil, Spain, and Canada.

  • Bharti Enterprises completes 24.5 per cent stake acquisition in UK’s BT group

    Bharti Enterprises completes 24.5 per cent stake acquisition in UK’s BT group

    MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel’s  Sunil Mittal has planted his company’s flag on the Britain’s biggest broadband and mobile company, the BT group. Earlier this week, Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, completed the acquisition of a 24.5 per cent stake in BT from businessman Patrick Drahi. The stake was sold via Altice UK in two parts, the second of which is now completed.

    Mittal had announced in August 2024 that he would be buying a 9.9 per cent stake immediately, and would buy the remainder later after his group gets the necessary regulatory approvals. The purchase of the remainder shareholding makes Bharti Enterprises the single largest shareholder in BT group. The entire transaction cost Bharti 4.32 billion Euros. 

    In a statement Mittal said he was delighted to have “completed our investment into BT. Bharti has long recognised the enormous potential of the business. BT’s renewed focus on optimisation, strengthening networks and driving consumer growth makes it well placed to consolidate its position as a leading global telecom company that delivers long-term value for investors.”

  • Prasar Bharati launches OTT Waves at IFFI Goa

    Prasar Bharati launches OTT Waves at IFFI Goa

    MUMBAI: It’s hoping to make waves amongst streaming consumers and viewers of its linear TV network. State-owned pubcaster Prasar Bharati  today announced the launch of its own OTT platform branded Waves, offering a broad spectrum of entertainment and news content at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of India in Goa. 

    Available for android and iOs devices, it offers around 70  live channels including  B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Music, B4U Kadak, B4U Movies, GNT, Indian Today, ABP News, Divya, Republic, Republic Bharat, News Nation, Pitaara, News 24, PTC Punjabi Gold, PTC Punjabi, Times Now Navbharat, News 18 India, 9XM, NDTV India, TV9 Bharatvarsh, E24, News 24, Dabang, 9X Jalwa, 9X Jakhaas, 9X Tashan, Aaj Tak, Sanskar, Satsang, Raj TV, USPL, ABZY Movies, ABZY Dhaakad, Mayaboli, Masti, and NewsX. This apart, close to 34 of its own channels are available for viewing. 

    Waves also has a slew of original programmes from DD National including Fauji 2, an agricultural reality show Khet Khet May, Swarajya, Cybercrime, Rang mein Rang Ganga,  among other shows. A new version of Ramayan  from the house of Sagar is slated to launch soon. Old DD shows of the eighties and nineties, and others from PTC Punjabi complete the package on offer. 

    A catalogue of Hindi movies including Traffic Signal, Aarakshan, Khakee, Vodka Diaries, Phir Hera Pheri are available for viewing.  The international film slate appears to be worth watching: The Goes Wrong Show, The Monkey King, Mr Johnson, and The Hunger Games. But both the Hindi and international films are powered by  LionsgatePlay and are priced at Rs 399 per quarter. If viewers are not open to paying, they can consume a range of regional films which are dubbed in Hindi and can be watched for free. 

    Waves also has tabs offering live events, movies, shows, live TV, religious programming, archival documentaries, live radio, games, nostalgia, a shopping area linked to the open network for digital commerce, ebooks, a podcast and a creators’ corner.  

    The Waves app is available in three subscription offers. The first, a platinum annual subscription allows access to four devices simultaneously and is priced at 999 per annum while a diamond subscription has a sticker price of Rs 350 per annum for two devices. The gold pack which supposedly allows access to all content on Waves does not have a price tag attached in the subscription area.  

    In August, Prasar Bharati invited TV channels to join the platform, introducing a revenue-sharing model. Under this initiative, participating broadcasters receive 65 per cent of the ad revenue, while Prasar Bharati retains 35 per cent. Waves is offering t in SD, HD, and 4K, initially supporting 10 million concurrent users with scalability to 100 million.

  • Prime Video to stream action-packed 2024-25 New Zealand cricket season live

    Prime Video to stream action-packed 2024-25 New Zealand cricket season live

    Mumbai: For hard-core cricket fans, it could not get any better. Especially those that love the Kiwi team’s brand of cricket.  They can easily sign up to Amazon’s Prime Video service and get into the thick of cricketing action featuring the black caps this New Zealand cricket season. Following their historic Test wins against India, the Kiwis  are gearing up for a thrilling domestic season, taking on cricketing giants England, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan between now and April 2025.

    Prime members in India can enjoy exclusive live coverage of T20Is, ODIs, and Test matches featuring both the Black Caps and White Ferns.  

    The season kicks off with a high-stakes three-match Test series between New Zealand and England, starting on 28 November 2024. The series, running until 18  December, will showcase top players from both sides, including Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, and Matt Henry for New Zealand, and Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Harry Brook for England.  

    Following this electrifying series, the White Ferns will take on Australia’s women’s team in a three-match ODI series beginning 19 December 2024, promising intense competition and top-notch performances.  

    These will be followed by T20 and ODI series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, no necessarily in that order.