ITV

Category: Video On Demand

  • Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    Zodiak shows to be on Amazon Prime in early ’17

    MUMBAI: Zodiak Kids has announced that it has sold a series of titles to Amazon India, in a deal amassing over 100 hours. The shows are set to launch on Amazon Prime Video in early 2017.

    Amazon India has acquired all four seasons of popular children’s animation Horrid Henry. The show centers on a boy who constantly feels like life just isn’t fair. Of course he’s only a kid, but with a perfect little brother called Peter, a Mum and Dad who’d love him dearly if only he’d stop behaving, well, like a kid, and a moody girl next door who’s on a mission to make Henry’s life miserable, who can blame him?

    Henry’s looking at life from the bottom up, and from where he stands it’s him against the rest of the world. So if that means getting out of swimming class by pretending there’s a shark in the pool, organizing an anti-school uniform campaign with his friends or setting up a pet sitting business in his bedroom to supplement his measly allowance, then that’s all part of life as Henry knows it. Horrid Henry is produced by Novel Entertainment Ltd for CiTV.

    Amazon Prime Video India director and country head Nitesh Kripalani said, “We are extremely happy to announce our collaboration with Zodiak Kids by bringing immensely popular characters like Horrid Henry to India. This alliance adds further volume to our existing bouquet of great kids’ programming, thus paving the way for us to have the largest exclusive selection of kids’ entertainment in India.”

    Amazon India has also picked up animation series’ Extreme Football, Street Football and Sally Bollywood the Bollywood tastic mystery solving show. All series are produced by Zodiak Kids Studios.

  • Disney, Pixar & Marvel movies available on Hotstar; exclusive deal signed

    Disney, Pixar & Marvel movies available on Hotstar; exclusive deal signed

    MUMBAI: This year Disney India has witnessed spectacular success with its Hollywood movies setting benchmarks that reflect the increasing popularity of English movies in the country. Similarly, Hotstar has emerged as a market leader signaling the rise of digital and mobile entertainment platforms. Hotstar has now announced a new studio partnership with Disney India to dramatically augment its Premium service. It has inked a multi-year SVOD deal with Disney India to showcase the studio’s biggest hits exclusively on Hotstar Premium in India which includes movies like Lucasfilm Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney’s The Jungle Book and Moana, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange, Disney.Pixar’s Finding Dory amongst others.

    In addition, Hotstar premium subscribers will also have access to popular movies and classics from Disney’s library including Disney.Pixar’s Ratatouille, Brave, Toy Story 3; Disney’s The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest as well as popular American TV series from ABC Studios such as Castle and Desperate Housewives. Hotstar subscribers will be able to access this content conveniently through Disney, Marvel and ABC Studios branded sections on the homepage of Hotstar.

    Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan said, “Over the last 6 months, we have established Premium as an exciting new service for an Indian audience that is interested in international stories. The deal with Disney is in line with our strategy of bringing the best of new shows and movies from around the world to our Premium subscribers. This partnership signals our continuing strategy: we will invest deeply and widely with the best story tellers in the world to ensure that Premium continues as the standout streaming service in the country.”

    “Our movies have met with much success in theatres this year. This deal is important for us as it enables us to offer our movies across Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar brands and our ABC Studios’ TV shows to our audience wherever they are. Hotstar Premium is an ideal home for our content and it gives subscribers across the country, the chance to revisit their loved stories,” said Disney India VP Studios Amrita Pandey.

    Setting its sights on shaping the connected TV experience in India, Hotstar recently appropriated the top spot on iTunes as Apple TV’s App of the Year for India 2016. The recognition came on the back of a breakthrough year in which Hotstar continued to lead and disrupt the Indian market place. The service now has more than 140 million downloads to date. According to third party tracking provider App Annie, that tracks app usage of video streaming platforms, more than 50 million users used the service in India in the month of December.

  • Disney, Pixar & Marvel movies available on Hotstar; exclusive deal signed

    Disney, Pixar & Marvel movies available on Hotstar; exclusive deal signed

    MUMBAI: This year Disney India has witnessed spectacular success with its Hollywood movies setting benchmarks that reflect the increasing popularity of English movies in the country. Similarly, Hotstar has emerged as a market leader signaling the rise of digital and mobile entertainment platforms. Hotstar has now announced a new studio partnership with Disney India to dramatically augment its Premium service. It has inked a multi-year SVOD deal with Disney India to showcase the studio’s biggest hits exclusively on Hotstar Premium in India which includes movies like Lucasfilm Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney’s The Jungle Book and Moana, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange, Disney.Pixar’s Finding Dory amongst others.

    In addition, Hotstar premium subscribers will also have access to popular movies and classics from Disney’s library including Disney.Pixar’s Ratatouille, Brave, Toy Story 3; Disney’s The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest as well as popular American TV series from ABC Studios such as Castle and Desperate Housewives. Hotstar subscribers will be able to access this content conveniently through Disney, Marvel and ABC Studios branded sections on the homepage of Hotstar.

    Hotstar CEO Ajit Mohan said, “Over the last 6 months, we have established Premium as an exciting new service for an Indian audience that is interested in international stories. The deal with Disney is in line with our strategy of bringing the best of new shows and movies from around the world to our Premium subscribers. This partnership signals our continuing strategy: we will invest deeply and widely with the best story tellers in the world to ensure that Premium continues as the standout streaming service in the country.”

    “Our movies have met with much success in theatres this year. This deal is important for us as it enables us to offer our movies across Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar brands and our ABC Studios’ TV shows to our audience wherever they are. Hotstar Premium is an ideal home for our content and it gives subscribers across the country, the chance to revisit their loved stories,” said Disney India VP Studios Amrita Pandey.

    Setting its sights on shaping the connected TV experience in India, Hotstar recently appropriated the top spot on iTunes as Apple TV’s App of the Year for India 2016. The recognition came on the back of a breakthrough year in which Hotstar continued to lead and disrupt the Indian market place. The service now has more than 140 million downloads to date. According to third party tracking provider App Annie, that tracks app usage of video streaming platforms, more than 50 million users used the service in India in the month of December.

  • SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    MUMBAI: SonyLiv has announced the launch of  an original regional language web-series. Titled, YOLO – You only live once, the show has been conceptualized and developed by Indian Magic Eye (IMEPL).

    YOLO is a Marathi web-series that is centred around  the coming-of-age story of four young adults – Choko aka Shivraj Waichal, Sarika aka Shivani Rangole, Rochak aka Ruturaj Shinde and Pari aka Shashwati Pimplikar. Sai Tamhankar, Nagesh Bhosale and Anand Ingle who are the well known faces in Marathi Entertainment industry also feature in this web series.

    Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the show is the story of four young adults who unexpectedly go through a series of dramatic events that transforms their perspectves on love, relationships, sex and life in general. The story also involves differences of opinion between two generations on concepts of morality and ethics.

    “The Marathi regional audience is gradually emerging as a large and strong consumer base for original content on the digital medium. To cater to their emerging desire for high-quality entertainment intheir language and with a cultural essence, they can relate to, we at SonyLIV are proud to roll out ‘YOLO’, the country’s first-ever web series in a regional language. This move underlines our commitment to deliver the most appealing original content across the traditional boundaries of genres, languages or geographies. The motive is to delight and entertain, whilst also raising the common issues surrounding the youth,” said Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head digital business Uday Sodhi.

    The story begins when Choko’s family members are going away for a week. An incident takes place which involves a lot of  drama.They learn to think beyond their own selves and start seeing each other and their own parents in a different light. They evolve as better human beings. This coming of age story will have an extremely humorous yet deep, bold yet not below the belt treatment. It will be relatable to the youth as well as the elderly since it also reflects their experience and mature point of view.

    YOLO not only enhances the entertainment options available to SonyLiv’s Marathi viewers, but also adds great value to their viewing experience by offering original entertainment content that they can relate to and associate with.

    The launch of YOLO is in sync with SonyLic’s uplifted brand ethos of ‘We Liv to Entertain’, which is aimed at providing the most comprehensive entertainment content to meet the varied requirements of its diverse audience base. It is also a strategic move on the part of SonyLiv to augment the traction that it is currently receiving from regional audiences who are actively embracing the digital platform as a primary means of content consumption.

    Link for the Episode: www.sonyliv.com/dplnk?schema=sony://asset/5276724430001

  • SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    MUMBAI: SonyLiv has announced the launch of  an original regional language web-series. Titled, YOLO – You only live once, the show has been conceptualized and developed by Indian Magic Eye (IMEPL).

    YOLO is a Marathi web-series that is centred around  the coming-of-age story of four young adults – Choko aka Shivraj Waichal, Sarika aka Shivani Rangole, Rochak aka Ruturaj Shinde and Pari aka Shashwati Pimplikar. Sai Tamhankar, Nagesh Bhosale and Anand Ingle who are the well known faces in Marathi Entertainment industry also feature in this web series.

    Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the show is the story of four young adults who unexpectedly go through a series of dramatic events that transforms their perspectves on love, relationships, sex and life in general. The story also involves differences of opinion between two generations on concepts of morality and ethics.

    “The Marathi regional audience is gradually emerging as a large and strong consumer base for original content on the digital medium. To cater to their emerging desire for high-quality entertainment intheir language and with a cultural essence, they can relate to, we at SonyLIV are proud to roll out ‘YOLO’, the country’s first-ever web series in a regional language. This move underlines our commitment to deliver the most appealing original content across the traditional boundaries of genres, languages or geographies. The motive is to delight and entertain, whilst also raising the common issues surrounding the youth,” said Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head digital business Uday Sodhi.

    The story begins when Choko’s family members are going away for a week. An incident takes place which involves a lot of  drama.They learn to think beyond their own selves and start seeing each other and their own parents in a different light. They evolve as better human beings. This coming of age story will have an extremely humorous yet deep, bold yet not below the belt treatment. It will be relatable to the youth as well as the elderly since it also reflects their experience and mature point of view.

    YOLO not only enhances the entertainment options available to SonyLiv’s Marathi viewers, but also adds great value to their viewing experience by offering original entertainment content that they can relate to and associate with.

    The launch of YOLO is in sync with SonyLic’s uplifted brand ethos of ‘We Liv to Entertain’, which is aimed at providing the most comprehensive entertainment content to meet the varied requirements of its diverse audience base. It is also a strategic move on the part of SonyLiv to augment the traction that it is currently receiving from regional audiences who are actively embracing the digital platform as a primary means of content consumption.

    Link for the Episode: www.sonyliv.com/dplnk?schema=sony://asset/5276724430001

  • Pongal: Amazon Prime to premiere ‘Kaashmora’; stream ‘Kabali’ & ‘Theri’

    Pongal: Amazon Prime to premiere ‘Kaashmora’; stream ‘Kabali’ & ‘Theri’

    MUMBAI: The festival of Pongal brings families and loved ones together for grand celebrations which involve shopping and gorging on yummylicious food. But now, Amazon Prime Video gives you another reason to celebrate Pongal with your entire family.

    Amazon Prime Video has invited all with family to experience the best in Tamil entertainment by watching the latest Tamil movie blockbusters exclusively on its platform. The platform will air the world digital premiere of Kaashmora starring Karthi and Nayantara, before its TV release. Also watch political satire Joker, Rajinikanth starrer Kabali and Theri starring Vijay and Amy Jackson.

    Kaashmora is a Tamil supernatural comedy fantasy film written and directed by Gokul. It revolves around Kaashmora and his family who live by cheating people in the name of black magic and dark spirits. One day, a PhD research student Yamini joins Kaashmora, only to gather evidence and expose him to the public.

    Joker is a political satire which criticizes the present political absurdities. Mannar (protagonist), a villager, who declares himself as the Indian president protests against the government for absurdities. On a trial, he reveals his past. Everyone sees him as a joker, and the audience is questioned at the end.

    Kabali, a revolutionary who fights for the betterment of his people in a foreign land, is falsely implicated and thrown behind bars. When he returns after his prison term, he starts a search for his wife and ends up confronting those who were the reason behind his miseries. What follows is a tale of revenge, emotion and payback. As a movie mounted on a huge scale, it truly brings a larger-than-life and much loved superstar to the streaming audiences.

    In Theri, when an honest cop, Vijay Kumar’s family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bringing up his daughter in a serene atmosphere. But, when some events compromise his identity, he does what he must to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family.

    Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

  • Pongal: Amazon Prime to premiere ‘Kaashmora’; stream ‘Kabali’ & ‘Theri’

    Pongal: Amazon Prime to premiere ‘Kaashmora’; stream ‘Kabali’ & ‘Theri’

    MUMBAI: The festival of Pongal brings families and loved ones together for grand celebrations which involve shopping and gorging on yummylicious food. But now, Amazon Prime Video gives you another reason to celebrate Pongal with your entire family.

    Amazon Prime Video has invited all with family to experience the best in Tamil entertainment by watching the latest Tamil movie blockbusters exclusively on its platform. The platform will air the world digital premiere of Kaashmora starring Karthi and Nayantara, before its TV release. Also watch political satire Joker, Rajinikanth starrer Kabali and Theri starring Vijay and Amy Jackson.

    Kaashmora is a Tamil supernatural comedy fantasy film written and directed by Gokul. It revolves around Kaashmora and his family who live by cheating people in the name of black magic and dark spirits. One day, a PhD research student Yamini joins Kaashmora, only to gather evidence and expose him to the public.

    Joker is a political satire which criticizes the present political absurdities. Mannar (protagonist), a villager, who declares himself as the Indian president protests against the government for absurdities. On a trial, he reveals his past. Everyone sees him as a joker, and the audience is questioned at the end.

    Kabali, a revolutionary who fights for the betterment of his people in a foreign land, is falsely implicated and thrown behind bars. When he returns after his prison term, he starts a search for his wife and ends up confronting those who were the reason behind his miseries. What follows is a tale of revenge, emotion and payback. As a movie mounted on a huge scale, it truly brings a larger-than-life and much loved superstar to the streaming audiences.

    In Theri, when an honest cop, Vijay Kumar’s family is ruthlessly slaughtered by a politician and his aides, he decides to change his identity and commits his life to bringing up his daughter in a serene atmosphere. But, when some events compromise his identity, he does what he must to save his daughter and avenge the death of his family.

    Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free one-day and two-day delivery to over 100 cities on eligible items from India’s largest selection of products, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience.

  • HOOQ raises US$ 25 million from Sony Pictures, others; open to outside investors

    HOOQ raises US$ 25 million from Sony Pictures, others; open to outside investors

    MUMBAI: Southeast Asian streaming platform HOOQ, a Netflix challenger, has raised US$25 million (Rs 1.7 billion) in capital from existing investors — Sony Pictures, Singtel and Warner Brothers, it was announced through a stock exchange filing from Singtel.

    HOOQ went live in Indonesia, Philippines, India and Thailand in 2015. Recently launching in India, Amazon Prime Video is now an international challenger.

    HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos said that the company was preparing to welcome outside investors.

    The filing stated that Singtel had invested an additional US$ 15.5 million with the other investors contributing the remainder. It was also disclosed that HOOQ had earlier raised US$ 70 million, taking the total recent investment to US$ 95 million.

    HOOQ was founded two years ago by the trio with Singtel having a majority holding. Following the deal, the companies retained the same shareholding with Singtel owning 65 per cent; Warner and Sony each taking 17.5 per cent.

  • HOOQ raises US$ 25 million from Sony Pictures, others; open to outside investors

    HOOQ raises US$ 25 million from Sony Pictures, others; open to outside investors

    MUMBAI: Southeast Asian streaming platform HOOQ, a Netflix challenger, has raised US$25 million (Rs 1.7 billion) in capital from existing investors — Sony Pictures, Singtel and Warner Brothers, it was announced through a stock exchange filing from Singtel.

    HOOQ went live in Indonesia, Philippines, India and Thailand in 2015. Recently launching in India, Amazon Prime Video is now an international challenger.

    HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos said that the company was preparing to welcome outside investors.

    The filing stated that Singtel had invested an additional US$ 15.5 million with the other investors contributing the remainder. It was also disclosed that HOOQ had earlier raised US$ 70 million, taking the total recent investment to US$ 95 million.

    HOOQ was founded two years ago by the trio with Singtel having a majority holding. Following the deal, the companies retained the same shareholding with Singtel owning 65 per cent; Warner and Sony each taking 17.5 per cent.

  • Viu Originals to feature two new shows by Vikram Bhatt & Culture Machine

    Viu Originals to feature two new shows by Vikram Bhatt & Culture Machine

    MUMBAI: Bollywood director, producer and auteur Vikram Bhatt is all set to launch two new premium shows on Viu, the OTT video on demand entertainment service of Vuclip. The shows commissioned by the platform will be co-produced by Bhatt and digital media company Culture Machine. The two new shows are slated to be released exclusively on Viu in the first quarter of 2017.

    “With an auteur par excellence like Vikram Bhatt presenting the soon to be launched shows, subscribers of Viu should be in for a visual treat come 2017,” said Vuclip India country head Vishal Maheshwari.

    The first of the untitled shows falls under the urban thriller genre with supernatural elements, while the other show is based on the life of a reigning Bollywood star who overcomes odds to achieve superstardom, offering viewers an inside view of the world of glamour, elusive love and scandalous controversies that are associated with it.

    A veteran of four movies shot in 3D, Bhatt will be using a new filming technology for one of these shows.

    “Always exciting to work on projects for a digital audience. The creative challenge is to hold on to their attention and make them want for more”, said Bhatt. “The allure of the paranormal that plays on in your minds and the vicarious thrill of knowing what it is like to lead the life of a Bollywood star are sure to glue the audience to their laptop or mobile screens.”

    He further added, “The star cast will be announced in the next ten days. What you can expect is very strong characterizations of the female protagonists”.

    Cricketer Virender Sehwag’s micro series Viru ke Funde and cricket humorist Vikram Sathaye’s chat show What the Duck are originals which have had a successful run on Viu.