Category: Video On Demand

nexGTV strengthens VOD portfolio with #fame integration

MUMBAI: Subscription-driven, video-entertainment app – nexGTV, has enhanced its portfolio of exclusive, premium, digital content by integrating the digital entertainment network #fame on its platform.

The initiative marks the first time that entertainment app, which comprises 150+ Live TV channels, a slew of movies, TV Shows and Videos on Demand content, has integrated content from another pure-play ‘digital’ entertainment network into its portfolio.

As part of the agreement, #fame will create and ‘premiere’ content exclusively on nexGTV prior to publishing it on alternate channels. The arrangement also covers its Karan Johar-hosted series Lakme School of Style. In addition to premiere content, nexGTV viewers will also get access to #fame’s existing repository of original digital content from its other channels and properties including #fame comedy, fashion, music, food, websinger etc.

nexGTV COO Abhesh Verma said, “We make constant efforts to bring contemporary content on the app for our users. nexGTv is the preferred mobile entertainment destination for a host of consumers since years and while Live TV is what we are best known for, our association with #fame will strengthen our Video on Demand portfolio. It’s important for us to return the trust and time our subscribers spend with us making sure that the most relevant content is available on our platform. We are hopeful that content from #fame will work well with both our existing and prospective customers, helping us retain our fresh & edgy appeal.”

#fame content will be available for all nexGTV subscribers under a special category by the same name.

February 11, 2016
Promo of ‘All About Section 377’ web series released

NEW DELHI: Even as the Supreme Court has referred the curative plea on homosexuality to a five-judge bench, which will re-examine the two-year-old verdict by which a colonial law, criminalising consensual sexual acts between the same sex under section 377 of IPC, a web series called All About Section 377 by director Amit Khanna will be aired shortly.

Khanna, who had directed Tutiya Dil and Badmashiyaan has already brought out a promo reflecting the joys and sorrows of people who have different sexual preferences and how they cope up with the society.

All About section 377 is written and directed by Amit Khanna, who is also an ace photographer.

The web series consists of eight episodes, which is produced by Weirdoze and the Creative Gypsy. It features Gulshan Nain who played the lead in Channel V’s Show Friends Conditions Apply, Ankit Bhatia, Mustafa Shaikh and Khanna himself.

The promo leaves a strong message by planting a serious thought in the minds of every individual. The promo is aimed to hit hard to a lot of Homophobic people and their phobia just might come to an end.

Khanna said, “The existence of Section 377 itself is frightening. How does someone else get to decide how, when and who, one should love? Basically the right of ‘freedom of choice’ isn’t legal anymore…”

Apart from the concept of the series, what is interesting to see is that celebrities like Niranjan Iyengar, Iris Maity and Suzanna Mukherjee will be seen in cameos.

Watch the promo here:

February 10, 2016
Promo of ‘All About Section 377’ web series released

NEW DELHI: Even as the Supreme Court has referred the curative plea on homosexuality to a five-judge bench, which will re-examine the two-year-old verdict by which a colonial law, criminalising consensual sexual acts between the same sex under section 377 of IPC, a web series called All About Section 377 by director Amit Khanna will be aired shortly.

Khanna, who had directed Tutiya Dil and Badmashiyaan has already brought out a promo reflecting the joys and sorrows of people who have different sexual preferences and how they cope up with the society.

All About section 377 is written and directed by Amit Khanna, who is also an ace photographer.

The web series consists of eight episodes, which is produced by Weirdoze and the Creative Gypsy. It features Gulshan Nain who played the lead in Channel V’s Show Friends Conditions Apply, Ankit Bhatia, Mustafa Shaikh and Khanna himself.

The promo leaves a strong message by planting a serious thought in the minds of every individual. The promo is aimed to hit hard to a lot of Homophobic people and their phobia just might come to an end.

Khanna said, “The existence of Section 377 itself is frightening. How does someone else get to decide how, when and who, one should love? Basically the right of ‘freedom of choice’ isn’t legal anymore…”

Apart from the concept of the series, what is interesting to see is that celebrities like Niranjan Iyengar, Iris Maity and Suzanna Mukherjee will be seen in cameos.

Watch the promo here:

February 10, 2016
DittoTV names Archana Anand as business head

MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (ZEEL) OTT platform DittoTV has appointed Archana Anand as business head.

Anand steps into the shoes of erstwhile head Manoj Padmanabhan, who put in his papers at the company last month.

The appointment comes at a time when the OTT industry is at an influx point with competition from the likes of Netflix, Hotstar, Sony Liv, ErosNow et al hotting up. In such a scenario, Zee is looking to focus on DittoTV with renewed strategy in order to have a substantial global offering in the space.

Anand comes with close to 20 years of experience across domains.

In her previous role as Zee Digital Convergence vice president and head of global business development, Anand had under her gamut responsibilities such as business development, client relationship, product ideation and execution and all of the allied marketing campaigns.

Prior to Zee, Anand was with OnMobile Global as director and head of information and entertainment services.

February 5, 2016
DittoTV names Archana Anand as business head

MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (ZEEL) OTT platform DittoTV has appointed Archana Anand as business head.

Anand steps into the shoes of erstwhile head Manoj Padmanabhan, who put in his papers at the company last month.

The appointment comes at a time when the OTT industry is at an influx point with competition from the likes of Netflix, Hotstar, Sony Liv, ErosNow et al hotting up. In such a scenario, Zee is looking to focus on DittoTV with renewed strategy in order to have a substantial global offering in the space.

Anand comes with close to 20 years of experience across domains.

In her previous role as Zee Digital Convergence vice president and head of global business development, Anand had under her gamut responsibilities such as business development, client relationship, product ideation and execution and all of the allied marketing campaigns.

Prior to Zee, Anand was with OnMobile Global as director and head of information and entertainment services.

February 5, 2016
TVF partners Tinder for ‘Qtiyapa’ show Eat, Pray… Swipe, Tinder Qtiyapa!,

MUMBAI: Web series pioneer TVF (The Viral Fever) has collaborated with dating and social discovery application Tinder to launch the first Qtiyapa show of 2016 titled Eat, Pray… Swipe, Tinder Qtiyapa!

The show takes a humorous view of the experience of meeting someone new by bringing the app experience alive. Quite literally!

Talking about the Qtiyapa show, director Raghav Subbu said, “The idea of Eat, Pray…Swipe | Tinder Qtiyapa came from a simple thought of bringing the app to real life. The purpose of this sketch was to bend our rigid cultural taboo against dating apps and make women aware that there are sound and decent men out there at the swipe of a finger.”

Tinder has changed the way people meet and date around the world by bringing the experience of meeting someone new to mobile and pioneering features such as the ‘right swipe’ to express interest and the double opt-in, which requires that both users must express mutual interest to form a connection and chat.

Tinder, country head – India Taru Kapoor added, “Tinder was built to enable users to make new and meaningful connections. The app experience is designed in such a way that puts users solely in control of their interactions while also reducing the fear of rejection. Each day, millions of connections form based on mutual interest on Tinder. We are thrilled to partner with TVF for this sketch that brings alive Tinder’s core promise through the humorous adventures of the lead character.”

The sketch takes viewers through the travails of TVF’s popular actor Jitu aka Harishchandra and the female protagonist Swarnlata. The video also brings to life popular features of Tinder like the ‘Super Like.’

A teaser of the video will be released on the Tinder app as well. The subtle humour will tickle the funny bone as well as bring to life Tinder’s core proposition of making it easier to make new connections.

February 4, 2016
TVF partners Tinder for ‘Qtiyapa’ show Eat, Pray… Swipe, Tinder Qtiyapa!,

MUMBAI: Web series pioneer TVF (The Viral Fever) has collaborated with dating and social discovery application Tinder to launch the first Qtiyapa show of 2016 titled Eat, Pray… Swipe, Tinder Qtiyapa!

The show takes a humorous view of the experience of meeting someone new by bringing the app experience alive. Quite literally!

Talking about the Qtiyapa show, director Raghav Subbu said, “The idea of Eat, Pray…Swipe | Tinder Qtiyapa came from a simple thought of bringing the app to real life. The purpose of this sketch was to bend our rigid cultural taboo against dating apps and make women aware that there are sound and decent men out there at the swipe of a finger.”

Tinder has changed the way people meet and date around the world by bringing the experience of meeting someone new to mobile and pioneering features such as the ‘right swipe’ to express interest and the double opt-in, which requires that both users must express mutual interest to form a connection and chat.

Tinder, country head – India Taru Kapoor added, “Tinder was built to enable users to make new and meaningful connections. The app experience is designed in such a way that puts users solely in control of their interactions while also reducing the fear of rejection. Each day, millions of connections form based on mutual interest on Tinder. We are thrilled to partner with TVF for this sketch that brings alive Tinder’s core promise through the humorous adventures of the lead character.”

The sketch takes viewers through the travails of TVF’s popular actor Jitu aka Harishchandra and the female protagonist Swarnlata. The video also brings to life popular features of Tinder like the ‘Super Like.’

A teaser of the video will be released on the Tinder app as well. The subtle humour will tickle the funny bone as well as bring to life Tinder’s core proposition of making it easier to make new connections.

February 4, 2016
YouTube Red to premiere original content on 10 February

MUMBAI: In the wake of Netflix spreading its wings across the globe, streaming giant YouTube has also stepped up on its original content game with the first batch by YouTube Red Originals all set to premiere on 10 February.

In addition to getting all of YouTube uninterrupted and a premium YouTube Music experience, a YouTube Red membership will now give users exclusive access to new original series and movies from some of YouTube’s top creators. On 10 February, YouTube Red Originals will premiere four movies and shows namely:

1) A Trip to Unicorn Island: From the team at Astronauts Wanted, this feature-length movie gives fans an extraordinary look inside the life and journey of Lilly Singh as she embarks on a challenging 26-city global tour where she has to remember to practice what she preaches: happiness is the only thing worth fighting for.

2) Dance Camp: This feature film from AwesomenessTV weaves an amazing story of unlikely friendships, unleashing passions and discovering yourself all through the power of dance.

3) Lazer Team: In this feature-length action-comedy from Rooster Teeth and Fullscreen Films, four small-town losers stumble upon an alien ship carrying a mysterious cargo, leading to a battle to save Earth from an all-powerful enemy.

4) Scare PewDiePie: In this reality-adventure series from the creator and executive producers of “The Walking Dead” at Skybound Entertainment and Maker Studios, experience thrills, chills and laughter as PewDiePie encounters terrifying situations inspired by his favorite video games.

YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels said, “The diverse, dynamic creators behind these films have already built massive audiences on YouTube, rivaling many cable shows. With YouTube Red Originals, we want to help them tell bigger and bolder stories that delight you, their fans. YouTube Red is your opportunity to support the passion projects your favorite creators have only dreamed about until now. If you haven’t already, sign up here for a YouTube Red membership and the first month is on us.”

Additioanlly, YouTube Red will also be unleashing “lots more thrills, chills, LOLs, smiles, romances and surprises” from more YouTube stars later this year.

February 4, 2016
YouTube Red to premiere original content on 10 February

MUMBAI: In the wake of Netflix spreading its wings across the globe, streaming giant YouTube has also stepped up on its original content game with the first batch by YouTube Red Originals all set to premiere on 10 February.

In addition to getting all of YouTube uninterrupted and a premium YouTube Music experience, a YouTube Red membership will now give users exclusive access to new original series and movies from some of YouTube’s top creators. On 10 February, YouTube Red Originals will premiere four movies and shows namely:

1) A Trip to Unicorn Island: From the team at Astronauts Wanted, this feature-length movie gives fans an extraordinary look inside the life and journey of Lilly Singh as she embarks on a challenging 26-city global tour where she has to remember to practice what she preaches: happiness is the only thing worth fighting for.

2) Dance Camp: This feature film from AwesomenessTV weaves an amazing story of unlikely friendships, unleashing passions and discovering yourself all through the power of dance.

3) Lazer Team: In this feature-length action-comedy from Rooster Teeth and Fullscreen Films, four small-town losers stumble upon an alien ship carrying a mysterious cargo, leading to a battle to save Earth from an all-powerful enemy.

4) Scare PewDiePie: In this reality-adventure series from the creator and executive producers of “The Walking Dead” at Skybound Entertainment and Maker Studios, experience thrills, chills and laughter as PewDiePie encounters terrifying situations inspired by his favorite video games.

YouTube global head of original content Susanne Daniels said, “The diverse, dynamic creators behind these films have already built massive audiences on YouTube, rivaling many cable shows. With YouTube Red Originals, we want to help them tell bigger and bolder stories that delight you, their fans. YouTube Red is your opportunity to support the passion projects your favorite creators have only dreamed about until now. If you haven’t already, sign up here for a YouTube Red membership and the first month is on us.”

Additioanlly, YouTube Red will also be unleashing “lots more thrills, chills, LOLs, smiles, romances and surprises” from more YouTube stars later this year.

February 4, 2016
Sky invests in mobile fan engagement & sports marketing company

MUMBAI: After recently investing in programmatic advertising company DataXu and OTT video company TV4 Entertainment, Sky has now invested ?0.3 million in mobile fan engagement and sports marketing company InCrowd in a bid to help accelerate innovation.

InCrowd, formed by the team behind the sports data company, Opta, specialises in developing mobile apps, offering real time content, match analysis and interactive games, providing clubs and rights holders with a direct way to engage with fans.

Sky Sports will work with InCrowd to explore new ways of delivering the best content to sports fans.

InCrowd has also developed its own connectivity software that sits within its apps, allowing phones to share all available connectivity, rather that compete for it. Any information requested by an app user without a signal can be provided by the network, while the more phones that join the network, the better the solution works.

Sky, which offers fast, reliable connectivity to thousands of venues around the country through its Wi-Fi business, The Cloud, will work with InCrowd to develop in-stadia connectivity even further.

Sky director of corporate development & strategic investments Emma Lloyd said, “This is the latest in a series of investments in pioneering technology companies, which we know bring real benefits to customers. We’re really looking forward to working with InCrowd, a company that shares our passion for innovation, and for finding new and exciting ways to deliver content.”

InCrowd co-founder and CEO Aidan Cooney added, “Sky are world leaders in delivering content to sports fans wherever they are. We’re incredibly excited to be working with them to explore new ways of engaging with fans.”

February 3, 2016