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Category: News Headline

  • 40 years of Discovery: A legacy of wonder, knowledge & storytelling

    40 years of Discovery: A legacy of wonder, knowledge & storytelling

    MUMBAI: Thirty years ago, Discovery arrived in India as more than just a TV channel — it was a portal to worlds unseen, ideas unexplored, and stories untold. As Discovery turns 40 globally, the brand marks three transformative decades in India — celebrating its evolution  into a global storytelling powerhouse. Discovery continues to inspire curiosity, captivating audiences with its distinctive blend of education, adventure, and entertainment.

    From the early days of Discovery Atlas, Beyond 2000, Man vs Wild and the mind-bending MythBusters, it was never just television, it was education, inspiration and a gateway to global and local realities. From classrooms to living rooms, science labs to film studios, Discovery’s influence has transcended screens, shaping careers, expanding worldviews, and telling the stories of conservation, innovation, and cultural heritage like no one else.

    Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia MD Arjun Nohwar emphasises the impact, “For over three decades, Discovery has sparked imaginations, encouraged critical thinking, and created programming that left a mark in India. As we look ahead, our vision is to keep evolving with our audience, creating meaningful, relevant and future-forward content that continues to fuel India’s boundless curiosity. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the journey of these 30 years – it’s only with all your support that we are here today, gearing up for several more decades ahead.”

    In a country as diverse and dynamic as India, Discovery found powerful resonance through locally rooted stories. Shows like Breaking Point, Mission Frontline, India’s Paratroopers: Earning the Badge, Ladakh Warriors, Women Fighter Pilots, Journey of India, Revealed Franchise (Rashtrapati Bhavan & Siachen), Legends Franchise (Ramayana & Shiva), Secrets Franchise (Kohinoor, Sinauli & Buddha Relics), My Daughter Joined a Cult, Money Mafia, Hunt for India Mujahideen and Into The Wild with Bear Grylls, brought global scale production and storytelling formats deeply into Indian narratives. 
    Over the last three decades, Discovery has told the stories of the armed forces, collaborated with environmentalists, spotlighted women leaders, taken viewers from dense rainforests to war zones, from remote villages to cutting-edge laboratories, always with a factual lens and a wide-angle view.

    Warner Bros. Discovery South Asia head of content Sai Abhishek added, “For 30 years in India, Discovery has been a storyteller without boundaries — unearthing ancient archaeology, tracking wild animals in their natural habitats, venturing into the mysteries of space, exploring the depth of mythology, celebrating diverse cultures, capturing India’s defence might, and chronicling history as it unfolds. From riveting reality shows to awe-inspiring documentaries, we’ve brought local stories that entertain, enlighten, and endure. This anniversary isn’t just about looking back — it’s about continuing to surprise our viewers with stories exploring extraordinary new worlds.”

    To celebrate this milestone, Discovery has launched ‘My Discovery’, a nostalgic and people-powered campaign. On-air, the celebrations come alive every Saturday and Sunday at 6 PM all through the month of August, with a specially curated line-up of some of the channel’s most beloved titles. Under Extreme Action, audiences can relive the high-octane chaos of Destroyed in Seconds, which first premiered in 2008. Science & Innovation returns with the mechanical wonders of Extreme Machines from 1997 and the slow-motion revelations of Time Warp, which stunned viewers in 2008. Discovery Atlas: India Revealed – part of the celebrated 2007 documentary series, journeys deep into the country’s soul, offering a rich Cultural Lens. The thrill of Survival Against Odds plays out in Storm Chasers (2007), Junkyard Wars (1998), and the visceral storytelling of I Shouldn’t Be Alive: Science of Survival from 2005. Lastly, the impact of Human Endeavour shines through Doing Da Vinci, which brought Renaissance inventions to life in 2009, and Really Big Things (2007), alongside the gripping real-life rescues of Call 911 (2008). Each title is a window into the legacy Discovery has built, one story at a time.

    Beyond television, the #MyDiscovery campaign extends to social and digital platforms, inviting people to share how Discovery has sparked curiosity and shaped their lives. Through milestone moments, archival footage, and personal stories, the campaign taps into collective nostalgia while celebrating the enduring impact of Discovery’s storytelling. 
    For the past 30 years Discovery has been bringing stories of the world to India, and from India to the world. Continuing to reinvent itself, Discovery not only brings its rich library to audiences through its linear channel, but also showcases its commitment to cutting-edge technology by delivering content on its OTT platform, Discovery+. This allows fans to enjoy its stories anytime, anywhere, on the go. Today, with fresh formats and an expanded focus on regional storytelling, creator-led collaborations, and deeper integrations across digital platforms, Discovery is ready for its next frontier. 
    As part of the #MyDiscovery campaign, journey through inspiring stories brought to life by Discovery India — now on Instagram at:

     

     

  • Uniqlo launches new campaign with Rahul Dravid

    Uniqlo launches new campaign with Rahul Dravid

    MUMBAI: Global apparel retailer Uniqlo announced the launch of its new campaign, ‘Everyday Wear for Mr. Dependable’, starring former cricketer Rahul Dravid. The campaign highlights Uniqlo’s signature LifeWear philosophy, clothing designed to support all aspects of modern life with simplicity, comfort, and quality through two of its core products – the breathable AIRism Polo Shirt and the crisp Super Non Iron Shirt.

    Speaking about the campaign, Rahul Dravid said, “Being a part of the UNIQLO campaign is special as it reflects both sides of who I am in my regular daily life. I’ve always believed in keeping things simple and consistent, in sports and in life. Uniqlo fits into every version of my day – it’s simple, comfortable and functional.”

    In this special collaboration, Rahul Dravid steps into the spotlight, bringing Uniqlo’s comfort-focused clothing to life in a way that reflects his personality and daily routine.  

    In the campaign film, Dravid is seen in two effortlessly stylish modes: as his on-field self in the Uniqlo AIRism Polo Shirt, strolling past the nets as a coach; and as his off-field self in the Uniqlo Super Non Iron Shirt, heading out for a family dinner. Through a playful split-screen exchange between the two ‘Dravids’, the film underscores how UNIQLO clothing is dependable and versatile for every moment of the day.

    “We are very pleased to collaborate with the cricket legend,” said Uniqlo India marketing director Nidhi Rastogi. “Rahul Dravid represents the same consistency, simplicity, and quiet confidence that Uniqlo embodies. Through this campaign we showcase the two sides of Rahul Dravid, the coach on the field and the family man off field, showcasing that Uniqlo is a dependable choice of clothing for your everyday life”.

    As part of the 360° rollout, the campaign goes live across digital, social, CRM, in-store, and outdoor platforms starting August 18. The campaign will also feature a first-of-its-kind AR (augmented reality) experience activation at Uniqlo’s new store opening at Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bengaluru on August 29, where customers can engage with a life-sized virtual version of Rahul Dravid through an interactive, tech-enabled zone.

    The Uniqlo store at Orion Mall, Brigade Gateway, Bengaluru, is set to launch on 29 August 2025.

  • Zee Entertainment bets big on micro-dramas and streaming distribution

    Zee Entertainment bets big on micro-dramas and streaming distribution

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises is placing a Rs 90 crore wager on the future of India’s fragmented media landscape, betting that micro-dramas and consolidated distribution will unlock new revenue streams as audiences scatter across platforms.

    The company’s board approved investments in optionally convertible debentures of two recently incorporated subsidiaries on 14 August. The bigger bet—Rs 50 crore—goes to ZBullet Enterprises, launched just two months ago to develop “Bullet,” a micro-drama application targeting younger viewers with bite-sized series. The remaining Rs 40 crore will flow to Advance Media Distribution Ltd (AMDL), a wholly owned subsidiary designed to consolidate Zee’s entire content distribution empire.

    AMDL represents the more strategic play. The new entity will handle distribution for all Zee Entertainment and Zee Media channels, plus the company’s streaming platform Zee5. It will also take over distribution of Watcho, an over-the-top platform owned by DTH operator Dish TV that Zee currently distributes. Beyond its parent company’s assets, AMDL plans to distribute third-party television channels and streaming services on a commission basis.

    The consolidation strategy follows a well-trodden path in Indian broadcasting. Zee previously shifted its television distribution to Taj TV before bringing it back in-house. Viacom18, now merged with Star India, operated through IndiaCast, while Sony Pictures Networks manages distribution through its own subsidiary.
    The logic is compelling: as audiences consume content across both traditional television and digital platforms simultaneously, a unified distribution approach promises to unlock subscription revenue from both streams. The move also positions Zee to serve smaller channels and streaming platforms that lack the resources and expertise to manage complex distribution arrangements themselves.

    ZBullet’s micro-drama focus, meanwhile, mirrors successful platforms in China where ultra-short episodic content has captivated mobile-first audiences. For a company built on Bollywood films and Hindi soap operas, the shift towards smartphone-friendly formats represents a significant strategic pivot.

    Neither venture has generated revenue yet, with both still preparing to commence operations. The investments will be made in tranches as business plans are finalised. But the timing suggests Zee recognises that India’s entertainment future belongs to companies that can master both content creation and distribution across every conceivable platform.

  • Siddarth Shahani joins IN10 Media Network as head of finance

    Siddarth Shahani joins IN10 Media Network as head of finance

    MUMBAI: IN10 Media Network has appointed Siddarth Shahani as head of finance. A chartered accountant with more than 24 years in the trade, Shahani will take charge of the network’s holding company and five subsidiaries.

    He moves from Barc India, where as financial controller he ran a 15-member team overseeing billing, treasury, taxation and payables. There, he drove compliance, streamlined processes, secured better foreign exchange rates and steered a Big Four audit.

    His earlier stints include senior finance roles at Daymon, Laqshya Media Group, Tops Security, Landor and Siemens, along with audit tenures at EY, KPMG and PwC.

    Shahani, known for his hands-on style and process rigour, is expected to bring tighter controls and sharper strategy to IN10 Media’s expanding portfolio.

  • Gautam Jain takes charge as lead of content development at Sony Sab

    Gautam Jain takes charge as lead of content development at Sony Sab

    MUMBAI – Gautam Jain has been appointed lead, content development, at Sony SAB, part of Sony Pictures Networks India. A media and entertainment hand with more than 17 years in the trade, Jain has built his career across content strategy, marketing, consumer insights and business growth.

    He has previously helmed consulting projects at Amenic Entertainment and spent over a decade at Ormax Media, where he rose to partner and business head of film. Earlier, he worked with Mirchi Movies on production, marketing and distribution.

    Armed with a PGDM from Mica and an engineering degree from Walchand Institute of Technology, Jain is known for driving innovation and expansion—delivering a 25 per cent compound annual growth rate in revenue on past mandates. 

    At Sony SAB, he is expected to channel that experience into shaping new stories for the general entertainment channel.

  • Raj Kamal Singh, sports television’s reluctant pioneer passes on

    Raj Kamal Singh, sports television’s reluctant pioneer passes on

    Raj Kamal Singh, known simply as RK to friends and protégés, never quite fit the mould he was born into. A Haryana-cadre bureaucrat with the air of a genial civil servant, he somehow found himself reshaping Indian broadcasting in the 1990s. First came DD Metro, conjured up with Rathikant Basu and Urmilla Gupta to inject a dash of freshness into the government-owned Doordarshan’s lumbering edifice Then came ESPN India, and later ESPN Star Sports — ventures that took him from government files to live sport, a journey no “babu” had probably attempted before.

    At ESPN’s makeshift south Delhi office in the early days — a converted garment-export bungalow with half a floor to itself — Singh presided over what would become a generation-defining team. “He was the reason I found my calling in television,” recalls Anurag Dahiya, now the ICC’s chief commercial officer, who was one of the early recruits. RK, he said, was the avuncular figure in a scrappy start-up atmosphere, a mentor who mixed bureaucratic calm with private-sector mischief. He helped build up a pay television business for ESPN in cable television’s infant days. 

    “For us, he was an approachable CEO. (We could) walk into his cabin – just like a friend. (He was fond of) taking us for bowling…Opening his house for parties along with his loving wife and kids. (We went for) river rafting trips, His famous lassi During lunch that was open to all – endless memories that we all forever cherish with him – shining our careers,” adds NDTV special projects associate vice-president Rachna Oberoi. 

    Later came Zee Telefilms, where Singh sparred with cable operators, shrugged off boardroom spats and, with a trademark guffaw, told anyone who fretted: “It’s all part of business. You can’t take it very seriously. It will get sorted out.” It usually did.

    Colleagues remember a man who taught by example rather than sermon. Many he hired went on to lead, or to found, sports businesses across the globe. His greatest legacy was not the channels he ran, but the people he groomed.

    Eventually he walked away from the industry altogether, setting up a lodge in the forest  (if we have got it right) — a suitably idiosyncratic ending for a man who had long made light of television’s supposed seriousness. On 15 August he died of a heart attack, aged 75.

    The sports-broadcasting world owes him more than it realises. RK would probably chuckle at the thought, suited and booted as he was vaunt to be, dismiss the fuss, and pour another drink.

  • Applause Entertainment marks eight years with bigger bets

    Applause Entertainment marks eight years with bigger bets

    MUMBAI: Eight years may seem young, but Kumarmangalam Birla-owned, Sameer Nair-led Applause Entertainment has already muscled into the top tier of India’s content business. Since its 2017 launch, the studio has churned out more than 50 original series, films and documentaries across every major streamer — from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5 and Sony Liv.

    Operating on what it calls a “hub and spoke” model, Applause invests upfront in content, collaborates with producers such as Banijay Asia, BBC Studios, Rose Audiovisuals and Emmay Entertainment, and then syndicates the finished work to platforms worldwide. Its catalogue includes both original dramas and Indian adaptations of acclaimed books and international formats.

    After shaking up the digital series  market, Applause has shifted gears into films with titles like Iftikaar, The Rapist and Aruvi. It has also launched Applause Productions, whose debut project is the Indian remake of Fauda. In animation, it has struck an exclusive deal with Amar Chitra Katha to reimagine 400-plus comics for global audiences and under the Appla Toon brand on YouTube.

    It recently partnered with author Jeffrey Archer to adapt his books into series or movies. 

    Nair has built a seasoned team backing him up, with Deepak Segal as chief creative officer, Prasoon Garg as chief business officer, Sunil Chainani heading films, Maansi Darrbar heading Applause Productions,  Siddharth Khaitan heading special projects like Gandhi and Scam, and Devnidhi Bajoria overseeing marketing.

    With scores of projects in the pipeline, the studio is plotting a push beyond India into documentaries, infotainment and even gaming.

    Eight years in, Applause is just clearing its throat. And loving the viewing audience’s critics’  applause.

  • Renault splashes Delhi airport with giant pop-art tribute

    Renault splashes Delhi airport with giant pop-art tribute

    NEW DELHI: Renault India has turned heads at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport with a 30 foot by 30 foot hand-painted installation unveiled on Independence Day.

    The work, created with artist collective Doodle Mapuls, reimagines the capital’s landmarks through the prism of street art, music and youth culture. The riot of colour is billed as a “pop-futuristic narrative” — a mash-up of nostalgia and optimism reflecting the brand’s Renault.Rethink philosophy.

    Planted squarely on the route to terminal 3, the mural is impossible to miss. With millions passing by, the carmaker is betting its bold fusion of tradition and modernity will resonate well beyond the airport walls.

  • Abhijit Kishore named Vodafone Idea’s new chief executive

    Abhijit Kishore named Vodafone Idea’s new chief executive

    MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea has appointed Abhijit Kishore as its new chief executive officer. A long-time company insider, Kishore has spent more than five years in senior roles at the struggling carrier, including chief operating officer and chief enterprise business officer.

    Before joining Vodafone Idea, he held leadership positions at Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications, steering mobility, enterprise and circle operations across key markets. Over two decades in telecoms, Kishore has managed P&Ls from Kerala to Gujarat, notching up operational turnarounds and enterprise growth.

    An alumnus of Delhi University and the Fore School of Management, he has sharpened his management credentials with stints at IIM Ahmedabad and London Business School. His appointment comes as Vodafone Idea wrestles with heavy debt, a bruising price war and the need to raise capital for 5G roll-out.

  • Batman goes electric in India as Mahindra and Warner Bros. roll out caped crusader SUV

    Batman goes electric in India as Mahindra and Warner Bros. roll out caped crusader SUV

    MUMBAI: Holy horsepower, Batman. India has just driven into comic-book history.

    In a feat more Gotham than Gurgaon, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd and Warner Bros. Discovery have pulled off what few in the automotive or licensing world would dare attempt: the launch of the world’s first Batman-inspired electric SUV.

    The BE.06 Batman Edition – unveiled at an invite-only spectacle at the Fairmont Mumbai – is less a motorcar and more a muscle-bound statement on wheels. Cloaked in midnight black, bristling with Gotham swagger, and infused with design nods to DC’s brooding vigilante, the car is being billed as a “collector’s dream” – though for now it will be available only to Indian buyers.

    What makes the story remarkable is not just the branding but the breakneck speed. From concept sketch to drivable reality in just 45 days – the blink of a Bat-signal – the project has stunned both motoring and licensing circles. In an industry where even minor editions can crawl through months of approvals, this was, as one executive put it, “execution at bat-out-of-hell pace.”

    Warner Bros. Discovery’s theatrical business in India vice-president and managing director Denzil Dias framed the launch as a landmark moment for both sides of the partnership. “From Gotham vibes to Mumbai drives — presenting the world’s first Batman-inspired electric SUV, born from a stunning collaboration between Mahindra Group and Warner Bros. Discovery India,” he said. “This isn’t just a car — it’s a statement. A symbol of India’s rising power on the global stage of innovation.”

    He added: “A first for India. A milestone for Warner Bros. Discovery. A proud moment for Mahindra. And a statement to the world. Bravo, team — you didn’t just launch a car, you launched a collector’s dream.”

    The applause has been shared widely. At Mahindra, design supremo Pratap Bose is credited with sketching the dream, while colleagues Preet Inder Singh Kahlon, Salil Pawar, Reeti Nageshri, Nalinikanth Gollagunta and Rajesh Jejurikar gave it wheels. On the Warner Bros. side, Anand Singh and his South Asia consumer products crew – Sanchayeeta Choudhury, Ushaa Rai, Kartikeya Ahluwalia and Gitanjli A. – worked in lockstep with DC’s global franchise chiefs Adam Bodenstein and Kevin Morris. Vikram Sharma, Warner Bros.’s Asia-Pacific consumer products boss, was hailed as the “North Star,” with India leadership – Arjun Nohwar,  Dias himself, and Deepa Sridhar – offering ballast. The seed was planted, fittingly enough, by SuperCorp’s Ada Garg and Yashovardhan Ganeriwala.

    For Warner Bros., the partnership burnishes DC’s global franchise in a market hungry for pop culture tie-ins. For Mahindra, it injects the glamour of Gotham into its electric-vehicle play. The symbolism is plain: India is not merely consuming global brands, but shaping them, turning fantasy into factory output at speed.

    The car is limited in availability, but not in symbolism. Like Batman himself, it is equal parts myth and machine, equal parts statement and story. To borrow from Bruce Wayne’s world: sometimes the car doesn’t just get you from A to B – it makes you believe the impossible.