ITV

Category: News Headline

  • Small screen, big dreams as DramaWave and Ananta join storytelling forces

    Small screen, big dreams as DramaWave and Ananta join storytelling forces

    MUMBAI: When stories get shorter, emotions get sharper. In a move set to redefine the global consumption of Indian entertainment, DramaWave, the international platform known for pioneering short-form storytelling, has partnered with Ananta Productions, India’s micro-drama powerhouse, to co-create premium Hindi micro dramas for audiences around the world.

    The collaboration is designed to reshape how global Indian audiences experience stories delivering emotionally charged, high-impact narratives in snackable formats perfectly tailored for today’s fast-scrolling, content-hungry generation.

    Ananta Productions, already a record-setter with over 11,000 plus hours of micro dramas produced across multiple digital platforms, brings to the table its creative agility, production muscle, and deep understanding of human emotion in miniature form. DramaWave, in turn, extends the partnership’s global reach, offering a powerful distribution network and a platform that connects cultures through storytelling.

    “At Ananta, our mission has always been to tell powerful stories that touch hearts across languages and borders. Partnering with DramaWave allows us to take this vision global,” said Anish Surana, underscoring the ambition to push Indian creativity onto the international stage.

    Echoing this sentiment, a DramaWave spokesperson added, “DramaWave believes in connecting cultures through stories. With Ananta Productions, we’ll bring authentic Indian narratives to our global audience in a format that’s contemporary, fast, and emotionally rich.”

    The first slate of Hindi micro dramas is expected to go into production soon, promising a vibrant blend of romance, drama, and slice-of-life storytelling each rooted in Indian emotion yet crafted to strike a universal chord.

    This collaboration marks more than just another content deal; it represents a new era for Indian storytelling where the world’s attention spans may be shrinking, but its appetite for emotion remains boundless.

    With DramaWave’s global lens and Ananta’s storytelling prowess, micro dramas may just become the next big wave in entertainment proof that sometimes, the smallest stories make the biggest impact.

     

  • Frodoh tunes into Cloudtv to amplify India’s connected ad landscape

    Frodoh tunes into Cloudtv to amplify India’s connected ad landscape

    MUMBAI: In a move set to reshape India’s connected TV (CTV) ad space, Frodoh, the fast-rising adtech innovator, has joined forces with Cloudtv, the country’s fastest-growing smart TV operating system, to bring sharper, data-led advertising experiences to millions of living rooms.

    With over 12 million viewers across 250 TV brands, Cloudtv offers one of India’s largest smart TV footprints and now, through Frodoh’s programmatic expertise, that screen time could soon turn into prime ad time. The partnership promises to help brands bridge the widening gap between the broad reach of traditional television and the precision of digital campaigns.

    “CTV advertising unifies fragmented audiences and brings brands closer to where viewers are most engaged on their smart TVs,” said Frodoh founder and CEO Russhabh R Thakkar. “Together with CloudTV, we’re setting the stage for advertisers to explore new levels of visibility and relevance.”

    Echoing that vision, Cloudtv COO and co-founder Abhijeet Rajpurohit said, “Our mission is to redefine the CTV ad landscape in India. Partnering with Frodoh strengthens this mission by combining our OS ecosystem with their deep understanding of CTV demand.”

     

  • Sania Mirza serves up stories and spirit in new IVM podcast

    Sania Mirza serves up stories and spirit in new IVM podcast

    MUMBAI: Game. Set. Chat. Sania Mirza, India’s tennis superstar, is stepping off the court and into the studio with her brand-new podcast “Serving It Up with Sania,” produced by IVM Podcasts. True to its name, the show promises a lively volley of on-court action, off-court candour, and honest conversations served with a side of Sania’s trademark wit and warmth.

    Each episode opens with a quick pickleball match between Sania and her guest, before moving into a no-holds-barred conversation about ambition, burnout, balance, and joy. The idea? To capture the real person behind the public persona, whether the guest is from sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship, or pop culture.

    “Sport has always been my way of connecting with people; it breaks barriers, builds stories, and reveals character,” Sania said. “With my new podcast, I wanted to create a space that’s fun and real, where we can talk about everything from ambition to burnout without filters.”

    Blending competition with connection, ‘Serving It Up’ offers listeners a rare rally of humour, emotion, and unfiltered storytelling. With pickleball’s rising popularity adding a playful edge, the show’s visual-first format makes it as much a watch as a listen, something that sets it apart in India’s rapidly evolving podcasting landscape.

    IVM Podcasts – Pratilipi head Amit Doshi described the show as “a glimpse of where podcasting in India is headed personal, visual, and deeply relatable. Sania’s voice and perspective make these conversations unmissable.”

    IVM Podcasts – Pratilipi co-founder Kavita Rajwade added, “Everyone’s got a podcast, but it’s always fun to see athletes behind the mic. It’s great to see Sania leading this moment for India.”

    The podcast also marks a key collaboration with Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment pvt ltd (CME) CEO and CME Bunty Sajdeh saying, “We’re thrilled to partner with IVM Podcasts and launch ‘Serving It Up with Sania’. Sania’s ability to have honest and vulnerable conversations will make this podcast truly stand out.”

    IVM Podcasts, known for hits like ‘What The Hell Navya’, ‘Cyrus Says’, and ‘Chitthiyaan’, continues to push the boundaries of audio storytelling blending innovation, authenticity, and emotion.

    ‘Serving It Up with Sania’ premieres new episodes weekly, first on Myntra Glamstream, followed by Youtube and major audio streaming platforms.

    So, if you’ve ever wanted to know what happens when a tennis ace trades her racket for a mic, Sania’s ready to serve it fresh, fiery, and full of heart.

     

  • Truth goes prime time as Live Times tops charts in Bihar Jharkhand

    Truth goes prime time as Live Times tops charts in Bihar Jharkhand

    MUMBAI: Looks like truth just found its prime slot. Live Times, India’s first Global Multicast News Channel, has emerged as the No.1 channel in Average Time Spent (ATS) across all age groups, genders, and social segments in the Bihar–Jharkhand market (Week 40), a feat that underscores its growing resonance with viewers hungry for credibility over chaos.

    This milestone is more than just a ratings triumph; it’s a reflection of viewer loyalty, trust, and engagement in a market where attention spans are fiercely contested. As audiences in Bihar and Jharkhand continue to tune in longer, Live Times’ people-first, truth-led journalism is clearly striking the right chord.

    The channel’s programming has been key to this surge. Its flagship show, ‘Live Election Special’, hosted by Deepak Chaurasia every day at 4:00 pm, and the hugely popular ‘Ka Hoi Bihar Ma’, anchored by Ajay from Monday to Sunday at 7:00 pm, have become appointment viewing. With sharp insights, regional focus, and a no-nonsense approach, these shows have built a loyal audience base across both states.

    “This success reinforces our core belief that truth connects people,” said Live Times founder & CEO Dilip Singh. “Viewers in Bihar and Jharkhand have shown their faith in authentic journalism. At Live Times, we remain committed to real news, meaningful conversations, and uncompromised integrity.”

    Founded as India’s first digital-first 24×7 satellite news channel, Live Times has been steadily carving a niche with its multicast model, which combines traditional broadcast depth with digital agility. Its blend of regional relevance, credible storytelling, and tech-driven engagement is setting new standards for how news is consumed and trusted.

    The channel’s growing dominance in ATS indicates that audiences aren’t just watching Live Times; they’re staying with it. That sustained attention in a scroll-happy world is perhaps the clearest endorsement of its promise: news that informs, not inflames.

    As Bihar and Jharkhand turn their eyes (and remotes) toward truthful journalism, one network seems to have cracked the code to connection. With its mix of fearless reportage and relatable storytelling, Live Times isn’t just making headlines, it’s making news matter again.

     

  • Hot flashes, cool conversations as i-Know sparks menopause talk

    Hot flashes, cool conversations as i-Know sparks menopause talk

    MUMBAI: It’s getting hot in here and this time, it’s not just the weather. On World Menopause Day, i-Know, the women’s health brand from Piramal Pharma, has launched a thought-provoking campaign titled #OwnYourMenopause, conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group, to help women put words and warmth to what they’re feeling.

    For far too long, menopause has been the silent chapter in a woman’s story. Its symptoms, confusing, invisible, and often indescribable can leave many feeling isolated. The campaign tackles that silence head-on, giving women a new language to express their experiences and encouraging open dialogue about a life stage too often brushed under the carpet.

    At the heart of #OwnYourMenopause are stories drawn from real women navigating perimenopause and menopause. Using clever, metaphor-led storytelling, the films translate the unspoken: brain fog becomes the moment one forgets where the salt container is, while hot flashes are likened to “global warming” inside one’s body. These vivid visuals bring to life the humour, confusion, and humanity of the experience reminding women that they’re not alone, and that what they feel has a name, a reason, and help at hand.

    As part of this initiative, i-Know spotlights its Menopause Testing Kit, a simple, home-based urine test that detects elevated Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels, a key indicator of menopause onset. It’s a small but powerful step towards helping women take control of their health with confidence and clarity.

    “True healthcare goes beyond products; it starts with awareness and empathy,” said Piramal Consumer Healthcare VP marketing Abhishek Kr. Srivastava. “With i-Know, we want to normalise a conversation that has been silent for far too long.”

    Adding to that DDB Mudra Group creative director Mahima Mathur shared, “Most women we spoke to began their menopause journey in confusion, not conversation. These stories inspired by real testimonials are meant to make it easier to talk, to understand, and to turn a lonely journey into a shared one.”

    The campaign, produced by Boathouse Media and directed by Taaha Quadri, features contributions from creatives Mahima Mathur, Shalmali Sawant, Rhea Kumar, Harshada Shinde, and Payel Pramanik, with strategy led by Menaka Menon, Sanjana Chetan, and Navya Anil.

    With #OwnYourMenopause, i-Know continues its mission to empower women with knowledge across every phase of life from fertility to menopause and beyond. Because sometimes, owning your story starts with finding the words to tell it.

     

  • Amagi appoints Hyukmo Mun to lead cloud broadcast growth in Korea

    Amagi appoints Hyukmo Mun to lead cloud broadcast growth in Korea

    MUMBAI: The cloud is rolling over Korea and it’s bringing Amagi with it. The cloud-based SaaS powerhouse for broadcast and streaming TV has announced the appointment of Hyukmo Mun as sales director for Korea, marking another bold step in its expansion across East and Southeast Asia.

    In his new role, Hyukmo will lead Amagi’s business growth in Korea, while also fuelling opportunities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam, a region fast becoming the epicentre of cloud-led broadcast transformation.

    With more than 18 years in the media and broadcast trenches, Hyukmo’s credentials are as solid as they come. From helping Korean broadcasters embrace advanced video compression at ATEME, to spearheading AI-powered cloud migration at Megazone Cloud, he’s been at the frontline of broadcast evolution.

    Now, at Amagi, Hyukmo’s mission is clear to help broadcasters and content owners transition to cloud-native playout and monetisation models that promise agility, efficiency, and new revenue streams in an increasingly digital-first world.

    “I’m thrilled to join Amagi at a time when broadcasters and content owners in Asia are accelerating their move to the cloud,” said Amagi sales director for Korea Hyukmo Mun. “With Amagi’s deep expertise in cloud-native broadcast and monetisation, I look forward to helping customers modernise operations, improve agility, and unlock new revenue opportunities.”

    Welcoming the appointment Amagi senior vice president for Asia Pacific Jay Ganesan noted, “Hyukmo’s appointment reinforces our commitment to the Korean and broader Asia Pacific markets. His extensive experience across broadcast, IPTV, and cloud transformation makes him an invaluable addition as we expand Amagi’s footprint and support customers in their journey toward next-generation cloud broadcasting.”

    Founded in 2008, Amagi has become a global force in cloud-based media delivery powering over 7,000 channel deliveries and enabling 26 billion ad impressions worldwide. From traditional broadcasters to next-gen streamers, the company is redefining how content travels from studio to screen.

    For Amagi, the addition of Hyukmo isn’t just another leadership move, it’s a strategic acceleration. As Asia’s broadcasters race to modernise, Amagi’s mix of cloud innovation and local expertise could make it the region’s go-to tech ally.

    Looks like the Korean wave just got a cloud upgrade and Amagi is ready to ride it.

     

  • Aakarsh Gupta takes charge as head of operations at Nas Daily

    Aakarsh Gupta takes charge as head of operations at Nas Daily

    MUMBAI: Looks like Nas Daily’s storytelling engine just found its new navigator. Aakarsh Gupta, the man who’s helped power billions of views and stories across continents, has been elevated to head of operations (global) at Nas Daily, where he’ll now lead 1000 Media, the company’s sister arm that crafts social media content for brands worldwide.

    Over the past three years, Aakarsh has been one of the key architects of Nas Daily’s global rise, steering production teams that helped the platform cross 10 billion views and execute shoots in over 50 countries, from Sudan and Mongolia to Ecuador and Cuba. His work on projects like the “Religion Challenge” series pushed creative and cultural boundaries, blending storytelling with social exploration.

    Before joining Nas Daily, Aakarsh worked with global powerhouses like Netflix, National Geographic, and Dubai Tourism, creating campaigns that inspired curiosity and human connection. His storytelling lens has always been global but his approach deeply personal.

    Speaking about his new role, Aakarsh Gupta said, “At Nas Daily, everything we do is about connection people, ideas, and stories. My goal is to make our operations as creative and agile as our content. Because when our teams move fast and feel inspired, we create stories that bring the world a little closer together.”

    As head of operations, Aakarsh’s next chapter will see him scale Nas Daily’s creative ecosystem streamlining workflows, mentoring creators, and ensuring every story travels faster, farther, and with purpose.

    With Aakarsh at the helm, Nas Daily seems ready to turn every 1-minute story into a masterclass in global storytelling.

     

  • WPP faces twin lawsuits as media arm stumbles

    WPP faces twin lawsuits as media arm stumbles

    NEW YORK: WPP, the world’s biggest advertising group, is being sued by investors who reckon the company misled them about the state of its struggling media business. Two class-action lawsuits—one from Rosen Law Firm, another from Glancy Prongay & Murray—have reportedly been filed against the British giant, both chasing shareholders who bought American depositary shares between 27 February and 8 July 2025.

    The complaints claim WPP painted a rosy picture whilst hiding an ugly truth: that its media arm, formerly called GroupM and now renamed WPP Media, was losing ground to rivals and couldn’t hack the tough economic climate. On 9 July, the firm finally admitted that performance had “deteriorated” through the second quarter, blaming “macro uncertainty” and “weaker net new business” alongside “distraction” from restructuring its media operations.

    Investors weren’t amused. The shares plunged $6.48—an 18.1 per cent drop—to close at $29.34. The lawsuits allege that WPP’s upbeat statements lacked any reasonable basis and that executives concealed the media division’s market-share losses.

    Both firms are now racing to recruit a lead plaintiff before the 8 December deadline. Rosen Law Firm, which boasts of securing the largest-ever securities settlement against a Chinese company, says investors may be entitled to compensation without upfront costs. Glancy Prongay & Murray is pitching a similar deal.
    No class has been certified yet, and shareholders needn’t do anything to remain part of the action. But if they fancy leading the charge, they’d better move fast. WPP’s troubles, it seems, are only just beginning to bite.

  • Sportel: Sports media’s power players converge in Monaco for dealmaking and AI debates

    Sportel: Sports media’s power players converge in Monaco for dealmaking and AI debates

    MONACO: Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum became the epicentre of sports media wheeling and dealing this week as Sportel Monaco wrapped its 35th edition. Over three frenetic days, 2,000 executives from 70 countries—nearly half of them C-suite types—descended on 8,500 square metres of reimagined exhibition space to chase rights deals, scout technology and forge the partnerships that will define how the world watches sport.

    The numbers tell the story of an industry in flux: 795 companies turned up, including 155 newcomers, with content buyers making up a third of attendees. Americans showed up in force this year, breaking Europe’s traditional stranglehold on the event. The marketplace buzzed with talk of generative AI, cloud workflows and how to keep fans glued to screens in an age of infinite distraction.

    The conference summit brought heavy hitters to the stage. Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, delivered a keynote whilst panels dissected everything from private equity’s invasion of sport to live broadcasting technology. Liverpool Football Club, Fox Sports Australia, the Bundesliga and upstart leagues like Kings League all sent their top brass to explain how they’re navigating the streaming wars and tech disruption.

    But Sportel isn’t just talk. Prince Albert II of Monaco showed up to unveil the RaceBird Monaco, the official boat of Team Monaco E1, alongside series founder Alejandro Agag. Hexagone MMA announced a €100,000 tournament series. Protocol Group launched a new consultancy arm for broadcast technology. Globecast, GlobalM and World Curling revealed a cloud-based collaboration. The deals kept coming.

    The event also made a splash with its revamped Sportel Sports Bar—an informal hub designed to turn casual chats into seven-figure contracts—and a well-attended women’s lunch featuring Alexis Ohanian of 776, marathon legend Paula Radcliffe and NBA executive Fiona Wong.

    “Sportel is not just a conference, it’s a global marketplace,” said executive director Loris Menoni summing up three days of handshakes, presentations and backroom negotiations. “We’re proud to have built an ecosystem where business flows naturally and future-defining partnerships are born.”

    The roadshow rolls on. Sportel Singapore takes over the Orchard Hotel on 24-25 March 2026, before the expo returns to Monaco next October. Expect more dealmaking, more disruption and plenty more sports executives nursing hangovers after late night networking.

  • India’s information ministry wages war on clutter as Diwali clean-up campaign hits fifth year

    India’s information ministry wages war on clutter as Diwali clean-up campaign hits fifth year

    NEW DELHI: India’s ministry of information and broadcasting has turned spring cleaning into a competitive sport. Armed with bin bags and a zeal for decluttering, the ministry and its field offices have spent the first fortnight of October purging files, scrapping vehicles and flogging off mountains of metal—all in the name of Special Campaign 5.0, the government’s latest push to institutionalise cleanliness and slash bureaucratic bloat.

    The campaign, which kicked off on 2 October, has already produced impressive tallies. The ministry has conducted 493 outdoor campaigns, cleaned 973 spots and condemned 104 vehicles to the scrapyard. Some 143,000 kg of scrap have been disposed of, generating Rs 34.27 lakh in revenue and freeing up 8,007 sq ft of space—enough to house a small army of civil servants, or at least their paperwork.

    The assault on pendency has been equally vigorous. Officials have reviewed 13,900 physical files, weeding out 3,957, and tackled 585 electronic files, closing 165. A total of 301 public grievances, 57 appeals, 16 parliamentary references, two state government references and one prime minister’s office reference have also been cleared—proof that even the most entrenched bureaucratic backlog can be shifted with sufficient motivation.

    The ministry has deployed teams of officers to field offices across the country to oversee progress, ensuring that the campaign’s lofty goals—enhanced workplace cleanliness, increased productivity and responsible e-waste management—are met with more than just lip service.

    Diwali, the festival of lights, traditionally inspires Indians to scrub their homes and workplaces in anticipation of prosperity. The ministry is clearly hoping that disposing of dead weight will do the same for government efficiency. Whether the momentum lasts beyond the campaign’s end date remains to be seen—but for now, at least, India’s information bureaucracy is lighter, leaner and Rs 34 lakh richer.