ITV

Category: News Headline

  • When Gods Meet the Grid JioStar’s AI Mahabharat Rewrites Epic History

    When Gods Meet the Grid JioStar’s AI Mahabharat Rewrites Epic History

    MUMBAI: When Arjuna draws his bow this time, even the algorithms hold their breath. JioStar’s Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh is here to prove that when ancient mythology meets artificial intelligence, the result can be divine disruption.

    In an era when filmmakers worldwide are wrestling with AI’s role in creativity, JioStar has galloped ahead of the chariot line. Its latest web series, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh, uses AI not as a gimmick but as a guiding force to reimagine India’s most revered epic for a new generation. The show’s trailer already hints at a visual spectacle that fuses emotion with engineering where machine intelligence breathes new life into gods, warriors, and moral dilemmas that have shaped Indian thought for millennia.

    Launching on JioHotstar on 25 October and premiering on Star Plus on 26 October, the first instalment spans 100 episodes, inviting viewers to relive the dynastic war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas now rendered with astonishing realism and cinematic scale. The AI-assisted production doesn’t just recreate battles and palaces; it reconstructs the soul of the Mahabharata itself, translating its philosophical weight into a modern, immersive visual language.

    “For many of us, the Mahabharat is more than just a story; it’s the tales we grew up hearing from our parents and grandparents,” said Collective Artists Network founder and group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. “With AI Mahabharat, we get to experience those same timeless stories in a completely new way, brought to life through the power of modern AI technology. The trailer is just a glimpse of what’s ahead emotional, grand, and immersive.”

    The collaboration between creative storytellers and machine intelligence lies at the heart of JioStar’s latest leap. JioStar CEO of entertainment Kevin Vaz called it “a fusion of a timeless epic and machine intelligence that mirrors the spirit of a new India.” He added, “Through this series, we’re building a bridge between tradition and the future, proving that our oldest and most revered stories can still be our most futuristic yet.”

    The show stands as a technological and cultural statement that India’s storytelling tradition can evolve without losing its soul. For a generation raised on screens and scrolls, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh offers not just nostalgia, but a rebirth of mythology in pixels and code.

    From Krishna’s counsel to Karna’s tragedy, every scene is rendered with AI precision yet retains the heart of human conflict and emotion. If JioStar’s gamble pays off, Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh may just mark the beginning of a new genre, one where myth meets machine, and creativity becomes truly infinite.

    Because when the Gita meets the grid, destiny isn’t just written, it’s rendered.

  • Thomas Cook India partners Gen s Life to expand senior travel portfolio

    Thomas Cook India partners Gen s Life to expand senior travel portfolio

    MUMBAI: As India’s silver economy shines brighter, Thomas Cook (India) Limited is strengthening its focus on the growing community of senior travellers. The company is expanding its senior travel segment through product innovation and strategic tie-ups, recognising the increasing aspirations of India’s 55 plus population.

    According to the Pwc-Asli senior care report 2024 and Unfpa 2023, India’s senior population (aged 60 and above) is projected to reach 347 million by 2050, accounting for 21 per cent of the total population. With higher disposable incomes and more leisure time, this demographic is emerging as a powerful travel segment that values comfort, safety and meaningful experiences.

    To engage this audience, Thomas Cook India has partnered with Gen s Life, a leading lifestyle and community platform for the 55 plus demographic. As part of the collaboration, the two brands will host a free educational webinar titled “Making pilgrimage travel easy & enjoyable for 55 plus” on 29 October at 11 am on Zoom.

    The session will feature choreographer and traveller Sandip Soparrkar, along with Thomas Cook’s expert tour managers, sharing travel insights, health guidance and destination tips tailored for senior travellers. Attendees will also gain exclusive access to customised pilgrimage packages and special senior group offers.

    Drawing from its extensive spiritual circuits across India and the subcontinent including Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Bodh Gaya, Pokhara, Tirupati and Rameswaram, Thomas Cook India aims to make pilgrimages more comfortable and enriching. Features include guided tours, vip darshans, AC transfers, and aerial Char Dham helicopter journeys that complete the pilgrimage in four days, reducing fatigue compared to traditional road trips.

    The brand’s ‘Pilgrimage plus’ portfolio reimagines spiritual travel as a holistic experience, blending darshans with cultural immersion, from sunset views on the Ganges to local culinary trails and artisan village visits.

    In addition, Thomas Cook India is set to launch specialised group tours for seniors to international destinations, offering elder-friendly hotels, porterage, curated meals, entertainment evenings and easy-access transport.

    “In India, the silver economy is expanding rapidly with rising longevity, digital inclusion and higher discretionary income,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited MICE, Visa president & country head, holidays Rajeev Kale. “Seniors today are confident and eager to explore. Our partnership with Gen S Life combines our travel expertise with their understanding of senior lifestyles to create inclusive and empowering experiences.”

    Gen s Life founder Meenakshi Menon added, “For many seniors, a pilgrimage is deeply personal, but logistics can be a deterrent. This partnership brings together safety, convenience and community, enabling seniors to travel with confidence.”

    With over 40,000 app downloads and 15,000 plus registered users, Gen s Life provides curated services for the 55 plus community, covering health, finance, wellness, safety and travel. The collaboration with Thomas Cook aims to ensure that India’s senior travellers continue to explore the world, comfortably, confidently, and with a sense of connection.
     

  • Big Blue Marble launches managed TV-as-a-service for global operators

    Big Blue Marble launches managed TV-as-a-service for global operators

    MUMBAI: Big Blue Marble, the international media technology brand formed by Austria’s ORS group and video streaming experts Insys VT, has unveiled a new managed end-to-end TV-as-a-service platform designed for cable operators and OTT service providers worldwide.

    The platform is built to empower Tier 2 and Tier 3 operators with a ready-to-deploy, multi-tenant service model that allows customisation to reflect each operator’s brand and offering, while delivering a seamless and modern entertainment experience to viewers.

    At the core of the platform lies the 3ready Framework from 3 Screen Solutions (3SS), which powers the viewer-centric Android TV custom launcher and applications for Android TV, Samsung, and LG Smart TV platforms. Meanwhile, SEI Robotics provides the hardware foundation with its cost-effective Android TV-based set-top boxes (STBs).

    “We are so excited to launch our new TV-as-a-Service platform and empower more and more service providers to take their TV service businesses to the next level,” said Big Blue Marble Group chief customer officer Thomas Langsenlehner.

    The newly introduced Android TV STB from SEI Robotics is designed for reliability and essential functionality, featuring an Amlogic 5th generation Soc, 3gb RAM, and 16gb flash storage. Together, these components enable a smooth, high-performance viewing experience.

    The platform’s comprehensive configuration capabilities allow service providers to tailor the user interface and functionality to their brand. Smaller operators can benefit from economies of scale while gaining access to proven technology across both hardware and software. Subscribers, in turn, can expect intuitive navigation, rich content discovery, and consistent streaming performance.

    The collaboration also marks a continuation of Big Blue Marble’s partnership with 3SS, which began five years ago. “We’re extremely proud that Big Blue Marble continues to trust the 3SS team to help deliver superior OTT entertainment to operators all around the globe,” said 3SS managing director Kai-Christian Borchers.

    Adding to that, SEI Robotics CEO Jeff Yin, commented, “Both regional and local operators are now gaining a powerful opportunity to differentiate and provide their service providers with advanced and proven set-top box technology that enhances first-rate entertainment experiences.”

    With this new venture, Big Blue Marble is positioning itself as a global enabler for next-generation television services, combining the strengths of content, technology, and innovation into a single, managed ecosystem.

     

  • Apple takes pole position as Formula 1’s exclusive U.S. broadcaster

    Apple takes pole position as Formula 1’s exclusive U.S. broadcaster

    MUMBAI: Start your engines Formula 1 is speeding into Apple’s fast lane. In a landmark five-year deal starting 2026, Apple will become the exclusive U.S. broadcast partner for the world’s premier racing series, bringing together two global icons with a shared obsession for innovation, precision, and performance.

    The partnership marks a major acceleration for both brands, following the roaring success of F1The Movie, the Apple original film that grossed nearly 630 million dollars worldwide, making it the most successful sports film in history. Released in cinemas and IMAX in June, the film will zoom onto Apple TV screens globally on 12 December 2025 and the collaboration clearly wasn’t just a one-lap affair.

    Apple’s winning streak with Formula 1 underscores its ambition to turn streaming into a front-row experience for fans. The deal will give Apple TV subscribers access to every practice, qualifying, Sprint, and Grand Prix session, with select races and practice rounds available for free on the Apple TV app. F1 TV Premium will remain available through an Apple TV subscription and free for subscribers.

    But Apple’s racing ambitions don’t stop at the chequered flag. The tech giant plans to weave Formula 1 into its wider ecosystem across Apple News, Apple Music, Apple Sports, Apple Maps, and Apple Fitness+ transforming the sport into a full-throttle digital experience.

    Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the partnership “will maximise our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels.” He added, “After three years of working together on F1 The Movie, we share a vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans and attract new ones through live broadcasts and engaging content.”

    That growth is already gathering pace. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, 47 per cent  of new U.S. Formula 1 fans those who’ve followed the sport for five years or less are aged 18–24, and over half are female. With Apple’s reach across younger, digital-first audiences, the partnership could prove a masterstroke in expanding the sport’s appeal.

    Apple senior vice president of services Eddy Cue added: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front row access to one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet. 2026 marks a transformative new era from new teams to new regulations and we’re ready to deliver premium, fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can.”

    The deal couldn’t come at a better time for the sport. As Formula 1 gears up for its next chapter with new teams, new cars, and new regulations, Apple’s precision-engineered storytelling and seamless tech ecosystem could turbocharge how fans experience every race.

    If F1 The Movie was the trailer, this five-year partnership is the full feature. And come 2026, when Apple’s broadcast lights go out, the race for the future of sports entertainment will truly be on.

     

  • Aashirvaad celebrates mothers with its Diwali campaign ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad’

    Aashirvaad celebrates mothers with its Diwali campaign ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad’

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, Aashirvaad, one of India’s most trusted household staple brands, is celebrating the women who bring every home to life. Its festive campaign, ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad,’ is a heartfelt tribute to mothers: the light that truly illuminates every household.

    At the heart of the campaign is a beautifully composed music video that captures how a mother’s warmth, care and quiet strength turn every moment of Diwali into something magical. From kitchens filled with the aroma of gujiyas and besan laddoos to courtyards glowing with diyas and laughter, the film shows how her touch transforms rituals into lasting memories and everyday gestures into blessings.

    Speaking about the campaign, ITC Ltd BU chief executive, staples, food division Anuj Rustagi said, “Diwali is a celebration of light, togetherness and gratitude, values that truly reflect the ethos of Aashirvaad. This year’s campaign honours mothers, who create moments of connection and make every celebration complete.”

    To add an interactive twist, Aashirvaad has also launched a ‘Ghar Layein Aashirvaad’ rangoli contest, inviting participants to upload pictures of their Diwali rangolis for a chance to receive personalised digital greeting cards from TV’s beloved actress Rupali Ganguly. Each day, 100 winners will win Amazon vouchers worth Rs 500, adding an extra sparkle to their festivities.

    Further sweetening the celebration, the brand has introduced limited edition Diwali packs of Aashirvaad shudh chakki atta, featuring a QR code that directs consumers to the contest microsite, turning every festive purchase into a chance to celebrate and win.

     

  • Abp Network launches Bae, its live entertainment vertical

    Abp Network launches Bae, its live entertainment vertical

    MUMBAI: Abp Network has found its new Bae, and it is not what you think. The media powerhouse has launched BAE (Before Anyone Else), an experience-first entertainment vertical that promises to reinvent live events with concerts and large-format experiences built to stay in memory long after the night ends.

    The move marks Abp’s entry into India’s fast-growing live entertainment sector, which crossed Rs 10,000 crore in 2024 with a 15 per cent rise, according to the EY media & entertainment report. The industry is expected to touch Rs 16,700 crore by 2027, driven by audiences who value immersive moments over material mementos.

    “The event industry in India is experiencing unprecedented growth,” said ABP Network CEO Sumanta Datta. “We are excited to announce Bae, our new entertainment vertical that will curate memorable experiences for audiences.”

    Leading this new chapter is Rajat Uppal, who recently Abp Network joined as Bae business head. Uppal recently stepped down from his role at Stage Aaj Tak, the consumer events vertical of the India Today Group launched earlier this year. Before that, he served as national marketing and programming head at India Today Group’s radio network, 104.8 ishq fm.  

    Uppal added that the brand will focus on crafting events that resonate with the country’s evolving cultural pulse. “Audiences, especially Gen Z, are increasingly spending on experiences. With Bae, our goal is to create diverse and memorable live experiences that truly connect with them,” he said.

     

  • Box Office of Emotions as Welspun One Delivers Diwali with Heart

    Box Office of Emotions as Welspun One Delivers Diwali with Heart

    MUMBAI: This Diwali, one box is telling a story that’s anything but square. Welspun One, India’s leading real asset developer, has unboxed a festive surprise with its new brand film “The Diary of a Diwali Box,” a tender, cinematic take on the journey of care, precision, and people behind every gift exchanged during the festival of lights.

    Narrated through the eyes of a Diwali gift box, the film offers a delightful twist,it’s the box, not the sender, that takes us on an emotional ride. From the humming corridors of Welspun One’s Grade A warehouses to doorsteps across India, the story follows how logistics, empathy, and innovation come together to keep the festive spirit moving.

    The campaign sits at the heart of Welspun One’s philosophy of “Building For Abundance”, proving that its warehouses Pulse, Proxima, and Gateway aren’t just about storage and supply chains. They symbolise a deeper commitment to reliability, community, and connection. Each park becomes a hub not only of goods but of goodwill, powering India’s celebrations with clockwork precision and human warmth.

    Welspun One chief customer officer Neeraj Balani summed it up beautifully: “Our parks are not just built to store and move goods, they are built to move possibilities. ‘The Diary of a Diwali Box’ is a simple yet powerful reminder that behind every unboxing moment lies an ecosystem of precision, empathy, and purpose.”

    What makes the film stand out is its unusual narrator. By giving voice to the humble gift box, the campaign transforms warehousing, a space often seen as purely functional into a place of wonder. It brings innocence and emotion into an industrial setting, showing that even steel beams and loading docks can have heart.

    Visually rich and emotionally layered, the film blends scale with sentiment inviting viewers to see logistics not as lifeless machinery, but as a beating system of care that keeps the festive rhythm alive. Released across Welspun One’s digital and social platforms, it captures the spirit of an industry often overlooked yet essential to every celebration.

    In a season overflowing with sparkle and sentiment, “The Diary of a Diwali Box” stands out for celebrating not what’s inside the gift but the journey that got it there. Because sometimes, the most meaningful deliveries aren’t wrapped in ribbons, but in purpose.

     

  • Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum turns into a high-stakes sports-tech power play as Sportel 2025 starts

    Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum turns into a high-stakes sports-tech power play as Sportel 2025 starts

    MONACO: The sports industry’s deal-makers have flooded into Monaco this week, and the energy is electric. Nearly 70 countries have sent their sharpest minds to Sportel 2025, a three-day collision between legacy sports titans and maverick tech disruptors that kicks off today and runs through 22 October. This is where real money gets moved and genuine innovation gets showcased.

    The Grimaldi Forum is heaving with some of sport’s biggest names exhibiting: Fifa, La Liga, the World Cup of Hockey 2028, alongside a glittering roster of tech firms like Qualcomm, AWS, and Wasabi. But Sportel is no mere trade show—it’s a strategic summit where the next generation of sports media gets hammered out.

    The conference programme cuts straight to the chase. Javier Tebas, La Liga’s president, will deliver a keynote spelling out how the world’s most compelling league is monetising itself. But the real fireworks come in a masterly panel on investment: “Where is the next $1bn coming from?” features the CEOs of Surj Sports Investment, Kings League, and the Professional Fighters League, all circling the same question—which markets are still hungry, and where will private equity and sovereign wealth funds actually deploy capital?

    There’s more. A panel on Formula 1’s storytelling prowess asks whether authentic sport crossed with entertainment star power can turbocharge sponsorship and rights values. Then comes the tech avalanche: sessions on generative AI reshaping everything from content creation to the fan experience; on new live-streaming tools that personalise what viewers see; on how Liverpool FC is harnessing AI and cloud infrastructure to deepen loyalty across the globe.

    The Ligue 1+ case study is particularly clever—a league building its own direct-to-consumer platform, hoarding first-party data, and cutting out the middleman to capture fresh revenue. That model is spreading. So too is the adoption of ad-supported streaming as the default for OTT platforms. World Rugby, via the platform WURL, is showcasing exactly how.

    The conference even has a competition worth caring about: “Pitch Perfect Innovation Contest” will see start-ups including Pendular, FalconHQ, and Camb.ai each get three minutes to convince industry heavyweights that their solution deserves backing. And a Women’s Lunch (by invitation) will celebrate female leaders redefining the sport-media nexus—expect Alexis Ohanian from Seven Seven Six, Lauren Pedersen from SportAI, Fiona Wong from the NBA, and marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe to set the room ablaze.

    The message from all sides is unambiguous: artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and direct fan relationships aren’t the future anymore. They’re the present—and if you’re not moving now, you’re already behind.

  • Old shows, new sparks as Waves OTT lights up Diwali nostalgia

    Old shows, new sparks as Waves OTT lights up Diwali nostalgia

    MUMBAI: Some memories never buffer. Waves OTT, India’s national freemium streaming platform powered by Prasar Bharti, is taking viewers down memory lane this festive season with its heartwarming campaign, “Diwali ki Yaadein”. Conceptualised by Creativeland Asia, the film rekindles India’s shared nostalgia through the glow of old screens and the warmth of family bonds.

    The campaign tells a tender story of a daughter and her mother separated by distance but united by memory who rediscover their emotional connection through the superhit classics they once watched together. Now streaming on Waves OTT, those timeless shows Fauji, Byomkesh Bakshi, Malgudi Days, and more return as the heartbeat of an era, inviting both long-time fans and first-time viewers to experience their charm anew.

    Through this campaign, Waves OTT captures the emotional essence of Diwali as more than a festival of lights, it’s a season of belonging, of sitting together, of laughter echoing through living rooms. The film’s warm, nostalgic tone taps into the collective memory of an India that grew up around a single TV set, waiting eagerly for its favourite evening show to begin.

    Crafted with an old-world charm, “Diwali ki Yaadein” shows that while technology has changed how we connect, the emotions remain timeless. Whether it’s Fauji’s youthful energy or Byomkesh Bakshi’s cerebral intrigue, Waves OTT brings back the spirit of Indian storytelling that once defined national evenings.

    The campaign extends across social media, with the film streaming on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Youtube, allowing audiences everywhere to join in the collective celebration of India’s television heritage.

    By bridging the old with the new, Waves OTT is not just reviving nostalgia, lighting up memories, one classic at a time. Because this Diwali, it’s not just about lights, camera, action, it’s about lights, connection, affection.

     

  • Zee hits it out of the park with Baseball United broadcast partnership

    Zee hits it out of the park with Baseball United broadcast partnership

    MUMBAI: It’s not just cricket calling the shots anymore baseball is stepping up to the plate. Zee Entertainment Enterprises limited (‘Z’) has teamed up with Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, to bring the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd to Indian screens this festive season.

    In a historic move, Zee will air all 21 games of Baseball United’s Season One this November and December, including primetime matches featuring the Mumbai Cobras, India’s first professional baseball franchise. For the first time, Indian audiences will have a homegrown team to root for, complete with six Indian players sharing the field with global stars.

    The games will stream live on Zee5, and be broadcast across Zee Café SD, &Flix SD, and &Pictures HD, in both English and Hindi, ensuring fans from every corner of India can catch the action.

    The lineup for Baseball United’s debut season reads like a continental all-star card Arabia Wolves, Mid East Falcons, Karachi Monarchs, and Mumbai Cobras will battle it out across 21 games in 30 days, with the season finale set for 12–14 December in Dubai.

    Beyond the matches, Zee5 will hit a content home run with player features, ballpark highlights, Baseball 101 explainers, and even a documentary chronicling the making of the league. Zee will back the partnership with a four-week promotional blitz, featuring teasers, ad spots, and social media campaigns to introduce baseball’s flair to India’s massive fanbase.

    “At Zee, we’re committed to bringing world-class international sports to Indian audiences,” said Zee Entertainment Enterprises head of advertisement revenue (broadcast and digital), Laxmi Shetty Ltd. “With ILT20, we celebrated international cricket talent; now, we’re expanding that vision with baseball. India already has a deep bat-and-ball culture, this partnership brings speed, strategy, and spectacle in a whole new form.”

    The collaboration isn’t just about sport, it’s about scale. Zee’s combined digital and linear platforms reach over 800 million viewers across India, positioning it perfectly to help Baseball United tap into the country’s 50 million baseball fans and ignite curiosity among millions more.

    For Baseball United, India is more than just a market, it’s a cornerstone. “This is a major milestone in our mission to bring professional baseball to India and the broader region,” said Baseball United chairman, CEO, and co-founder Kash Shaikh. “For the first time, fans will have their own team to cheer for with Indian players inspiring a new generation.”

    The league’s ambitious debut season, backed by 20 Major League Baseball legends including Mariano Rivera, Barry Larkin, Adrián Beltré, and Albert Pujols, aims to grow the sport across one of the world’s most populous and passionate sporting regions.

    And when the Mumbai Cobras take the field on 14 November in Dubai, it won’t just mark the start of a season, it’ll mark the moment India’s love for bat-and-ball takes a bold, new swing.