Category: Press Release

  • Sony YAY! associates with Crossword Bookstores to celebrate Children’s Day

    Sony YAY! associates with Crossword Bookstores to celebrate Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: This Children’s Day, Sony YAY! in association with Crossword Bookstores took upon themselves to disrupt the regular routines of some families and brought them together for a day full of unlimited masti. The idea was to revive the innocent and euphoric yet simple delights of childhood in both kids and their parents through all the fun. Bringing this to life, the channel teamed up with the book-retail chain to curate a playful and fun bonding session.

    On this occasion, Honey Bunny joined the parents and kids at Crossword Bookstore, Oberoi Mall to play various fun games where they competed against other teams to solve exciting puzzles and answer questions where their knowledge of their favorite YAY! toons was put to test. And that’s not all, Honey Bunny also opened the dance floor for their young fans and danced along with them to the groovy beats of the foot tapping number from ‘Honey Bunny Ka Jholmaal’ show. The fun day out also created a lot of buzz on social media as the event saw the presence of leading mommy bloggers along with their kids to meet Honey Bunny.

    The fun didn’t just end at Crossword Bookstores as Sony YAY! brought all that masti on their channel as well through a day long movie marathon of popular 'Honey Bunny Ka Jholmaal' movies. The movie mania starting right from 9.30 AM was packed with heavy doses of adventure, laughter, horror, comedy, action and excitement. The movies slated under the line-up were Honey Bunny in Crazy Family Adventure, Honey Bunny as Super team X reloaded, Honey Bunny Train Chase, Honey Bunny in Kung Fu Challenge and many more.

    Honey Bunny also made a surprise visit to the hit Marathi comedy show Maharashtrachya Hasyajatra on Sony Marathi and took over the Children’s Day special episode and left the audience in splits with their comic timing and light hearted banter. They also got all to groove on their special dance moves on the sets and had the audience swaying with them on the beat. The cat jodi also extended the Children’s day celebration on the sets of popular Sony SAB TV show Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga.

    Sony Pictures Networks India, Kids’ Genre Business Head Leena Lele Dutta said, "Children’s Day is that one special day of the year where not just the young, but even the young-at-heart celebrate the simple joys of childhood. What makes the day so special is that it transcends all age groups. On this day, Sony YAY! aims to reach out to kids and their parents and see them let go of all inhibitions and just enjoy being a kid. Through our initiative, the aim is to bring children and their parents together where they can rediscover their inner child, have fun and create memories for a lifetime.”

    Crossword Bookstores CEO Chiragh Oberoi said, “Along with the importance of academics, life values also go a long way in the overall development of a child and shaping their future. I am glad that we marked Children’s Day celebrations this year in Mumbai in association with Sony YAY! to provide an engaging experience to our young audience. At Crossword Bookstores, we envision to make learning an interesting experience with many such enriching experiences in the future.”

  • History TV18 to premiere ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’ S6 on Nov 18

    History TV18 to premiere ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’ S6 on Nov 18

    MUMBAI: HistoryTV18 presents the sixth season of India’s most successful and longest-running factual entertainment series, ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India.’ Premiering on 18th November, this season will have 10 episodes, airing every Monday at 8 PM. The new season builds on the wonder and magic of earlier seasons, celebrating India, where history is made every day by ordinary Indians doing extraordinary things. Viewers will be enthralled by what the show serves up — curiosities, talent, amazing facts and modern-day wonders, in all their diversity. From a 13-year old Indian piano prodigy, India’s tallest policeman, and AI-enabled robotic teachers.

    Comedian and Actor, Krushna Abhishek returns with his unique brand of wit and humour, as the show’s ever-popular presenter. An excited Krushna Abhishek says, “I feel blessed to be a part of the sixth season of ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’. It’s my favourite show to watch, and even after five seasons, I am awe-struck at every story we put together. We live in a beautiful country, but its real gems are truly its amazing people! I thank HistoryTV18 for the opportunity to be a part of telling these inspirational stories.”

    The first five seasons of the popular series have seen great success on TV as well as on social media and online platforms, engaging viewers and generating billions of impressions, consistently. Over the last four years, stories featured on the show have gone beyond entertainment, breaking new ground and shining a light on India’s history as well as modern innovations. The stories aired have made a real impact and even inspired filmmakers around the country. Over the years, people featured on the show have been recognised and widely celebrated for their talents and contributions. Some have even received prestigious national awards. This sixth season of ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’ aims to be bigger and bolder, showcasing more jaw-dropping wonders and unsung heroes, from across the length and breadth of the country.

    Avinash Kaul, MD A+E Networks | TV18 and CEO Network18 said, “We are delighted to present the sixth season of ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’. This genre-defining series is one of the most successful locally produced factual-entertainment franchises in the country, and we feel privileged to be the platform to showcase these fantastic feats of Indians from every corner of the country. With this season, HistoryTV18 continues to live up to its promise to entertain and engage, inform and inspire our viewers with great, content.”

    The show was launched in an OMG event on-board the cruise ship Karnika, managed by Jalesh Cruises in Mumbai. Speaking at the occasion, Jurgen Bailom, CEO Jalesh Cruises said, “These are truly inspirational stories. We are happy to be associated with HistoryTV18, and be a part of the OMG journey of such a popular series.”

  • &flix to premiere Slender Man on Nov17

    &flix to premiere Slender Man on Nov17

    MUMBAI: &flix, home for the biggest Hollywood hits, brings a spooky story of a group of college students who face the exasperation of a demon summoned by them. “Flix First Premiere” is back with Slender Man on November 17, 2019, at 1PM and 9PM. Directed by Sylvain White, the movie stars Primetime Emmy Award Nominee Joey King who essays the role of Wren, Julia Goldani Telles portraying Hallie, Annalise Basso as Katie and Javier Botet as Slender Man.

    Set in a small town in Massachusetts, Wren and Hallie, along with her friends, summon the Slender Man. Within a week of his calling, the gang starts to face the repercussions starting with the mysterious disappearance of Katie, who was involved in the occult. The trio needs more clarification and decides to search her house, hoping to find the real reason behind her vanishing. Little do they know, that Slender Man’s summoning is the root cause of all their problems. To get Katie back in exchange for something else, they gather their courage and call back the Slender Man. Wren, who has researched the Slender Man mythology in depth, warns Hallie and Chloe about the rules of contacting him. The chaos begins when Chloe disobeys and the demon unleashes madness.

  • Tata Aia Life insurance & republic media network partner for “Rakshakaran Hero” initiative

    Tata Aia Life insurance & republic media network partner for “Rakshakaran Hero” initiative

    MUMBAI: More than 950 million people do not have Life Insurance. Further for every Rs. 100 of protection/insurance required only Rs. 8 has been invested, thus, leading to a “protection gap” of 92%. With Protection as the main purpose Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched Rakshakaran Hero initiative, along with Republic Media Network, wherein Tata AIA will plant a tree for every term policy bought. This co-opts policyholders for a collective aim of protecting future generations.

    Tata AIA Life Insurance MD & CEO Rishi Srivastava said on the occasion, “Being a part of the Tata group our work is guided by the purpose of serving society through greater Protection. Financially securing families while protecting the environment blends our purpose with a larger societal goal. We celebrate the heroism of our policyholders in taking the firm step of protecting their families by planting a tree on behalf of each of them and extending this protection to the environment. I am encouraged and delighted by the response from the policyholders and this has charged our organisation to spread Protection further.”

    This initiative impacts future generations the most. Engaging with them about the importance of starting today to protect their tomorrow ensures that the initiative reverberates with the ultimate beneficiaries and leaves a lasting impact across the nation.

    Through Republic Media Network’s with a cumulative reach of over 90mn+ weekly viewers & high dissemination over 10+ HD OTT platforms, this initiative will engage Indians across the nation on the importance of being a ‘Rakshakaran Hero’ and encourage them to become a part of the movement.

    Republic Media Network’s Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani says “Republic is committed to partners on building projects with strong purpose that drive positive change and impact. Climate sustainability is a pressing concern and initiatives like Rakshakaran Hero are important for addressing the concern at an institutional level. We are delighted to partner with TATA AIA Life Insurance on this noble initiative and will extend our full reach and capabilities to popularise Rakshakaran Hero.”

  • B4U Bhojpuri’s “Aashirwad Chhathi Maiya Ke” WTP receives a grand opening

    B4U Bhojpuri’s “Aashirwad Chhathi Maiya Ke” WTP receives a grand opening

    MUMBAI: B4U Bhojpuri’s “Aashirwad Chhathi Maiya Ke”World Television Premiere receives an overwhelming response. Based on Chhathi Mata, the movie was conceptualized and produced by B4U’s team &had the World Television Premiere on 2nd November, 2019. This was on the occasion of Chhath, a popular annual festival celebrated amongst Bhojpuri audiences across UP/Bihar/Jharkhand in India. 

    The movie’s WTP screening on 2nd November, 2019 a Saturday evening garnered a reach of 2.4 Million Unique Viewers with a time spent of 50.13 Minutes &delivering .79 Million Impressions in the Bihar/Jharkhand Market. 

    Description

    TVT (000)'s

    Dly Rch (000's)

    Dly TSV (Mins)

    WTP-BJFF-AASHIRWAD CHHATHI MAIYA KI

    799.43

    2403

    50.13

     

    *Source: BARC India: TG: NCCS 2+ years, Market: Bihar/Jharkhand, Week 45 (Period: 2nd Nov to 8th Nov, 2019)

    Chhath is celebrated to thank ‘SunGod’ for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and fulfilling particular wishes. During the occasion, Bhojpuri devotees offer prayers with religious rituals, including puja & prasad, bathing in the Ganges and fasting.

    B4U Bhojpuri which launched on 15th May, 2019, has consistently risen to a leadership position in the Bhojpuri genre. Showcasing popular Bhojpuri movies, WTPs, devotional songs and festive programming for its audiences. The B4U Bhojpuri team has now entered producing its own original movies which are released in the theatres with subsequent “World Television Premieres” on its own channel. B4U Bhojpuri’s digital content on YouTube too has seen an overwhelming response with its last song “Devar Kari Ghaat” sung by Bhojpuri superstar ‘Khesari Lal Yadav’crossing over 120 Million views.

    Audiences would soon see more Bhojpuri original productions from the house of B4U Bhojpuri where content would be the key factor attracting audiences. The team at B4U also ensures clean content which family audiences can view together.

  • CNBC-TV18 celebrates 20th anniversary

    CNBC-TV18 celebrates 20th anniversary

    MUMBAI: CNBC-TV18 is set to mark a milestone by completing 20 years as an overarching business news specialist in the country. In the past two decades, the brand has been at the forefront consistently by delivering incisive, and accurate information of the business and financial sector. Since its inception, the brand has led the transformation of the business-news media landscape through an amalgamation of the highest standards of journalism, cutting-edge technology and design.

    In a bid to stay relevant, contemporary, and strike-a-chord with the ever-evolving audience, CNBC-TV18 has announced a stellar programming line-up under the helm of its anniversary celebration theme #Season20.

    Drawing a parallel with the current pop-culture, CNBC-TV18’s #Season20 programming promises to be inspiring, thought-provoking and engaging. Broadly categorized into three major aspects namely India Inc., Markets, and Gen Next; the special programming line-up aims to bring to fore India’s growth story by putting the spotlight on the disruptors, icons, and game-changers of the Indian economy. Through the youth-oriented programming, #Season20 seeks to target a specific set of audience who are the drivers of the new economy.

    The programming leg India Inc. will feature a slew of shows such as India Business Icons, Corporate Thrones, Disruptors, Brands that Built India with some of India’s biggest business icons, disruptors, entrepreneurs & brands that have left a mark and contributed towards the country’s success story.

    The programming leg Markets, through shows such as Wizards of Dalal Street, Fund Anatomy, House of Policy, 20 Big Little Stocks will showcase the success patterns, strategies, investment philosophies and viewpoints of India’s biggest investment analysts in addition to charting the hits and misses of policies in India. Gen Next aims to advocate financial literacy amongst the youth of the country via contextual and relevant shows such as Investing @20, Youth Dialouges, Breaking Myths.

    CNBC-TV18,Managing Editor, Shereen Bhan, Commenting on this announcement said, “Since the inception of CNBC-TV18, India and the global economy has gone through significant transformations. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed the opening up of the Indian economy, the rise of India’s private sector and the capital markets. We have seen technology disrupt legacy businesses and create new markets. We have chronicled the benefits of globalization and the rising threat of protectionism. Through the span of time, we have remained constant in our dedication towards providing  comprehensive, and in-depth analysis of the business and financial sector. Of politics and policy. We have made it our business to provide credible, accurate, actionable insights. As we mark this crucial milestone, we continue to be the leader in business news and today also cater to the needs of the English news market, establishing ourselves as one of the most-watched English News channels.”

     Network18,CEO-English & Business News Cluster Basant Dhawan said, “We are delighted to celebrate CNBC-TV18’s two decades in imparting news, trends, and data that has aided in advocating actionable awareness to our audiences. Through our league of well-seasoned and unparalleled experts, global investors, research analysts, and market experts we have succeeded to become the ‘voice of influence’ for business across sectors in India. We have been spearheading the creation of genre-changing and award-winning programming for our audiences that goes beyond formats and mediums. It is with great pride that we look back at our achievements and contribution towards fostering India’s growth story by providing our viewers with actionable, accurate insights and help them with critical decision making through our expertise.”

    Unfolding the beginning of the special programming line-up with House of Policy, the audience witnessed Latha Venkatesh interview Chakravarthi Rangarajan, former RBI governor. The episode spoke about how CNBC-TV18 has constantly covered the growth-story of the Indian economy, the changes that occurred in the performance of the government & the rapid growth of the banking sector.

  • Peppa Pig’s first-ever performance ‘Peppa Pig Musical’ rolled-out in Mumbai on Children’s Day

    Peppa Pig’s first-ever performance ‘Peppa Pig Musical’ rolled-out in Mumbai on Children’s Day

    Mumbai: They have been winning millions of hearts across the globe with their ‘Oink Oink’ and cuteness quotient. And now the loveable, cheeky little piggy, Peppa Pig, one of the most charming animated characters, is all set to take over India with their first ever musical on the occasion of Children’s Day. Produced by Live Viacom18 and BookMyShow, Peppa Pig Musical today showcased the world of Peppa’s fun and magic at the Bal Gandharva, Rang Mandir, Mumbai. The show which was presented by ICICI Bank Credit and Debit Cards and powered by Cello Colour Up saw a slew of celebrities and influencers joining in the celebrations including Mira Rajput Kapoor, Maniesh Paul, Isha Koppikar, Barkha Bisht Sengupta, Iqbal Khan, Roshni Chopra, Pritam Singh, Urvashi Sharma, Shweta Salve and Rajeev Paul to name a few.

    The excitement amongst the kids at Peppa Pig Musical was at its peak as they watched their favourite Peppa, George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig come to life on stage and break into a song and dance while touching upon important life lessons. The elaborate stage reflected Pig’s house, park, dining area & balcony giving the fans a surreal experience. While the little piggy and her family took over the town with her charm, host Ruhaanika Dhawan amplified the energy levels as she interacted with the kids and indulged them in fun-filled activities along with their parents.

    Mahesh Shetty, Head, Network Sales, Viacom18, said, “Peppa Pig’s success lies in its simplicity, which instantly finds a connect with a child's instinctive self. Understanding its popularity in India, we wanted to give the kids something more than what they have always watched on television. While the musical is the stage adaption of the animated series, it is packed with music, dance and a strong narrative to make it suit and appeal to Indian sensibilities. It will also give us a platform to recognise Peppa Pig and Nick Jr’s brand value and give the audience an interactive experience. We are delighted to have BookMyShow and ICICI Bank Credit and Debit Cards on board as our partners for bringing this unique property to our home ground.”
     
    Kumar Razdan, Head – Theatricals, BookMyShow said “The live entertainment industry in India is witnessing remarkable growth, with newer avenues of out-of-home entertainment opening up and being loved by audiences. BookMyShow is thrilled to collaborate with LIVE Viacom18 for this new genre of kids’ musicals in the form of Peppa Pig Live, adding another distinctive theatrical offering to our extensive repertoire of live entertainment experiences. The show in Mumbai has been a great success selling out at lightning speed even as early trends in Delhi and Chennai reflect unprecedented demand for the musical. We are certain that kids will love the musicalin these cities just as they have in Mumbai.”

    Popular movie star and celebrity host Maniesh Paul attended the musical and said, “Peppa Pig is my children’s favourite toon and they look forward to watching her on TV.  But watching it live on stage was a completely fulfilling experience and I enjoyed it as much as my little ones did. I am thankful to the team for making this Children’s Day memorable for my kids and introducing them to the musical world of Peppa Pig.”

    Present at the special show actress Isha Koppikar commented “Watching Peppa Pig was a great experience as it was simple yet very engaging. It is not only filled with tons of entertainment but also gives a moral lesson to the kids. My kid was very thrilled to watch the musical and it is highly recommended for all parents to get their kids to witness it ‘LIVE’.”

    Amarjit S. Walia, Product Head – Cards, ICICI Bank said, “We are delighted to have partnered with Viacom18 to bring alive Peppa Pig, the famous animated series, to India. Looking at the popularity of the characters of this series, we believe that the audience would have truly enjoyed the musical concerts. This being India’s first-ever live introduction to the loveable cartoon characters, the concerts surely are an unforgettable experience for Peppa Pig fans.”

    Tanveer Khan, Director Marketing, BIC Cello India said, “BIC Cello is delighted to be associated with Live Viacom18 for bringing the famous animated series ‘Peppa Pig’ to India.  BIC Cello’s new colouring range ColourUP aims to tap into the imagination of children, fuel their creativity and artistic expression through colouring. We are looking forward to launching an interesting Peppa Peg themed ColourUP pack that will excite kids and indulge them in a fun experience. We hope that this collaboration serves as a great platform to engage with our audiences better.”

    Ruhaanika Dhawan said, “I have grown up watching Peppa Pig and it’s an absolute dream come true to host it. Peppa Pig and her friends are the most adorable toons and they teach us many important lessons in the most fun way. Signifying the importance of family, Peppa Pig brings children closer to their parents and family. Peppa Pig Musical’s magnificence had me in complete awe and I am sure everyone is going to love them as much as I did.”

    Supporting the show are associate sponsors including Funcity, The Mumum Company and Hamleys, and Kids Stop Press – the exclusive Parenting Partner. In the coming days, the Peppa Pig family and friends will spread their magic through 78 shows across eight cities, starting this month. Post Mumbai the musical will be held in Delhi on 23rd – 24th November at Siri Fort Auditorium, Delhi and thereafter in Chennai from 30th November – 01st December, at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chennai respectively. Apart from this, Peppa Pig Musical will also travel to  Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur as a part of its India tour. 
     

  • CupShup joins hands with Oxfam India to support rights of tea plantation workers

    CupShup joins hands with Oxfam India to support rights of tea plantation workers

    India: CupShup – an independent advertising start-up, has joined hands with Oxfam India, to campaign for fair wages and better living conditions of tea plantation workers of Assam. Oxfam India is a non-profit organization fighting discrimination and working to improve the lives of vulnerable groups in the country including tea plantation workers in the north eastern state of Assam.

    Through CupShup’s network, Oxfam India aims to reach out to corporates to create awareness regarding the living & working conditions of tea plantation workers in Assam. The campaign also encourages corporate employees to donate and support the cause.

    The team distributed cups to more than 200 corporates across Mumbai, Pune & Bengaluru, through this campaign. CupShup distributed cups with unique taglines and quotes printed on it, highlighting the issues faced by tea farmers in their day-to-day life, along with the details of the campaign which an individual can support.

    Commenting on the campaign, Sidharth Singh, Co-Founder, CupShup, said, “We are delighted to be associated with such a noble cause with Oxfam India. The cups distributed to our network is primarily used for consumption of tea, hence, associating ourselves with a cause which would benefit the ones who help produce tea on ground made a lot of us sense for me & my team. Through this campaign, CupShup is not only going to help them raise donations, but also enlighten the corporates about the severe conditions which a tea plantation worker faces in his/her day to day life.”

    “Our research points to the fact that the tea plantation workers and their families have a very vulnerable existence. It is important that Indian consumers continue enjoying their cup of tea and at the same time demand fair living wages for workers. Our partnership with CupShup is extremely valuable and we hope to receive support from corporates for the campaign. It will help us fight for the rights of tea workers and improve their lives,” said Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India.

  • HBO and HBO HD to premiere ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ on Nov 16

    HBO and HBO HD to premiere ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ on Nov 16

    MUMBAI: Say bonjour to scurrying Nifflers and hovering Thestrals, as Newt Scamander unearths dark secrets in the magical world of Paris! Prepare to be bewitched as ‘Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald’ premieres on HBO and HBO HD on Saturday, 16 November, 9pm.

    The second in the prequel series continues to explore the pre-Harry Potter world. Only this time, the stakes are high, as love and loyalty are put to the test. As the powerful Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald grows stronger, his chilling revolutionary agenda unravels – pure-blood wizards must dominate and rule over non-magical folks. Affable and quick-witted Newt must navigate uncertain waters with trusted friend Jacob and old flame Tina Goldstein, to avert the most malevolent wizard alive!

    While recreating the enchanting 1920s, this movie heightens magical bestiary, villainy and suspense. Pivotal characters get more depth and the Rowling’s magical universe expands exponentially, to the delight of Potter-heads. Nominated for Best Production Design and Best Special Visual Effects at the 72nd British Academy Film Awards, the movie offers a truly wondrous visual treat.

    Eddie Redmayne reprises his role of lovable Newt, while Jude Law showcases a charming impishness reminiscent of older Dumbledore. Johnny Depp gives a bone-chilling performance as the titular character, while Zoe Kravitz’s Leta Lestrange and Ezra Miller’s Credence add intrigue to this world of spells and secrets.

    HBO and HBO HD make this experience truly fantastic for fans. Viewers can participate in exciting social media contests to win cool hampers, making their tryst with #MagicOnHBO memorable. Check out HBO India on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to know more.

  • Luke Coutinho on Shilpa Shetty as a mother: not just supper stars

    Luke Coutinho on Shilpa Shetty as a mother: not just supper stars

    MUMBAI: The Season Opener of Not Just Supper Stars had Shilpa Shetty Kundra, who juggles her multi role as a mother, a fitness enthusiast and an actor came along with her fitness coach Luke Coutinho to talk everything personal including her secrets on balancing work and family life. Available as part of the Zee Prime English Pack, Zee Café recently telecast the premiere episode of Not Just Supper Stars, hosted by Stand-up Comedian Gunjan Utreja, with new episodes coming every Sunday at XXPM.

    The trendsetter and fitness idol, Shilpa Shetty Kundra chatted with Gunjan Utreja, on her life and things she wants to accomplish. She mentioned, “There’s so much more to do in life, I am still learning, and this is just the beginning. There are multiple things on my bucket list which I would want to do, like a course in nutrition or being able to do a full split”. She also talked about her passion in pursuing various activities as she said, “I think when you are doing something, do it with all your heart, be it celebrating a festival or eating food, or just living life. Do it to the fullest!”

    When asked on how she is with her family, she added, “I have two very different sides to me, one is the ‘actor me’ and the other is the ‘mother me’. I want everything in place.” Luke added, “She is a hands-on mom, she may have that help around, but she has control over her chores, and I think she is a fantastic example of having a great career but not at the expense of your child.”

    Commenting on Luke’s capacity to rehabilitate cancer patients, Shilpa Shetty revealed, “Luke’s USP is the fact that he is able to rehabilitate cancer patients, and he does that with so much love and unconditionally. Those are the things he does not compromise on and the value of what we put into our system means something to him.”