ITV

Category: Television

  • Saregama partners with MTV Hustle 4 to elevate India’s rap game

    Saregama partners with MTV Hustle 4 to elevate India’s rap game

    Mumbai: MTV Hustle is teaming up with Saregama to elevate Indian hip-hop and provide emerging artists the spotlight they deserve. As per the press release music label gains exclusive audio-video rights to all music from MTV Hustle Season 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop and the first opportunity to sign any of the 15 talented contestants. This strategic alliance marks a key moment in the evolution of Indian hip-hop, pushing rap culture into the mainstream while offering a powerful platform for artists to break into the music industry.

    A press release states that with this partnership, MTV Hustle 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop is set to elevate Indian rap to new heights, ensuring wider visibility for contestants across major platforms. It further strengthens MTV Hustle’s reputation for nurturing fresh talent and expanding the boundaries of Indian rap within a rapidly evolving musical landscape.

    FilterCopy, a sister concern of Saregama, joins as an Associate Sponsor for MTV Hustle Season 4: Hip Hop Don’t Stop. As part of this collaboration, FilterCopy will feature a segment, ‘FilterCopy Freshly Brewed Bangers’, showcasing standout rap performances from each episode. Popular FilterCopy talent will collaborate with contestants to create engaging content, leveraging the platform’s audience to amplify the rap movement. Fans can also contribute lyrics through user-generated content (UGC), fostering a community-driven celebration of rap culture.

    Anshul Ailawadi business head of youth, music & English, said, “MTV has a rich legacy of producing culture-shaping music. Over the years, MTV Hustle has grown to become the definitive melting pot of desi hip hop music, as extremely talented rap artists vie for glory in each edition. As we strive to build these young artists, Saregama makes for a great partner, to take this modern music format to new audiences. Personally, I am thrilled to see the Saregama team share our vision of building new talent and showcasing fresh music globally.”

    FilterCopy D2C business head Vishwanath Shetty commented, “As one of the first pop culture creators on digital, FilterCopy has always championed fresh talent and created content that resonates deeply with India’s youth. Our partnership with MTV Hustle, the biggest talent discovery platform for hip hop in India, reflects this ethos, enabling us to celebrate the dynamic art of rap while crafting immersive experiences for young audiences.”

    Season 4 of MTV Hustle Hip Hop Don’t Stop promises to be an unforgettable ride, with Saregama and FilterCopy’s collaboration setting the stage for unparalleled entertainment and showcasing the country’s best rap talent. Tune in and catch the latest in India’s rap revolution!

  • Gaurav Kanwal moves on from chief revenue officer post at Zee5

    Gaurav Kanwal moves on from chief revenue officer post at Zee5

    Mumbai: Even the steadiest hands must sometimes release the helm.

    In a surprising turn, Gaurav Kanwal, the chief revenue officer of Zee5, has stepped down, leaving behind a legacy of leadership at one of India’s premier digital entertainment platforms under Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL). While the reasons remain undisclosed, his departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Zee5’s journey, stirring curiosity and reflection across the industry.

    Prior to joining Zee5 in August 2021, Kanwal served as executive vice president of ad sales at Disney+ Hotstar, where he was responsible for identifying new avenues to drive ad revenue.

    Kanwal’s departure from Zee5 comes as the platform continues to strengthen its position in the competitive digital streaming market. His contributions have been pivotal in enhancing Zee5’s digital footprint and revenue streams.

    As the curtains momentarily fall on the CRO position at Zee5, the spotlight now shifts to the anticipation of a successor who will shape the platform’s next chapter. The silence is palpable, but the stage is set for what promises to be a defining announcement. Stay with us as we bring you the unfolding story and the next visionary who will lead Zee5’s journey forward.

  • Indian imports of British TV series rise 17 per cent to £23 million: Pact report

    Indian imports of British TV series rise 17 per cent to £23 million: Pact report

    MUMBAI: Just like the British love the curry that Indians dish out in the UK, it seems Indians can’t get enough of the TV shows that British producers offer.  And this is proved by the fact that exports of British TV shows rose 17  per cent from £ 19 million  in 2022-2023 to £23 in million, pushing India  up from the thirteenth to the twelfth spot in 2023-2024. 

    Exports by country and revenues by UK

     A dekko at the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television  (Pact) Annual British TV Exports report for 2023-2024 (which was released on 29 November)  throws up these numbers. 

    Total TV exports from Britain

    The report also gave a bit of a bearish trend for British TV exports all over the world as they fell two per cent in 2023-24 to £1,818 million from £1,853 million in the previous year. However, Pact, said the consolation is that 2023-24 figure is 27 per cent higher than the crash in sales British TV production industry experienced in 2020-21 in the thick of the  pandemic.
     

    Total EXports by country

    Also, the report said that the good news is that despite the challenges in the US market over the past 24 months, Uncle Sam continues to be the largest destination for UK TV exports, accounting for almost one third of all sales, and it remains the region of primary focus for British distributors. TV show shipments to the US grew by 13 per cent year on year to a new high of £593 million. Together with Canada, which de-grew seven per cent to £89 million, north America accounts for 41 per cent of all British exports. 

    Total exports by country

    Other countries in the top 10 that experienced growth included The Netherlands (a 25 per cent increase to £35 million) and South Africa (a 20 per cent increase to £27 million). Germany and The Nordics both saw eight per cent increases, recording Britain’s highest ever total export revenues (£118 million and £104 million respectively).

    Elsewhere in the top 10 countries, France (-21 per cent), Italy (-23 per cent) and Spain (-15 per cent)  all saw significant decreases, with France falling out of the top five for the first time. China and Japan saw a drastic drop of 25 per cent in purchases of British content to £17 million and £8 million respectively. Mexico, however, had the highest increase of 118 per cent to £15 million. 

    International co-productions fell

     
    An  alarming trend according to Pact is that  revenues from co-productions fell by 28 per cent to £120 million; TV and format sales too dropped eight per cent and seven per cent respectively. This is likely due to a reduction in activity (especially premium drama) by some of the large US media companies that have partnered with companies in previous years.

    Finished programmes fell by eight per cent (to £1,019 million) but still remained the largest contributor by some way. International Productions grew significantly by 29 per cent, to £325 million, increasing its share of total TV exports from 14 per cent to 18 per cent.

    Scripted drama continued to dominate the genre share of exports, but fell to 43 per cent from 49 per cent in the previous year, whereas entertainment saw the biggest increase of six per cent to 27 per cent.

    (All data has been sourced from Pact. If you would like the full report please send an email to sherylf@indiantelevision dot co dot in )

     

  • DD scoops Hockey India League live telecast rights for next three years

    DD scoops Hockey India League live telecast rights for next three years

    MUMBAI: There’s nothing more exciting that seeing a player with a hockey stick in his hand dribbling past the mid-field, swerving and dodging past the defending backs and reverse flicking the ball into the goal, leaving the goal keeper  stranded and flat on his back on the turf. 

    Many more such moments will be available to field hockey lovers  courtesy pubcaster Doordarshan, It has pocketed the rights to live  telecast the sixth edition of the Hockey India League (HIL), which will begin from 28 December 2024, thanks to an agreement it has signed with Hockey India (HI).( Reports are that the contract between the two is actually for the next three years.) What’s special with the new agreement is that DD will also be bringing the women’s HIL matches live to viewers apart from the fast-paced men’s. tournament.  

    Sports lovers may recall that the Indian national men’s team has been gradually getting back its mojo and won the bronze medal at this year’s Paris Olympics as well as in Tokyo. 

    HIL will have eight men’s teams and four women’s teams participating in Rourkela and Ranchi, showcasing outstanding talent from India and around the world.

    Said Prasar Bharati chairman Navneet Sehgal: “We are privileged to partner with the HIL, a platform that celebrates our national sports and aligns people across different categories. Through our comprehensive coverage, we aim to bring the electrifying spirit of hockey, including the historic debut of Women HIL, to viewers everywhere, bridging the urban and rural divide and amplifying the league’s impact.”

    Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi added: “Indian sports lovers are confident that the golden era of Indian hockey is being brought back. Doordarshan as the public broadcaster is looking forward to contributing to this broader vision through this partnership. The idea is to elevate hockey production and broadcast to global sporting standards. The sports lovers across the world can now watch the HIL, both men and women on DD Sports and Waves- the recently launched OTT platform of Prasar Bharati.”

    HIL  governing committee chairperson Dilip Tirkey said, “We are thrilled to partner with Doordarshan as the official broadcaster of the HIL. This year is particularly special with the launch of the Women’s HIL, a landmark step in promoting women’s hockey. Doordarshan’s unparalleled reach and commitment to sports perfectly align with our vision of taking hockey to every corner of the nation. Together, we aim to inspire millions and elevate the HIL to unprecedented heights.”

    HIL governing committee member Bhola Nath Singh commented, “Hockey is more than just a sport for us – it’s a symbol of our unity and pride. The addition of the Women’s HIL this season is a giant leap forward in ensuring equality and recognition for women athletes. With Doordarshan as our partner, we’re ready to present a spectacular season of HIL. ‘Hockey connects us, and this partnership strengthens that bond’.”

    As part of its partnership with HI,  Doordarshan says it will also broadcast all HI  national championships and tournaments in India.

    (Picture courtesy Hockey India League)

     

  • Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    Jay Shah begins tenure as ICC chair

    MUMBAI: Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary Jay Shah began his tenure as chair of the International Cricket Conference on 1 December.  

    Said Shah in a press release issued by ICC: “I am honoured to be starting in the role of ICC chair and want to thank the ICC directors and member boards for their support and trust in me to undertake this important role.

    “This is an exciting time for the sport as we build up to the LA28 Olympic Games and strive to make cricket more inclusive and popular than ever before. We also stand at a critical juncture in terms of the coexistence of multiple formats and accelerating the growth of the women’s game. There is huge potential for the game of cricket globally, with so much opportunity to engage with existing and new fans, while ensuring the best resources and platforms for our cricketers around the world.

    “I would also like to thank Greg Barclay for his leadership in the role for the past four years and the milestones achieved during that period. I look forward to working closely with the ICC team and the member countries to sustainably expand the game’s reach and evolution on the global stage.”

    Shah like the cricketers – who his organization governs – who  notch up records match after match has  got quite a few records under his hat himself.

    One of the youngest members of the Gujarat Cricket Association. The youngest ever honorary secretary of the BCCI. ). And  in August 2024  the 36 year old Jay Shah added  another feather to his hat: the youngest ever chairperson of the International Cricket Conference.  Shah was unanimously elected as the ICC chair – as he was the sole nominee –  succeeding New Zealand’s Greg Barclay, who was in the role from November 2020. 

    Shah has built his reputation as a great administrator. While at the BCCI, he helped take Indian cricket to newer heights with key accomplishments such as record-breaking IPL media rights deal, creation of the Women’s Premier League, creation of new state-of-the-art centre of excellence, test cricket incentive scheme and more. He has also played important roles in world cricket as the president of the Asian Cricket Council and as chair of the ICC’s finance and commercial affairs committee.

     

    Picture: ICC website

  • JioStar bags Premier League broadcasting rights for next three year cycle

    JioStar bags Premier League broadcasting rights for next three year cycle

    MUMBAI: Premier League (EPL) fans in India can clink their beer mugs with glee. Especially if they are going to be watching the matches between their favourite clubs in a bar. JioStar has secured the media rights for the next three seasons beginning with the 2025-2026  one,  in a deal valued at $65 million, if a report in The Economic Times is to be believed. In all probability, the rights cover both live broadcasting on  television and  on streaming.

    The  audiovisual rights for the previous cycle (2022-2025) were with  Disney Star India’s Star Sports. However, with Disney Star India merging with Reliance Industries’ owned Viacom18 and Bodhi Tree Systems and being renamed as JioStar, it was the latter which put in the bid and acquired the rights.

    JioStar also has the rights to the  Indian Super League  – India’s premier soccer tournament – which came its way in the wake of the merger.

    “With this, the conglomerate will be driving the future of football in India,” says a sports media consultant.  “They are going to be putting a lot of marketing and promotional muscle behind the Premier League because if you look at the new deal with it, Uday Shankar and team Sanjog Gupta have apportioned $11 million for marketing EPL events in India during the cycle and $54 million for the audiovisual rights, according to the ET report.”

    However, how the live telecasts will be divided between Sports18 and Star Sports and Hotstar and JioCinema was not clear at the time of writing. Keep watching this space until some clarity comes in. 

    Manchester City had lifted the Premier League title in May 2024 with Arsenal emerging as the runner-up. 

    (Picture courtesy Premier League website)

  • Zeel gets Saurav Adhikari on board as additional director; shareholders reject Punit Goenka’s reappointment as director

    Zeel gets Saurav Adhikari on board as additional director; shareholders reject Punit Goenka’s reappointment as director

    MUMBAI: The board of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) today approved the appointment of former HCL and Pepsico India executive Saurav Adhikari as an additional director in the category of non-executive director. It informed the BSE about his addition to the company through a regulatory filing  in the evening of 28 November 2024. He had earlier been appointed on 15 November in the same capacity, but his term was valid only till 28 November, the date of the AGM.  

    Adhikari is currently the founder & senior partner at Indus Tech Edge Fund I, a growth fund focused on globalising India’s vibrant technology ecosystem. He is the former chairman of NASDAQ listed Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp (a special purpose acquisition company (Spac)) and has after a successful DeSpac/merger moved on to the board of NASDAQ listed Roadzen.  He  also serves as a board member of Goodricke Group Ltd, Accelya Solutions India Ltd, (both listed in India), and Bridgeweave Ltd UK, an AI based fintech firm. He works as a technology advisor and investor with interests across AI based fintech and healthcare firms, as well as analytics, IoT and logistics firms. He serves as a senior advisor in the Shiv Nadar Foundation and is a board member of the Shiv Nadar University.  

    Adhikari has impeccable credentials. Especially while with the HCL group. He worked on several multi-billion-dollar inorganic investments in technology and software, carve-outs of multiple enterprise software product suites, joint ventures with global majors, all to transform and reinvent HCL’s business. He was instrumental in strategising HCL’s  pivoting of its business model to a leading intellectual property-led solutions company. In his technology role, he had built deep inroads into global private equity and VC firms, while creating large, successful, value-based partnerships between HCL and private equity owned technology businesses, which are considered groundbreaking in the industry.

    At HCL, he held various executive positions, the last being president, global strategy, working directly with the founder & chairman with oversight across the group’s business, as well as the not-for-profit Shiv Nadar Foundation. During this time, he contributed to HCL’s immense growth from a sub $200mn revenue company in 2000 to a $14bn revenue and over $50bn market cap today, transforming it into one of the world’s leading, and India’s third largest IT/technology firms and India’s no. 1 software product company.  

    His prior experience also includes several senior global leadership and executive roles across Unilever, as vice President at PepsiCo and Group SEB  (Tefal India) and as CEO of the India business. 

    Meanwhile, Punit Goenka’s reappointment as a director on  the Zeel board failed to get the requisite majority of votes (50.4 percent against: 49.5 percent for) from shareholders during the company’s AGM held yesterday, the company said in an exchange filing.  He,  had earlier stepped down as managing director and continued as CEO of the company recently. Media reports have viewed this failure to get reappointed as a director a set back for Goenka.  (Updated on 29 November 2024, 8 am)
     

  • College Vidya and Feel Filmz launch Angreji Sapne web series

    College Vidya and Feel Filmz launch Angreji Sapne web series

    Mumbai: College Vidya has collaborated with Feel Filmz to present Angreji Sapne, an inspiring web series that explores the aspirations, struggles, and determination of students from tier two and tier three cities. The series highlights the transformative power of education and the resilience needed to overcome challenges in pursuit of dreams.

    The web series follows the stories of two students with diverse ambitions. One, from a remote village, relocates to Ranchi, driven by a dream to secure a scholarship and achieve success through education. The other, from Jamshedpur, seeks independence and a life of freedom away from parental influence. Through their contrasting yet intersecting paths, Angreji Sapne sheds light on the emotional, social, and personal complexities they encounter.

    College Vidya, COO & co-founder, Rohit Gupta expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with Feel Filmz on this meaningful project. It offers a unique, relatable perspective on the journeys of students in smaller cities, capturing their dreams and the hurdles they face. At College Vidya, we believe in the power of education to transform lives, and this series echoes the same sentiments by showcasing the resilience and determination of students who strive to build a better future. We hope that this story will inspire and motivate many students across India to pursue their goals, regardless of the challenges they may face”.

    Adding to the sentiment, Feel Filmz, founder & MD, Akarsh Sinha said, “We believe that stories have the power to connect and heal, and Angrezi Sapne is our tribute to the dreams that fuel so many students. Working with College Vidya has enabled us to bring authenticity to these narratives, and we’re excited for audiences to join us on this journey as we explore the beauty and resilience within India’s heartland”.

  • Nivedita Basu joins Dangal as vice president – fiction

    Nivedita Basu joins Dangal as vice president – fiction

    Mumbai: In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its creative portfolio, Dangal, a leading general entertainment channel (GEC) under the Enterr10 Television Network, has appointed Nivedita Basu as vice president – fiction (Hindi, Oriya, Bangla). With an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Basu’s return to the GEC space is set to usher in a new era of innovation and content excellence for Dangal.

    Known for her stellar contributions at Balaji Telefilms, where she helmed iconic shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Basu brings an impressive repertoire of over 100 television shows. Her expertise in audience engagement, content creation, and production management positions her as a driving force in Dangal’s ambitious expansion plans across regional and national markets.

    Expressing her enthusiasm, Basu stated, “Joining Dangal is an exciting new chapter in my career. With its strong reputation and commitment to creating impactful content, I look forward to contributing to its continued success. Meeting Manish Singhal, whose visionary leadership has made Dangal the number one Hindi GEC channel, has further fueled my excitement. I am thrilled to collaborate with him and the talented team at Dangal, and I am eager to explore opportunities to expand the channel’s portfolio with innovative and engaging projects.”

    In her previous role as senior vice president (Content) at Atrangii, Ullu, and Hari Om App, Basu transformed brands into household names, turning them into profit-making entities. She also spearheaded the launch of India’s first devotional channel, Hari Om, marking a significant milestone in her career.

    Dangal’s reputation for delivering diverse, engaging programming is expected to benefit greatly from Basu’s industry acumen and creative vision. Her leadership will focus on overseeing ongoing projects, exploring growth opportunities, and shaping the strategic direction of the channel’s fiction content.

  • Zee to broadcast DP World ILT20 season 3 live across 15 channels & Zee5

    Zee to broadcast DP World ILT20 season 3 live across 15 channels & Zee5

    Mumbai: Cricket enthusiasts, get ready for a month-long carnival of action as DP World International League T20 (ILT20) season 3 kicks off on 11 January 2025. The tournament will feature 34 electrifying matches across iconic UAE venues, concluding with the grand final on 9 February 2025. Fans can catch all the live action exclusively on Zee Entertainment’s 15 linear TV channels, the OTT platform Zee5, and syndicate partner networks globally.

    The season opens with a thrilling rematch between defending champions MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Stadium, starting at 7:30 PM IST. Matches will be hosted at Dubai, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium, and Sharjah Cricket Stadium, ensuring fans enjoy high-octane cricket in prime time.

    This year, Zee Entertainment aims to build on ILT20’s phenomenal growth, with 348 million viewers globally during the last season. For Season 3, Zee plans to surpass 230 million viewers, introducing broadcasts on South Indian channels and offering content in Hindi and English commentary. The tournament will be aired on channels like &Pictures, Zee Cinema HD, &Flix, Zee Zest, and more, alongside Zee5’s OTT platform.

    Zee Entertainment, chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue, Ashish Sehgal expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to present Season 3 of DP World ILT20. With the finest global players, iconic venues, and engaging broadcasts, we aim to make this season the most-widely followed cricket event. Our commitment remains unwavering as we bring unparalleled cricketing action to fans worldwide.”

    DP World ILT20 CEO, David White echoed this sentiment: “Season 3 promises bigger thrills with world-class players and teams delivering electrifying entertainment. Our partnership with Zee ensures that fans worldwide experience the best cricketing action live, while also enjoying family-friendly events during matches.”

    The league will feature cricketing icons like Andre Russell, David Warner, Sunil Narine, Shimron Hetmyer, and Matthew Wade, alongside exciting debuts by Jason Roy, Fakhar Zaman, and Shai Hope. Teams will continue to showcase UAE’s homegrown talent, with additional players to be announced next week.

    From prime-time matches to double-headers on weekends, ILT20 Season 3 promises a dynamic schedule for fans. Special initiatives include ticket offers, family carnivals, and immersive experiences at stadiums.

    Mark your calendars and join the cricketing spectacle. DP World ILT20 season 3 begins on 11 January 2025, delivering top-tier cricket excitement to fans in India and beyond.