ITV

Category: Television

  • Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    Bharat Express brings back Varun Kohli as group chief executive

    NOIDA:  In the media industry, boomerang hires are increasingly common. But when a news channel rehires the executive who built it from scratch, it signals ambition rather than desperation.

    Bharat Express has brought back Varun Kohli as director and group chief executive, marking his return to an organisation he helped launch in January 2023.  Kohli, who spent just over a year at Bharat Express before joining Times Network as chief operating officer, is being tasked with expanding the channel’s reach and deepening its impact in India’s competitive news broadcasting market.

    During his first stint, Kohli shaped the channel’s editorial and business strategy, built its core team and established its operational framework. His move to Times Network in 2024 saw him oversee critical operations across a larger network. Now, armed with that broader experience, he returns to accelerate Bharat Express’s growth trajectory.

    “During his first innings, Varun played a foundational role in successfully launching the channel and positioning Bharat Express as a credible voice in Indian news media,” said Bharat Express chairman, managing director & editor in chief Upendrra Rai. “With his return, we are confident that his deep industry experience and visionary approach will help us accelerate our growth and take the channel to new heights.”

    Kohli brings three decades of media experience, having held leadership roles at ITV Network, Deccan Chronicle Holdings, Network18, Bennett Coleman & Co., HT Media and Amar Ujala Prakashan. He is known for launching and turning around media brands, with a reputation for driving revenue growth and building high-performance teams.

    The appointment positions Bharat Express for its next phase of expansion, with Kohli’s return bringing both institutional knowledge and fresh strategic insights gained from his time at one of India’s largest broadcasting networks.

  • Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    MUMBAI: When politics turns into prime-time theatre, few shows pack the punch of Point Blank. Live Times’ flagship programme, helmed by veteran anchor Deepak Chaurasia, is set to air another explosive episode on Sunday, 28 September at 8 pm, with senior BJP leader and former union minister R.K. Singh in the hot seat.

    In a no-holds-barred exchange, Singh tears into the BJP-led Bihar government, alleging corruption has seeped into even the prime minister’s flagship PM Awas Yojana. According to him, commissions are the price of approvals, and the Nitish Kumar administration has “no control” over the rot. Singh directly challenges party leaders Dilip Jaiswal and Ashok Choudhary to answer his allegations.

    But he doesn’t stop there. The former minister drops another political bombshell: Prashant Kishor invited him to join his party. While Singh insists he has no immediate plans to quit the BJP, he boldly declares he would form his own political party if expelled. “Ideas are good, but they must translate into action,” he says, hinting that Kishor’s promises may need proof in practice.

    The episode also revisits Singh’s much-debated association with the phrase “saffron terror”. He clarifies that the term was coined by others including former home minister and Congress veteran Digvijay Singh while his own comments were restricted to presenting facts. Singh underlines that the NDA’s path to electoral victory lies in restoring honesty and integrity, not in rhetoric.

    The interview captures the political crossroads facing Singh, who blends candour with calculation. It’s a conversation that could shake up the NDA narrative in Bihar, where anti-corruption credibility has often made or broken governments.

    Reflecting on the larger mission of Point Blank, Live Times founder Dilip Kumar Singh says: “At Live Times, truth is not negotiable. Point Blank embodies our mission to confront power with courage and clarity. This interview with R.K. Singh proves why journalism must go beyond headlines, it delivers the unfiltered reality citizens deserve.”

    With fearless questioning, fact-driven debate, and a refusal to let power escape scrutiny, Point Blank has cemented itself as the channel’s beating heart. Tomorrow’s episode is expected to be one of its most hard-hitting yet, a must-watch for anyone tracking the future of Bihar politics and the NDA’s credibility crisis.

    Audiences can tune in on DD Free Dish – Channel 100, Tata Play – 539, Airtel Digital TV – 385, Dish TV – 665, Sikka Cable – 519, and Jio TV – 3069, as well as streaming platforms including Tata Play Mobile, Airtel Xstream, Dish TV Watcho, and DD Waves. The full broadcast will also be available at www.livetimes.news.

    Live Times Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes.

  • Swastik lights up a new storytelling journey

    Swastik lights up a new storytelling journey

    MUMBAI: Talk about a plot twist. After 18 years of scripting some of India’s most iconic mythological and historical dramas, Swastik Productions has turned the page to become Swastik Stories, unveiling what it calls the nation’s first cultural storytelling ecosystem.

    The rebrand, marked with the lighting of an Akhand diya in Mumbai by former Sony Pictures Networks India chief NP Singh, signals not just a new name but a fresh era. “This is not a rebrand, it’s a new diya,” said founder Siddharth Kumar Tewary, framing the move as the spark of a hundred-year storytelling journey.

    The curtain rises this Diwali with a FAST (Free ad-supported streaming TV) channel that plays Swastik’s much-loved shows round the clock, alongside a lineup of Swastik Originals, premium series designed for today’s digital-first audience.

    But the vision stretches far beyond screens. From films and grand stage musicals to immersive dome experiences and even a Bharatverse in the metaverse, Swastik Stories aims to carry India’s epics, legends and folk tales into every possible medium.

    Rooted in the symbolism of the eternal flame, Swastik Stories isn’t just revisiting the past. It’s kindling a cultural ecosystem built to make Bharat’s tales shine brighter for generations to come.

  • Sportel Monaco flexes its muscles as sports media titans prepare to gather

    Sportel Monaco flexes its muscles as sports media titans prepare to gather

    MONACO: The sports media industry’s glitterati are preparing to descend on Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum next month, as Sportel Monaco returns for its flagship annual gathering from 20-22 October. The event, which has become the de facto marketplace for international sports media deals, is already showing signs of its strongest edition in years.

    Exhibition space is nearly sold out, with more than 70 exhibitors confirmed including heavyweight American networks ESPN and NFL, alongside European football powerhouses LaLiga and Bundesliga. Tech disruptors such as Sportradar, WSC Sports and Wurl will rub shoulders with traditional broadcasters in what promises to be a fascinating collision of old and new media.

    The 2025 programme reflects an industry in flux. Conference sessions will dissect how generative artificial intelligence is revolutionising production and fan engagement, while panels explore the streaming wars and new monetisation models that are upending traditional broadcasting. Private equity’s growing appetite for sports assets will also come under the microscope.

    Hollywood’s creeping influence on sports storytelling gets star billing with a panel titled Hollywood hits the paddock: F1 taking storytelling to the next level. The session reflects Formula 1’s remarkable transformation from niche motorsport to global entertainment phenomenon, aided by Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.

    LaLiga president Javier Tebas will deliver the event’s keynote address, while executives from Amazon Web Services, Liverpool FC, World Rugby and the Professional Fighters League are among those offering insights into their strategies.

    Networking remains central to Sportel’s appeal. A new Sports Bar will provide a relaxed environment for deal-making, while the Women’s Lunch returns after its successful debut last year, highlighting female leadership across the industry.

    “This year is already shaping up to be a great success,” said Sportel Monaco executive director Loris Menoni. “The programme is designed to reflect the very latest industry trends.”

    The Monaco gathering’s strength has convinced organisers to expand eastwards once again. Sportel Singapore will return on 24-25 March 2026, following strong Asian demand for the format.

    As traditional media companies grapple with cord-cutting and tech giants muscle into sports rights, Sportel’s marketplace function has never been more crucial. The Monaco edition will reveal whether the industry’s transformation is accelerating—or whether some old certainties still hold.

  • Aaj Tak’s Health summit tackles India’s silent crisis

    Aaj Tak’s Health summit tackles India’s silent crisis

    MUMBAI: India’s health is under the weather, and Aaj Tak is putting it back in the spotlight. The news channel will host the first edition of Health summit 2025 on 29 September, aligning with World heart day, to address the nation’s growing silent health emergency.

    With more than 100 million people battling diabetes, obesity and fatty liver cases on the rise, and mental health concerns mounting, the summit promises to be a wake-up call. Policymakers, doctors, nutritionists and mental health experts will gather for a day of hard-hitting discussions on everything from cardiovascular health and childhood lifestyle diseases to nutrition myths and mental well-being.

    Union health minister J P Nadda, yoga guru Swami Ramdev, and eminent specialists including Fortis Escorts’s Ashok Seth and AIIMS’s Rakesh Yadav will join the dialogue. Senior ministers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh will also bring a policymaker’s perspective.

    Anchored by Aaj Tak’s most trusted voices, the event aims not just to raise awareness but to inspire action: building pathways for a fitter, stronger, and healthier India.

  • Paramount’s Pam Kaufman calls it a day

    Paramount’s Pam Kaufman calls it a day

    MUMBAI: Pam Kaufman, the executive who turned a “yellow sea sponge” into a global merchandising juggernaut, has announced her departure from Paramount after more than two decades with the entertainment giant.

     Kaufman, who served as chief executive of international markets and global consumer products, will leave at the end of the year, though she plans to stay on as a consultant. Her exit comes as David Ellison and Jeff Shell take the reins of the newly restructured media company.

    During her tenure,  Kaufman transformed Paramount’s consumer products division into a $7bn retail business. She oversaw the expansion of iconic franchises including SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Paw Patrol across more than 170 international markets. Under her watch, the company struck lucrative partnerships with brands from Stella McCartney to Supreme, many of which sold out within minutes of launch.

    The executive, who began her career at Nickelodeon in the 1990s, became the network’s first chief marketing officer in 2008. She launched over 20 television programmes and helped the company achieve $1bn in revenue. Her marketing prowess was perhaps best demonstrated with the Kids’ Choice Awards, where she nearly tripled voter participation.

    Kaufman’s international expansion efforts included launching Nickelodeon-themed resorts in Mexico and the United States, whilst the gaming division she oversaw produced hits like Star Trek Fleet Command, which has racked up 20m downloads.

    “We built billion-dollar franchises,” Kaufman wrote in her farewell post on LinkedIn. “We turned a yellow sea sponge into a global icon.”

    The departure marks the end of an era for Paramount, which has been grappling with the rapid shift to streaming whilst trying to maintain its traditional television and film businesses. Kaufman played a crucial role in supporting the international rollout of Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

    Beyond Paramount, Kaufman sits on the boards of Lindblad Expeditions, Stella McCartney, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. She will remain in these roles.

    “I’ve truly had the slime of my life,” she quipped, referencing Nickelodeon’s trademark green goo, “in the ‘in between’ with all of you.”

     

  • Steelers turn style raiders with Puma in kabaddi’s coolest crossover

    Steelers turn style raiders with Puma in kabaddi’s coolest crossover

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi just got a wardrobe upgrade. The Haryana Steelers, known for rewriting rules on the mat, have stepped into an all-new arena fashion. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Puma India, the team’s official kit partner, the Steelers have launched a stylised campaign that reimagines kabaddi stars not just as athletes but as cultural icons of desi cool.

    The campaign takes kabaddi out of the mud pits and into the mainstream, blending the sport’s raw energy with the swagger of Haryanvi rap, hip hop and street style. It’s a bold statement: kabaddi belongs not just in stadiums but also in playlists, conversations and wardrobes.

    Traditionally, kabaddi players have been showcased through a lens of grit, sweat and physicality. This time, the Steelers are seen in a never-before avatar styled like trendsetters who embody aspiration, pride and pop culture. By tapping into subcultures shaping youth identity in North India, the campaign redefines kabaddi athletes as off-field style leaders.

    “This collaboration with Puma is more than just fashion; it’s about breaking stereotypes,” said Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh. “Kabaddi players are not only athletes; they are cultural icons who inspire a generation. With this campaign, we wanted to showcase their journey in a way today’s youth can relate to and look up to. Our aim is to make kabaddi, and the Haryana Steelers, truly aspirational, something that represents pride, ambition and coolness both on and off the mat.”

    Echoing the sentiment, Puma India head of marketing Shreya Sachdev added: “As the leading sports brand in the country, Puma believes that investing in sport beyond cricket is crucial. Kabaddi is already the second-most watched sports league in India, and the Haryana Steelers have consistently proven their mettle. Now, it’s time for their fans to see them as off-field rockstars too.”

    With this HS x Puma India collaboration, the Haryana Steelers are cementing themselves not just as athletes but as a lifestyle statement. By blending fashion, music and sport, they’re spearheading a cultural shift that positions kabaddi as cool, aspirational and deeply rooted in India’s evolving youth identity.

    From mitti ke akhadas to global conversations, the Steelers are proving kabaddi is more than just a game, it’s a movement.
     

  • Zee bridges borders as India’s regional leaders shine in Mauritius

    Zee bridges borders as India’s regional leaders shine in Mauritius

    MUMBAI: From the heart of India to the heart of the Indian Ocean Zee’s grand Leadership Summit Mauritius 2025 proved that local voices can carry global weight. Hosted by Zee MPCG, Zee BJH, and Zee PHH, the summit, themed “Bridging Borders, Building Futures”, brought India’s regional leadership stories to an international stage for the very first time. Viewers can catch the highlights when it airs on Zee MPCG on 27 September 2025 at 2:30 pm.

    The choice of Mauritius was no accident. With 68 per cent of its population of Indian origin, the island nation embodies centuries of cultural ties and shared heritage. The summit was graced by H.E. Prithvirajsing Roopun, GCSK, former president of Mauritius, who underlined that Mauritius and India are united not only by the Indian Ocean but also by bonds of history and heart. Joining him were Veena S. Suthan, second secretary at the Indian High Commission in Mauritius, and Neelam Sharma, noted Mauritian media personality, adding gravitas and local resonance.

    For Zee Media Corporation Limited, this was more than an event, it was a statement. Karan Abhishek Singh, CEO, ZMCL, stressed, “India’s diversity is its strength. By taking regional stories to a global stage, we build bridges of culture, unity, and progress. With its legacy and reach, Zee has always been the voice of leadership, and this Summit reflects our commitment to amplifying regional voices worldwide.”

    Editors from across Zee’s regional networks amplified their home states with conviction:

    Zee MPCG editor Mohit Sinha “True leadership rises from the grassroots. This Summit ensures emerging leaders from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh inspire audiences in India and abroad.”

    Zee BJH editor Raj Kamal Chaudhary: “The Summit was a perfect platform to spotlight Bihar and Jharkhand’s success stories tales of grit and vision that resonate globally.”

    Zee PHH editor Deepak Dhiman: “Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal symbolise entrepreneurial spirit. Their stories at this Summit reflect how regional ambition translates to global impact.”

    Through panel discussions, cultural showcases, and immersive exchanges, the summit positioned regional India not as a footnote but as a force in shaping the global future. By highlighting journeys from farmers to entrepreneurs, grassroots leaders to cultural icons, it proved that India’s progress narrative is incomplete without its states.

    The Zee Leadership Summit Mauritius 2025 will be remembered as the year when India’s regional leaders, often celebrated locally, took centre stage on the world map. By turning community narratives into global conversations, Zee showed that bridging borders isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.

    And on 27 September, when the highlights beam back to millions of living rooms, viewers won’t just be watching a telecast, they’ll be witnessing history.

  • Bengaluru gets set to run the town with News18 Kannada’s Namma Run

    Bengaluru gets set to run the town with News18 Kannada’s Namma Run

    MUMBAI: Bengaluru, lace up the city’s about to swap traffic jams for running shoes. News18 Kannada has announced its debut Namma Run, South Edition, a first-of-its-kind city marathon that hits the streets on 28 September 2025, promising to be as much a celebration of community spirit as it is of fitness.

    The action begins at St. Joseph’s Ground (opposite UB City), with none other than Kannada cinema’s beloved Karunada Chakravarthy, Shiva Rajkumar, inaugurating the event. His presence brings a touch of star power and local pride, setting the stage for what aims to be a landmark fitness festival in the heart of Bengaluru.

    Far from being just a serious runner’s affair, Namma Run is designed as a carnival of inclusivity. Kids can sprint through 1 km and 2 km fun runs or take on a 3 km timed run, while families and grandparents can stroll the 3 km walkathon together. Adults can test their endurance in the 5 km and 10 km fun runs, or step up to the challenge with 5K and 10K timed runs that will bring out Bengaluru’s competitive spirit.

    In short, whether you’re a sneaker-clad school kid, a weekend jogger, or a full-blown marathon junkie, there’s a track waiting with your name on it.

    Bengaluru is just the start. This is the inaugural edition of Namma Run, which will soon set pace across South India with Hyderabad in November, Chennai in December, and Kochi in early 2026 already on the cards. Registration for the Bengaluru run is now open, inviting the city to make history with its first step.

    No marathon is complete without support, and Namma Run comes powered by an impressive lineup. Casagrand leads as presenting sponsor, with Amity University stepping in as co-presenting sponsor. Fybros Smart Electrical Creations and Reliance power the initiative, while Off Limits adds the sporting gear as merchandise partner. Keeping health in check is Narayana Health, while Decathlon takes the title of sports partner. Special support comes from Prominence, Repose Mattress, and Meenakshi TMT, with Twin Birds joining as associate partner.

    At its core, Namma Run is about more than kilometres, it’s about community. By combining inclusivity, competition, and culture, the event seeks to transform a Sunday into a festival of fitness. With music, energy, and the city’s unmistakable buzz, 28 September promises to be a day Bengaluru will remember as the start of something bigger.

    So, whether you’re chasing a personal best or just out for the joy of it, one thing’s certain: Bengaluru is about to run the town.

  • Insight TV creates media powerhouse after swooping on distressed rival

    Insight TV creates media powerhouse after swooping on distressed rival

    AMSTERDAM: Insight TV, the Dutch unscripted television channel operator, has unveiled World Storytelling Media Group (WSMG) to house its expanding empire after mopping up the distribution assets of bankrupt factual producer Off The Fence (OTF) this summer.

    The newly minted parent company will corral both firms under one roof, merging their commercial teams into a unified sales force. WSMG will make its bow at next month’s Mipcom television market as Insight TV marks its tenth anniversary.

    The tie-up creates a formidable catalogue spanning automotive, food and lifestyle programming from Insight TV alongside OTF’s factual fare—with promises of fresh genres to follow. Insight TV will continue expanding its stable of seven pay-TV and fast channels across global feeds, whilst centralising all intellectual property and rights investments within OTF’s operation.

    The reshuffle places OTF’s acquisition team, led by Loren Baxter, at the heart of content buying for both the channels and third-party producers. She will work closely with , Insight TV’s director of programming and scheduling Sarah Reed, and global vice-president of fast and content Lisette Schlippe to feed the group’s growing appetite for unscripted shows.

    Key Insight TV executives are joining OTF’s sales ranks. Sam Thomson becomes senior vice-president of content sales for North America and global networks, whilst former Fox hand Joanna Rowley takes charge of Asia-Pacific, Britain and Ireland. Inês Isidro will handle the Benelux, Brazil and Portugal territories.

    “The launch of WSMG heralds a new era to better facilitate the discovery of high-quality IP for partners and audiences at this moment of seismic change in our industry,” said , Insight TV chief executive Viktoriia Tkachenko. The group aims to offer producers access to traditional linear channels, fast platforms, YouTube “and indeed whatever comes next”.

    OTF chief executive Bo Stehmeier  boasted of assembling “arguably the most experienced and largest factual commercial team under one roof”. The ambition, he said, is creating “a true one-stop shop for the global non-scripted storytelling community”