ITV

Category: Television

  • Disney’s Q4 ends on a strong note with 23 per cent growth in operating income

    Disney’s Q4 ends on a strong note with 23 per cent growth in operating income

    Mumbai: We all grew up enchanted by the gleaming white castle, its spires stretching toward the heavens, a symbol of dreams brought to life. Since its debut in 1985, that castle, now softly lit by a setting sun with just the word ‘Disney’ below, has stood as a beacon of imagination and innovation. Today, much like the castle, The Walt Disney Company stands resilient, weathering decades of change and continuing to captivate hearts worldwide.

    Closing fiscal 2024 on a high note, Disney showcased a masterclass in adaptation and growth amidst shifting tides in the entertainment industry. With Q4 revenue soaring 6 per cent to $22.6 billion and full-year revenue climbing 3 per cent to $91.4 billion, Disney reaffirmed its status as a powerhouse, delivering not just profits but enduring magic for fans and shareholders alike. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) rose dramatically, with Q4 showing a 79 per cent increase to $0.25, and full-year EPS more than doubling to $2.72, reflecting improved operational efficiency.

    Despite a 6 per cent dip in pre-tax income to $0.9 billion for Q4, full-year figures paint a brighter picture with an impressive 59 per cent jump to $7.6 billion compared to FY23. The company delivered $8.6 billion in free cash flow, marking an impressive 75 per cent year-over-year increase, driven by lower production costs and higher operating income. Share buybacks of $3 billion and dividends tracking earnings growth highlight Disney’s commitment to shareholder value.

    Disney’s Entertainment segment witnessed stellar growth, with operating income soaring past $1.1 billion, reflecting a staggering >100 per cent year-over-year improvement. This resurgence was bolstered by a 14 per cent increase in revenue to $10.8 billion, driven by box office hits such as Pixar’s “Inside Out 2″ and Marvel’s “Deadpool & Wolverine”, collectively amassing $316 million in operating income.

    Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) profitability marked a significant milestone, transitioning from a $420 million loss in Q4 FY23 to a $253 million profit in Q4 FY24. Disney+ Core subscriptions grew by 4.4 million, reaching 120 million paid subscribers, while Hulu gained an additional 2 per cent to 52 million subscribers.

    While the Sports segment saw a minor 5 per cent decline in operating income to $929 million, domestic ESPN advertising revenue increased by 7 per cent, showcasing continued strength in live sports. However, rising costs, particularly in college football rights, weighed on overall profitability.

    The Parks and Experiences segment achieved record annual revenues of $34.2 billion, driven by higher guest spending and innovative offerings like the Disney Cruise Line. Nonetheless, Q4 revenue growth was modest at 1 per cent, with international parks reporting a 6 per cent decline in operating income, attributed to lower attendance and higher operating costs.

    Disney invested $5.4 billion in capital expenditures, reflecting its focus on long-term growth via fleet expansions and next-generation attractions. CEO Robert A. Iger expressed optimism, emphasising Disney’s strategy to leverage its vast entertainment assets to deliver exceptional returns and sustained innovation.

    Looking ahead, Disney projects high single-digit EPS growth in FY25, targeting $15 billion in operating cash flow and $3 billion in stock repurchases. Entertainment DTC operating income is forecasted to grow by $875 million, signalling robust momentum in the streaming space.

    As Disney emerges from a challenging yet transformative phase, the FY24 results underscore its ability to adapt, innovate, and grow amidst industry headwinds. With a diverse portfolio spanning streaming, sports, and experiential entertainment, Disney’s fiscal trajectory remains a compelling narrative of resilience and ambition.

  • Uday Shankar and his band of three merry men

    Uday Shankar and his band of three merry men

    MUMBAI; They could have gone in for a single CEO like Disney Star India – or Star India before that – had done in the past.

    But with the magical Uday Shankar on top as the vice-chairperson to guide and direct strategy, the trio of Disney, Reliance Industries, and Bodhi Tree systems decided to go in for a troika of CEOs for the joint venture.  Kevin Vaz to lead  entertainment across platforms, Kiran Mani to head the combined digital organisation and the affable but effective Sanjog Gupta to spearhead the combined sports initiatives.

    A press release issued by Reliance Industries announced that the expectation is that the three will lead the new firm into a new era of ambition and disruption. “Together, they will leverage their unique strengths to cultivate a bold transformative vision that challenges the status quo and sets new standards in the industry,” it adds.

    Ambani is known to be a man in a hurry and willing to take risks. Leadership in every sector his group is involved in is all he asks. He is willing to give it time, but his watch runs differently, faster than every other entrepreneur in the business.

    Uday Shankar is built in the same vein. He has built a reputation of being on business steroids. Number one or nothing has always been his credo. Being the best in whatever he takes up. He is known to have taken tremendous risks, some say gambles, and on almost all occasions he has come out on top. The  team below him will have to keep pace.

    Kevin Vaz is a steady, consistent performer, who has stuck by Star for almost a score of years. An astute sales person, he has learnt to run a mean entertainment driven organisation. First, heading English language channels, then regional language ones, kids and infotainment ones. Finally, Hindi entertainment offerings  – the entire gamut before going on to settle at Viacom18 as CEO. With a strong second and third rung of creatives and programming heads leading the shows and series, he will not have too many a challenge from any of the others in the same space.

    Kiran Mani first cut his teeth in advertising working on Unilever brands. Then he spent eight years in IBM in marketing and channel sales in India. He hopped onto Microsoft  where once again he led marketing, strategy and operations. He then turned entrepreneur with an ad tech platform for which he found a buyer in two years. After a short stint at advising the National University of Singapore on its MBA programme, he dived into Google where he stayed for a baker’s dozen years, shuffling between India, the Bay area and Japan and Asia Pacific, finally settling down as general manager of android and Google Play for Asia Pacific and Japan when he was scouted and picked up to head Viacom18 Media. He burned the mid-night oil and weekends advising and angel investing in startups taking bets on emerging platforms and technologies while rapidly shooting up the corporate ladders. 

    Credentials like that are not easy to find, and he is the executive upon whom a lot rests as the world of entertainment consumption continues to transition from cable and linear TV to wireless streaming, handheld devices like mobile phones and tablets and connected TVs. And of course generative AI and machine learning. The area is teeming with competition with global biggies like Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix and Google’s YouTube. What will hold him in good stead his deep attachment to meditation, mindfulness, and yoga which he has being practising for more than a dozen years.

    The bearded Sanjog Gupta is known to be a backroom executive, reticent, a quiet thinking leader who is more comfortable and does well in meeting rooms with his team and clients. With deep relationships across sports federations – both globally and locally, rights owners, athletes and sportsmen, a close and sharp eye on sports technology that vows the consumer, he has stayed ahead of all broadcast sports executives in the country and even in Asia. His challenge will be to keep the top line and bottom line healthy in an era of  skyrocketing licensing fees for sports like cricket. This apart, the Ambani family has taken upon itself to encourage other sports in the country, especially in the Olympic and Asian Games arena. Sanjog will have to find a way to train Indian viewers to start enjoying  and staying hooked to these sports as India vies to stage the Olympics within its shores in the next decade.   

    To know more about the other leadership teams please click here. https://www.jiostar.com/leadership/

  • Reliance, Viacom18 & Disney joint venture comes into effect

    Reliance, Viacom18 & Disney joint venture comes into effect

    MUMBAI:  It has taken its time to take its form, but it’s finally got there. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Viacom 18 Media (Viacom18) and The Walt Disney Co  (Disney) today announced that following the approval by the NCLT Mumbai, Competition Commission of India (CCI) and other regulatory authorities, the merger of the media and JioCinema businesses of Viacom18 into Star India Pvt Ltd (SIPL) has become effective (the JV). In addition, RIL has invested Rs 11,500 crore ($ 1.4 billion) into the JV for its growth. The latter has  in turn allotted shares to Viacom18 and RIL as consideration for the assets and cash, respectively. 

    The transaction values the JV at Rs 70,352 crore (US$ 8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies. At the closing of the transactions noted above, the JV is controlled by RIL and owned 16.34 per cent by RIL, 46.82 per cent by Viacom18 and 36.84 per cent by Disney.  

    Nita M. Ambani will be the chairperson of the JV, with Uday Shankar as vice chairperson providing strategic guidance to the JV. 

    The JV is home to the most iconic and engaging media brands in India across TV and digital platforms. The combination of Star and Colors on the television side and JioCinema and Hotstar on the digital front will provide extensive choice of content across entertainment and sports to viewers in India and globally. 

    A press release issued by the trio hailed the JV as heralding a new era in India’s entertainment industry for consumers. This unique joint venture of Reliance and Disney brings together the companies’ content creation and curation prowess, world-class digital streaming capabilities along with a digital first approach that will help the JV deliver unparallelled content choices at affordable prices to Indian viewers and the Indian diaspora globally.  

    The JV will be one of the largest media and entertainment companies in India with pro forma combined revenue of approximately Rs 26,000 crore (US$ 3.1 billion) for the fiscal year ended in March 2024. The JV operates over 100 TV channels and produces 30,000 plus hours of TV entertainment content annually. The JioCinema and Hotstar digital platforms have an aggregate subscription base of over 50 million. The JV holds a portfolio of sports rights across cricket, football and other sports.  

    The CCI  approved the transaction on 27 August 2024, subject to the compliance with certain voluntary modifications offered by the parties. Apart from the CCI, the transaction has been approved by anti-trust authorities in the EU, China, Turkey, South Korea and Ukraine. 

    “With the formation of this JV, the Indian media and entertainment industry is entering a transformational era,” said RIL chairman & managing director Mukesh Ambani. “Our deep creative expertise and relationship with Disney, along with our unmatched understanding of the Indian consumer will ensure unparalleled content choices at affordable prices for Indian viewers. I am very excited about the JV’s future and wish it all the success.” 

    “This is an exciting moment for our two companies, as well as for India’s consumers, as we create one of the top entertainment entities in the country through this joint venture,” said Disney CEO Bob  A. Iger. “By joining forces with Reliance, we are able to expand our presence in this important media market and deliver viewers an even more robust portfolio of entertainment, sports content, and digital services.” 

    “James and I are excited to be partners in this journey to disrupt the media and entertainment industry in India. The new organisation is committed to deliver an unprecedented level of creativity, disruption and new age consumer experience,” said Bodhi Tree Systems co-founder Uday Shankar. “As media consumption continues to move to an integrated TV-digital ecosystem, the merger of Viacom18 and Star India offers a unique opportunity to reorient the industry to better serve diverse cohorts of consumers across the country. Together, we aim to build India’s largest integrated media platform which will deliver unparalleled experiences in innovative and exciting ways.”

    Media observers agree. Says one of them: “This is a win-win for both the Mukeshbha-run RIL and Disney. The have the extremely skilled and talented Uday Shankar on their side of the fence. They can only grow in strength from hereon. And their opponents in the sector – Zee, Sony, Warner Bros Discovery, Sun TV , Google, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft  –  look like midgets compared to the giant that has been created.  For sure, in the coming years we are going to see attempts by the others to agglomerate and get scale for themselves. Not just consumers the entire sector is in for shakeups and exciting times.”

     

  • Govind Shahi set to exit Indiacast after a 12 year stint

    Govind Shahi set to exit Indiacast after a 12 year stint

    Mumbai: Highly placed sources have revealed that Govind Shahi, the International Business Head at Indiacast, is stepping down after an impressive 12-year run. Known for his leadership in steering Viacom18’s international channels to major growth, Govind is likely to explore new opportunities. While there was strong speculation about him taking the reins of international operations at Jiostar, it seems that he could be charting a different course.

    With over three decades of experience in media, including top roles at Zee and Colors, as well as various entrepreneurial ventures, Govind has made a mark in global broadcasting. He’s credited with launching key channels and events, such as Zee Russia, Zee Carnival, Zee Cine Awards, Colors Gujarati, and Colors Rishtey along with digital products like Voot, while spearheading a range of successful global initiatives.

    Govind will be leaving Colors at a time when the network is at its peak, dominating several international markets. Under his leadership, Colors became the only Indian broadcaster with a unified FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) presence internationally -an achievement largely driven by his strategic vision and ability to adapt quickly to market needs.

  • Golden Visa program has significantly contributed to the influx of Indian creatives into Dubai’s media ecosystem: Majed Al Suwaidi

    Golden Visa program has significantly contributed to the influx of Indian creatives into Dubai’s media ecosystem: Majed Al Suwaidi

    Mumbai: As Indian creatives and production houses seek new opportunities to broaden their reach, Dubai Studio City has emerged as a vital gateway, providing world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge facilities designed to elevate content creation and distribution on a global scale. This vibrant hub serves not only as a state-of-the-art filming and production complex but as a springboard for Indian media companies looking to break into international markets.

    They have introduced a range of forward-thinking initiatives, such as the Golden Visa program, which is specifically designed to attract top-tier talent from India and beyond. This long-term residency program offers creative professionals and entrepreneurs the stability and opportunities they need to thrive in Dubai’s dynamic media landscape.

    Indiantelevision.com’s Rohin Ramesh caught up with Majed Al Suwaidi, senior vice president of Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City & Dubai Production City at Tecom Group PJSC where he  discussed the strategic role they play as a gateway for Indian creatives to access global markets,

    On Dubai Studio City planning to strengthen ties with Indian media and entertainment companies

    Dubai Studio City, one of Tecom Group PJSC’s 10 vibrant business districts in Dubai, is strengthening ties with global media and entertainment companies, including talented Indian content creation specialists. Our world-class infrastructure and pro-creativity environment foster a strategic bridge that links Indian creatives with global audiences by leveraging Dubai’s strategic location and multicultural environment. Alongside Dubai Media City and Dubai Production City, our district forms Tecom Group’s Media Cluster, an interconnected hub home to more than 3,500 customers and 38,000 professionals.

    On highlighting some of the advanced facilities or technologies that have been especially beneficial to content creators, particularly those coming from India

    Our state-of-the-art infrastructure includes among the region’s largest Sound Stages, backlots, and production offices, all tailored to serve diverse production needs. We also offer support to incorporate cutting-edge technologies and support for virtual production, augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) integration to push the boundaries of storytelling through in5 Media. The dedicated vertical of Tecom Group’s in5 incubator, in5 Media’s dedicated Innovation Centre at Dubai Production City provides access to specialised facilities, further enhancing the production process for creative entrepreneurs seeking to start or scale up from Dubai.

    On some initiatives shaping Dubai’s freelance culture, particularly within the media industry

    Tecom Group’s D/Quarters and GoFreelance platforms are vital pillars that support our vision to foster a thriving creative community in Dubai for global impact. GoFreelance offers flexible and collaborative workspaces at the heart of Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, while GoFreelance nurtures the gig economy with networking opportunities. Our strategic alignment with Dubai Film and TV Commission also offers access to content production activities for producers, film crews, and filmmakers. Combined with our sector-specific infrastructure, these offerings ensure a dynamic and agile media landscape.

    On this initiative impacting the influx of Indian creatives and professionals into Dubai’s media ecosystem

    In a testament to Dubai’s high quality of life and the close ties between the UAE and India, more than 3.5 million Indians call the UAE their home. The Golden Visa program has significantly contributed to the influx of Indian creatives and professionals into Dubai’s media ecosystem. Having attracted a wave of cinematic and creative personalities from India in recent years, the programme strengthens bilateral ties and reaffirms Dubai’s appeal to Indian creatives seeking global opportunities.

    On specific collaborative projects or strategies you are considering tapping into the Indian market

    More than 46 per cent of global media professionals expect advanced emerging technologies and the adoption of AI solutions to impact their field of expertise in the coming years. Moreover, 77 per cent agree Dubai and the UAE provide well-developed infrastructure to enable creative excellence, according to Dubai Design District’s and Dubai Media City’s Digital Creative Economy 2024 white paper, developed in partnership with global digital consultancy Monstarlab. We recognise the immense potential of the Indian digital content market and nurture talent to harness such cutting-edge technologies.

    On Tecom Group planning to support or incorporate esports-focused facilities or partnerships within the media cluster

    The rapidly growing esports industry in India and South Asia presents new opportunities for audience engagement and revenue, and with the UAE having played IPL host in 2014 and 2020 – as well as the IPL 2024 auction in Dubai in 2023 – we are keenly tracking the e-sports industry’s growth in India and beyond. Tecom Group’s Media Cluster is at the forefront of supporting the industry evolution that the growth of e-sports represents, and we will nurture our community to embrace such innovation.

    On top priorities for Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Production City in the next three-five years

    We will continue to invest in world-class infrastructure and platforms to strengthen our ecosystem for global talent and leaders from international markets, including India. Our Media Cluster is geared to solidify Dubai’s position as a global hub for content creation, driving innovation and contributing to the growth of the global creative economy.

  • Times Now Navbharat dominates YouTube with consistent leadership

    Times Now Navbharat dominates YouTube with consistent leadership

    Mumbai: Times Now Navbharat accumulated 1.3 billion video views in September and October, registering 570 million and 811 million video views respectively (Source: YouTube Dashboard). Displacing legacy digital players, the channel clocked a cumulative 43.1 million hours of watch time in two months (Source: YouTube Dashboard).

    The channel had crossed five million subscribers in August 2023 and has since added over one million subscribers every 45 days (Source: Playboard/Socialblade). By consistently building a strong affinity with its viewers, the channel surpassed 14 million YouTube subscribers as of November 8, 2024, securing its position as a leading player in the digital news ecosystem and setting new benchmarks for audience engagement and reach. ‘The latest one million subscribers were acquired in the past 30 days itself.

    The channel continues to invest in enhancing its audience delivery platform, ensuring brands gain from even more targeted reach and heightened viewer engagement. 

  • Sun TV reports balanced growth amid market volatility

    Sun TV reports balanced growth amid market volatility

    Mumbai: In a climate marked by increasing operational costs and fluctuating revenues, Sun TV Network Limited has reported a modest increase in revenue for the quarter ending 30 September 2024. Despite a 3.26 per cent year-over-year rise in revenue from core operations, which totaled Rs 799.36 crore (excluding movies and sports segments), the company’s bottom line tells a more complex story. Net profit after tax decreased by 12.7 per cent from Rs 456.24 crore in Q2 FY24 to Rs 398.17 crore, signalling operational challenges and increased expenses across the board.

    The growth in advertisement revenue, a critical component of Sun TV’s revenue, was a highlight. It saw a 2.13 per cent increase, reaching Rs 335.42 crore compared to Rs 328.42 crore in the same period last year. Subscription revenue also improved by 4.43 per cent, totaling Rs 436.75 crore, underlining the network’s stable viewer base across its diverse media platforms. This progress reflects Sun TV’s ability to engage its audience across four southern and three northern Indian languages, covering platforms from satellite television to digital OTT services and sports franchises.

    Operational costs, however, presented a significant burden, impacting profit margins. Sun TV’s operating expenses rose to Rs 219.61 crore, a marked increase from last year’s Rs 170.48 crore for the same quarter. The company reported EBITDA at Rs 528.98 crore, down from Rs 716.21 crore a year earlier, reflecting the broader cost pressures facing the network.

    Sun TV’s consolidated revenue from operations was Rs 934.54 crore, reflecting a year-over-year decrease from Rs 1,048.45 crore in Q2 FY24. The company also declared an interim dividend of Rs 5 per share, maintaining a consistent return to shareholders amid fluctuating financial performance. Earnings per share (EPS) fell from Rs 11.58 in Q2 FY24 to Rs 10.10 this quarter.

    From a cash flow perspective, the company reported a notable reduction in cash from operating activities, which stood at Rs 915.70 crore for the six months ending 30 September 2024, compared to Rs 1,127.56 crore for the same period last year. This contraction in operational cash flow underlines the challenges posed by rising expenses and investment needs.

    With the earnings release, Sun TV also disclosed a noteworthy revenue boost from its cricket franchises—Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The combined income for these sports assets reached Rs 497.14 crore for the half-year period, underscoring the brand’s diversified revenue streams. The corresponding franchise expenses amounted to Rs 237.76 crore, a testament to the increasing financial stakes of sports franchise ownership.

    Depreciation and amortisation expenses further influenced the financial outcome, rising from Rs 214.34 crore in Q2 FY24 to Rs 191.36 crore this quarter. Meanwhile, finance costs also doubled to Rs 3.20 crore, reflecting additional capital needs.

    Sun TV’s mixed performance in Q2 FY25 signals both the resilience of its core revenue streams and the challenges posed by rising costs and intense market competition. With a focus on maintaining growth in advertisement and subscription revenues, the network’s strategic outlook may pivot towards enhancing cost efficiency, particularly within its sports and digital streaming ventures.

    Financial Highlights:

    1. Revenue Growth: Sun TV Network’s Q2 FY25 revenue (excluding movies and sports) increased by 3.26 per cent year-over-year, reaching Rs 799.36 crore.

    2. Advertising Revenue: Advertising revenue rose by 2.13 per cent to Rs 335.42 crore, indicating a stable recovery in ad spends.

    3. Subscription Revenue: Subscription revenue grew by 4.43 per cent, amounting to Rs 436.75 crore, driven by a strong subscription base.

    4. Total Income: Consolidated total income for Q2 FY25 stood at Rs 1,064.14 crore, a slight decline from Rs 1,125.08 crore in the previous year.

    5. EBITDA: EBITDA for the quarter was Rs 528.98 crore, down from Rs 716.21 crore year-over-year, reflecting broader industry cost pressures.

    6. Profit Before Tax: Profit before tax decreased to Rs 498.40 crore from Rs 608.24 crore in Q2 FY24.

    7. Profit After Tax: Net profit stood at Rs 398.17 crore, a decline from Rs 456.24 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

    8. Interim Dividend: The board declared a 100 per cent interim dividend at Rs 5 per share, underscoring strong cash flow.

    9. Sports Franchise Income: Income from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape franchises reached Rs 497.14 crore for H1 FY25, with expenses at Rs 237.76 crore.

    10. Market Position: Sun TV Network’s diverse portfolio and stable revenue sources position it resiliently amidst changing media industry dynamics.

  • T.V. Today Network shines at SAFA BPA Awards 2023

    T.V. Today Network shines at SAFA BPA Awards 2023

    Mumbai: T.V. Today Network Ltd has been awarded the Silver Award in the Service Sector category at the SAFA BPA (Best Presented Annual Reports) Awards 2023. The recognition by the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) underscores the organization’s dedication to excellence in financial reporting.

    SAFA, a network partner of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), represents eleven leading accountancy bodies across South Asia with a membership exceeding 475,000 professionals. The organization is a key driver in promoting transparency, accountability and governance across the region.

    The Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2022-23 was evaluated by SAFA’s Committee for Improvement in Transparency, Accountability & Governance. It was selected for its high-quality presentation and adherence to applicable financial reporting standards, setting a benchmark within the service sector.

    Earlier this year, the annual report also received the Silver Shield in the Service Sector category for “Excellence in Financial Reporting” from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). This recognition led to its nomination to SAFA, reflecting its consistent commitment to meeting the highest standards in financial reporting.

    The award was conferred to Yatender Kumar Tyagi, CFO T.V. Today Network during a ceremony on 11 November  2024, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, attended by eminent leaders in finance and business.

  • Zee Entertainment UK launches &TV on Samsung TV Plus

    Zee Entertainment UK launches &TV on Samsung TV Plus

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment UK is expanding its presence in the UK and Europe with the launch of &TV on Samsung TV Plus. This follows the successful introductions of Zee One in Germany, Zee World English, and Zee Magic in France.

    &TV is the first Hindi entertainment channel on Samsung TV Plus in the UK, targeting the five million-strong South Asian population. It offers popular shows like Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain, Atal, Begusarai, Tere Bin, and Ghar Ek Mandir, all with English subtitles. These programs focus on relatable experiences, emotions, and cultural nuances that connect with British Asian audiences.

    This launch strengthens Zee Entertainment UK’s relationship with the British Asian community, offering an engaging and enjoyable viewing experience on Samsung TV Plus.

    Samsung TV Plus UK lead, content acquisition Stuart Pearson said, “We are thrilled to introduce &TV to Samsung TV Plus in the UK. This exciting addition brings countless hours of Bollywood-centric content to viewers in the region. Our partnership with Zee is built on robust fundamentals of audience engagement, and we are delighted to continue this successful collaboration.”

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises chief business officer – international business, Ashok Namboodiri, said, “We are absolutely delighted to announce the launch of our new channel, marking the first Hindi language channel on Samsung TV Plus. This incredible collaboration allows us to bring even more of our engaging and popular content to viewers in the UK. Following the successful launches of three other channels in the UK and Europe, this partnership with Samsung TV Plus is truly remarkable and an exciting milestone for us.”

    Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s free ad-supported streaming service, requiring no subscription, sign-up, or additional devices. It is pre-installed on Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 to 2024 and available for download on Samsung Galaxy devices in select regions. The service is available in the UK and 15 other European regions with only an internet connection required.

  • Emirates brings NBA Cup to New York to kick off tournament

    Emirates brings NBA Cup to New York to kick off tournament

    Mumbai: The Emirates NBA Cup trophy arrived in New York to mark the start of the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, following its journey from Dubai. As the official global airline partner of the NBA and inaugural title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup, Emirates transported the trophy aboard an Airbus A380 featuring an NBA-themed livery. The tournament began on 12 November and will culminate with the championship game on 17 December in Las Vegas.

    NBA legend James Worthy accompanied the trophy, which was handed to NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Emirates senior VP Thierry Aucoc upon arrival in New York. The flight featured basketball-themed cabin décor across all classes, with NBA-branded food served in special packaging and live NBA games available on the in-flight entertainment system, ice. Passengers in first and business class enjoyed exclusive NBA-themed snacks and a chance to socialize with worthy in the onboard lounge.

    From now until 17 December, customers flying to and from 13 U.S. and Canadian cities will experience NBA-themed services, including co-branded headrests, NBA-inspired meals, and live game streaming on flights. Emirates lounges in select cities will feature NBA-themed menus. Passengers also received commemorative memorabilia such as limited-edition NBA replica aircraft models, luggage tags, and photo frames.

    Additionally, basketball fans can purchase NBA merchandise, including replica aircraft models, from the Emirates official store. The Emirates NBA Cup continues with group play matchups, including the San Antonio Spurs vs. the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies vs. the Golden State Warriors.