Category: Television

Zee hires Shiva Chinnasamy as chief technology & product officer

Mumbai: Zee Entertainment has appointed Shiva Chinnasamy as its chief technology and product officer.

In this new role, Shiva will be based at the company’s Technology & Innovation
Centre (TIC) in Bengaluru, and will report into Amit Goenka who holds the position of president – digital business, international linear business, enterprise technology and broadcast
operations & engineering.

Shiva will be responsible for the efforts being undertaken at the TIC across data, artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) to enhance the consumer experience across platforms and further support Zee’s growth plans across its core business segments.

“As the company moves forward in line with its strategic objectives to drive robust growth, certain action-oriented steps are being implemented to enhance the capabilities of the businesses,” said Goenka. “Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall customer journey across all our platforms, and our Technology and Innovation Centre is steadily working towards gaining a deeper understanding of our vast audience base in order to deliver successful business outcomes. Shiva’s invaluable industry expertise and experience in scaling businesses with a deep understanding of technology will be instrumental in building the necessary capabilities for the company in its next phase of growth. I look forward to working closely with Shiva and the team at TIC to complement Zee’s long-term growth trajectory”

“I am honoured to join the journey of Zee at a pivotal intersection between content and technology, as the company aims to fortify its capabilities in the realm of content distribution and monetisation,” disclosed Chinnasamy. “I am excited to get started and work with the teams to build innovative solutions for our businesses and unlock deeper consumer insights that help accelerate innovation driven growth opportunities for Zee.”

“The OTT and media segments are ripe for tech led disruption. And I couldn’t think of a more exciting place to be at now than at Zee, which has a track record of innovation in Indian media space. And I think Zee TIC has one of the coolest offices in Bengaluru. And we are cooking some of the coolest apps out there,” he later posted on LinkedIn.

Chinnasamy has over 20 years of work experience across technology, data science and analytics to provide large scale, long-term solutions in close collaboration with stakeholders and business partners. His expertise spans across ad tech, eCommerce, omni channel retail, B2C fintech, B2B SaaS, platform engineering and mobile engineering.

He has been instrumental in building multiple impactful products in lead roles through innovative ideas and tight execution. Previously, he was associated with Rippling as the India Site Lead, responsible for building a high performance, data driven collaborative culture. During his career, Shiva has also been associated with global companies including Google, Tesco, Target, Amazon and Verizon Labs amongst others.

September 3, 2024
CNBC-TV18 hosted second edition of ‘Banking Transformation Summit’

Mumbai: CNBC-TV18 in partnership with Nucleus Software hosted the second edition of the ‘Banking Transformation Summit’ on Friday, bringing together banking professionals, policymakers, and finance experts under one roof. This year’s theme, ‘Bharat’s Banking Roadmap For The Future’, highlighted the economic growth of India, and the crucial role of financial and banking institutions in driving this progress.

Reserve Bank of India, deputy governor, J. Swaminathan presented the keynote address, followed by his fireside chat on ‘Transforming Financial Landscapes: Building Resilience for Economic Stability’. Swaminathan elaborated on the current dynamics of the financial system and offered insights into the regulatory approach of the RBI.

He noted that while deposits are still growing at a healthy rate of 11-12% year-on-year, they have struggled to keep up with the surging demand for credit, which has been increasingly driven by digital lending. Swaminathan linked this development to broader changes in how younger generations manage their savings, suggesting that these shifts are part of a cyclical pattern in the financial landscape.

“We had 8-9 quarters where deposits were outpacing credit, but today the demand for credit is more, aided by digital lending,” Swaminathan stated. “As the regulator, we have sensitised lenders that if this credit-deposit gap is allowed to continue for longer, there may be challenges, especially for players with a high credit-deposit ratio.”

The evening saw another fireside chat with State Bank of India chairperson Dinesh Kumar Khera, followed by a panel discussion on ‘Filling the Credit Gap to Fuel Economic Growth’ with A.K. Tewari, MD, State Bank of India; Prashant Kumar, MD & CEO, Yes Bank and Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

In a Ǫ&A with Shereen Bhan, V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor, Govt. of India said, “The next set of growth for the Indian public has to be to achieve the right kind of balance in their portfolio between financial and real assets, and also have a high sense of financial literacy.”

Nageswaran highlighted that the expansion of the financial sector depends on employment generation, income growth, and increased savings.

He also stressed the importance of growing the concept of insurance alongside banking. “These are all the next steps that we need to contemplate as the Indian public overall

achieves a higher level of financial inclusion than we have seen in the previous decade,”

he noted.

In a fireside chat on new age digital lending, Vishnu R. Dusad, MD & Co-founder, Nucleus Software highlighted the importance of data protection. “With the new data protection act now in place, banks and NBFCs must reassess their approach to data handling. This involves not just the usage of data, but also its capture, storage, and overall management. We are entering an era where data truly is the new oil, and its value will only continue to grow. However, with this value comes the responsibility to ensure that this data is not misused or abused. It’s imperative that no individual feels their personal information is being exploited or mishandled. There must be a substantial recalibration in how financial institutions manage data, focusing on robust policies and systems that prevent data from falling into the wrong hands. The most important thing is to ensure data is handled with the utmost care and security. With the right measures in place, banks can build trust and confidence among their customers, ensuring data protection is a top priority.”

“At CNBC-TV18, India’s most credible & influential business news platform, we’re proud to focus on issues and sectors that are key to the Growth of our economy. The CNBC- TV18 Banking Transformation Summit brought together the very best of India’s financial sector to brainstorm on the future of banking while addressing current opportunities & challenges. In partnership with our collaborators, the Summit generated a robust dialogue on what it will take to build a more resilient and dynamic banking system,” said Shereen Bhan, Managing Editor, CNBC-TV18.

Other sessions and panels featured thought leaders like Prashant Kumar, MD & CEO, Yes Bank; Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Lizzie Chapman, Co- Founder, Swiffylabs; Srinivasu MN, Co-Founder, Billdesk; Shinjini Kumar, Co-Founder, Salt and Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, Shyam Srinivasan, CEO, Federal Bank, Raul Rebello, MD & CEO, Mahindra Finance; Y. S. Chakravarti, MD & CEO, Shriram Finance; Jairam Sridharan, MD, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance; Aseem Dhru, MD & CEO, SBFC Finance; Kunal Shah, Founder, CRED and Parag Bhise, CEO, Nucleus Software.

The evening included a special felicitation by CNBC-TV18 for Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairperson of State Bank of India, and Shyam Srinivasan, CEO of Federal Bank, in recognition of their long-standing service in the banking sector.

September 3, 2024
News18 Assam North East honours educational excellence at ‘Education Eminence 2024’

Mumbai: The ‘Education Eminence 2024’ awards ceremony hosted by News18 Assam North East recognized the unwavering commitment and remarkable efforts of educational institutions across the northeast region. The event honoured colleges, schools, and universities making a real difference, empowering young minds and fostering growth and development across society.

The event was graced by Jayanta Malla Baruah, Minister of Public Health Engineering, Skill Employment & Entrepreneurship, and Tourism, Government of Assam. The awards ceremony was also saw the presence of prominent educationists, including Surya Hazarika, Dayananda Pathak, and Pradyumna Goswami, who were among the special guests of the evening.

A major highlight of the event was the presentation of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to Dr. Narendra Nath Dutta, Founder Chancellor of Assam Down Town University, Chairman and Managing Director of Down Town Hospital, and Chairman of Down Town Charity Trust.

The awards recognised several eminent institutions for their extraordinary contributions to education. The awardees included: SPM IAS Academy; Shri Pawan Kumar Agarwala; MAAC Lachitnagar; Down town Gurukul – Moranhat; NRDS Management Pvt Ltd; Assam Skill Training Provider (ASTP); Civil Services Achievers’ Point; Arunima Public School; Gurukul Global Academy; Royal Global University; iBerry Solutions Private Limited; NERIM Group of Institutions; CIHM Central Institute of Hotel & Hospitality Management, Kolkata; Projonmo; Care U 365; Panbazar Adarsha LP School; Natun Fatasil Town High School; Guwahati Refinery Higher Secondary School; Bengali Higher Secondary School; Lakhiminagar ME School, Sivasagar; Ashudubi LP School, Dudhnoi; 169 Kuli Chapori LP School, Majuli; 15 Bezera LP School and Jyoti Pratap Gyan Marg Vidyalaya, Teok.

The awards ceremony was organised by News18 Assam North East, in association with the Presenting Sponsor Ajmal Foundation, Special Partner Reliance Industries Ltd, and Banking Partner State Bank of India.

Tune into News18 Assam North East on 5 September at 7:50 PM for the exclusive coverage.

September 3, 2024
Collective Newsroom appoints its first chair

Mumbai: The Collective Newsroom (CNR) is to announce the appointment of Amit Jain as the chair of its board of directors. A cross-industry veteran, Jain will lead the newly founded board of CNR, which was launched in April 2024 as an independent Indian-owned media company. CNR is the sole producer and publisher of content for BBC News in India in six Indian Languages and English YouTube.

Jain brings a wealth of global corporate experience with a deep understanding of the Indian, Asian & European markets. His transformational leadership comes from spearheading a range of leadership roles in diverse sectors that include consumer goods, media, and communication.

In his last executive role, Jain was the first Indian to become the Managing Director of L’Oreal India. He successfully led the integration of their digital strategy and paved the way for L’Oreal India’s foray into the luxury and cosmeceuticals market. Post his move from the executive role, in 2023 he has assumed non-executive board positions including the Chairmanship of Sanofi CHC India.

During his stint with Viacom where he was heading the business in Asia, Jain co-created the Viacom 18 joint venture which launched the Colors Television channel in India.

Jain also has more than a decade of experience with Coca-Cola, where he led their businesses across India and Asia.

Amit Jain, Chair of the Board of Directors, Collective Newsroom said, “I am delighted to take up the Chair’s responsibility of this thriving organisation. I have observed the high standards of impactful and insightful content that the Collective Newsroom has been producing for the BBC in India.”

“I will be keen to see the Collective Newsroom build upon its core strengths & expertise for developing more innovative business opportunities, Jain added.”

Collective Newsroom chief executive officer Rupa Jha welcomed the appointment, “Amit’s vast experience across various industries, including the media and his dynamic outlook will certainly help the Collective Newsroom think out of the box and build on our vision. I look forward to working with him.”

September 2, 2024
ZEE appoints Shiva Chinnasamy as chief technology & product officer

Mumbai: Media & entertainment powerhouse Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEE), has announced the appointment of Shiva Chinnasamy as the chief technology & product officer with effect from 2 September 2024. In this new role, Shiva will be based at the company’s technology & innovation centre (TIC) in Bengaluru and will report to Amit Goenka, president of digital business, international linear business, enterprise technology and broadcast operations & engineering.

Shiva will be responsible for the efforts being undertaken at the TIC across Data, artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML) to enhance the consumer experience across platforms and further support the Company’s growth plans across its core business segments.

Speaking on the appointment, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd president of digital business, international linear business, enterprise technology and broadcast operations & engineering Amit Goenka said, “As the Company moves forward in line with its strategic objectives to drive robust growth, certain action-oriented steps are being implemented to enhance the capabilities of the businesses. Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall customer journey across all our platforms, and our Technology and Innovation Centre is steadily working towards gaining a deeper understanding of our vast audience base in order to deliver a successful business outcome.

Shiva’s invaluable industry expertise and experience in scaling businesses with a deep understanding of technology will be instrumental in building the necessary capabilities for the Company in its next phase of growth. I look forward to working closely with Shiva and the team at TIC to complement the long-term growth trajectory of the Company.” Commenting on his new role, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. chief technology & product officer Shiva Chinnasamy added, “I am honoured to join the journey of ZEE at a pivotal intersection between content and technology, as the Company aims to fortify its capabilities in the realm of content distribution and monetization. I am excited to get started and work with the teams to build innovative solutions for our businesses and unlock deeper consumer insights that help accelerate innovation-driven growth opportunities for the Company.”

Shiva comes with over 20 years of experience across technology, data science & analytics to provide large-scale, long-term solutions in close collaboration with stakeholders and business partners. His expertise spans Ad tech, eCommerce, omni-channel retail, B2C FinTech, B2B SaaS, platform engineering and mobile engineering. He has been instrumental in building multiple impactful products in lead roles through innovative ideas and tight execution. Previously he was associated with Rippling as the India Site Lead, responsible for building a high-performance, data-driven collaborative culture. During his career, Shiva has also been associated with global companies including Google, Tesco, Target, Amazon and Verizon Labs amongst others.

September 2, 2024
News industry vet Umesh Upadhyay passes away

MUMBAI: Veteran TV journalist Umesh Upadhyay passed on 1 September after what is being described as an accidental fall from the fourth floor of his apartment building in Vasant Kunj in New Delhi. Upadhyay was inspecting the renovation when he stumbled and dropped to the second floor. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Umesh had addressed students of the Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication on 31 August as a guest lecturer and was active on linkedin even on 1 September wherein he responded to feedback on his talk from students at the institute.

Umesh described himself as a writer, columnist and media consultant and educationist since November 2023 when he left Reliance Industries as president and media director. Prior to that he had had stints with Network18, Janmat TV, Zee News, Home TV, Zee TV, Doordarshan and PTI.

His last rites were conducted earlier today.

A flood of condolences has been pouring in on social media following Umesh’s demise. Prime minister Modi too came on X to express his feelings. Said he: “I am deeply saddened by the demise of senior journalist and writer Umesh Upadhyayji, who made valuable contributions in the field of digital media and TV.”

September 2, 2024
Skyesports announces 2025 CS2 esports with Rs 14.68 cr prize pool

Mumbai: Skyesports, a premier global IP builder for gaming and esports, has unveiled its 2025 esports roadmap for the game, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). As a part of this, the Chennai-based esports company has announced four international CS2 events, all set to take place in India with teams worldwide and a cumulative prize pool of Rs 14.68 Crore ($1.75 million). This prize pool and roadmap marks one of the most significant investments by Skyesports to date and aligns with the company’s vision of building globally recognised esports IPs from India.

Commenting on the announcement, Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “Our vision since inception in 2018 was to create indigenous IPs and bring international players and teams to India. The 2025 CS2 esports roadmap is a testament to that as we will be hosting all four events in India, with global teams participating. These tournaments will not only strengthen Skyesports’ position as a global esports brand but also showcase India as a crucial market for world-class international esports events.”

The schedule, tournament names, and individual prize pool for these four CS2 tournaments are as follows:

● Skyesports Souvenir 2025: Feb. 17 to 23, 2025 ($250,000 – Rs 2.09 Crore)

● Skyesports Masters 2025: May 26 to June 1, 2025 ($500,000 – Rs 4.12 Crore)

● Skyesports Championship 2025: Sept. 15 to 21, 2025 ($500,000 – Rs 4.12 Crore)

● Skyesports World Tour 2025: Nov. 10 to 16, 2025 ($500,000 – Rs 4.12 Crore)

Additionally, the Skyesports Masters 2025, the Skyesports Championship 2025, and the Skyesports World Tour 2025 qualify as Tier 1 events for their substantial prize pool and calibre of participating teams, per the tournament guidelines by Valve, the developer of CS2. These events will mark the first time India will play host to Tier 1 events for the game with global and world-class esports organizations participating. All of the events will see 8 teams travelling to India to compete for the title and the lion’s share of the prize pool.

The three Tier 1 events will also feature Open Qualifiers to touch grassroots esports athletes across India, Europe, North and South America and the Rest of Asia. With India having a separate Open Qualifier, Skyesports will be able to ensure Indian participation in these events, giving a chance to emerging esports athletes from the country to compete against the best of the world.

Skyesports head of PC esports Sudarshan S added, “Being an India-based esports company, we are able to ensure that local esports players are given a platform to showcase their skills and compete in the biggest CS2 events of the world. Additionally, we believe in the power of grassroots and that’s why we will be hosting open qualifiers across different regions globally.”

The global esports market is on a rapid rise, expected to be valued at $7.5 Billion by 2030, growing from $2.1 Billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 21.5 per cent, per Verified Market Research. As such, Skyesports’ roadmap comes at a crucial juncture to position India as a global player in esports. Additionally, India had 453.9 million gamers in 2023, a number projected to rise to 730.7 million by 2028, per Niko Partners, making the country one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally.

September 2, 2024
Feel alive with Sony BBC Earth’s September premieres

Mumbai: As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, September ushers in a season of fresh starts and new perspectives. This month, Sony BBC Earth embarks on extraordinary adventures with a line-up of exclusive premieres to the wildest reaches of our planet and the mysterious depths of the oceans. Viewers will be mesmerised by the stunning visuals of Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild premiering on 2 September 2024, and the compelling narratives of Deadly Mission Shark, releasing on 16 September 2024.

Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild returns with its season 3. In this riveting series, adventurer Ben Fogle revisits individuals who dared to abandon the conventional lifestyle in pursuit of a life closer to nature. From the remote islands of Norway to the desolate sands of the Sahara, Ben explores how these brave souls have adapted to the challenges of their new lives in the wild. This series is about the enduring human spirit and the pursuit of dreams, no matter how wild they may be.

Following this adventure is the heart-pounding series Deadly Mission Shark where naturalist Steve Backshall takes ten young explorers on the ultimate marine mission. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Bahamas, these young trailblazers face the exhilarating and daunting task of coming face to face with some of the ocean’s most formidable predators. Through open-ocean dives and hands-on environmental projects, this series is a must-watch for the next generation of ocean warriors.

With Sony BBC Earth, this September is set to be an extravaganza of exploration, discovery, and adventure.

Watch Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild premiering 2 September at 9:00 pm, and Deadly Mission Shark, premiering 16 September at 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Sony BBC Earth. The show will telecast every Monday – Friday.

September 2, 2024
Manorama News Conclave 2024 concludes on a high note

Mumbai: The conclave, titled ‘Change Makers,’ began earlier in the day with tributes to the Wayanad landslide victims. Defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the event at the Hotel ‘O by Tamara’. This year’s conclave brought together ‘Changemakers’ from different walks of life. Since its inception in 2017, the Manorama News Conclave has addressed topics ranging from happiness and freedom to a new India. Union minister Suresh Gopi was the chief guest at the closing session at 6 pm.

The defence minister said the last decade was an era of “epochal change” in the country’s economic, cultural and political spheres. Singh painted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a visionary who could tap into the disenchantment that was so pervasive in the country in 2014 and transform it into positive thinking. He added that certain states were not doing enough for the safety of women in the country. The union minister said this in the context of the Kolkata rape incident.”We have amended laws to provide capital punishment for heinous crimes like rape. This should be implemented with strictness,” the minister said.

Suresh Gopi, who created history by giving the BJP its first elected representative to the Parliament, was modest about his unique accomplishment while delivering his address at the Manorama News Conclave 2024. “The change-maker who bestowed that honour upon my party and my family is not me, it is definitely the people of Thrissur,” said the minister of state for petroleum and natural gas and the ministry of tourism.

The conclave honoured the stars of the film All We Imagine as Light, which won the Cannes Grand Prix award. The cast, including Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Anand Sami, Azeez Nedumangad, and Hridhu Haroon, also engaged in a discussion after being felicitated by Malayala Manorama chief editor Mammen Mathew. While discussing the Hema Committee report, Kani Kusruti lauded WCC and survivors for coming forward and sharing their struggles. “There’s no standardised pay in the film industry. Though it is based on the market value of a market, there should be a margin and contract,” she said. Meanwhile, actor Divya Prabha said the Cannes recognition did not help her gain more opportunities.

Sojan Joseph, the first Malayali MP from the UK, spoke on the ‘Changing face of migration’. Joseph, a mental health nurse who got elected from a constituency in the UK with an 80 per cent native population, wondered whether Kerala had ever fielded a nurse in parliamentary elections.While admitting that there is a right-wing movement against immigration in Europe, Joseph cited a few instances where people sometimes forget to abide by a country’s laws and system.

Thiruvallur MP Sasikanth Senthil, BJP national spokesperson Anil Antony, and SFI all India secretary Dipsita Dhar discussed ‘India: The Voice that Matters’.

Inner Manipur MP and JNU associate professor Bimol Akoijam discussed the ongoing crisis in Manipur at a session of the conclave.

For the first time in the state’s history, Kerala chief secretary Dr V Venu and chief secretary-designate Dr Sarada Muraleedharan, a husband-and-wife duo, shared the changes they envision. “Sometimes, we push ideas to the government, and they get spurned. We must accept that and move on. They might have a better political vision about the issue,” Sarada Muraleedharan said at the conclave.

Directors Jeo Baby, Chidambaram, and Rahul Sadasivan discuss the transformative shifts that captivate Malayalam cinema and welcome the changes heralded by the release of the Hema Committee report.

Dr Roxy Mathew Koll, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and recipient of the Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, spoke of the need for societal change in tandem with climate change.

Public Accounts Committee chairman and AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, Minister P Rajeeve, and former union minister V Muraleedharan seek answers and ideas on the question, ‘Is Kerala on a changed track?’

Dr Tom Joseph, director (new initiatives) at Jain University, speaks on the state and higher education standards.

In an interesting twist, Manorama News anchors – Shani Prabhakaran, Nisha Purushothaman and A Ayyappadas – known for their probing questions, will face counter-questions from Speaker AN Shamseer.

The Manorama News Conclave 2024 offered a platform for enlightening discussions and unique activities, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives on India.

August 31, 2024
Jay Pandya launches Blank Slate Films with debut release ‘Manorathangal’

Mumbai: Media industry leader Jay Pandya, recognized for his role in cinematic storytelling, has launched his new production company, Blank Slate Films. To start this new chapter, Blank Slate Films debuts with the Malayalam anthology project, ‘Manorathangal’.

Manorathangal is an anthology based on nine captivating short stories by the acclaimed M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Presented by Saregama (Yoodlee Films) and supported by Kamal Haasan, this inaugural project for Blank Slate Films features an illustrious ensemble cast including Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahad Fazil, Biju Menon, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Mamukkoya, Vineeth, Indrans, Aparna Balamurali, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Surabhi Lakshmi, and Ann Augustine. The film is now available for streaming on ZEE5.

Jay Pandya, whose career spans over two decades, has seamlessly transitioned from being a distinguished media executive to a visionary producer. Reflecting on his new role, Pandya shared, “As a producer and storyteller, my goal is to transcend traditional content creation. I aspire to build immersive worlds, develop compelling characters, and bring stories to life in ways that deeply resonate with audiences. My mission is to blend creativity with strategic insight to craft narratives that leave a lasting impact.”

Commenting further on Manorathangal, Pandya added, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious project. It has been a dream to bring M. T. Vasudevan Nair’s remarkable stories to the screen, especially with a cast and crew of this caliber. Working alongside legendary directors like Priyadarshan and Santosh Sivan is truly an honor. This project stands as a testament to our commitment to storytelling excellence.”

Before founding Blank Slate Films, Jay Pandya served as the ZEE5’s head of content acquisition & original films and Legend Studios’ CEO, where he played a pivotal role in developing significant projects such as ATAL and Veer Savarkar. His diverse portfolio also includes the production of three acclaimed music videos available on leading platforms.

With Blank Slate Films, Jay Pandya aims to continue his legacy of delivering content-driven stories that resonate with audiences, marking a new phase in his career.

August 31, 2024