ITV

Category: Television

  • SSEN bids for FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030, pledges free streaming for fans

    SSEN bids for FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030, pledges free streaming for fans

    MUMBAI: Shrachi Sports Entertainment Network (SSEN), a dedicated sports OTT platform, has placed a bid for the broadcasting rights of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and 2030, valued at roughly 2 million dollars (Rs 18-20 crore). If successful, SSEN intends to stream both tournaments entirely free to viewers in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives.

    The bid signals a shift in sports broadcasting strategy, prioritising accessibility over subscription revenue. “This is more than a business move. It is a commitment to inclusivity and reshaping football consumption in the region. By offering the FIFA World Cup free to fans, we are democratising access and laying the foundation for a long-term legacy,” said SSEN chairman Tamal Ghosal.

    SSEN already streams marquee events including the Calcutta Football League and the I-League, and is the first Indian platform to cover the Women’s Bundesliga and the German Handball Bundesliga. The network’s move positions India as an emerging hub in the global football narrative while placing fan access at the centre of its strategy.

  • Republic TV loses veteran operations chief after eight-year stint

    Republic TV loses veteran operations chief after eight-year stint

    NEW DELHI: Hersh Bhandari, chief operating officer of Republic Media Network, has called time on his eight-year tenure at the news broadcaster, announcing his departure in a LinkedIn post that urged colleagues to “ignore all rumours” about his next move.

    The media veteran, who has spent three decades climbing the ranks of India’s television industry, said he was taking a “small break to reinvent myself and gear up for the next adventure.”

    His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Republic TV, where Bhandari served as both chief operating officer for the broader network and chief executive officer of Republic World since December 2018.
    In his farewell message, Bhandari thanked Arnab Goswami and the editorial team for their “intensity and support”, while crediting his time at Republic with teaching him strategic thinking and leadership skills. He described the experience as helping him learn “great entrepreneur lessons” and draw “inspiration from colleagues every single day.”

    Bhandari’s career spans some of India’s most prominent media houses, including a six-year stint at Times Network, where he served as vice-president of sales and national revenue head for Times Now. Before joining Republic, he spent nearly two years as national revenue head at TV Today Network.

    His media journey began in the 1990s with a marketing role at Star TV Network, after cutting his teeth in the clothing industry with a seven-year tenure at Pepe Jeans London. At Times Network, he also held senior positions at Zoom, serving as vice-president and national head for four years.

    The executive, who describes himself as an “avid enthusiast of sports and music,” has built a reputation for driving growth across people and media operations. His LinkedIn profile carries the motto: “No matter how far down we may be, we are never too far down to come back.”

    Republic Media Network has not yet announced a replacement for Bhandari’s role. The news comes as India’s television news sector continues to face intense competition and evolving viewer preferences in the digital age.

  • NDTV to snap up GoodTimes channel in Rs 18 crore slump sale

    NDTV to snap up GoodTimes channel in Rs 18 crore slump sale

    NEW DELHI: New Delhi Television has approved the purchase of the GoodTimes channel from Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting in a slump sale valued at up to Rs 18 crore, a move that deepens its push into lifestyle broadcasting. The transaction will be funded through a mix of cash and television advertising inventory and is structured on a cash-free, debt-free basis. NDTV made this known through a regulatory filing on the Bombay stock exchange last weekend.

    GoodTimes, a fixture for fashion, food, travel and entertainment programming, will shift to NDTV as a going concern. Because Lifestyle & Media Broadcasting is a joint venture of NDTV, the deal qualifies as a related-party transaction, though the broadcaster emphasised that it is being executed on an arm’s-length basis and backed by an independent valuation from a registered valuer. NDTV added that its promoters and group companies hold no direct stake in the seller beyond any indirect shareholding.

    Completion is subject to routine corporate and regulatory clearances, including approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting for the transfer of the channel licence. NDTV expects the process to close within roughly three months.

    Executives say the acquisition aligns with NDTV’s long-term growth strategy, broadening its content portfolio and operational reach. The company believes folding GoodTimes into its network will strengthen its brand presence, diversify revenue streams and enhance value for shareholders as competition in India’s broadcasting market heats up.

  • Vivek Makker returns to NDTV as national revenue head

    Vivek Makker returns to NDTV as national revenue head

    NEW DELHI: NDTV has brought back seasoned sales leader Vivek Makker as national revenue head for NDTV India, NDTV Madhya Pradesh–Chhattisgarh and NDTV Rajasthan, entrusting him with the task of supercharging advertising revenues across its flagship Hindi news network.

    Makker knows the terrain well. From 2012 to 2022 he climbed the NDTV ladder to become national head of NDTV India, shaping strategy and client relationships in the intensely competitive Hindi news segment. He now returns after a three-year stint at News Nation, where as executive vice-president he steered national sales, digital marketing and customer experience.

    His earlier career spans nearly every corner of India’s broadcast and out-of-home market. At Star India he managed northern-region sales, while at JSL Media he headed the outdoor revenue function. At Times Innovative Media he was part of the core team that launched airport advertising in Delhi and Mumbai in 2007, taking monthly billings from zero to Rs 10 crore within a few years. He recruited and retained a high-performing team and built direct relationships with top developers such as DLF, Emaar and Unitech, as well as brands from Volkswagen to GM and BMW.

    Makker started out in media marketing at Hindustan Times in 1999, later moving to Star TV to handle marquee real-estate and IPO clients. Across these roles he earned a reputation for meticulous client servicing, sharp sales strategy and the ability to build lasting partnerships in a sector known for churn.

    The NDTV executive say his mandate is clear: grow advertising share in Hindi heartland markets while deepening ties with national advertisers and agencies. With more than two decades of experience and a track record of turning fledgling revenue streams into major profit centres, Makker is expected to give NDTV’s Hindi channels fresh commercial momentum as the network readies for the next phase of expansion.

  • Sanjay Subashchandran takes charge as chief operating officer at Vision Time and TrendLoud

    Sanjay Subashchandran takes charge as chief operating officer at Vision Time and TrendLoud

    CHENNAI:  Media and entertainment executive Sanjay Subashchandran has been named chief operating officer of Vision Time India and TrendLoud Digital India, bolstering his already deep involvement with the south Indian content and events scene.

    The dual appointment formalises a remit he has long straddled. At TrendLoud, where he has served as COO since 2020, Subashchandran built a creator economy powerhouse—launching 15 digital channels, producing 23 web series for major OTT platforms and locking in more than 1,000 influencer partnerships.

    A co-founder of TrendLoud in 2015, he previously headed the business for five and a half years, managing media activity for over 80 production houses and delivering 12,000 hours of television content across the south.

    Subashchandran has kept a parallel grip on Vision Time since 2013 as all-India head of media, marketing and content, where he strengthened channel management, drove revenue through strategic partnerships and created Singoo Candy Rush, an interactive children’s property.

    He is also director of the digital-promotion start-up PickMySlot and co-founder of Maximise Entertainment, an events outfit that has staged large-scale celebrity concerts and brokered endorsements for stars from A.R. Rahman to Vijay Sethupathi. Earlier, he ran VisionPro Event Management for 15 years, producing advertiser-funded shows and spectacles such as PepsiCo’s Ooh La La La music talent hunt judged by Rahman.

    With more than two decades in marketing, events and digital content, Subashchandran now consolidates his influence across Vision Time’s broadcast operations and TrendLoud’s fast-growing digital network.

  • Rajat Sharma takes helm of India’s top news broadcasters’ body

    Rajat Sharma takes helm of India’s top news broadcasters’ body

    NEW DELHI: Rajat Sharma, the seasoned television news anchor and promoter of India TV, has been unanimously elected president of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) for 2025-26. The appointment, announced at the organisation’s board meeting on 19 September positions him at the head of India’s most influential media news lobbying group as the industry navigates mounting regulatory pressures and fierce competition from digital platforms.

    Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing , managing director M.V. Shreyams Kumar will serve as vice-president, whilst News24 Broadcast India chairperson and managing director Anuradha Prasad Shukla takes the honorary treasurer role. Both appointments were unanimous.

    The NBDA board includes heavyweights from India’s media landscape: Rahul Joshi of Network18 Media & Investments, Kalli Purie Bhandal from TV Today Network, and Anil Kumar Malhotra of Zee Media. Other members are Dhruba Mukherjee (ABP Network), I. Venkat (Eenadu Television), Rahul Kanwal (New Delhi Television), Mahesh Kumar Rajaraman (Sun TV Network), and Rohit Gopakumar Velloli from Bennett Coleman & Co.

    Annie Joseph remains secretary general, providing continuity as the association faces an increasingly complex media environment marked by regulatory scrutiny and the relentless rise of streaming platforms and independent news influencers.

  • Screen and serene: TV9 Bangla unveils its vibrant puja specials

    Screen and serene: TV9 Bangla unveils its vibrant puja specials

    MUMBAI: Talk about ‘screen’ goddess! This Durga Puja, TV9 Bangla is donning its festive best, bringing a dazzling mix of heritage, adda, and celebration straight into Bengali living rooms with its Sharadiya line-up.

    Carrying the theme Pujo Ebar TV9 Banglaye, the channel promises a blend of inspiration and entertainment for Bengalis worldwide. The festivities kick off on Mahalaya (21 September) with Panch nari hatey tarobari, a stirring tribute to five trailblazing women, including theatre icon Noti Binodini, literary firebrand Mahasweta Devi, Rabindrasangeet maestro Suchitra Mitra, Antarctic explorer Sudipta Sengupta, and cricket legend Jhulan Goswami.

    From Sasthi to Nabami (28 Sept–1 Oct), Pujor adda adds sparkle with stars like Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty and Srijit Mukherji, chatting about their festive spirit and upcoming blockbusters. Meanwhile, Bonedi barir pujo (22–26 Sept) takes viewers inside Bengal’s aristocratic mansions, where grandeur meets tradition.

    The line-up doesn’t stop there. Annya durga (23–27 Sept) salutes unsung heroines: women from the tea gardens and tribal communities who have fought adversity with grit and grace. And, for the community spirit, the TV9 puja competition will crown the best of Bengal across categories: from best theme and idol to women-led pujas and social cause initiatives.

    TV9 Bangla, managing editor & business head, Amritanshu Bhattacharya summed it up: “This Puja, we’re celebrating the rise of women power while adding colour, culture, and excitement. You can’t miss TV9 Bangla’s screen this season.”

    With its mix of star power, tradition, and inspiration, TV9 Bangla’s Sharadiya special looks set to be the perfect festive binge. After all, when it comes to pujo celebrations, this year, the channel is idol talk.

  • GST set to star as Network18 reloads reforms with economic power summit

    GST set to star as Network18 reloads reforms with economic power summit

    MUMBAI: When it comes to India’s growth story, the script is being rewritten and Network18 is handing the nation a sneak peek. On 22 September 2025, Delhi will host Reforms Reloaded 2025, a high-impact summit designed to unpack the country’s most pressing economic questions. With GST 2.0, Aatmanirbharta, Make in India, and Vision 2030 taking centre stage, the event promises to bring together the sharpest minds from government, industry, and diplomacy to map India’s next big leap.

    The summit will feature sector-specific dialogues on how the latest GST reforms are reshaping industries from manufacturing and e-commerce to services and hospitality. At the same time, big-picture conversations will tackle themes like public relief, governance, and international cooperation.
    A star-studded line-up

    Network18 has assembled a heavyweight speaker list that reads like India’s economic Avengers. Among those taking the stage are:

    ●    V. Anantha Nageswaran, chief economic advisor, GoI

    ●    Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, defence secretary of India

    ●    Arunish Chawla, secretary, DIPAM

    ●    Ambassador Anil Sooklal, South African high commissioner to India

    ●    Benedikt Höskuldsson, ambassador of Iceland to India

    ●    Kimmo Lähdevirta, ambassador of Finland to India

    ●    Amitabh Kant, ex-G20 sherpa & former CEO, NITI Aayog

    ●    Rajiv Memani, president, CII & chairman & CEO, EY India

    ●    V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC First Bank

    ●    Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India

    ●    Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management

    ●    Utpal Sheth, founder & mentor, Trust group

    ●    Atul Suri, CEO, Marathon Trends Advisory

    ●    Shashi Shekhar Vempati, co-founder, Deeptech for Bharat

    ●    Vivek Mishra, co-founder & CEO, Raphe Mphibr

    This eclectic mix of economists, policymakers, diplomats, and CEOs will explore everything from macro reforms to micro impact ensuring the conversation spans boardrooms, trading floors, and households alike.

    “Reforms Reloaded 2025 is a platform that brings together India’s top minds to discuss the next chapter of India’s economic journey,” said Network18 CEO for (broadcast) & MD, A+E Networks | TV18 Avinash Kaul. “Global shifts and tech disruption are transforming industries. This summit will highlight how inclusive reforms can empower a self-reliant India.”

    Echoing the sentiment Network18 group chief strategy officer Puneet Singhvi said: “The latest GST reforms have put the spotlight back on Make in India and Vision 2030. By uniting policymakers and business leaders, Reforms Reloaded will spark fresh thinking and deliver practical solutions to unlock opportunities across manufacturing, services, e-commerce, and beyond.”

    The day-long summit, starting 11:00 am onwards, will air live on Network18 channels, giving viewers a front-row seat to the ideas shaping India’s economic destiny. With GST spends and compliance challenges in focus, the summit aims to provide both vision and actionable roadmaps bridging policy intent with ground realities.

    For a nation chasing high growth while balancing global uncertainties, Reforms Reloaded 2025 promises not just a conversation but a compass: charting how India can move from reform to resilience, and from resilience to reinvention.

  • Ram Charan takes aim as brand face of Archery Premier League debut

    Ram Charan takes aim as brand face of Archery Premier League debut

    MUMBAI: When archery meets star power, the bullseye is bound to shine brighter. The Archery Association of India (AAI) has roped in actor and global icon Ram Charan as the brand ambassador for the first-ever Archery Premier League (APL), which will debut from 2–12 October 2025 at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi.

    The APL is a franchise-based spectacle set to feature six teams, bringing together 36 of India’s finest archers alongside 12 international sharpshooters including athletes from the world’s top 10 rankings. In a global first, recurve and compound archers will compete together under floodlights, promising a gripping format designed to dazzle fans and elevate the sport’s international profile.

    For Ram Charan, the association is more than symbolic: “Archery stands for discipline, focus, and resilience values I resonate with. The APL provides Indian archers a world-class platform while drawing global attention to the sport. I’m proud to support this pioneering initiative.”

    AAI President Arjun Munda called the league the realisation of a long-cherished dream: “The APL will create opportunities for young talent across India’s villages and take the sport to the next level. With Ram Charan on board, we believe archery will inspire countless new fans.”

    AAI Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva underlined the league’s transformative vision: “Much like leagues in cricket or kabaddi, the APL brings professional standards, visibility, and global competitiveness to Indian archery. It’s not just a league, it’s a stepping stone towards India’s Olympic dream.”

    Backed by World Archery, World Archery Asia, and India’s Sports Ministry, the league promises to be a landmark moment for Indian sport. With archers locked, stars aligned, and the countdown ticking, Delhi is set for ten days of precision, passion, and plenty of bullseyes.

  • India’s rare black tiger prowls onto National Geographic’s October cover

    India’s rare black tiger prowls onto National Geographic’s October cover

    MUMBAI: Black is the new roar. India has made global headlines as a rare black tiger from Odisha’s Similipal national park takes centre stage on the cover of National Geographic’s October 2025 edition.

    The striking image, captured by Indian photographer and National Geographic explorer Prasenjeet Yadav, shines a spotlight on one of the world’s rarest big cats, and on India’s growing role in wildlife conservation.

    Similipal is home to about 30 tigers, nearly half of which carry the rare genetic mutation that gives them their striking pseudo-melanistic coats. Photographing one of these elusive cats, known as T12, was no easy feat. Yadav spent more than three months patiently tracking and observing before capturing the defining moment.

    “Being out in the forests of Similipal was intense and humbling,” Yadav reflected. “To see this story now on National Geographic’s cover is both an honour and a reminder of why we document India’s extraordinary wild heart.”

    The cover story, praised by Nat Geo editor-in-chief Nathan Lump, goes beyond the image itself. It underscores the importance of genetic diversity, warning that saving animals is just the first step, ensuring their long-term survival demands broader action.

    Jiostar’s Alok Jain, who oversees National Geographic in India, added: “This almost mythical sight reflects the power of nature’s mysteries and continues Nat Geo’s legacy of ground breaking storytelling.”

    The achievement also highlights the tireless work of the Odisha forest department, scientists, and conservationists working to protect fragile ecosystems. More than a photograph, it is a global reminder of India’s conservation commitment.

    With this historic cover, National Geographic not only celebrates the rare black tiger but also elevates India’s role in safeguarding the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife, one frame at a time.