ITV

Category: Television

  • Bihar’s big Baithak stirs poll pot with politics, policy and plenty of punch

    Bihar’s big Baithak stirs poll pot with politics, policy and plenty of punch

    MUMBAI: When Bihar talks, the nation listens and this time, it’s over a Baithak. Bihar Tak, the digital-first news platform from the India Today group, set Patna buzzing today with its flagship event ‘Bihar Tak Baithak’, a no-holds-barred adda of power, policy and politics.

    With Assembly elections looming later this year, the stage was stacked with heavy hitters and fresh voices alike. From JDU’s executive national president Sanjay Jha to BJP’s Nitin Nabin, Jan Suraj founder Prashant Kishor to RLM supremo Upendra Kushwaha, the Baithak read like Bihar’s who’s who of political strategy. Cabinet ministers Jeevesh Mishra, Ashok Choudhary, and Santosh Manjhi joined the conversation, alongside development commissioner S. Siddharth, VIP chief Mukesh Sahani, MP Shambhavi Choudhary, and former union minister Shahnawaz Hussain.

    What unfolded was a marathon of candid interviews, debates and panel discussions on governance, development and the state’s election agenda straight talk for a state hungry for answers. “Bihar Tak Baithak reflects our commitment to amplifying voices from the heart of Bihar,” said TAK Channels Milind managing editor Khandekar. “As the state heads towards a pivotal election, the need for transparent, meaningful conversations is greater than ever.”

    The event, watched by an audience both in Patna and online, offered a digital bridge between policy and people, with every exchange streamed on the Bihar Tak Youtube channel. With more than a dozen leaders, ministers and influencers in the hot seat, this Baithak wasn’t just small talk, it was Bihar talking to itself and to India.
     

  • Zee hits a high note with 18.2 percent share and 855m viewers tuned in

    Zee hits a high note with 18.2 percent share and 855m viewers tuned in

    MUMBAI: Zee has struck gold on the small screen and the numbers prove it. The content powerhouse has hit a four-year high in the linear TV landscape, clocking an 18.2 per cent market share and reaching 855 million viewers across 99 per cent of Indian TV households. From metros to remote hamlets, the network has entrenched itself as a fixture in family living rooms.

    The broadcaster’s strategy of weaving culturally rooted storytelling with mass-appeal blockbusters has paid off handsomely. Eight of its channels now reign supreme in their genres from Zee TV’s 15 per cent share in Hindi GECs (its best in three years) to Zee Cinema’s chart-topping premiere of Pushpa 2, the biggest Hindi film debut of FY26. Lifestyle too had its moment, with Zee Zest continuing a three-year winning streak.

    Regional dominance has been equally emphatic. Zee Kannada scored an all-time high 44 per cent share thanks to new launches like Karna, while Zee Tamil surged with Ayali and evergreen favourites like Karthigai Deepam. Zee Telugu notched a staggering 18.1 TVR with Sankranthiki Vasthunam, the biggest Telugu TV premiere in two years. Zee Sarthak maintained its Odia GEC crown for five consecutive years, Zee Talkies led Marathi movies with a 54 per cent category share, and Zee Bangla reclaimed leadership in West Bengal.

    “Eight of our channels leading the pack shows the power of stories crafted with cultural depth but tuned to modern appetites,” said Zee chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur. Zee EVP of network research and planning Rituparna Dasgupta added: “Reaching 855 million people and 99 per cent TV households isn’t just scale, it’s trust. An 18.2 per cent network share cements Zee as a family member in Indian homes.”

    With 50 domestic channels across 11 languages and two new launches, Zee Power (Kannada) and Zee Bangla Sonar, the broadcaster continues to fine-tune its role as both entertainer and cultural mirror, one that India, clearly, can’t switch off.

  • Chhaava conquers TV with 39.2m viewers after Rs 800 crore box office run

    Chhaava conquers TV with 39.2m viewers after Rs 800 crore box office run

    MUMBAI: From storming cinemas to ruling living rooms, Chhaava has proved unstoppable. After notching up a staggering Rs 800 crore at the box office, Vicky Kaushal’s historical epic has broken fresh ground on television, with its World TV Premiere on Star Gold on 17 August pulling in a massive 39.2 million viewers across India the biggest non-franchise TV debut of 2025.

    Timed around Independence Day, the event was more than just a premiere, it was a cultural celebration. For the first time, Chhaava was simulcast in both Hindi and Marathi, bringing the saga of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to audiences in the language of its land. Star Gold doubled down on the spectacle with a special roundtable featuring Vicky Kaushal, Divya Dutta, Vineet Kumar Singh and director Laxman Utekar, along with deleted scenes that gave fans extra reasons to cheer.

    The cast and creators couldn’t hide their excitement at the film’s record-breaking second act. “I’m overwhelmed by the love Chhaava continues to receive,” said Vicky Kaushal, calling it “truly special” that the story reached every home. Director Laxman Utekar hailed the response as proof that “audiences are eager for powerful, rooted stories,” while producer Dinesh Vijan credited the Maddock–Star Gold partnership for helping the epic connect with millions more.

    The emotional high was shared across the board. “This record-breaking premiere proves that hard work and a compelling story will always find its audience,” said Vineet Kumar Singh, while Divya Dutta called the film’s reception “a testament to the power of a good story.” With Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, and a stellar ensemble rounding out the cast, Chhaava has cemented its status as one of 2025’s defining blockbusters, a spectacle that’s as at home on TV screens as it was in theatres.

  • Pocket FM dives into kabaddi mat with Patna Pirates partnership

    Pocket FM dives into kabaddi mat with Patna Pirates partnership

    MUMBAI: When stories meet the mat, sparks fly louder than a referee’s whistle. Pocket FM, the world’s largest audio series platform, has inked a strategic partnership with kabaddi heavyweights Patna Pirates for Pro Kabaddi League 2025, signing on as the team’s official entertainment partner.

    The Pirates, three-time PKL champions, embody grit, passion and resilience qualities Pocket FM says mirror its own storytelling ethos. The tie-up will see the platform bring fans closer to their heroes with meet-and-greets, on-ground activations and digital campaigns featuring star players, adding drama beyond the do-or-die raids.

    “Kabaddi, much like our audio tales, is full of drama and emotion,” said Pocket FM SVP and head of brand marketing communications and partnerships Vineet Singh. “Through this collaboration, we aim to celebrate both the game and the stories while building stronger connections with fans across the country.”

    Patna Pirates COO Pawan Rana added, “Our fans are at the heart of everything we do, and this partnership with Pocket FM opens up new ways to engage and excite them. Just as we fight with passion on the mat, Pocket FM will take that journey beyond the game.”

    For Pocket FM, this is not the first foray into the sports arena. The platform has previously partnered with Jaipur Patriots in Ultimate Table Tennis and with The World of Battle BGMI. But with kabaddi’s soaring popularity and PKL’s Season 12 kicking off this August, its alliance with the Pirates could prove to be its biggest sporting raid yet.

  • Prem Sagar, veteran cinematographer and TV pioneer, passes on at 81

    Prem Sagar, veteran cinematographer and TV pioneer, passes on at 81

    MUMBAI: Prem Sagar, veteran producer, cinematographer and director, passed on at his Mumbai home on 31 August. He was 81. His son, producer Shiv Sagar, said: “With him, an entire era has gone.”

    Diagnosed with colon cancer a month ago, Sagar returned from hospital on 30 August and passed away peacefully a day later, coinciding with the Ganesh festival and Radha Ashtami. An alumnus of FTII Pune’s 1968 batch, he was a gold medallist for academics and a silver medallist for best student film photography.

    The son of legendary filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, he began with cinema—shooting and directing films with Jeetendra and Hema Malini—before pivoting to television. He launched Sagar Arts’ TV wing with Vikram Aur Betaal, a precursor to the cultural juggernaut Ramayan (1987), later followed by Shri Krishna. He also served as marketing director, travelling the globe to promote the company’s shows.

    Known for his technical originality and embrace of new technology, Sagar continued to stay engaged, even visiting the sets of Kamdhenu Gamata on Star Bharat shortly before his death. Shiv Sagar described him as “a guru, a storyteller, and a visionary who blended humour, patience and spirituality into his craft.”

    A prayer meet will be held in Mumbai on 3 September.

  • News broadcasters press Sitharaman for GST relief on ads and credits

    News broadcasters press Sitharaman for GST relief on ads and credits

    NEW DELHI: India’s news broadcasters have taken their tax fight to the top. The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), led by president Rajat Sharma, has written to finance minister and GST Council chair Nirmala Sitharaman, warning that the current goods and services tax regime is throttling the financial health of television and digital news outlets.

    In its 28 August representation, NBDA said the system of taxing advertising sales at the point of invoicing, rather than when payments are actually received, is crippling cash flow. Broadcasters, it noted, are often left waiting months for money from government departments, state agencies, PSUs and even the government’s own ad-buying arm DAVP. Yet GST has to be coughed up immediately, leaving newsrooms to carry the burden of taxes on income not yet in hand.

    The association also demanded a rethink of Section 17(5) of the GST Act, which denies input tax credit on everyday operational spends such as vehicle hire, catering, employee insurance and even routine services like beauty treatments required for on-air talent. NBDA argues these restrictions make little sense for an industry that runs on people, mobility and presentation.

    Sharma said the relief sought is not a handout but a rational correction. “The changes will align taxation with actual revenue flow and remove arbitrary blocks on legitimate business costs,” the letter states.

    The news business, already squeezed by weak advertising growth, digital disruption and rising costs, says it can ill afford such tax distortions. NBDA’s blunt message to North Block: fix the GST rules, or risk further erosion of an industry vital to India’s democracy.

  • Variety hits the right note with launch of Variety India this November

    Variety hits the right note with launch of Variety India this November

    MUMBAI: Call it a blockbuster plot twist: Variety, the world’s number one entertainment news brand, is setting the stage for its India debut. Teaming up with Thursday Tales Publishing Pvt Ltd (TTPPL), helmed by industry veterans Sarita A. Tanwar and Gautam Thakker, Variety India is all set to roll out this November.

    For over 120 years, Variety has been the vital read across Hollywood and beyond, covering film, TV, theatre, streaming, and pop culture in more than 84 countries. Now, with India’s film and entertainment industry booming, the brand is bringing its trusted voice to one of the world’s most dynamic storytelling hubs.

    “India is one of the world’s largest markets for movies, television and digital media. The launch of Variety India will add great depth and dimension to our global coverage,” said Variety, Co-Editors-in-Chief, Cynthia Little and Ramin Setoodeh.

    The new edition will debut in English, with plans to expand into regional languages soon. At the helm is Sarita A. Tanwar, acclaimed editor with stints at Mid-Day, Bombay Times, and DNA. “To bring Variety to India is not just a strategic decision, it’s a passionate one,” she said. “This brand has always been my go-to for Hollywood news, and India deserves a voice just as reliable.”

    Adding to this, EveryMedia Technologies, TTPPL, ceo-founder, Gautam B. Thakker, called it “a timely opportunity,” noting that the move would connect India’s creative pulse to the global stage.

    With Variety India headquartered in Mumbai, the publication promises to amplify the country’s diverse entertainment voices while plugging directly into the international conversation. 

  • Kabaddi gets a new tune as Sportz Interactive drops AI-powered anthems

    Kabaddi gets a new tune as Sportz Interactive drops AI-powered anthems

    MUMBAI: When kabaddi meets cadence and AI meets attitude, you know sport is getting a remix. Sportz Interactive (SI), the sports tech and fan engagement powerhouse, has rolled out three fresh team anthems for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, each crafted with speed, style, and a splash of artificial intelligence.

    For the Bengal Warriorz, SI and Capri Sports unleashed Tashan Toofani, a swagger-heavy anthem designed for Gen Z. Beyond penning the lyrics, the team leaned on AI to stitch together the soundtrack, create futuristic player avatars and layer in visuals dripping with fashion, music, and sport, a cultural cocktail tailored for the next wave of kabaddi fans.

    If Bengal got bold, Gujarat got fast. The Giants’ rallying cry, Garjega Gujarat, was turned around in just five days, a record sprint that combined SI’s in-house hustle with AI-powered fan-generated animations. Proof, perhaps, that an anthem doesn’t need months to roar if tech is tuned right.

    Meanwhile, the UP Yoddhas went cinematic. Their anthem, produced with a lean crew but boosted by AI workflows, captured the team’s gritty, battle-ready persona without compromising on authenticity or polish. It showed how smart tools can strip away inefficiencies while keeping the heart of the story intact.

    “These three productions reflect the versatility of our teams and the immense potential of AI to transform how sports franchises connect with their fans,” said Sportz Interactive SVP for leagues, teams & federations Chintan Shah. “Whether it’s ultra-fast delivery, fresh visual styles, or smarter workflows, we’re proud to be pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in sports storytelling.”

    With Pro Kabaddi Season 12 set to storm the mats from 29 August 2025, fans of the Warriorz, Giants and Yoddhas won’t just cheer their heroes on the court, they’ll sing along to anthems built at the intersection of creativity, code and culture. Because in this league, it’s not just about points and tackles, but also about the soundtrack of sporting passion.

  • Disney Channel celebrates Doraemon’s birthday with Dora cakes & movie marathon

    Disney Channel celebrates Doraemon’s birthday with Dora cakes & movie marathon

    MUMBAI: Talk about a purr-fect party! Disney Channel India is rolling out the blue carpet for one of television’s most beloved characters: Doraemon. In the run-up to its birthday on 3 September, the channel has kicked off a week-long celebration that blends on-air specials, digital fun, and even edible treats.

    From 1–7 September, evenings on Disney Channel will turn into Doraemon time, with special movies airing daily from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The channel itself is getting a makeover too, donning Doraemon’s trademark look so fans feel like they’re stepping right into his world. Adding to the fun, viewers can share birthday wishes for Doraemon, with a chance to see their greetings featured on air.

    The celebrations don’t stop at the TV screen. On social media, influencer-led activities and curated compilations of Doraemon’s most heart-warming moments are set to keep fans smiling all week.

    And in a sweet twist, Disney Channel has teamed up with The Teal Baking Co. to whip up wholesome versions of Doraemon’s favourite snack Dora cakes. Lucky fans will get surprise deliveries of these kid-friendly treats, making the celebrations both magical and delicious.

    Beloved for his futuristic gadgets, quick fixes and his unshakable bond with Nobita, Doraemon continues to be one of India’s most cherished TV icons. This birthday, Disney Channel’s grand tribute promises plenty of nostalgia, joy, and of course, blue-hued magic for fans of all ages.
     

  • India News makes Dish-tinct move, returns to DD Free Dish on Channel 0073

    India News makes Dish-tinct move, returns to DD Free Dish on Channel 0073

    MUMBAI: Breaking news just found a new address Channel No. 0073. India News, Itv Network’s flagship Hindi news channel, is back on DD Free Dish, renewing its promise of fearless, fact-driven journalism for every Indian household, from metro hubs to remote hamlets. DD Free Dish, the country’s largest free DTH platform, already beams into 49 million homes making India News’ renewed slot a move of scale and substance. Securing one of only two vacant MPEG-2 slots in Prasar Bharati’s 90th e-auction, the channel has cemented its place in an increasingly crowded media landscape, giving advertisers a rare opportunity to tap into one of India’s widest free-to-air audiences.

    For India News, the return isn’t just about numbers, it’s about purpose. “Strengthening our nationwide reach through DD Free Dish allows us to take fearless, accurate journalism to millions more,” said India News managing editor for input Rakesh Singh. “In an era where reliable information is more important than ever, this expansion ensures citizens can make decisions based on facts.”

    Echoing the sentiment Itv Foundation chairperson Aishwarya Pandit Sharma added: “This renewed inclusion is a strategic step in our commitment to democratising access to quality journalism. It brings our content to every corner of the country while offering advertisers a trusted and credible platform.”

    Renowned for its investigative reporting, hard-hitting analysis, and no-nonsense coverage, India News has long stood out in the Hindi news space. With this move, it doubles down on its mission: to empower citizens with reliable, unbiased, high-impact journalism, one household at a time.