ITV

Category: Television

  • News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh clinches ECI Media Awards 2023

    News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh clinches ECI Media Awards 2023

    Mumbai: News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh, the sister news channel of News Nation has clinched the prestigious National Media Award for the year 2023. The Election Commission of India, responsible for recognising outstanding contributions in the media landscape, bestowed this honour upon News State for its remarkable voter awareness campaign named “Vote Guru.”

    The comprehensive and insightful coverage provided by News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh became the linchpin for its selection as the recipient of the National Media Award in the electronic media category. The channel’s commitment to delivering informative, accurate, and balanced content earned it acclaim from the Election Commission, which lauded the “Vote Guru” campaign as the Best Coverage.

    On 25 January, National Voters’ Day, the honorable president of India Draupadi Murmu, conferred the award upon News State in New Delhi.

    “Vote Guru,” a special program curated by News State, played a pivotal role in disseminating essential information to voters, presenting intriguing stories, and addressing concerns related to the electoral process. The election commission commended the program for its accuracy, balance, and its significant role in providing voters with crucial information, thereby encouraging greater participation in the democratic process.

    News State’s dedication to empowering its election coverage was evident through the utilisation of its reporter network. The channel highlighted challenging areas with polling booths and shed light on issues faced by ordinary voters, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the election landscape.

    In the backdrop of the 2023 assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, News State transformed the electoral process into a celebration of democracy. The channel deliberately shifted its focus towards a voter-centric approach, deviating from the conventional emphasis on political parties and leaders. Through this strategic coverage, News State not only earned the National Media Award but also played a crucial role in fostering an informed and engaged electorate. –

    News Nation Network managing director Sanjay Kulshreshtha said, ” We are truly honored and humbled to receive the prestigious National Media Award for 2023 for News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh. This recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the News State’s team. As we celebrate this achievement, we renew our commitment to journalistic excellence, ensuring that all our network channels continue to be a beacon of credible journalism for our audience.”

    News Nation Network director & editor in chief Manoj Gairola added, “I am deeply honored and grateful for the recognition bestowed upon News Nation Network’s channel News State Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh with the prestigious National Media Award for 2023. This achievement reflects the collective effort of a dedicated team at News Nation Network. Winning in the electronic media category is a testament to our commitment to delivering informative and balanced journalism. The ‘Vote Guru’ campaign has not only promoted voter awareness but also strengthened our resolve to empower communities through impactful storytelling. This accolade inspires us to persist in our pursuit of excellence, and we remain dedicated to providing credible and insightful content for our audience.”

  • BBC Studios and COLORS presents Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak

    BBC Studios and COLORS presents Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak

    Mumbai: The launch of ‘Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak’ marks a new move for BBC Studios’ Global Entertainment business into continuing drama internationally – an area already established as a huge area of specialism for the BBC in the UK.

    Set in the picturesque locations of Ujjain and produced by BBC Studios Productions India, ‘Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak’ premieres today, the 29 January 2024, and will air every Monday-Friday at 10:30 pm on COLORS.  

    ‘Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak’ is an eternal love saga that shatters the boundaries of societal norms, time, and even death itself. The show draws inspiration from true events of reincarnation and is based on the successful novel, ‘November Rain’ written by Mrinal and Abhigyan Jha. Starring actors Karamm Rajpal and Trupti Mishra in lead roles, the show chronicles the immortal love story of Rajneesh, a city-bred medical student, and Poornima, a resilient village girl; they fall for each other and unite with an eternal promise to stay together forever.  Will Rajneesh and Poornima’s love triumph against the odds?

    BBC Studios India general manager Sameer Gogate commented,  “Our latest offering, ‘Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak,’ signifies an exciting chapter for BBC Studios Productions India, contributing to our collection of premium scripted dramas and breaking in to continuing drama. With this collaboration with Mrinal, we are delighted to be back on COLORS with this romantic thriller, blended with mystery, and to be taking it to a wider audience.”

    Producer and writer Mrinal Jha said of the drama, “It is often said that there are very few wholly original stories, and, well, this one, Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak, is the mother of them all. Once we had experienced the events, my husband Abhigyan Jha and I were compelled to write it, and I’m thrilled to see the unusual story come alive on screen! It’s fantastic to see writers, directors, and actors team up to bring the themes of rebirth, destiny, and timeless love to life in a visually stunning way. Here’s hoping the viewers will enjoy watching the show as much as we enjoyed crafting it!”

    BBC Studios’ Global Entertainment business produces and licences premium quality scripted and unscripted programmes across multiple genres for global audiences. ‘Qayaamat Se Qayaamat Tak’ builds on drama originals ‘School of Lies’ for Disney+ Hotstar and ‘Expressway Ishk’ for Amazon Mini TV, recently produced by BBC Studios Productions India alongside established formats produced for the local market that include ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’ (Dancing with the Stars) currently broadcasting on COLORS and ‘Broken News’ (Press) for Zee TV, with Season 2 in production.

  • Times Now YouTube channel accumulates highest views on Republic Day

    Times Now YouTube channel accumulates highest views on Republic Day

    Mumbai: Times Now clocked a staggering 10.27 million YouTube views on Republic Day, making it the most-viewed platform among all the English news channels on YouTube, according to Playboard.

    IndiaToday was in the second spot with 5.86 million views, followed by CNN News18 who achieved 5.66 million views.

    This further solidifies Times Now’s position as the preferred news destination on digital platforms.

  • #YehSmartHaiBoss contest winners met Salman Khan at the Bigg Boss house

    #YehSmartHaiBoss contest winners met Salman Khan at the Bigg Boss house

    Mumbai: Glance, smart lock screen platform announced the winners of the highly anticipated #YehSmartHaiBoss contest. The contest which ran on Glance Smart Lock Screen gave participants with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on the sets of the popular reality show, BIGG BOSS Season 17.

    The #YehSmartHaiBoss contest, held from 1 November to 31 December, generated an overwhelmingly positive response from Glance consumers across India. More than 15 crore participants engaged in daily questions related to Salman Khan, BIGG Boss and the entertainment industry on their glance smart lock screen, every day. Some participants played the #yehSmartHaiBoss contest quiz more than a thousand times on their Glance Smart Lock Screens. The contest brought together people from across the country who shared a common love for Salman Khan.

    Last week, Glance announced three lucky winners from different parts of India who were granted the exclusive opportunity to meet Salman Khan at the BIGG BOSS house. These winners were selected based on their impressive number of correct answers and their unwavering enthusiasm throughout the contest.

    The winners of the #YehSmartHaiBoss Contest are:

       Mallika Ghosh from Durgapur
       Anju Dorale from Mumbai
       Arpit Singh from Bengaluru

    Glance chief marketing officer Bikash Chowdhury expressed his excitement about the unique initiative, stating, “Glance is dedicated to connecting consumers with their inspirations and shared passions through premium content, exclusive events, celebrity interactions, and more. The success of the #YehSmartHaiBoss campaign stands as a testament to this commitment. The unique campaign on Glance Smart Lock Screen has fulfilled Salman Khan fans’ dreams of meeting the star, reflecting the immense popularity of BIGG BOSS.”

    Mallika Ghosh, winner from Durgapur, West Bengal, expressed her exhilaration, stating, “Glance has truly fuelled my determination to pursue my dream of meeting Salman Khan. I am immensely grateful to Glance for providing me with this incredible opportunity to finally meet him in person.”

    Anju Dorale, winner from Mumbai, Maharashtra, shared, “Since my childhood, I have been the ultimate fan of Salman Khan, watching all his movies with great enthusiasm. I cannot thank Glance enough for organizing the remarkable #YehSmartHaiBoss contest, which brought fans like me even closer to Salman Khan. The daily quiz on Glance was an absolute delight, as it not only provided me with the opportunity to meet Salman Khan in person but also stay up to date with all the exciting news surrounding BIGG BOSS, right on my lock screen.”

    Arpit Singh, winner from Bengaluru, Karnataka said, “As a passionate follower of BIGG BOSS and Salman Khan, the daily smart quiz on Glance that revolved around Salman’s illustrious career brought back a flood of memories, from his iconic movies to his unforgettable roles, dialogues, and songs. Engaging in this contest was an absolute pleasure, and I am immensely grateful to Glance for granting me this opportunity to showcase my unwavering admiration for the actor. It truly feels like a dream turned into reality.”

    Glance, as BIGG BOSS’s official Smart Lock Screen partner for this season, continues to revolutionize the way viewers experience reality TV. Through exclusive BIGG BOSS content and intelligent integrations, Glance Smart Lock Screen caters to contestants and fans alike, providing a seamless and engaging experience.

  • Revenant Esports adds Severine and dos9 to the VALORANT roster

    Revenant Esports adds Severine and dos9 to the VALORANT roster

    Mumbai: In a strategic move to fortify its position in the competitive VALORANT scene, Revenant Esports, India’s most decorated esports organization, has introduced two international powerhouses to its VALORANT roster—Severine from Indonesia and dos9 from Kazakhstan.

    The decision to enlist these formidable players comes in anticipation of the upcoming VALORANT challengers South Asia Split 1, a stage where Revenant Esports aims to carve its legacy. This announcement comes after the organization recently welcomed back Kasif “Paradox” Sayyed to its lineup.

    Severine, a seasoned 31-year-old Indonesian professional, has made a comeback from retirement to compete for the title with a wealth of experience. He boasts a first-place finish at the VALORANT Challengers Indonesia 2023 Split 2 and a commendable third to fourth place at the VCT 2023 Pacific Ascension. Now, Severine eyes another shot at glory on the international stage.

    Expressing his excitement at competing professionally again, Severine said, “It feels good to be back playing competitively again. With this opportunity, I aim to return to Ascension once more with Revenant Esports and vie for a franchise slot this year. Revenant is assembling an impressive roster, and I can’t wait to contend for the title with this formidable lineup.”

    Dos9, the mechanically skilled prodigy from Kazakhstan, has been an active player since 2021. His inclusion adds a layer of complexity to the Revenant Esports VALORANT roster.

    Dos9 shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m very glad to have one more chance to prove myself in VCL. My goal is to showcase the highest team and individual level over the next two splits. Firstly, qualifying for Ascension is the target, and then giving our all to secure victory. I’m thrilled to do it with Revenant Esports, one of the best teams in the region.”

    In addition to these signings, Revenant Esports will soon unveil two more players, further enhancing the team’s prowess. 

  • Revenant Esports signs skillz and tricky for the VALORANT team

    Revenant Esports signs skillz and tricky for the VALORANT team

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports, the esports organisation, further announced two signings to its VALORANT roster ahead of the 2024 esports season. The organization has secured the signings of seasoned player Jayanth “skillZ” Ramesh and emerging star Prish “Tricky” Valvani, strategically bolstering its already formidable lineup.

    Skillz is among the most experienced players Indian VALORANT has to offer. His rise to fame came with Global Esports as he formed the core team for the organization prior to their rise to the VALORANT Partnership Program in the VCT Pacific. Following a brief sabbatical in 2023, Skillz made a resounding comeback in December 2022 at the VALORANT Convergence 2023 in Bangalore, securing an impressive third to fourth-place finish.

    Expressing his excitement about competing at the top of VALORANT esports once again, Skillz said, “It feels really exciting because it’s been a long time since I’ve played and with different teammates as well, so I can’t wait for the journey. My expectations are simple, like always, to win it all. Currently, with our two international imports, we are prioritizing effective communication and synergy in the team so we know we have our backs inside the game. Communication is not saying what’s on your mind, it’s also about ensuring others hear what we mean.”

    Tricky, on the other hand, is a rising young blood in VALORANT esports. He played a crucial role in the VALORANT Challengers 2023 Open Qualifier, ensuring Medal Esports made it to the Main Event. Now, the player has signed on with Revenant Esports and will have a chance to showcase his prowess amongst a very talented and experienced team. The signing comes as a no-brainer for Revenant Esports, an organization that believes in identifying young stars and helping them reach their full potential.

    Commenting on joining Revenant Esports, Tricky said, “I am beyond excited to be competing at the top of VALORANT esports with Revenant Esports. It’s been a long and painful journey to get here and I am only looking to improve from here with my talented teammates. With no pain, there is no growth. With no growth , there is no purpose.”

    The announcement of Skillz and Tricky follows Revenant Esports’ earlier revelation of signing Paradox, complemented by two international imports, Severine and Dos9. The Revenant Esports VALORANT team is gearing up for action at the upcoming VALORANT Challengers South Asia, scheduled to kick off next month. 

  • Moneycontrol asserts supremacy in a print campaign

    Moneycontrol asserts supremacy in a print campaign

    Mumbai: Moneycontrol has claimed to have beaten the legacy leader on all parameters, in a front page advertisement issued in the Indian Express on 29 January.

    The platform has launched a 360 degree ‘Indian Business ka King Kaun’ campaign and announced its leadership. The campaign will also go live on trade media, social and TV.

    According to the latest viewership data from Comscore, which measures digital readership, with 30.02 million unique viewers, Moneycontrol grew by 9 percent in December 2023 to forge ahead of its major competitor (28.6 million) in readership size and monthly traffic.

    Moneycontrol consolidated and extended its lead over the key competitor in page views and time spent. These are the two key metrics of digital reader engagement and sustainable competitive advantage.

    The platform garnered 368 million page views in December – more than double the page views of the No 2 in this category. (173 million).

    Moneycontrol’s complete dominance in this domain was also evident in time spent. The 863 million minutes Moneycontrol readers spent reading its pages in December was four times more than that spent on its key competitor (199 million minutes).

  • COLORS becomes the No 1 Hindi GEC; breaks multiple records

    COLORS becomes the No 1 Hindi GEC; breaks multiple records

    Mumbai: With 234GRP, Viacom18 owned COLORS has become the No. 1 Hindi GEC in the 15-50 ABC HSM Urban segment – an audience cohort that advertisers keenly follow.

    In a year that saw Hindi GECs fuel overall television viewership resurgence, COLORS has emerged as the most substantial contributor to this progress having, itself, marked an astounding 85 per cent growth (234GRP in Wk4 2024 from 126GRP in Wk14 2023) since the beginning of this fiscal. Interestingly the channel’s impressive lead of 37 per cent over its closest competitor in megacities and 16 per  cent lead in the 15+ HSM 1Mn+ segments solidify its appeal to advertisers as these markets form the bulk of the consumption territories for a vast majority of brands across industries.

    COLORS’ current market share of 27.9 per cent is the highest the channel has achieved in 12 years. The channel also achieved an overall reach of 52 Mn, extending its lead for the 44th week now, going 16 per cent ahead of its closest competitor. Furthermore, COLORS has also achieved an astounding 114 per cent growth in Prime Time since the beginning of the financial year (HSM Urban 15+, wk3 2024 vs wk14 2023)

    Since July 2023, COLORS has been steadily diversifying its content offering – from top rated mythological saga Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav to marquee reality shows like BIGG BOSS and Khatron Ke Khiladi to audience favourite social drama Doree to love stories like Neerja Ek Nayi Pehchaan and Chad Jalne Laga and family dramas like Parineeti, the channel has captivated audiences with compelling storytelling and strong characters. The channel’s success is further enriched by standout shows such as Udaariyaan, Mera Balam Thanedar and Suhaagan, each making substantial contributions to the viewership growth.

    With an impressive lineup of new shows slated to launch later this month, COLORS looks set to keep the forward momentum going strong. From the love story Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak to historical drama Pracchand Ashok to family drama Mangal Laxmi to reality show Dance Deewane, the channel will be launching 4 new shows in a variety of genres within the next 1 month. Buoyed by the emphatic growth of COLORS at 84 per cent, the entire Hindi GEC category has clocked a robust 21 per cent growth which in turn has led to the entire TV viewership growing, a fact recently underlined by IBDF. 

  • “The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice”: Chrome Pictures founders

    “The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice”: Chrome Pictures founders

    Mumbai: Cinema has been entertaining and educating the masses through various mediums, including films, TVCs, ad films, TV serials, and web series on OTT platforms. Creating, experimenting and evolving with ‘Lights, Camera and Action’, a production house – Chrome Pictures has come a long way in the world of advertising and filmmaking.

    On 20 January 2024, Chrome Pictures celebrated a remarkable milestone, marking its 20-year anniversary as a prominent force in the realm of visual storytelling. The film production company, founded in 2004 by the dynamic trio of Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen, and Hemant Bhandari has emerged as one of the premier production houses of the country, consistently upholding a legacy of excellence, innovation, and creativity on a global scale.

    Renowned for its diverse portfolio, the company has directed and produced compelling and heartwarming TVCs for an array of leading brands in collavoration with top ad agencies of India. The accolades garnered and awards won at renowned platforms include the Cannes Film Festival, Spikes Asia, Adfest, NYA, D&AD, DPA, amongst others. In the recent times, Chrome Pictures won 33 film awards for their debut feature film ‘Badhaai Ho’ including the prestigious National Award for the “Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment”.

    To know more about the production company and its two decade journey, Indian Television caught up with Chrome Pictures founders Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen and Hemant Bhandari.

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the founders of Chrome Pictures coming together to establish the company in 2004

    Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen and Hemant Bhandari started Chrome Pictures at the young age of 24. Amit and Hemant are childhood friends, while Aleya and Amit met on sets of Pradeep Sarkar. It was their dream to start a production house together.

    On some memorable moments along with the challenges that Chrome Pictures faced during its 20-year journey in the industry

    20 years is a long time and we’ve faced multiple challenges along the way. But we’ve always seen every challenge as an opportunity to get better at our game.

    One of our biggest challenges was our first breakthrough. The first year we only got 10-15 sec ads. We made Hanes commercials with our own money. It won many national and International awards. That’s when we got our first recognition in the advertising industry. Making our own place in Bollywood, with landmark films like Badhaai Ho and recently Trial Period is equally challenging. Covid was another time of challenge for all production houses. We were one of the first to start online shoots, with a zeal to reinvent ourselves. We are a company of 70 and everyone was retained. We landed, bagging 46 awards, including Cannes Lions Awards for Dove #StopTheBeautyTest and the Facebook Pooja Didi Ad, shot during COVID.

    On Chrome Pictures distinguishing itself in terms of its creative and innovative approach within both the cinema and advertising industries

    We love exploring and experimenting with new talent, technology, genre, formats etc. It’s safe to say that the creative aspect of films – be it ad or feature, triumphs everything else for us. We believe that storytelling is not limited to any format and, hence, from Chrome’s very inception, we’ve looked forward to every project with equal amount of excitement. Long format was a natural progression. We like to stay updated with the ever growing and changing market.

    On the genres or thematic areas that Chrome Pictures is looking to delve into as it further establishes itself in the Bollywood film industry

    We are unified by our diversity. We’ve never restricted ourselves to specific genres while making feature films. We treat content as our hero. Selection of a particular script is an individual director’s choice. Like, I might go from exploring romance in one project to drama in the next. Similarly, Amit might go from doing a sports biography, Maidaan, to a thriller. However our forte is emotional and realistic storytelling.

    On whether AI is having any discernible impact on Chrome Pictures’ production process and if so, is the company integrating artificial intelligence into its creative workflows

    Evolution is constant. Just about 12 years back, Fuji and Kodak Stock suddenly switched to digital cameras. From Beta tapes, we switched to drives and then cloud. So AI is inevitable. At Chrome, we strive to stay flexible and relevant to changing times. It’s important to upgrade oneself in an industry that welcomes new technology readily. Having said that, AI will certainly have an adverse impact in terms of replacing manual work to digitised ones.

    On the company’s future plans & aspirations

    In the last 20 years, we have explored our strengths in more than one way. Currently with eight young and talented in-house directors, six producers and an experienced production and post team, we intend on producing more feature films, OTT films and web series.

    Our advertising team is well-established and we encourage new talents. We have a digital wing, Minikin DG Works. We have a well-equipped post-production studio setup called “Planet Chrome”. Last year we launched our content lab called “Crimsen Tales”.

    The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice.

  • Usha International continues partnership with MI Emirates for International League T20, 2024

    Usha International continues partnership with MI Emirates for International League T20, 2024

    Mumbai: Usha International, a leading consumer durables brand in India, has extended its partnership with MI Emirates for the second consecutive year, for the International League T20, 2024. The month-long league is underway, featuring six teams, spanning Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai.

    In 2023, Usha International extended its reach to cricket fans worldwide with its partnership with MI Emirates. This partnership further builds on the 12-year partnership between Usha International and Mumbai Indians, advancing the company’s commitment to supporting the sport of cricket worldwide.

    The MI Emirates for the 2024 season is led by Nicholas Pooran and supported by a stellar cast of international cricket stars, including Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Trent Boult. Additionally, the team features promising local talent from the UAE, such as Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed, Zahoor Khan, and Rohan Bangash. Further bolstering the roster is Ambati Rayudu, India’s prolific T20 specialist.

    Commenting on the partnership, the spokesperson for Usha International said, “Building on our 12-year relationship with the Mumbai Indians, this partnership with MI Emirates for the International League T20, 2024, reflects our commitment to leverage cricket’s universal appeal to promote healthy and active living. Through this synergistic union, we aim to engage with the global cricket community, sharing in the spirit of the game that transcends geographies and inspires a passion for sportsmanship”.