ITV

Category: Television

  • Dabang Delhi teams up with Furo Sports for PKL Season 10 sponsorship

    Dabang Delhi teams up with Furo Sports for PKL Season 10 sponsorship

    Mumbai: Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club, the champions of the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 8, is delighted to announce Furo Sports as its esteemed powered by sponsor for the ongoing Season 10 tournament. Furo Sports, a distinguished brand under the umbrella of Red Chief, stands as a beacon of commitment to quality and innovation. This partnership symbolizes the fusion of athletic prowess and cutting-edge style, reinforcing Furo’s steadfast dedication to the sporting spirit.

    Leayan Global Pvt Ltd (brand: Furo Sports & Red Chief) head of marketing Mayank Jain expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to partner with Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club. This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to supporting excellence in sports. We look forward to a successful partnership and are eager to contribute to the team’s success.”

    Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club CEO Durganath Wagle shared his thoughts on the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to announce Furo by Red Chief as a vital partner for our ongoing Pro Kabaddi League season. This collaboration signifies the synergy between Dabang Delhi’s pursuit of excellence and Furo’s renowned commitment to quality and innovation. As we navigate this exhilarating season together, we anticipate a harmonious blend of stellar performances and unforgettable moments. Furo by Red Chief’s dedication to style and substance perfectly aligns with our vision, and we are excited about the ongoing success and impact this partnership will bring to our fans, enhancing the overall sporting experience.”

    Furo by Red Chief aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club. Together, they embark on a journey of excellence, leveraging the power of teamwork, skill, and passion. As the tournament unfolds, the collaboration promises not only to elevate the sporting experience but also to resonate with fans who appreciate the perfect blend of performance and style. Stay tuned for an exhilarating season ahead, where Furo Sports and Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club unite to create magic on the kabaddi mat.

  • ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ to premiere on 24 December on COLORS Cineplex

    ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ to premiere on 24 December on COLORS Cineplex

    Mumbai: As we draw curtains to another fantastic year, get ready to celebrate the festivities in a blockbuster way, this Christmas with the world television premiere of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. Solidifying its status as the preferred choice for a diverse selection of films spanning different genres, COLORS Cineplex is all set to present ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ on 24 December 2023 at 8:00 pm. ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ encapsulates everything that will brighten your day – from the timeless charm of Bollywood music and classic romance to abundant comedy and, of course, a touch of glamour. Upholding its commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment, the addition of this blockbuster movie is poised to be a thrilling inclusion to the channel’s robust lineup of films. Let’s grab some popcorn, find a comfy spot on the couch, and remember, as Rocky wisely puts it, Ab full check out maarne ka time aa gaya hai—kyuki Rocky Randhwa and Rani Chatterjee are coming to spend the Christmas with you!

    Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, the romance dramedy ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ is spearheaded by Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi alongside Tota Roy Chowdhury, Churni Ganguly, Aamir Bashir, and Kshitee Jog. Directed by Karan Johar, the blockbuster is a modern love tale, underpinned by an old-word love story. It traces the journey of Rocky, a spirited Punjabi, and Rani, a sharp Bengali journalist, who fall in love and decide to live with each other’s families determined to prove that they’re a perfect match. Peppered with laughter and thought-provoking moments, the Karan Johar directorial delves into the complexities of love, family, and the daring choice to defy generations of tradition for the sake of love.

    “We are delighted to usher in the festive season with the World Television Premiere of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,’” said Viacom18 business head – Hindi movies cluster Rohan Lavsi. “At COLORS Cineplex, we have always taken pride in being the go-to destination for viewers seeking non-stop entertainment, especially during festive moments that bring families together. This Christmas, we are overjoyed to introduce another enduring love story into our collection, reinforcing our steadfast commitment to delivering best of entertaining content. ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ is a heartwarming addition to our robust lineup of films, promising viewers a delightful and joyous experience. We look forward to riding the festive wave of love and laughter, as we invite our audience to join us on the 24th of December at 8:00 pm for an extraordinary celebration of cinema and the spirit of Christmas.”

    Sharing his thoughts on the world television premiere of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ Karan Johar said, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marked my return to the cinemas after seven years and I was taken aback by all the unanimous love it received in theatres. It proved that this era of love is all about ‘love hain toh sab hain’. Its world television premiere on COLORS Cineplex brings back the joy of collaborating with incredible stars – Dharmendra ji, Jaya Bachchan ji, Shabana Azmi ji, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. My treasured dream team of Pritam Da and Amitabh Bhattacharya created wholesome tracks for this album. Get ready to experience all of it once again and cozy up with your squad with some popcorn! I invite the viewers to take to the steering wheel of entertainment with their family and friends doing the backseat driving this Christmas.”

    Ranveer Singh said, “The film’s reception during its theatrical release was overwhelming, and now, as it reaches the homes of millions with the world television premiere on COLORS Cineplex, I am quite thrilled as viewers across the nation will embark on this unforgettable rollercoaster ride of emotions and romance. This film holds a special place in my heart, as it exalts the strength of love and its ability to bind souls together, weaving a tale of an unbreakable familial bond. May this Christmas be a tapestry of abundant warmth, happiness, and the enchanting magic of ‘Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ brings to all hearts.”

    Alia Bhatt said, “Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this with all my fans. The season is all about joy, love, and togetherness and that’s what our film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ is all about. This movie is very close to my heart and as it makes its world TV premiere on COLORS Cineplex – I hope it adds an extra sparkle and loads of warmth to your celebrations!”

    Stay tuned to COLORS Cineplex for the world television premiere of ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ on Sunday, 24 December at 8:00 pm.

  • Skyesports announces 2024 Counter-Strike 2 roadmap with six global IPs and a $ one million prize pool

    Skyesports announces 2024 Counter-Strike 2 roadmap with six global IPs and a $ one million prize pool

    Mumbai:  Skyesports, South Asia’s esports tournament organiser, has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 roadmap for Counter-Strike 2, one of the most competitive games worldwide. Next year, the company has revealed six global IPs for the game with a cumulative prize pool of $ one million. These events will feature a mix of international and Indian teams and will happen as LAN events in the country and internationally.

    Skyesports’ commitment to Counter-Strike 2 comes after it hosted India’s first-ever franchised esports league with a prize pool of more than $240,000, the Skyesports Masters, earlier this year with an on-ground final in Bangalore, India. After the positive reception and success of the league, Skyesports has announced a deeper roadmap for the year.

    Commenting on the newly unveiled roadmap, Skyesports founder and CEO Shiva Nandy said, “Since the release of Counter-Strike 2 earlier this year, the game is getting more popular than ever, presenting us with exciting opportunities to invest in the space. Our 2024 roadmap has been planned with a focus on fostering talent, global expansion, and ensuring sustainability for participating teams. We have five global IPs planned, offering a total prize pool of $1 million, all happening in person. Notably, three of these tournaments will take place in India, showcasing global esports talent and introducing the electrifying world of Counter-Strike esports to a broader audience.”

    To kick off the roadmap, the Skyesports Grand Slam will happen from March 14 to 18 with a $50,000 prize pool.  Next up, the franchised esports league, the Skyesports Masters is set to make a return with a huge $350,000 prize pool in May 2024. Following the high-stakes action in the franchised league, Skyesports will bring back the longest-running homegrown esports IP in India, the Skyesports Championship, for an electrifying sixth edition in July 2024 with $150,000 on the line.

    Besides Indian teams, these tournaments will feature international organizations as well and will happen as on-ground live events in India, bringing global talent to the country. Skyesports will be unveiling the exact venues at a later date.

    Following these tournaments, Skyesports will host the $150,000 Skyesports Souvenir in Colombo, Sri Lanka with teams from India, Europe, and North America.

    In October 2024, Skyesports is set to introduce a new and ambitious global esports IP, the Skyesports Global Tour. For its inaugural edition, the tournament will take place in Bangkok, Thailand with a $250,000 prize pool. Embodying a truly global esports IP, the tournament will feature qualifiers taking place in India, Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

    To close off the year, the Skyesports India vs Pakistan Series is set to take place in December 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This epic showdown will pit the best teams from each country in an epic showdown for the bragging rights and a share of the $50,000 prize pool.

    Additionally, the roadmap will happen in continuation with top teams from the previous IP getting invited to the next tournament. This has been done to ensure that top teams have more stability to focus on elevating talent instead of playing through the qualifiers each time.

    Adding on the 2024 roadmap, Skyesports  Head of Global Business Partnerships Sashank Bhandaru said, “As we move towards a truly global esports calendar for Counter-Strike 2 with tournaments throughout the year, we are looking forward to partnering with our existing anchor brands and working closely with new ones. Our roadmap has been planned to pave the way for long-term associations, bringing stability and investment to the Counter-Strike scene in India and beyond.”

    Besides these five global esports IPs, Skyesports will also be supporting grassroots-level collegiate and cafe events for Counter-Strike 2 in India with monetary and infrastructural support.

    The summary of the Skyesports Counter-Strike 2 Roadmap in 2024 is as follows:

    •    Skyesports Grand Slam: March 14 to 18 ($50,000) – India
    •    Skyesports Masters 2024: May 13 to 19 ($350,000) – India
    •    Skyesports Championship 6.0: July 4 to 7 ($150,000) – India
    •    Skyesports Souvenir: Sept. 13 to 15 ($150,000) – Colombo, Sri Lanka
    •    Skyesports Global Tour: Oct. 25 to 27 ($250,000) – Bangkok, Thailand
    •    India vs Pakistan Series: Dec. 20 to 22 ($50,000) – Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • MediaLane and All Right Media announce three format deals in Europe

    MediaLane and All Right Media announce three format deals in Europe

    Mumbai: Iris van den Ende, founder & CEO of MediaLane, an independent production company with their main focus on creating high entertainment content accessible for a general audience, announces that one of their latest formats Stars on Stage, is optioned by several countries and the first episode is scheduled to air on RTL4 in The Netherlands in January ‘24.

    The format, introduced last MIPCOM in partnership with Dutch distributor All Right Media, has been picked up by three major European territories already:  Germany (Tresor TV), Spain and Italy.

    Stars on Stage is an original shiny floor family prime-time entertainment format that will first premiere on Friday 5 January on commercial leading broadcaster RTL4 in The Netherlands.

    The format follows eight celebrities competing to become a real musical theatre star and perform well-known Broadway and West End hits, live on stage. Each week one of the celebrities, who all have a different professional occupation and are all performing outside their comfort zone, will be eliminated until the best 3 remain for the ultimate final. The show promises a mixture of the most famous musical hit songs, dazzling performances and two great hosts who will guide celebrities throughout the entire show — a guaranteed night of family entertainment.

    MediaLane’s CEO Iris van den Ende stated: “We are very proud to have found such amazing partners in Germany, Italy and Spain already and we are very excited to see how quickly Stars on Stage is taking off. The amount of interest has been overwhelming and we look forward to seeing the show on air in The Netherlands and hopefully soon also in other parts of the world.”

    All Right Media’s Tanja van der Goes stated: “For me Stars on Stage is pure magical family prime-time entertainment that brings joy and happiness to the screen which is something we all need right now. Every little detail is right, and I can’t wait to bring it to many more screens in the near future.”

    “Stars on Stage is both a simple and brilliant idea. Letting celebrities compete in a musical challenge, where they need to sing, dance and act is that kind of warm hearted and emotional entertainment format the viewers are looking for.” said Tresor TV (Germany) MD Axel Kühn.

  • News18 Punjab Haryana to organise Agenda Punjab today

    News18 Punjab Haryana to organise Agenda Punjab today

    Mumbai: News18 Punjab Haryana, the most trusted news channel of the region, will bring together top political leaders of Punjab on Agenda Punjab – a mega-conclave being organised by News18 Punjab Haryana.

    The much-anticipated event will be held in Chandigarh on 19 December 2023, and will bring to the fore the state government’s development priorities and achievements.

    Top state government ministers scheduled to speak at the conclave include Harpal Singh Cheema Minster of Finance, Planning, Programme Implementation, Excise & Taxation, Gurmeet Singh Khudian Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, Food Processing, Chetan Singh Jouramajra Minister of Defence Services Welfare, Welfare of Freedom Fighters, Horticulture, Mining Information & Public Reforms,  Lal Chand Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Forests, Wild Life and  Balkar Singh Minister of Local Government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister,  Harjot Singh Bains Minister of Technical Education & Industrial Training, Higher Education, School Education, Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. Minister of Public Works (B&R), Power, Bram Shankar (Jimpa) Minister of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management, Water Supply & Sanitation,  Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal Minister of NRI Affairs, Administrative Reforms, Anmol Gagan Maan Minister of Tourism & Culture Affairs, Investment Promotion, Labour, Hospitality,  Laljit Singh Bhullar Minister of Transport, Rural Development & Panchayats,  Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer Minister of Sports & Youth, and  Kultar Singh Sandhwan Speaker, Punjab Assembly.

    Tune into this high-impact leadership conclave -Agenda Punjab – exclusively on News18 Punjab Haryana on 19 December, 11 am onwards.

  • BARC Report: Aaj Tak becomes Most Watched News Channel

    BARC Report: Aaj Tak becomes Most Watched News Channel

    Mumbai: BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) is a broadcast research agency, responsible for assessing and disseminating television viewership data. The recently concluded state assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram have instilled fresh aspirations among news broadcasters. Notably, during election coverage, a significant portion of mainstream news channels garnered distinct audience attention. Against this electoral backdrop, Aaj Tak Hindi news channel has emerged as the top-ranking news channel in terms of viewership, according to BARC data.

    Based on three categories for BARC rating points,

    Source: BARC | HSM | 15+ | 03rd December 2023| 07:00 to 12:00 Hrs | Gross AMA’000s

    During the key vote-counting hours in 4 states, BARC highlighted the dominance of ‘Aaj Tak’ among news channels. On December 3, 2023, Aaj Tak news channel achieved the highest viewership and claimed the title of the Most Watched news channel. Aaj Tak secured a significant market share of 16.2%, surpassing competitors such as India TV with a 13.9% share and TV9 Bharatvarsh with a 12.5% share.

    During Counting Day –

    Source: BARC | HSM | 15+ | 3rd December, 2023 | 07:00 to 24:00 Hrs | Gross AMA’000s

    On the election counting day, spanning from early morning until midnight on December 3, 2023, BARC data reaffirmed Aaj Take leading position with a 15% market share. Following closely were TV9 Bharatvarsh with 13.7% and India TV with a 12.2% market share.

    During counting week –

    Source: BARC | HSM | 15+ | Wk 49’23 | 24 Hours | Gross AMA’000s

    Throughout the entire counting week (Week 49, 2023), Aaj Tak channel showcased its dominance with a 13.0% market share, closely trailed by TV9 Bharatvarsh and News18 India, each securing a 12.9% share. Week 49 began on the heels of the highly awaited results announcement for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Aaj Tak capitalised on this surge in national interest, maintaining its top spot throughout the week. This was particularly evident during the crucial days of Exit Poll announcements (November 30) and actual results (December 3).

  • Braun Strowman Wraps India tour with Sony Sports Network

    Braun Strowman Wraps India tour with Sony Sports Network

    Mumbai: WWE Superstar Braun Strowman, known as the ‘Monster of all Monsters’, completed a successful four-day promotional tour in India starting with a meet and greet with Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer of distribution and International business and head of sports Business. The meeting was followed by interactive sessions with the employees of Sony Pictures Networks India as well as the filming of a special episode of Sony Sports Network’s flagship studio show, WWE Super Dhamaal in Mumbai.

    WWE Superstar Braun Strowman also visited four key distributors in the industry – DEN, HATHWAY, AIRTEL, and DISH TV during his four-day India tour. The WWE Superstar met over 1500 employees across the trade distribution engagements that helped to forge deeper connections with the attendees.

    During his time in Mumbai, Braun Strowman also met popular Indian cricketer Venkatesh Iyer, who has been a fan of WWE since his childhood. The destructive batting all-rounder and the WWE Superstar who is known for his destruction in the ring, bonded well as they discussed catchphrases and lingos from their respective fields followed by a small cricket session. Furthermore, Strowman also met with India’s Got Talent Season 9 winner Divyansh Kacholia aka DVK who performed a special beatbox segment which left the ‘Monster’ amazed.

    Comments:

    Sony Networks India Chief Revenue Officer – Distribution & International Business and head Sports Business Rajesh Kaul:  

    “We were delighted to host WWE Superstar Braun Strowman in India. Sony Sports Network’s broadcast of WWE enjoys a tremendous following and it is evident with the overwhelming response we received since we announced Braun Strowman’s visit to India. Sony Sports Network will continue to work with WWE to not only showcase the best WWE has to offer to viewers but to also curate experiences that builds a deeper connect with our audiences.”

    WWE Superstar Braun Strowman:

    “It has been great to be back in India and be given the opportunity to see our loyal fans in person. India is an amazing country and I always look forward to returning.”

    WWE sports entertainment properties in India and continues to captivate fans with regular promotional tours and live events in the country. Earlier this year, Sony Sports Network partnered with WWE to organise the WWE Superstar Spectacle in Hyderabad featuring one of the most iconic WWE Superstars of all time, John Cena. The mega event at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium received a tremendous response as fans from across the country travelled to witness the biggest WWE Superstars live in action.  

    Watch the LIVE coverage of WWE RAW every Tuesday, WWE NXT every Wednesday and WWE SmackDown every Saturday on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi) & Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil & Telugu) channels at 6:30 am IST.

  • Viacom18 welcomes Sushma Rajesh as cluster head for Kannada and Marathi

    Viacom18 welcomes Sushma Rajesh as cluster head for Kannada and Marathi

    Mumbai: Sushma Rajesh has recently been appointed as the cluster head for Kannada and Marathi at Viacom18 Media. With a career spanning various key roles, Sushma previously served as Sr VP and business head – Kannada at The Walt Disney Company for nearly two years and three months. She shared this career move on her LinkedIn profile.

    Beginning her journey in 2004 at Star India as a senior manager in research & strategic planning, Sushma has held significant positions, including vice president of marketing & channel Strategy at Life OK in 2014 and business head at Star Utsav. Prior to her tenure at Star India, she commenced her career at IMRB, a division of the Kantar Group.

  • Zee proposes merger extension with Sony

    Zee proposes merger extension with Sony

    Mumbai: The merger agreement between Zee and Sony dated 21 December 2021, was to be closed by 22 December 2023 (two year period); Zee has proposed extension of the same with Sony.

    Indiantelevison reached out to Sony for their comments. This is what they had to say, “Sony is evaluating the request”.

    According to Zee, in its stock exchange filing, reported that pursuant to the Merger Cooperation Agreement dated 22 December 2021 entered into amongst the Company, Bangla Entertainment Private Ltd (‘BEPL’), and Culver Max Entertainment Private Ltd (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India Private Ltd), the company has requested CMEPL and BEPL to extend the date required to make the scheme effective, as per the terms of the Merger Cooperation Agreement.

    The request by Zee to extend the deadline comes just a day after two independent directors were unable to secure the re-appointment of the company’s board.

    Directors Sasha Mirchandani and Vivek Mehra “failed to get the requisite majority of votes,” the company said in an exchange filing.

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) commented, “ZEE’s notice to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India dated December 17 is an acknowledgement that they will not be able to meet the December 21, 2023 deadline to close the SPNI/ZEE merger. The notice triggers an existing contractual provision in the deal that allows for both parties to discuss the possibility of extending the deadline. SPNI is required to start those conversations but has not yet agreed to a deadline extension. We look forward to hearing ZEE’s proposals and how they plan to complete the remaining critical closing conditions.”

  • Jasleen Royal’s ‘Dastoor’ hits one million views in 20 hours

    Jasleen Royal’s ‘Dastoor’ hits one million views in 20 hours

    Mumbai: The musical Jasleen Royal, continues to enrapture audiences with her latest offering, “Dastoor,” as the music video crosses a staggering milestone of one million views within a mere 20 hours of its release. This exceptional achievement stands as a testament to the unparalleled resonance of Royal’s artistry and the profound connection audiences hold with her work. Marking a viral victory Jasleen Royal is all set to turn into an internet sensation yet again after Heeriye.

    “Dastoor,” an enthralling depiction of an epic love saga set against the backdrop of 1980s Kashmir, captures the hearts and imaginations of viewers, swiftly amassing an overwhelming wave of appreciation and support. Within hours of its debut, the music video surged past the coveted one million view mark, illustrating the sheer power of Jasleen Royal’s musical prowess and storytelling.

    Expressing her elation, Jasleen Royal remarked, “The overwhelming response to ‘Dastoor’ has left me truly humbled and immensely grateful. Crossing the one million views milestone within just 20 hours of its release is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s heartening to witness the audience’s embrace of this musical narrative that holds a special place in my heart. Dastoor is the result of collective efforts of an outstanding cast to etch this musical masterpiece into the hearts of many.”

    The music video, portraying the impassioned love story of Jasleen and Babil, reminiscent of the iconic duo Neena Gupta and Jackie Shroff, has captivated audiences with its emotive storytelling and enchanting melodies. Its rapid ascent to one million views signifies not only the admiration for Jasleen Royal’s artistry but also the universal appeal of a story that resonates deeply with viewers across the globe.

    This remarkable milestone reinforces Jasleen Royal’s position as a celebrated musical virtuoso and storyteller extraordinaire. As “Dastoor” continues to enthral audiences, it cements its place as a testament to the enduring power of music to connect hearts and transcend boundaries.