ITV

Category: Television

  • Gravolite partners with Pro Kabaddi League 2023

    Gravolite partners with Pro Kabaddi League 2023

    Mumbai: Gravolite, one of the leading sports mat manufacturers in India, became the official supplier of Kabaddi Mats for the Pro Kabaddi league scheduled to be held from 2 December 2023 to 21  February  2024. These state-of-the-art mats have been approved by the Kabaddi Federation of India.

    The 10th season of Pro Kabaddi League started on 2 December 2023, with twelve teams, namely BengaluruBulls, Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers, U.P.Yoddhas, U Mumba, Bengal Warriors, Tamil Thalaivas, Patna Pirates, Dabang Delhi K.C., Haryana Steelers, Gujarat Giants, and Telugu Titans.

    Gravolite Kabaddi Mats will be used throughout the tournament considering the infrastructural requirement recommended by the Federation as per international standards and keeping in mind the safety and well-being of the athletes.

    Gravolite director Vaibhav Somani said, “Kabbadi as a sport has been gaining prominence over the years and we are thrilled to announce that Gravolite is the official supplier of Kabaddi Mats for this prestigious Pro Kabaddi League 2023. This esteemed event, hosted by India, serves as an invaluable platform for athletes to showcase their exceptional skills and for organizations like ours to provide sportspersons with the opportunity to experience our technologically advanced mats.

    At Gravolite, we are committed to manufacturing world-class mats that not only enhance the overall sports infrastructure experience but also prioritize the health and well-being of the players to avoid injuries. Our Gravolite Kabaddi mats offer the desired cushion base and floor padding, enabling athletes to perform their maneuvers effortlessly. Practicing and competing on professional mats like ours empowers sportspersons to elevate their performance and excel in international tournaments. We are honored to contribute to the success of Pro Kabaddi League 2023 and the advancement of Kabaddi as a sport.” He further added that Pro Kabaddi League, is a long tournament, and providing high-quality international mats is our priority.

  • Something Special & ITV Studios sign multi-territory option deal for ‘Battle in the Box’

    Something Special & ITV Studios sign multi-territory option deal for ‘Battle in the Box’

    Mumbai: Something Special, the Seoul-based international format agency founded by format specialists Jin Woo Hwang (president & executive producer) and InSoon Kim (EVP & head of content) have announced that global production powerhouse ITV Studios has optioned the hit Korean celebrity format Battle in the Box for France, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.

    Battle in the Box, created by Korea’s NMedia and represented globally by Something Special, has traveled around the world in recent months including previously announced deals with Fremantle (for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal) and UKTV which commissioned the groundbreaking game show for Dave and UKTV Play, hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr.    

    Battle in the Box is a comedic competition and reality game show hybrid in which two celebrity pairs live in an empty box specially designed with movable walls. With no home comforts, celebrities must conquer physical and mental challenges in order to win special prizes and ever-coveted floorspace. Winning these challenges expands their living area while shrinking the losing team’s. Round-the-clock challenges with cameras watching their every move means each pair must strategize to expand their space and win!

    Something Special VP & head of sales Praise ChanMi Shin stated: “It’s extraordinary to see the huge international response to Battle in the Box which we instantly loved and couldn’t wait to take globally. And now our partners at ITV Studios are taking this exciting show further and building on its success. We look forward to seeing how each country adds its own touch to this hilarious series.”

    ITV Studios VP format acquisitions Ella Umansky stated: “We’re excited to be taking out such a fun, creative format alongside Something Special. It’s a simple but hilarious concept that translates everywhere. Celebrities are used to taking up space but Battle In The Box takes things right back to basics – they’ll have to earn every home comfort, including the floorspace.”

  • Asianet News Digital launches Marathi platform in Mumbai in the presence of Hon. Dy. CM Devendra Fadnavis

    Asianet News Digital launches Marathi platform in Mumbai in the presence of Hon. Dy. CM Devendra Fadnavis

    Mumbai: Asianetnews.com, the digital platform of Asianet News Media and Entertainment Private Limited (ANMEPL) has launched its eighth language platform in Marathi. The launch happened on 5 December, 2023 at the Press Club in Mumbai.

    Hon. Dy. CM of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Other eminent personalities such as Shri Dr. Ramnath Sonawane, Secretary, Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Shri Pravin Dabas, Actor and Director and Smt. Preeti Jhangiani, Actor and Producer, were also present for this historic occasion.

    Asianetnews.com is already present in Malayalam, Kannada, English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Bangla. With the launch of Marathi, the group’s digital news media has spread its wings to the West as it aims to expand its footprint nationally and globally.

    Asianetnews.com’s strong brand credibility and deep regional insights provides the edge to source and deliver content like none other. Asianetnews.com Marathi will target to become the go-to destination for focused news and video content in Maharashtra.

    Hon. Dy. CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis stressed about the need for genuine news providers such as Asianet News to clamp down on fake content, especially the threat posed by AI-based platforms such as Deepfake and other similar Indian apps. He highlighted the role that digital media has to play to curb the spread of misinformation and help deliver credible news to the Marathi diaspora and help shape the opinion of the society.

    Rajesh Kalra, Executive Chairman Asianet News Group spoke about the thought process behind this development. “With Maharashtra having the third most internet penetration in the country, Marathi is obviously a key language for Bharat. When we were looking at expanding into other languages, Marathi was a unanimous choice. We aim to be the most trusted source of news for Maharashtrians and provide a platform that disseminates high-quality content,” he said.

    Neeraj Kohli, Chief Executive Officer, Asianet News Group elaborated, “We are aiming to replicate the success of our other 7 languages to Marathi and justify the faith put in us by the people of Maharashtra. Our focus has always been on providing our audience with the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and honest coverage from the ground.”

    Samarth Sharma, the group Chief Operating Officer, “We will be putting all our efforts to deliver ‘Straight, Bold, Relentless,’ news coverage to the Marathi diaspora spread across the world. With a strong team of journalists working round the clock, our news bureau is set to establish Asianet News Marathi as the most trusted source of news,” Samarth Sharma, COO Asianet News Group highlighted the company’s mission and ideology behind the Marathi platform launch.

    AsianetNews.com is a leading news platform, which caters to 80 Mn monthly active users across its 7 languages. With Marathi added to its growing portfolio, it is set to expand its footprint across the country as well as the world.
    The ANN group (Asianet News Network) has a multi-media presence across the country in multiple languages via its TV Channels (Asianet News and Asianet Suvarna News), Print Publication (Kannada Prabha), Music platform (IndigoMusic.com), and Digital platforms in 8 languages (AsianetNews.com and MyNation.com).

  • Update regarding the election process for the presidency of LALIGA

    Update regarding the election process for the presidency of LALIGA

    Mumbai: The Electoral Commission of the National Professional Football League (LALIGA), met this morning and in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, regulations and the electoral calendar, has adopted the following resolutions in relation to the elections convened for the presidency of LALIGA:

    Having examined the candidacy presented by Javier Tebas Medrano, and having verified that it was presented in due time and form and that it complies with the statutory and regulatory precepts applicable to this effect, and with there being no other candidates, to provisionally proclaim LALIGA president Javier Tebas Medrano.

    To order the secretary of the electoral commission, in the application of the provisions of the first paragraph of Article four of Book II of the general regulations of the National Professional Football League, to notify the resolution adopted to Javier Tebas Medrano, as well as to all LALIGA members, and to publish it on the website.

    Under the provisions of the electoral calendar, 14 December 2023 is the next meeting date for the electoral commission, to resolve any appeals or, where appropriate, to proclaim the president final. However, in the event that no appeals are lodged against the resolutions of the electoral commission, it may unanimously bring forward its meeting to 12 December 2023 following the 8:00 p.m. deadline for lodging appeals.

  • Zee Zest brings back ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ season 3

    Zee Zest brings back ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ season 3

    Mumbai: In a culturally diverse country like India, there’s a variety of cuisine for every event.  Be it Andhra Pradesh or West Bengal, every household boasts its unique rendition of a particular dish, offering us a wide array of options. Considering the rich tapestry of India’s cultural and culinary diversity, Zee Zest, the leading lifestyle channel, is all set to bring back the third season of ‘Pril Presents India’s 50 Best Dishes,’ hosted by Chef Ajay Chopra. The premiere had been scheduled for Monday, 4 December at 2 pm.

    Unveiling the #HarStateKaUniqueTaste, the show will celebrate dishes across 17 states creating an iconic 3 course meal from each state. Chef Ajay Chopra sets foot on the journey for the 3rd Season with jury made up of chefs, culinary experts, and common people in a unique, fun-filled series. The show is divided into three segments –

    1.  Channel Ka Panel and Janta Ki Awaaz: The people’s choice segment, where individuals from diverse backgrounds share their views, preferences, and dish recommendations, leading to the selection of the first dish for the 3 Course Meal.

    2.  Ustaadon Ki Awaaz: Esteemed professionals in the culinary field provide their expert judgment, contributing to the selection of the second dish in the 3 Course Meal.

    3.  Ajay Ka Choice: Chef Ajay Chopra’s personal recommendation for the final dish, completing the delectable 3 Course Meal.

    “I’m thrilled to commence the new season of India’s 50 Best Dishes, following the overwhelming feedback from our viewers,” chef Ajay Chopra expressed. “In a nation where diverse cuisines and a plethora of dishes are found in every state, I eagerly anticipate reigniting the discussion about the most beloved ones. In our endeavor to differentiate India’s constantly evolving culinary scene with distinctive regional influences, we’re enthusiastic about our ongoing quest to curate a distinct collection of 50 dishes that will compose this season’s most delicious national menu.”

    With ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ Season 3, Zee Zest continues to push the boundaries of culinary exploration, showcasing the richness and diversity of India’s regional cuisines. Get ready for a delectable ride as Season 3 promises to be a feast for the senses, blending the authentic voices of the people, the wisdom of culinary maestros, and the creative touch of chef Ajay Chopra.

    Pril has come on board as the presenting sponsor, while the show is powered by Cadbury Chocobake Centre Filled Cookies with special partners Goldiee Masale and Veeba.

    ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ Season 3, premieres 4 December, Every Monday at 2 pm. Try your hands on the delicacies from #HarStateKaUniqueTaste.

    https://zeezest.com/episodes/india-s-50-best-dishes-season-3-promo-1-666

  • News18 platforms post highest live concurrent viewership on Counting Day

    News18 platforms post highest live concurrent viewership on Counting Day

    Mumbai: On the pivotal counting day of Assembly Elections across four states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana), News18 Rajasthan and News18 Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh registered record-breaking live concurrent viewership on its YouTube platform.

    During the crucial morning hours from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, News18 Rajasthan’s live YouTube stream commanded an extraordinary 706k concurrent views, underscoring News18 Rajasthan’s dominance during this critical time slot. (Source: Playboard live concurrent on YouTube, 3 December, 9 am to 12 pm*peak – concurrent numbers)

    Simultaneously, News18 MP-Chhattisgarh emerged at the forefront of state election coverage on YouTube, with a staggering 130k concurrent views during the decisive counting hours. (Source: Playboard live concurrent on YouTube, 3 December, 11:30 am)

     

  • Ajit Varghese unveils strategies behind Disney Star’s success in ICC World Cup 2023 at India Brand Summit

    Ajit Varghese unveils strategies behind Disney Star’s success in ICC World Cup 2023 at India Brand Summit

    Mumbai: The India Brand Summit, held on November 28, 2023, at The Lalit Mumbai, brought together leaders, marketers, entrepreneurs, and experts to discuss current trends in the dynamic brands and marketing arena. During a fireside chat with Ajit Varghese, Head of Network Ad Sales at Disney Star, Anil NM Wanvari praised Disney Star’s record-breaking viewership during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

    Varghese highlighted the success of the World Cup, attracting over 500 million TV viewers and a streaming reach of 295 million, making it one of the most successful ICC Cricket World Cups to date. He also emphasized their focus on seamless viewer experience, enhanced engagement, and facilitating ROI discussions. The streaming platform introduced a bunch of innovations including MaxView, a technological innovation that allows cricket fans to watch the game in vertical mode (9×14 portrait view) for the very first time in the history of cricket streaming. MaxView was launched in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and had close to 30% people sample it during the tournament.

    Varghese also spoke about the self-serve platform launched for live cricket for the very first time. And how the platform gave advertisers the opportunity to advertise on cricket by just booking on the Disney+ Hotstar platform directly. The streaming service had hundreds of agencies logging in and almost 150+ new advertisers who advertised on cricket for the first time.

    Disney+ Hotstar broke the record for peak concurrency with 59 million viewers for the final match. Ajit spoke about how the platform enabled its tech to handle this feat seamlessly. “We actually enabled our tech to handle almost 50-55 million concurrent users. There are two things that you need to look at. One is, when you get to that concurrency, can you serve ads to all of them? Second, what if the concurrency goes up further? So, the enablement of tech is on both fronts. One is the ability to handle more concurrency. Second is having that ad insertion in a seamless way so that the user experience does not have lags, breakage and all of that.”

    He further added, “From a targeting point of view, there were around 12 targeting options. Now we took it up to 55 with the World Cup. Ad insertion capability moved up almost by 5X. So there are a lot of things that you observe when you watch a match seamlessly because finally for a consumer it’s his mobile and it’s his experience. When you look at close to 300 million people watching that tournament and when I look at 59 million concurrency, both should not have any leakage in experience and that’s why I think the sport is a history and the overall experience has been historic.”

    Wanvari then questioned Varghese about the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League to which he said “When we started PKL in 2014, in the year two or three itself, it became the second largest sport in India. And we recently announced PKL being available for free on mobile on Disney+ Hotstar with the aim to make Kabaddi accessible to all of India and foster a stronger sense of engagement amongst the fans.”

    He also highlighted the overall growth the league has witnessed, the boost in PKL player payments, and the significant advertiser value return expected from PKL, he said, “The growth in player payments is 10x. And if you look at the kind of advertiser value return, I would say this would be the single event which gives you more than 15-16x kind of return. PKL will be bigger than any other reality show.”

    When asked about the division between TV and OTT audiences for the World Cup, Varghese

    said “It is very interesting with the World Cup being offered for free on mobile. What we saw is that TV viewership was not affected at all. So, if you look at this World Cup or the last World Cup, TV viewership has held strong with TV’s peak concurrency hitting 13 crores. What’s beautiful with that logic is, digital streaming while has grown leaps and bounds, it hasn’t impacted TV viewership.”

    Varghese shared lessons for brands and advertisers, highlighting the effectiveness of sports in advertising. He emphasized the need for transparency in metrics and the importance of sports marketing for profitability and campaign success. Regarding the confusion between views and concurrent viewers, Varghese stressed the importance of transparency and factual data to instill confidence in advertisers.

    He also discussed the growth of Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) in India, primarily operating on Ad-supported Video on Demand (AVOD).

    Addressing the rise in consumption patterns on social media, Varghese debunked the notion that people only spend time on social platforms, emphasizing on the variety of content available today including User Generated Content and Professionally Generated Content. He discussed the evolving models for content creation as well.

    Varghese concluded by discussing India’s advertising market, anticipating growth as the country evolves into a per capita market. He highlighted the ample headroom for advertising spends to grow in India’s expanding economy and population.

  • Shemaroo dominates Promax Asia 2023 with unprecedented 25 awards

    Shemaroo dominates Promax Asia 2023 with unprecedented 25 awards

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment, a leading media and entertainment conglomerate, is thrilled to announce its outstanding accomplishment at the Promax Asia 2023 Awards. The company proudly secured an unprecedented 25 awards, including 13 Gold and 12 Silver across diverse categories.

    The Promax Asia Awards stand as a testament to excellence in entertainment marketing, applauding creativity, innovation, and outstanding promotional efforts. Having won 13 awards last year, this year’s achievement of 25 awards highlights Shemaroo’s unwavering success and commitment to pushing creative boundaries.

    Among the 25 accolades, Shemaroo bagged gold and silver in various prominent categories, with notable highlights like Creative Marketing Team of the Year, Best Promo Team, Best Movie, Best Movie Campaign, Something for Nothing, Print Campaign, Programme Campaign. These multiple victories underscore Shemaroo’s versatility and prowess across various facets of creative marketing.

    Shemaroo Entertainment COO Arghya Chakravarty, expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Receiving 25 awards at the Promax Asia 2023, including the prestigious ‘Creative Marketing Team of the Year’ title as well as ‘Best Promo Team’ for the second consecutive year, brings us immense joy and pride. This achievement reflects the hard work and creativity of our brilliant team. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to consistently creating innovative campaigns and delivering diverse content that resonates with our consumers globally.”

    As Shemaroo Entertainment continues to celebrate its success at Promax Asia 2023, the company looks forward to a future marked by continued innovation, compelling storytelling, and strategic marketing endeavours that captivate audiences worldwide.

    Complete List of 25 Awards – 13 Gold and 12 Silver:

    • Creative Marketing Team Of The Year- Gold & Silver

    • Best Promo Team- Gold & Silver

    • Best Movie Promo- Gold

    • Best Movie Campaign- Gold

    • Best Programme Campaign- Gold

    • Best Themed Campaign- Gold

    • Best Promo Not Using Programme Footage- Gold

    • Most Outstanding Marketing Initiative- Gold

    • Best Use Of Design In Video- Gold

    • Best Promo Video On Social Media- Gold

    • Best Long Form Promotional Content- Gold

    • Something For Nothing- Gold

    • Best Print Campaign- Gold

    • The Rocket Award- Gold

    • Best Movie Promo- Silver

    • Best Movie Campaign- Silver

    • Best Programme Campaign- Silver

    • Best Script/Copy- Silver

    • Best Sound Design- Silver

    • Best Integrated Marketing Campaign- Silver

    • Something For Nothing- Silver

    • Best Print Campaign- Silver

    • Best Key Art- Silver

    • Best Static Image- Silver

    • Best Work Never Seen- Silver

  • ABP News leads CTV viewership on counting day: Chrome Digital Track

    ABP News leads CTV viewership on counting day: Chrome Digital Track

    Mumbai: ABP News, renowned for its unwavering credibility and extensive coverage, reaffirms its media dominance by securing the highest unique viewership during the pivotal period of counting day on 3 December, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Recent data released by Chrome Digital Track underscores ABP News’s standing as the top choice for viewers seeking comprehensive and reliable coverage across various connected TV platforms.

    The comprehensive data, gathered across diverse operating systems including Cloud TV, Tizen, Vidaa, Roku, WebOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and YouTube, highlights ABP News as the preferred destination for news consumption. During this critical time frame, ABP News garnered an impressive 4.5 Lakh unique viewers across connected TVs (Market – HSM, NCCS 15+), solidifying its position as the go-to source for breaking news and in-depth analysis.

    abp

    ABP News has successfully established itself as the primary destination for news consumption across a spectrum of platforms. Its availability on popular operating systems underscores the network’s commitment to reaching a wide audience. This widespread accessibility significantly contributes to ABP News’s unparalleled viewership on connected TV platforms, cementing its status as the most trusted news source among numerous channels.

    Driven by this remarkable achievement, ABP News remains committed to offering top-notch journalism, delivering up-to-the-minute updates on diverse global topics to its audiences. As it continues to lead in providing comprehensive coverage, ABP News aims to uphold its standard of excellence in delivering news that matters.

  • Top players on Sony: Volleyball World Club Championship 2023

    Top players on Sony: Volleyball World Club Championship 2023

    Mumbai: Volleyball fans in India can celebrate as Sony Sports Network is all set to live broadcast the upcoming Volleyball World Club Championship 2023, which is being held in Bengaluru from 6 to 10 December 2023.

    The tournament will feature the six best league teams from across the world: Sir Sicoma Perugia (Italy), Halkbank Spor Kulübü (Turkey), Suntory Sunbirds (Japan), Sada Cruzeiro Vôlei (Brazil), Itambé Minas (Brazil) and Ahmedabad Defenders (India).

    The teams are split into two groups of three. Pool A comprises defending champions Sir Sicoma Perugia, Itambe Minas and Indian champions Ahmedabad Defenders while Halkbank Spor Kulübü, Suntory Sunbirds and Sada Cruzeiro make up for Pool B. The two best teams from each Pool will progress to the semi-finals. The grand finale of the tournament will take place at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, 10th December from 8:30 PM IST onwards.

    Volleyball fans in India are really looking forward to the tournament as this is the first time the country will host an international club volleyball competition with the matches being live broadcast in prime time. The entire nation will root for local champions Ahmedabad Defenders who will aim to put India on the world map for volleyball.

    The Defenders clinched the RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by the A23 title earlier this year and qualified for the Volleyball World Club Championship. With the likes of Muthusamy Appavu and Angamuthu Ramaswamy leading the line, the team will carry the hopes of thousands of Indian volleyball fans on their shoulders, heading into the competition.

    Additionally, the opportunity to watch some of the best volleyball players in the world including Sir Sicoma Perugia’s 2022 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship gold medal winner Simone Giannelli, and Halkbank Spor Kulübü’s Tokyo 2020 Olympics champion Earvin Ngapeth, Sada Cruzeiro Volei’s Olympics gold and silver medallist Wallace de Souza, Suntory Sunbirds’ Olympics gold medallist Dmitriy Muserskiy and Itambe Minas’ five-time Club World Cup gold medallist Isac Santos is something the fans can eagerly look forward to.

    Comments:

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer distribution & international business and head – Sports Business Rajesh Kaul:

    “Volleyball World Club Championship 2023 is being hosted in India for the first time and will be live broadcast on Sony Sports Network with both Hindi and English commentary to reach out to a wider set of audience. We have seen an overwhelming response from volleyball fans in the country with our coverage of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 and we are confident that the upcoming championship tournament will attract a lot of interest with the Team Ahmedabad Defenders battling for glory.”

    Baseline Ventures Pvt Ltd managing director and co-founder Tuhin Mishra:

    “We at Baseline Ventures remain committed towards helping volleyball grow in India and it gives us immense pleasure to explore an opportunity to put Indian volleyball on the world map by hosting the Volleyball World Club Championship. We are delighted to have continued our association with Sony Sports Network who have been a driving force throughout our journey to help volleyball make aspirational and help reach every corner of the country. There’s a lot at stake at Volleyball World Club Championship 2023, as Ahmedabad Defenders – the club from India will get a chance to compete against the world’s best and pronounce themselves as the world’s best volleyball team.”

    Ahmedabad defenders captain Muthusamy Appavu:

    “The Volleyball World Club Championship 2023 is a huge platform for the team to prove its mettle. The team has shown its quality in the previous season of RuPay Prime Volleyball League powered by A23 and we are now eager to perform to our strengths against the best teams across the world.”

    Halkbank Spor Kulübü attacker Earvin Ngapeth:

    “We want to move towards the finals in the World Club Championship, step by step. We are in a tough group and both the Japanese and Brazilian representatives are strong rivals. We are aware of the difficulties they will present us in the field. We believe that we will overcome these obstacles. We respect all teams, but our aim is to achieve two wins. We have the power, quality and synergy to do this.”

    Sir Sicoma Perugia setter Simone Giannelli:

    “We arrived here in Bangalore after a long and tiring trip, but we are obviously happy to be here and to play a difficult competition, which is played during the Italian Superlega, but very beautiful and important.  We will face high-level opponents as it should be in a men’s club World Championship, our goal is to show our best volleyball.  Personally, it’s my first time in India and I’m happy to be here, I’m waiting to feel the support of the Indian fans at the sports hall”

    Tune in to the Volleyball World Club Championships 2023 on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD (English) and Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi) from 6 December 2023, 5:00 PM IST onwards: