ITV

Category: Television

  • News18 Tamil Nadu hits pause on ads for break-free morning prime time

    News18 Tamil Nadu hits pause on ads for break-free morning prime time

    MUMBAI:  Who needs a coffee break when the news won’t take one? News18 Tamil Nadu is hitting the fast lane in the morning rush, going completely ad-free from 7:00 am to 10:00 am no interruptions, no distractions, just pure, back-to-back headlines. The move is a viewer-first experiment in prime-time engagement, ensuring that audiences stay glued to the day’s most impactful stories without the lure (or annoyance) of a break. It’s also a shrewd play for advertisers: the first spots aired after this three-hour break-free stretch land at the perfect moment, when viewer attention is at its sharpest, promising premium impact and brand recall.

    For brands, it’s a golden window uninterrupted audience flow, peak attention levels, and the halo of being seen alongside serious, high-focus news. The channel says the initiative not only keeps viewers hooked but also strengthens credibility and trust for advertisers riding the post-prime wave.

    But the innovation doesn’t stop there. News18 Tamil Nadu has been pushing boundaries with Disco with KS, a weekly podcast hosted by editor Karthigaichelvan. It’s the first of its kind for any Tamil news channel, blending sharp interviews with bureaucrats, industry leaders, and young achievers. Each episode racks up over 1 lakh views, with 10 plus snackable clips per episode routinely going viral reaching more than 3 million social media views, with a notable 25 per cent coming from the Tamil diaspora.

    Another highlight is Decode – The World Unfiltered, breaking down complex national and global events into crystal-clear context. Together, these offerings are turning the channel into more than just a news source, it’s becoming a daily habit for Tamil audiences across the globe.

    Come morning, whether it’s hard news, deep dives, or viral interviews, News18 Tamil Nadu wants you in without cutting away for anything else.
     

  • Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League returns, set to kick off from 25 December

    Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League returns, set to kick off from 25 December

    MUMBAI — The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is back after its electrifying debut, promising even more action, intensity, and local pride. Season 2 kicks off on Thursday, 25 December 2025, marking the return of one of the state’s most thrilling sporting platforms — a professional stage for Uttar Pradesh’s finest kabaddi talent.

    This milestone builds on the momentum of UPKL’s inaugural season, which reached over 30 million TV viewers according to BARC India and generated 300+ million digital impressions, driven largely by audiences from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Season 2 is set to elevate the excitement with new franchises on board, more matches, and even bigger fan engagement.

    The league will comprise approximately 64 matches spread over 17 days, with all matches taking place in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

    Season 2 will begin with a league phase followed by playoffs, with all players selected through an auction. Building on the excitement of Season 1, which featured exceptional star players like Arjun Deshwal, Vinay Tewatiya, Shubham Kumar, Sahul Kumar, Abhishek Thakur, Mohd Aman, Nitin Panwer, Abhijeet Malik, Arpit Sroha who captivated audiences across the state. This season promises to showcase top-tier talent and deliver even more thrilling kabaddi action and intense competition.

    SJ Uplift Kabaddi Private Ltd director & founder, Sambhav Jain expressed, “The success of UPKL season one was a testament to the growing love for kabaddi in our state, and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of our viewers, players, investors, sponsors, and every stakeholder involved. Building on the phenomenal success, as we move into the next chapter, we are thrilled for season two. We remain committed to our vision of building a strong platform for local talent and elevating kabaddi in Uttar Pradesh and beyond. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey so far and made season one possible. I look forward to everyone’s continued support in making season two even bigger, bolder, more inspiring, and more impactful.”
     

  • Balaji eyes revival as digital losses narrow and OTT comeback planned

    Balaji eyes revival as digital losses narrow and OTT comeback planned

    MUMBAI: The drama at Balaji Telefilms has taken a sharp turn and this time, it’s playing out on the balance sheet. The content powerhouse slipped into the red for the quarter ended 30 June 2025, posting a consolidated net loss of Rs 594.6 lakh, a far cry from the Rs 94.0 crore profit it clocked in the preceding March quarter.

    Revenue from operations fell 51 per cent year-on-year to Rs 72.8 crore, down from Rs 149.2 crore in Q1 FY24, as all three segments took a hit. Commissioned programmes brought in Rs 49.9 crore (down from Rs 75.4 crore), films collapsed to Rs 1.4 crore from a blockbuster Rs 73.2 crore, and digital revenue rose to Rs 29.1 crore from Rs 9.8 crore but still bore the shadow of the OTT platform’s regulatory shutdown in July.

    Production and acquisition costs surged to Rs 95.8 crore, while marketing expenses stood at Rs 5.38 crore and employee costs at Rs 8.53 crore. Depreciation came in at Rs 1.76 crore, and finance costs eased to Rs 21.8 lakh. Other expenses, at Rs 11.2 crore, added to the squeeze.

    Segment-wise, commissioned programmes swung to a Rs 5.45 crore loss, films lost Rs 2.27 crore, and digital narrowed losses to Rs 92 lakh from Rs 2.08 crore a year ago. Assets in the digital segment have shrunk to Rs 99.9 crore from Rs 246.8 crore last year, reflecting the OTT disruption.

    Despite the setback, Balaji says it is “taking active steps” to comply with regulations and re-enter the digital fray. Until then, investors may have to wait for the next season to see if the plot delivers a turnaround.

  • Test cricket’s digital triumph defies the doomsayers

    Test cricket’s digital triumph defies the doomsayers

    MUMBAI: Test cricket may be fighting for its future, but the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has delivered a resounding riposte to the sceptics. More than 170 million viewers logged onto JioHotstar during the five-match series between India and England—the highest-ever reach for a Test series on digital platforms.

    The numbers tell a compelling story. A staggering 65 billion minutes of watch time were clocked up as the series unfolded from 20 June  to 4 August. The climactic fifth day at The Oval alone drew a peak of 13 million concurrent viewers, setting a new record for online Test match streaming.

    All five matches went the distance, with nail-biting finishes and dramatic plot twists keeping audiences glued to their screens. Even when rain curtailed play on the Sunday at The Oval, with England needing just 35 runs and India four wickets, thousands returned on Monday morning for what many knew might be only an hour’s play.

    “The extraordinary response reinforced Test cricket’s ability to forge compelling narratives in almost every session,” said JioStar head of content for sports Siddharth Sharma. The platform served coverage in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

    Yet this triumph highlights cricket’s central paradox. Whilst series between the sport’s “Big Three”—England, India and Australia—continue to thrive, concerns persist about Test cricket’s inclusivity for lower-ranked nations. The format’s commercial success remains concentrated among a privileged few.

    These worries have prompted the ICC to form an eight-member working group, led by chief executive Sanjog Gupta, to assess a proposed two-tier World Test Championship. England’s cricket board opposes the plan, fearing relegation could cost them lucrative clashes with Australia or India.

    The series marked India’s opening gambit in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, ending in a 2-2 draw after the final session. Fans also devoured Follow the Blues, a behind-the-scenes series, and When India Challenged the Crown, which revisited India’s Test legacy in England.

    JioStar now turns its attention to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, beginning 30 September.

  • Pogo powers up for Little Singham’s birthday bash with action, dance and dhamaka

    Pogo powers up for Little Singham’s birthday bash with action, dance and dhamaka

    MUMBAI: This August, Pogo is all set to celebrate the birthday of India’s beloved young supercop, Little Singham, with grand celebrations blending action, emotion, and excitement. As one of the most iconic characters on POGO, India’s homegrown kids’ entertainment channel, Little Singham will be at the heart of a high-voltage, multi-platform campaign designed to delight kids and families across the country.

    Kickstarting the celebrations, POGO has released a new promo featuring dynamic visuals and energy-packed moments, showcasing the essence of Little Singham, his courage, loyalty, and never-give-up spirit. The promo with a specially choreographed ‘hook step’ is also introduced to encourage fans to join in the celebrations and showcase their love for Little Singham across social media platforms.

    Warner Bros. Discovery Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids, South Asia, Sai Abishek said, “Little Singham is more than just an icon; he stands for courage, confidence, and positivity, making him a true role model for millions of children across India. In the last eight years, Little Singham, its universe, and stories have uniquely and deeply touched kids and families, becoming a milestone for POGO and Warner Bros. Discovery. We remain committed to further building the beloved Little Singham universe that continues to resonate with kids and families.”

    Warner Bros. Discovery, head of marketing, South Asia, Janhavi Vyas added, “This campaign has been designed to be an exciting, multi-touchpoint experience that resonates with kids both on and beyond the screen. From high-energy content to immersive on-ground activations, we are thrilled to bring fans closer to Little Singham in fun and meaningful ways.” 

  • NDTV hires Aajtak veteran Sameer Anand

    NDTV hires Aajtak veteran Sameer Anand

    MUMBAI: NDTV has recruited  a senior advertising executive from rival broadcaster TV Today, as India’s news channels scramble for talent in an increasingly competitive market.

    Sameer Anand, who spent four and a half years climbing the ranks at TV Today’s Hindi news channel Aajtak, has joined NDTV as assistant vice president. The move comes as broadcasters battle for advertising revenues in a market where every rupee counts.

    Anand’s hire is a coup for NDTV Arena, the broadcaster’s sports arm. At Aajtak, he rose from assistant general manager to deputy general manager of ad sales, handling key corporate accounts that included blue-chip clients such as Maruti Suzuki, LG, Samsung and Panasonic during his earlier stint at Red FM.

    The executive’s career spans nearly two decades across India’s media landscape, including stints at Zee Entertainment Enterprises and radio broadcaster Red FM, where he cut his teeth managing corporate sales for 13 years.

    His appointment signals NDTV’s intent to bolster its commercial operations as Indian news channels face pressure from digital platforms and changing viewer habits. The broadcaster, which has weathered regulatory storms and ownership changes, is keen to strengthen its advertising revenues through experienced hands.

    The hire also reflects the musical chairs nature of India’s media industry, where seasoned sales executives command premium salaries as channels vie for market share in a fragmented landscape.

  • Saregama India and Tamgha Entertainment announce major theatrical feature film

    Saregama India and Tamgha Entertainment announce major theatrical feature film

    MUMBAI – Saregama India announced its partnership with the newly launched Tamgha Entertainment LLC for a major feature film. The upcoming production will bring to the screen the untold stories of the Indian Army’s elite Rashtriya Rifles, celebrating their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to the nation.

    The film, which is yet to be titled, will delve into the unique ethos of the Rashtriya Rifles, a premier counter-insurgency force that was formed just over two decades ago, is a specialist force of the Indian Army tasked with counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. While well-regarded within military circles, the force remains relatively unknown to the public despite its remarkable success. This film aims to offer a rare and compelling look into one of India’s most effective military formations — a force that operates with silent resilience and extraordinary dedication. The story aims to move beyond battlefield action to explore the human-interest stories of the soldiers and the values they live by.

    This project marks the first collaboration between Saregama and Tamgha Entertainment, a media company founded by Damyant Singh Khanoria and Major General RS Yadav, VSM. Tamgha is founded on the principle of bringing authentic and powerful narratives of the Indian Armed Forces to a global audience, anchored in the ethos of “Naam, Namak aur Nishaan” (Honor. Loyalty. Legacy.).

    Saregama executive VP Siddharth Anand Kumar said, “At Saregama, we are constantly seeking powerful Indian stories that have the potential to resonate globally. The story of the Rashtriya Rifles is one of exceptional courage and conviction that deserves to be told on the big screen. In Tamgha Entertainment, we have found partners who are not only immensely passionate but also deeply knowledgeable and respectful of this world. We are confident that this collaboration will produce a film that is both authentic and inspiring.”

    Tamgha Entertainment VSM, director Major General RS Yadav added, “This partnership is the perfect embodiment of our goals. Saregama’s legacy and unparalleled reach will allow this important story to be produced at a scale that does it justice. Our dedicated focus will ensure that the authenticity and emotional core of the narrative remain intact. This film is the foundational step in our mission to build a creative ecosystem that gives a voice to the stories of our heroes.”

    Tamgha Entertainment founder & CEO Damyant Singh Khanoria stated, “Our vision for Tamgha was born from a deep-seated respect for the armed forces and a desire to tell their stories with the integrity they deserve. ‘Naam, Namak aur Nishaan’ is the moral compass for our storytelling. To begin our journey with a film about the indomitable spirit of the Rashtriya Rifles, and to do so with a creative powerhouse like Saregama, is a profound honour. We are committed to creating a film that will make the entire nation proud.”

  • Mumbai seat battle heats up as CNN-News18 Town Hall hits the city

    Mumbai seat battle heats up as CNN-News18 Town Hall hits the city

    MUMBAI: When Mumbai talks politics, it doesn’t whisper, it shouts over traffic, cuts through the monsoon, and spills into cinema halls. On 13 August 2025, CNN-News18 Town Hall plants itself right in the middle of this noise with its Mumbai edition, themed “Ballot, BMC, and the Battle for Mumbai”. The agenda? Put the city’s future in the spotlight just weeks before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the first in eight years.

    Fresh from its Defence Edition, the Town Hall returns with a mix of political heavyweights, millennial ministers, and a hindi movie hitmaker. The line-up reads like Mumbai’s own blockbuster bill: Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister, will spar over civic priorities; Eknath Shinde, deputy CM, headlines “The Undisputed Sena-pati”; Aaditya Thackeray tackles whether Mumbai’s future is “regional” or global; and cabinet millennials Aditi Tatkare, Nitesh Rane, and Yogesh Kadam step up for “The Millennial Ministers” panel.

    And because Mumbai is never far from a film reel, filmmaker Mohit Suri will bring a cinematic interlude, delving into “Love, Loss and Legacy” after his latest success. Expect politics and pop culture to collide as only Mumbai can manage.

    “This edition is more relevant than ever,” says CNN-News18 managing editor Zakka Jacob. “With the upcoming BMC elections, these conversations are crucial for shaping the city’s vision.” CEO Smriti Mehra calls it a continuation of the channel’s mission to spotlight local concerns while sparking national conversations fitting for a network that’s been India’s No. 1 English news channel for over 3 years.

    The event will broadcast live from 4 pm on CNN-News18 and stream on its Youtube channel, inviting citizens to join in from home. But for Mumbai’s political stage, the message is clear: the curtain’s up, the lights are on, and the city’s future is up for debate.
     

  • Kaun Banega Crorepati’s 25th year secures 26 sponsors

    Kaun Banega Crorepati’s 25th year secures 26 sponsors

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television’s iconic quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 17 has struck a powerful chord with the nation. Its campaign ‘Jahan Akal Hai Wahaan Akad Hai’ aptly echoes the rise of an India that is not only driven by intelligence (Akal) but also carries it with pride (Akad). This season has witnessed an exceptional response from the brand ecosystem, reaffirming KBC’s position as one of Indian television’s most credible and culturally relevant properties.

    Maruti Suzuki and the Aditya Birla Group are onboarded as Co-Presenting Sponsors, while the State Bank of India joins as Banking Partner, and Reserve Bank of India as a Special Sponsor, further deepening the show’s association with empowerment and trust.

    The Co-Powered By roster includes UPI, Ultratech Cement, Stable Money App, Asian Paints, and Gowardhan Ghee — spanning sectors from digital finance to FMCG. Special Partners secured are Patanjali Dant Kanti, BHIM Payments App, Polycab India Ltd., Dr. Fixit (Pidilite Industries), Vida powered by Hero Motocorp and WinZO Games.

    Further strengthening its appeal, Associate Partners include Amazon India, Kalyan Jewellers, Godrej & Boyce, Laxmipati Sarees, Groww, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), National Stock Exchange (NSE), Plasto Tanks and Pipes, Aashirvaad Select Atta, Director’s Elaichi and Bikaji — representing a diverse cross-section of India’s consumer landscape.

    KBC continues to be a powerful platform for brands, seamlessly integrating knowledge, inspiration, and wide-reaching impact.

    At the heart of the show is, as always, the legendary Amitabh Bachchan whose iconic presence and effortless camaraderie with the contestants breathe life into every story from the hotseat.

  • Meteora Developers World Padel League Season 3 to be broadcast live In over 150 countries

    Meteora Developers World Padel League Season 3 to be broadcast live In over 150 countries

    MUMBAI: Iconik Sports & Events presents Meteora Developers World Padel League, powered by Maisour, is set to reach fans in over 150 countries with live broadcast coverage for its third season, which will take place from August 12-16 at Mumbai’s Nesco Centre. In India, fans can catch all the action on Zee Café, & Flix, and Zee Zest (SD & HD) through linear television coverage, with digital streaming available exclusively on FanCode, WPL’s official digital streaming partner.

    Now in its third season, WPL continues to build on its reputation as a premier sporting and entertainment property. This season, the league has expanded from four to six franchises, bringing together 36 of the world’s top international players across the franchises: Vedanta Leopards, Khan Tigers, Hubtown Panorama Panthers, Game Changers Lions, SG Pipers Cheetahs, and Vernost Jaguars.

    Commenting on the broadcast roster, World Padel League co-founder Hemali Sharma said, “We are excited to welcome all our broadcast partners for this season. The fact that people in over 150 countries will be able to experience the action from the comfort of their homes, shows how far the sport has come in such a short time here. In India especially, the change has been incredible. What began as a niche game has now captured attention the world over, and we are proud to have been a part of that global movement. Season 3 will take that energy to the next level, giving fans everywhere a front-row seat to the speed and intensity of ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’”

    Welcoming the WPL to the Zee network, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief growth officer, Ashish Sehgal said, “We are incredibly excited to bring the World Padel League Season 3 to Indian homes and beyond. With coverage on Zee Café, & Flix, and Zee Zest (SD+HD), we’re opening the sport to an audience that’s hungry for high‑energy, emerging athletic action. At ZEE, our mission is to champion sports with growing but dedicated fan communities – delivering them into the mainstream and helping them become truly mass‑appeal events.”

    “We’re excited to partner with the World Padel League for the second year running. Padel is growing rapidly in India, with urban centres leading the way in both participation and viewership. More people are playing the sport, and naturally, they now want to watch the best players in action. Through our exclusive digital coverage, we’re committed to giving Indian padel enthusiasts front-row access to the world’s best action, anytime and anywhere,” said FanCode co-founder Yannick Colaco.

    In Sri Lanka, matches will air exclusively on Peo TV by Sri Lanka Telecom, while DishHome holds exclusive streaming rights in Nepal. In the MENA region, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and beyond, coverage will be available on Saudi Sports Channel and Shahid OTT and Dubai Media. Across Europe and APAC, audiences can view matches on Dazn and Sport TV in Portugal and SPO TV. Fans in the USA and Canada will be able to catch all the action on Willow TV and across Africa on AfricaXP. With an extensive broadcast network spanning all continents, the World Padel League Season 3 will bring the excitement and energy of padel to fans around the globe, truly making it a worldwide sporting event.

    Tickets for Meteora Developers World Padel League, powered by Maisour are now available for fans eager to witness the thrilling live action at Hall No. 5, Nesco Centre exclusively on the District. Padel fans are encouraged to book their tickets to be part of the action at India’s biggest padel event.