ITV

Category: Television

  • Two Legends League Cricket franchisees acquired by billion dollar Indian businesses

    Two Legends League Cricket franchisees acquired by billion dollar Indian businesses

    Mumbai: Legends League Cricket (LLC) has unveiled two new franchises for its highly anticipated upcoming season, which is to be played across five cities in India from 18 November to 9 December 2023.

    The first franchisee announced by Legends League Cricket is Urbanrisers Hyderabad, owned by the prestigious Urbanrise Group in collaboration with JC Pavan Reddy, who serves as the managing director of Trident Power Pvt Ltd. The consortium has a staggering valuation exceeding $7 Billion and signifies a powerful synergy between sports and corporate excellence.

    The Urbanrise/Alliance Group, South India’s largest real estate developer has taken this strategic move as a part of their broader diversification efforts, which include ventures into battery minerals mining, AI, and age reversal technologies. Notably, their mining subsidiary, “First Lithium,” was recently listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and the organisation is financially supported by leading global financial institutions. JC Pavan Reddy has been dedicated to the development of sports at the grassroots level and his experience as the President for the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association will provide the Urbanrisers Hyderabad team some valuable insights.

    The second franchisee announced by Legends League Cricket for the upcoming season is the Southern Super Stars. A consortium, with combined net worth that exceeds $2 billion, of cricket enthusiasts, with diverse backgrounds spanning industries such as manufacturing, IT, energy, real estate, hospitality, and media, has taken ownership of the franchise.

    KLO Sports, co-founded by Sanjay Jupudi and Srinadh Chitoori, manages this venture. Along with them Ranjeeth Rathod and Gautam Reddy will play an integral part in venture and help steer the Southern Super Stars towards success with their vision and expertise. Sanjay Jupudi, a seasoned serial entrepreneur, established the US-based IT company Qentelli, serving renowned Fortune 500 clients. Srinadh Chitoori, a third-generation businessman from Vizag, has a diverse business portfolio encompassing automobiles, construction, and real estate. Ranjeeth Rathod, another entrepreneur with vast experience in real estate, hospitality, and investments, adds astute management skills to the group. Gautam Reddy, a Chennai based first generation entrepreneur in the clean energy business who has taken on other entrepreneurship venture in various industries like chemicals, textiles, real estate, F&B etc will enhance the team’s managerial strength.

    On acquiring the Urbanrisers Hyderabad team, Urbanrise and Alliance Group chairman & MD Manoj Namburu said, “As India’s Amritkal has arrived, Indians are showing keen interest in sports –Indian contingent winning 107 medals at the recently concluded Asian games is an excellent testament for growing enthusiasm and investments into sports in India. Cricket is akin to religion in India and people are passionate about the game. The Legends League Cricket franchise is a great platform for our foray into the world of Sports, the stars playing in the league are the best from the world of Cricket. We are extremely happy being part of Legends League Cricket and believe that this would a great addition to our business portfolio.”

    KLO Sports co-founder Sanjay Jupudi commented on the acquisition of the Southern Super Stars, “We are fortunate to have this opportunity to be able to cheer legendary cricketers who have been icons. We are pleased to be part of the opportunity and it is now our endeavour to continue providing cricket fans in India and the world our much-loved cricketers in an exciting format that fans will enjoy and cherish. It all comes together under the legends league cricket with exciting and fierce competition.”

    Legends League Cricket founder & chairman Vivek Khushalani said, “As we welcome these two powerhouses of the Indian Industry into the Legends League Cricket family, I’m filled with joy. Their participation in the upcoming season adds to the richness of our league, and I can confidently say that we will create value for all stakeholders. Their commitment to the sport is in sync with our vision to establish LLC in the masters space, and we are looking forward to a great association with them.”

    Legends League Cricket co-founder & CEO Raman Raheja said, “We started Legends League Cricket on a promise to entertain the audience with exciting matches featuring their favourite legends. We have given our fans an opportunity to re-live those moments on the field. After the success of Franchise season 1, LLC has now signed two big corporate houses as our franchises; and we look forward to creating value for all the franchise and build a very strong business case with LLC.”

    With the addition of these two new franchise partners, Legends League Cricket has diversified its franchisee portfolio. The defending champions, India Capitals is owned by GMR Sports, which also co-owns the IPL team Delhi Capitals. The Gujarat Giants team is owned by Adani Sportline, which also owns the Gujarat Giants team in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Bhilwara Kings is owned by The LNJ Bhilwara Group, and Manipal Tigers is owned by Manipal Education and Medical Group.

    Following the resounding success of its inaugural season, the second edition of Legends League Cricket promises even more excitement than the last season. With a total number of 19 thrilling matches on the cards, fans can eagerly anticipate a cricketing spectacle like no other. The franchisee season with a pool of more than 200 players, will be played across five cities in India – Ranchi, Dehradun, Jammu, Vizag, and Surat.

  • Vinod Cookware partners with Sony’s ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15

    Vinod Cookware partners with Sony’s ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15

    Mumbai: Vinod Cookware, a household name in Indian kitchens, is all set to collaborate with the iconic knowledge-based reality game show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15,’ hosted by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. This exciting partnership will begin on 16 October and run for 40 episodes, until 1 December, airing every Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Sony Entertainment Television.

    Over the years, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ has become synonymous with the hopes and dreams of millions of Indians. The show and its host, Amitabh Bachchan, are both cherished by audiences of all ages and continue to make a significant impact on people’s lives. With this association, Vinod Cookware will use this opportunity to reach and engage with a broad and diverse audience of the show. For years, Vinod Cookware has been providing intelligent and cutting-edge cookware solutions that cater to the diverse needs of Indian households. As a trusted name in kitchens across the nation, it is dedicated to enhancing the cooking experience through the product range including pressure cookers, non-stick cookware, SAS metal/technology, and Hanos cookware solutions.

    Vinod Cookware director Sunil Agarwal commented on the new collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership as an associate sponsor of KBC. This association exemplifies our dedication to empowering households with innovative kitchen solutions. I’m delighted to share a more exciting announcement, the successful release of our Zest Ceramica range, which showcases our commitment to intelligence and excellence in the culinary world. We are eager to connect with a broader audience through KBC and reinforce our brand’s core values while setting new standards for cooking experiences.”

    Network Advertising president of media Priya Jacob emphasised that partnering with Kaun Banega Crorepati, which is one of the biggest shows on Indian television, is a strategic move for Vinod Cookware to reach a broader and diverse audience. This, coupled with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic presence enhances this association. We strategically aimed to coincide with the festive season in India, as it aligns with Vinod Cookware’s core values, and the show’s integration during this period is set to be a strong catalyst for the brand.

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) head—ad sales, network channels Sandeep Mehrotra further commented saying, “We always strive to offer customized brand solutions that meet the business objectives of our partners, and which can seamlessly translate into engaging content. We are delighted to have Vinod Cookware come onboard as an associate sponsor on our flagship show, Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15, offering them a multifaceted integration plan that delivers both impact and reach.”

    So, this festive season, enjoy delicious food and top-notch entertainment as Vinod Cookware’s integration with Kaun Banega Crorepati will capture the celebratory moments with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

  • Viacom18 secures dynamic injunction order to combat Bigg Boss copyright infringement

    Viacom18 secures dynamic injunction order to combat Bigg Boss copyright infringement

    Mumbai: In a significant legal triumph, Viacom18 has successfully obtained a dynamic injunction order from the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, marking a significant milestone in its unwavering fight against copyright infringement. The order grants Viacom18 the authority to protect from infringement of the ongoing reality shows, including Bigg Boss Hindi, Bigg Boss Kannada and the upcoming Bigg Boss Marathi.

    Bigg Boss, a highly popular reality show celebrated for its distinctive format featuring contestants from diverse backgrounds cohabiting and undertaking challenges for the coveted prize, is broadcast on the Viacom18 network through its COLORS branded Hindi and regional channels and on the JioCinema OTT app.

    The Delhi High Court, in its recent order, directed various rogue and pirate websites to be suspended/locked by respective domain name registrars. The court recognised the immense popularity of the shows in India and acknowledged Viacom18’s right in protecting the content. The order specifically restrains the rogue websites mentioned in the suit and further instructs Internet Service Providers (ISPs), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITy) to block access to such rogue websites. The order also allows Viacom18 to add any additional infringing websites using the name “Bigg Boss” in their domain or any other websites that are telecasting the program ‘Bigg Boss’ illegally and extend the injunction to such additional websites as well. This action aims to curb piracy and safeguard Viacom18’s substantial investment in producing and broadcasting these shows.

    This dynamic injunction order empowers Viacom18 to enforce its exploitation and broadcasting rights for the upcoming Bigg Boss events, ensuring that infringing activities are promptly addressed.  

    Commenting on the court’s decision, Viacom18 general counsel Anil Lale stated, “The issuance of this Dynamic Injunction Order underscores the court’s profound recognition of the inherent value of content and the pressing need to combat piracy in real-time. The proactive stance taken by the Honourable court provides invaluable support in our continuing fight against piracy.”

  • Rohit Sharma dominates social buzz in India-Pakistan ICC World Cup showdown

    Rohit Sharma dominates social buzz in India-Pakistan ICC World Cup showdown

    Mumbai: Excited cricket fans set social media ablaze with posts and memes during the highly-anticipated India vs. Pakistan match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Interactive Avenues, a leading full-service digital agency and the digital arm of IPG Mediabrands India released a comprehensive social media listening report around the intense match which ended in a crushing defeat for Pakistan. Based on extensive data gathered from social media platforms and popular cricket forums, the report deep dives into highlights of the social buzz before, during, and after the match.

    Interactive Avenues COO Shantanu Sirohi said, “The India vs. Pakistan match was one of the most talked about matches in this year’s World Cup tournament. Using best-in-class social listening tools, our Social team compiled a comprehensive report which unlocks valuable insights around player popularity and public sentiments, while revealing the most memorable, controversial, and heartwarming moments of the match.”

    Here are some key highlights from the report:

    Most popular players of the match:

    ●    Powered by his electrifying performance, Rohit Sharma emerged as the most talked about player, with 674.3K mentions.

    ●    Virat Kohli and Babar Azam were neck-to-neck for the #2 spot on social media chatter. Virat finally won the battle with 62K more mentions.

    Most talked about Indian and Pakistani players:

    ●    Among Indian players, Rohit Sharma was followed by Virat Kohli (364.8K), Jasprit Bumrah (129.3K), Mohammed Siraj (90.6K) and Shubman Gill (80.3K) on social media popularity charts.

    ●    The most talked about Pakistani player was Babar Azam (302.6K), followed by Mohammad Rizwan (121.8K), Haris Rauf (65.8K), Shaheen Afridi (43.9K) and Hasan Ali (42.4K).

    Fans heap praise on Rohit Sharma:

    ●    Rohit Sharma drove 3.1 Mn engagement and received the most praise as an exceptional captain for field setting, bowling changes, highest number of sixes and more.

    ●    Fans appreciated his becoming the first Indian to complete 300 sixes in ODI cricket along with his ability to handle high-pressure situations.

    Umpiring controversy:

    ●    Match umpire Marais Erasmus garnered 4.2K mentions and 10K engagements amidst fans’ accusations of not paying attention during the match and making biased decisions in favour of Pakistan.

    Jersey exchange controversy:

    ●    Virat Kohli gifting Babar Azam with a signed jersey after the match won 14.4K mentions.

    ●    Wasim Akram slamming Babar Azam for the on-field jersey exchange got 3.4K mentions.

    Sachin Tendulkar’s dig at Shoaib Akhtar:

    ●    Sachin Tendulkar savaged Shoaib Akhtar’s pre-match #ThandRakh message after India’s smashing 8-0 win, garnering 41.7K mentions.

    Player’s heartwarming gestures win hearts:

    ●    Virat Kohli’s sign language communication with his wife Anushka Sharma garnered 11.4K mentions and 121K engagements.

    ●    Rohit Sharma’s ‘fingers crossed’ gesture to his wife Ritika Sajdeh drove 5.8K mentions and 58.1K engagements.

    In total, the match generated a whopping 1.5 Mn mentions and 9.7 Mn engagements, with 78 per cent of the social chatter from India, 9 per cent from Pakistan and 13 per cent from other countries.

  • Sony Pictures Networks India ventures into creating ‘Animation For All’

    Sony Pictures Networks India ventures into creating ‘Animation For All’

    Mumbai: The leading Indian media conglomerate Sony Pictures Networks India unveils seven new shows for global audiences across all ages, produced by YAY! Animations. The fresh slate offers a wide range of content across diverse genres, including action, adventure, sci-fi, drama, fantasy, and horror, which will cater to both adults and teens. Additionally, it features comedy and edutainment content that will appeal to kids across the globe.

    The studio’s maiden venture into animation content production made headlines with the release of the 2D-animated series ‘Sudha Murty’s Tales of Wit and Magic,’ which premiered exclusively on Netflix earlier this year and maintained number one position in the charts for multiple weeks across the kid’s category on the platform.

    Below is the current slate of content crafted from the storyboard to screens by the studio:

    Animation for adults –

    ●    Karna – The Guardian: The show is a unique production, that blends the rich story material hailing from India with the creative prowess by Ascension, a Japanese studio. Directed by Tetsuo Hirakawa, this ambitious and groundbreaking show combines Indian mythology and science fiction. The story takes you on a journey of an ordinary boy who discovers his lineage as the guardian of the three realms.

    Episodes – 12

    Duration – 22 mins

    ●    Uncanny Short Stories- Satyajit Ray – The show is an animated adaptation of a selection of 13 short stories written by the acclaimed Academy Award Winner – Satyajit Ray. The series delves into supernatural, psychological and macabre elements and explores dark secrets. The original works written in Bengali will be re- produced under the creative supervision of Sandip Ray with background music rendered by the National Award Winner Shantanu Moitra.  

    Episodes – 13

    Duration – 22 mins

    ●    The Besiegement – A horror show that narrates the gripping tale of Victor’s adventurous quest to confront, and vanquish Demon, the ancient ghoul who is responsible for the curse on his family. His true challenge lies in battling this ghoul, creating a spine-chilling atmosphere throughout the series.

    Episodes – 10

    Duration – 45 mins

    ●    Makeup My Life: The show delves into the insecurities faced by teenage girls and follows the transformative journey of Maya, a timid teenager. It begins with Maya, initially shy and socially awkward, stumbling upon a magical makeup box. Each makeup product she uses unlocks a unique aspect of her personality, leading to her blossoming into a self-assured and confident individual as the season progresses.

                Episodes – 13

    Duration – 22 mins

    Kids Animation –

    ●    W.H.A.T & the Dog – This chase comedy series follows the adventures of a resourceful stray dog as he navigates risky encounters while searching for food, water, shelter, and affection around a house. Inhabited by a human family and their four pets, the house becomes a hilarious battleground where the dog’s determination clashes with the pets’ efforts to keep him at bay. This dynamic results in a blend of rivalry and occasional moments of friendship amongst them all.

    Episodes – 78

    Duration – 7 mins

    ●    Young Achievers – The show is a thrilling blend of entertainment and adventure brought to life in collaboration with PowerKids Entertainment. This captivating series is designed for children aged 6 years and older, featuring extraordinary young talents excelling in diverse fields, from aviation and skydiving to underwater exploration, spy training, martial arts, and advanced combat operations.

    Episodes – 52

    Duration – 11 mins

    ●    Omi No. 1 – The show revolves around Omi, a privileged 9-year-old boy who is the sole heir to India’s milk magnate. Omi is pampered by his opulent family of six, while he remains blissfully unaware of the outside world as he enters school life. This sets the stage for comical clashes between his unreal riches and the harsh reality of the outside world.

    Episodes – 104

    Duration – 11 mins

    Sony Pictures Networks India business head, kids and animation Leena Lele Dutta: “At Sony Pictures Networks India, we’re dedicated to pushing creative boundaries, and our animation slate embodies that commitment. We see animation as a universal medium of storytelling that transcends borders resonating across all age groups. All shows are a celebration of captivating narratives, where every frame is an imaginative canvas and every character a vessel of emotion. With this creative venture, we aim to redefine storytelling through animation and inspire hearts globally.”

  • Zindagi and Applause Entertainment premiere ‘The Pink Shirt’ at SXSW Sydney

    Zindagi and Applause Entertainment premiere ‘The Pink Shirt’ at SXSW Sydney

    Mumbai: Yesterday at SXSW Sydney, renowned South Asian content studios Applause Entertainment and Zee’s Zindagi premiered their latest collaboration, The Pink Shirt. The 8-episode web series, starring Pakistani superstars Sajal Aly and Wahaj Ali, marked Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s second project together and was received extremely well by Australian audiences! The series had its world premiere at Sydney’s Palace Central Cinema as part of the festival’s screen lineup and was the only South Asian Web Series selected this year. The iconic film and culture festival left its home in Austin, United States for the first time for Sydney, bringing global stars and music legends to Sydney this week.

    A collection of Sydney’s media and social influencers gathered to view the first two episodes of the series, which was followed by a robust Q&A with director Kashif Nisar, writer Bee Gul, and producer Shailja Kejriwal – where great ideas were exchanged about this groundbreaking collaboration between India and Pakistan and hopes for the future.

    Chief Creative Officer (Special Projects) Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., Shailja Kejriwal said, “We’re bringing lots of exciting content from Pakistan and bringing them into Indian homes, which I think has made a lot of difference in terms of how our neighbours are perceived by people in my country. Now we are meeting up with directors and writers, and the fact that we’re sitting here is a testament to that. Going forward we really hope for a day when we can shoot in each other’s countries. When we did Zeefinity there were six top directors from India and some of the top directors from Pakistan as well and the wish that they wanted to project, was that the borders should open and let the art flow seamlessly.”

    Pakistani screenwriter BeeGul said, “Television is a very important medium in my part of the world at least we do not have very established cinemas all we can watch in the world of entertainment is television. Almost 60 per cent of the world has television sets and we always knew that television was a very powerful medium in Pakistan. That was the only medium through which we could communicate with our audience and people. As a child when I was growing up, I watched a lot of television series and they definitely influenced my work and actually inspired me to write for the screen I would say!”

    The recently announced strategic partnership between the two renowned content studios Applause Entertainment and Zee’s Zindagi, promises to be a remarkable addition to the world of global entertainment as they prepare to head off to more film festivals around the globe in the coming year.

    The Pink Shirt is a riveting take on modern-day relationships, their love, challenges, and struggles in a raw & real way. The drama revolves around the journey of Sophia cast as Sajal Aly and Umer as Wahaj Ali being stuck in a toxic relationship with their respective partners Sameer and Sara and how they then discover an alluring intensity and embark on a transformative journey towards love that mends them as people.

    When talking about the leading actor Sajal Aly, Director Kashif Nisar said, ” Sajal owned this project like anything she does. The ownership of Sajal in this role was amazing – and believe you, me I directed her readiness… she was so much into the skin of this character. “

    Presented by Applause Entertainment, a Zindagi original ‘The Pink Shirt’ an 8-part web series, is a South Asian collaboration between India and Pakistan. Directed by Kashif Nisar & written by Bee Gul, starring Sajal Aly and Wahaj Ali, the series highlights a riveting take on modern-day relationships, their love, challenges, and struggles. Narrated in a raw & real way The Pink Shirt is a simple & confusing, tragic yet funny tale of broken and complex relationships.
     

  • COLORS launches the most passionate love story of the year, ‘Chand Jalne Laga’

    COLORS launches the most passionate love story of the year, ‘Chand Jalne Laga’

    Mumbai:  Known for its diverse content palette, COLORS has always delighted its viewers with a range of engaging shows. After the recent successful premiere of the new season of Bigg Boss and the conclusion of Khatron Ke Khiladi 13, the channel is now gearing up for the launch of an exciting new show. Continuing its tradition of presenting compelling love stories and kindling romance, COLORS is thrilled to introduce the fairytale romance drama, ‘Chand Jalne Laga’. The newest television pair, Vishal Aditya Singh and Kanika Mann as Dev and Tara respectively, whose story outlines the extraordinary journey of two childhood sweethearts, who once were each other’s sanctuary, but the cruel hand of fate pulls them apart. As the age-old wisdom goes, ‘Love is the fire that kindles the heart,’ ‘Chand Jalne Laga’ is that blazing fire, promising to be the most passionate love story of the year. Produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s Swastik Productions, ‘Chand Jalne Laga’ premieres on the 23 of October and airs every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS.

    In the backdrop of a scenic vineyard, the love story begins with Dev and Tara, who are inseparable as kids. Dev has the unique gift of understanding horses and works as a stable boy for a wealthy zamindar family, and Tara is its caged princess, who fears nearly everything. Both find solace in each other’s presence. As grown-ups, their paths cross after being separated by a huge misunderstanding, both having undergone a massive transformation. Dev, who was once optimistic and sensitive, makes a fortune and turns into a man with angst and a steely resolve. On the other hand, the fearful and dependent Tara becomes a confident and fearless lady after her family loses its riches. With the passage of time, a lot has changed in their lives except for a few things. Will those be enough to rekindle the passionate love they once shared?

    Producer Siddharth Kumar Tewary said, “Swastik Productions takes pride in crafting impactful and heartfelt stories that have reigned over television. We are excited to present Chand Jalne Laga, the most passionate love story of the year. It traces the fairytale romance of Dev and Tara, who were once in love but came to be torn apart by unforeseeable circumstances. Shedding light on what it means to be in love, this show explores the inner world of two individuals, who levelled up against the challenges of life but lost the solace they sought in each other. It is incredible to be collaborating with COLORS, and we aspire to offer the audience a show canvassed with stunning visuals, soulful music, and elegant storytelling.”

    Sharing her thoughts on essaying the role of Tara, Kanika Mann said, “In a world where love often takes a backseat to chaos and ambition, ‘Chand Jalne Laga’ is a beautiful reminder that true love can weather any storm. It’s a story that has an old-world charm, and the potential to rekindle our faith in love. I’m thrilled to join hands with COLORS and Swastik Productions, the creative forces that have entertained viewers with diverse shows. Portraying Tara in this romantic tale has been an amazing experience because I strongly feel that she has a striking resemblance to my real personality. All I can say is, gear up for a love story that is as unpredictable as life itself, and get ready to rediscover the magic of pure, unbridled passion!”

    Set to be seen embodying the role of Dev, Vishal Aditya Singh said, “I’ve had the privilege of working with COLORS and Swastik Productions earlier, and I’m excited to be working with them once again for Chand Jalne Laga. After Bigg Boss 13, I was waiting to spearhead a love story. I think the patience paid off and I’m grateful for it. The viewers have showered an immense amount of love on all the characters I’ve essayed so far. I’m sure that they will appreciate Dev and relate to the kind of love, pain and separation captured in this show.”

    Sparking excitement among viewers, COLORS recently launched the romantic music video of ‘Chand Jalne Laga,’ which garnered a thunderous response across social media platforms.  It amassed 31.3 million in reach and 4 million views within the first four days. The show wrote itself into the history of television as the first one to have a digital-first release of a love anthem.

    Will Dev and Tara be able to rekindle their lost love as fate brings them together once again? Find out as ‘Chand Jalne Laga’ premieres on the 23 of October, airing every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm only on COLORS.

  • Amuz Distribution announces remake deal with Tucker Tooley Entertainment

    Amuz Distribution announces remake deal with Tucker Tooley Entertainment

    Mumbai: Amuz Distribution’s global distribution VP Alex Avon, has announced a format license deal with Tucker Tooley Entertainment for the U.S. territory for The Boys —  a sports-themed Friendship-based factual show.

    The Boys is a scripted factual comedy series about friendship, life, love, and sports. Centering around a group of friends from different walks off life — from surgeons to police officers — they face life’s challenges together on and off the sports’ field. For eleven guys, Monday is their favorite day of the week when these part-time gladiators pull on, with pride and some difficulty, a jersey emblazoned with their team crest THE BOYS. These old timers continue to play “the world’s greatest game” and meet at Stan’s Bar, to down a pitcher of brew. They hang out, argue, complain, throw fists, and eventually hug and make up. The Boys is a prime-time comedy series and was one of the biggest French-Canadian TV franchises in Canada. During its run, it had a 38 per cent market share on Radio-Canada TV with 73 TV episodes and 5 movies under its belt.

    Avon stated, “Amuz Distribution is thrilled to partner with Tucker Tooley Entertainment for our fun, heart-felt comedy series The Boys, beloved by major audiences in Quebec. This sports-themed friendship-based show is perfect for localization. We look forward to seeing the shows on air in the U.S.”

    Tucker Tooley Entertainment development & production VP Christian Parent added, “We are beyond excited to team up with Amuz Distribution to adapt the highly acclaimed series from Quebec, ‘The Boys’ for the U.S. audience. Give their proven track record and our passion for storytelling, we’re confident this series will captivate American fans, offering a truly unique and immersive experience.”

  • The ‘Osasuna Experience’ is launched as an innovative way to live football

    The ‘Osasuna Experience’ is launched as an innovative way to live football

    Mumbai: CA Osasuna is continuing to grow thanks to a forward-thinking model and the desire to place club members, supporters and sponsors at the centre of all social and commercial activities. This was clear to see with the recent launch of several spaces inside their stadium, called El Sadar, where a series of innovative services are being offered to supporters. There are hospitality areas, for staging events and for experiencing matches of Los Rojillos in an exclusive way, and there are new VIP seats to make games even more special. By implementing these changes and by redeveloping the stadium as a whole in 2021, the club is clearly looking to offer fans and partners even more exclusive experiences, and this should make the stadium a profitable venue 365 days a year.

    With this, CA Osasuna is following the trend of many LALIGA EA SPORTS clubs in seeking to offer a better service to supporters and to sponsors. In this case, they’re doing so by providing almost double the number of hospitality areas in order to meet the ever-increasing demand for VIP seats at El Sadar, which is helping the Navarre club to achieve economic goals. As the club stated: “With the El Sadar redevelopment from a few years ago, we are working to expand and improve the hospitality areas available at the stadium, as we understand that the demand for this type of space is increasing. The proof is that we have practically doubled the capacity of this type of area and the current occupancy 0rate is over 90 per cent. This has allowed us to improve the experience that many fans have at our matches and to considerably increase the profitability of the stadium. We realised that we should include all of the stadium operations, those of matchdays and of non-matchdays, under one banner, which is ‘Osasuna Experience’.”

    At CA Osasuna, directors are aware of the importance of building loyalty and improving the service they provide to fans and partners. They believe that, when it comes to sponsors, it’s important to be able to offer them exclusive spaces and experiences within the club facilities, so that these companies can organise business days or events where they can invite their own partners and customers. This forms part of the ‘Osasuna Experience’. The club explained: “It’s important for us that our sponsors do not see us simply as a space for advertising on the shirt or on a board. That model is no longer as successful as it was a few years ago. Nowadays, our sponsors are interested in being able to link their sponsorship to experiences that they can offer to their clients or commercial partners, such as being able to come to the stadium to watch a match, enjoy a tour or simply attend an event.”

    For Los Rojillos, it’s especially important to be able to make use of the venue on days when there isn’t a football fixture. They said: “It’s vital for the club to be prepared to offer these types of experiences, otherwise we’d be shutting ourselves off from the modern concept of sponsorship. That’s why the use of our rooms and hospitality areas isn’t limited to matchdays. Instead, we offer spaces that can be used 365 days a year to adapt to what companies demand nowadays. For a sponsor, it can sometimes be more useful to hold an event at El Sadar on a working day for their best clients or salespeople than to have an advertising board at the ground.”

    Moreover, CA Osasuna recognises that fan loyalty is very high and that offering new VIP experiences, as with the ‘Osasuna Experience’, only enhances the image of the club in the eyes of the fanbase. The club added: “Since the redevelopment of the stadium, which now has around 23,500 seats, we can’t take on more members and currently have around 3,000 people on the waiting list, and we can only offer a small quota each season. This season, for example, the renewal rate was over 99 per cent.”

    Furthermore, occupancy rates for the hospitality spaces are also very high. The club concluded: “The private boxes we have for companies are all sold out and there are businesses on the waiting list. There are also several areas where the VIP seats are sold individually and we also have an occupancy rate of around 90 per cent there, while the rest of those seats are put on sale for each match.”

  • GRB Media Ranch inks licensing deal with Cote Ouest at MIPCOM

    GRB Media Ranch inks licensing deal with Cote Ouest at MIPCOM

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch co-principals, Gary R. Benz and Sophie Ferron announced that they closed a licensing deal at MIPCOM for three popular titles from the Icons Unearthed series from the GRB Media Ranch catalog with Cote Ouest (now part of Mediawan). Liz Levenson, GRB’s distribution and acquisitions executive for Africa, CEE, Middle East ( finished programs & formats), and Scandinavia (finished programming) brokered the deal for GRB Media Ranch. GRB Media Ranch is located at MIPCOM Stand: # R7. A16.

    Created in 1997, Côte Ouest joined Mediawan Africa in May 2023, the African flagship of the Mediawan Group, a leading independent European studio producing audiovisual content and has partnered with GRB Studios in the past, this is their first deal with the new JV – GRB Media Ranch.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious What should have been a one-off popcorn summer flick followed by a straight-to-video sequel became one of the largest film franchises of all time. Worth billions of dollars in ticket sales, it has spawned merchandise, spin-offs, and theme park attractions, and put a series of increasingly amazing stunts on the world’s movie screens. Despite the loss of a beloved lead actor, the franchise is a masterclass in world-building, raising the stakes, and growing a truly dedicated fan base internationally.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Star Wars: Travel to a time not very far, far away and witness the creation and filming of George Lucas’s two Star Wars trilogies. Interviews with cast and crew leave no stone unturned, making it the definitive account of the space saga that changed movies forever.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Marvel The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the most successful franchise of all time and it has changed the way movies are made. Taking a cue from their comic book source material, these films tell different characters’ stories that all take place in one massive, interwoven universe. Each film would introduce one key protagonist, building toward the release of one giant blockbuster, The Avengers, that would put them all together. If a single one of those films failed at the box office, it could derail what may be the biggest gamble ever taken in the history of cinema. How did Marvel pull it off?

    – Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons – The Simpsons has reached television and film audiences around the world. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are household names and the series’ impact on comedy writing, animation, and pop culture is felt to this day. Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons takes us on an insightful journey from the original two-minute shorts to its status as the longest-running scripted primetime television series of all time. Not even lawsuits, creative disputes, and production changes have been able to stop this animation juggernaut!

    Gary R. Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is operating both our sales, and acquisitions, work at full speed since our launch just 6 weeks ago! These deals represent a sampling of the great programs we offer. We are booked solid with meetings at MIPCOM with our partners to bring them even more fantastic programs.”

    Sophie Ferron added: “We are thrilled with these deals for some of our best programs and also have them available for other territories. Gary and I are looking forward to having our full sale teams together for the first time at MIPCOM and, as our motto says, “…we’ve got stories” – over 5,000 hours of them!”

    Cote Ouest CEO Jonathan Lett stated “Cote Ouest, now part of Mediawan, is thrilled to work with these ICONS UNEARTHED titles, and we value the longstanding relationship we’ve had with GRB, now GRB Media Ranch, over the years.  We are so excited to share these titles with audiences in Africa and as both our companies evolve, look forward to exploring exciting new ways to work together.”