Mumbai: Fortifying its library of blockbusters with new additions, Filamchi Bhojpuri, a regional movie channel from the house of IN10 Media Network, will be showcasing 50 World Television Premieres (WTPs) to entertain its audience this festive period.
With meticulous planning and audience-centric focus, the channel is geared up to bring to its viewers a spectacular cinematic experience over the next three months. Each film has been thoughtfully handpicked to cater to the discerning taste of the Bhojpuri audience to spellbound its viewers with an extraordinary line-up of Bhojpuri blockbusters, featuring some of the most renowned actors in the industry.
The titles include super hit films like Farishta, Raja Doli Leke Aaja, Prayagraj featuring stars like Khesari Lal Yadav, Dinesh Lal Yada ‘Nirahua’, Arvind Akela ‘Kallu’, respectively.
On the announcement, FIlamchi Bhojpuri vice president – programming & strategy Rajeev Mishra said, “As the festivities commence, we are thrilled to be a part of the celebrations with these films and beloved actors. We are confident that this continuous stream of films will not only expand our viewer base but also foster even stronger bonds of loyalty with our audience. These films have been hand-picked and curated to coincide with festivals, underlining our commitment to becoming the ultimate destination for Bhojpuri entertainment. We take immense pride in offering a content library that caters to the diverse tastes of our viewers.”
To ensure the audiences doesn’t miss out on these cinematic gems, the channel has devised a comprehensive marketing strategy spanning high-reach TV plans across music, Hindi GEC, and kids genres.
Starting 23 September 2023, the channel will air 50 WTPs every Saturday at 6:00 pm.
Mumbai: Ahead of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, official broadcasters, Sony Sports Network, launched the grandest campaign in the history of the Asian Games in India. In order to ensure that the message ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ resonates across every corner of India, Sony Sports Network has garnered support from an impressive line-up of influential and iconic figures such as the Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Anil Chauhan along with Chiefs of Tri-Services General Manoj Pande, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who have put their might behind the Indian athletes vying for top honours at the prestigious multi-sporting event.
Recognising the power of collective ambition, the campaign shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Indian sports – those who have relentlessly dedicated themselves to their respective disciplines and are on the precipice of donning the national colours at this esteemed multi-sport event.
This vast consortium unites with a singular purpose: to challenge Indian athletes to transcend past records, push boundaries, and ignite a nationwide fervour for sports. The strategy stands clear: a united India, cheering in unison, can inspire its athletes to unprecedented heights.
Indiantelevision.com in a telephonic conversation with Sony Sports Network, SPN, head, marketing & on-air promotions, Neville Bastawalla, on the thought behind the campaign, the strategy to rope in our armed forces to motivate our athletes and much more……
Edited excerpts
On the Asian Games campaign by Sony Sports Network
I worked on a large multi-sporting campaign for the first time during the 2020 Olympics. Our mission was to galvanise the nation. The questions we asked ourselves were: Who are the heroes of the nation and how do you galvanise the nation? The heroes of the nation go beyond Bollywood stars. Starting with the late General Bipin Rawat who was then the Chief of Defence Staff at that time, Sudha Murty, Parth, and Sajjan Jindal of JSW who do a lot for sports in India and so many more who came on board for the campaign. That’s how we built a massive campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, and that expanded our all-data points. Whether it was revenue, ratings, viewership or digital interaction, we went to the next level. Our campaign for the Olympic Games taught us, that we should not give up “hum honge kamyab” however we would make it relevant to the Asian Games.
India has won 69 medals in 2018, the maximum tally so far in a single edition of this marquee event. We decided that we would give out a war cry “This time we will cross 100 medals’ and galvanise the athletes as well as the nation. When the Indian contingent returned from Tokyo, we met a few of them. And they told us that our campaign and the whole nation really made them feel very supported. Our Honourable Sports Minister, Shri Anurag Thakur along with a couple of parliamentarians with him went outside the parliament during the Olympics, and he gave out the war cry of “hum honge kamyab” with the victory punch. The campaign actually resonated, and the athletes said this was the first time ever they felt the nation was backing them.
Cricket has always been an appointment viewing while multi sports events were never appointment viewing. Now that is no longer the case; people are actually tuning in to watch multi-sporting events like the Olympics and Asian Games. This makes it destination viewing and this is very important for multi-sporting events, which we are doing this time for the Asian Games. Our line is “Iss baar, sau paar, hum phir se honge kamyab” .
We went to the Srinagar forward base and filmed Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, taking a sortie in one of our latest aircrafts. We filmed General Pande, Chief of Army Staff in Delhi, General Anil Chauhan in the South Block and Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff on INS Vishakapatnam. The Navy in fact got us access to shoot with a submarine commander. I personally went inside the submarine and was in the helicopter base. The helicopters were dancing in front of us for the camera crew. That kind of show of support from our armed forces for our athletes is unheard of. Then Aamir Khan came on board as a big supporter of the athletes, especially the women athletes. We now have Amitabh Bachchan, Sudha Murthy, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Kapil Sharma, Sunny Deol, Madhuri Dikshit, Hema Malini and so many more all on board to support our athletes.
On how the campaign was handled
This is serious perseverance by my team. We also reached out to the Chief Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, The President of India. We reached out to our Honourable President and even got an approval from her office that she is on board. However due to the paucity of time, they could not manage to schedule a shoot with her. Each marketeer should have a mission and the belief to do new things or to do things differently or just do something big, If there is that fire in your chest or in your heart, big things will happen.
With regard to Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Anil Chauhan along with Chiefs of Tri-Services General Manoj Pande, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari: It took us two or three months to contact them and schedule meetings in Delhi followed by multiple conference calls with multiple officers from each of the Armed Forces, explaining to them the concept & storyboard and how we would execute it. Each of the divisions is extremely professional and the knowledge they have of filmmaking is outstanding.
On what makes Sony Sports Network different
We do some outstanding storytelling and we want to do things differently. Tent poles are tent poles but how you market them is in the hands of the team. “We exist to boldly challenge the status quo” – that has been Sony Pictures Network’s philosophy. This is what makes Sony Sports Network different.
Our ideas require a lot of belief, and it’s not easy. Otherwise, most networks will engage a brand ambassador, pay him or her, and film the campaign. However it doesn’t work like that for our Asian Games campaign: this is a campaign that money can’t buy. Also, we cannot pay the Armed Forces for the campaign.
On the marketing plan for the campaign
The digital numbers are astounding in terms of reach, engagement, and the kind of patriotism we have. Our campaign that has been plastered across our network channels and social media platforms, features the armed forces, Indian film industry icons as well as our CEO, Mr NP Singh and more, has evoked a strong emotional response. Even the sports journalists of India joined our mission. And for the first time in the history of the Asian Games, the Indian cricket teams, both men and women
Once you have such a huge digital presence, all the Armed Forces are putting these creatives on their platforms, and it’s automatically multiplied, and a multiplier effect happens when you have these nations’ influencers on board.
On building a national consensus
I am so excited because this is a campaign that every CMO would dream about, and there are no budgets involved. This is an idea-driven campaign. It’s very easy for someone to go and get a celebrity, pay for that contract, and do it. This is money that can’t buy experience, which is moving the nation. In the Navy Chief’s film, he mentions that the athletes have the prayers of 140 crore Indians. My entire team had tears in their eyes, especially when we were on INS Shikra and the helicopter base in Mumbai.We all thought – We are from a sports network so what are we doing here? We all are very humbled by the support that we received from the Armed Forces, the sports journalists of India, Indian Film Icons, sports heroes and the many more for their support for the Indian Contingent.
Mumbai: Nothing speaks Bollywood Masala like the 90’s movies and what better way to celebrate the spirit of Bollywood through the cults and blockbusters of the 90’s era. Tata Play, has announced its newest entrant in its services portfolio, Tata Play Bollywood Masala, a service that will offer a myriad line-up of 90’s & 2000’s Bollywood movies with all the emotions bundled into one. Tata Play’s Value-Added-Services as an offering has been known to provide captivating and value-enhanced entertainment options. Through this service, Tata Play will be showcasing the iconic films of 1990’s to the 2000’s featuring superstars of this era like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Govinda, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Karishma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, Juhi Chawla and more.
Tata Play Bollywood Masala will be a true destination for all “DIL SE FILMY” fans of Bollywood. With superhit movies, talk shows, celebrity interviews, exclusively created shows, chartbusting music, behind the scenes and lot more. The service will cover a wide spectrum of genres and titles like Aashiqui, Andaz Apna Apna, Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar, Khiladi, Roja, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Dil Chahta Hai, Deewana Mastana, 3 Idiots, Munnabhai MBBS, etc.
Commenting on the launch of the new value-added service, Tata Play chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri said, “With Tata Play Bollywood Masala, we have created the ultimate movie destination for the fans of the 90’s and the 2000’s era. In this service, we have curated cult movies of the most celebrated actors of that time, in association with our partner Shemaroo. We are certain this iconic phase of Indian cinema will be a treat for all our subscribers.”
“We are delighted to announce new dimensions to our continued partnership with Tata Play, marking the launch of a new ad-free service, Tata Play Bollywood Masala. This offering from Tata Play is a nostalgic treasure trove, featuring movies, songs, interviews, and captivating content from the 1990s & 2000’s – a true delight for 90s Bollywood enthusiasts. Our collaborations with Tata Play, renowned for delivering the ultimate entertainment experience to its viewers, have paved the way for us to provide a diverse range of high-quality content. With Tata Play Bollywood Masala, this legacy has further deepened and become even more special,” said Shemaroo Entertainment Limited COO of broadcasting Sandeep Gupta.
Subscribers can view Tata Play Bollywood Masala on 311 for Rs. 2 per day and enjoy the content on their Tata Play mobile app on Live TV and VOD. Tata Play Mobile App allows the subscribers to watch popular and linear TV content on the go.
Tata Play Bollywood Masala is a part of Tata Play’s range of 40+ entertainment and infotainment value-added services suitable across age groups. Tata Play Value Added Services have been providing content across genres like entertainment, kids, learn, regional, devotion etc, that ensures every viewer is entertained throughout without any dearth of choices.
Mumbai: Over 450 million enthusiastic fans across the globe are eagerly waiting for the IndianOil Grand Prix of India scheduled to take place at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from 22 to 24 September.
The 13th MotoGP race of the season will create a sporting milestone that marks the culmination of years of dedicated efforts to bring top-tier international bike riders to the Buddh International Circuit for the first time. Fans will see a total of 82 riders from 41 teams vying for top honours in MotoGP, Moto 2 and Moto 3 over the course of three days.
The forthcoming IndianOil Grand Prix of India is also poised to make waves in the Indian economy, given its potential to harness the nation’s massive market for motorcycles. As per Nielsen Sports Fan Insights 2022 Report, with a staggering population of 1.4 billion and an annual sale of 18 million bikes, India stands as the largest global market for motorcycles. The race is expected to send economic shockwaves as it unfolds, with a track record of the MotoGP races generating a whopping 106 million euros from enthusiastic spectators and an additional 6.6 million euros in staff impact, contributing significantly to job creation. Furthermore, even before the maiden race takes place, India already boasts a colossal fan base of 54 million, indicating a fervent appetite for MotoGP in the nation.
It will reach 450 million homes in 195 countries with the help of a massive 90 broadcast network companies across the globe. The race gets broadcast through 180 live cameras at the track. MotoGP also has 480 million engagements globally across all social media platforms and 82 per cent of fans viewing MotoGP for over six years now. Meanwhile, the MotoGP is placed at fifth place in terms of media visibility of top sporting leagues with 329 million, topped by Champions League football.
There have been several modifications done to the Buddh International Circuit to make it ready for the IndianOil Grand Prix of India. The track is now FIM-certified and is ready to host the biggest biking spectacle in the world.
KTM India, Ducati India, Honda Racing India, Yamaha Motor India, Aprilia India, Michelin have come on board as industry partners while Red Bull India, OLA, 24seven, Radio Mirchi 98.3, R.E. Rogers India are event sponsors. Apollo Hospitals, MeduLance, Jaypee Hospital are medical partners and Bushmills India is the celebrations partner. BookMyShow has come on board as a ticketing partner. Robin Hood Army & Vedica Himalayan Spring Water have become the event partners.
A special Conclave “UP INVEST” will be organised on the sidelines of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India where 300 CXOs’ and global representatives will be participating and the conclave.
Organised by FairStreet Sports in collaboration with Dorna Sports, the IndianOil Grand Prix of India will feature renowned names like Francesco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, and Jorge Martin.
The high-pulsating action of the IndianOil Grand Prix of India will be exclusively broadcast on Sports18 and live-streamed on JioCinema in India. Fans can secure their tickets for the exciting event on BookMyShow.
Mumbai: Mirror Now, the channel that represents the voice and issues of every Indian citizen, hosted the Mirror Now Summit – Chhattisgarh today in Raipur. Themed ‘Path to Progress,’ the Mirror Now Summit brought together State leaders and visionaries to shape a holistic development agenda for the State. The Summit spotlighted critical sectors essential for Chhattisgarh’s progress and economic advancement.
Chief guest and chief minister of Chattisgarh Shri Bhupesh Baghel, speaking about the initiatives taken by the State government for nurturing Chhattisgarh to progress,said that the State government has implemented a series of effective measures, including debt waivers, value addition to agricultural produce, and initiatives aimed at enhancing farm income. “These concerted efforts have yielded positive results, notably a significant reduction in the Naxal movement within the state. This accomplishment reflects the government’s commitment to addressing economic challenges in the region and fostering a more stable and secure environment for its residents,” he said.
Talking about women reservation bill, Baghel emphasised that for the central government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to enacting the women reservation bill, it should ensure its implementation for the 2024 elections, including reservations for women in the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories.
Baghel attacked the BJP government stating that the people in the country especially the women are facing the blunt of extreme price rise of basic commodities. “To divert their attention and capture votes, such allurements are being offered. The women reservation bill won’t be possible till 2029 elections as the 2021 census has still not been conducted,” he said.
He stated that the congress party welcomes the bill on women’s reservation as it was the brainchild of the Rajiv Gandhi government.
According to Baghel, the Congress party is never involved in caste-based politics and is demanding caste-based census to ensure benefit to the most deprived sections of the society.
“The caste-based census is not just for Politics or for the votes; Reservation does not reach to many marginalised castes even now. Also, the benefits of the various government schemes are not able to reach to each and every section of the society. Unless and until the caste-based, economic status-based census is not done it is futile to come out with any welfare programme as it would not reach the more needy section of the society,” he said.
On the topic of “One nation, one poll,” Baghel has expressed concerns that this proposal, while appearing to create a unified electoral process, may be primarily motivated by a political agenda to garner votes for the BJP government. It is crucial, he suggests, to ensure that such reforms are carried out with genuine intentions and in the best interest of the nation.
The plan to boost employment through the Gothan and GodhanNyay scheme, as highlighted by Bhupesh Baghel, focuses on the development of cow shelters. “Out of the 10,200 Gothan schemes initiated, an impressive 6,500 of these cow shelters have achieved self-reliance. Under this scheme, the state government incentivized farmers by offering Rs 2 per kilogram of cow dung, which was subsequently converted into valuable vermi compost. The state government has already disbursed approximately Rs 265 crore to farmers and generated revenue of Rs 300 crore by selling the compost back to the same farmers,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Times Network CEO & MD MK Anand said, “In Chhattisgarh, we are witnessing a model for the future—8% GSDP growth in FY23, outpacing the national average, yet securing India’s second-best fiscal health. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about a balanced portfolio in agriculture, manufacturing, and services, combined with transformative gains in public health and women empowerment. The Mirror Now Summit serves as a critical event in envisioning a Chhattisgarh that harmonizes double-digit growth, cultural ethos, and environmental stewardship. I’m confident that discussions and deliberations with the State leaders and visionaries will forge pragmatic solutions and a resolute action plan to propel the State’s progress.”
The Mirror Now Summit in Chhattisgarh witnessed the participation of distinguished personalities including Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Secretary, Agriculture Production Commissioner, who shed light on Chhattisgarh’s Sustainable Agriculture Revolution, Pradeep Sharma, Advisor to CM (Agriculture), shared insights into the state’s efforts in enhancing farming methods for economic growth, Nand Kumar Sai, Chairman, CSIDC, contributed to discussions on the state’s holistic progress, and Dr. Alok Shukla, Principal Secretary, Chhattisgarh, highlighted Chhattisgarh’s commitment to accessible, high-quality healthcare services, Atal Shrivastava, Chairman, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board, emphasised on theState’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
Mumbai: Indian gaming sensation Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP who is part of 8Bit Creatives, a leading gaming talent management agency has become the country’s first-ever gamer to be featured in the official anthem for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after starring in the exciting video alongside notable personalities including actor Ranveer Singh, composer Pritam, commentator Jatin Sapru, choreographer Dhanashree Verma and creator Be YouNick.
By being the sole gamer to grace the promotional video of the highly anticipated cricket tournament, ScoutOP has not only made history but has also showcased how gaming is increasingly becoming part of the mainstream landscape in India. His inclusion signifies the growing interest among brands and advertisers to collaborate with gamers as a means to connect with their highly engaging and tech-savvy fanbase.
Sharing his thoughts on being included in the promo for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Tanmay Singh aka ScoutOP expressed, “It feels like a great moment of reflection! It shows how far Indian Gaming has come, and also makes me look back to my own journey. Sharing the stage with figures like Ranveer Singh and working with organizations like ICC for the International cricket event of the year, ‘ICC Men’s World Cup 2023,’ is truly special! Thankful to 8Bit Creatives for setting the stage for me to work on projects like these.”
Following its official recognition as a multi-sport event by the government, Esports has made its way into prestigious tournaments such as the Olympics Esports Week and Asian Games 2022, establishing itself as a mainstream sport.
“As a cricket fan, it is a personally happy moment as well. Looking forward to working on more audacious projects each day. Thanks to all my viewers & fans for their support in my journey! In India, Esports holds a promising future with increasing recognition, substantial rewards, and surging popularity. The gaming industry has evolved giving rise to a new content ecosystem primarily driven by Esports players, gaming content creators, and live streamers,” he added.
With more than 4.85 million subscribers on YouTube and four million subscribers on Instagram, ScoutOP is one of the most influential gamers in India. The 27-year-old is part of India’s leading gaming talent management agency 8Bit Creatives which is home to the country’s best gaming talents and has a rich portfolio of curating exemplary campaigns with high-profile brands.
“This is a big moment for 8Bit Creatives and the Indian Gaming Community. Congratulations to Scout for becoming the first and only gamer to be featured in an ICC Men’s World Cup anthem so far. India’s growing gaming network is the place to get your brand conversations going and we at 8Bit Creatives are proud to open doors like these for gamers,” commented 8Bit Creatives founder & CEO and S8UL co-founder Animesh Agarwal.
According to the “Windows of Opportunity” report on India’s media and entertainment industry by FICCI-EY, the number of brands investing in Esports in India grew from 72 in 2021 to 80 in 2022, and it is estimated to reach 100 in 2023.
This milestone will propel the entry of brands to aid the growth of collaborations with gaming creators within the video-gaming industry in India.
Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery is set to present an adrenaline-packed culinary show like never before with the return of “Star vs Food” with a thrilling twist in its new season, “Star vs Food Survival” premiering 9 October 2023 onwards on Discovery channel and discovery+. The renowned celebrity chef, Ranveer Brar, will lead a star-studded cast on an adventurous journey through the vibrant flavors and culinary treasures of two unique Indian locales: Coorg and Spiti. The show promises to unravel the flavors and stories behind each dish, with celebrity guests including Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Aparshakti Khurana, Mouni Roy, and Nakuul Mehta exploring the authentic essence of India’s culinary legacy.
In this new season, celebrities step out of their comfort zones and into the wild terrains, embarking on thrilling survival adventures amidst extreme conditions. Each episode features chef Ranveer Brar alongside a different celebrity as they explore India’s uncharted culinary treasures, transforming wild finds into delectable dishes. From taking on adventurous tasks to crafting local delicacies in unspoiled wilderness, each episode promises excitement. Whether conquering heights in Coorg, navigating Spiti’s terrain, or facing the challenges of nature, these stars push their limits while celebrating the region’s beauty and rich culinary heritage.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the show host Ranveer Brar, stated, “As the host of the show, it is truly an honour to meet some of the brightest stars of Indian cinema and collectively discover some of India’s hidden culinary delights. This season, we venture beyond cooking to explore the breathtaking regions of Coorg and Spiti while having our guests take on challenges around the locality. It’s a privilege to witness these incredible stars in the wilderness, and I can’t wait to share their heartwarming narratives and mouthwatering dishes with all our viewers.”
Warner Bros. Discovery head of factual and lifestyle cluster South Asia Sai Abishek shared the vision behind the show, “Our audiences have loved previous seasons because they saw our stars as their authentic selves, grappling with the culinary challenges in the kitchen, which automatically created relatability. But this time, in this spin-off, we’re taking them out of their comfort zones and into the wild terrains to test their survival skills. This is a show that elevates the excitement and drama of culinary entertainment to new heights.”
Star vs. Food Survival is presented by Policybazaar.com, co-powered by Tiara and partnered by Kirloskar. Don’t miss to see your favourite celebrities conquer challenges and savour culinary triumphs. Star vs Food Survival Edition premieres October 9 on discovery+ and Discovery Channel, Mondays at 9 PM.
Mumbai: In an exciting development for television enthusiasts across the United Kingdom, Zee Entertainment is pleased to announce the launch of four channels on Freeview Connected. With this expansion, Zee Entertainment aims to offer a diverse range of content to cater to the varied tastes of viewers, all accessible through Freeview’s extensive platform. Now, viewers can enjoy Zest, Zing, Zee World, and Zee Punjabi, enhancing their entertainment experience on Freeview Connected Channel No. 278.
Zee Entertainment’s channels offer a wide array of content, ranging from lifestyle and entertainment to drama and regional programming. With Zee Zest, viewers can indulge in lifestyle and food shows that explore various culinary delights and travel experiences. Zing brings the latest in music, Bollywood, and youth culture. Zee World offers a captivating selection of drama series and telenovelas dubbed in English, while Zee Punjabi caters to the vibrant Punjabi-speaking community with a mix of cultural and entertainment content.
Content & international markets president Punit Misra expressed his enthusiasm for this milestone, saying, “At Zee Entertainment, we are committed to providing our viewers with the best in entertainment. The launch of our channels on Freeview marks a significant step forward in our mission to reach a wider audience in the UK. We are excited to bring our diverse content to UK viewers and believe that our channels will resonate with the multicultural fabric of this great nation.”
Zee International Business chief business officer Ashok Namboodiri shared his thoughts on this expansion, saying, “The UK has always been an important market for Zee Entertainment, and we are delighted to collaborate with Freeview to offer our channels to a broader audience. This partnership aligns with our vision of making our content accessible to viewers worldwide. We look forward to entertaining and engaging the UK audience with our unique programming.”
Zee Entertainment Enterprises is a global media and entertainment powerhouse, recognized for its diverse content offerings that resonate with audiences across the globe. With a strong commitment to creativity and quality, Zee Entertainment Enterprises has consistently set new benchmarks in the entertainment industry.
Mumbai: Aaj Tak being the industry’s torchbearer, continues to establish its leadership with India’s first-ever AI Anchor modelled on a ‘human’ anchor. India’s most popular Hindi news anchor and Aaj Tak’s prolific news presenter, Anjana Om Kashyap, will now be complemented with an AI Avatar, Anjana 2.0.
In the history of Indian Broadcast Journalism, no other channel has consistently introduced such groundbreaking technological innovations. With general elections around the corner, Anjana and Anjana 2.0 will be seen in a formidable partnership both on-ground and on-screen. Anjana is the managing editor of ‘Aaj Tak’ and has gained country-wide popularity for her shows ‘Halla Bol’ and ‘Special Reports’. Introduced in prime time on Tuesday, the AI avatar has already started to create a buzz on social media with netizens pouring in with their comments.
With Anjana 2.0, Aaj Tak will have its second AI Anchor featuring prime-time programming on a national television channel. In the recent past, Aaj Tak introduced India’s first-ever AI Anchor SANA’ who is gaining success owing to her news presentation and production with wide-ranging interviews of state heads, business leaders, entertainment megastars etc. In under six months, Sana has already earned numerous accolades both on a national and international scale, including interacting with PM Modi (the first AI Anchor to interact with a head of the state), Reading a French bulletin, anchoring a dedicated show on prime-time, and interacted with global business leaders like Brad Smith of Microsoft, celebrities like Shahrukh Khan and TV personality Seema Taparia.
Mumbai: India Today Group’s digital-first channel, News Tak, has crossed the milestone of 1 crore (10M) YouTube subscribers. To add on to this success, the channel has further expanded its online presence with a newly launched website: www.newstak.in
News Tak has been at the forefront in covering the national news and has captivated a vast audience. This achievement of reaching 1 crore subscribers accentuates the channel’s focus on providing top-notch news coverage spanning politics and trending topics.
“We live in an era where information travels at the speed of light, and in this digital age, knowledge is the currency of our time. For News Tak, our mobile first news channel, to hit this milestone is really special. There has been an internal competition on who would among all our 23 Tak channels hit the 10 million mark first. I am happy it’s News Tak because it was the first Tak channel we launched. The competition amongst the others now intensifies. Watch this space,” remarked India Today Group vice chairperson Kallie Purie.
With a clear editorial focus to cover Indian politics from across the country, the website will report news around national politics in a focused and unbiased manner. In the past one year Tak group of channels have successfully moved to native-platforms in various geographies like Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.
India Today Group CEO (Tak channels & The Lallantop) Vivek Gaur said, “We had more than 348 million page views & 3.27 billion video views on YouTube in the last quarter alone. With the launch of the website, www.newstak.in, we will further strengthen our portfolio.” He added, “Our aim is to keep our viewers and readers informed about the latest happenings in the country. The launch of the New Tak website is a part of our effort to reinforce the trust of the viewers who have supported us on this journey.”
