Category: Television

Ghosted with benefits as Noyontara haunts prime time on Colors

MUMBAI: Just when your TV schedule was mourning the end of IPL madness, Colors is summoning the spirits with Noyontara, a supernatural thriller that slips between the living and the dead with all the finesse of a ghost through a locked door.

Premiering 9 June at 8:30 PM and airing daily, Noyontara centres on a 23-year-old ghost-whisperer who marries into a family with more secrets than skeletons in the closet and that’s saying something. The titular Noyontara (played by Shruti Bhist) steps into the lavish yet ominous Pari Mahal as Dr Surjo’s new bride, only to discover that her real in-laws might be the ones lurking beyond the veil.

With a cheeky ghost sidekick named Hasiram and two very much dead women claiming to be her mother-in-law (cue Narayani Shastri in a dual role that’s all shade and secrets), Noyontara must untangle love from manipulation, science from the supernatural, and figure out whether she’s being guided… or gaslit.

“Noyontara isn’t your typical ghost story,” says Shruti Bhist. “She’s not afraid of the dead she speaks their language. What drew me in was the idea of a saviour, not a victim. And yes, the ghosts here are more guardian angel than ghoul.”

For Narayani Shastri, it’s a dual debut her first collaboration with Colors and her first time playing two emotionally conflicting characters on the same canvas. “One thrives on power, the other on protection. And the viewer never quite knows which one’s which.”

Also making his Hindi TV debut is Bengali heartthrob Arjun Chakrabarty as Surjo, a rational man grappling with very irrational hauntings. “It’s less about fearing the supernatural,” he explains, “and more about wrestling with buried grief and emotional truths we hide from ourselves.”

With its blend of paranormal drama, human vulnerability, and a haveli that’s practically a character in itself, Noyontara promises to be the gothic escape viewers didn’t know they needed. Expect blurred lines, chilling twists, and a heroine who’s got one foot in this world and one firmly planted in the next.

So, if your evenings have been missing drama post-IPL, prepare to get possessed. Noyontara is here to haunt your heart and your remote.

June 4, 2025
JioHotstar and RBI unlock India’s financial pulse with docuseries timed to 90-year milestone

MUMBAI: Money may talk, but the Reserve Bank of India is finally telling its own story—on screen. JioHotstar, in collaboration with the RBI, has premiered a five-part docuseries titled RBI Unlocked: Beyond the Rupee, diving deep into the institution that keeps India’s ₹ economy ticking.

Launched on 3 June 2025, and produced by Chalkboard Entertainment, the series coincides with the 90 anniversary of the central bank. For the first time, viewers get unprecedented access to high-security gold vaults, printing presses, war rooms, and the inner sanctums of financial decision-making.

“At the heart of this initiative is a unique collaboration brought to life through JioHotstar”, noted the release. The series explores how the RBI influences inflation, interest rates, and currency control while navigating national and global economic tremors.

The docuseries also chronicles pivotal moments in the bank’s history, including the 1991 pledging of gold, the economic liberalisation wave, and the RBI’s bio-bubble approach during the Covid-19 crisis. These events are brought to life through interviews with past and present RBI governors, the financial services and economic affairs secretaries, and prominent economists.

Through archival footage and dramatic recreations, RBI Unlocked peels back the layers of policy, power, and public perception. The storytelling style maintains JioHotstar’s reputation for rooted, issue-based content with wide reach.

RBI Unlocked: Beyond the Rupee is now streaming on JioHotstar, offering 1.4 billion Indians a rare glimpse into the gears that power their everyday financial realities.

June 3, 2025
Kho-Khoaching class act sets sport on global fast track

MUMBAI: Kho Kho, the homegrown Indian game of agility and grit, just got a high-speed upgrade on and off the mat. As the sport stretches beyond its traditional roots to stake its claim on the global stage, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) is playing tag with the future by launching its most advanced training initiative yet.

The Advanced Level III-A Training Course for coaches and technical officials kicked off on June 2, 2025, at SGT University, Budhera, and will run till June 15. Organised by KKFI under the aegis of the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), the course is no ordinary classroom drill, it’s a knowledge sprint featuring 20 international coaches and officials from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Australia, England, Korea and Malaysia, alongside 50 Indian coaches and 65 technical officials.

From biomechanics to sports psychology, recovery techniques to anti-doping awareness, the curriculum mirrors a sport in metamorphosis. With morning fitness sessions and rigorous classroom modules, participants are being immersed in a next-gen playbook designed to take Kho Kho from kabaddi’s countryside cousin to a globally recognised sport.

5 June was a masterclass in modernisation with sessions on sports science by Pooja Bhati, anti-doping education by Vikas Tyagi and Anurag, and tactical training by legendary coach H. V. Nataraj. The day began with a sweat-inducing physical drill by Ashwani Sharma, reinforcing the discipline behind the dash.

“This course reflects our commitment to preparing a new generation of coaches and officials who are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and international exposure to take Kho Kho to the next level,” said KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal. He also underlined how the sport is evolving with mat-based gameplay, a Decision Review System (DRS) and even the strategic ‘Wazir’ role.

The training for coaches wraps up on June 11 with a practical exam and reflective session, before the officials’ segment begins from 12–15 June.

With 135 participants in total and a syllabus as sharp as the game’s signature sprints, this course is more than just a seminar, it’s Kho Kho’s statement of intent. The message is clear: India isn’t just where the game began. It’s where the global future of Kho Kho is being written one pivot, one pass, and now, one world-class coach at a time.

June 3, 2025
Mayank Dayal switches gears, takes the wheel at LA Knight Riders

MUMBAI: Mayank Dayal, a seasoned sports marketing whiz, has made a cracking move, transitioning from the dusty pitches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the sun-kissed shores of Los Angeles. He’s stepped into the role of business head – Los Angeles Knight Riders, a full-time gig with Knight Riders Sports, effective June 2025. This chap knows his onions when it comes to brand building and fan frenzy, having honed his skills across two decades in global sports, media, and entertainment.

Just five months ago, Dayal was the head of marketing for Gujarat Titans, where he was instrumental in driving brand growth and whipping up fan engagement for the IPL franchise. Before his stint with the Titans, he was a key player at Sony Sports for nearly three years, leading award-winning campaigns for behemoths like the Fifa World Cup, UEFA Champions League, Olympics, and even the WWE. Talk about a versatile player!

His career journey reads like a thrilling sports documentary. Dayal spent over six years at Sony Pictures Networks India, climbing the ranks to head – marketing, sports, after a four-year stint as associate vice president. Prior to that, he spent a considerable nine years and one month at Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, where he held various marketing leadership roles, including senior manager – marketing and director, marketing for channels like Comedy Central and Vh1.

Dayal’s early innings saw him at Star India Pvt Ltd for nearly three years, where he served as an assistant manager and assistant manager – brand solutions, crafting innovative brand integrations. He also had a four-year, five-month spell as a manager – major accounts at Star News, where he was even awarded “The Best Sales Performer.” His foundational experience includes a brief stint as a trainee – marketing at Bharat Petroleum Co. Ltd and an executive trainee at Linterland – Rural.

With a deep understanding of audience insights and digital media fandom, Dayal is all set to knock it out of the park for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. It seems his career is always playing on the front foot, driving brand, fan, and revenue growth in the global sports arena.

June 3, 2025
Mumbai Falcons race into cricket with SoBo franchise and Rs 82 crore play for India’s sporting future

MUMBAI: They’ve dominated global circuits at 300 km/h.

Now they’re padding up for the pitch.

Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited, known for flying India’s flag high in international motorsport, has switched gears with the launch of SoBo Mumbai Falcons, their new T20 franchise under the Mumbai Cricket Association’s T20 Mumbai League.

Announced in Mumbai on 3 June, the Rs 82 crore franchise unveiling wasn’t just about the new jersey or the team anthem. It marked a bold crossover between two of India’s biggest sporting passions—cricket and racing—with a shared focus on science, data, and talent development.

The occasion also saw the debut of ‘Agla Star – One in a Billion Hunt’, a national athlete development programme targeting India’s next sporting icons—not just in cricket but across disciplines. Lending gravitas to the vision, Kapil Dev has joined the SoBo Mumbai Falcons in an advisory and ambassadorial capacity.

“We’re not here to be just another cricket team. We’re here to build something deeper, something more future-focused. The same dedication that built champions in racing is now being brought into cricket”, said the Mumbai Falcons leadership.

Founded in 2019, Mumbai Falcons became the first Indian team to win an FIA-accredited international racing championship. Their focus on performance science has shaped careers of motorsport prodigies like Kimi Antonelli, Arthur Leclerc, and Oliver Bearman. In 2024, they clinched the Formula Regional Middle East title and secured second place in Formula 4 middle east.

Now, the Falcons are extending that high-performance blueprint to the cricketing crease. The SoBo Mumbai Falcons will blend the instincts of gully cricket with a precision-led, data-first culture usually reserved for pit lanes.

The initiative signals a new chapter in Indian sports—where cricket isn’t just about sixes and sledges, but also systems and strategy. From anthem to academy, the SoBo Falcons promise to be more than a team; they aim to become an institution for sporting excellence.

June 3, 2025
Fancode nets Uefa broadcast rights for Women’s Euro 2025 and U21 Men’s Championship

MUMBAI: Football fans in India won’t have to squint at dodgy links or wake up to spoilers anymore—Fancode has clinched exclusive broadcast and digital rights for two of Uefa’s most anticipated tournaments: the Uefa Women’s Euro 2025 and the Uefa U21 Men’s Championship 2025.

The Uefa Women’s Euro will run from 2 July to 27 July with 31 matches on the card, showcasing elite athletes like Alexia Putellas, Lauren James, Keira Walsh, Ada Hegerberg, Aitana Bonmatí, and Kadidiatou Diani. With eight-time winners Germany, defending champions England, and continental heavyweights like Sweden, France, and the Netherlands vying for glory, the tournament promises fireworks.

Fancode co-founder Yannick Colaco commented, “The growth of women’s football globally has been phenomenal, and Indian fans have embraced it with passion. We are proud to bring Uefa Women’s EURO 2025 to our platform, continuing our commitment to making world-class women’s sport accessible to fans across India”.

But the summer of football doesn’t stop there. The Uefa U21 Men’s Championship—scheduled from 11-28 June—will also be streamed live on Fancode. Known as the launchpad for greats like Andrea Pirlo, Mesut Özil, Juan Mata, and Thiago Alcântara, the tournament now features rising stars including Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG), and Rico Lewis (Manchester City).

Colaco added, “These are tournaments with massive international following, and now Indian fans can watch all the action seamlessly, live and exclusive on Fancode. It’s part of our vision to make top-tier global football more accessible than ever before”.

Uefa’s marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein endorsed the partnership, “We are pleased to partner with Fancode as the home of the upcoming Uefa Women’s Euro & Uefa Under-21 Championship in the Indian sub-continent region. Football fans will be able to enjoy extensive and the highest quality coverage of Uefa Women’s Euro 2025 & Uefa Under-21 Championship 2025, with all matches broadcast on Fancode’s digital platform”.

Fancode has previously brought Indian audiences major women’s tournaments including the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. Their focus on building visibility for women’s sport continues with this latest move.

Fans can tune in via Fancode’s mobile app, website, TV apps like Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Jio STB, or platforms including Tata Play Binge, WatchO, Playbox, and Sundirectgo. Matches will also be broadcast on Tata Play Fancode Sports (Channel 475), Jio TV+, and Prime Video Channels.

June 3, 2025
TV9 Network to host second News9 Global Summit in Stuttgart to power Indo-German ties

MUMBAI: If diplomacy had a passport, it would likely be stamped in Stuttgart this October. TV9 Network is flying its flagship summit back to Europe, announcing the second edition of the News9 Global Summit to be held in Stuttgart, Germany, from 8-10 October 2025. The event celebrates 25 years of the Indo-German partnership and marks a decade of strategic state-level cooperation between Maharashtra and Baden-Württemberg.

At a press conference in Noida, TV9 Network MD & CEO Barun Das joined Baden-Württemberg sate secretary Florian Hassler and VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG chief marketing & sales officer Rouven Kasper to officially unveil the summit’s second act. With a theme rooted in cooperation over competition, the summit aims to spark robust discussions around democracy, sustainable development, and cross-border innovation.

“The second edition of the News9 Global Summit is a bridge between two innovation-driven democracies”, said Das. “India and Germany fit each other like a jigsaw puzzle. India brings scale, a tech-savvy workforce, and demand, while Germany contributes technology and precision”.

Das stressed that collaboration, not conquest, is the need of the hour. “We don’t have to win at the loss of somebody else”, he said, highlighting the potential for both nations to chart a shared growth trajectory.

The summit will bring together leaders from politics, academia, and business for three days of candid conversation on the future of democracy, trade, development, and global cooperation. Special attention will be given to the unique bond between Maharashtra and Baden-Württemberg, showcasing how sub-national partnerships can fuel international diplomacy.

“As we celebrate 25 years of Indo-German partnership, Baden-Württemberg is proud to host the News9 Global Summit”, Hassler noted. “This platform strengthens our ties with India, fosters innovation, and promotes democratic dialogue”.

Kasper, who saw the summit’s inaugural edition strike a chord, expects a sequel worth the build-up. “Last year, the summit was a tremendous success”, he said. “This year, we’re ready to turn up the volume on ideas that matter, with speakers and discussions that go beyond borders”.

The Stuttgart gathering will also spotlight the city’s growing role in global diplomacy. The Summit is designed to be more than just a talking shop – it aims to offer real-world solutions on sustainability, trade, technology and people-to-people connections.

TV9 Network, known for its expansive regional footprint, is also using the occasion to reinforce India’s robust and plural media ecosystem, a point Das proudly acknowledged.

As geopolitics evolves at breakneck speed, the 2025 edition of the News9 Global Summit positions itself not just as a celebration of the past but as a compass for the future.

June 2, 2025
IPL 18 advertisers score big as FMCG, gaming and finance jostle for air-time

MUMBAI: It’s not just the players smashing boundaries—advertisers are on a powerplay of their own. According to TAM Sports’ latest report on IPL 18 (covering the first 70 matches between 22 March and 27 May 2025), this season saw a brand barrage with more than 190 brands, 105+ advertisers, and 70+ categories vying for attention on TV.

That’s a 27 per cent jump in advertiser count and nearly 28 per cent rise in brand presence compared to IPL 17. Clearly, the advertising pitch is just as lively as the one at Eden Gardens. The commercial ad volumes for the first 70 matches of IPL 18 nudged past last season’s levels, with indexed TV ad volumes clocking in at 100.4, a whisker above the IPL 17 baseline of 100.
Top five advertising categories in IPL 18 (by ad volume share):
1. Mouth Fresheners – 12.78 per cent (up from 11.45 per cent in IPL 17)
2. Biscuits – 9.77 per cent
3. Ecom-Gaming – 6.83 per cent (down from 11.04 per cent in IPL 17)
4. Aerated Soft Drinks – 5.89 per cent
5. Corporate-Financial Institutes – 5.34 per cent

Mouth fresheners held on to their crown, showing that Indian advertisers still believe freshness sells, especially between overs. Biscuits crunched their way into the No. 2 spot, while ecom-gaming slipped a few spots—perhaps signalling ad fatigue or recalibrated spends post-pandemic highs.

What’s also notable is the diversification of the ad pie. From perfumed pitches to cooling sales strategies (think air conditioners), the IPL has cemented itself as the go-to platform for mass-market and digital-first brands alike.

As digital integration and CTV platforms begin syncing with traditional TV, IPL is morphing into a full-spectrum advertising festival. The brand blitz isn’t slowing down—if anything, it’s gearing up for a full 360-degree spin shot in IPL 19.

June 2, 2025
Nippon TV brews bold global play with Gyokuro Studio and LA hub

MUMBAI: Nippon TV is taking its global ambitions seriously—and stylishly. Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment giant has just unveiled Gyokuro Studio, a premium content label for international audiences, and Nippon TV LA Business Office, a full-fledged U.S. outpost opening in July to chase co-productions and IP sales across North America and Latam.

The Tokyo-based Gyokuro Studio—named after Japan’s most exquisite green tea—plans to roll out 10 unscripted titles a year, aiming for a full-bodied portfolio of 100 global-ready formats in the next decade. It promises the same handcrafted quality as its namesake tea, brewed through a blend of in-house talent and heavyweight co-creators. Think less sushi bar, more global showbiz kitchen.

Kenichiro Akiyama, veteran chief producer of prime-time hits, will head the new studio. “We are restructuring our production framework from a domestic-focused model to one designed for global rollout, accelerating the development of a robust foundation for creating content that resonates with audiences worldwide,” said Akiyama. “We will actively engage in truly global ‘co-creation’ with our production partners both in Japan and abroad, and together we will strive to generate new needs and value in the global entertainment market. We will continue to take on new challenges every day, aiming to build a strong and sustainable presence.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles office will be led by Tom Miyauchi, vice president of Nippon TV International and the man behind the Canadian adaptation of cult favourite Old Enough!. Miyauchi moves to LA in June and kicks off operations in July.

“With the launch of our Los Angeles business hub at the forefront of the global entertainment market, we are here to tap into the pulse of local trends and connect with global audiences with precision and agility. By strengthening collaboration and co-creation with valued partners and creators, our aim is to lead every phase of the content journey – from content development and full-scale production to distribution and international rollout, and the establishment of local production frameworks. In collaboration with Gyokuro Studio, we aim to pioneer new frontiers for globally driven entertainment, proudly originating from Japan.”said Miyauchi.

Nippon TV has been flexing its format muscles globally, with Dragons’ Den/Shark Tank spawning 52 versions across 186 countries and Mother crowned as Asia’s most exported scripted format. Add to that the viral Old Enough! and Netflix-fuelled anime success, and you’ve got a broadcaster not just chasing trends—but setting them.

Now with Studio Ghibli in its corner, Nippon TV is stacking its global arsenal. The new studio and LA office mark a strategic two-punch play, positioning Japan’s content powerhouse to charm the west, one gyokuro-infused idea at a time.

June 2, 2025
Jagran New Media unveils TheDailyJagran.com, its bold new English news platform

MUMBAI: In a significant pivot to deepen its digital footprint, Jagran New Media has launched TheDailyJagran.com, a bold and independent English-language news platform. The announcement marks a decisive break from the vertical’s previous design and identity, introducing a standalone destination for readers hungry for fact-checked news and sharp commentary.

Positioned as ‘From the House of Trust, Comes a New Daily’, the platform channels the legacy of Jagran Prakashan Limited while targeting the evolving expectations of today’s digitally native audience. Designed to appeal to a modern readership, TheDailyJagran.com promises a mix of breaking news, explainers, features, entertainment, cricket, lifestyle, astrology, and finance, all delivered with editorial rigour.

Speaking on the revamp, Jagran New Media COO Gaurav Arora said, “TheDailyJagran.com represents a forward-looking shift in how we serve our English-speaking audiences. While the platform carries forward Jagran’s trusted legacy, it brings with it a renewed editorial focus, stronger design sensibilities, and sharper storytelling. Through TheDailyJagran.com, we’re building a destination that is youthful, bold, and credible. With this move, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation, content integrity, and user-first experiences”.

The new platform doesn’t just stop at sleek aesthetics. On the backend, it runs on Next.js 14 and Tailwind CSS, offering enhanced Core Web Vitals for improved speed and usability. Users can expect real-time news, immersive multimedia experiences, and tailored content thanks to new features like MyFeed, Single Sign-On (SSO), and smart discovery tools. The site also introduces specialised verticals like Cricdaily for live cricket updates, Astrodaily for zodiac forecasts, and a dedicated toolkit of finance calculators including SIP, EMI, PPF, and BMI trackers.

TheDailyJagran.com is now live and aims to cater to both Indian and global audiences with its blend of credibility and innovation. By placing user experience and journalistic accuracy front and centre, the brand appears set to reclaim its turf in the competitive English digital news landscape.

Visit the new destination for daily updates at: www.TheDailyJagran.com

June 2, 2025