ITV

Category: Television

  • Nordic households caught in the act: piracy up 16 per cent as illegal IPTV continues to boom

    Nordic households caught in the act: piracy up 16 per cent as illegal IPTV continues to boom

    MUMBAI: Piracy in the Nordics isn’t just about dodging subscription fees anymore—it’s now fuelling organised crime. New research by Mediavision reveals over 1.5 million households in the region are paying for illegal IPTV services, up 200,000 homes (16 per cent) from spring 2024. These services offer cut-price, unlawful access to premium TV channels and streaming content.

    While Finland lags slightly in pirate uptake, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are sailing in the same leaky boat. Behind the scenes? A report in late 2024 had disclosed that the web of illegal operators had ties to trafficking and drug cartels.

    “Piracy continues to pose a serious threat to the industry,” said Mediavision.  senior analyst Adrian Grande. “As illegal IPTV keeps growing, it is encouraging that the issue is on the agenda, but it is also clear that action is needed to tackle the problem”.

    The reason: rising living costs and high OTT prices were pushing households into piracy’s arms.

    And it’s not just a fringe issue—25 per cent of 15–74-year-olds in the region streamed or downloaded content illegally in mid-2024 alone. The Nordic Content Protection (NCP) had in 2024 sounded the alarm, not just on copyright theft but its criminal underbelly. 

    To fight back, the NCP had teamed up with TV 2 Denmark, Viaplay Group, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Allente to launch high-impact anti-piracy campaigns, fronted by local TV personalities. These aired throughout 2024, hoping to shock users into realising that their dodgy stream might be bankrolling crime.

    In Norway, legislators are exploring a bold fix: a payment ban on IPTV services, similar to restrictions already placed on offshore gambling. Meanwhile, Sweden’s laws remain murky, with NCP pushing for stricter, clearer rules.

    As pirates loot the digital seas of Europe, Indian broadcasters and streamers would be wise to keep their periscopes up. How much of a revenue loss they are incurring on account of  the Nordic pilferage only a deeper inquiry can ascertain.

  • Mumbai Tak marches into Pune with the Jai Hind Utsav

    Mumbai Tak marches into Pune with the Jai Hind Utsav

    MUMBAI: Mumbai Tak, the feisty digital arm of the India Today Group, is rolling out its big guns—quite literally—for a showstopper in Pune. The Jai Hind Utsav, set to light up the Modern Engineering College auditorium on 23 May, promises a high-octane mix of political firepower and lyrical soul.

    From Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supremo Raj Thackeray to former army chief general Manoj Mukund Naravane , the line-up reads like a who’s who of India’s influence circuit. Add musical maestros Salil Kulkarni, Sandeep Khare, and Bhimrao Panchale into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a cultural cocktail ready to stir Pune awake.

    “This event is a testimony to the popularity and the support that Mumbai Tak has received from its viewers. Through this endeavour, our aim is to strengthen connect with viewers and give them a different experience rich with cultural heritage of the state,” said Tak channels managing editor  Milind Khandekar. “We’re weaving the cultural fabric of Maharashtra into an experience that viewers won’t forget.”

    The entire extravaganza will be streamed live on www.mumbaitak.in, and across Facebook and YouTube—ensuring that no one misses the beats or the barbs.

  • TV Today’s FY 25 financials: The quarter’s triumph and the year’s windfall!

    TV Today’s FY 25 financials: The quarter’s triumph and the year’s windfall!

    MUMBAI:  The bean counters at TV Today Network have been busy, and their meticulous work has unearthed some rather telling figures for both the quarter and the full financial year ending March 31, 2025. It seems the broadcast bigwigs are truly raking it in, with revenues and profits looking healthier than a freshly minted pundit on prime time.

    For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the network saw its revenue from operations climb to Rs 249.17 crores, up from Rs 247.37 crores in the same quarter last year. Total income for the quarter stood at Rs 261.26 crores, a neat bump from Rs 256.47 crores in the prior year’s comparable period. Despite a slight uptick in total expenses to Rs 253.28 crores from Rs 233.31 crores, the company still managed a respectable profit before tax from continuing operations of Rs 7.98 crores, though it was a dip from Rs 23.16 crores reported in the same quarter of the previous year. The net profit for the quarter, however, took a bit of a tumble, landing at Rs 6.23 crores compared to Rs 11.20 crores last year. Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the quarter were Rs 1.04, down from Rs 2.84 previously.

    Looking at the full financial year ended March 31, 2025, TV Today has certainly been on a roll. Revenue from operations soared to Rs 993.02 crores, a significant jump from Rs 935.91 crores in the previous financial year. The total income followed suit, hitting Rs 1,038.73 crores compared to Rs 973.56 crores in the year prior. While total expenses nudged up to Rs 927.61 crores from Rs 876.97 crores, the company still reported a strapping profit before tax from continuing operations of Rs 111.12 crores, a noticeable improvement from Rs 96.59 crores. The net profit for the year was Rs 74.83 crores, quite the spectacle when pitted against Rs 56.39 crores in the last financial year. This translates to basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of Rs 13.86, a rise from Rs 11.90.

    It’s worth noting the discontinued radio broadcasting operations, which saw a pre-tax loss of Rs 0.03 crores for the quarter and a yearly loss of Rs 10.54 crores, though this is an improvement from the Rs 19.53 crores loss last year. The after-tax loss from these operations was Rs 0.02 crores for the quarter and Rs 7.89 crores for the year, a marked improvement from the previous year’s loss of Rs 14.61 crores. This means the radio business, which is being sold for Rs 20 crores, is no longer broadcasting negative vibes on the balance sheet.

    The chaps at the company are certainly dialling up the good vibes, as their board of directors — led by the ever-present chairman and whole time director Aroon Purie — has just given the nod to a rather fetching final dividend for the financial year ended March 31, 2025. Shareholders are set to pocket a handsome Rs 3 per equity share, a 60 per cent return on the Rs 5 face value. Talk about a cracking payout!

  • Zee steals the show at Goafest as creativity gets its day in the sun

    Zee steals the show at Goafest as creativity gets its day in the sun

    MUMBAI: The glittering second day of Goafest 2025 turned into a proper awards ceremony slugfest  as Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd strutted away with the coveted ‘broadcaster of the year’ crown, leaving its competitors nursing wounded egos and consolation prizes.

    With the swagger of a seasoned prize-fighter, Zee knocked out the competition with a knockout punch of 28 points, courtesy of two golds, one silver, one bronze and a merit. Not bad for a day’s work, really.

    Star India Pvt Ltd  put up a respectable fight, clinching second place with 18 points after bagging one gold, one silver and two merits. Meanwhile, Viacom18 Media Private Litd  had to settle for bronze medal position with 16 points, managing two silvers and one bronze—a performance that suggests they’re more silver screen than silver medal material.

    The others weren’t entirely left empty-handed. Cheil India and Culver Max Entertainment each snagged a gold apiece, earning themselves eight points and a modicum of bragging rights at the office water cooler.

    The Abby Creative Awards 2025, powered by The One Show, didn’t stop at the broadcaster shakedown. Day two saw the advertising industry’s finest duke it out across specialist categories including public relations, digital specialist, design specialist, mobile specialist, technology specialist, and direct specialist. Because apparently, everyone’s a specialist these days.

    The awards, which have become something of a premier benchmark for excellence in Indian advertising and media, continue to prove that creativity isn’t dead—it’s just very competitive and occasionally ruthless.

  • Gautam Gambhir bares it all at Goafest 2025: “Cricket is a part of my life, not my life”

    Gautam Gambhir bares it all at Goafest 2025: “Cricket is a part of my life, not my life”

    MUMBAI: If there were any doubts about Gautam Gambhir being a straight shooter, they were obliterated in the opening minutes of his fireside chat at Goafest 2025. Titled “Why So Serious? The Making of Gautam Gambhir”, the session was anything but sombre. Moderated by CNN News18’s Anand Narasimhan, the hour-long conversation unpacked the mind of one of Indian cricket’s most intense figures—and revealed the grit behind the game face.

    “10,000 runs are not important”, Gambhir asserted early on, dismissing the fetish for stats in favour of match-defining moments. “You don’t play for broadcasters or the media; you play for the common man”. That common man, he noted, has always been his ultimate judge, not press headlines or highlight reels.

    Gambhir emphasised that public memory may be short, but for players, the work behind the scenes is lifelong. His mantra to aspiring cricketers and leaders: “It’s okay to make mistakes. Take decisions with conviction”.

    The conversation took a personal turn as Gambhir spoke of his singular regret—not serving in the army. “If given a choice today, I would give up everything to join”, he said. That spirit, he added, defines both his approach to cricket and life. “I’m not into Bollywood, I’m not into corporates. I’m just here to win”.

    Touching on his coaching stint, Gambhir credited India’s Champions Trophy win to the entire dressing room. “It wasn’t about me or the captain. Everyone contributed”.

    When asked about his notorious intensity, he responded, “There is nothing wrong with having a game face. Cricket is a profession where only one side wins”.

    On heated dressing room exchanges and media narratives, Gambhir remained stoic. “If it’s not personal, it ends on the field. Once the match is done, it’s dinner and back to normal”.

    He admitted that India’s transition phase in red-ball cricket demands patience. “You can’t compare formats. Australia was tough, but so will England be. The key is to stay the course”.

    On retirement, he recalled waking up one morning in 2018 and realising the fire was gone. “If you can’t be the best, it’s time to go. And once you go, don’t look back”.

    Politics, he claimed, “just happened”. He entered with a desire to change things, but eventually returned to cricket. “Five years in politics taught me my peace lies on the pitch”.

    His closing advice was aimed at India’s next generation of leaders: “If your intent is right, don’t fear failure. Lead from the front, be vulnerable, and never stop being honest”.

  • Veteran journo Rana Yashwant joins Live Times’ for weekend offerings

    Veteran journo Rana Yashwant joins Live Times’ for weekend offerings

    MUMBAI: Veteran television journo Rana Yashwant, famed for his bullish tell-it-like-it-is style, has inked a juicy deal with Hindi news channel Live Times. The partnership will see the straight-talking anchor front two weekend programmes across both television and digital platforms, whilst also getting his fingers into the channel’s special projects pie.

    Live Times bigwigs insist this is far more than just another editorial appointment—it’s a statement of intent in their crusade for credible reporting. Yashwant, the brain behind popular show Ardh Satya, brings a whopping two-and-a-half decades of media experience to the table.

    Dilip Singh, founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the channel, pulled no punches about the significance of the hire: “In an era when fake news is spreading like wildfire, Live Times stands firmly for fact-based journalism. Rana Yashwant’s joining is not just a matter of joining an experienced editor, but an extension of a reliable editorial thinking.”

    Singh added  that the channel, built on the holy trinity of “credibility, transparency and editorial independence,” continues to bolster its ranks with heavyweight journalists and subject experts, making it an increasingly formidable force in the media landscape.

    Yashwant himself seemed please with his new gig, declaring: “‘In today’s era, there is an abundance of information, but there is a huge lack of trust. In such a situation, Live Times’ gives priority to facts, transparency and public interest. This platform believes in creating effective content instead of making noise. This is not just a new role for me, but a responsibility – to do such journalism that not only informs, but also empowers people and ensures accountability.”

  • Bittu Bahanebaaz makes an excuse-filled splash on Sonic and JioHotstar

    Bittu Bahanebaaz makes an excuse-filled splash on Sonic and JioHotstar

    MUMBAI: Move over superheroes — the real mastermind on the block is a 10-year-old pro at excuses. JioStar Kids, the undisputed boss of Indian kids’ telly, has rolled out its cheekiest character yet with Bittu Bahanebaaz, now airing daily on Sonic at 12:30 PM with repeats at 9 AM and 7 PM — and same-day drops on JioHotstar.

    The show stars Bittu, a schoolboy who can cook up a brilliant excuse faster than you can say “homework not done.”  From dodging chores to outsmarting teachers, his everyday escapades are bursting with humour, imagination and a whiff of mischief that hits close to home. Think Dennis the Menace with a desi twist — and better timing.

    Penned to perfection, the show’s title track is written by none other than Gulzar sahab, whose clever rhymes and colourful metaphors inject even more life into Bittu’s already bouncy world.

    For Jiostar Kids, this is another feather in a cap already packed with hits like Motu Patlu, Chikoo aur Bunty, Rudra, and Pinaki & Happy – The Bhoot Bandhus. With Bittu Bahanebaaz, it’s doubling down on what it does best — stories that feel local, characters that feel like your next-door neighbour, and jokes that land with both kids and their amused parents.

    So next time your child comes up with a bizarre reason for a missing tiffin box, blame Bittu. Or better yet, switch on the television and join the fun.

  • Cake adds some icing with Anna Pokorska as sales manager

    Cake adds some icing with Anna Pokorska as sales manager

    MUMBAI: Cake, the London-based kids’ content powerhouse, has appointed Anna Pokorska as sales manager, handing her the reins to key territories across Europe and beyond. Pokorska will be baking up international sales across Italy, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, Greece, Turkey and Israel for Cake’s hit slate—including Angry Birds, Total Drama Island, Lucas the Spider, Talking Tom Heroes: Suddenly Super and Armorsaurs.

    Reporting to Cake managing director of distribution Dominic Gardiner, Pokorska joins with a deep track record in animation, kids’ content and feature film distribution. She’s worn several high-level hats—SVP of sales at GFM Animation, global distribution lead at Wizart Animation, regional boss at Interfilm for Warner Bros., and casting lead at HBO CIS. Lately, she’s been consulting for MK2 Films and producing both animated and documentary projects.

    “We’re excited to have Anna join the team at Cake . Her experience in animation and strong industry relationships make her a great fit as we continue to grow our global reach,” said Gardiner.

    Pokorska said, “I’m thrilled to be joining the company I’ve admired for as long as I can remember—a true pioneer in kids’ entertainment. It’s an honour to contribute to Cake’s continued growth and help its fantastic shows reach new audiences around the world.”

    As Cake dishes up hits to kids across continents, Pokorska’s appointment adds more firepower to its global growth recipe.

  • Deepak Chaurasia plugs into Live Times: The original of Hindi TV news joins as director news

    Deepak Chaurasia plugs into Live Times: The original of Hindi TV news joins as director news

    MUMBAI:  In a move that’s making noise for all the right reasons, Live Times—the  “Global Multicast News Hub”—has roped in Hindi TV’s firebrand journo Deepak Chaurasia as director news. Known for his bulletproof journalism and gritty reportage over three decades, Chaurasia is set to add some serious muscle to the channel’s editorial engine.

    The man who’s covered everything from battlefields and bomb blasts to political fireworks and street protests is now bringing his fearless firepower to Live Times. With a career that spans war zones, natural disasters, the 26/11 terror attacks and the CAA storm, Chaurasia promises to turbocharge the channel’s motto of “Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes.”

    “Deepak becoming part of Live Times means more fire to Live Times’ core value of Satyam Shivam Sundaram. At a time when TRP has overtaken truth, and noise has overtaken news, Deepak with Live Times would contribute towards reversing the trend of TRP over truth and fakes over facts,” said Live Times founder, CEO and editor in chief Dilip Kumar Singh. “With Deepak’s journalistic gravitas and ground-level connect with the viewers and users, Live Times is not just building a newsroom but, building a movement for truth-first journalism.” 

    “I have always believed in journalism that serves people, not agendas,” said Deepak Chaurasia. He further added, “Live Times is that rare newsroom today that prioritizes authentic, verified reporting over virality. I am thrilled to be part of a mission that champions factual storytelling, asks uncomfortable questions, and puts viewers and users at the center of news & information.”

    In his new role, Chaurasia will helm a soon-to-launch primetime show that puts verified news and deep-dive investigations front and centre. Expect fewer shouting matches and more substance—with boots-on-the-ground reports, spine-straight journalism, and just enough spice to keep eyeballs glued.

    Reporting directly to Dilip Kumar Singh, Chaurasia’s arrival signals a sharp pivot for Live Times—one that blends tech, talent and truth to create content that travels across borders and platforms.

    From Bharat to beyond, Live Times wants to own the narrative. And with Chaurasia now in the front seat, the channel’s news caravan just got a serious upgrade.

  • FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    FanCode aces it: Roland Garros streams every court, every smash, every stat

    MUMBAI: Tennis fans, rejoice! FanCode is swinging into the grand slam game, teaming up with Sony LIV to stream every single rally from Roland Garros 2025. From 25 May to 8 June, viewers can follow the drama across all courts — live, on demand, and on their own terms.

    Marking its smashing debut into tennis, FanCode is now letting fans pick and pay: fancy just Djokovic vs Alcaraz? You got it. Want the whole clay court carnival? That’s in play too. No bundles. No fluff. Just pure, uncut tennis.

    But it’s not just video. Real-time stats will now pop up mid-stream on the FanCode app — think rally lengths, break point conversion, and more geeky-goodness — offering die-hards a courtside analyst’s view from their couch.

    “At FanCode, we take great pride in building a product purely for sports fans. With tennis entering a new era and a strong fan base in India, we are reimagining how the sport is viewed. Our fan-first approach lets viewers engage with the game on their terms — whether it’s following a favourite player or tuning into a specific match.”
    said FanCode co-founder Prasana Krishnan., 

    Sony LIV’s head of growth and monetisation Manish Aggarwal added, “Sony LIV has consistently been the go-to destination for premium global sports leagues in India. We’re thrilled to partner with FanCode to bring the excitement of the Roland Garros 2025 to an even wider audience across the country. This collaboration not only amplifies the reach of one of tennis’ most iconic Grand Slams but also ensures that fans across India can seamlessly follow their favourite players and catch every match live or on demand with greater ease and flexibility than ever before.”
     

    FanCode’s Roland Garros coverage will be available via its mobile apps (iOS & Android), smart TVs and www.fancode.com.

    Whether you’re backing Sinner or Swiatek, Sabalenka or Osaka — it’s game, set, match for streaming tennis in India.