ITV

Category: Television

  • Sportz Interactive doubles down on Europe with new hires across UK, France and Iberia

    Sportz Interactive doubles down on Europe with new hires across UK, France and Iberia

    MUMBAI: Sportz Interactive (SI), the sports technology and fan engagement powerhouse, is deepening its European footprint with a string of new strategic hires across the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal. The move marks a significant leap in the company’s bid to digitally transform sports engagement across the continent.

    These appointments strengthen SI’s business development and marketing teams as it continues to deliver next-gen digital experiences for fans and commercial partners alike. The new team members bring industry insights and local expertise to support SI’s partnerships with global heavyweights like the International Olympic Committee, Fiba, Formula 1, Disney, and European Athletics.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome such exceptional talent to our growing team”, said Sportz Interactive director – head of UK & Europe operations Alex Chamberlen. “Their experience and insights will be instrumental as we continue to deliver transformative digital solutions to leading sports organisations across the region”.

    From advanced data platforms to immersive fan experiences, SI’s tech toolkit is powering how sports bodies connect with audiences, expand their global reach, and tap new revenue streams. Its European playbook now gains fresh momentum with on-ground leadership in key markets.

    “This marks a significant step forward in our growth journey”, added Sportz Interactive chairman Arvind Iyengar. “These appointments enhance our local expertise and reinforce our position as a trailblazer in digital fan engagement – ensuring we deliver outstanding value to our partners and unforgettable experiences to fans”.

    Sportz Interactive’s global expansion continues to gain pace, as it blends technology, sport, and storytelling to redefine the fan experience in stadiums, on screens, and across platforms.

  • Dish it out Rishtey style with Shiv, Shakti and shape-shifting serpents

    Dish it out Rishtey style with Shiv, Shakti and shape-shifting serpents

    MUMBAI: Your living room’s about to turn into a TV temple and a snake pit all in one evening. Colors Rishtey has officially landed on DD Free Dish with a bang, and it’s bringing with it a dhamakedaar line-up that’s equal parts divine, dramatic and downright addictive. The channel is levelling up its entertainment game by airing two of Indian television’s most talked-about blockbusters Shiv Shakti- Tap Tyag Tandav and Naagin – Naash ka Vinaash for the very first time on DD Free Dish, starting 15 May.

    Myth meets masala as Shiv Shakti takes viewers on a soul-stirring journey through the cosmic love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, with Ram Yashvardhan and Subha Rajput slipping into their divine avatars at 7 PM sharp. And just when you’re catching your breath, Naagin slithers in at 9 PM with Tejasswi Prakash, Mahek Chahal, Simba Nagpal, and the evergreen Sudha Chandran in a double role that promises twice the chills and thrills.

    Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav actor Ram Yashvardhan shared, “I’m genuinely thrilled that our show is now airing on Colors Rishtey and reaching so many more homes through DD Free Dish! This show is the divine love story of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, a timeless saga etched in our culture, our hearts, and our collective memory. What makes it even more meaningful is that it’s perfect for family viewing. From powerful visuals to deep-rooted emotions, and so many learnings, there’s something in it for everyone from kids to grandparents. As an actor, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of a show that’s not only cherished but also becomes part of everyday conversations in homes across the country.”

    Naagin – Naash ka Vinaash, actor Sudha Chandran shared, “After over 38 years in the industry, Naagin 6 gave me something I had always dreamed of—a double role. Playing both Seema and her mother Tara has been incredibly exciting and creatively fulfilling. As an actor, it’s a joy to switch between two such layered characters, especially when they appear in the same frame. I’m grateful to have this in my kitty, and I’m thrilled that millions of more viewers will now get to experience this journey on COLORS Rishtey through DD Free Dish.”

    But Colors Rishtey isn’t just banking on its primetime heavyweights. The channel is reviving fan-favourites like Sasural Simar Ka, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and a power-packed kids’ slate featuring Munki and Trunk, Keymon Ache, and Shiva. It’s full-family entertainment that’s free, fabulous, and finally on every screen.

    So whether you’re in the mood for divine dilemmas, slithery secrets, or just some nostalgic chaos, tune in to Colors Rishtey on DD Free Dish. Because this May, the remote deserves some drama too.

  • Nftfn co-founder Abhishek Gupta pads up for next innings with cricket gaming app PlayPe

    Nftfn co-founder Abhishek Gupta pads up for next innings with cricket gaming app PlayPe

    MUMBAI: In a move set to bowl over India’s mobile-first cricket fandom, former Nftfn co-founder & CMO Abhishek Gupta has announced his next venture: ‘PlayPe’, an online skill-based gaming platform built to convert passive cricket viewership into real-time action.

    Scheduled to launch between August and September 2025, PlayPe will let users make in-match decisions and earn real cash rewards based on their cricketing knowledge. The platform promises to operate within India’s legal boundaries—with mandatory KYC, age-gated onboarding, and a strong focus on responsible gaming.

    “Cricket isn’t just a sport in India — it’s part of our identity”, said Gupta, who left Nftfn (now rebranded as Xtrading) in January 2025 after 3.5 years building its brand and community. “PlayPe turns fans into active participants, rewarding their insights, timing, and cricketing mind – not luck”.

    During his time at Nftfn, Gupta helped raise over $1.1 million in funding and scaled a high-engagement user community in the crypto trading space. Now, with PlayPe, he’s looking to tap into India’s cricket-crazy audience by blending gaming, real-time decision-making, and legal compliance.

    PlayPe’s UI is tailored for India’s diverse user base, with multilingual access and intuitive design aimed at users in tier two and tier three cities. The app will offer fast payouts, live challenge formats, and scalable gameplay during real matches, making every over an opportunity.

    The app will be available on Android and iOS, marking Gupta’s second innings in the Indian consumer tech space. With cricket as the playing field and skill as the strategy, PlayPe is betting big on what India loves most.

  • JioStar inks three-year broadcast deal with Indianoil UTT to serve table tennis turbo

    JioStar inks three-year broadcast deal with Indianoil UTT to serve table tennis turbo

    MUMBAI: Indianoil Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has found a powerful broadcast ally in JioStar. The league announced a three-year partnership with India’s leading sports broadcaster to bring the fastest hands in sport to screens across the country through 2027. The move is poised to give Indian table tennis the spotlight it has long chased.

    Under the agreement, JioStar will deliver live, multilingual coverage across Star Sports 2, Star Sports Khel, and Star Sports Tamil, along with streaming on JioHotstar in English, Hindi and Tamil. Season 6 of Indianoil UTT kicked off with behind-the-scenes programming on 12 May, building anticipation before the on-table action unfolds.

    “Over the past few years, Indian table tennis has made meaningful strides, and Indianoil UTT’s mission has been to accelerate that progress by providing a world-class platform for homegrown talent. Our partnership with JioStar for the next three seasons will help us deepen that impact by reaching more households, engaging new audiences, and laying a stronger foundation for the next generation of Indian table tennis stars”, said UTT co-promoters Vita Dani and Niraj Bajaj.

    This season’s player line-up promises a mix of star power and fresh energy. International aces like Aruna Quadri, Alvaro Robles, Bernadette Szocs, Adriana Diaz, and China’s Fan Siqi join India’s elite — Manika Batra, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Harmeet Desai, and Sreeja Akula. Rising domestic stars such as Diya Chitale, Payas Jain, Ankur Bhattacharjee, and Yashaswini Ghorpade round out the action-packed roster.

    The league will field eight franchises: Ahmedabad SG Pipers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Dempo Goa Challengers TT, Jaipur Patriots, Kolkata ThunderBlades, PBG Pune Jaguars, and U Mumba TT. Defending champions Dempo Goa Challengers, led by Harmeet Desai, are chasing their third consecutive title.

    Sanctioned by the Table Tennis Federation of India and co-promoted by Dani and Bajaj, Indianoil UTT continues to climb as one of the sport’s premier global properties. The 2024 edition clocked 20 million viewers across TV and OTT, marking a 1.3x year-on-year jump. With JioStar now in its corner, the league is aiming higher—in both reach and impact.

  • Ellana Lee takes charge of CNN’s new global productions unit in expanded APAC leadership role

    Ellana Lee takes charge of CNN’s new global productions unit in expanded APAC leadership role

    MUMBAI: CNN has handed a major new brief to Ellana Lee, elevating her to group senior vice president, general manager APAC, and global head of productions. The expanded role places her at the helm of a newly created global productions team, which will spearhead all multi-platform sponsored content across CNN’s global network.

    The move, effective immediately, builds on Lee’s 25-year tenure at CNN, where she most recently served as SVP, managing editor for Asia Pacific, and global head of features content. She led the launch of award-winning editorial properties like Call to Earth and steered CNN’s features division into a global storytelling powerhouse.

    As global head of productions, Lee will now guide the creation and distribution of sponsored content across digital, television and other platforms. The remit also includes building out new roles in the U.S. to expand CNN’s existing features team, which currently operates from hubs in Atlanta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and London.

    “Under Ellana’s leadership, our Features team has consistently innovated, delivering award-winning, multi-platform, editorially robust and engaging feature content that has attracted commercial partnerships with some of the world’s most dynamic and successful brands,” said CNN Worldwide managing editor Mike McCarthy. “She will now bring that experience, creativity and skill to bear across the network.”

    Lee will remain based in Hong Kong, continuing as CNN’s most senior executive outside the United States. In her ongoing role as APAC head, she will retain oversight of CNN’s editorial strategy across the region, including programming, correspondent deployment and eight editorial operations.

    The appointment signals CNN’s intent to integrate editorial innovation with brand-driven storytelling at scale, tapping Lee’s track record in building meaningful global content ecosystems.

  • JioStar Kids launches Bittu Bahanebaaz on Sonic to add mischief and magic to summer screens

    JioStar Kids launches Bittu Bahanebaaz on Sonic to add mischief and magic to summer screens

    MUMBAI: This summer, Sonic has a new trickster on the block. On 12 May 2025, JioStar Kids premiered its 15 homegrown IP, Bittu Bahanebaaz-a light-hearted series that follows the creative chaos of 10-year-old Bittu, who can talk his way out of nearly anything.

    Set to air daily at 12:30 pm on Sonic and available for streaming on JioHotstar, Bittu Bahanebaaz draws humour from everyday childhood conundrums and celebrates the power of quick wit and wild imagination. The title track, written by the legendary Gulzar, adds poetic flair to the antics.

    “At JioStar Kids, we remain deeply committed to understanding the pulse of today’s ever evolving consumer. Our aim is to create relevant, screen-agnostic content that resonates across platforms—stories that are relatable, inclusive, and designed for kids and families to watch together and create memorable moments while doing so”, said JioStar entertainment – head of cluster Alok Jain.

    Bittu Bahanebaaz is the latest jewel in JioStar’s expanding content crown. With hits like Motu Patlu, Chikoo aur Bunty, Shiva, Rudra, and Pinaki & Happy, the network continues to lead India’s kids’ genre in both local IP creation and cultural relevance. Its flagship channel Nick has held the number one spot in the category for 11 consecutive years.

    To fuel the show’s reach, JioStar has rolled out a multi-platform campaign across TV, digital, social, gaming, and cinema. Kids can also interact with Bittu through an AI-powered chatbot and customised games on the SonicGang website. Mall activations and influencer-led content will further deepen audience engagement.

    With this launch, JioStar Kids reinforces its position as India’s premier creator of local children’s content—and with Bittu’s antics now in motion, screen time is about to get a lot more fun.
     

  • Big FM’s Marathi masala moment celebrates cinema with star-studded flair

    Big FM’s Marathi masala moment celebrates cinema with star-studded flair

    MUMBAI: Big FM turned up the volume on Marathi pride with a glitzy finale to Big Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave, marking the end of its third season with an unforgettable on-ground celebration in Pune. From teary tributes to toe-tapping tunes, the evening paid a vibrant homage to the spirit, legacy and cultural depth of Marathi cinema.

    Hosted by the ever-charismatic Subodh Bhave, the event brought together some of the industry’s finest including Swapnil Joshi, Sayali Sanjeev, Sumeet Raghavan, Santosh Juvekar, Shilpa Tulaskar, and Atharva Sudame offering fans a front-row seat to laughter, nostalgia and heartfelt camaraderie.

    The grand finale wasn’t just a curtain call, it was a curtain rise on memories. Audiences were treated to emotional homages to legends like Sudhir Phadke and Asha Bhosale, followed by an explosive Ajay–Atul mashup that turned the gathering into a dance floor.

    Sharing his thoughts Big FM COO Sunil Kumaran said, “Our audiences have always trusted us to present exceptional content and BIG Marathi Bioscope with Subodh Bhave has been a true testament of that endeavor. With each season, BIG FM has built a deeper bond with listeners who have an unwavering love for Marathi cinema. As we reach the grand finale of Season 3, it’s clear that the show has become a cherished part of listeners’ lives, celebrating the rich legacy of Marathi films. Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue strengthening this relationship and creating even more memorable experiences in the seasons to come.”

    “Marathi cinema is my passion and what keeps me deeply connected to it is the love and support of my audience. Through the on-ground event, we have had the chance to interact directly with our listeners, making the experience even more personal and meaningful. With the success of this season, I’m confident that the affection and connection we’ve built will continue to grow in the seasons ahead.” said actor and host Subodh Bhave.

    Presented by Lokmanya Multipurpose Co-op Society Ltd and supported by partners like Deshpande Eye Hospital & Laser Centre and B.U. Bhandari, the show’s third season finale was more than just entertainment, it was a tribute, a party, and a promise rolled into one.

    With the finale set to air on Saam TV, fans across Maharashtra can relive the magic. As Big FM continues to echo through the airwaves, it’s clear Marathi cinema’s most soulful stories aren’t just on screen, they’re in the hearts of the listeners too.

  • Something Special welcomes Jacob Han as head of productions, set to lead Unforgettable Duet series

    Something Special welcomes Jacob Han as head of productions, set to lead Unforgettable Duet series

    MUMBAI:  Something Special, the Seoul-based format powerhouse co-founded by Jin Woo Wang and InSoon Kim, has announced the appointment of Jacob (Jongbin) Han as its new head of productions. Han, a seasoned producer with a 12-year track record, is set to lead the full series production of Unforgettable Duet, a poignant and heartwarming show commissioned by MBN, with backing from the KOCCA Fund.

    Han, a former senior producer at MBC, brings a wealth of experience to Something Special, having been recognised as the Korean Producer Association’s best TV producer of the year in 2021. His career highlights include winning the best programme award from the Korea Communications Agency in 2020 for Mystery TV: Surprise and a best programme award at MBC in 2018. Before joining Something Special, Han led content operations at uhomes.com in the UK, overseeing social media content for five Asian markets.

    Unforgettable Duet is a deeply emotional unscripted series where dementia patients are reconnected with cherished memories through mementos and a powerful duet performance with a family member. The series, which was one of the highest-rated specials last year, returns this summer under Han’s direction.

    Hwang and Kim expressed their excitement, stating, “Something Special are pleased to celebrate our sixth year in business with Jacob Han as our new head of productions who will oversee several of our projects, starting with the wonderful Unforgettable Duet this summer. His vast international production experience, along with our recent investment will help propel Something Special to the next level.”

    Han echoed their sentiments, saying, “I am thrilled to join Jin, InSoon and the entire Something Special team as head of productions. Something Special has been a leader of Korean formats, breaking new ground by taking our formats onto the world stage. As my first project, I am honored to produce the full season of  Unforgettable Duet which was one of the highest rated specials last year.”

  • HistoryTV18’s fan-favourite Rocky Singh hits Tamil Nadu roads with #RoadTrippin S13 to stir appetites and escape the heat

    HistoryTV18’s fan-favourite Rocky Singh hits Tamil Nadu roads with #RoadTrippin S13 to stir appetites and escape the heat

    MUMBAI: When summer blazes through the north, Rocky Singh heads south—armed with a camera crew, a massive appetite, and his signature sense of humour. Kicking off on 12 May 2025, the 13 season of #RoadTrippinWithRocky takes viewers on a week-long joyride through Tamil Nadu’s culinary hotspots and scenic escapes.

    This time, the food-loving traveller escapes Delhi’s heat for the hills of Madikeri, before cruising through Virajpet and onto the postcard paradise of Ooty. From there, he detours to Mysuru and ends the flavour trail in Chennai. Throughout the trip, Rocky weaves his way through street-side stalls, royal retreats, and roadside dhabas—fuelled by ice cream from Ibaco and legendary cups of tea in Chennai.

    “RoadTrippin is more than travel. It’s food, laughs, and soaking in every mile of the journey”, Rocky declared as he kicked off from Delhi Airport, sampling lounges before hitting Tamil soil.

    As with previous seasons, #RoadTrippinWithRocky streams exclusively across HistoryTV18’s and Rocky’s digital platforms. The format’s snackable charm, candid style and digital-first approach have struck gold with viewers, racking up over two billion impressions and 540 million video views to date.

    HistoryTV18’s series has become a benchmark in digital travel storytelling, blending culture, cuisine and comedy into content that audiences keep coming back to. This year’s edition promises more of the same — with Tamil Nadu’s topography and thalis taking centrestage.

    #RoadTrippinWithRocky runs from 12-19 May on Youtube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

  • Playr launches Player Essentials line to keep athletes cool, dry and game-ready

    Playr launches Player Essentials line to keep athletes cool, dry and game-ready

    MUMBAI: When it comes to performance, what you wear can be just as critical as how you play. The Mumbai-based sportswear brand, Playr has taken that to heart with the launch of its Player Essentials collection—an all-in-one line of gear that caters to everyone from casual runners to IPL pros.

    The collection includes a full suite of apparel, equipment, and accessories. Each piece has been crafted with functional ergonomics and smart fabric engineering, designed to deliver utility without compromising on comfort. Whether it’s the breathable Core Run Tee or the terrain-friendly gym gear, the brand is aiming to redefine what Indian athletes wear in training and recovery.

    The collection features:

    ●    Apparel: Training Tees, Core Run Tees, Terrain Tees, Cricket Whites (junior and adult), after-sport jackets, versatile shorts, and pants

    ●    Equipment: Cricket bats, guards, yoga mats, fitness bikes

    ●    Accessories: Protein shakers, sippers, caps, performance socks

    “At Playr, we believe running—and sports overall—is more than just a physical activity; it’s a lifestyle. The Player Essentials collection is built for those who demand durability, precision, and comfort in every stride”, said Playr co-founder and Icorets Pvt Ltd director Ravi Kukreja.

    The brand’s philosophy, ‘Player First’, has resonated well beyond product shelves. Since its 2022 launch, Playr has partnered with seven out of 10 IPL teams. In 2025, the company renewed its tie-up with Chennai Super Kings and announced new collaborations with Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad—with more deals on the horizon.

    For a brand born in the post-pandemic performance boom, Playr is proving it can do more than keep pace—it’s setting the tempo.