ITV

Category: Television

  • KKR tees off eighth Knight Golf with #ShahoshiRani tribute to India’s bravest women

    KKR tees off eighth Knight Golf with #ShahoshiRani tribute to India’s bravest women

    MUMBAI: The Kolkata Knight Riders aren’t just swinging for boundaries anymore-they’re swinging for social impact. The defending Tata IPL champions launched the #ShahoshiRani initiative at The Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC), blending cricket, courage and community in the eighth edition of their Knight Golf event.

    #ShahoshiRani, or ‘Brave Queen’, salutes Indian women who have faced adversity with unmatched grit. The initiative celebrated real-life heroines whose stories echo KKR’s own battle cry: “Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo”.

    The programme features three pillars: Play It Forward, Skill Up For Equality, and the Vidushee Programme. These cover upskilling women in tailoring and beauty services, running sports and mental wellness programmes for girls in rural areas and rehabilitation homes, and training tribal women as educators in remote regions.

    “The #ShahoshiRani initiative exemplifies KKR’s values beyond cricket. By celebrating these remarkable women alongside Knight Golf, we’re reinforcing our commitment to meaningful social change,” said KKR CEO Venky Mysore.

    CMO Binda Dey added, “This initiative embodies the strength, hope, and resilience we witness in women daily. Through #ShahoshiRani and events like Knight Golf, we leverage sports and storytelling to generate meaningful community impact.”

    Mullen Lintas CCO Ram Cobain explained the campaign’s genesis, “When we heard the inspiring stories of these young girls and women, their bravery and never-give-up attitude stood out. If KKR’s men are ‘Knights’ in the game, these girls and women are the true ‘Queens’ in real life.”

    Corporate support came from principal donor Sugam Homes, associate partner Hedonne, and apparel partner Athletic Drive. All proceeds from Knight Golf will go to the Meer Foundation and allied efforts aimed at uplifting women facing hardship.

    With cricket in one hand and compassion in the other, KKR served a timely reminder that heroes don’t just wear jerseys—some wear courage like a crown.

  • India TV’s Wellness Weekend busts health myths and bad habits with doctor-powered sessions

    India TV’s Wellness Weekend busts health myths and bad habits with doctor-powered sessions

    MUMBAI: No gym selfies, no diet fads—just science-backed advice straight from the pros. India TV Speed News turned up the wellness volume with its recent ‘Wellness Weekend’, bringing together some of the country’s most respected medical voices. Held in New Delhi on 1 April, the event tackled everything from snoring and stress to stents and sugar levels.

    The opening act featured Dheeraj Dubey, Prashant Kumar Patra, and Sameer Bhati, who collectively made a strong case for the holy trinity of health: sleep, diet, and movement. Bhati called out the growing sleep deficit among young Indians, blaming it for more than just dark circles.

    Cardiologist Ashok Seth followed with a sobering stat—heart attacks in India have surged 50 per cent in 15 years, especially among those under 50. Blame lifestyle drift: bad diets, chain-smoking, too much stress, and too little exercise.

    Seth’s prescription? At least 200 minutes of brisk walking per week to cut risk by 25 per cent.

    “Well-being is the cornerstone of a fulfilling life, and with ‘Wellness Weekend,’ we aim to empower our audiences with expert insights on physical and mental health… Through engaging discussions and interactive sessions, we hope to make wellness more achievable,” said India TV MD & CEO Ritu Dhawan.

    Balbir Singh cleared the air around cardiac procedures, debunking myths around angioplasty, bypasses, and stents. He pointed to major leaps in stent tech and post-op care as game changers.

    Ambrish Mithal brought the sugar crash. He urged people to start blood sugar checks by age 25. Diabetes, he warned, isn’t just genetic—it feeds on extra kilos and fried snacks.

    Next came gut feelings. Amarender Singh Puri explained that a healthy gut relies on good bacteria, which tends to decline with age.

    Sanjeev Saxena zoomed in on kidneys, warning that signs like fatigue and swollen feet shouldn’t be ignored. He prescribed no more than five grams of salt daily for healthy folks—half that if you’ve got hypertension—and 2.5 to 3 litres of water a day to keep the filters clean.

    The final blow was delivered by Gopichand Khilnani on lung health. He linked India’s poor air quality, especially in cities like Delhi and Kolkata, to a rise in chronic lung conditions. Post-Covid steroid use, he said, hasn’t helped, fuelling spikes in asthma and fibrosis.

    India TV’s health-first programming didn’t just preach—it informed. If health is wealth, this weekend was pure capital.

  • NH Studioz teams up with Runn Media Labs to launch three FAST channels for Hindi cinema buffs

    NH Studioz teams up with Runn Media Labs to launch three FAST channels for Hindi cinema buffs

    MUMBAI: Hindi cinema just found a faster way to reach your screen. NH Studioz, the Indian content giant with over 2,500 film titles in its vault, launched three new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, partnering with Runn Media Labs to make the magic happen.

    The new channels — NH BollyFlix, NH BollyGold and NH BollyRaga — are already live on Samsung TV Plus, Swift TV, and RunnTV, offering a buffet of blockbusters, golden classics, and musical gems that can be streamed for free. Think of it as Hindi cinema’s greatest hits, rewrapped for the streaming age.

    .  NH BollyFlix delivers the big-bang entertainers.

    .  NH BollyGold revisits cinematic treasures from Indian cinema’s golden era.

    .  NH BollyRaga spins a nostalgic loop of melodies and chart-toppers.

    NH Studioz holds one of the largest Indian film collections across Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi and Malayalam languages, spanning from the 1950s to present-day releases. This move into the FAST universe is both a modernisation and a masterstroke.

    Runn Media Labs, the brains behind RunnTV, brought its tech muscle to the party—building out distribution and monetisation tools to turbocharge NH’s legacy content for today’s streaming platforms.

    “Runn Media Labs brings a unique strength to the table — their deep understanding of the streaming business, combined with robust technical expertise, is rare and extremely valuable,” said NH Studioz executive director Shreyans Hirawat. “The speed at which their team executed this launch has been phenomenal. We’re already live with multiple platforms, including Samsung TV Plus, RunnTV and Swift TV, across the globe and are excited to scale further.”

    Runn Media Labs founder & CEO Manish Sinha added, “We’re thrilled to partner with NH Studioz and enable the launch of three high-quality Hindi cinema channels… With a strong content library and an agile distribution model, we together look forward to creating compelling, scalable viewing experiences for global audiences.”

    As digital consumption booms and ad-supported models gain traction, the NH-Runn duo looks ready to rewire Hindi cinema’s distribution model.

    Classic meets code, and it’s streaming gold.

     

  • ABP Ananda holds number one spot in Bengal with 29.5 per cent market share and massive 10.5-point lead

    ABP Ananda holds number one spot in Bengal with 29.5 per cent market share and massive 10.5-point lead

    MUMBAI: News may change by the hour, but in Bengal, the top channel barely budged. ABP Ananda ended FY 2024-25 with a knockout 29.5 per cent market share, claiming the number one slot in West Bengal’s Bengali news scene. According to BARC (ABC 15+, Full Day), it was 10.5 percentage points ahead of its nearest rival, News18 Bangla.

    For 48 out of 53 weeks, the channel sat smugly at the top, leaving competitors to play musical chairs beneath it. Even Week 14 of FY 2025-26 kicked off strong, with ABP Ananda holding 27.9 per cent share. Clearly, the throne isn’t up for grabs just yet.

    Behind the big numbers is a programming cocktail that’s resonating across Bengal. From the prime-time punch of Ghanta Khanek Sange Suman to the debate-driven Jukti Takko, ABP Ananda keeps the conversation relevant. Meanwhile, specials like Sera Bengali and Khaibaar Pass have added spice to the line-up, appealing to cultural sensibilities beyond hard news.

    Election sagas, Durga Puja marathons, and economic updates—ABP Ananda covered them all and did it with a consistency that kept viewers locked in. With 90 per cent of the fiscal year spent at number one, the channel hasn’t just built reach; it’s built trust.

    Here’s the final FY 2024-25 leaderboard:

    .  ABP Ananda: 29.5 per cent

    .  News18 Bangla: 19.0 per cent

    .  R. Bangla: 15.6 per cent

    .  TV9 Bangla: 13.2 per cent

    .  Zee 24 Ghanta: 9.3 per cent

    And Week 14 of FY 2025-26 is off to a similar tune:

    .  ABP Ananda: 27.9 per cent

    .   News18 Bangla: 23.9 per cent

    .   R. Bangla: 14.6 per cent

    .  TV9 Bangla: 11.1 per cent

    .  Zee 24 Ghanta: 10.7 per cent

    As for what’s next? More interactive formats and community-driven storytelling are on the agenda. 

  • Star Utsav returns with a bang and 111 million hearts in just 11 days

    Star Utsav returns with a bang and 111 million hearts in just 11 days

    MUMBAI: Star Utsav has pulled off a prime-time power move, clocking a staggering 111 million viewers in just 11 days of its 1 April 2025 return to Free Dish, reclaiming its spot as India’s No. 1 Free-to-Air (FTA) channel. The comeback couldn’t have been scripted better driven by its beloved lineup of shows including RadhaKrishn, Rabba Ve, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, and Ghum Hai Kisi Ke Pyaar Mein.

    The channel now proudly wears the crown of the top FTA network and sits as the 4th biggest channel overall in Hindi Speaking Markets (HSM) combining both Pay and FTA viewership across urban and rural audiences.

    “We are humbled by the overwhelming response received for Star Utsav. With our strong portfolio of professionally generated and brand-safe content, we are proud to bring families together through inspiring and entertaining stories. We are committed todelivering the best of entertainment to our audiences and look forward to continuing this incredible journey on DD Free Dish with even more compelling content and meaningful connections,” said a Star Utsav spokesperson.

    Star Utsav’s magic lies in its diverse mix from sweeping mythological epics to modern dramas, all deeply rooted in Indian ethos. These stories have once again proved their universal appeal, cutting across regions and age groups.

    As part of the JioStar family, Star Utsav continues to blend nostalgia and novelty reinforcing its treasured place in living rooms across the country. With storytelling that strikes an emotional chord, the channel’s FTA resurgence is not just a ratings win, it’s a cultural encore.

    Looks like India’s favourite Utsav is back, and this time, it’s festival season all year round.

  • Pitch perfect ads depend on playbook of who’s watching, not just how many

    Pitch perfect ads depend on playbook of who’s watching, not just how many

    MUMBAI: It’s not just sixes and wickets grabbing attention this IPL season brands are battling it out on screen too. But as the latest findings from the eDART-IPL25 study reveal, when it comes to scoring with audiences, it’s the messaging not just the media buy that makes all the difference.

    Now in its third week, the ongoing research initiative by CrispInsight and Kadence International has surveyed over 20,000 IPL viewers across 60 plus cities. The insights show a compelling demographic divide in brand recall, indicating that different audience segments are tuning into very different cues even during the same match.

    Women viewers, often overlooked in traditional sports marketing strategies, are proving to be strong recall drivers in everyday categories. Seventeen per cent of women respondents remembered food and snack brands, while 6 per cent recalled two-wheeler ads and 3 per cent remembered personal care categories.

    By contrast, men gravitated more toward traditionally male-skewed IPL categories, with 21per cent recalling automobile ads, 48 per cent fantasy sports, 16 per cent tyres, and 6 per cent financial services.

    Age also played a starring role. Viewers aged 15–19 years were highly responsive to fantasy sports (39 per cent) and beverage brands (23 per cent), whereas those aged 45 plus showed stronger recall for banking (29 per cent), liquor (21 per cent), and e-commerce (18 per cent). The study’s Day-After Recall (DAR) method tracked which ads actually stuck with viewers, and the results reveal a powerful insight: relevance trumps repetition.

    This isn’t just about what’s shown during the match, it’s about what resonates with the audience on a deeper level. Advertisers often focus on visibility, but what truly drives recall is the alignment between a brand’s message and the values, preferences, and lifestyle of the viewer. Our study shows that when brands engage with women or youth-focused categories, even in traditionally underrepresented sectors, they have the potential to create a lasting connection,” said a spokesperson from CrispInsight. “In this competitive ad space, it’s not just the volume of ads that matters, but how well those ads connect with specific audiences.”

    Women are an underleveraged audience in sports marketing,” added Kadence International partner at Aman Makkar. “Brands in categories like snacks, wellness, and mobility should seize this opportunity. A more inclusive approach to IPL advertising could drive meaningful engagement across a broader demographic.”

    Even among the same telecast, brand impressions vary drastically across demographics. Categories like fantasy sports and automobiles benefit from sheer visibility. But sectors such as food, mobility, and wellness often punch above their weight when the storytelling clicks particularly with women and Gen Z viewers.

    As the league intensifies, the eDART-IPL25 study reminds advertisers that winning hearts isn’t about shouting the loudest, but about speaking the most clearly to the right audience. And in the world’s most-watched cricket carnival, that might just be the winning formula.

  • Supernova Star Search to drop the mic with India’s boldest indie music talent hunt yet

    Supernova Star Search to drop the mic with India’s boldest indie music talent hunt yet

    MUMBAI: India’s indie music scene just got a power chord to the chest. Grammy voting member Bobby “Beebob” Baskaran and music composer Richard Dudley are cranking the volume with Supernova Star Search – a high-octane national competition set to find and launch the country’s next big independent music sensations.

    This isn’t your average singing contest with weepy judges and sob stories. Supernova comes loaded with a Rs 1 crore prize pool, immersive XR tech from the eyeora platform, celebrity mentors, and a roadmap to stardom. The south India edition kicks off in May 2025, with western and northern India following suit through the year.

    The semi-finals and finals? Think stadium energy with industry firepower.

    “Supernova is more than a competition—it’s a platform for India’s hidden talent to explode into stardom,” said Moksha 360 co-founder Richard Andrew. “We’re building an ecosystem where artists are given the tools and mentorship to grow on both national and global stages.”

    With Bobby Baskaran’s Moksha legacy and Grammy-tier cred, and Dudley’s production prowess, the duo have built Supernova under the Moksha 360 banner—an ambitious venture geared towards reshaping India’s indie music industry. The plan? Put creators first and make viral fame sustainable.

    The structure of the competition pulls no punches:

    . A total prize pool of Rs 1 crore including cash, music production, video shoots, and national PR

    . Auditions hosted on eyeora XR, with public voting keeping it spicy

    . Live semi-finals and finals with celeb judges and seasoned industry mentors

    . Artist development contracts under Moksha 360 with full-spectrum management, audio and video production, and global visibility

    “As a lifelong musician and mentor, I know the struggles independent artists face. Supernova Star Search is our answer-a bold, creative, and tech-driven space for raw talent to thrive,” said Beebob.

    Backing the initiative are heavy-hitting partners: Alliance Française as venue host, Total Productions managing event logistics, and Radio Indigo amplifying the buzz.

    The organisers promise an indie revolution. They’re here to launch careers, spark trends, and possibly melt a few amps along the way.

    If you’ve got the pipes, lyrics or loops that deserve a national stage, Supernova might just be your launchpad. If not, grab the popcorn-this is going to be a show.

     

  • India Matters breaks the noise as NDTV 24×7 unveils new prime-time show

    India Matters breaks the noise as NDTV 24×7 unveils new prime-time show

    MUMBAI: NDTV 24×7 is shaking up the 8 pm slot with the launch of India Matters, its latest prime-time programme that promises sharp reporting, no-nonsense commentary, and a fearless take on the day’s defining headlines. The show premieres tonight, hosted by acclaimed journalist Shiv Aroor.

    Known for his expertise in defence and strategic affairs, Aroor brings a piercing perspective to India Matters, one that doesn’t just deliver the news, it challenges it. Opinionated, sardonic, and surgically analytical, the show aims to cut through spin, rhetoric, and posturing to put facts and accountability front and centre.

    From politics and policy to public sentiment and national security, India Matters doesn’t just report the news, it interrogates it. With Shiv Aroor’s deep expertise in defence and strategic affairs, viewers can expect unmatched clarity, credibility, and context.

    Set to air weekdays at 8:00 pm, India Matters will dissect not just what happened, but why it happened, who benefits, and what it means for the everyday Indian.

    With India’s newsrooms often crowded with echo chambers, India Matters arrives as a sharp outlier, one that invites discomfort, debate, and depth. From national security to social unrest, the programme brings an insider’s clarity and a critic’s candour to the table.

    As viewers increasingly seek substance over spectacle, India Matters hopes to fill the vacuum with bold, intelligent storytelling that holds power to account and demands better answers for the people who deserve them.

    So, if you’re tired of the noise and looking for nuance, your nightly appointment begins now. India Matters, with Shiv Aroor, airs weekdays at 8PM on NDTV 24×7.

  • Mumbai’s cricket carnival returns with new owners and a Hitman’s touch

    Mumbai’s cricket carnival returns with new owners and a Hitman’s touch

    MUMBAI: Mumbai’s domestic T20 bandwagon is finally rolling again, with the city’s cricket association unveiling two deep-pocketed new franchise owners and a star-studded face for its revival season. Roadway Solutions India Infra Ltd has stumped up a whopping Rs 82 crore to secure the Sobo Mumbai Falcons, while Royal Edge Sports & Entertainment has shelled out Rs 57 crore to take control of the Mumbai South Central outfit.

    The much-anticipated third edition, returning after a six-year innings break, will be fronted by none other than Mumbai’s favourite son and India’s World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma. The “Hitman” was on hand Friday to unveil the tournament trophy and lend his considerable clout to proceedings.

    “Our domestic structure has always been the foundation of Indian cricket’s success,” said Sharma, who has gone from Mumbai’s maidans to global stardom. “Leagues like T20 Mumbai play a significant role in that journey. They serve as platforms that uncover new talent and provide young players with the exposure they need. Mumbai has a rich cricketing legacy, and we’ve seen some incredible players emerge from here I’m confident the third season will be a memorable experience—not just for the players, but for the fans as well.”

    The league, scheduled to bowl off on 26 May, appears to have struck a chord with cricket-mad Mumbaikars, attracting over 2,800 player registrations. It will maintain its eight-team format, with the two new ownership groups joining six established franchises: North Mumbai Panthers, Arcs Andheri, Triumph Knights Mumbai North East, Namo Bandra Blasters, Eagle Thane Strikers and Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs.

    “We are proud to announce Rohit Sharma as the face of the T20 Mumbai League,” gushed Ajinkya Naik, president of the Mumbai Cricket Association. “His remarkable achievements reflect the core values of Mumbai cricket—grit, determination, hard work, and ambition.”

    The tournament has previously served as a launching pad for several players who have since made their mark at higher levels, including Indian internationals Shivam Dube and Tushar Deshpande. Organisers are banking on this third edition to unearth the next generation of cricket stars from Mumbai’s talent-rich soil.

    After years spent watching from the pavilion, Mumbai’s cricket faithful can finally pad up for some local T20 fireworks next month—and with Rs 139 crore of fresh investment and Rohit Sharma’s star power behind it, the tournament looks set to send the ball flying into the stands.

  • Star Health bowls over fans with SRH tie-up for wellness and protection

    Star Health bowls over fans with SRH tie-up for wellness and protection

    MUMBAI: In a pitch-perfect move, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. has teamed up with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) as their official health insurance partner for the ongoing 2025 T20 League. With this partnership, Star Health isn’t just chasing runs, it’s chasing healthier lifestyles, one over at a time.

    As the country’s leading private health insurer, Star Health is leveraging cricket’s mass appeal to drive home the message of wellness and protection. Through this association with SRH, the brand aims to bowl over millions of fans with awareness on health insurance and the importance of safeguarding one’s well-being.

    Star Health Insurance MD & CEO Anand Roy said, “We are delighted to associate with Sunrisers Hyderabad in this T20 league, as this partnership perfectly reflects our three core values: customer centricity, trust and transparency. This league which is in its 18th season, is not just a celebration of cricket, but also a platform that brings together millions of people across the country, echoing our commitment to putting customers at the heart of everything we do. Just as the players and teams earn the trust of their fans through dedication and integrity, we strive to build lasting trust with our customers through reliable service and transparent processes. This collaboration is a testament to our shared belief in these values, both on the pitch and in everyday life, and we look forward to supporting the team and the tournament while championing what matters most to our customers.”

    Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K. Shanmugam said, “We place the highest priority on the players’ and staff’s health and fitness. Through this partnership, we wish to inspire cricket fans worldwide to prioritize their health by investing in health insurance that offers enhanced benefits, comprehensive protection, and greater peace of mind. Our dedication to our team’s overall well-being is imperative to deliver exceptional outcomes. Star Health Insurance, India’s largest retail health insurance company, through this collaboration will give our team the backing they need to succeed both on and off the field.”

    As part of the association, Star Health has launched the campaign #Healthkaextracover featuring SRH players like Ishan Kishan, Jaydev Unadkat, Rahul Chahar, and Harshal Patel. The campaign taps into cricket’s universal popularity to spark conversations about everyday wellness and the need for comprehensive health coverage.

    With T20 fever in full swing and fans cheering for every six and wicket, this tie-up reminds audiences that taking guard for your health is just as important as taking guard on the pitch.