ITV

Category: Television

  • Times Network shines light on India’s healthcare revolution at 2025 summit

    Times Network shines light on India’s healthcare revolution at 2025 summit

    MUMBAI: It was a healthy dose of optimism and innovation at the Times Network India Health Summit & Awards 2025, where policymakers, doctors, and industry leaders came together to chart the future of Indian healthcare. With 103 winners felicitated, the event celebrated excellence across hospitals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and health-tech.

    Chief guest minister of state for health & family welfare and chemicals & fertilisers government of India Anupriya Patel, set the tone with an inspiring address highlighting how far India’s healthcare system has come and how much further it aims to go.

    “India’s healthcare system has undergone a profound transformation,” she said, noting that spending has nearly doubled from 1.1 per cent to 2 per cent of GDP, with the government targeting 2.5 per cent under the National Health Policy 2017. She lauded flagship programmes like Ayushman Bharat PM-Jay, which offers Rs 5 lakh free health coverage to over 62 crore citizens, and Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs, which have already crossed 81 crore registrations.

    From doubling the number of medical colleges and Aiims institutions to slashing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, Patel underscored that “these numbers aren’t just statistics, they represent hope, access, and dignity for millions.”

    The summit also marked the launch of Times Network’s Hospital Rankings: a data-backed initiative to empower patients with greater transparency and informed choice. The first phase unveiled the All-India top five group of multi specialty hospitals.

    With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and preventive care, discussions at the summit spotlighted how AI diagnostics, telemedicine, and collaborative public-private models are redefining India’s healthcare landscape.

    Powered by Intas, co-powered by Novartis and All Out, and supported by MGR University, FIT India, Onextel, Nuvama, and Heights, the event reaffirmed one message loud and clear: India’s healthcare revolution isn’t just underway, it’s accelerating.
     

  • Zee Live turns up the volume on Marathi pride

    Zee Live turns up the volume on Marathi pride

    MUMBAI: Move over quiet weekends, Pune’s about to feel the beat of Marathi pride. Zee Entertainment Enterprises has cranked up the decibels on culture with the launch of “Marathi Vajlach Pahije” (MVP), the first flagship event under its new experiential vertical, Zee Live, in partnership with World of Vibes.

    Set to take place on 12 October 2025 at Phoenix Market City, Pune, MVP is no ordinary concert, it’s a full-blown celebration of Marathi youth, rhythm, and rebellion, bringing together over 40 artists from the state’s thriving hip-hop and indie scenes. Expect names like Kratex, Sanju Rathod, Shreyas & Vedang, MC Gawthi, and Patya the Doc to turn the stage into a creative battleground where beats meet identity.

    The festival promises to be a collision of tradition and modern swagger, as today’s Marathi creators remix their heritage with street art, spoken word, and music that speaks straight from the mohalla.

    To amplify its reach beyond the mosh pit, Zee Live has teamed up with Marathi Zee5, taking the festival digital with exclusive content, artist stories, and behind-the-scenes footage, ensuring the cultural pulse of MVP reverberates far beyond Pune.

    “This is not just an event; it’s an expression of a generation,” said Zee Live business head Gareth Eswin Thomas. “Marathi Vajlach Pahije captures the rhythm of youth, energy that can’t be contained, only celebrated.”

    Marathi Zee5 and Zee Marathi business head V.R. Hema added, “By giving these young artists both a local and global stage, we’re not just showcasing music, we’re spotlighting their stories and dreams. MVP marks the next era of regional storytelling: bold, proud and rooted.”

    Presented by Zee Live, Marathi Zee5 and World of Vibes, the Festival of MVP is ready to tune Maharashtra into its most vibrant frequency yet. Tickets are live on Bookmyshow, with extra content dropping on Marathi Zee5 for fans who like their beats served with a side of pride.

  • Balaji Telefilms stirs up drama with food and family

    Balaji Telefilms stirs up drama with food and family

    MUMBAI: Get ready to spice up your screen time! Balaji Telefilms is back with its latest Youtube original, Saas Bahu Aur Swaad, premiering October 7, blending family drama with the irresistible aroma of home-cooked nostalgia.

    Set in the vibrant city of Agra, the series follows Indu Rastogi, a devoted homemaker whose cooking keeps the family together, even if her efforts often go unnoticed. Enter Riya, the spirited new bahu with dreams of carving her own identity. What starts as a clash of values soon turns into unexpected companionship when Riya discovers Indu’s hidden culinary talent. Together, they navigate a world where age-old traditions meet modern aspirations, served with laughter, warmth, and plenty of relatable family moments.

    Starring Chahat Pandey and Abhishek Malik in lead roles, the show also features Shaktee Singh, Mahi Sharma, Seema Singh, Kushal Shah, and Shreya Acharya. It promises a perfect festive-season watch that is light-hearted yet emotional, nostalgic yet fresh.

    Balaji Telefilms Digital group chief revenue officer Nitin Burman said, “This series celebrates women, families, and the everyday magic that happens around the dining table. Audiences will join the Rastogi family for a story filled with warmth, humour, and flavour.”

    Chahat Pandey added, “Riya’s journey celebrates every woman who dares to dream big. The mix of humour, heartfelt moments, and food makes the show so relatable, and I can’t wait for viewers to laugh, cry, and cheer along with us.”

    Abhishek Malik, playing Karan, reflected, “Karan represents the modern Indian son and husband, balancing tradition and progress. The show is full of laughter, food, and genuine emotion, and I hope it sparks empathy and a few surprises for viewers.”

    With its unique blend of heartfelt storytelling, humour, and the comfort of home-cooked nostalgia, Saas Bahu Aur Swaad is set to become a must-watch for families everywhere. Episodes stream every Tuesday and Thursday, exclusively on the Balaji Telefilms Youtube Channel.

  • Rudy fires poll shot on Live Times’ Point Blank

    Rudy fires poll shot on Live Times’ Point Blank

    MUMBAI: It was no political tea break on Point Blank, it was all straight talk. Senior BJP leader and former union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy declared that the people of Bihar have already made up their minds in favour of the NDA, as he joined journalist Deepak Chaurasia for an exclusive interview on Live Times’ flagship prime-time show Point Blank.

    Confident and composed, Rudy claimed the alliance was poised for a comfortable victory in the upcoming state polls, adding that “the mood on the ground is clear and consistent.”

    Live Times founder Dilip Singh, said the episode aims to bring a “fresh and factual perspective” to the political narrative ahead of the Bihar elections. “Point Blank isn’t about sensationalism; it’s about hearing the truth directly from the source,” he noted.

    Viewers can catch the full interview on 5 October at 8 PM exclusively on Live Times, India’s first global multicast news hub, available on DD Free Dish (100), Tata Play (539), Airtel Digital TV (385), Dish TV (665), Sikka Cable (519), and Jio TV (359).

    The show can also be streamed live on the Live Times website and social platforms including Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    Because when it comes to Bihar’s ballot buzz, Live Times promises exactly what it stands for: complete truth, whatever it takes.

  • Cricket’s ruling body wants women to hack the future of sports technology

    Cricket’s ruling body wants women to hack the future of sports technology

    DUBAI: Cricket’s mandarins have never been mistaken for tech visionaries. But the International Cricket Council is taking a punt on innovation with Beyond Boundaries, a worldwide hackathon that demands every competing team include at least one woman—and promises cold, hard cash to the best all-female squad.

    The challenge, powered by Ignyte, a Dubai-based start-up accelerator, runs through 2025–2026 and invites students, start-ups and scale-ups to reimagine sport in the age of artificial intelligence. Though anchored in cricket, the hackathon welcomes ideas spanning any sport. The grand finale arrives in January 2026, when the most promising teams will pitch their wares on an international stage.

    Winners will pocket prize money, gain access to mentors and industry heavyweights, and—crucially—get pilot opportunities with the ICC and its partners to test their solutions in real sporting arenas. That is no small carrot for ambitious founders looking to crack a multi-billion-dollar industry.

    The competition zeroes in on three areas. First, boosting visibility and engagement for women’s sports through digital platforms and AI-driven fan models. Second, crafting next-generation experiences for younger audiences with interactive, personalised tech. Third, improving athlete health, performance and inclusivity using wearables, machine learning and smart analytics.

    Applications close on 19 December 2025. The ICC’s bet is simple: get more women into sports tech, and everyone wins. In a sector long dominated by blokes, that would count as boundary-breaking indeed.

  • Sony sets the Adedge to put small brands on India’s biggest TV stage

    Sony sets the Adedge to put small brands on India’s biggest TV stage

    MUMBAI: Who says prime-time dreams are only for big spenders? Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is handing small and mid-sized businesses the remote control to the country’s most-watched shows. In partnership with Accenture, the network has launched Sony Adedge Centre of Excellence (CoE), a new-age advertising platform designed to lower the barriers of price and scale for growth-hungry Indian brands.

    From Kaun Banega Crorepati and Indian Idol to CID and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Adedge lets SMBs step into TV’s most coveted slots, but with the agility, measurability, and flexibility of digital campaigns. The idea? To democratise advertising so India’s smaller players can rub shoulders with the big guns.

    AdEdge combines SPNI’s storytelling heft with Accenture’s AI-driven targeting, analytics, and media strategy expertise, helping brands design campaigns that are both mass-reaching and outcome-driven. Think of it as giving emerging advertisers the muscle of TV and the brains of data, all without breaking the bank.

    “We’re not just opening the doors of TV to SMBs, we’re reimagining how growing brands can leverage India’s most powerful media assets at the right scale, with the right tools, and at the right price,” said SPNI MD & CEO Gaurav Banerjee calling SMBs the next big frontier for Indian advertising.

    Accenture’s Berjesh Chawla echoed the sentiment: “By placing the power of data-driven advertising into the hands of SMBs, we are unlocking full-funnel, cross-platform opportunities that are accessible, flexible, and profitable for emerging businesses.”

    With a consultative model, flexible buying options, and post-campaign measurement baked in, Adedge is setting the stage for smaller advertisers to shine big. After all, in a country where cricket scores, reality show drama, and family sitcoms rule living rooms, it’s only fair that SMBs now get a piece of the spotlight.

  • Breakfast’s back on the pitch with Season 9 serve

    Breakfast’s back on the pitch with Season 9 serve

    MUMBAI: The toast of cricket talk shows is back, and it’s serving fresh stories with a side of wit. Oaktree Sports has announced the return of Breakfast with Champions for its much-awaited ninth season, hosted by the ever-charming Gaurav Kapur.

    Presented by Pop UPI and styled by Peter England, the new season premieres this October exclusively on Youtube, promising more laughter, locker-room confessions and heart behind the hustle.

    From Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya to Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Gavaskar, the show has already dished out some of the sport’s most unguarded conversations. This season, it’s going beyond the boundary, with cricketing stars joined by champions from other arenas, starting with Abhishek Sharma.

    “Every season of Breakfast with Champions has grown in scale and soul,” said Oaktree Sports founder Gaurav Kapur. “What began as casual chats has become a celebration of the human side of sport.”

    Pop UPI founder Bhargav Errangi added, “Just like our Popcoins reward loyalty, Breakfast with Champions rewards its audience with authenticity. It’s all about consistency and excellence, just like champions themselves.”

    Adding polish to the table, Peter England steps in as wardrobe partner with its sleek Gentlemen’s league collection, while brand strategy firm Next Narrative ensures the storytelling remains top-tier.

    With a power-packed guest list, sharp humour and plenty of heart, Breakfast with Champions – Season 9 is all set to remind fans why mornings with Gaurav Kapur are the most entertaining meal in sport.

  • Teen Taal strikes a live note in Lucknow with its 125th episode

    Teen Taal strikes a live note in Lucknow with its 125th episode

    MUMBAI: When Teen Taal talks, India listens and this time, Lucknow gets the front-row seat. Aaj Tak Radio and the chart-topping Hindi podcast is taking its wit and banter offline for a landmark live recording of its 125th episode of Season 2 on Saturday, 4th October 2025. After a roaring success with its 100th episode celebration in Pune which pulled in crowds including fans from abroad, the trio is ready to turn the City of Nawabs into a city of laughs. The stage at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan will come alive at 8:00 pm, as satire, storytelling and sharp observations take centre stage.

    The dynamic trio Kamlesh Kishore Singh (Tau), Kuldeep Mishra (Sardaar) and Asif Khan (Khan Cha) have built a cult following with their clever mix of everyday humour, cultural commentary and unfiltered conversations. Their live shows promise more than just punchlines: fans can expect candid chats, inside jokes, and that unique chemistry that makes Teen Taal India’s No.1 Hindi podcast.

    What makes the event special is the intimacy. Registrations are now open for fans eager to be part of the laughter, stories and surprises woven into this landmark recording. Seats, however, are limited and if the Pune frenzy is anything to go by, the Lucknow evening will be packed to the rafters.

    With over two seasons of chart-topping success on Apple Podcasts and beyond, Teen Taal has turned everyday life into a cultural phenomenon. Episode 125 isn’t just a milestone; it’s a celebration of conversations that resonate far beyond the airwaves.

    So, as the countdown begins, one thing’s certain: in Lucknow, the mic will drop, but the laughs will keep echoing.

  • ET Now Swadesh marks 4 years of trust with ‘Swadesh ke 4 Saal’ special

    ET Now Swadesh marks 4 years of trust with ‘Swadesh ke 4 Saal’ special

    MUMBAI: ET Now Swadesh, India’s fastest-growing Hindi business news channel, is turning four this October, marking the milestone with a day-long programming special themed ‘Swadesh Ke 4 Saal, Bharosa Beshumaar.’

    Since its launch in 2021, ET Now Swadesh has carved out a reputation as the country’s trusted guide for investors, empowering viewers with clear, credible, and actionable insights on markets, mutual funds, and wealth creation. Its mission: linking individual prosperity with India’s financial growth story.

    The anniversary special on 3 October packs in marquee segments featuring India’s sharpest financial minds, from Nilesh Shah (Kotak MF), Radhika Gupta (Edelweiss MF) and Devina Mehra (First Global) to market leaders like Ashish Kumar Chauhan (NSE) and Sundararaman Ramamurthy (BSE). The lineup spans investment strategies, SIP fundamentals, and exclusive conversations with CEOs and fund managers.

    Congratulating the channel, The Times Group MD Vineet Jain said, “In just four years, ET Now Swadesh has helped shape India’s culture of investment, with demat accounts surging from 7 crore to 25 crore since 2020. The channel continues to be a trusted partner in every Indian household’s financial journey.”

    From demystifying the stock market to fostering financial literacy, ET Now Swadesh has consistently positioned itself as more than just a news channel but a driver of financial empowerment.

    As it steps into its fifth year, the channel aims to deepen financial inclusion and deliver sharper insights for India’s growing pool of retail investors. After all, as ET Now Swadesh itself says, “सटीक और निष्पक्ष निवेश सलाह.”

     

  • Alia and Varun double the fun on Two Much couch

    Alia and Varun double the fun on Two Much couch

    MUMBAI: Twice the mischief, twice the magic. Hindi cinema’s beloved duo Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan aka Varia, are all set to light up Prime Video’s Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle this week, bringing their signature mix of chaos and charm.

    From their first-day jitters in Student of the Year to swapping parenting tips and spilling secrets from over a decade of friendship, the pair slip into easy banter that only Kajol and Twinkle can amplify with their trademark wit.

    The episode is a cocktail of nostalgia, laughter and candid confessions as “Varia” revisit their journey from fresh-faced debutants to two of Hindi cinema’s most bankable stars. Expect playful digs, heartfelt moments and plenty of giggles on the couch.

    After a blockbuster premiere with Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle continues to raise the entertainment stakes. Catch the Alia-Varun episode streaming this Thursday on Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories.