ITV

Category: Television

  • Banijay Asia secures BBC Studios’ format rights in India

    Banijay Asia secures BBC Studios’ format rights in India

    MUMBAI: The Deepak Dhar-headed Banijay Asia has been appointed as the exclusive production partner for BBC Studios’ formats in India, following BBC’s exit from local production in the market.

    The multi-year agreement gives Banijay Asia exclusive rights to BBC Studios’ catalogue of scripted and unscripted formats, including The 1% Club, Dancing with the Stars, The Office and Ghosts.

    Banijay Asia has established itself as a leading format adaptor in India, having successfully produced local versions of global hits like MasterChef, Big Brother, and more recently, The Night Manager and Call My Agent: Bollywood.

    The deal strengthens Banijay Asia’s format portfolio as BBC Studios shifts its India strategy from direct production to licensing partnerships.

     And it brings Dhar closer to his long cherished  dream and vision of making Banijay the largest format licensing and production studio  in India. 

  • ITV Network Appoints Abhay Ojha as CEO

    ITV Network Appoints Abhay Ojha as CEO

    MUMBAI: ITV Network has appointed Abhay Ojha as chief executive officer for its television, print, digital and sports league business.

    Abhay brings over 25 years of experience across media and FMCG sectors, having previously worked with Zee Media, Star India, Zee Entertainment, Turner and Hindustan Unilever.

    Abhay’s expertise spans multiple industries, including media, FMCG, e-commerce, and financial modeling. He is a skilled change catalyst and financial strategist with a strong background in business management, digital transformation, investments, new business acquisition, and startups.

    Throughout his career, Abhay has successfully led multiple companies through digital transformations, resulting in millions of dollars in profit. His entrepreneurial spirit, passion for innovation, and strong business acumen have enabled him to achieve unprecedented success in launching new businesses.

    “His exceptional leadership skills and business acumen make him ideal to drive our organisation’s growth,” said ITV Foundation chairperson Aishwarya Pandit.

    “It’s an honor to join ITV network, an institution I have long admired and respected. I am drawn to ITV network because of the organisation’s clarity and consistency of purpose and am very excited to partner with the outstanding leadership team to lead the company into the future,” expressed Abhay.

    Abhay  holds a bachelor’s degree in science from Indore and a master’s in business management from IGNOU. In his new role, he will oversee the network’s expansion across multiple platforms and lead its digital transformation initiatives

  • MIP London set to welcome over 2,000 delegates

    MIP London set to welcome over 2,000 delegates

    MUMBAI: MIP London is on track to welcome more than 2,000 delegates from 75 countries for its inaugural edition, with strong representation from Europe, North America, Turkey, MENA, Latin America and Asia, said RX France entertainment division director Lucy Smith in an interview to World Screen News. 

    The event has confirmed country pavilions from Belgium, China, France, Korea and Spain, alongside more than 30 Canadian companies supported by Telefilm Canada and SODEC. Major companies including Boat Rocker, DLT Entertainment, Electric Entertainment, Global Agency, Moonbug Entertainment, Movistar Plus+ and Raw Cut have joined previously announced participants A+E Networks, Al Jazeera, Beta Film and others.

    “More than 900 buyers are registered across all genres, with approximately one-third being first-time visitors to London,” said Lucy. “The event has attracted significant interest from digital-first players, FAST channels, AVoD platforms and CTV operators.”

    The conference programme features over 50 speakers from major media companies including BBC, TF1, ZDF, Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube and TikTok. Highlights include Talpa Studios’ launch of new talent format The Headliner, showcases of Asian formats, and a world premiere screening of crypto-currency drama Paper Empire.

    A special fireside chat with David Beckham and Netflix’s Bela Bajaria will take place on the main stage, while the opening cocktail event will feature performances from West End shows including Hamilton and The Lion King.
    The five-day event, priced at £500 for registration, aims to complement existing industry gatherings in London and create additional business opportunities for the content industry.

  • First Amar Chitra Katha woman scriptwriter Kamala Chandrakant passes on

    First Amar Chitra Katha woman scriptwriter Kamala Chandrakant passes on

    MUMBAI: Writers are a much-in-demand breed. Good scriptwriters even more so. Almost every studio head would give an arm and a leg to get a brilliant one on board.

    And imagine what one would feel when we lose one of them. Just ask Amar Chitra Katha CEO & president Preeti Vyas and she will tell you it bites deep, it hurts so much. Her studio has just lost Kamala Chandrakant – a feisty writer of the seventies, eighties and nineties.

    Said Preeti in a tribute to the powerhouse of a teller of stories many of us have grown up reading:

    “We are deeply saddened by the passing away of Kamala Chandrakant, the first woman scriptwriter of Amar Chitra Katha, on 9  Feb, 2025. She was 84. None of us in the present team have worked with Kamala but her stories are legendary.” 

    “Known to be a courageous woman, who thought way ahead of her times, we’ve heard of the many spirited arguments she had with Uncle Pai on why women heroes deserved more space in the comics. She was the scriptwriter for most of the Mahabharata series and for hundreds of other titles.

    “Kamala will always be remembered with awe, respect and affection by our team.”

    RIP Kamala! Your stories will continue to educate generations to come!

    (B&W Picture of Kamala Chandrakant courtesy Preeti Vyas; Kamala has passed on even as the ScreenWrters Association is set to kick off its annual confab on 14 February in Mumbai )

  • Rewind to launch Hits & Hits Movies on Hong Kong’s Now TV

    Rewind to launch Hits & Hits Movies on Hong Kong’s Now TV

    MUMBAI: Come 14 February, Entertainment network Rewind Networks’ Hits and Hits Movies will hit Hong Kong’s pay TV platform Now TV.  Now TV subscribers will enjoy Hits on channel 513 and Hits Movies on channel 119 as part of the western signature pack.

    Hits brings a collection of classic Hollywood television series – from nostalgic dramas and comedies such as the Six Million Dollar Man, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Marple, Frasier, and Gilligan’s Island to procedural favourites like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Homicide: Life on the Street and CSI: Crime Scene Investigations.

    Hits Movies, in high definition, will showcase blockbuster films spanning from the 1960s to the early 2000s, including action hits like Top Gun, timeless westerns such as High Noon and Once Upon a Time in the west, and special programming for international women’s day featuring films with strong female leads like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Aeon Flux.

    Rewind Networks CEO Avi Himatsinghani said: “We are excited to partner with Now TV to bring Hits and Hits Movies to Hong Kong. at Rewind Networks, we believe in the power of timeless entertainment. This launch marks a significant milestone as we connect audiences with the shows and movies they love.”

  • RR Kabel powers up KKR partnership in a high-voltage comeback

    RR Kabel powers up KKR partnership in a high-voltage comeback

    MUMBAI: Cricket and connections go hand in hand quite literally this season, as RR Kabel recharges its partnership with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a principal sponsor. The leading wires, cables, and consumer electricals brand has inked a multi-year deal, returning for a second innings with KKR after its initial collaboration in 2021. With branding set to feature on the right chest of all KKR team kits, RR Kabel aims to spark greater brand recognition, particularly in Eastern India, while riding the wave of cricket’s unmatched popularity.

    For RR Kabel, the partnership isn’t just about visibility, it’s about powering the spirit of resilience, ambition, and excellence, much like the ethos of the three-time IPL champions. RR Global director Kirti Kabra, highlighted the synergy, stating, “Cricket is where passion, energy, and performance come alive values that align perfectly with RR Kabel. KKR embodies resilience and ambition, making them the ideal partner for us. This collaboration isn’t just a sponsorship; it’s about being part of something that excites and unites millions.”

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore welcomed RR Kabel back, saying, “Their continued association reflects the strong synergy between our values and vision. We look forward to strengthening this partnership and creating a lasting impact both on and off the field.”

    As KKR gears up for another thrilling IPL season, RR Kabel’s high-voltage branding push ensures that its presence will be felt beyond the stadium, reaching millions of cricket fans worldwide. With this dynamic partnership, RR Kabel is set to illuminate the cricketing stage, proving once again that the right connections both in sport and industry make all the difference.

  • TVU Networks levels up Kumbh Mela coverage with game-changing tech!

    TVU Networks levels up Kumbh Mela coverage with game-changing tech!

    MUMBAI: Imagine a sea of 450 million devotees, converging at the sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, all seeking spiritual awakening—and now, imagine broadcasting that spectacle live, without a hitch. TVU Networks has done just that.

    This year’s Maha Kumbh Mela, held in Prayagraj, India, from 13 January to 26 February 2025, posed an Everest-sized challenge to broadcasters. The sheer scale of the event—hordes of pilgrims, signal-clogging mobile devices, and unpredictable terrain—demanded a broadcasting solution as powerful as the festival itself. TVU Networks delivered, deploying a trifecta of game-changing technologies that ensured seamless live coverage despite massive network congestion and rugged conditions.

    Three powerhouse solutions

    1. TVU One backpacks – Mobile Mastery TVU’s field teams wielded TVU One backpacks, transforming even the busiest bathing ghats into makeshift studios. Featuring TVU’s patented Inverse StatMux Plus (IS+) transmission technology, HEVC format smart VBR encoding, and Forward Error Correction (FEC), these power-packed units enabled reporters to transmit crystal-clear video—even in the heart of the most crowded ritual sites.

    TVU One backpacks

    2. TVU MLink transmitters – The Network Workhorses Broadcasting from a moving sea of people? No problem. TVU MLink transmitters, housed in strategically positioned broadcast vehicles, flexed their multi-network muscles, seamlessly aggregating 5G, 4G, Wifi, and ethernet. These high-tech hubs ensured rock-solid signal stability, even when millions of mobile devices strained the airwaves.

    TVU One backpacks

    3. TVU Rack router 5G – The Ultimate Command Centre Temporary studios at Kumbh Mela ran on TVU Rack Router 5G, a six-network behemoth supporting speeds up to one gbps. By integrating satellite, microwave, Wifi, and ethernet into one rock-solid connection, it provided reliable internet access, keeping production teams fully equipped and on-air.

    TVU

    “We are incredibly proud to provide the technological backbone for broadcasting this historic spiritual gathering,” said TVU Networks general manager for south Asia, Subodh Aggarwal. “Our solutions were specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges of the Kumbh Mela—from massive network congestion to the need for both mobile and fixed broadcasting positions. The successful implementation showcases our commitment to delivering reliable, cutting-edge broadcasting solutions even in the most demanding environments.”

    This achievement cements TVU Networks’ position as an industry leader in live broadcasting. The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 was not just a test of faith for the devotees—it was a trial by fire for media technology, and TVU Networks emerged victorious, setting a new gold standard for large-scale event coverage in India and beyond.

  • India’s Waves conference finally scheduled from 1-4 May 2025

    India’s Waves conference finally scheduled from 1-4 May 2025

    MUMBAI: It required the intervention of some of the top industrialists and entertainment executives from India and globally, the information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and most of all the prime minister Narendra Modi to nail the final dates for the inaugural  World Audiovisual Entertainment Summit (Waves). Vaishnaw announced on 8 February that Waves would be held from 1-4 May 2025 in Mumbai.

    And the venue: the fabulous JioWorld Convention Centre and the JioWorld Gardens in the famous Bandra-Kurla Complex.

    Said Vaishnaw on X: India is laying the foundation for becoming the creative powerhouse of the world! #WAVES2025 Following an inspiring meeting of the Advisory Board with the PM  @narendramodiJi, the 1st World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) is levelling up to make India the global content hub! This summit will bring together the world’s top media CEOs, biggest entertainment icons, and creative minds from across the globe—unifying entertainment, creativity, and culture like never before! Mark your calendars. Pack your dreams. Get ready to ride the WAVES! 1st – 4th May 2025 .”

    Industry, can be assured now that Modi and Vaishnaw have stamped the dates, there will be no further postponments going forward like there were twice in the past.

  • Anjali Sud and her big free TV bet with Super Bowl LIX

    Anjali Sud and her big free TV bet with Super Bowl LIX

    MUMBAI: Anjali Sud loves going on the offensive and throwing big and wide. Rarely, has she failed to get a touch down during her career no matter how bold her move. The former rather young CEO of Vimeo – who transformed the service into one valued at hundreds of millions of dollars –  and current Tubi CEO, is once again putting herself to the test – she is pressing the pedal on free streaming television.

    Said she on Linkedin: “I believe in the power of video. I have dedicated my next chapter to empowering audiences with free, frictionless entertainment at Tubi. Viewers deserve fewer barriers, more joy and greater diversity in storytelling. As the most watched free TV streaming service in America, Tubi is committed to defining next generation entertainment.”
    ‘
    Come 9 February and Tubi will be walking her talk and, in her words, “even the walk when it will stream the Super Bowl LIX, free in 4K, for US audiences.” 

     

    Anjali SudThe game will be played between American Football Conference (AFC) champion and two-time defending Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs, and National Football Conference (NFC) champion, the Philadelphia Eagles.  For traditional TV watchers, the action on the green will be aired on  Fox Sports with over 100 cameras being used for filming, including a new 4K, 240 Hz model from Sony as its high skycam. The lower skycam will employ the use of lidar and simultaneous localisation and mapping (Slam) technology to provide more precise tracking of its position, data which will primarily be used to improve the performance of augmented reality (AR) graphics. The game will be made available with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound on Comcast Xfinity.

    Sud revealed that it will be a series of firsts for Tubi at America’s biggest sporting event: “from the first-ever Tubi Red Carpet featuring the fashion and celebrity surrounding the game (including the ability to shop the trends from your phone!), to wacky Tubi brand spots that cut to the heart of what we stand for, to airing our biggest original ever, The Z-Suite starring Lauren Graham, after the trophy ceremony.”

    She acknowledged that none of this would have been possible “without the boldness, creativity and steady determination of the Tubi team and our excellent partners at FOX Sports. It has been a true effort from all and I couldn’t be more proud to work with people who aren’t afraid to try new things and reach new heights together…especially when it offers a great entertainment experience for millions of Americans.”

    TV spots  are going at $7.5 million to $8 million per 30 second slot. Wow If that is not steep, we wonder what is.

    Could we have Uday Shankar, Sanjog Gupta and gang  take a similar punt with this year’s IPL? 

  • Zee Kannada News Achievers Awards 2025: Honouring Karnataka’s visionaries

    Zee Kannada News Achievers Awards 2025: Honouring Karnataka’s visionaries

    MUMBAI: Karnataka’s finest achievers are set to take the spotlight as Zee Kannada News presents the Zee Kannada News Achievers Awards 2025 on 8 February. This grand celebration will shine a light on visionaries, changemakers, and trailblazers whose relentless dedication is driving Karnataka’s progress across industries.

    With the overwhelming success of Yuvarathna and Veera Kannadiga, this prestigious event returns bigger and bolder, uniting distinguished personalities, industry leaders, and public servants for an evening of recognition and inspiration.

    Leading the charge at this prestigious ceremony will be Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah as the chief guest. Joining him are former CM Sadananda Gowda; Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji; Deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar; and Transport minister Ramalinga Reddy. The event will also feature celebrated icons from entertainment and social spheres, including Priyanka Upendra, Dhruva Sarja, Lakshmi Govindaraju, Poornima Ramkumar, Divyashree, Madhumala SN, and singer Bobby.

    Beyond a glittering affair, the Zee Kannada News Achievers Awards serve as a powerful platform to honour game changers and emerging leaders shaping the future of Karnataka. The awards will highlight contributions across multiple categories, with a special focus on public service & welfare, covering education, MSME, women empowerment, infrastructure, health, and agriculture.

    By celebrating these champions of change, Zee Kannada News reaffirms its commitment to empowering those who make a difference. More than just a trophy, these awards embody a movement—fueling aspirations, fostering innovation, and driving collective progress. The platform stands as a beacon of inspiration for future generations, encouraging them to dream bigger and achieve more.

    Zee Kannada News invites business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and citizens to witness and celebrate Karnataka’s finest achievers. Tune in on 8 February to experience a night of honour, impact, and inspiration!