ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • This festive season, Comedy Central brings a fun-filled roller coaster ride

    This festive season, Comedy Central brings a fun-filled roller coaster ride

    September 27, 2018: They say laughter is the best medicine and Comedy Central has just what you need to elevate your drab, boring and mundane evenings. Staying true to its proposition Your #HappyPlace brings an array of new shows for you to sit back and enjoy festive October with the promise of a no-dull evening with a brand-new primetime line-up every Monday to Friday from 8 p.m. onwards.
    Comedy Central is all set to sort your stay-in plans this festive season by rehashing their viewers’ cult favourite – Two and a Half Men starting from 28 October Monday to Friday, 9 PM onwards. The channel has curated a special avatar of Charlie Harper, which will be a treat for Indian audience. This man in demand shall give advice on love, relationships, how to pick up girls & his famous un-apologetic quirky one-liners.
    With an aim to engage the audience and build the craze for our very own Charlie Harper, Comedy Central will undertake a robust 360° approach with radio spots, on ground associations and college outreach programs. Using their digital reach, the channel plans to strategically create a social media buzz, making it an impactful campaign.
    Speaking about the new line-up, Hashim D’Souza, Programming Head – English Entertainment, Viacom18 said, “Honoring our commitment to showcasing the biggest comedies & the latest sitcoms, at Comedy Central we always try to keep our viewers entertained with a line-up of blockbuster English comedy shows. Ensuring we are always Your #HappyPlace, our October line up is an exciting mix of super hit sitcoms which will air along with the world and the biggest reality comedies handpicked exclusively for our audience.
    The first in the lineup starting September 28th is Penn & Teller: Fool Us! airing every Monday to Friday at 8 PM and America`s most watched comedy show – Young Sheldon (season 2) that will air at 10 PM every Friday, right after the International Telecast as part of Watch With The World.
    Comedy Central has always delivered on the promise of being your #HappyPlace and 5 days, 5 sitcoms right after the international telecast and a Watch with the World, brand-new primetime line-up proves it.

    The channel has the perfect plan to help viewers kill their Monday blues with a brand-new episodes of ‘Will & Grace’ every Monday at 10 PM and to trigger a laughter riot on Tuesdays with the rib tickling series ‘The Good Place’ at 10 PM. Comedy Central promises to take you down memory lane by (with Murphy Brown, an 80s sitcom that has been revived after 2 decades!) reviving the iconic comedy show, Murphy Brown from the 80s starting 3rd October airing every Wednesday at 10 PM. Further the channel will premiere a new show ‘I Feel Bad’ starring the Indian- American actress Sarayu Rao and Paul Adelstein as the lead actors that will air every Thursday at 10 PM.
    The channel will also premiere season 6 of improvisational comedy show ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’ every Monday to Friday at 8 PM starting 17th October. Comedy Central will save its viewers the trouble of planning their weekends by airing the brand-new season of The Graham Norton Show every Sunday at 9 PM, starting 30th September and the latest season of Saturday Night Live, every Saturday at 9 PM, starting 6th October right after its international telecast!

    So, brace yourselves, for a laughter riot, sit back and enjoy this festive month with your favourite channel Comedy Central.

  • BTVI organizes a ground connect event to mark 100 episodes of its flagship show ‘The MF Guide’.

    BTVI organizes a ground connect event to mark 100 episodes of its flagship show ‘The MF Guide’.

    BTVI (Business Television India) – India’s premiere English business news channel took its pioneering show The MF Guide on ground on Tuesday, 25th September’ 18 in Mumbai.
    The show completed 100 episodes and to mark this milestone, the channel invited its audiences to be a part of the show by inviting them for an on-ground interactive session where fund managers and industry experts shared insights which would help the audience in successful wealth management.
    The event kick started with a talk by Ashutosh Bishnoi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Mutual Fund.
    This was followed by a panel discussion on setting goals and achieving them through different mutual fund investment strategy. The panel had V. Balasubramanian, Chief Equity Strategist, Mahindra Mutual Fund, Hemant Rustagi, Chief Executive Officer, Wiseinvest Advisors, Suresh Sadagopan, Founder, Ladder7 Financial Advisories, Pooja Bhinde, CFP, PB Investments as panelists and it was moderated by Mr. Muralidhar Swaminathan, Channel Director- BTVI.
    The session was informative and threw light on the current market situation along with sharing insights on how to invest in mutual funds and how to manage expectations and risks involved in investing. The on-ground show was to encourage Indian investors to SAVE, INVEST AND PROSPER which is part of channel’s credo.
    To catch this interactive session, Tune in to BTVI on Sat 29 Sep at 11am & Sun 30 Sep 6.30pm

  • Sony Pictures Networks India is recognized as one of India’s Top 100 Best Companies for women

    Sony Pictures Networks India is recognized as one of India’s Top 100 Best Companies for women

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), India’s leading entertainment and sports broadcast network, has been ranked for the 2nd consecutive year, as the Top 100 Best Companies for Women to work in India. This award is based on a prestigious study conducted by Working Mother, a global leader on gender equity, and AVTAR, a pioneer in diversity and inclusion in India. SPN is the only media and broadcast network to be featured in this year’s top 100 companies. Empowering women and attaining gender equity has been SPN’s key focus area and the network has taken consistent efforts in this direction.

    Currently in its third edition, the Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) study, aims to recognize and highlight the sustained initiatives undertaken by companies to increase women workforce participation. The 2018 edition had 345 participating companies from across industries. This study was done with the most rigorous, credible and comprehensive methodologies on performance measured across seven key policy clusters namely, workforce profile, flexible work, women’s recruitment and retention, benefits, paid-time off/parental leave, company culture, safety and security.
    Over its 23-year journey, SPN has undertaken several award-winning initiatives to create a work atmosphere in which employees can truly fulfil their potential. SPN places emphasis on values, culture and fosters an environment of transparency and empowerment. SPN was one of the first organizations in the country to extend maternity, adoption and surrogacy leave up to 6 months, well before the law mandated it. Pregnant women can also avail preferential parking in the office premises. Further, the network has a special provision of a mothers’ room across its offices, where a new mother can pump and store milk for her baby, and offers near-site crèche facilities for employees to avail for their children. SPN also prioritizes women’s safety, reflecting it in several initiatives such as providing transportation for employees working late, sensitizing employees on prevention of sexual harassment (POSH) and training women employees in self-defense techniques.

    Comments:
    N.P. Singh, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Pictures Networks India:

    “We are honored to receive this recognition and feature in the list of Top 100 Best Companies for Women in India for the second consecutive year. At SPN, we believe in creating an inclusive environment that promotes equity and equal opportunities. This recognition is a push for us to Go-Beyond in our attempts to create a holistic and rewarding career experience for our women colleagues.”

    SPN has won prestigious employer awards in the past – AON India Best Employers 2017 and Top 10 Companies in India for Best Health & Wellness Practices 2017 (awarded by the Society of Human Resource Management and CGP Partners for the fourth consecutive year). These awards are a testimony to the outstanding people practices undertaken by the network.

  • Comcast outbids 21st CF in Sky deal with $40 bn offe

    Comcast outbids 21st CF in Sky deal with $40 bn offe

    MUMBAI: US cable giant Comcast made a winning bid against 21st Century Fox and the Walt Disney Co for European pay-TV operator Sky by offering nearly $40 billion. The rare three round auction was managed by UK's Takeover Panel.  

    The Philadelphia based company offered about $40 billion at $22.57 per share for Sky in the knockout bid. Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox offered about $35 billion at $20.46 per share.

    “This is a great day for Comcast,” Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts declared. He hailed Sky as “a wonderful company with a great platform, tremendous brand, and accomplished management team”.

    While 21st Century Fox already owns 39 per cent of the company, both the competitors were contesting for 61 per cent control of Sky. The European pay-TV company has time until 11 October to accept the offer.  Fox has an ardent quest to take over the rest of the Sky it does not already own.

    For any company who wants to expand international business in European countries, Sky would be a lucrative option with its 23 million customer base across five European countries. Hence the over expensive bid from Comcast did not come as a surprise, as it could almost double its user base on the back of the offer. “This acquisition will allow us to quickly, efficiently and meaningfully increase our customer base,” Roberts said in a statement.

    Though the long running bid process has come to an end following the knock out bid, Fox could refuse tender the 39 percent of Sky that it currently owns. It will leave Comcast to share the company with Fox.

  • &flix brings to you a story of guilt and revenge with the premiere of ‘Aftermath’, this Sunday!

    &flix brings to you a story of guilt and revenge with the premiere of ‘Aftermath’, this Sunday!

    MUMBAI: When a man loses everything, he is capable of anything. Based on true events, ‘Aftermath’, a drama thriller, is a story of guilt and revenge. &flix, the all-new destination for the most-awaited Hollywood hits, is set to premiere ‘Aftermath’ this Sunday, September 23rd at 1PM. Directed by Elliot Lester, the film stars an ensemble cast featuring superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger in a never-seen-before character along with Scoot McNairy, Maggie Grace, and Martin Donovan.

    Eagerly preparing for the return of his wife and his pregnant daughter from Kiev, construction manager Roman Melnyk (Schwarzenegger) anxiously awaits their arrival to pick them up at the airport. Instead, Roman receives the worst news that anyone could ever receive, as well as the irrevocable certainty that his family has perished in a tragic mid-air collision. The root-cause of this calamity is the air traffic controller and family man Jacob "Jake" Bonaos’ error due to which the two planes collide. Unable to deal with the weight of his actions, Jake is forced to move out of his town and start a new life with a different identity leaving behind his wife and child.  However, Roman is grief-stricken and sets out to seek revenge for the loss of his family.  In the end, with so many lives lost unjustly and unexpectedly, in the aftermath of the two men's grief and sorrow, revenge might sound as a sweet alternative, but sometimes, an apology is enough.

  • MN+ launches ‘Wings of Change’

    MN+ launches ‘Wings of Change’

    MUMBAI: MN+, the Gold Class of Hollywood movies, launches a specially curated property ‘Wings of Change’ to celebrate women who have created a paradigm shift in the world of cinema. Starting September 21, 11p.m on MN+, the eight-week property, ‘Wings of Change’ will feature movies starring some of the most talented and inspiring women from Hollywood.

    ‘Wings of Change’ is MN+ honour to inspirational women including actresses, directors, producers and others, who have seamlessly carved a niche for themselves with their acting prowess, inspiring characters, flawless direction, beautiful cinematography and art-direction.  

    As a part of the launch, MN+ has collaborated with two-of-the prominent Bollywood women, Nandita Das, leading Indian film-maker and Kajol, Padma Shri awardee and the most-celebrated Bollywood actress. Both Nandita Das and Kajol, two of the most dynamic and powerful women of Indian cinema, are strong influencers who have taken up matters of social relevance and have come together now to celebrate womanhood with ‘Wings of Change’.

    Wings of Change will air coveted titles including ‘Gone Girl’, ‘When Harry Met Sally’, ‘Bridges of Madison County’, ‘Fargo’, ‘By the Sea’, ‘Maleficent’, ‘Tulip Fever’, and ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’.

  • SonyLIV’s amplified focus on English content portfolio

    SonyLIV’s amplified focus on English content portfolio

    MUMBAI: Sony Network India’s (SPNI) OTT platform Sony Liv recently extended its English content portfolio in the premium offering. It also has plans to add originals in regional languages.

    On the back of SPNI’s FIFA World Cup 2018 broadcasting right in India, SonyLIV attracted thousands of football fans across the country. The month-long sports event gave a major boost to the platform. Soon after it ended, it expanded the English content library to retain viewers. Three critically acclaimed and admired shows from Hollywood- Damages, Unforgettable and Timeless have also been added.

    “Understanding the need for quality international content, we have consistently focused on bringing shows that promise intrigue and entertainment. Post a successful tournament like FIFA 2018 that set new benchmarks in consumer engagement with over 70 million views, we wanted to add onto this momentum further. We expanded our English content portfolio to offer world’s most fascinating stories to our audience and keep them glued onto out platform,” SPNI digital business head Uday Sodhi said in an interaction with Indiantelevision.com.

    Sodhi, happy with the initial response, says other shows from the genre such as Underground, Outsiders and Line of Duty continue to garner good traction. However, the new shows which have been added recently span across genres to ensure they appeal to a wide section of the audience. Continuing the development, the platform is about to announce a string of 8-10 new launches.

    Meanwhile, the English entertainment channels AXN, Sony PIX, and Sony LePLEX HD from the network have recently made their digital debut. For traditional TV broadcasters, promoting catch-up TV through existing content catalogue is a common formula though.

    “Live TV continues to be a potential driver for us as its viewership is significantly large. There has been a natural on-boarding of viewers who like the content offered by these three channels,” Sodhi commented.

    Primarily, viewers aged between 18 to 24 is the target audience of the platform, while the 25-34 age group is targeted next. To create awareness of new content, SonyLIV is making the most use of social media and digital platforms. It is also optimising TV ads and outdoor marketing given the great reach of these two mediums among the audience.

    While sci-fi and crime thriller shows are trending in Hollywood right now, SonyLIV’s newly added English content bouquet includes both the genres being a definite option for making an engaging watch. “We have ensured that our current and upcoming shows have gripping content. Indians have a huge appetite for content that keeps them at the edge of their seat and I do not see a reason for these genres to not work in the Indian market. We are positive about the response these shows are going to get,” said Sodhi.

    The media veteran gave a witty answer to the question of competitors in this category. He said that as they operate across all three business models and various segregating buckets, every player in the market is a healthy competitor. The digital right of Game of Thrones gave a major boost to the subscriber base of Star India’s digital arm Hotstar. International players like Amazon Prime and Netflix already offer a huge chunk of popular international shows. Thus to woo the young urban audience, SonyLIV definitely has to add several other titles to make the library more lucrative.

  • MN+ pays a Gold Class tribute to Amy Winehouse with the premiere of ‘Amy’

    MN+ pays a Gold Class tribute to Amy Winehouse with the premiere of ‘Amy’

    MUMBAI: MN+, the Gold Class of Hollywood Movies, celebrates and remembers the life of the legendary singer, Amy Winehouse on her 35th birthday with the Indian Television premiere of the Academy award winning British documentary film ‘Amy’ on September 14 at 9 PM. The film is a part of the channel’s ongoing Season 3 of ‘Pathbreakers’, a specially curated property that showcases 50 critically acclaimed and genre-defining movies over 50 days.

    6 time Grammy award winner, Amy Winehouse was one of the biggest music icons in British history. A revered and talented pop star whose musical appeal crossed cultural and demographic boundaries and shot her to stardom, ironically, it was her chaotic personal life that stole headlines.  Her tragic death at the young age of 27 left the world devastated. ‘Amy’ delves into the life and death of the singer, putting the spotlight on her struggle with substance abuse, before and after her career blossomed, and which eventually caused her death.

    Directed by Asif Kapadia, ‘Amy’ decodes Winehouse’s journey from being a media darling to becoming the subject of vicious tabloid headlines. Her strong personality, complicated marriage to Blake Fielder-Civil and the love-hate relationship with the press are reflected in her deep, expressive soul music.

    A gold-class artist like Amy Winehouse truly deserves a gold-class tribute by MN+.

  • MasterChef Australia celebrates a decade of feeding the souls of fans

    MasterChef Australia celebrates a decade of feeding the souls of fans

    MUMBAI: MasterChef Australia has transcended from being a reality TV show to becoming a beacon of inspiration to millions of people around the globe. Over the course of the past decade, the show has not only influenced dining habits and cooking techniques but, more importantly,has also helped people believe in themselves! Celebrating a milestone, MasterChef Australia launches its 10th season onMonday and will air weeknights at 9 PM only on Star World.

    Holding a torch for the legacy that the show has created in India, Star World, has devised a unique campaign to showcase how the series has revolutionized the way Indians perceive life and food. Through the campaign ‘#10YearsOfGourmet’, the channel focuses on how people haven’t changed over the past decade but the way we express ourselves through food certainly has gourmet’d up! 

    With the 10th season, the series is geared up to push boundaries not only by intensifying the competition but also by bringing the world’sbiggest culinary icons on one platform. From Britain’s Nigella Lawson and Heston Blumenthal to America’s Gordon Ramsay, India’s butter chicken mavenSaraanshGoila, Australia’s Curtis Stone, Kirsten Tibballs and many more, the season will showcase globally renowned food experts– chefs who have become increasingly popular for even Indians due to the popularity of MasterChef Australia!

    Helmed by judges – Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston who have been instrumental making the show what it is, MasterChef Australia’s season 10 promises to provide its viewers with gripping challenges, mouth-watering cuisines, the largest panel of global chefs and an emotional rollercoaster like never before!

  • This teacher’s day, get the best lessons of life on &Privé HD as you binge on The Mentors

    This teacher’s day, get the best lessons of life on &Privé HD as you binge on The Mentors

    MUMBAI: “Everybody is a teacher if you listen” –Said Doris Roberts, the erstwhile American actress. This quote advocates the fact that cinema is a silent teacher, only if one wishes to learn.  

    &PrivéHD brings to you a gamut of inspiring filmswith The Mentorsthat shows the unyielding and heroic stories of coaches and their disciples, this Teacher’s day 5th September from 11am to 7pm.

    WatchHands of Stone, Million Dollar Baby, Julie and Julia and CoachCarterand witness unique stories of guidance, perseverance and eventually victory.

    On one hand, you can watch an unbreakable bond between a boxing coach and his student in the Robert De Niro starrer Hands of Stone, while on the other, you can watch the relationship between the two transform into an almost familial bond in the Academy Award Winner Million Dollar Baby.

    In the movie Julie and Julia, witness how time does not restrict the process of learning and live the story of Amy Adams and Meryl Streep as they discover that nothing is unachievable with the right amount of passion and fearlessness. 

    Lastly, join Ken Carter, played by Samuel Jackson,on his journey to not just hone his team’s basketball skills but also imbibe life lessons that go beyond the game, inCoach Carter.

    Walk down memory lane and remember the teachers who inspired you to become the best versions of yourself while you watch these films back-to-back on The Mentors on &Privé HD.