ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • Independent press vs the government &Privé HD brings the premiere of ‘The Post’ on 28th July

    Independent press vs the government &Privé HD brings the premiere of ‘The Post’ on 28th July

    MUMBAI: A good press serves the governed, not the governors and if the press doesn’t hold the government accountable, who will? &Privé HD, the premium destination for nuanced cinema, is all set to premiere the historical political thriller ‘The Post’ on Saturday, 28th July at 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm. The film, directed by the master storyteller and one of the most sought-after directors – Steven Spielberg, reminds us of the essential role the media plays in a healthy functioning democracy. It stars Hollywood’s powerhouse performers Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in lead roles.

    Based on a true event from 1970’s America, The Post depicts the story of journalists at The Washington Post who fought to publish the Pentagon Papers, a set of classified documents regarding the 30-year involvement of the United States government in the Vietnam War. The movie is centered around the first female publisher, Katherine Graham (Meryl Streep) and her no-nonsense of an editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) who fight all odds to expose a cover-up of the Government that spanned four US Presidents. The Post is a classic Hollywood rendering of the struggle between the government trying to cover up its lies to the American people and the newspapers’ determination to expose it.

    Receiving rave reviews worldwide, The Post was chosen by the National Board of Review as the best film of 2017 and was named as one of the top 10 films of the year by Time and the American Film Institute. The film also received two nominations at the 90th Academy Awards and six nominations at the 75th Golden Globe Awards.

  • In the fight for humanity, who will win – humans or mutants?

    In the fight for humanity, who will win – humans or mutants?

    MUMBAI: The Gifted is the latest superhero TV show from the blockbuster-producing studio – Marvel that is a spin-off of the cult favourite X-Men movie franchise. Season 1 of The Gifted premieres on Indian television on 26th July at 9 PM, and will air weekdays only on Star World. 

    In The Gifted, the X-Men do not exist anymore and the anti-mutant sentiment is running high amongst people and the government. This family adventure series tells the emotional story of a suburban couple whose ordinary lives are rocked by the sudden discovery that their teenage children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family seeks help from an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.

    While the series has introduced a variety of new and exciting mutants such as Thunderbird who has super strength, foresight, and heightened senses and Polaris who is Magneto’s daughter and much like him, has the power to manipulate magnetism.A refreshing take on the X-men franchise, The Gifted has been praised as‘an exciting yet grounded chapter to the X-Men saga’and is punctuated with superior production quality and stunning visual effects.

    The series also has a brilliant ensemble cast comprising of True Blood and The Bastard Executioner fame, Stephen Moyer, Person of Intereststar Amy Ackers, Once Upon a Time, The Hangover, Gotham fame Jamie Chung, Skyler Samuels of Scream Queens and The Duff fame among others.Each episode of the series is directed by a host of renowned filmmakers such as X-Men movie’s creator, Bryan Singer, Lost and Private Practice creators Karen Gaviola, NYPD Blue director, Steven DePaul, Jessica Jones director Liz Friedlander and more!

    The Gifted is not an ordinary show; it is opportunity to delve into the unprecedented and immerse in the magic as life gets altered and mutants become a reality. A wondrous and innovative story, it steers clear of the age-old formula that X-men followed and weaves together family dynamics and the supernatural brilliantly!

    Watch the premiere ofThe Gifted on Star World on 26th July at 9 PM. 

  • Sony seeks partners for streaming service Crackle

    Sony seeks partners for streaming service Crackle

    MUMBAI: For getting stronger foothold in the over-the-top (OTT) market, Sony Pictures Television is looking to take a partner in Crackle, its ad supported streaming service. The aim is to make the platform more competitive in the congested market.

    “Crackle is a tremendously valuable asset for us, and with premium AVOD [advertising video-on-demand] getting more and more traction as advertisers seek high value online advertising opportunities, we feel there is room for greater growth for our OTT business,” Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins wrote in an e-mail addressed to staffs.

    To identify potential partners, Sony has engaged investment bank Moelis & Co. Sony is looking for partners like another ad-supported VOD provider or another media and entertainment company with a large content library and TV networks for, or a telecom business with high-scale direct-to-consumer reach.

    Sony claims Crackle apps which are available in 20 countries have been downloaded more than 100 million times to date. The company acquired web-video startup called Grouper for $65 million six years back, which later became Crackle.

    “With the right partner – one that could bring additional content or users or leverage existing assets for advertising and promotion — we feel we can expand Crackle’s audience and significantly increase revenue,” Hopkins added.

  • AXN offers the best Reality shows in India

    AXN offers the best Reality shows in India

    MUMBAI: AXN, home to the best of English entertainment for the last 20 years, also has the best reality shows in the entire category. While the channel has dedicated slots for the best of reality, entertainment and drama shows, it has christened the 8PM slot as ‘AXN Reality Check’ offering the finest, engaging and the most award-winning reality shows across all genres! Even the 2018 Emmy nominations vouch for this!

    Four of the 6 nominated shows in ‘Outstanding Reality-Competition Program’ category at 2018 Emmy Awards are shows that air on AXN in India, namely, The Voice, Top Chef, The Amazing Race and American Ninja Warrior. Watch these award-winning shows, all-round the year, as part of ‘AXN Reality Check’ – a slot offering exclusively for reality shows across all genres such as Cooking, Travel, Fashion, Automobiles, Survival of the Fittest, Prosthetics, Singing, and more.

    The announcement for Emmy nominations for 2018 came just in time for the new season premiere of The Voice S14 on July 23. The singing reality show is a 7 primetime Emmy award winning series. ‘The Voice’ will be followed by the premiere of the new season of the cooking reality show, Top Chef S14 which is also an Emmy award winning series.

    And that’s not even half of it. Apart from the Emmy list of nominees, AXN also has other reality shows which will not just entertain but also motivate you. With these series, AXN will show to you the tricks of becoming a millionaire with Minute to Win it, will teach you to overcome struggles with Survivor, will challenge you to fight your fears with Fear Factor, will put you on the ramp under pressure with Next Top Model, and will bring out the best artist in you with Face Off. And lastly, it will crack you up with a learning or two about cars with Top Gear. Indeed the place to be at every day at 8 PM – AXN Reality Check!

  • Zee Café, BBC Worldwide launch second season of premium British dramas

    Zee Café, BBC Worldwide launch second season of premium British dramas

    MUMBAI: Zee Cafe has partnered with BBC Worldwide to once again entertain Indian audiences with premium British dramas.

    Starting 16 July 2018, the channel will host the second edition of the BBC First content block featuring 12 shows, weeknights at 10 pm.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, ZEEL business cluster head – premium channels Aparna Bhosle says,“After the phenomenal response to the BBC First content block last year, we are thrilled to bring the best of British dramas once again for our audiences in association with BBC Worldwide. Our research found out that 90-94 per cent of the content in the English space was from the US, hence through this alliance we wish to bridge the gap and cater to the need for great stories with superior quality British dramas.”

    For the first season, the shows were not available for the digital platforms, but for the second season the channel is planning to add some of the shows to the Zee5 library. The second season of the shows like Doctor Foster, Maigret and Top Of The Lake will be there on ZEEL’s digital arm because its first season was showcased last year.

    Talking about the response of season one last year, she says, “For the first season at the 10 pm slot, the GTVTs went up to 600 per cent and the time spent doubled from three minutes to 6.3 minutes. In terms of performance, the time band worked very well, increasing the channel’s reach by 26 per cent and added one lakh additional viewers.”

    Brands like Domino’s, Brookside, L’Oreal, Philips and Vicks dominate the band. The exciting line-up of shows include Doctor Foster Season 2, Top Of The Lake Season 2, Maigret Season 2, Paula, Wolf Hall, Unforgotten, Broken, In The Dark, Burton and Taylor, The Inceptor, Born to Kill and The Collection. 

    In terms of total revenue, the channel has exceeded the season one numbers, according to Bhosle.

    Keeping in line with its proposition, Zee Café has chalked out a robust marketing campaign #GreatBritainGreatStories. The channel will be engaging its viewers through high impact out-of-home, print and digital mediums across key three mega cities which are Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.

  • Star Movies Select HD introduces Oscar winning and nominated Short Films to Indian Television

    Star Movies Select HD introduces Oscar winning and nominated Short Films to Indian Television

    MUMBAI: A great story cannot be slave to a format.Star Movies Select HD relives its promise of showcasing the best stories with yet another curated offering with Select Short Stories. This festival will introduce Oscar award winning and nominated Short Films for the first time on Indian television to its discerning audience. 

    The festival will comprise of short films like Pentecost, ToyLand, Stutterer, A Femme et le TGV amongst others. These award winning short films showcase a range of emotions – from a child’s innocent passion to a man’s journey of overcoming his fear and finding true love. From the gritting tale of childhood during the holocaust to sheer strength of relationships. These films might be short but they leave behind a big impact on its viewers.

    What better way to be a part of film making history than to write it. To stay true to the promise of powerful stories in fewer frames – the core of the marketing campaign is to #KeepItShort and get rewarded. Star Movies Select HD is at the center of this Short Films wave and are living this promise by of making a short film –written by its consumers. Star Movies Select HD is calling out to all aspiring storytellers to share a concept or plot of their original short story via the channels’ Official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages (@StarMoviesIndia) with the hashtag #KeepItShort. One entry will be selected and transformed into a short film that will be showcased on Star Movies Select HD.

    The story doesn’t end there; Star Movies Select HD will also conduct Select Sessions with celebrated Short Film directors from across the world. The audience will not only get a chance to see the director’s work but also meet and discuss various aspects of short stories and storytelling. 
     

  • Zee Café presents an animated political satire of the Donald Trump Administration with ‘Our Cartoon President’

    Zee Café presents an animated political satire of the Donald Trump Administration with ‘Our Cartoon President’

    MUMBAI: For the first time on Indian broadcast television, Zee Café, one of the leading general English entertainment channels in India, presents the animated half-hour parody series ‘Our Cartoon President’. The series follows the tru-ish misadventures of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and his merry band of advisors and family members. Created and Executive Produced by multiple Emmy® winner Stephen Colbert, ‘Our Cartoon President’ premieres on 4th July, weeknights at 8.30 only on Zee Cafe.

    The new 10-episode parody Our Cartoon President examines the quintessentially Trumpian details of the presidency and his most important relationships, and no one is safe – from his close family and confidants to key political figures from both parties and members of the media. In this parallel cartoon universe, the Commander-in-Chief opens the White House doors for an “all access” look at a typical day in the life of the President of the United States. Our Cartoon President is produced by CBS Television Studios and executive produced by Colbert, Licht and showrunner R.J. Fried. Tim Luecke serves as lead animator and co-executive producer. Matt Lappin serves as consulting producer.

    Commenting on the show, ZEEL, Business Cluster Head – Premium channels, Aparna Bhosle said, “At Zee Café, our endeavor has always been to enable our viewers with superior content which is both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. It brings us immense pleasure to present the animated satire ‘Our Cartoon President’. Riding on the Trump wave, the show is extremely topical and will cater to audiences who enjoy a healthy dose of parody. Coupled with the multi-faceted and supremely talented Stephen Colbert’s execution, we are sure the show will be immensely enjoyed by our audience.”

  • Relive memories that take you back to mom’s food

    Relive memories that take you back to mom’s food

    MUMBAI: Celebrating culinary skills that let you relive memories with mom’s food, Living Foodz announces new show Amma Superstar with Chef Pallavi. Starting July 10th, this show marks Chef Pallavi’s debut on television. The show will leave the viewers craving for some good home cooked food by their very own Amma Superstars

    This 26-episode series brings stories from different walks of life. Amma Superstar highlights different relationship bonds that showcase the mother like love and comfort through food. Amma Superstar has individuals participating in pairs like friends, caretakers, roommates in the hostel and neighbors apart from only mothers and children. Following a fun and interactive format, the participants in the show are seen participating in games such as food quizzes, rapid fires, picking the odd one out and true or false. The participants will be seen recreating their Amma’s special recipe and sharing memories and anecdotes around food. Chef Pallavi creates recipes that remind her of similar memories as those featured in the episode.

    The show will witness celebrity participants such as celebrated Chef Saransh Goila,actress  Amrita Prakash from the show Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and popular television and theatre actor Rytasha Rathod best known for her role as Badho in the show Badho Bahu. Chef Saransh Goila will be seen alongside his mom on television for the very first time. Interacting with Chef Pallavi sharing how the famous Goila Butter Chicken was created and the special twist that makes it what it is.

    Sharing her experience as the host of the show, Chef Pallavi Nigam says, “Amma Superstar captures stories that will rekindle memories with our favorite maa-ke-haath-ka-khana. This show brings different relationships and bonds that remind us of our mom’s love and the connect with food. I have stayed away from home as I studied in Italy, I used to miss my mom’s home cooked food and thus relate to stories where people have connected through food that has the homely warmth and comfort. The viewers will relive their memories with their mom’s special food. I am excited for my debut on television with Living Foodz and look forward to the launch of the show.”

    Living Foodz, Business Head, Mr. Amit Nair says, “We are excited to bring Chef Pallavi Nigam on board with the launch of ‘Amma Superstar’.Through this show we bring back memories shared around food that is just like mom’s.The show will resonate with our viewers as the participants share stories that they have with people who with culinary skills have  taken them back to their mom’s food and her memories.”

    Tune in to Living Foodz every Tuesday and Wednesday at 2:30PM, starting July 10, 2018. Repeat telecast of the episodes will air on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:00PM and 8:00PM. The show is sponsored by Freshwrap, Wonderchef, Tata Sampann and Preet Lite.

  • Seasons 1 & 2 of the Biggest Sci-Fi Show on Television – Westworld to air on Star World!

    Seasons 1 & 2 of the Biggest Sci-Fi Show on Television – Westworld to air on Star World!

    MUMBAI: The multiple award winning series comprises of a stellar cast – Academy Award winning actors Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris and Golden Globe & Primetime Emmy award winners Evan Rachel Woods, Jeffrey Wright and Thandie Newton among others!

    Star World, India’s leading English Entertainment channel is known for handpicking shows that are riveting in its content, popular with the masses, star-studded, award-winning and critically acclaimed! Yet again, the channel is all set to raise its entertainment ante by bringing the ‘Best of the West’ to Indian television screens with the premiere of Seasons 1 and 2 of one of the most talked about shows on global television – Westworld, starting 28thJune, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM.

    With an intriguing theme, stunning visuals, a plethora of noteworthy performances that amp up the entertainment and action on the series and an intricate storyline that has blown minds around the world, Westworld is based on a futuristic western-themed amusement park called Westworld which is populated by android ‘hosts’ and caters to high paying ‘human’ guests who may indulge their wildest fantasies within the park without any fear of retaliation. While the hosts are programmed in a way to prevent them from harming humans, what are the hosts capable of doing, when all hell breaks loose and they are able to deviate from their set ways?

    Inspired by Michael Crichton’s film, Westworld (1973) and his revolutionary vision on artificial intelligence, the TV series had been developed by creators – Lisa Joy andJonathan Nolan. The Nolan brother has co-created and co-written a number of blockbuster movies including Interstellar, The Prestige, The Batman Series along with Christopher Nolan. 

    To add to the extraordinary storyline is the remarkable performances by the star-studded cast such as the highly-veneratedAnthony Hopkins of The Silence of the Lambs, Amistad, Thor fame. Evan Rachel Wood of Mildred Pierce, Thirteen, True Blood, The Ides of March popularity has also showcased a certain vulnerability unique in its own unravelling along with the steeliness that James Marsden of X-Men, The Notebook, 27 Dresses fame brings to his character. Thandie Newton’s profound performance adds to this dystopia’s feat and has garnered many nominations across some of the most prestigious awards platforms including Golden Globes and Emmys as well as winning Critics’ Choice Awards. 
     

  • Thank God it’s the Weekend on AXN!

    Thank God it’s the Weekend on AXN!

    MUMBAI: This July, get set for binge-worthy weekends with India’s leading English entertainment channel – AXN. The channel, now in its 20th year, will have the best of Reality, Entertainment and Drama for all viewers with a power packed line up of shows and movies.

    For starters, AXN will premiere the latest season of the most awaited singing reality show ‘The Voice’ season 14, July 23 onwards, every Monday – Friday at 8 PM. Viewers are in for a bigger treat as they will also get to indulge in the previous season of the popular show. Starting July 1, AXN will have a new property called ‘Thank God! It’s Sunday’ that will have handpicked episodes of all-time favourite reality and fiction series from 9AM to 2PM – and it starts with the last season of The Voice.  

    While music lovers will be hooked on, July is also the birthday month of everyone’s favourite detective Sherlock Holmes. To celebrate the birthday of actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the iconic title character in Sherlock on AXN, the channel will air all episodes of the series every weekend at 11 pm with ‘Benedict’s Birthday Blast’.

    There’s more. For all the ladies, AXN brings the devilishly handsome men from Hollywood every weekend who will enthral with their charismatic personalities! A deadly spy (Jason Bourne), a know-it-all love guru (Hitch), a man on his path of discovery to save humanity (Oblivion) and the Wolf Pack (Handover II), all packed in one month with a promise of an unmissable R.E.D. Box Office experience every Saturday at 12PM and Sunday at 6PM.