ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • This May, Go Limitless as Zee Studio brings the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to your screens!

    This May, Go Limitless as Zee Studio brings the biggest Hollywood blockbusters to your screens!

    Mumbai, May 2018: Zee Studio, the ultimate destination for the best of Hollywood movies, is all set to take its audience on a journey of limitless entertainment, stories and experiences! Through the month of May, the channel brings to its viewers an exceptional library of some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters of recent times. From action and drama to comedy and animation, it promises to be the perfect fix of thrills and adrenaline rush so that you become Limitless You!

    In May, Zee Studio brings ‘Limitless Premieres’ where four big blockbusters will be seen for the first time on Indian television every Sunday – John Wick: Chapter 2, The Marine 5: Battleground, Smurfs: The Lost Village and Swan Princess: Royally Undercover on 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th May respectively at 12 noon and 9 pm. The channel also brings ‘Limitless Blockbusters’ every Saturday at 9 pm and 11 pm which will showcase movies like – Pixels, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Godzilla, The Last Witch Hunter and Chappie amongst others. Additionally, the channel will also bring mega hits like Transformers: Age of Extinction, Resident Evil Retribution, Kung Fu Panda, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Madagascar, Terminator Genisys, and Shrek 2. With this carefully curated library, the movies cut across genres for audiences to enjoy ‘Limitless Hollywood’.

    Speaking about the same, Aparna Bhosle, Business Cluster Head – Premium & FTA GEC channels, ZEEL shared, “We are thrilled to bring the ‘limitless’ offering to our viewers. Through this spectacular line-up of movies and properties, our endeavour is to offer content that enables our audience to not only unwind with action packed movies, but also experience the limitless world of Hollywood entertainment.” 

  • ATKT.in associates with Star Movies to showcase youth talent on My Star Movies at 9

    ATKT.in associates with Star Movies to showcase youth talent on My Star Movies at 9

    Mumbai: ATKT.in, a college content entertainment platform announced their association with Star Movies, home to the biggest blockbusters. As a part of this association, ATKT will help amplify the search for young, talented movie fans in who will create special videos as a tribute to their favourite Hollywood blockbusters for ‘My Star Movies at 9’.

    ‘My Star Movies at 9’ recognizes the spirit of young movie buffs and their love for Hollywood films. The selected talent created tributes to their favourite blockbuster describing what they love most about it through music, poetry, and dance lead. These videos will be played on the channel, as well as the various social media platforms of Star Movies and their partners, including ATKT.in. ATKT will promote the campaign to over six lakh college students across 800 colleges.

    Commenting on this association Prashant Sardesai, Co-founder of ATKT.in said: “This innovative campaign from Star Movies pioneers the use of young, unrecognised talent to celebrate the love for cinema. ATKT is proud to partner Star Movies in helping find the best campus talent, and to amplify the fan art produced by these talented performers to a large youth audience”.

    About ATKT.in

    ATKT.in, established in July 2016, is a platform which enables youth who are talented in the arts – performing arts, fine arts, literary arts – to find their audiences and grow into future legends. The platform is the brainchild of Saurabh Kanwar and Prashant Sardesai who each have over 18+ years of experience in television & digital content, content creation, content platforms and digital marketing.

    ATKT.in showcases talent on its platforms in the form of videos, imagery and text.  The platform began with coverage from India’s best college festivals and has expanded to receiving content from college-level talent from across the country. It has succeeded in providing talented artistes much larger audiences and an avenue for their performances to live beyond just the college or their immediate geography.  

  • Disney must bid for Sky after Fox deal: UK Takeover Panel

    Disney must bid for Sky after Fox deal: UK Takeover Panel

    MUMBAI: If Disney’s proposed acquisition of Fox proceeds, the former has to make a mandatory offer to the holders of ordinary shares in Sky, according to the UK’s takeover code. The UK Takeover Panel has informed Disney, Fox and Sky of its ruling.

    Disney, the owner of Walt Disney Studios, has made a $66 billion bid to take over 21st Century Fox, which owns 39 per cent stake in Sky. According to the rules of the Takeover Code, Disney will be required to make the mandatory offer to the holders of ordinary shares in Sky as a result of Fox’s stake of approximately 39 per cent in Sky.

    Within 28 days of completion of its acquisition, Disney would have to make a bid of 10.75 pounds a share. Disney can evade the bid in certain circumstances; one if Fox acquires 100 per cent of the ordinary shares of Sky or any other third-party acquires more than 50 per cent of the ordinary shares of Sky. Comcast Corporation already announced earlier it was considering making an offer for Sky.

    “At this stage, Sky Shareholders are advised to take no further action.  Further advice to Sky shareholders will be announced in due course,”  Sky said amid this complexity.

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  • Discovery promotes Scripps programming execs

    Discovery promotes Scripps programming execs

    MUMBAI: Discovery’s recent acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) has brought about two top-level executive bump-ups for the broadcast behemoth. 

    In the US, Discovery has promoted two programming executives to top roles across lifestyle networks HGTV and Food Network, which it acquired as part of its purchase of SNI.

    Allison Page, a 17-year veteran of SNI, where she was general manager of US programming and development, has been named president of HGTV and Food Network.

    Courtney White, meanwhile, has been promoted to executive VP of HGTV and Food Network, reporting to Page, having previously been senior VP of programming for Travel Channel, Food Network and Cooking Channel.

    The Knoxville-based execs will work under chief lifestyle brands officer Kathleen Finch, who was upped to her role earlier this year when Discovery unveiled its new management structure following the purchase of SNI.

    Page joined Food Network in 2001 and spent many years developing primetime series. She oversees all programming and development for HGTV and Food Network, as well as their related brands DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.

    White is responsible for facilitating original programming ideas, identifying new on-air talent and general programme development for the networks. Before joining SNI in 2005, she was director of development and senior producer at Working Dog Productions.

    Also Read:

    A+E Networks makes top-level APAC appointments

    Discovery buys Scripps for $14.6 bn, to net 20% of US ad-pay-TV subs

  • AXN is the Undisputed Category Leader with 365 Days at No.1!

    AXN is the Undisputed Category Leader with 365 Days at No.1!

    MUMBAI: With the financial year 2017 culminating, AXN has cemented its position as India’s No.1 English Entertainment channel for the entire year. The channel is right at the top in overall viewership with 25% market share for the fiscal year FY18 as supported by BARC data.   

    This winning feat is backed by a strong content strategy and marketing innovations. Catering to the evolving, discerning viewer, the channel introduced new properties – ‘AXN Premiere Club’ that offers hot new shows and seasons 7 days of the week e.g. The Handmaid’s Tale, Vikings etc. and ‘AXN Bestsellers’ that showcases all-time-favourite cult shows like Sex and the City, Hannibal and Breaking Bad to name a few. 

    AXN is also home to the most dashing hunks and mesmerizing women on TV like Benedict Cumberbatch, Liev Schreiber, Damian Lewis, Elizabeth Moss, Katheryn Winnick and Sarah Jessica Parker, who have made AXN the preferred choice by male and female viewers alike. 

    The channel also undertook engaging and disruptive marketing initiatives to bring the iconic shows and characters closer to the audience. The large scale, experiential activities include a ‘Sherlock Restaurant Crawl’, where audiences got a chance to be their favourite detective, ‘The Voice Karaoke Nights’ where people showcased their singing talent, ‘Vikings Workout’ for all the fitness enthusiasts and a hard-hitting, thought provoking campaign for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ amongst many more.

  • Sony PIX bowls over fans with ‘PIX Premiere League’ this cricket season

    Sony PIX bowls over fans with ‘PIX Premiere League’ this cricket season

    MUMBAI: Summer is here and so is the cricket season. Sony PIX, the destination for biggest Hollywood blockbusters and premieres, is adding on to the adrenaline rush that comes with a cricket match, with blockbuster movies that are equally high on action in PIX Premiere League.

    Starting April 7, Sony PIX will treat the viewers to some post-match excitement with the best of Hollywood movies every night at 11. To celebrate the century of your favourite batsmen or to get over the loss of your home team, Sony PIX will have the brightest stars front lining the best of Blockbuster movies for that extra cheer with movies such as 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Departed, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Sherlock Holmes, Lucy, The Dark Knight Rises, Edge of Tomorrow, Guardians of Galaxy, Final Destination, Apocalypto, Rush and a lot more!

    That’s not all. PIX Premiere League will go on till May 27 and every night, viewers have the chance to win exclusive Sony PIX merchandise by giving a missed call on 9152007455 and answering one question asked during the telecast of the 11PM movie. One winner for each movie makes it 51 Blockbuster movies and 51 PIX Premiere League winners!

  • Star World hand-picks this year’s must-watch shows in ‘Star World Recommends’

    Star World hand-picks this year’s must-watch shows in ‘Star World Recommends’

    MUMBAI: Instead of rifling through an endless number of shows and struggling to pick one, let India’s leading entertainment channel – Star World help you out! Just sit back, relax and indulge as Star World showcases a carefully curated list of critically acclaimed, award-winning and star-studded shows that will not only entertain you but will also help you be a part of the trend! 

    The slot called ‘Star World Recommends’ will launch on 16th April and will bring shows like The Assassination of Gianni Versace – American Crime Story, Westworld, The Gifted, 9-1-1 for the first time to India, every Monday to Friday at 9pm.

    Kick-starting the line-up is the critic and audience favourite series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story! Hailing from the multi-award winning director Ryan Murphy, the series is a spectacle of fashion, luxury, power and even murder. A deeply moving account of Andrew Cunanan, the murders he committed, the killing of the fashion industry’s biggest icon – Gianni Versace and the coming into power of Donatella Versace, the series has been lauded by one and all! What’s more? It is packed with power performances by Academy Award winner Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace, Edgar Ramirez as Gianni Versace, critic favourite Darren Criss as murderer Andrew Cunanan, Ricky Martin as Antonio D’Amico among others! ‘The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story’ premieres on Star World, on 16th April, Monday to Friday at 9 PM!

    Next in line is the American procedural drama 9-1-1 created by television’s dream team comprising of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Tim Minear! Fast-paced and complete with drama, the series explores the lives and careers of first responders — including police officers, paramedics and firefighters – the individuals who put their lives on the line every day to save others. 9-1-1 stars a stellar cast comprising of Underworld fame Oliver Stark, Nashville, American Horror Story and Friday Night Lights fame Connie Britton, Parenthood actor Peter Krause and Tinsel Town’s favourite Angela Bassett among others! 9-1-1 premieres on the 27th April at 9 PM on Star World. 

    The Resident is the journey of an idealistic young doctor whose notions about good and evil transform under the supervision of his brilliant and tough senior resident. Starring Matt Czuchry of Gilmore Girls as the senior resident and Manish Dayal from Agents of Shield as the idealistic doctor, this series takes a refreshing spin on a conventional medical drama. The Resident premieres on 11th May at 9 PM on Star World. 

    Marvel expands its foray into the sphere of television with The Gifted – a family sci-fi series that revolves around an ordinary suburban family whose lives change course forever when they discover their children have developed mutant powers. An intriguing plot that follows the journey of mutants fighting against a malicious government, makes this action-packed series a must-watch! Moreover, ‘X-Men’ alums Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner and Simon Kinberg are among the executive producers of the series and it stars Once Upon a Time, Sucker Punch, The Hangover III fame Jamie Chung, Switched at Birth fame Blair Redford, Person of Interest actor Amy Acker among others! Marvel’s The Gifted premieres on the channel on 31stMay at 9 PM.

    Following suit is a workplace comedy series Ghosted! With Big Little Lies actor Adam Scott and Craig Robinson of The Office fame steering the course of the series, Ghosted has turned out to be an exceptional show with an extraordinary plot-line! When the lives of a former detective Leroy Wright, a skeptic who doesn’t believe in aliens and Max Jennifer, a true believer who is convinced his wife was abducted them, clash, it leads to complete hysteria! The Ghosted will premiere in India on Star World on 21st June at 9 PM!

    One of the most awaited television series of the year, Trust, delves into the trials and tribulations of one of America’s wealthiest and unhappiest families – The Gettys. Created and developed by 8-time Academy Award winner Danny Boyle of Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours fame along with Simon Beaufoy, another Academy Award winner, the series is set in 1973 around the abduction of John Paul Getty III in Italy, then-heir to Getty Oil. Trust stars Hollywood A-Listers – Donald Sutherland, Hilary Swank, Brendan Fraser among others and will premiere on 13th July at 9 PM only on Star World!

    The X-Files is a cult-hit with millions of zealous fans around the world. The latest season of the Emmy award-winning series brings back David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in their signature roles of Mulder and Scully. The sci-fi series takes a new twist with the premiere of The X-Files 2018 on 27th July at 9 PM on Star World. 

    Shot in Jordan and Hungary, Strike Back returns with a brand-new season and cast portraying members of the revived Section 20. Season five features a new team facing new threats and new enemies and stars Warren Brown (“Luther,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) as “Mac” McAllister, Daniel MacPherson (“Infini”) as Samuel Wyatt, Roxanne McKee (“Game of Thrones,” “Crossfire”) as Natalie Reynolds and Alin Sumarwata (“Burning Man”) as Gracie Novin. A high-action, military drama series, Strike Back returns with season 6 on 10th August at 9 PM on Star World. 

    Culminating this outstanding line-up is the HBO show – Westworld. Created by Jonathan Nolan, who co-wrote cinematic marvels such as Interstellar, The Prestige and The Dark Night series, this science-fiction drama stars Hollywood stalwarts such as Anthony Hopkins, James Marden, Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton. Westworld is a futuristic amusement park where the visitors can indulge their every whim and fancy with a park full of automatons without any consequences. But what happens when their complex programming makes them sentient to human emotion? Watch the lines blur on 24thAugust, with the premiere of Westworld season 2 at 9 PM on Star World. 

    Carefully picked and painstakingly curated with precision for its viewers, Star World Recommends is all set to air only the choicest shows of global television, starting 16th April, every Monday to Friday at 9 PM!

  • Zee Café has ‘All Eyes on New’ with a spectacular line-up of shows

    Zee Café has ‘All Eyes on New’ with a spectacular line-up of shows

    MUMBAI: Drama, laughter, secrets and revelations…Zee Café, one of India’s leading general English entertainment channels, has it all as it is leaving no stone unturned to make the month of April an exciting one for its audience. With a spectacular content line-up all through the month, the channel brings an interesting bouquet of shows comprising of fiction and reality, that the audience just cannot miss!

    Scandal– Season 7 (Finale) – Starting April 4, 10pm

    What will Olivia Pope do now?

    The seventh and monumental final season of Scandal will premiere with a brand new White House administration that includes Mellie Grant as the first female President of the United States, Cyrus Beane as the vice president, and Olivia Pope as Mellie’s chief of staff. Olivia also doubles as the head of the newly reinstated top-secret government agency B6-13, with Jake Ballard working by her side. Will Mellie be successful in making her dreams come true? Will Olivia find love?

    Discover a new cuisine every week on The Chefs’ Line – Season 1 – 9pm

    Premiered in February, the Australian reality competitive cooking show, The Chefs’ Line pits passionate home chefs against professional chefs. Featuring a new cuisine every week, the show is a visual delight for all the foodies out there. The coming weeks will witness the chefs try their skills at Lebanese, Thai, Spanish, French, Japanese and Mexican food! Remains to be seen who will win the hearts of the judges, Dan Hong, Melissa Leong and Mark Olive with their culinary skills. Which side are you on?

    Will & Grace – Season 1 – 8pm

    How they became the most fabulous foursome on TV

    Find out how it all started as Zee Café brings back the Emmy-winning show, Will & Grace, with the most fabulous foursome on television – Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally reprising their famous roles as Will, Grace, Jack and Karen. The first season begins when Grace gets an unexpected marriage proposal and her best friend Will deals with his own feelings about her proposal.

    Two and a Half Men – Season 7 – 11.55 pm

    Charlie Sheen and his new live-in fiancée!

    Television’s top-rated comedy is growing up and Zee Café brings it to you totally uncut and uncensored! Charlie Sheen as a veteran bachelor may finally be reined in by his new live-in fiancée. On the seventh season premiere, Charlie must decide between his fiancée, Chelsea, and his old flame, Mia. Rock superstar Eddie Van Halen makes a cameo appearance as himself. Charlie discovers that Chelsea hasn’t been completely honest about her finances. What happens next?

    Everybody Loves Raymond – Season 6 – 8.30pm

    The sixth season begins with first-grader Michael as he shocks the Barone clan with an unpleasant story he wrote about them. Ray tries to liven things up in the bedroom when he buys a sex game but, of course, the whole family finds out about it. Debra’s divorced parents come for Thanksgiving dinner, and her dad brings his new girlfriend, which shocks everyone. Robert gets involved with a woman he meets at a sports bar, but she thinks he is Ray Barone, the sportswriter, and Robert is afraid to tell her the truth.

    The Big Bang Theory – Season 11 – Sunday, 7.30pm (Along with the US)

    Season 11 begins with Amy giving Sheldon an answer to his marriage proposal. Meanwhile, Howard and Bernadette struggle with some unexpected news. Leonard and Wolowitz are furious after they learn Sheldon went to work with the military behind their backs. Also, while Bernadette is on bed rest, she asks Raj to do some digging when she suspects Ruchi is trying to steal her job. Sheldon and Amy try to eliminate stress from wedding planning by applying math to the process. Also, Koothrappali breaks up with Wolowitz after realizing his best friend is damaging his confidence.

    The Late Late Show with James Corden– 11pm

    Each week night, The Late Late Show with James Corden throws a late-night after-party with a mix of celebrity guests, edgy musical acts, games and sketches. Corden differentiates his show by offering viewers a peek behind the scenes into the green room, bringing all his guests out at once and lending his musical and acting talents to various sketches. Additionally, bandleader Reggie Watts and the house band provide original, improvised music throughout the show.

    What’s more? Viewers don’t have to wait for their favourite shows to come to India as Zee Café brings them Along with the US. While The Big Bang Theory Season 11 is already being premiered with the US, shows like Supergirl Season 3, Lethal Weapon Season 2, Gotham Season 4 and Valor Season 1 will also be showed as a part of the property!

    The channel will also air other shows like Fameless, Melissa & Joey, Criminal Minds, Originals and much more. With its unmissable content offerings, Zee Café promises to make this April an interesting one. Happy binging!

  • MN+ pays Heath Ledger a Gold Class birthday tribute with a special airing of ‘The Dark Knight’

    MN+ pays Heath Ledger a Gold Class birthday tribute with a special airing of ‘The Dark Knight’

    MUMBAI: When it comes to superheroes, we all have our favourites, but when it comes to villains, Heath Ledger as the main antagonist of The Dark Knight truly stands apart. Celebrating the life of this legendary star on his birthday 4th April, MN+ is airing the second movie in the critically acclaimed ‘Dark Knight Trilogy’ and sequel to 2005’s ‘Batman Begins’, The Dark Knight at 7pm. His twisted, manic take on the quintessential Batman villain redefined the character for Christopher Nolan’s superhero film and won him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

    Described as the “psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy”, the Joker was the agent of chaos, who was potent in both mental combat and strategic planning, with his personality well-defined by his clown-like make-up and gruesome Glasgow smile to add sick comedy to all his crimes and misdeeds. Apart from Ledger’s performance, the movie also has several huge twists and some heart pumping, exhilarating action that will keep you glued to the TV screen.

    For essaying the iconic role of the Joker, ‘the psychopathic clown prince of crime’, Ledger received more than thirty posthumous accolades, including Best Actor International Award at the 2008 Australian Film Institute Awards, the 2008 Los Angeles Film Critics Associatio

  • Comedy Central presents the long-anticipated return of popular dramedy series Suits Season 7

    Comedy Central presents the long-anticipated return of popular dramedy series Suits Season 7

    MUMBAI: Beloved legal dramedy ‘Suits’ is all set to return to Comedy Central India’s #HappyPlace. The show returns post hiatus to complete the remainder of its 7th Season. While the show is sure to grip ardent fans yet again with its exciting plotlines, what’s exciting to note is that fans in India will get to view the series simultaneously with the U.S. as the show will be simulcast in India and will air at 11 AM IST from 29th March 2018.

    The series which follows intriguing twists and turns in the lives of hot shot lawyer duo Harvey Spector and Mike Ross will see the focus shifting to their relationships with other major characters in the show. While audiences speculate whether Harvey and Donna get together, the remaining episodes of season 7 are also expected to showcase Mike and Rachel’s impending wedding. With five brand new episodes and a two-hour long finale, the show is sure to hook fans once again.

    Excited about the new season, Hashim D’Souza, Programming Head, English Entertainment, Viacom18 shares, “The response to the mid-season finale of Suits was overwhelming. And now, with the second installment going on air this week, especially with the season premiering in India and the US at the same time, the excitement has only grown manifold. Our loyal viewer base across India is waiting in anticipation to the much-awaited return of season 7 starting March 29. This only gives us the impetus to offer more content that is edgy and unique in nature to keep our viewers involved and excited.”

    The series Suits has been renewed for an eighth season following the overwhelming success and demand for more from its faithful fans. Joining the cast as a series regular starting Season 8 will be popular TV and Film star Katherine Heigl. The production of the new season is expected to start April 2018 onward.

    Comedy Central presents Suits Season 7 starting Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:00 AM with
    a prime-time repeat telecast on Saturday at 8:00 PM