ITV

Category: English Entertainment

  • All Eyes On New: Zee Cafe unveils new brand positioning

    All Eyes On New: Zee Cafe unveils new brand positioning

    MUMBAI: Zee Café has got a new brand positioning with the slogan – All Eyes On New. The positioning is inspired from the consumer insight that people today are constantly exploring, discovering and are willing to carry change along with them to grow.

    The slogan, a catchy turn of phrase, not only reinforces Zee Café’s brand commitment to its viewers and strengthens its thought leadership in the English entertainment category.

    “The viewers in this genre like to explore, experiment and evolve. At Zee Café, the viewers are at the core. ‘All eyes on New’ taps into the current mindset of these viewers. Zee Café has been a trendsetter in the genre all along and the new positioning clearly establishes the forward attitude of the brand. We are sure the audience would respond positively to the change,” said Zee English cluster business head Ali Zaidi.

    The ‘New’ brand ethos is further emphasized in the narratives and characters of each show which are different from the routine.

    The logo shows a bold Zee Café, standing tall and towering over everything. Depicted in strong 3-D, today’s sophisticated visual language of larger-than-life graphics. The look is contemporary with a universal appeal. The colors have been treated in line with today’s sensibilities to reflect the youthfulness and exuberance of the viewers.

    The content showcase is a blend of drama, comedy, thrill and action curated for those who are always looking forward to explore something new. Keeping in with their brand promise of airing shows within 12 hours of the US premiere, the channel continues with its marquee property, Along With the U.S. and airs shows such as Gotham S3, Big Bang Theory S10, Supergirl S2, Secret and Lies S2 and Lethal Weapon every Monday-Friday, 10 pm.

    Apart from this, the channel also brings four new Indian Television Premieres – The Shannara Chronicles, Criminal Minds: Beyond borders, Code Black and The Real O’Neals back to back from 8 PM – 11 pm under its fresh property ‘Weekend Prime’, 15th October onwards. After receiving tremendous response for the first season, Zee Café also brings back ‘Uncut’ – an hour of unfiltered and uncensored content, Monday-Friday at 11 pm.

  • All Eyes On New: Zee Cafe unveils new brand positioning

    All Eyes On New: Zee Cafe unveils new brand positioning

    MUMBAI: Zee Café has got a new brand positioning with the slogan – All Eyes On New. The positioning is inspired from the consumer insight that people today are constantly exploring, discovering and are willing to carry change along with them to grow.

    The slogan, a catchy turn of phrase, not only reinforces Zee Café’s brand commitment to its viewers and strengthens its thought leadership in the English entertainment category.

    “The viewers in this genre like to explore, experiment and evolve. At Zee Café, the viewers are at the core. ‘All eyes on New’ taps into the current mindset of these viewers. Zee Café has been a trendsetter in the genre all along and the new positioning clearly establishes the forward attitude of the brand. We are sure the audience would respond positively to the change,” said Zee English cluster business head Ali Zaidi.

    The ‘New’ brand ethos is further emphasized in the narratives and characters of each show which are different from the routine.

    The logo shows a bold Zee Café, standing tall and towering over everything. Depicted in strong 3-D, today’s sophisticated visual language of larger-than-life graphics. The look is contemporary with a universal appeal. The colors have been treated in line with today’s sensibilities to reflect the youthfulness and exuberance of the viewers.

    The content showcase is a blend of drama, comedy, thrill and action curated for those who are always looking forward to explore something new. Keeping in with their brand promise of airing shows within 12 hours of the US premiere, the channel continues with its marquee property, Along With the U.S. and airs shows such as Gotham S3, Big Bang Theory S10, Supergirl S2, Secret and Lies S2 and Lethal Weapon every Monday-Friday, 10 pm.

    Apart from this, the channel also brings four new Indian Television Premieres – The Shannara Chronicles, Criminal Minds: Beyond borders, Code Black and The Real O’Neals back to back from 8 PM – 11 pm under its fresh property ‘Weekend Prime’, 15th October onwards. After receiving tremendous response for the first season, Zee Café also brings back ‘Uncut’ – an hour of unfiltered and uncensored content, Monday-Friday at 11 pm.

  • BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    MUMBAI: BuzzFeed Motion Pictures partnered with the LA-based studio of global production and distribution powerhouse Keshet International (KI) to announce a game-changing TV and digital venture.

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures and Keshet Studios will create a next-generation, transmedia version of the Israeli game show Touch that will be developed around the core concept created by Ido Rosenblum and Keshet for the original. As a leader in video and news content, with its hands on the pulse of the global audience, BuzzFeed’s brand, content and talent will play an integral role in the creation of the game show – further propelling its entrance into linear TV and expanding its already significant digital footprint, with simultaneous launches online and on mobile through its platforms and distribution channels.

    The partners will combine BuzzFeed’s unique approach to content creation and massive online promotional reach with KI’s IP and technology, and expertise of crafting linear TV shows with digital entertainment at the heart of their narratives. The original version of KI’s Touch, is an engaging game in which gut reaction, sharp eyes and quick fingers can win prizes. Based around the question, “What is wrong with this picture?,” it connects with viewers and online users in real-time or offline by quickly identifying what is wrong and touching the screen as the clock counts down.

    “We’re thrilled to being working with Keshet to develop Touch into a cross-platform, global show, said BuzzFeed Motion Pictures development head Matthew Henick. “Leveraging our audience-focused development process and our global promotional engine will make this a huge phenomenon.”

    Keshet International Digital and acquisition SVP Sebastian Burkhardt, commented, “BuzzFeed has been at the forefront of creating culturally defining and buzzworthy original online content. Working jointly with such a prolific and extraordinary partner, I believe we are well positioned to develop a next-generation game show. Together, we will create content that engages viewers of all ages and on all platforms as the speed of linear and digital convergence accelerates.”

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures will team up with Keshet’s digital divisions and Keshet Studios’ non-scripted TV division, headed by Unscripted Programming President Rob Lee, to jointly develop and produce the multi-purpose venture. KI will handle the international rollout of the format in other territories.

  • BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    BuzzFeed, Keshet Studios tie up for gaming show, digital venture

    MUMBAI: BuzzFeed Motion Pictures partnered with the LA-based studio of global production and distribution powerhouse Keshet International (KI) to announce a game-changing TV and digital venture.

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures and Keshet Studios will create a next-generation, transmedia version of the Israeli game show Touch that will be developed around the core concept created by Ido Rosenblum and Keshet for the original. As a leader in video and news content, with its hands on the pulse of the global audience, BuzzFeed’s brand, content and talent will play an integral role in the creation of the game show – further propelling its entrance into linear TV and expanding its already significant digital footprint, with simultaneous launches online and on mobile through its platforms and distribution channels.

    The partners will combine BuzzFeed’s unique approach to content creation and massive online promotional reach with KI’s IP and technology, and expertise of crafting linear TV shows with digital entertainment at the heart of their narratives. The original version of KI’s Touch, is an engaging game in which gut reaction, sharp eyes and quick fingers can win prizes. Based around the question, “What is wrong with this picture?,” it connects with viewers and online users in real-time or offline by quickly identifying what is wrong and touching the screen as the clock counts down.

    “We’re thrilled to being working with Keshet to develop Touch into a cross-platform, global show, said BuzzFeed Motion Pictures development head Matthew Henick. “Leveraging our audience-focused development process and our global promotional engine will make this a huge phenomenon.”

    Keshet International Digital and acquisition SVP Sebastian Burkhardt, commented, “BuzzFeed has been at the forefront of creating culturally defining and buzzworthy original online content. Working jointly with such a prolific and extraordinary partner, I believe we are well positioned to develop a next-generation game show. Together, we will create content that engages viewers of all ages and on all platforms as the speed of linear and digital convergence accelerates.”

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures will team up with Keshet’s digital divisions and Keshet Studios’ non-scripted TV division, headed by Unscripted Programming President Rob Lee, to jointly develop and produce the multi-purpose venture. KI will handle the international rollout of the format in other territories.

  • AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    MUMBAI: Continuing to establish its Live RED strategy from two ends, ie, product to channel and consumers gratification to characteristics is this English Entertainment channel.

    Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) AXN a few months ago launched a new brand positioning with a new look and feel catering to the changing audience taste. With a more intelligent action offering, the channel witnessed better performance from the south of India than the overall market. With 40 per cent viewership share coming from Kerala followed by 36 per cent from Hyderabad, AXN India sees its traction coming from the upwardly mobile young people of 15-35 age group.

    To build upon its familiarity and characters, it has initiated a mixed content proposition consisting of new shows and returning shows with new seasons. It is all geared up to air four new shows starting this weekend in their “Fresh From the US” slot. Two brand new shows that have been added to its library are – Bull and MacGyver whereas the other two are new seasons of cult shows – Supernatural and Elementary.

    From taking various steps for its consumer behaviour association to what it stands for, the channel’s efforts at show and characterisation has worked well. It recently rolled out its HD feed, and has numerous advertisers on board from the automobile and ecommerce categories like Pepperfry, Amazon and eBay.

    “Whenever we launch a new show under this slot, we make sure that the character, show premise and the grade of the show helps building our strategy. We want to cater to both influencers for whom it is about bringing new shows hot from the US and to the adapters community who are easing into the English entertainment space. They not only watch new shows but also see certain old shows right from the beginning. So when we bring fresh shows from the US, they are available throughout the year,” said SPN India executive VP and business head English Entertainment cluster Saurabh Yagnik.

    The channel, which currently has a market share of 18-20 per cent,will continue to back its investments to fulfill its vision to get 30 per cent market share by the end of 2017.

    It might also look at producing local content for the viewers though that will not be the core of their strategy. “International shows will be the core for AXN. The viewers come to us for that,” voiced Yagnik. ” If we get into local programming, what we need to be mindful of is the kind of properties we put in the channel today are on top of the line through the production quality. Whatever we do here, we have to deliver to their values and standards. It could be something going forward.”

    The story of the young and quirky Angus MacGyver, with unconventional problem solving abilities & vast scientific knowledge will be highlighted in MacGyver every Saturday at 11 pm.

    Whereas it’s other new show, Bull will air on Sundays at 11 pm. Brilliant, brash and charming Dr. Jason Bull is not just another psychologist but the ultimate puppet master. He Combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to win in high-stake trials. The show revolves around the ubersuccessful psychologist and his impeccable style.

    AXN is also raising its entertainment quotient on weekends with brand new seasons of iconic shows at 10 pm. The season 12 of Supernatural will be aired on Saturdays whereas detective Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in Elementary season 5, will be seen solving mysterious cases every Sunday.

    “At AXN, our aim is to offer a wide range of shows across genres that provide mind rush, edge-of-the-seat entertainment and desirable characters. FFUS is one such property that gives all three. It also helps in building the English GEC category – Getting to watch new shows in good quality on their TV sets certainly discourages viewers from downloading content. It’s a win-win situation,” concluded Yagnik.

  • AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    AXN targets 30 per cent market share with new shows; sees demand from south India

    MUMBAI: Continuing to establish its Live RED strategy from two ends, ie, product to channel and consumers gratification to characteristics is this English Entertainment channel.

    Sony Pictures Networks’ (SPN) AXN a few months ago launched a new brand positioning with a new look and feel catering to the changing audience taste. With a more intelligent action offering, the channel witnessed better performance from the south of India than the overall market. With 40 per cent viewership share coming from Kerala followed by 36 per cent from Hyderabad, AXN India sees its traction coming from the upwardly mobile young people of 15-35 age group.

    To build upon its familiarity and characters, it has initiated a mixed content proposition consisting of new shows and returning shows with new seasons. It is all geared up to air four new shows starting this weekend in their “Fresh From the US” slot. Two brand new shows that have been added to its library are – Bull and MacGyver whereas the other two are new seasons of cult shows – Supernatural and Elementary.

    From taking various steps for its consumer behaviour association to what it stands for, the channel’s efforts at show and characterisation has worked well. It recently rolled out its HD feed, and has numerous advertisers on board from the automobile and ecommerce categories like Pepperfry, Amazon and eBay.

    “Whenever we launch a new show under this slot, we make sure that the character, show premise and the grade of the show helps building our strategy. We want to cater to both influencers for whom it is about bringing new shows hot from the US and to the adapters community who are easing into the English entertainment space. They not only watch new shows but also see certain old shows right from the beginning. So when we bring fresh shows from the US, they are available throughout the year,” said SPN India executive VP and business head English Entertainment cluster Saurabh Yagnik.

    The channel, which currently has a market share of 18-20 per cent,will continue to back its investments to fulfill its vision to get 30 per cent market share by the end of 2017.

    It might also look at producing local content for the viewers though that will not be the core of their strategy. “International shows will be the core for AXN. The viewers come to us for that,” voiced Yagnik. ” If we get into local programming, what we need to be mindful of is the kind of properties we put in the channel today are on top of the line through the production quality. Whatever we do here, we have to deliver to their values and standards. It could be something going forward.”

    The story of the young and quirky Angus MacGyver, with unconventional problem solving abilities & vast scientific knowledge will be highlighted in MacGyver every Saturday at 11 pm.

    Whereas it’s other new show, Bull will air on Sundays at 11 pm. Brilliant, brash and charming Dr. Jason Bull is not just another psychologist but the ultimate puppet master. He Combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to win in high-stake trials. The show revolves around the ubersuccessful psychologist and his impeccable style.

    AXN is also raising its entertainment quotient on weekends with brand new seasons of iconic shows at 10 pm. The season 12 of Supernatural will be aired on Saturdays whereas detective Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson in Elementary season 5, will be seen solving mysterious cases every Sunday.

    “At AXN, our aim is to offer a wide range of shows across genres that provide mind rush, edge-of-the-seat entertainment and desirable characters. FFUS is one such property that gives all three. It also helps in building the English GEC category – Getting to watch new shows in good quality on their TV sets certainly discourages viewers from downloading content. It’s a win-win situation,” concluded Yagnik.

  • Star India seals ‘script deal’ with Eccho Rights

    Star India seals ‘script deal’ with Eccho Rights

    MUMBAI: An attempt is being made to push three fiction drama shows from the Star India stable to global content creators. Eccho Rights, a global rights management company with offices in Stockholm, Istanbul, Madrid, Hong Kong, and Manila, has entered into an agreement with Star India, taking on an initial representation for three scripts – Tangled Sisters (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behena – 515 x 30 min), Vera (Ek Veer Ki Ardaas…Veera – 282 x 30 min), and Unexpected Love (Diya Aur Baati Hum – 1118 x 30 min).

    Eccho Rights will now represent the script rights worldwide exclusively outside of India.

    “It is with great excitement that we are starting this cooperation with Star India. The globalization of drama is developing at a very interesting speed and one focus of Eccho Rights is to expand our partnership with leading producers to manage their script assets in new markets,” says Nixon Yau Lim, head of Asia Pacific at Eccho Rights.

    The three titles represent some of the most successful Indian drama series ever.

    Stockholm headquartered Eccho Rights has in the last two years taken no less than 12 scripts into local versions including three versions of the Turkish series The End into Europe as well as Nurses from Finland into Sweden and The Clinic from Belgium into Spain. Just last month, it sold the remake rights of Ukraine’s top rated show – a political comedy on Kvartal 93 – titled Servant of the People to Fox Studios in the US. The same month saw it conclude a major deal for 450 hours of top notch Turkish dramas with Netflix. Among these figure Ezel, Karadayi, Kurt Seyit & Sura, The End, Can’t Run From Love, Kacak, Gonul, Mahmut & Meryem , Black Heart, and Winter Sun. In fact, it has been one of the prime drivers of the rapid uptake that Turkish shows have got worldwide.

    Indian TV networks led by Zee TV, Star India, and Viacom18 and smaller players such as Grey Matter Entertainment and GoQuest have been slowly but steadily making efforts to make inroads into the format licensing business.

    Eccho Rights works with independent producers to empower creativity worldwide. The distributor believes that producers deserve a better distribution service. Its experience of selling finished series, scripted and entertainment formats, plus its hands-on approach and global reach, makes it an ideal partner for Star India. Eccho ensures creators retain their rights, protect their brand and maintain quality whilst optimising the value of their products, it is stated on the Eccho company web site.

    A media observer agrees that Star India’s alliance with Eccho Rights is a step in the right direction. “With the kind of reach and track record Eccho has one can expect a few deals to be struck,” says she.

  • Star India seals ‘script deal’ with Eccho Rights

    Star India seals ‘script deal’ with Eccho Rights

    MUMBAI: An attempt is being made to push three fiction drama shows from the Star India stable to global content creators. Eccho Rights, a global rights management company with offices in Stockholm, Istanbul, Madrid, Hong Kong, and Manila, has entered into an agreement with Star India, taking on an initial representation for three scripts – Tangled Sisters (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behena – 515 x 30 min), Vera (Ek Veer Ki Ardaas…Veera – 282 x 30 min), and Unexpected Love (Diya Aur Baati Hum – 1118 x 30 min).

    Eccho Rights will now represent the script rights worldwide exclusively outside of India.

    “It is with great excitement that we are starting this cooperation with Star India. The globalization of drama is developing at a very interesting speed and one focus of Eccho Rights is to expand our partnership with leading producers to manage their script assets in new markets,” says Nixon Yau Lim, head of Asia Pacific at Eccho Rights.

    The three titles represent some of the most successful Indian drama series ever.

    Stockholm headquartered Eccho Rights has in the last two years taken no less than 12 scripts into local versions including three versions of the Turkish series The End into Europe as well as Nurses from Finland into Sweden and The Clinic from Belgium into Spain. Just last month, it sold the remake rights of Ukraine’s top rated show – a political comedy on Kvartal 93 – titled Servant of the People to Fox Studios in the US. The same month saw it conclude a major deal for 450 hours of top notch Turkish dramas with Netflix. Among these figure Ezel, Karadayi, Kurt Seyit & Sura, The End, Can’t Run From Love, Kacak, Gonul, Mahmut & Meryem , Black Heart, and Winter Sun. In fact, it has been one of the prime drivers of the rapid uptake that Turkish shows have got worldwide.

    Indian TV networks led by Zee TV, Star India, and Viacom18 and smaller players such as Grey Matter Entertainment and GoQuest have been slowly but steadily making efforts to make inroads into the format licensing business.

    Eccho Rights works with independent producers to empower creativity worldwide. The distributor believes that producers deserve a better distribution service. Its experience of selling finished series, scripted and entertainment formats, plus its hands-on approach and global reach, makes it an ideal partner for Star India. Eccho ensures creators retain their rights, protect their brand and maintain quality whilst optimising the value of their products, it is stated on the Eccho company web site.

    A media observer agrees that Star India’s alliance with Eccho Rights is a step in the right direction. “With the kind of reach and track record Eccho has one can expect a few deals to be struck,” says she.

  • MIPCOM: GRB to premiere Spanish-language titles

    MIPCOM: GRB to premiere Spanish-language titles

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment is bringing three new Spanish-language titles to MIPCOM (International Market of Communications Programmes) including a comedic feature film, an investigative series, and a wildlife program.

    Enchufe Sin Visa: An Undocumented Comedy is a comedic feature film from YouTube’s EnchufeTV (over 12 million subscribers) and follows six Latinos traveling to the USA for the first time. They will deal with awkward social situations, language barriers and awful food — all while on the run from immigration officers. How far will they go to make this the trip of a lifetime?

    Fugitivos de la Ley features a team of real-life bail and fugitive recovery agents as they track down the roughest criminals on the run. From drug dealers to car thieves to murderers, they’ve run into the worst. Outfitted in bullet-proof vests and armed with guns and street-smarts, these former marines and police officers will stop at nothing to protect their neighborhoods.

    The Wildlife Docs is an amazing wildlife adventure showcasing 12,000 exotic animals and the doctors who care for them. Immerse yourself in the drama as precious animal lives are on the line and witness as real wildlife heroes treat animals of every stripe and color, from exotic and endangered, to the cute and cuddly. This is an exciting inside look into the world of zoo veterinarians and the untold stories of the animal ER.

    “GRB Entertainment is known for its variety of high quality, entertaining and intriguing programs and we are continually refreshing our catalogue. We are now expanding with Spanish-language content, featuring films and factual series which Spanish-speaking audiences are sure to embrace,” said GRB Entertainment SVP – international distribution, Michael Lolato.

    GRB Entertainment is a trendsetter of unscripted, and scripted, alternative programming with a proven track record of creating highly-rated shows for networks worldwide. Intervention, GRB’s groundbreaking A&E series (200+ episodes), received two Emmy® Award nominations in 2016, a Critics’ Choice Award nomination in 2016, an Emmy® Award nomination in 2015, and an Emmy Award win in 2009 from the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Reality Program.

  • MIPCOM: GRB to premiere Spanish-language titles

    MIPCOM: GRB to premiere Spanish-language titles

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment is bringing three new Spanish-language titles to MIPCOM (International Market of Communications Programmes) including a comedic feature film, an investigative series, and a wildlife program.

    Enchufe Sin Visa: An Undocumented Comedy is a comedic feature film from YouTube’s EnchufeTV (over 12 million subscribers) and follows six Latinos traveling to the USA for the first time. They will deal with awkward social situations, language barriers and awful food — all while on the run from immigration officers. How far will they go to make this the trip of a lifetime?

    Fugitivos de la Ley features a team of real-life bail and fugitive recovery agents as they track down the roughest criminals on the run. From drug dealers to car thieves to murderers, they’ve run into the worst. Outfitted in bullet-proof vests and armed with guns and street-smarts, these former marines and police officers will stop at nothing to protect their neighborhoods.

    The Wildlife Docs is an amazing wildlife adventure showcasing 12,000 exotic animals and the doctors who care for them. Immerse yourself in the drama as precious animal lives are on the line and witness as real wildlife heroes treat animals of every stripe and color, from exotic and endangered, to the cute and cuddly. This is an exciting inside look into the world of zoo veterinarians and the untold stories of the animal ER.

    “GRB Entertainment is known for its variety of high quality, entertaining and intriguing programs and we are continually refreshing our catalogue. We are now expanding with Spanish-language content, featuring films and factual series which Spanish-speaking audiences are sure to embrace,” said GRB Entertainment SVP – international distribution, Michael Lolato.

    GRB Entertainment is a trendsetter of unscripted, and scripted, alternative programming with a proven track record of creating highly-rated shows for networks worldwide. Intervention, GRB’s groundbreaking A&E series (200+ episodes), received two Emmy® Award nominations in 2016, a Critics’ Choice Award nomination in 2016, an Emmy® Award nomination in 2015, and an Emmy Award win in 2009 from the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences for Outstanding Reality Program.