ITV

Category: Factual

  • Discovery and BBC sign major global content partnership And agree on future of uktv channels

    Discovery and BBC sign major global content partnership And agree on future of uktv channels

    MUMBAI: Discovery, Inc. and BBC Studios today jointly announce a series of agreements, reigniting their historic relationship with a significant multi-million pound global content partnership spanning a library of premium factual series to power a new global streaming service, and a bespoke development deal for BBC Studios’ iconic genres of natural history, animals, adventure, science, travel, space, history and civilization documentaries.  Additionally, the two companies have concluded the future of UKTV’s channels business in the UK with a structured split that complements the strategic focus and commercial business of both organizations.  

    The new 10-year content partnership, effective in all territories outside the UK, Ireland and Greater China, will make Discovery the exclusive global home of BBC landmark natural history programmes in SVOD, including the Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Life collection of titles, the recently lauded Dynasties and others, as well as future BBC-commissioned landmark series from BBC Studios, following their linear transmission.   Discovery also acquires SVOD rights to hundreds of hours of BBC programming across factual genres.  All of this iconic content will form one of the pillars of a new global streaming service, which will also include some of the best of Discovery’s programming library, original content created for the service, and experiences and offerings that go well beyond video.  The service will launch by 2020 and will form a key part of Discovery’s unique and growing portfolio of direct-to-consumer services that will enable fans to ‘view and do.’  These services will also be made available to distribution partners for retail.   

    Discovery and BBC Studios have also signed a bespoke development deal to create new landmark factual content for Discovery that furthers audiences’ discovery of the world for both linear and digital distribution.   This deal reunites the two media and entertainment brands that worked together on unrivalled natural history series such as Planet Earth, Walking with Dinosaurs, Life and Blue Planet.   The two companies will co-fund a dedicated development team within BBC Studios.
     

  • Discovery to broadcast live from egypt with unprecedented access to mysterious archaeological site

    Discovery to broadcast live from egypt with unprecedented access to mysterious archaeological site

    MUMBAI: Egypt remains a land shrouded in deep mystery and wonder. Discovery announced it will broadcast live from Egypt in search of ancient artifacts and open an Egyptian sarcophagus for the very first time. The 2 hours live special, ‘EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: EGYPT LIVE, will air on Monday, April 8. In India, ‘EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: EGYPT LIVE’ will be deferred live at 11:00 hrs IST with a repeat at 18:00 hrs IST on Discovery Channel and Discovery HD World.

    “This is Discovery at its best, as we seek to uncover history that has been buried in the sands of Egypt for millennia,” said Nancy Daniels, chief brand officer, Discovery & Factual. “I’m excited as Josh Gates takes us on one of his most ambitious expeditions yet.”

    The live 2-hour multiplatform event will be hosted by adventurer and avid explorer Josh Gates, who will be joined by world-renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, and Mostafa Waziri, the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt. The epic event will be produced by Discovery Studios and Ping Pong Productions in association with Big Dreams Entertainment with Leslie Greif as executive producer.

    Viewers will have the rare opportunity to see the inner chambers of an excavation site, where archeologists recently uncovered a network of vertical shafts leading to an underground network of tunnels and tombs with 40 mummies believed to be part of the noble elite.

    The massive underground complex of chambers is a treasure trove of antiquities – all laying undisturbed for thousands of years. But there are several chambers yet to be explored – and many more discoveries to be revealed, including a mysterious limestone sarcophagus found buried deep within the complex. The identity of the mummy inside has been a mystery for 3,000 years… Possibly until now.

    Followers of @Discovery on Instagram will be given a behind the scenes look during the live broadcast with additional insights and exciting moments led by our team of expert archeologists and historians. Viewers are also invited to join conversation on Twitter using hashtag #ExpeditionUnknown for a chance to be featured on-air and watch past seasons of EXPEDITION UNKNOWN on Discovery GO. Host Josh Gates can be found on Facebook: @joshgatesofficial, Twitter: @joshuagates, and Instagram: @gatesygram.

    As a prelude to EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: EGYPT LIVE, Discovery channel and Discovery HD World will premiere special Egypt based series Expedition Unknown – Great Women Of Ancient Egypt, Expedition Unknown- Egypt’s Lost Queens Surviving Exodus on 7th April from 12:00 hrs IST to 15:00 hrs IST.

    EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: EGYPT LIVE (w/t) is produced for Discovery Channel by Discovery Studios and Ping Pong Productions in association with Big Dreams Entertainment. For Big Dreams Entertainment, Leslie Greif is executive producer. For Discovery Studios, Sandy Varo Jarrell, Peter Isacksen and Jason Sklaver serve as executive producers. For Ping Pong Productions, Brad Kuhlman, Casey Brumels and Josh Gates are executive producers. For Discovery Channel, Howard Swartz is executive producer.

  • Epic channel gives its popular series ‘lost recipes’ a second season

    Epic channel gives its popular series ‘lost recipes’ a second season

    MUMBAI: EPIC Channel has announced the second season of its popular food show ‘Lost Recipes’ hosted by celebrity chef Aditya Bal. In the first season, the renowned chef and author travelled extensively around the country in search of recipes and food preparations that have quietly been forgotten over time. Dishes such as Mutanjan- Sweet Chicken Pulao, Houk Sun-Curry or Sun Dried Vegetables, Bevina Hoovina Payasa- Neem Flower Payasam, Painda-E-Khas – special stuffed game birds; and many more were revived from their slumber.

    The 10 episode second season will see him, once again, walk down the forgotten road of culinary traditions that have been lost, forgotten, or simply neglected. Straight from the traditional kitchens that stand like tiny oasis of food memory, this season will explore dishes from Hampi, Vizag, Darjeeling, Bodhgaya, and Maharashtra, among others. Accompanying the cooking, shall come alive tales steeped in history and folklore.

    Commenting on anchoring a second season, host Aditya Bal said “I had an amazing time shooting for Season 1 of the show where so many delicious dishes were revived. As a chef, I’ve always felt that the history and heritage of a dish makes it all the more interesting. I’m looking forward to making more discoveries in Season 2, after all some of the most iconic times in our history go hand in hand with food.”

    Lost Recipes S2 is sponsored by “India Gate Basmati Rice” and soon will be announcing more sponsors. The show will be aired in June 2019 on EPIC Channel for its viewers.

    EPIC Channel has previously showcased an impressive array of food-related shows. ‘Tyohaar Ki Thaali’ hosted by popular actress Sakshi Tanwar, that celebrated festive Indian dishes; ‘Raja Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaaniyaan’, a unique food-travel show and   ‘Raja Rasoi Aur Andaaz Anokha’, where celebrity chef Ranveer Brar rediscovers recipes and experiments with Indian cuisine. 

    As per the new TRAI tariff structure, EPIC Channel is now available for a cost of Rs.2 per month.

  • Enjoy a lip-smacking, gastronomic experience as FYI TV18 brings“Food Stories” to you this March

    Enjoy a lip-smacking, gastronomic experience as FYI TV18 brings“Food Stories” to you this March

    MUMBAI: Food stories is a series that gives the fascinating back story to show the inspiration, people, cultures and history behind the development of common dishes familiar world over as well as food styles that have become culinary signatures for many countries

    The series explores what made the meal so distinctive and worthy, delicious and unique. Each show showcases the mesmerizing back story of food dishes, inspiration, people, culture and how the dish was developed and what exactly is the relevance. Find out the story behind the humble porridge to the cheesy pizza, the essential pancakes to the spicy curry and from the healthy salad to the decadent chocolate. Every episode will feature a dish or a style, where it started and was further developed, who was responsible and why it was inspired along with the recipe.

    So this March, get set to relish this one of its kind experiences with “Food Stories” as viewers will be salivating over it like, never before!

  • Mini Mathur and Cyrus Sahukar re-unite after 4 years to host Discovery SCHOOL SUPER LEAGUE (DSSL) POWERED BY BYJU’S- The Learning App

    Mini Mathur and Cyrus Sahukar re-unite after 4 years to host Discovery SCHOOL SUPER LEAGUE (DSSL) POWERED BY BYJU’S- The Learning App

    MUMBAI: Multi-talented personalities Mini Mathur and Cyrus Sahukar have united after 4 years to be the host of India’s biggest ever integrated school quiz show Discovery SCHOOL SUPER LEAGUE (DSSL) POWERED BY BYJU’S- – The Learning App. Conceptualized at a never-before scale, the on-ground leg of DSSL has reached out to an unprecedented 12,300 plus schools touching over 43 lakh students in the age-group of 8 to 14 years across the nation.

    The on-air six-episode phase of DSSL premieres April 28 on Discovery Channel, Discovery HD World, Discovery Science, and Discovery Kids. The quiz will feature teams from 29 states and 1 Union Territory (Delhi).

    Speaking on the occasion, Mini Mathur, said, “I'm a complete quiz head and love being part of shows which unearth the true hidden knowledge potential of children of India. The role of a quizmaster is not as simple as it may seem – one needs to make the children comfortable & uninimidated so that they are unfazed with the occasion and can remember their facts as and when the time arises… and yet keep the energy of the game high. I am excited to be part of DSSL because the process of identifying team of each state has been very exhaustive. I admire both brands – Byju’s and Discovery and it is a pleasure to work closely with them. Byju’s is an amazing start-up story in the field of education while Discovery is a global leader in real life entertainment – to which my kids are also hooked to.”

    “The scale of DSSL is amazing. The fact that the on-ground phase touched more than 43 lakh children, and only 60 made it to the TV round tells you a deeper story that the standard of quiz would be very high; the competition intense. I am excited to be amongst such talented bunch,” said, Cyrus Sahukar. “I look forward to hosting the quiz with close friend Mini Mathur and together we will make sure it turns out to be fun, exciting and an engaging show.

  • National Geographic Expeditions to offer enriching immersive travel experiences to Indian Travellers

    National Geographic Expeditions to offer enriching immersive travel experiences to Indian Travellers

    MUMBAI: As Indian travellers look for rich travel experiences in a burgeoning luxury travel industry, National Geographic Expeditions launches in India. Urging people to gather authentic experiences and explore the unknown, National Geographic Expeditions will help Indian travellers gain access to people and places, get enriched by the knowledge of National Geographic experts and guides. Furthermore, when you travel with National Geographic Expeditions you give back since proceeds from National Geographic Expeditions’ travel programs support the National Geographic Society’s efforts to increase global understanding through exploration, education and scientific research. Gary Knell, Chairman of National Geographic Partners announced the launch of National Geographic Expeditions as a part of his tour of India, and unveiled the India specific website – www.natgeoexpeditions.in

    Imagine observing lions on the prowl in the Serengeti with a wildlife biologist, examining ancient ruins in Peru with an archaeologist, or shooting images in Italy alongside a National Geographic photographer. From photography to history to marine biology, our National Geographic experts offer enriching expedition experiences through fascinating presentations and informal discussions. The customised trips have been offered globally and will now be available to discerning Indian travellers in local currency with completely localized fulfilment and servicing for the travel bookings. Creating authentic and memorable experiences, the National Geographic Expeditions trips are designed to reflect travellers’ broad spectrum of interests and enable truly experiential travel.

    National Geographic Expeditions was founded to support the National Geographic Society's 131-year mission to inspire people to care about the planet by providing meaningful opportunities to explore it. Each expedition invite travellers to explore and encounter the wonders of the world up close, in depth, right at the source, and be transformed by the experience.

    Commenting on the National Geographic Expeditions launch in India, Gary Knell, Chairman of National Geographic & Partners said, “National Geographic Expeditions span the globe on all seven continents and are designed to reflect our travellers’ broad spectrum of interests. We are delighted to bring National Geographic Expeditions to free-spirited Indian travellers and are looking forward to providing them authentic travel experiences. The itineraries designed under the program will help travellers immerse themselves in the heart of the places and cultures they visit. Moreover, our Expeditions will be accompanied by a National Geographic expert- including photographers, explorers and writers- for an unrivalled travel experience. We are hopeful that with this proposition, we will be able to cater to people who believe in not just visiting a destination but truly exploring.”

  • Discovery India unveils unique short-form video destination on Dailyhunt app; Discovery Plus creates waves on the digital media

    Discovery India unveils unique short-form video destination on Dailyhunt app; Discovery Plus creates waves on the digital media

    MUMBAI: Discovery Communications India (DCIN), country’s leading factual entertainment network, has entered into a unique partnership with India’s No 1 News and local content discovery app – Dailyhunt. DCIN has introduced a video destination named Discovery Plus on the home page of Dailyhunt App offering exhilarating short form video content especially customized for the digital audiences in India. The content across Discovery’s strong verticals of Outdoor, Food, Wildlife, Science and Military is currently available in five languages namely English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and Bengali.

    This win-win partnership will help DCIN immediately expand its footprint on the digital domain in India leveraging 153 million monthly user base of Dailyhunt platform. On the other hand, Dailyhunt will be enriched with the unrivalled content library and upcoming titles of Discovery thus helping nurture passionate communities looking for factual entertainment on digital media.

    Within 9 days of the soft launch, the Discovery Plus section has received more than 50 million views and more than 4 million unique users visited the Discovery Plus section on the Dailyhunt app.  DCIN aims to refresh videos on Discovery Plus, ranging from 1-5 minutes, on a daily basis to engage with the emerging superfans community.

    Talking about the initiative, Simon Robinson, Managing Director, Discovery Asia Pacific and Chief Financial Officer, Discovery International, said, “The partnership with Dailyhunt offers us an exciting opportunity to understand, analyze and explore India’s burgeoning digital play. We are delighted with the initial trends, they further reinforce our belief that Discovery’s content offers immense unexplored potential for the digital domain in India.”

    Umang Bedi, President, Dailyhunt, said, “At Dailyhunt, we are super excited about this partnership with Discovery. We understand Bharat and its content needs the best and we feel very confident about Discovery’s content being a massive hit with vast diaspora of India. This partnership is completely aligned with our overall content plans of providing unique, exclusive, high quality content from great content partners like Discovery as we rapidly scale our business.” 

    The multi-year agreement, exclusive for the featured short-form content on Discovery Plus, will offer scalable monetization opportunity to the two organizations.

  • Discovery Channel to premiere Todd Sampson’s Body Hack 2.0 from 25th March

    Discovery Channel to premiere Todd Sampson’s Body Hack 2.0 from 25th March

    MUMBAI: Discovery Channel, India’s leading factual entertainment channel, is all set to premiere the second season of very popular series Body Hack 2.0 starting Monday, March 25 at 21:00 hrs. Adventurer Todd Sampson is on a mission to investigate some of the most extraordinary people on the planet to see what we can all learn from their lives. To try to understand them, he will not only walk in their shoes, he hacks into their world using science as his guide. This is the story of human potential and how our mind and body can adapt to almost anything. 

    Humans are the most adaptable and resourceful species on the planet. Our very existence has been forged by our ability to meet the challenges of the world around us. But for most of us today, the comforts of modern living mean we no longer need to adapt to survive. Do we still have this ability? And can science help us unlock the secrets of hidden potential that exist in all of us? To answer this question, science adventurer Todd Sampson explores some of the most challenging environments and resilient people on the planet. His body is the laboratory in which he puts to the test the science about our species and our ability to go beyond our limits.

    In this second series, Todd faces extreme challenges with the Matsés of the Amazon, Iraqi frontline soldiers, sādhu holy men of India, the kung fu masters of China, the firefighters of Washington DC and the Kazakh Eagle Hunters of Mongolia. Each episode highlights a unique aspect of human physiology and psychology, including cold adaptation, chronic stress, spatial awareness, pain tolerance and heat duress.

    In the first episode of the series, Todd explores the boundaries of pain and endurance with some of the most colourful and secretive people on the planet – the sādhus of India.  Todd’s journey begins in Haridwar, where he meets a group of travelling sādhus who shun the modern world by refusing to wear clothes and carrying traditional swords. Among the feats of pain they practice, called “tapas”, Todd meets a sādhu who has stood without a break for seven years, another who covers his body in thousands of beads and another who’s held his arm in the air for nearly 20 years.

    Using techniques and hacks that viewers can apply in their own lives, Todd will challenge himself to learn his hosts’ skills and attempt to make his body adapt in ways theirs have. From illuminating key moments in the story of human evolution to the use of the latest, hi-tech visual effects, this series is a visually fantastic journey that takes him from the frozen tundra to steaming jungles to see first-hand the ability of our species to go beyond the limit.

  • Megha Tata is Discovery’s pick for south Asia managing director

    Megha Tata is Discovery’s pick for south Asia managing director

    MUMBAI: This morning, we broke the news that Business Television India (BTVI) COO Megha Tata had put in her papers. Her last day at the business news channel would be 15 March 2019. We had an inkling that she would hop on to Discovery India as its India (more specifically south Asia) boss, filling a position that has been vacant since Karan Bajaj quit to set up his own venture. But pending confirmation, we did not put out the report.

    This morning the confirmation came in as Discovery Asia Pacific sent out a release stating that the broadcast veteran and affable professional is indeed taking over Discovery Communications India as it south Asia managing director.  She will be joining the firm effective 1 April 2019. A veteran of the media & entertainment industry, Megha has received multiple industry accolades in an illustrious career spanning more than 28 years. She has held leadership positions across eminent broadcasters such as BTVI, HBO, Turner International, and STAR TV. 

    Megha will be based in Mumbai and report to Discovery Asia Pacific managing director and Discovery International chief financial officer Simon Robinson.

    “Megha is a seasoned professional, with an extensive and proven track record of leading multiple broadcast businesses in India. We are incredibly excited to welcome Megha, and her vision, at this important juncture as we aim to actualize the potential of such a key market,” said Simon Robinson. “I look to her leadership to provide a differentiated strategic direction to Discovery India with twin objectives of – accelerating growth in the core business and strengthen the product portfolio with new offerings in line with the evolving expectations of the market.”

    Commenting on the development, Megha Tata, said, “Having been a passionate superfan of Discovery myself, I am really excited to lead Discovery’s mandate in the region. I look forward to working closely with the India management team to help build an aggressive growth path for the company in this rapidly changing media landscape.”

  • Budweiser experiences x VH1 Supersonic are back for another epic edition of the music fiesta

    Budweiser experiences x VH1 Supersonic are back for another epic edition of the music fiesta

    MUMBAI: Budweiser Experiences presents VH1 Supersonic, for the first time ever will witness the formers very own stage – BUDXAWAKENING. Music enthusiasts will be in for stellar performances headlined by techno maestro – Paul Ritch, with subsequent high-energy acts by Bart Skills, Layton Giordani, Ash Roy, Tuhin Mehta, Browncoat, Sequel, BLOT!, KOHRA, Arjun Vagale, Colin Benders and Gaiser. For an unmatched festival experience, select guests will also get exclusive access to the Budweiser Viewing Stage – providing for a panoramic view of the musical madness. 

    In addition, there will be an exclusive Budweiser Brew District with tons of engaging experiences for people to feel more energized and integrated into the festival vibe. Barber shops, tattoo parlours, immersive photobooths and a chance to purchase merchandise from Budweiser’s limited edition Street wear collection! As a precursor to the festival, Budweiser will be rolling out special packs, allowing one and all to live and feel the VH1 Supersonic vibe, irrespective of where they are. The pack consists of a special scratch card with a unique code, which on being sent to the registered number, leads to an array of assured rewards. Few lucky winners will also get a chance to win passes to the main festival, uniting the Budweiser tribe for a one of its kind experience. 

    Commenting on the association, Kartikeya Sharma, Vice President Marketing – South Asia, AB InBev, said, “Over the years, music has evolved to be a passion point that is vehemently shaping culture in India. Identifying the same, at Budweiser, we have ensured that we resonate and bond with our brew lovers through this very point – enabling them to live and witness world class music experiences. With VH1 Supersonic, we have ventured to enthral fans with an all-encompassing Budweiser escapade – bringing them fresher and newer avenues to enjoy their music. We are excited to grow this partnership with immersive experiences such as theBUDXAWAKENING stage and the Budweiser Brew District. This year especially, our patrons are in for a treat with the VH1 special pack rollout, an activation we expect to be spreading the energy of the festival – to all enthusiasts beyond just the festivalgoers.” 

    The special packs will be available in stores near you, while the music aficionados can grab their festival passes on BookMyShow.com