Category: GECs

Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment one of India’s leading players in the M&E industry, has launched a new Hindi entertainment channel, “Chumbak TV”. The channel is all set to entertain the youth of India with a promise to offer a light-hearted viewing experience with an impressive lineup of international dubbed shows, captivating content from new-age creators, and engaging animation shows. It will strive to be the ultimate source of entertainment for the youth seeking fun and delight.

Chumbak TV aims to provide an entertaining viewing experience which is aptly aligned with its tagline, “मस्त है” capturing the essence of the exciting line-up of shows. The content is designed for the viewers to sit back, unwind and indulge in a joyous viewing experience with their loved ones. The channel’s content slate comprises popular K-dramas like Goblin, engaging content from new-age creators with fan-favourite series like Jungle Book and Vir – The Robot Boy, and many more exciting such shows.

Shemaroo COO Arghya Chakravarty said, “The launch of Chumbak TV is yet another milestone for us as we continue to expand our presence in the B2C space. With the success of our existing channels, we are confident that Chumbak TV will strike a chord with viewers and meet their evolving entertainment needs, thereby establishing itself as a household name. With Chumbak TV, we aim to further strengthen our position in the Indian entertainment industry and continue to be a leader in the market.”

 Shemaroo COO of broadcasting business Sandeep Gupta added, “Chumbak TV is the latest addition to our existing strong portfolio of broadcast channels. We will ensure that our programming will excite and engage with young audiences leaving a lasting impact on their hearts and minds. With the launch of Chumbak TV, our network now offers tailor-made propositions for every member of the family as we are committed to providing our audiences with the best entertainment experience”.

Chumbak TV is poised to capture the hearts and minds of the youth with its exciting content and youthful appeal, which will certainly bolster Shemaroo’s existing broadcast offerings. The channel is available on the flagship OTT platform ShemarooME and will soon be available on all major direct-to-home and cable networks, ensuring that viewers across the country can easily access its content. Chumbak TV is committed to engaging with audiences at multiple touchpoints to cement its position as the ultimate destination for audiences looking for entertainment.

Mumbai: Bhojpuri is a distinctive local stronghold with a consumer base spread throughout India and beyond due to its status as the most migratory community in India. It offers a wealth of social, cultural, historical, and demographic resources to be utilised. Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s inaugural and leading Bhojpuri movie channel, ZEE Biskope, is focused on providing content and projections tailored to the audience’s specific needs, aspirations, and psychography. The channel is proud to announce the launch of its latest initiative, Zee Biskope Originals (ZBO). With this unique project, the channel aims to provide its viewers fresh, relatable, and high-quality Bhojpuri content that caters to the entire family. Zee Biskope’s remarkable success can be attributed to its unique positioning as the first curated movie channel in the Bhojpuri category. However, the channel has gone one step further and taken complete control over content creation by producing its own movies. This amplified approach has contributed significantly to their success.

Zee Biskope Originals will feature movies specially curated for Bhojpuri viewers, based on stories inspired by the region’s culture, beliefs, and daily lives. These movies will be produced by Zee Biskope and will be made with cinematic quality and presented in a manner that will resonate with the audience’s sensibilities. ZBO will showcase prominent filmmakers from the region as well as from the Hindi fraternity, thereby providing a diverse and compelling range of films. The movies featured on Zee Biskope Originals will be free from any uncomfortable or embarrassing content, making them perfect for family viewing. The channel promises to bring hitherto unexplored or under-represented genres to the forefront, providing a wider palate for its audience to choose from.

The first movie to be featured on Zee Biskope Originals is titled Preet Ka Saaya on 14 May 2023. This social drama with a supernatural backdrop is centered around a core belief in the region that any human being’s journey is not complete till their unfulfilled wishes from any life are complete. It is a Socio-supernatural-dramedy which is a novelty in this category. Zee Biskope Originals promises to be a game-changer in the Bhojpuri film industry, and viewers can expect a range of engaging, high-quality movies in the future.

“The core premise of ZEE Biskope is to establish, celebrate, and elevate consumer truth in its most engaging form. Since the beginning, the brand has been a shining example of living this philosophy and transforming the category dynamics. It not only changed viewers’ expectations but also elevated Bhojpuri to a reputable level in respected national and global professional forums. We are excited to offer our viewers a new range of movies with Zee Biskope Originals. These films are unique and relatable, and showcase the best of Bhojpuri culture. We are confident that our viewers will enjoy these movies and appreciate the effort we are putting in to provide them with fresh and high-quality content,” said Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd chief cluster officer – East – Samrat Ghosh.

Bhojpuri Cluster chief channel officer Amarpreet Singh Saini added, “We are thrilled to launch Zee Biskope Originals, a new wave of Bhojpuri movies. With this initiative, we aim to provide our viewers with fresh, engaging, and high-quality content that they can enjoy with their families. As a curated movie channel in the Bhojpuri category, Zee Biskope provides unique opportunities to advertisers/brands to explore in-movie integrations, brand placements, and brand presence. This enables them to find a deeper and more meaningful connection with our audience of movie lovers. The team’s dedication to bringing the Bhojpuriya soul to screen has not only been appreciated by our ardent viewers but has also been recognized. Here’s to ZEE Biskope’s Bhojpuriya spirit: Aanthon Pahariya Loota Lahariya!”

Mumbai: Set in the city of Benaras – the Bunkar community possesses exquisite weaving skills that produce ‘Banarasi Silk Sarees’, famous worldwide for their fine weave. Despite their artistry being celebrated all around the globe, the members of this community are underpaid by traders, leading to a bleak reality for many. But what happens when a girl from the community rises against them for the respect and fame they deserve? As love blossoms between a warm-hearted talented weaving artist from the Bunkar community and a shrewd & cold-hearted businessman, new dilemmas arise. Nazara’s upcoming show ‘Laal Banarasi’ explores the captivating story of Gauri -– a weaving artist not just known for her beautiful work but someone who weaves aspirations and reality with her strong character. Television actor Savi Thakur will essay the role of Garv Aggrawal, while Gauri Chitranshi will debut by portraying the character of Gauri. Veteran television actor Narayani Shastri will also be seen in the show, essaying the role of Shakuntala Devi. Produced by Parth Productions, the show will premiere on 9 May on the channel.

Excited to make her television debut and to essay the role of Gauri, Chitranshi shared, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase my talent and explore a new character as the lead in ‘Laal Banarasi’. Working closely with the talented team has been an incredible experience, and I am grateful for this opportunity. I have a great time working with my talented, collaborative, and committed co-actors, who uniquely bring their characters to life with their best performance. We all work together as a team, supporting each other towards a common goal of creating an entertaining show.”

Talking about joining the show as Garv Aggrawal, Thakur shares, “When the show was offered to me, I was immediately intrigued by its fascinating storyline and the multi-layered character of Garv, who is a shrewd, cold-hearted businessman. As he hails from a broken family, he develops a practical nature with no room for love or emotions. I found this aspect of the character challenging as it pushed me as an actor to portray a character completely distinct from my personality. I am excited about the show and hope it resonates with the audience”.

Television actor Narayani Shastri who will be seen portraying the role of Shakuntala Devi, shared, “I have three requirements when it comes to joining a new show – a great character, a warm and genuine production house, and a channel with a great artistic taste. With Laal Banarasi, I hit a hat trick! Shakuntala Devi is formidable, and I love that she owns it as the antagonist. While Gauri is fresh and confident, Garv has many layers that I continue to discover. It’s been lovely to work with all my fellow actors, and I’m excited to take our roles to new heights”.

As the show gears up for its premiere, the channel is promoting the show across multiple markets to interact with viewers via LED vans that will play promos of Nazara and the network’s Bhojpuri movie channel – Filamchi Bhojpuri – from 9 May.

Mumbai: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, has announced the upcoming launch of the second season of TVF’s ‘Yeh Meri Family,’ a cult family drama that had a special knack for taking audiences back into the ‘90s, with its unique and exceptional storyline. The first season was widely appreciated for its relatable narrative, the endearing characters, depicting a typical Indian household, earning it an IMDB rating of 9/10. The second season promises to explore a few new characters and facets delving into topics that viewers can relate to. The soon to be released season 2 will premiere exclusively on Amazon miniTV within the Amazon Shopping App and on Fire TV.

With a typical ‘90s family premise, the second season set in the backdrop of the winter season will revolve around the nuances of how a middle-class family from the ‘90s went about their daily routine, but this time the situations would have an interesting twist! This beautiful and utmost cherished decade will reflect simpler times when people used to hang posters of their favourite Bollywood actor in their rooms, when owning a car made your neighbours envious, when the entire country rejoiced in Sachin’s century, and when having a landline phone at home was a luxury. It will recreate the essence of this golden decade!

Amazon miniTV head of content Amogh Dusad said, “Yeh Meri Family is a cult show for all the right reasons. The magic of the 90s amalgamated with the unmatched storytelling process of our long-standing partners – The Viral Fever, is simply commendable.” “Our goal with Amazon miniTV is to offer great stories that can be enjoyed by all Indians for free! Season 1 of Ye Meri Family struck a strong chord with millions of viewers and we are proud to partner with TVF to bring the next season of this show exclusively to our viewers. It is guaranteed to take you down the memory lane!”, said Aruna Daryanani, Head of Business, Amazon miniTV. 

Talking about the second season, TVF president Vijay Koshy said, “Our endeavour has been to depict a strong multigenerational family drama set in the 90s. The 90s era was the innocent period just before the advent of social media and other devices. It adds a lot of nostalgia and reminds you of simpler times. A large portion of TVF’s early audience is from the 90s generation, so we understand the emotional connect that people have with this era. We are confident that Yeh Meri Family season 2 will strike an emotional chord with everyone who has lived through the 90s and will deliver an exceptional experience.”

The series has been renewed for a second season, which will soon debut on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app and on Fire TV. 

Mumbai: Sony LIV has carved out a niche for itself through its Indian content and Hindi and regional language narratives. After introducing critically acclaimed originals in Tamil and Telugu, Sony LIV ventures into Malayalam with Jai Mahendran, an exciting political drama.

The show focuses on the life of Mahendran, a manipulative officer who believes in getting things done through powerplay and by use of his influence within the system. However, his freedom within the office comes to a halt and his ideologies get challenged, as he becomes the victim of the same powerplay. In an attempt to safeguard his job and restore his reputation, he plans to sabotage an entire system to his advantage. Will Mahendran succeed in pulling off his master plan?

Jai Mahendran is helmed by the National and State Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Riji Nair as writer, producer and showrunner and the show is directed by Srikanth Mohan. The show features cast that includes Saiju Kurup, Suhasini, Miya, Suresh Krishna, Maniyanpilla Raju, Balachandran Chullikad, Vishnu Govindan, Sidhartha Siva and Rahul Riji Nair in pivotal roles.

With its unique storyline and stellar cast, it promises wholesome entertainment for the viewers.

Sony LIV head of content Saugata Mukherjee said, “The joy of creating content for India is that it allows us to make shows in different Indian languages with a diverse set of storytellers. Each language helps us bridge cultures, understand different perspectives and build meaningful connections. With Jai Mahendran we continue our mission to diversify our content library. It also allows us to celebrate different cultures and unique voices. We are delighted that our journey with Malayalam Originals has begun and we hope we can keep telling inspiring stories.”

Nair said, “Our goal with Jai Mahendran is to provide a balanced portrayal of the life of an officer from various viewpoints. The system can be exceedingly complicated with various regulations and powerplay at different levels. Through Jai Mahendran, we aspire to illuminate a topic that is both relatable and entertaining for the audience.”

Mumbai: The Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) TATA IPL 2023 match on JioCinema clocked the highest ever concurrent viewership.

The last over of the second innings of the match saw the concurrent viewership on JioCinema touching 2.4 crore. Chennai won the match by 8 runs. JioCinema has been free streaming IPL matches for all viewers.

In terms of engagement, JioCinema continues to set new benchmarks every day.

The streaming app has been adding millions of new viewers for IPL on a daily basis.

The highest viewership recorded on Disney Hotstar was 1.86 crore during the final match of 2019 season.

JioCinema’s free streaming of the TATA IPL 2023 for all viewers in India has resulted in a record-breaking number of views. Additionally, JioCinema has registered the highest ever number for any apps installed.

In terms of sponsorships and advertisers, JioCinema has been far ahead of TV rights holders for IPL. The streaming app has roped in 23 marquee sponsors for the tournament, along with most top brands in the country as advertisers.

Mumbai: Zee Ganga, the number one Bhojpuri GEC of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Purvanchal region, has added a new milestone to its journey! Taking the entertainment to the next level, the channel is proud to announce that the grand finale episode of our show Memsaab No.1 has broken all viewership records and emerged as the slot leader with a remarkable growth rate of 71 per cent (BARC, B&J, U+R, Wk 13’23 CS15+, Sun (2000-2200 hrs) Avg AMA000s).

The finale episode was competing to snatch the esteemed coveted title of ‘Memsaab No.1.’ The episode was a spectacular celebration of the essence of being a true Indian woman “Ghar Ka Naya Chirag”. In the span of a few weeks, Memsaab No.1, a show filled with high-octane drama and lots of entertainment, enthralled the audiences by adding exciting formats to present Bhojpuri entertainment’s very-first non-scripted reality show. The emotional quotient on the battlefield of Memsaab No.1 sees group equations and power dynamics change at every instant. The episode was a fitting tribute to the participants’ journey, hard work, and determination to emerge as confident and empowered women. 

The success of the “Memsaab No.1” finale episode is a testament to the show’s unique format and its ability to captivate audiences. The show not only entertained viewers but has also contributed to the cause of women’s empowerment, inspiring women to break free from stereotypes and embrace their true selves. The performances by the participants were stunning, leaving the audience spellbound. The episode was graced by the presence of Bhojpuri superstar Yash Mishra and the stunning Raksha Gupta, who joined the judge’s panel as special guests and gave mesmerising performances. Anchor Ankush Raja and both judges Smrity Sinha and Ritu Singh also gave high-intensity and special performances, adding to the grandeur of the finale.

ZEEL chief cluster officer – East Samrat Ghosh said, “It has been our constant endeavour to provide unique and engaging content to our viewers through shows with innovative concepts. Memsaab No 1 – the first Bhojpuri non-scripted TV reality show – has been hugely successful amongst the audience. The overwhelming response to the “Memsaab No.1″ season 11 finale episode is a testimony to the hard work and dedication of the entire team behind the show. From the participants to the judges, the special guests, and everyone who contributed to making this episode a grand success. We thank our viewers for their unwavering support and promise to keep delivering the best of Bhojpuri entertainment.”

ZEE Ganga, ZEEL chief channel officer Amarpreet Singh Saini said, “Memsaab No.1 is a marquee property for us, and we are extremely proud of the success of “Memsaab No.1″ finale. Thanks to its unique and electrifying format, which has captured the hearts of audiences across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Purvanchal region. The show’s ability to showcase the true essence of being an empowered Indian woman has not only entertained viewers but has also inspired them to break free from stereotypes and embrace their true selves. We hope to continue our contribution towards women empowerment through our programming.”

ZEE Ganga’s endeavor has always been to bring to the fore the rich Bhojpuri culture and heritage. These festive associations and programs are yet another step in that direction. With more such region empowering shows in the pipeline, the channel is all geared up to redefine entertainment and continue its mission to bring original and authentic content for its regional Bhojpuri audiences.

Mumbai: Sony Entertainment Television has always been at the forefront of bringing viewers relevant stories, backed by true to life characters. Its fiction offerings have not only entertained the viewers but also given Indian television some of its most iconic shows. The channel is now ramping up primetime viewing with the launch of two shows – Hum Rahein Na Rahein Hum Co Powered by Smith & Jones Pasta Masala and Sapnon Ki Chhalaang Co Powered by Ching’s Secret Schezwan Chutney. Starting 10 April, these exuberant stories will air every Monday to Friday at 9.00pm and 9.30 pm respectively.

Sony Entertainment Television head business operations Pradeep Hejmadi said, “We live in a world of relatable and beautiful spaces that deserve the limelight. Our storytelling, fueled by insights and inspiring characters, celebrates human emotions and the spirit, making every day spent with us a memorable experience. Strengthening our fiction programming in the 9 to 10pm primetime band, we are delighted to be bringing two new shows, ‘Hum Rahein Na Rahein Hum’ and ‘Sapnon Ki Chhalaang’ that present audiences with a perspective that is unique to each narrative and its strong characters.”

‘Hum Rahein Na Rahein Hum’ delves into the lives of two strong-willed women from two diametrically opposing societal settings, each inspirational in their respective worlds. This captivating story follows the journeys of Damayanti, the principled traditionalist matriarch of the royal Barot family based in Ranakgadh while Surilii is a vibrant and modern thinking young girl from Mumbai. The show focusses on the natural human nature of resistance to change – change tends to create fear and the usual reactions are to either fight, or flight. This close-to-life yet inspirational saga sees Kitu Gidwani playing Damayanti Barot, Tina Datta essaying the role of Surilii Ahluwalia and Jay Bhanushali portraying the character of Shivendra Barot. Despite their diametrically opposing ways, the essence of these two women striving to safeguard their familial traditions is the same. Set in her ways, Damayanti is trying to save the honor and customs of her family while Surilii, who goes with the flow is giving her all in trying to protect the memories and legacy of her parents. Produced by Swastik Productions, Hum Rahein Na Rahein Hum is a remake of the popular Turkish drama İstanbullu Gelin (Bride of Istanbul) that will air on Sony Entertainment Television every Monday to Friday at 9:00 pm, from 10 April.

Swastik Productions Siddharth Kumar Tewary said, “With every show, we strive to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and create something truly unique and memorable. We are thrilled to launch ‘Hum Rahein Na Rahein Hum’ in association with Sony Entertainment Television that delves into the lives of two independent women who have one thing in common: a desire to protect their heritage. With a strong vision and a great partnership, I am confident that this show will captivate viewers and give them a wholesome viewing experience.” 

‘Sapnon Ki Chhalaang’ offers viewers a distinctive perspective into the life of Radhika Yadav, a girl filled with grit and determination from Jhansi who wants to make it big in the metropolis of Mumbai. Starring the promising actress Megha Ray as the protagonist Radhika, the show follows her leap of faith to an alien city to fulfill her dreams while wanting to prove to her parents, Radheshyam Yadav, played by Sanjivv Jotangia and Suman Yadav, played by Kashish Duggal that she can stand on her own feet and take care of them. But to succeed, Radhika must overcome the challenges of moving to a new city, handling the pressures of her first job and tough boss along with living with her three roommates – Sreemoyi Banerjee (Sadhwi Majumder), Vaishali Tiwari (Anushubdha Bhagat) and Preeti Dhingra, (Alma Hussein) – all of whom come from very diverse backgrounds. An Invictus T Mediaworks production, this coming-of-age drama will air on Sony Entertainment Television (SET) every Monday to Friday at 9:30 pm, from 10 April.

Invictus T Mediaworks producers Nilanjana Purkayasstha and Herumb Khot said, “Like our previous collaborations with Sony Entertainment Television for shows like ‘Dhadkan… Zindaggi Kii’, we believe in celebrating the power of today’s woman who strives to succeed in life, come what may. Radhika’s story mirrors the young and fearless generation of women who took the leap of a faith to move to a new place city to pursue their dreams and want to shoulder the responsibility of social and economic mobility for their family.”

Mumbai: Giving extraordinary talent a platform to showcase their skill through its wide-ranging and impressive array of non-fiction properties, Sony Entertainment Television is all set to up the ante of entertainment with the launch of its homegrown dance reality show, India’s Best Dancer Season 3. Following the magnificent run of the previous seasons, India’s Best Dancer Season 3 Co-powered by Quick Heal and Nerolac Paint+, returns with this third edition seeking superlative dancing talent from different parts of the country. Ushering in a new era of dance, this season will commemorate those contestants whose moves will prove what they stand for, staying true to theme of the season – #HarMoveSeKarengeProve. Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis will be reprising their roles as judges and the elegant Sonali Bendre will join them to complete the Jury Triad. Produced by Frames Production Company and hosted by Jay Bhanushali, India’s Best Dancer Season 3 starts 8 April and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television.

Starting with the auditions, the contestants will get only 90 seconds on the clock to impress judges with at least three power moves to go further in the competition. As the clock keeps tickling, the judges also known as the E.E.N.T specialists, will keep a close eye on the Emotions, Entertainment, Newness and Technique that the contestants bring forth in their acts. Judge Sonali Bendre will assess the performances on ‘Emotions and Entertainment’, while Geeta Kapur will look for ‘Newness’ in the moves and Terence Lewis will account for perfection in the ‘Technique’. The second phase will be the Mega Auditions that sees selected contestants battle it out in pairs or trios to move into the next round. With the Grand Premiere, the judges will announce the Top 12 contestants as the ‘Best Barah’ who will be introduced to their respective mentor in their journey ahead. Week on week, these 12 contestants will have to impress the judges and audience alike to move closer to winning the most coveted title of India’s Best Dancer!

Promising dance, diversity, and delight – the third season of India’s Best Dancer will make everybody groove with a spectacular blend of contestants who will showcase styles like popping, boogaloo, animation, tutting, waving, contemporary and classical amongst others.

Sony Entertainment Television head programming Sonal Yadav said, “Sony Entertainment Television believes in giving ordinary people extraordinary opportunities that enables them to pursue their passion and hone their skills. And it gives us immense pride to see our successful homegrown property – India’s Best Dancer set exceptional standards for dance and entertainment in the reality show category. This platform has been instrumental in discovering unique talent with each season witnessing new dance forms and performances that are at par with international standards; establishing a high benchmark for the contestants in this third edition. We are delighted to welcome Sonali Bendre on the judges panel alongside Terence Lewis and Geeta Kapur. Our theme – #HarMoveKaregaProve is testimony to the strength of the amazing talent we have culled out through the auditions, and we look forward to creating an entertaining and unparalleled viewing proposition for our audiences.”

Frames Production Company producers Ranjeet Thakur and Hemant Ruprell said, “We are delighted to associate with Sony Entertainment Television for the third instalment of ‘India’s Best Dancer’ and having Sonali Bendre join Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis is a great addition to the judges’ panel. We are privileged to be providing a foundation for budding talent so that they may flourish and excel in this field. This season will witness talent who will stun one and all with their exceptional moves, truly proving why they deserve to be in the spotlight. Here’s wishing the contestants of India’s Best Dancer all the very best!”

Mumbai: Zee has settled its claims with Standard Chartered Bank – this case not in NCLT, however it could have been a roadblock for the merger with Sony. Merger hearing was held at NCLT today and has been moved to 13 April for the next hearing

Indus Ind Bank and IPRS which were in NCLT and could have been a roadblock for the merger approval have been settled over the last few weeks, and now Standard Chartered Bank too. IDBI bank is the only one pending now at NCLT, which has to be settled or contested to get the merger approval with Sony; the amount pending with IDBI Bank as per latters claim is Rs 150cr. Settlement on above cases is a good news for expedition in the merger process and have a positive impact on stock valuations

Zee has moved up 25 per cent over the last one month and is still trading at inexpensive valuations of 9x (Ex OTT losses) – 13x (including OTT losses), factoring the merger going ahead and cost synergies playing out (in the range of Rs five – six bn)

We have assigned a target PER multiple of 17x for the core broadcasting business and after factoring Zee’s 47 per cent stake, business synergies and cash infusion (Rs 110bn) – we have a BUY rating on the stock with a TP of Rs 390 ; could see some downside (10-12 per cent on earnings) basis earnings downgrade due to the recent ad environment which has been muted due to new age cos cutting ad spends and other verticals reducing ad spends due to inflationary pressures,” said Elara Capital senior VP research analyst (media, consumer discretionary & internet) Karan Taurani