ITV

Category: GECs

  • DistroTV partners with Raj Nayak’s House of Cheer

    DistroTV partners with Raj Nayak’s House of Cheer

    Mumbai: Advertising video on demand platform DistroTV has partnered with House of Cheer to onboard South Asian channels. The platform will cater to USA, UK, and Canadian audiences making it easier to distribute, market, and monetise content at no cost.

    The company is also in advanced discussion with a further 15 to 20 channels that include regional languages like Tamil, Telugu & Malayalam. DistroTV plans to scale this operation over the next 12 to 18 months in other international markets.

    “The DistroTV Desi Bundle is an easy pathway to reach the 20-million, strong South East Asian diaspora across North America and the EU, representing a large revenue opportunity,” said the company in a statement.

    DistroTV is a division of California-based media technology company DistroScale and has partnered with Indian TV broadcasters such as Times Network, Republic Media, News24, Mastii TV, E24 to distribute their content globally. It offers Indian channel content through a free service called DistroTV Desi focusing on entertainment, lifestyle and news geared toward the South Asian population abroad and airs in native languages including Hindi, Gujarati and Punjabi among others.

    “Today’s broadcasters and content creators face a few critical challenges, They struggle with the cost of content delivery, with understanding how to best drive viewership, and with how to effectively market and monetise their content,”  said DistroScale, co-founder and chief executive officer, Navdeep Saini, adding that, “At DistroTV, we aim to address all of these issues so that content creators can focus solely on their craft: producing meaningful content that will resonate with viewers.”

    “DistroTV makes it easier than ever for Indian content creators and channels to distribute and monetise their content globally, without worrying about the setup, infrastructural, and ad costs, which is a huge saving on their bottom line,” said House of Cheer, managing director and advisor to DistroTV, Raj Nayak.

    “The channel owners can simply focus on producing engaging content, and we will host and monetise their content, as well as syndicate their channels to other large streamers to widen their international distribution, income, and revenue opportunities,”  DistroScale, vice president of business development and content acquisition, Rajesh Nair.

    “DistroTV ensures that all content is aggregated into one OTT platform, with the flexibility of having both linear TV and VOD. The platform absorbs all associated costs for content delivery, streaming, and marketing so that broadcasters and content creators do not pay any upfront investment or infrastructure costs. Leveraging its vast network and deep relationships with advertisers, DistroTV also monetises content for all clients,” said a statement.

    “Unlike other streaming providers, DistroTV also offers transparency to content owners through its LIVE dashboard, which allows for direct, real-time access to key viewership and revenue metrics at any given time. Metrics in the LIVE dashboard include viewer location, time of day shows were watched, the frequency of watching a show, and even how many ads a particular viewer saw during episode breaks. With access to key viewership metrics, broadcasters and content owners are able to make informed decisions and tweak strategy in real-time to drive maximum viewership and increase monetisation,” it added.

  • Zee Zest bolsters programming line-up with two new shows

    Zee Zest bolsters programming line-up with two new shows

    Mumbai: Lifestyle channel Zee Zest has added two international shows to its programming including “Secret of the Supercars” and “Ridiculous Rides”. The shows will air every weekend at 9 p.m.

    “Secret of the Supercars” gives viewers a peek under the hoods of some of the world’s fastest and most powerful cars. Featuring Titch Cormack, Catie Munnings and Duncan Pittaway, the show will be aired from 28 August.

    Filmed by American car enthusiast Steve Feldman, “Ridiculous Rides” will premiere on 29 August. The show brings alive the story of 11 dreamers who want to customise their own and delves into the minds of some of the most creative car-enthusiasts across the globe.

  • ZEE wins big at Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards ’21

    ZEE wins big at Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards ’21

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) has won three key awards at the prestigious and globally acclaimed Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Awards 2021. The media company bagged silver for ‘Best Advance in Custom Content’ and bronze for ‘Best Advance in Employee Engagement’ and ‘Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Program’.

    The awards feature two annual programs recognising the best organisations that have successfully deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems and tools that have achieved measurable results. ZEE has been felicitated amongst the best in the list of global companies, recognising its employee focussed learning and development initiatives and a people-first approach.

    In line with the evolving media and entertainment ecosystem, ZEE is nurturing its pool of talent by building a strong employee value proposition revolving around three key tentpoles of being an ‘Academy of Talent’ in the M&E industry, cherishing its roots by celebrating the proud legacy of the brand, its values, culture, traditions and building a safe and secure workplace. The company has successfully implemented learning and development initiatives for its employees despite headwinds faced by the sector during the lockdown, said the company in a statement.

    Some of these programs include increase in the quantum and coverage of learning initiatives (13,000+ man-hours of learning clocked across its offices during FY21, access to online learning courses on global e-learning platforms like Coursera and Udemy, access to e-books of different genres through a tie-up with the new-age platform – Librarywala), ZEEcademy –  an online learning experience platform hosting all learning needs in one place and digitalisation – building employee capabilities to adapt to the existing business practices through new digital methods, it added.

    Speaking on the recognition, ZEEL, president- HR and transformation, Animesh Kumar said, “Learning and development efforts have been a foundation stone of our strong employee engagement strategy and we are honoured that the same have been recognised at the globally renowned Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards 2021. This recognition is a testament of our continued commitment towards enhancing the overall employee value proposition at ZEE. As an ‘Academy of Talent’, we continue to focus on initiatives that enhance our capability building programs and encourage our people to perform to their fullest potential.”

    Capability building has been one of ZEE’s key focus areas and the company has been substantively increasing the quantum and coverage of its learning initiatives. Keeping gamification at the core, the company partnered with Upside Learning, a player in the digital learning space, to create a story-based employee induction experience with gamified elements to engage the new talent.

    “It is an honor to be recognised by the esteemed Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards for our partnership with ZEE. We’re extremely proud to have developed high-quality learning and development experiences for ZEE, keeping gamification at the heart of the program, that have enhanced the company’s overall engagement with its talented workforce,” said Upside Learning Solutions’ founder and CEO, Amit Garg.

  • &TV to premiere ‘Baal Shiv’ on 31 August

    &TV to premiere ‘Baal Shiv’ on 31 August

    Mumbai: Hindi GEC &TV is set to launch its new mythological show “Baal Shiv” on 31 August. The story of Lord Mahadev’s ‘Baal Roop’ will air every Monday to Friday at 8 p.m.

    Produced by ZEE Studios, the show will depict the untold mythical story of the mother and son, Mahasati Anusuya and Baal Shiv and their eternal bond.

    Baal Shiv features Aan Tiwari as Baal Shiv, Mouli Ganguly as Mahasati Anusuya, Siddharth Arora as Mahadev, Shivya Pathania as Devi Parvati, Krrip Kapur Suri as Asur Andhak, Praneet Bhatt as Narad Muni, Danish Akhtar Saifi as Nandi, Dakssh Ajit Singh as Indra, Anjita Poonia as Indrani, Ravi Khanvilkar as Archarya Dandpani, Rajeev Bhardwaj as Rishi Atri, and Pallavi Pradhan as Maina Devi, amongst others.

    “Indian mythology is a treasure trove of extraordinary tales and our fascination with them is limitless,” said &TV, business head, Vishnu Shankar. “We have all grown up hearing them so many times and yet we never miss a chance to revisit them. Among these are the legends and tales of Lord Shiva and his various avatars. However, there is one ‘roop’ which is rarely spoken about and that is his ‘Baal Roop’.”

    “At &TV, we are proud to present for the first time on Indian television this untold, unseen story of ‘Mahadev’s Baal Roop’ through our show ‘Baal Shiv’. Through this show we want to narrate the tale of his childhood and the beautiful relationship he shares with his mother Anusuya. We invite all our viewers and Lord Shiva’s ardent devotees to watch and enjoy it wholeheartedly,” he added.

    ZEE Studios business head, Anshul Khullar shared, “We all have grown up listening to stories of Lord Shiva, but this endearing story of ‘Baal Shiv’ is a welcome change in the mythological space of Indian Television. The energy and the excitement with which this project is being worked upon are unprecedented.”

    “I am very happy to be a part of the show and play Baal Shiv’s role. Lord Shiva is my most favourite deity, and I worship him. I know his ‘stutis’ by heart and can recite them effortlessly,” shared Aan Tiwari.

    “Anusuya’s character is one of the most prominent roles in the show. She is the perfect balance of compassion and determination. As the head teacher of Gurukul, Anusuya takes care of its children as her own, imparts the best of her knowledge and cultivates discipline in them,” commented Mouli Ganguly. “She did not have any children of her own. So, she performed severe penance and received the boon to be Tridev’s mother. Her unwavering faith and devotion in her husband earned her the title of Mahasati.” 

    Siddharth Arora said, “I have this eternal belief that one doesn’t choose the role of Lord Shiva. It comes to them as a blessing from him! It is obvious how blessed I feel to have been chosen to essay Lord Shiv’s character. It is not the typical depiction of what the audience has seen before. Viewers will get to see a different side of him in the show. I hail from Banaras, the land of spirituality, and Shivji has been a huge part of my life. I have grown up listening to his tales and he is undoubtedly one of the most revered Gods on my side of the family and also personally for me. I could not have asked for anything more significant than essaying his character on screen.”

  • KBC returns with a bevy of sponsors for its 13th edition

    KBC returns with a bevy of sponsors for its 13th edition

    Mumbai: Sony Entertainment Television (SET)’s iconic quiz show – ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ has returned with its 13th season on Monday. The show’s creators have stepped up the game with a bevy of sponsors backing the show hosted by megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

    With the second wave ebbing away, and ad volume returning on TV, the broadcasters are optimistic of a better show than the 2020 edition which was marred by the Covid-induced challenges. First, the show had to be shot in absence of a LIVE audience, and second, the ad rates reeled under the pressure of an economy battered by the pandemic’s first wave. It’s telecast also clashed with the 2020 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), which had witnessed a record viewership in the pandemic year.

    For the latest edition which began airing on Sony TV on 23 August, the quiz show has on boarded two ‘co-presented by’ sponsors including Cadbury Dairy Milk and BYJU’s and four ‘co-powered by’ sponsors including Hyundai Motor India, Asian Paints Royale Glitz, Ultratech Cement and Zydus Wellness (Complan). Last year, it had only roped two ‘co-powered by’ sponsors and seven ‘associate’ sponsors.

    This year’s ‘associate’ sponsors include CERA, Pharmeasy, IDFC First Bank, LIC of India, Bharat Matrimony, and Reserve Bank of India which has come on board as ‘special partner’. The four sponsors including Asian Paints, Ultratech Cement, IDFC First Bank, LIC of India and Reserve Bank of India were associated with “KBC” for the previous season as well. The audience too has returned to the sets, however, the shooting is happening as per Covid protocols.

    According to a media planner, the entire sponsorship basket for “KBC 13” is covered within a window for Rs 30-60 crore, with the ad rates ranging from Rs 3 to 4.5 lakh per 10 seconds. The show has also roped in Acko General Insurance as ‘co-presented by’ and Asian Paints Royale Glitz as ‘décor partner’ for KBC Play Along, a game where viewers can also participate in the game show via OTT platform SonyLIV.

    The streaming platform SonyLIV is also exploring deals with advertisers for the show by offering custom packages and engagement initiatives such as KBC Play Along. “The CPM rates vary depending on the targeting, category, size of investment one may choose, ranging from Rs 180-240”, said Zenith, senior vice president – digital transformation, Rashmi Sehgal.

    “SonyLIV has one of the most dynamic non-fiction reality line-ups and this ensures a keen interest from advertisers for a partnership. Their unique proposition of marrying the show with digital engagement properties like Play Along make it appealing. This has attracted advertisers, across FMCG to digital first brands, to help them reach more than 100 million digital natives,” she added.

    The latest data from Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) also indicates an uptick in the ad volume on Television. According to its latest report, the ad volumes for July 2021 registered a 14 per cent growth over July 2020. As many as 869 new advertisers chose Television in July 2021, re-affirming their trust in the medium.

    The expectations are also bolstered by the massive vaccination drive across the country, which is also likely to boost consumer sentiments. While there are still apprehensions of another Covid wave, the advertisers have expressed confidence of a ‘stronger festive season’ in 2021.

    However, similar to last year, the current edition of the quiz show will also end up competing with IPL, which is set to resume on 19 September. As many as 30 matches are still to be played in the current season, which was suspended mid-way in May. The cricket league will be followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October.

    “Post Covid, the ratings and performance of impact shows have increased dramatically and KBC should be riding on top of it to attract many sponsors,” said DCMN India, head of media and growth, Mohit Gyanchandani. “KBC has always been a top choice for sponsors in terms of impact and lands exactly on the touch point to deliver fresh content and high ratings to the advertiser. This season has made some small changes in the overall format which would make it more fun and interesting to watch.”

  • Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Anurag Thakur to kick-off ‘Iconic Week’ celebrations

    Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Anurag Thakur to kick-off ‘Iconic Week’ celebrations

    Mumbai: Union minister for information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur will kick off a gamut of activities to celebrate the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ from 23-29 August. Thakur will kick off the ‘Iconic Week’ which will attract participation from across the country under the overall spirit of ‘Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan’, the I&B ministry said.

    According to the press statement released by the ministry, the objective is to showcase the journey of New India and celebrate the contribution of freedom fighters including the ‘unsung heroes’ of the freedom struggle through massive outreach activities. “The celebrations will be a 360-degree outreach via traditional means such as cultural programmes, nukkad natak and TV programmes along with innovative means of digital and social media,” it added.

    The AIR will launch a series of special programmes called ‘Dharohar’ which are speeches of freedom fighters; ‘Nishaan’ which will showcase 75 landmark sites and ‘Aparajita’, a show on women leaders. 

    The Doordarshan network will telecast programmes covering themes such as diplomacy, Digital India and legislative reforms through sectoral programmes like ‘Naye Bharat Ka Naya Safar’ and ‘Journey of New India’. Daily news capsules on ‘Unsung heroes and Freedom Struggle’ will also be shown, the ministry said.

    The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) is also organising a film festival on its OTT platform www.cinemasofindia.com screening a specially curated bouquet of films such as “Island City”, “Crossing Bridges” and many others, it added.

    DD Network will showcase a series of documentaries such as “Netaji”, “Merger of Princely States”, etc. Popular films like “Raazi” will also be broadcasted. 

    The Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) will also reach out to the people through nukkad nataks, skits, magic shows, puppetry, folk recitals through more than 50 integrated communication and outreach programmes by ROBs and over 1,000 PRTs by Song and Drama Division across the country. BOC will also launch an eBook on ‘Making of the Constitution’ on its website.

  • Sony SAB launches new show ‘Ziddi Dil – Maane Na’

    Sony SAB launches new show ‘Ziddi Dil – Maane Na’

    Mumbai: Sony SAB has announced a new show “Ziddi Dil – Maane Na” that premieres on 30 August and will air on weekdays at 8 p.m.

    Produced by Sunshine Productions, the show features Shaalien Malhotra, Kaveri Priyam, Kunal Karan Kapoor, Diljot Chhabra, Aditya Deshmukh, and Simple Kaul in lead roles.

    The show follows special Agent Karan Shergill (Shaalien Malhotra), a hardcore patriot, disciplinarian whose difficult, edgy beliefs have no room for sympathy towards other’s pain. He is paired with Dr Monami (Kaveri Priyam), a zealous personality who is here to bring about a change in perspective towards caring for others. While Special Agent Sanjana (Diljot Chhabra) is working hard to fulfil her duty towards the country and is simply not somebody you mess with, her partner Sid Ganju (Kunal Karan Singh) is a rich, spoilt, and careless person with an easy-going attitude towards life and his duty. 

    “Continuing to keep happiness at the core, we at Sony SAB are eager to offer more refreshing, youthful and heart-warming stories. Ziddi Dil – Maane Na showcases an adrenaline-filled journey of six cadets as they discover love, life, and find purpose,”  said Sony SAB, business head, Neeraj Vyas. “The concept and storyline of the show is very invigorating and distinct and blends well with Sony SAB’s brand belief and content proposition. There is a lot of spunk, freshness and wholesome entertainment that we bring to the audience with this show. I hope the viewers love it.”

  • ZEEL’s South GECs acquire rights to ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ZEEL’s South GECs acquire rights to ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), south cluster channels including ZEE Kannada, ZEE Tamil, ZEE Telugu and ZEE Keralam have secured the rights for “KGF Chapter 2“. The film will premiere on TV after its theatrical release in the respective regional languages.

    Directed by Prashanth Neel, produced by Hombale Films and starring Yash, the first part of the film surpassed the Rs 100 crore mark in terms of worldwide box office collections within a week of its release. The film has become the highest-grossing Kannada language entertainer to ever hit the screens.

    “We are thrilled to bring the most anticipated movie in the country to every screen in the South through the TV acquisition rights of KGF Chapter 2 in all four southern languages. This is yet another firm step we have taken as a brand to keep our promise to the audience and provide the best of entertainment in the comfort and safety of their homes. With this association, we are glad to present our viewers with quality content that is larger-than-life and appeals to diverse audiences across the world and enhances our connection with them,” said ZEEL, cluster head – South, Siju Prabhakaran.

    “ZEE Keralam proudly acquires the satellite rights of KGF 2. KGF Chapter 1 has a cult following in Kerala and we are excited to bring to our loyal viewers this mega entertainer,” said ZEE Keralam, business head, Santosh J Nair.

    “We are pleased to announce that we have associated with ZEE’s South Cluster for the satellite rights of our magnum opus KGF Chapter2, for the southern languages. With our partnership with ZEE’s South cluster of channels, we are confident to expand our reach to a wider audience,” said Hombale Films producer, Vijay Kirangandur.

    “With KGF Chapter 2, we have tried to enhance the spirit and scale of KGF legacy to provide the best cinematic experience for our fans. We hope to create and witness a greater euphoria with our grand release. And we are confident that KGF Chapter 2 will be showered with the same love and affection and will script a new benchmark in the film industry,” Kirangandur added.

    “KGF 2 holds a very special place in my heart. My director Prashant Neel, producer Vijay Kirgandur and I have a vision that has been very different and approachable and we are grateful that the audiences believe in the work we believe in. The love and support from the audiences have been immense and I am glad that the film from the region I hail from has managed to bring oneness amongst our audiences pan India. I am elated to associate with ZEE’s South cluster of channels that have been entertaining Indian audiences since its inception. I would like to extend my gratitude to ZEE and wish them the best. I hope we continue to have successful associations for our future projects,” said actor Yash.

    “KGF Chapter 2” teaser garnered 208 million views digitally, including trending at the top spot on Twitter and YouTube. The film also features Sanjay Dutt, Srinidhi Shetty, and Raveena Tandon as lead characters.

  • Sony TV ropes in 12 sponsors for KBC 13

    Sony TV ropes in 12 sponsors for KBC 13

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India has announced the 13th season of “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC), starting 23 August. Produced by StudioNEXT and hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, the show will air on Sony Entertainment Television, every weekday at 9 p.m. 

    The show has roped in BYJU’s and Cadbury Dairy Milk as ‘co-presenting’ sponsor, Hyundai Motor India, Asian Paints Royale Glitz, Ultratech Cement, and Zydus Wellness (Complan) as ‘co-powered by’ sponsor and CERA, Pharmeasy, IDFC First Bank, LIC of India, Bharat Matrimony as associate sponsors. The Reserve Bank of India has come on board as a ‘special’ partner.

    “For a show like KBC that has followed a certain creative pattern, it was time for us to break the mold and approach it differently. While digital auditions replaced the regular audition process, it didn’t deter the volume of entries. In fact, the ease of digital audition encouraged a lot more aspirants, based in the remotest areas possible to participate. We are happy with the spiritedness of each contestant, and we are hopeful that they fulfil their KBC journey,” said Sony Entertainment Television, head of content and digital business, Ashish Golwalkar. “While we did introduce AR (Augmented Reality) in the previous seasons, this year, the use of AR is far more superior and immersive. From refurbishing the entire set with the play of lights to the graphical elements and LED panels, India is the only country to host the format with the inclusion of such refined technological detailing. With distinct modifications to the game this season, we look forward to rewarding gameplay and promise an enhanced viewing experience to the audience.”

    “It’s the 21st year of my association with Kaun Banega Crorepati and I can never get enough of this show,” said Amitabh Bachchan. “It was probably for the first time, last season, that the studio audience wasn’t a part of the show and we saw a major change in the lifelines as well. I, for one, truly missed them and their energy… it’s infectious! I am happy that the studio audience is back this season with a newfound vigour and so is the lifeline – Audience Poll. It’s an enriching experience for me, each year, to be surrounded by contestants from all walks of life and I look forward to engaging and fulfilling gameplay. These contestants inspire me in every way,” Bachchan said.

    “It’s the 21st year of India’s longest-running show, and it’s heartening to know that KBC remains such a strong family favourite, that it still resonates with viewers across the social spectrum, and from all age groups,” said Siddhartha Basu, consultant for KBC season 13. “Each season, we’ve seen participants coming on to the hot seat from across the country, with varied levels of education and occupations, each with a distinct dream and story. Among a host of reasons that drive them, a key one is the search for ‘sammaan’ or respect. And they win that respect along with what can be life-changing amounts of winnings through a knowledge game. Gyan or knowledge is what provides a level playing field in our society, and viewers can now look forward to an exciting and entertaining new season of the show with a signature offering of gyan, dhan, and sammaan.”

    Fans of KBC may also log on to SonyLIV to participate in the gameshow via KBC Play Along, starting from 23 August, said the channel.

  • Rupal Patel & Gia Manek to headline Star Bharat’s ‘Tera Mera Saath Rahe’

    Rupal Patel & Gia Manek to headline Star Bharat’s ‘Tera Mera Saath Rahe’

    Mumbai: Star Bharat is bringing back television’s most iconic duo of Rupal Patel and Gia Manek with its new show “Tera Mera Saath Rahe”, premiering 16 August. The family drama will air every Monday to Friday at 8:30 p.m only on Star Bharat.

    Produced by Ved Raj under Shoonya Square Productions, the show narrates the story of a talented yet nervous girl, Gopika (played by Manek) and her powerful, independent mentor, Mithila (Patel). The cast also includes Mohammad Nazim, Vandana Vithlani, Mili Verma, Nitin Vakharia, Jyoti Mukerji, Raj Kumar, Pooja Kava, Minal Karpe, Hitesh Sampat, Maharshi Dave, and Sumanti in the supporting roles. 

    “We at Star Bharat are always looking forward to bringing the best and enduring content to our television viewers. We had a great time conceptualising the show and we are certain that the journey of each character will keep the audience intrigued and engrossed,” said the channel spokesperson.

    “Tera Mera Saath Rahe is going to be a completely new experience and storyline for the audience,” said producer Ved Raj. “Life adjustments often come with a wide range of experiences and emotions. Sometimes that transition can feel smooth, and at other times, the journey can be challenging, but what makes an ordinary person a hero is emerging victorious despite all odds. Gopika’s story will inspire every girl in the country and entertain the masses as well.”

    “The storyline of this show is truly one of a kind and makes it a must-watch. I am blessed to have received this opportunity. I am very thankful to Star Bharat and Ved Raj for respecting my talent as an actor and casting me in a character that is unique, powerful, and independent. I am surprising myself every day as I discover new facets of the lovely and mercurial Mithila. I am sure the audience will make this character their own,” stated actress Rupal Patel.

    Gia Manek added, “I am really happy to be playing the role of Gopika. Amid trying times, I am thrilled to have bagged a lead role and to have begun shooting as well. Above all, I’m glad to be back on the sets and shooting all over again. I hope viewers and fans will continue to shower their love and appreciation as I embark on a new journey.”