ITV

Category: GECs

  • Zee Cinema to air world TV premiere of ‘Saina’ on 25 July

    Zee Cinema to air world TV premiere of ‘Saina’ on 25 July

    Mumbai: ZEE Cinema is all set to bring the world television premiere of ‘Saina’ on 25 July, 12 noon.

    The biopic on badminton champion Saina Nehwal, Saina follows the dreams of a small-town girl who went on to conquer the world of badminton and become the pride of an entire nation. It also highlights the immense support system including her family, coach, and friends that turned her dreams into a reality.

    Directed by Amole Gupte, the film features Parineeti Chopra donning the role of Saina along with the remarkable Manav Kaul, Meghna Malik, and Eshan Naqvi in pivotal roles.

    Talking about the film, Saina Nehwal said, “It was surreal to see my own life on screen. Amole Gupte’s creative vision, Parineeti, and Naishaa’s portrayal of myself are both a delight to watch. This experience of rewatching my journey has made me realise that sure, hard work and talent are what drive you to live your dreams, but one of the most important aspects is the support system. I am indebted to my parents, my husband, and my coaches as without them, my life wouldn’t be the same. They constantly motivated me and pushed me to chase my dreams, and that’s what kept me going on the most difficult days. I can only hope that my story will positively motivate young dreamers to go all out in the pursuit of their dreams.

    Sharing her experience, Parineeti Chopra said, “Saina has inspired millions and it was extremely fulfilling to play her on screen. It took blood and sweat to transform myself. I vividly remember spending my days as an athlete and even crying out of pain on the court. But it was all worth it. Saina Nehwal was my initial guiding force. Priyanka Chopra even gave me pointers on how to mould myself for the role, since she played a sports character in the past. I am so excited as Zee Cinema brings the story to a much wider audience yet again with the World Television Premiere of Saina on 25 July.”

    Amole Gupte shared, “My journey with project Saina began about 6 years ago and it was no less than a rollercoaster. My passion grew with every setback faced by the film, however at one point I may have had lost hope, but, like Saina’s support system in the movie, my diligent team helped me keep the show running. I am grateful that Saina, herself, advised Parineeti which added to the authenticity of the character. We were able to tell a story that’s a must-watch for anyone driven by passion, and with the World Television Premiere of Saina on Zee Cinema, we get to achieve that.”

  • ZEE Hindustan’s ‘Hindustan Ki Baat’ goes on-ground for second year

    ZEE Hindustan’s ‘Hindustan Ki Baat’ goes on-ground for second year

    Mumbai: ZEE Hindustan’s successful IP Hindustan Ki Baat was established last year during the pandemic to walk on the line set by the channel’s core value – ‘State makes the Nation’. The programme focuses on various states and their cities to uphold their achievements and concerns and gives them a national platform.

    Last financial year, this programme covered five major cities and had garnered high viewership. This year, it starts with fresh new vigor and in its first segment will cover Ahmedabad on 24 July, followed by Jaipur (27 July), Patna (28 July), Kanpur (29 July), Odisha (30 July), and Surat (31 July).

    In these conclaves, industry experts of each city will gather on ZEE Hindustan’s platform as panelists to discuss the various aspects of industrial growth and development of that city and its contribution to the national economy.

    Speaking on this development, ZMCL CEO & editor-in-chief, Purushottam Vaishnava said, “ZEE Hindustan is a channel for the people of India and all our endeavor is to give them a voice through our platform. We have always put viewers first, getting the news from the ground and complete information-based news to empower them. Hindustan Ki Baat is one of our initiatives to stay true to our commitment.”

    ZMCL chief revenue officer, Manoj Jagyasi said, “ZEE Hindustan has been achieving one milestone after the other since last year. Hindustan ki Baat is one of its very successful examples. With its wide reach, ZEE Hindustan strives to bring real impact to the lives of the viewers. We have our business associates to thank for supporting us in all such initiatives and driving our morale.”

  • ZEE TV announces new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

    ZEE TV announces new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

    Mumbai: Zee TV is all set to launch the next edition of one of its longest-running TV shows Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. The channel has begun the online auditions for the music reality show, and roped in singers Himesh Reshammiya and Vishal Dadlani as the judges.

    The latest season promises to provide a sea of opportunities to the most aspiring singers across the nation, giving them a chance to exhibit their talent and create a name of their own in the world of music will be the popular singers of the industry, the channel said in a statement on Wednesday.

    Credited for launching some of the prominent singers in the industry including Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, Kamal Khan, Amanat Ali, Raja Hassan, Sanjeevani and Bela Shende, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa first hit the airwaves in 1995.

    “I have been a part of various seasons but this time I’m looking forward to meeting some great, young talent to launch them successfully,” said Reshammiya. “I feel the biggest attraction of judging a reality show is getting to hear a fresh pool of raw talent. In fact, it gives me a chance to reinvent each time keeping their point of views in mind which also connects with music lovers across the globe.”

    “It always feels like I am coming back home,” said Dadlani. “This show has a long history of turning amateur musicians into popular and successful professionals, and I think that’s a legacy that everyone wants to be part of. I feel it’s always a revelation to see the very best talent from across the country and this season is all set to get bigger and better. My only request to the talent across India is to show some confidence and drop that missed call, so that we can bring you to the stage of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.”

    Keeping in mind the concerns regarding the current COVID scenario, the show is offering people a chance to audition for the show online.

  • Zee Zest set to bring ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ season 2

    Zee Zest set to bring ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ season 2

    Mumbai: Lifestyle channel Zee Zest is all set to bring the second season of ‘India’s 50 Best Dishes’ hosted by chef Ajay Chopra. The show will be aired every Monday and Tuesday at 2 pm from 26 July.

    Unveiling the #DeshKaTastiestMenu, the show will focus on mouth-watering dishes across over 20 exciting categories like monsoon ka swaad, immunity boosters, work from home rasoi, nukkad ka khaana to bachchon ki farmaaish, and more. Additionally, this new season will have viewers virtually supporting chef Ajay by voting for their top choices of dishes through a unique gamification portal on the Zee Zest website. Votes will then be tallied to decide winners of the contest as they pick their favorites from across the country.

    To help chef Chopra curate the best dishes, there are three groups, which map the food atlas of India—Kitchen Gurus, Masala Mantris and Desi Deewane and culinary professionals like Kunal Kapur, Tejasvi Chandela, Sabyasachi Gorai, Pankaj Bhadouria, Antoine Lewis, Jasleen Marwah, and more will bring in their learnings and expertise to these segments.

    “I am elated to kick off the new season of India’s 50 Best Dishes after the resoundingly appreciative response from our audience,” chef Chopra said. “In a country where we find multiple cuisines and countless dishes in each state, I am looking forward to reviving the conversation on what are the most loved ones. In a bid to distinguish India’s consistently evolving culinary landscape with incomparable regional impressions, we are excited to continue our search to curate a unique set of 50 that will make for this season’s desh ka tastiest menu.”

  • ZEE set to onboard over 500 tech experts for digital hub in Bengaluru

    ZEE set to onboard over 500 tech experts for digital hub in Bengaluru

    New Delhi: Media and entertainment conglomerate ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE) is set to expand its digital footprint by setting up a cutting-edge technology hub in Bengaluru to drive innovation and exponential growth for its integrated platforms.

    Taking strategic steps in the digital transformation journey of ZEE 4.0, the innovation centre in Bengaluru will onboard over 500 experts with a strong expertise in the field of design, technology, data & cyber security. The Company has already on-boarded as many as 120 experts to drive the change and enhance its overall tech prowess.

    The products and solutions designed by the team will lead the Company’s digital pivot, driving exponential growth across platforms, it said on Wednesday.

    According to the company, the innovation centre in Bengaluru will help build a strong cohort of design, tech, data and talent to cater to the new-age consumer seamlessly across connected devices, built on futuristic tech stack that will enable engineers & data scientist to unlock innovative technology-led solutions.

    Speaking on this development, ZEE, president – technology and data, Nitin Mittal said, “In order to build an awesome user experience across platforms, it is imperative to build design thinking, enhance tech capabilities to serve the ever-evolving needs of the consumer and leverage data to personalize the options for them. As a digitally adept data-first company, the new technology hub set up in Bengaluru will create an environment that sparks innovation. The centre will be focused on developing world-class tech products & data solutions by creating synergies across our businesses, promoting innovative thinking and driving collaboration. We are looking for sharp, like-minded innovators who think new, act agile and create with passion to join us and shape the next.”

    ZEE, head HR – digital platforms, technology & head – employee engagement, Aditi Vashisht said, “Human Capital is the most precious asset for us at ZEE and we are building the ZEE 4.0 team across our digital arm to drive higher innovation as well as capitalize on the immense growth opportunities in the M&E landscape. ZEE has always been an Academy of Talent in the M&E Industry and the new tech hub is designed with a unique employee value proposition focused on culture, collaboration & innovation. The tech hub will be an amalgam of a cross functional talent pool of like- minded individuals ready to challenge the status quo and lead innovative solutions in the digital ecosystem.”

    The new ZEE 4.0 version of the company will focus on reinventing existing business models, maximising its core, expanding into adjacent spaces and exploring new areas of business. 

  • The Q announces its first TV original ‘Crime Aur Kanoon’

    The Q announces its first TV original ‘Crime Aur Kanoon’

    Mumbai: We often hear of a common phrase, ‘Police walo ki na dosti achi hai na dushmani’ (It’s neither good to be friends or an enemy with a policeman). However, when the two come together, their relationship gets even more exciting. It is this theme that Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), The Q is set to explore in its first TV original – Crime Aur Kanoon, that was announced on Tuesday, further to the channel’s launch on DD FreeDish.

    Crime Aur Kanoon is The Q’s first original crime fiction show that will premiere on television on 21 August.

    The show will include several modern age crime stories. With renowned actor Kinshuk Vaidya as the host, it will take viewers through strange and intriguing cases with every episode. Each episode will create awareness about the heinous crimes being committed in society ranging from common day-to-day identifiable situations to more complex situations such as cybercrimes, online frauds, and much more.

    Commenting on the launch of the channel’s first original, The Q, chief executive officer, Simran Hoon said, “At The Q, we endeavor to keep our audience engaged with content across varied genres. With an entry into the crime fiction genre with our first TV original after The Q’s presence on DD FreeDish and other DTH and cable TV services, we aim to further strengthen our programming slate and consolidate our position. We look forward to creating thrill and excitement for our audiences with the launch of Crime Aur Kanoon.”

    The Q, programming head, Tanya Shukla said, “With our new show Crime Aur Kanoon, we aim to educate young India about the myriad of crimes being committed nowadays. More importantly, staying true to our brand promise to provide young Indian creators and talent a larger platform, Crime Aur Kanoon will open up an exciting new avenue for us at The Q to drive engagement with our viewers and the audience, thereby allowing them to be a part of the show. We are extremely excited about our upcoming show and look forward to introducing more original content that appeals to our viewers.”

    With the entire family staying home amidst the unprecedented situation, The Q’s upcoming content backed with a unique storyline and curious moments, promises to give the audience a thrilling experience with Crime Aur Kanoon.

    The Q India is an advertiser and influencer marketing-supported Hindi language content brand, channel, and VOD provider delivering digital programming from social media stars and digital video creators targeting young Indian audiences. According to the channel, it has reached an audience of over 712 million via 100 million television homes with partners including DD Free Dish, TATA Sky, DISH TV, and Siti Networks; 380 million OTT users via platforms including ShemarooMe, MX Player, ZEE5, and Dish Watcho; and 232 million users on mobile and digital platforms including Snap, JioTV, Airtel Xstream, Amazon Fire TV, Chingari and Samsung TV Plus.

  • Sony TV kickstarts campaign for ‘KBC 13’ with a three-part short film

    Sony TV kickstarts campaign for ‘KBC 13’ with a three-part short film

    Mumbai: For the thirteenth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the launch communication has evolved from being an advertising campaign to becoming branded entertainment. For the very first time, Sony TV explores a long-format film that will be presented in three installments. The film titled ‘Sammaan’ is conceptualised, written, and directed by Bollywood filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari.

    Shot exclusively in Berchha, Madhya Pradesh, the film stars actor Omkar Das Manikpuri best known for his stage and film performances. With local talent adding to the authenticity of the narrative, the film delivers an immersive cinematic experience.

    The idea of shooting this film at a real village like Berchha reiterates how KBC resonates with people of the country, even in its most remote corners, the channel said in a statement.

    The film opens with a contextual scenario, relatable characters, and the narrative, helmed with a tinge of humor, engages the audience in the most unexpected manner. Nitesh Tiwari brings alive an interesting take on human emotions and aspirations with utmost subtlety.

    KBC 13 is expected to on air soon

  • Colors TV’s ‘The Big Picture’ registrations to start from 17 July

    Colors TV’s ‘The Big Picture’ registrations to start from 17 July

    Mumbai: Colors TV is set to open the registration process for its upcoming visual-based quiz show The Big Picture. Hosted by Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, the registrations of the same will begin on 17 July at 9:30 pm on Colors.

    The viewers can follow three simple steps to complete the registration process and participate from the comfort of their homes by logging on to Voot app, Voot.com, or MyJio app.

    STEP 1: Call for entries: Starting from 17 July, a new question will be shared daily at 9.30 pm on the channel for the next ten days until 26 July. Each question will remain valid only for 24 hours from the time of its announcement and viewers can answer by filling up the required details on Voot app, Voot.com or MyJio app.

    STEP 2: Online Test:  Of the viewers who answer the questions correctly, a few will be shortlisted through the randomiser system for the next round. The shortlisted candidates will be called and would be informed about the details of the online test. They would also get a link for the online test via SMS/Email before 8 August.  On the test day, the candidate will have to log in via mobile number to attempt the test and will get 20 seconds each to answer 20 visual-based questions with four options. After answering all the questions, the user will be directed to a page wherein they will have to upload their introduction video basis the parameters shared with them.

    STEP 3: On-ground audition: The selected candidates who successfully qualify after passing the online test will be invited r a personal interview in either of the mentioned cities that include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Ranchi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. The candidates who get through all three levels will get a chance to be a part of the main show and change their fate.

    The Big Picture is being produced by Banijay Asia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment and will also be streamed on Voot and Jio TV.

  • Hyderabad-based IT engineer arrested for copyright violation of Viacom18’s content

    Hyderabad-based IT engineer arrested for copyright violation of Viacom18’s content

    New Delhi: Maharashtra Cyber Police has arrested a 28-year-old Hyderabad-based IT engineer for alleged copyright violation of Viacom18’ content using a standalone pirated application called Thop TV.

    According to police, the accused named Satish Venkateshwarlu was allegedly relaying and transmitting the network’s content without authorization at a discounted price through a mobile app called ‘Thop TV’, and thus causing a substantial revenue loss to the network.

    The accused was arrested under Sections 43, 66 and 66B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Section 63 of Copyright Act, and Section 420 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was produced before the court which remanded him to six days of police custody for further investigations.

    The probe was initiated after Viacom18 filed an official complaint with Maharashtra Cyber against the “rogue, standalone” mobile application, which was relaying and transmitting their copyrighted content such as movies, TV shows and VOD content at a discounted rate, thus causing substantial revenue loss to the company.

    Superintendent of police, Sanjay Shintre said, “After the initial technical investigation, it was noticed that the accused, a highly educated IT engineer from Hyderabad developed a mobile application named ‘Thop TV’ and pirated Viacom18’s content through Telegram, a social media intermediary. The app has lakhs of viewers, including 5,000 paid subscribers, thereby generating massive revenue for the app.”

    Speaking on this development, a Viacom18 Spokesperson said, “Piracy is a matter of grave concern for the media industry and one that needs to be addressed constantly. It is important to acknowledge that digital piracy is a serious offence which causes huge losses to the digital economy. Viacom18 will continue to fight this menace and secure its content through all means available under law. We are grateful to the Office of the inspector general of police Maharashtra Cyber for their constant vigilance and timely support towards curbing piracy and copyright violation.”

  • ZEEL gets MIB’s nod to transfer digital publishing business to Rapidcube

    ZEEL gets MIB’s nod to transfer digital publishing business to Rapidcube

    New Delhi: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has received the approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting for the transfer of the digital publishing business division to Rapidcube Technologies.

    The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has also granted its approval for the same.

    The company’s board had already given the go-ahead for the transfer of the Digital Publishing Business Division of the Company to Rapidcube through a Business Transfer Agreement last year on 17 December. Established this year, Rapidcube is a private company limited by shares and is the wholly owned subsidiary of Zee Media Corporation Limited.

    “The company has received the approval from the ministry of information and broadcasting and department for promotion of industry and internal trade, as required under the press note four of 2019 dated 18 September, 2019 and the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act, 2000,” it said in a BSE filing.