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  • Business Today MindRush & BT Best CEOs Awards: Building resilient & sustainable businesses in a changing world

    Business Today MindRush & BT Best CEOs Awards: Building resilient & sustainable businesses in a changing world

    Mumbai: Business Today MindRush, the flagship annual business event of the India Today Group, is set to be held in Mumbai on Saturday, 9 March, 2024. Renowned as one of India’s most esteemed thought-exchange platforms, MindRush brings together top business executives, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and experts to share insights, strategies, and successful leadership traits in an era of dynamic change.

    In keeping with tradition, Business Today MindRush will also feature the winners of the BT-PwC India’s Best CEO Awards, which honours the exceptional leadership of some of India’s top business executives. The awardees are selected by a distinguished group of business professionals to recognise India Inc.’s innovative leadership. A special edition of Business Today that includes in-depth stories about the winners, highlighting their creative approaches and significant contributions to the business world, will be released on the occasion.

    The Business Today MindRush platform will play host to some of the most influential voices in business, offering invaluable insights into entrepreneurship, innovation, and excellence that define India’s economic landscape. A stellar line-up of speakers, including luminaries such as Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises; Sanjiv Puri, CMD of ITC Ltd; Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise; and Jinal Mehta, MD of Torrent Power promises to keep attendees immersed in thought-provoking discussions on changing paradigms in business and economy.  Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas, will also be in attendance and highlight the government’s vision for economic growth and urban development. 

  • “We have manifested Royal Stag BoomBox with a vision to create the original sound of today’s generation”: Ishwindar Singh

    “We have manifested Royal Stag BoomBox with a vision to create the original sound of today’s generation”: Ishwindar Singh

    Mumbai: For many years, music has been a key consumer engagement pillar for the brand. Today, the youth tilts towards exploring exciting new forms of music. Contemporary genres such as hip-hop are becoming increasingly popular among the youth of the country, while Bollywood melodies remain integral to their cultural milieu. Royal Stag BoomBox intends to stir the imagination of this generation, blending music they have inherited, Bollywood scores, with the genre that speaks to them, Hip Hop. This mix will have the swag and emotional heft of Hindi cinema’s best compositions and the throbbing vibe and vigor of hip-hop.

    Leading a new cultural movement and catering to the interests of the young generation, Generation Large, Royal Stag BoomBox this year is slated to be bigger and better. Building on the exceptional success of the inaugural edition–which saw a footfall of 45,000 people across five cities–the property endeavors to enhance and build its impact across two engaging formats-

     .  The In-studio format: A unique phygital music concept featuring three original Melody x Hip Hop music tracks that will be released as singles and videos across platforms.

      . The On-ground format: This format will travel to four of India’s biggest youth hubs offering marquee musical performances with interactive physical activations.

    This year, the experiential music festival is bringing back headliners Badshah and Armaan Malik. Joining them are popular artists Neeti Mohan, Nikhita Gandhi (Melody), Dino James, DeeMC, and Ikka (Hip-Hop) and DJ Ali Merchant. The property will be travelling to four popular youth hubs in India, followed by the release of original songs.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Pernod Richard India’s general manager – marketing Ishwindar Singh, where he shared insights on the creation of Royal Stag BoomBox music property.

    Edited excerpts

    On the purpose behind the creation of the Royal Stag BoomBox music property     

    Seagram’s Royal Stag is one of the oldest flagship brands of Pernod Ricard India, inspiring the youth of India through its philosophy of “It’s Our Life. We Live It Large”. Aimed at the young, daring, confident, progressive, and inspiring individuals who embody self-belief, Royal Stag likes to communicate with music as one of its key engagement pillars.

    We have manifested Royal Stag BoomBox with a vision to create the original sound of today’s generation, Generation Large. The platform audaciously brings together two distinct genres of the music industry, the melody of Bollywood and the gully vibe of hip-hop, creating a new soundscape. By tapping into newer cities, which are excellent youth hubs, the brand is diversifying its marketing initiatives and connecting with its target audience on a deeper level.

    On catering to the tastes and preferences of today’s youth, particularly the Gen Z demographic

    Contemporary genres such as hip-hop are becoming more popular amongst the youth, while Bollywood melodies remain integral to their cultural milieu. Royal Stag BoomBox intends to stir the imagination of this generation, blending music they have inherited, Bollywood scores, with the emerging genre that speaks to them, hip-hop. They tilt towards exploring exciting new forms of music, and this is where Royal Stag BoomBox comes in.

    On Royal Stag BoomBox aiming to connect with the passion pillars of the youth

    Royal Stag BoomBox aims to connect with the youth by offering a larger-than-life experience, focusing on music. This involves curating experiences that genuinely resonate with the tastes and preferences of the youth demographic. We have identified and collaborated with popular musicians such as Badshah, Armaan Malik, Neeti Mohan, Nikhita Gandhi, Dino James, Ikka, Dee MC and Ali Merchant for the property this year, who have a strong following among the youth. By associating with these artists, we aim to build a deeper connect with our audiences, particularly in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

    On some of the key learnings from the inaugural edition

    In the inaugural edition, Royal Stag BoomBox manifested itself in two unique, engaging formats – the on-ground format and the in-studio format. With the on-ground format, the festival witnessed a footfall of over 50K across multiple cities, generating 180 Mn+ digital views & 13 Mn+ social interactions. Meanwhile, the original songs emerging from season 1’s in-studio format, Pehle Jaisi Baat Nahi Ft. Dino James X Jasleen Royal, Hoodie Ft. Bali X Nikhita Gandhi, Mohabbat Ft. Amit Trivedi X SlowCheeta and Imtihaan Ft. EPR X Neeti Mohan, garnered close to 70 Mn+ views across multiple OTT.

    The immense success of the inaugural edition compelled us to bring back Royal Stag BoomBox for its second season. This year, the on-ground format will travel to four of India’s biggest youth hubs—Bhubaneswar, Indore, Jaipur and Pune, offering marquee musical performances with interactive phygital activations like Insta-live sessions, art showcases, AR/VR installations, AI-based engagement, selfie-booths etc, which will create a festive feel at the venue. Meanwhile, the in-studio format which were very successful last year will be further enhanced with three new original Melody x Hip Hop music tracks that will be released as singles and videos across platforms later in the year.  

    On planning to leverage the presence of headliners like Badshah and Armaan Malik, along with other popular artists

    With a platform like Royal Stag BoomBox, where some of India’s best musicians come together to collaborate, the artists will always play a crucial role in amplifying the events’ impact and elevate the engagement with our target audience. While they help draw in an enthusiastic crowd at each of the on-ground festivals, the artists’ fan bases often extend beyond the immediate geographical location of the event, and we can see the impact in culture celebrating conversations in social media also. The headliner acts are often catalysts to elevate the experiences to another level, drive strong audience engagement and drive very strong youth reach and make Royal Stag Boombox a experience that lingers on long after the event is over.

    On the brand’s long-term vision for Royal Stag BoomBox

    We are looking at continuing our focus on building music as a key passion & engagement pillar with the youth through Royal Stag BoomBox. We look forward to expanding our presence in youth culture, both through physical and digital intervention, especially where cultural energy thrives. We will continue to forge new partnerships with a mix of culture shaping artists across our focus genres, ensuring that our platform resonates with its unique amalgamation of diverse musical tastes and experiences. Through these collaborations and immersive experiences, we aim to deepen our connection with the target audience, fostering a community that shares our passion for music and experience the ‘Live It Large’ philosophy.
     

  • TuneCore grant expands to South India

    TuneCore grant expands to South India

    Mumbai: TuneCore, the leading development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Paris-based Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has announced the third edition of the TuneCore Grant program. The latest edition will provide endowments of INR 100,000 each to four independent artists who perform in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam respectively. Artists can send in their entry via the TuneCore India website between 1 March and 31 March 2024.

    Artists can enter by submitting a single to be judged by a panel of industry experts consisting of Sam C.S (music composer), Ghibran (music composer), Neha Nair (singer/songwriter) and Padmanaban N.S. (Head of Artist and Label Partnerships).

    The TuneCore Grant was first launched in 2022 to provide financial support for rising independent artists to help further their careers. Since its inception, nearly 300 artists have participated in the program, submitting singles for consideration for the previous two editions.

    Discussing the growth of the program and this year’s focus on South India, TuneCore South Asia head  Akhila Shankar, said, “We’ve seen a burgeoning independent music scene emerging from the South with more artists choosing to create music in their native tongue. This is both worth celebrating and amplifying. With TuneCore Grant Punjabi we saw that the program directly led to a 40% increase in the number of TuneCore artists releasing music in the language. With each edition of the Grant, we hope to encourage more artists to release independently, express themselves in their language of choice, and contribute to India’s robust, diverse culture.”

    TuneCore artists in India release music in more than 25 local languages. The four languages selected for this edition of the grant represent some of the fastest growing languages in terms of number of releases per year.

    TuneCore VP International Tash Shah added, “At TuneCore, our international strategy thrives on fostering vibrant local music ecosystems around the world. The expansion of the TuneCore Grant to South India exemplifies this commitment. We believe financial empowerment at the grassroots level unlocks their creative potential.”

    Believe India & South Asia managing director Vivek Raina said, “Believe is committed to fostering local communities and artists singing in their local languages. As the independent music scene across the 5 southern states grows, we are committed to supporting artists at various stages through our network of services and programs”. 

  • Insights and Innovations unveiled at YES BANK and CNBC-TV18’s Growth Summit in Bengaluru

    Insights and Innovations unveiled at YES BANK and CNBC-TV18’s Growth Summit in Bengaluru

    Mumbai: The third edition of YES BANK and CNBC-TV18’s – The Growth Summit: A vision to a $10 Trillion Economy, in association with Max Life Insurance, was held in Taj Westend, Bengaluru on February 28, 2024. The summit brought policymakers, industry leaders, startup founders, pioneering innovators, and a diverse array of experts under one roof to engage in meaningful discussions around India’s economic advancement Central to the summit’s discussions was the government’s ambitious 25-year plan aimed at positioning India as the world’s third-largest economy with a GDP of $10 trillion.

    In his opening remarks at the Summit, YES BANK managing director & CEO Prashant Kumar said, “The Bengaluru chapter of The Growth Summit was centred on leveraging Karnataka’s industrial and technical expertise to propel India towards its $10 trillion mark. It calls for the collective involvement of business leaders. With over 40 unicorns and IT exports soaring, Karnataka is not merely a hub, but a nucleus of innovation. From electronic design to biotechnology, its diverse sectors thrive under a conducive policy framework. The collaborative efforts of ISRO, private enterprises, and the state have propelled us forward, fueling our ascent towards a $10 trillion economy. Now, as global businesses seek refuge from China, India beckons as the premier destination. Let us seize this moment to sculpt a future where India shines as a global powerhouse of technology and manufacturing.”

    During his address, Mr. Kumar announced the launch of ‘Yes Private’ in Bengaluru, which is the Bank’s newest market offering that aims to partner HNI Business owners and C-Suite executives in their endeavour to leverage the opportunities on the road towards a $10 trillion Indian economy.

    The event kicked off with a thought-provoking discussion on ‘Ushering in India’s Techade’ in conversation with RBI Innovation Hub CEO Rajesh Bansal, who stated, “As I see it, this decade marks a pivotal moment for India’s growth trajectory. While I may not witness it firsthand, I firmly believe that the young generation, will recognize this as the turning point. Over the past decade, we’ve laid the groundwork with digital infrastructure, making us unique among 1.3 billion nations. With 12 million transactions daily, our payment and ID systems are the backbone of individual and business transactions. Now, with the right steps, we stand at the precipice of a quantum leap in technology adoption, inching closer to our $10 trillion economy vision. Our foundational layers of technology position us uniquely, setting us apart globally. Key advancements like BharatQR and our ONDC initiative illustrate our commitment to staying ahead.”

    The event continued with another stimulating discussion on ‘Preparing India for Global Leadership’ in conversation with Aarin Capital and 3one4 Capital chairman Mohandas Pai said “India is truly incredible, boasting a PPP GDP of $12.2 trillion and a nominal GDP of $3.45 trillion. What sets us apart is our unique PPP multiple of 3×3, surpassing even China’s sixfold difference between nominal and PPP GDP. While countries like China and the US lead in nominal figures, India’s true value often goes unrecognised. To bridge this gap, we must focus on three key pillars: human capital, financial capital, and innovation. Despite graduating millions annually, only 28% of our youth aged 18 to 23 are currently engaged in the workforce. It’s imperative we harness our vast potential and invest wisely for a brighter, more prosperous future.”

    Subsequently, panel discussion on the topic ‘Digital Transformation Strategies Driving Future Growth’ with Mr. Gaurav Singh Kushwaha (CEO & Founder, Bluestone.com); Akash Sinha(CEO & Co-Founder Cashfree); Mr. Mathew Chandy (MD, Duroflex Private Limited); and Harsh Jain (Co-Founder, Groww) gave further insights into India’s rise as a digital hub.

    The panel discussion was followed by a special address by Max Life Insurance COO Manu Lavanya. He said, “India’s digital journey over the past decade, has been nothing short of revolutionary, marked by transformative initiatives like UPI and Aadhar. The integration of the larger Bharat digital stack within the insurance sector holds immense promise for driving access and inclusivity. By leveraging digital as a channel, we will not only streamline processes but also make significant strides towards extending insurance coverage to every corner of the nation. This convergence isn’t merely about innovation; it’s about empowerment. It’s about ensuring that every Indian, regardless of their location or background, has the opportunity to safeguard their financial well-being with ease. As we embrace this symbiotic relationship between digitization, AI and insurance, we have a tremendous opportunity to unite efforts and realize IRDAI’s vision of ‘Insurance for all by 2047’. Role of AI and digital will be pivotal in creating customer centric micro-products enabled by straight through Underwriting with vernacular journeys that appeal to the Non-Urban consumer base, making the vision of “Insurance for All” a reality.”

    The evening continued with an engaging panel discussion on ‘Nurturing the Green Shoots of Innovation’, with insights from industry experts Mr. Dhiraj Agarwal(CEO & Co-founder, Campus Sutra); Mr. Hrishi Gandhi (President Finance and Chief Business Officer, Newspace); Mr. Raj Shah(Co-founder and Director, WeHear Innovations Pvt Ltd) and Mr. Manish Kumar(Founder, KredX)

    Taking the evening towards its end, an enticing conversation between CNBC-TV18 anchor Mugdha Kalra and celebrity chef Ranveer Brar. He said “I think what changed after COVID is that a lot of people who didn’t believe they could cook started cooking. These people who earlier didn’t believe in the power of the food and restaurant industry have now changed. The people who earlier refused loans to restaurants believing that it’s not a money-making business now are gaining confidence. That’s why you see a lot of food businesses today, because the belief is now coming from MBA graduates who are finding food to be a viable, durable, and profitable venture. I think that’s something that has changed and deserves to be addressed here”.

    Concluding the summit was a final thought-provoking session conducted by Neuroscientist & founder Kumaar Bagrodia, NeuroLeap on ‘The Neuroscience of Investing’.

  • NDTV Food Awards 2024: Shining a spotlight on India’s culinary stars

    NDTV Food Awards 2024: Shining a spotlight on India’s culinary stars

    Mumbai: The NDTV Food Awards 2024, a celebration of culinary excellence, recently concluded with much fanfare, showcasing the finest talents and innovations in India’s dynamic food industry. Hosted by renowned food author Kunal Vijayakar, the event celebrated exceptional achievements in various categories, recognizing the outstanding contributions made by chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary establishments. India’s diverse and rich F&B scene was celebrated at the NDTV Food Awards, showcasing the country’s rich culture across fine dining, cafes, bakeries, and breweries.

    The evening commenced with two insightful panel discussions, exploring topics such as the vision of a circular food system and the celebration of India’s culinary traditions. Moderated by NDTV anchors Gargi Rawat and Ambika Singh Kahma, these discussions featured esteemed panelists who shared their expertise and insights on sustainable practices and cultural significance in food.

    The winners of the NDTV Food Awards 2024 were selected by a distinguished jury panel comprising top chefs, restaurateurs, food writers, and influencers from across the country. Led by Chairman Kunal Vijayakar, renowned food writer, author, actor, and TV presenter, the jury ensured a fair, transparent, and credible selection process.

    Some of the notable winners of the NDTV Food Awards 2024 include:

    Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Indian Accent, New Delhi

    Best Cafe and Casual Dining Restaurant: Olly, Gurugram

    Best Cocktail Bar and Lounge: Whisky Samba, Gurugram

    Best Bakery and Patisserie: The Big Chill Cakery, Khan Market, Delhi

    Best New Restaurant: Inja, The Manor, Delhi

    Best Beer Brewery: Windmills Craftworks, Bengaluru

    Best Earth-Friendly Restaurant: Farmlore, Bengaluru

    Chef of the Year: Hussain Shahzad

    Rising Star Chef of the Year: Shubham Thakur

    Best Mixologist of the Year: Varun Sharma

    Best Restaurateur of the Year: Zorawar Kalra

    Excellence In Beverage Industry: Yangdup Lama

    Living Legend: Nakul Anand

    NDTV Food Awards Hall of Fame: Chef Imtiaz Qureshi

    Best Nutrition and Wellness Award: Herbalife India Private Limited

    The NDTV Food Awards 2024 showcased the best of Indian cuisine, highlighting innovation, creativity, and dedication within the food industry. The event will be broadcast on NDTV 24×7, NDTV MPCG, and NDTV Rajasthan on 9 March 2024, allowing viewers to witness the celebration of culinary excellence.

     

  • “Traditional media in India is also experiencing a steady growth”: Kevin Vaz

    “Traditional media in India is also experiencing a steady growth”: Kevin Vaz

    Mumbai: Viacom18 CEO- Broadcast entertainment Kevin Vaz reflected on the Media & Entertainment sector, both on a global scale and within the Indian context at FICCI frames 2024 event. He said, “In 2023, our industry witnessed a remarkable era of content creation, with over 200,000 hours of content produced annually. Indian content has transcended international boundaries, captivating audiences in more than 160 countries and topping streaming charts on global platforms. In 2023, Indian content bagged not one but two Oscars for the best song and the best documentary respectively. Indian music talent has bagged 3 Grammys recently. 2 Indians (Vir Das And Ekta Kapoor) won the prestigious International Emmy’s awards. This shift indicates a new era where local flavors and stories are embraced by audiences worldwide, showcasing the universal appeal of Indian stories and our storytelling.

    The integration of digital technologies in the Indian M&E industry is at a scale without parallel amongst the comity of nations. Driven by accessible and affordable internet, with Commercial 5G services rollout propelling the growth of India M&E, we must recognise the virtuous cycle of investments in creativity that drive the expansion of affordable internet in India. We can be proud of the fact that Indian companies, Indian creators, Indian producers, are at the forefront of the digital content revolution, be it in films, music or gaming.

    Platforms like JioCinema have revolutionized sports viewership in India, offering accessible and affordable access to live matches like the IPL. This goes to show the importance of internet accessibility in driving the growth of the M&E industry. Unlike other industries, M&E has caught the digital transformation wave early and stand ready to reap the benefits with supportive developments in the all-critical triad of infrastructure readiness, consumer market growth, and enabling public policies.

    The surge in digital media is forecasted to propel the M&E sector’s growth to a 10% annual rate, reaching INR 3 Trillion by 2026. Technological innovations have brought with it a paradigm shift in consumer preferences. Consumers now demand more personalised, interactive, and immersive content. This creates another facet to the growth of the entire digital media segment, including online curated content, digital advertising, online gaming, to name a few. Each of us need to reflect on how these preferences will change the way we think about the future of M&E, and the business models that are most suited to respond. To navigate the future, all of us at various intersections of the industry need to adopt innovative strategies and create engaging content across multiple platforms, leverage big data analytics, collaborate with global partners, and explore new revenue streams.

    Despite this digital boom, traditional media in India is also experiencing a steady growth, showcasing India’s diverse media consumption habits. While this might appear to be a paradox when viewed through a singular global lens, this is the truth of India – a market of AND, not OR.

    As we reflect on the journey of 2023, it becomes clear that it was a year marked by both challenges and triumphs. The first half was subdued, with modest growth rates across various segments of the industry. However, as raw material prices stabilized and marquee events like the ICC Cricket World Cup and Assembly Elections unfolded, we witnessed a significant uptick in the second half. And while the M&E industry is estimated to grow at 10% CAGR through the next few years led by digital, traditional mediums such as Television and print are also poised to grow.

    This growth underscores the enduring appeal of linear TV, particularly among established advertisers who value its unmatched brand-building capabilities at scale. It’s essential to acknowledge the continued significance of traditional media, including television, print, and outdoor advertising, in reaching diverse audience segments, especially in regional markets.

    The road ahead for the industry is brimming with possibilities and challenges alike. The integration of artificial intelligence promises to reshape the landscape of content creation, distribution, and consumption. Particularly generative AI, which is now an inexorable part of M&E supply chains. Advances in generative AI, while still relatively nascent, have produced an explosion of possibilities in the creative sector. It has ushered in a new dimension to the creative process, allowing the industry to explore uncharted territories of creativity and push the boundaries of productivity.

    As AI technologies continue to evolve, they offer unprecedented opportunities for personalized experiences and targeted advertising. However, this next-gen transformation also presents challenges such as data privacy concerns, reskilling and the need for ethical considerations – concerns that the industry and government together need to explore and address.

    Amidst these dynamics, the industry must also address the pressing need for stronger intellectual property rights protection to safeguard the integrity of our creative ecosystem. The proliferation of digital platforms and content creation tools has exponentially increased the avenues for creative expression, yet it has also heightened the risk of copyright infringement. Strengthening our IPR laws is essential to foster a conducive environment for innovation and creativity while ensuring fair compensation for content creators. The National Intellectual Rights (IPR) Policy, established in 2016, is due for review. This presents an occasion for all of us to engage on how we think about monetisation, commercialisation of content as well as the protections required for it, in a fast-evolving technological environment.

    The road ahead encompasses both opportunities and challenges in equal measure. As we navigate this complex landscape, as stakeholders of this vibrant sector, we must all remember that at the heart of it, our industry is about our consumers in a very human sense – their emotions, relationships, talents – their stories. All of us here today are simply facilitators – connecting stories to audiences and audiences to stories.

    As we begin FICCI Frames 2024, I look forward to the next three days filled with enlightening discussions, insightful sessions, and meaningful collaborations. Let us seize this opportunity to chart a course towards a future that embraces innovation, leverages technology, and upholds the timeless values of creativity and expression.

    Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude and admiration for Leena Jaisani and her team for putting FICCI Frames 2024 together. This is the 24th edition of India’s biggest media and entertainment symposium and it just keeps getting bigger and better. So kudos to the team for scaling this up consistently!” he concluded. 

  • South United Football Club Marks AFC Women’s Football Day with a spectacular celebration

    South United Football Club Marks AFC Women’s Football Day with a spectacular celebration

    Mumbai: South United Football Club (SUFC), which competes in the highest league in the state of Karnataka and recently launched as many as three training centres in Pune, celebrated the AFC Women’s Football Day at the Ganga Legends Sports Complex in Bavdhan here with great enthusiasm on 2 March 2024. The occasion was observed with a sense of fostering community spirit and a strong focus on women in football. Preeti Maske, renowned Ultra Cyclist and holder of five Guinness World Records was the chief guest at the event and addressed the excited crowd who were present.

    The chief guest, Preeti Maske, said, “It is a great initiative by South United Football Club to celebrate this occasion and promote fitness and sports among women. It was good to see so many young girls participating in all the activities conducted here with their parents. I urge more parents to push their children to take up sports, and clubs like South United are a perfect place for them to start.”

    The event, hosted at the Club’s state-of-the-art training facility in Bavdhan, received overwhelming participation and welcomed talented girls of the SUFC Academy, their families, as well as relatives of the SUFC Academy players. Ganga Legends Society members and Mai Bal Bhavan (NGO for the Visually Impaired) also joined in the celebrations to promote health and wellness among women.

    “We are thrilled to have played a part in celebrating AFC Women’s Football Day, showcasing the immense talent and passion that exists within our community”, said South United Football Club CMO & COO Prerana Dhawan. “As an organisation deeply committed to promoting gender equality and social inclusion, South United Football Club remains dedicated to creating opportunities for women to excel in football and beyond. Through initiatives like AFC Women’s Football Day, the Club hopes to inspire the next generation of female athletes and foster a more inclusive and equitable sporting landscape.”, she added.

    Highlighting the day’s excitement were eight engaging and fun events, meticulously planned by SUFC coaches that brought together girls and women in spirited competition, competing with and against each other.

    This celebration stands as a testament to SUFC’s commitment to nurturing talent, encouraging inclusivity, promoting women’s football, and creating a vibrant community through the beautiful game.

  • Sony Pictures Networks India renews UEFA rights for three more seasons

    Sony Pictures Networks India renews UEFA rights for three more seasons

    Mumbai: Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), has extended its collaboration with Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), with a renewal of exclusive broadcast and digital rights for showcasing the biggest European club football leagues that includes UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Youth League.

    The renewal is valid from the 2024/ 2025 season till the end of the 2026-2027 season. As part of the three-season renewal, the broadcaster will have access to showcase over 1600 football matches across its channels over three seasons. Audiences in India will get a chance to watch their favorite teams like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and more along with their favorite players like Kylian Mbappe, Mo Salah, Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski amongst others.  These UEFA tournaments will be available exclusively on both linear television on Sony Sports Network as well as live-streamed on their on-demand OTT platform SonyLIV in the Indian subcontinent.  

    The UEFA Champions League will also be following a new format and competition system from 2024/25. From this season, four additional clubs will participate in the UEFA Champions League in a new league phase giving four more sides the opportunity to compete against the best clubs in Europe. 36 clubs will participate in this single league format in which all 36 competing clubs are ranked together. This will make this phase of the tournament even more exciting and would give the fans an opportunity to see more matches between the top teams. In addition to this, UEFA’s premier club competitions will no longer have a break in January, so fans can continue to enjoy non-stop European club football from August to May without any breaks in between.

    Sony Sports Network will continue to telecast select UEFA Champions League matches in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and the contribution of regional language coverage to the viewership of the league’s knockout matches has gone up in recent years. Over the last three years, the incremental reach contributed by the regional coverage has increased from 25 per cent in the 2020/21 season to 38 per cent in the last season (2022/23).

    Sony Sports Network has been the home to UEFA Champions League since 2017 and this year the final is going to take place at the ‘Home of Football’, Wembley Stadium in London, England. In addition to this, Sony Sports Network continues to be the official broadcaster for the UEFA EURO 2024, Bundesliga, Emirates FA Cup, Roshn Saudi Pro League and more.

    Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – Distribution & International Business and Head – Sports Business Rajesh Kaul said, “Sony Sports Network, with a longstanding commitment to showcasing the very best of football, takes immense pride in announcing the extension of its partnership with UEFA for the next three seasons. Through this renewed collaboration, Sony Sports Network reaffirms its dedication to delivering unrivalled access to the most prestigious club football tournaments to fans across the Indian subcontinent. Since 2020, UEFA Champions League viewership in India has surged by over 51%, attributed largely through the introduction of regional language commentary. With the forthcoming transition to a new format, featuring over 125 additional matches and up to 38 early kickoff matches per season tailored for Indian audiences, we are confident that this growth will gain momentum further. As the ‘Home of Football’ in India, we eagerly anticipate showcasing over 1600 highly competitive football matches across these leagues to our viewers.”

    UEFA Events SA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein said, “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Sony Sports Network. Sony Sports Network coverage of UEFA properties in India has led to the growth of its following and viewership in India. Fans in the region will be offered extensive and excellent coverage of UEFA’s Football portfolio which includes the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, with the broadcast on Sony Sports Network and their digital platform Sony LIV.”

  • RCB’s 12-Man Army smashes gender biases, elevates women’s cricket passion in India

    RCB’s 12-Man Army smashes gender biases, elevates women’s cricket passion in India

    Mumbai: Breaking gender biases, the passionate fanbase of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), also called the 12-man army, is offering India a first-ever glimpse of genuine fandom in women’s cricket by rallying in full force to support their team in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.

    After the inaugural season of the WPL in Mumbai last year, the second edition of the league has expanded to two cities, with Bengaluru hosting the first eleven matches of the league stage before shifting to Delhi.

    The M Chinnaswamy stadium, which is the home stadium of RCB has been witnessing an electrifying atmosphere as a staggering 30,000 cricket enthusiasts gathered to support the RCB Women’s team in most of their league matches played so far.

    “I’m used to hearing them yell out Smriti’s name, so it’s sort of quite nice to hear that they’re calling my name. The crowds have been fantastic here. Everyone spoke about RCB fans and how good and passionate they are and it’s been unbelievable to witness that in person in the last couple of games. It’s certainly the loudest I’ve been involved in and to have that support’s been motivating for the whole group,” said The RCB Allrounder and legendary Kiwi cricketer Sophie Devine.

    As per the recent ‘Indian Cricket Fandom Report 2024’ by YouGov, RCB enjoys consistent support across all age groups with support for the team notably being the strongest among Gen Z (18-24 years) at 38 per cent. The team enjoys 34 per cent support in the 25-34 age group, 31 per cent in the 35-44 age group, 33 per cent in the 45-54 age group, and 31 per cent in the 55+ age group.

    The overwhelming support from the tribe has added a new dimension to the WPL experience, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and encouragement for not just women cricketers but also is a huge boost and encouragement for the RCB team every time they step into the centre.

    Sophie further added, “I think back to the start of my career and we were playing in front of ten people, do you know what I mean? And to have, I think, more than 25,000 here, just shows where the woman’s game gone. So proud to be a part of that.”

    Such unprecedented turnout in women’s cricket also reflects the immense impact of RCB’s passionate yet conscious fanbase promoting inclusivity and equality.

    Renuka Singh who had the crowd cheering every time she went with her fiery bowling spell said “it is an amazing feeling and gives a different level of momentum to all of us. I just love when they not only chant our name but show so much loyalty for RCB by coming to every game in such huge numbers, it just pumps us up during our game like anything.”

  • Times Group enters new age sports – Pickleball

    Times Group enters new age sports – Pickleball

    Mumbai: Pickleball, which is billed as the fastest growing modern sport, will soon have a new superstar league- the Pickleball World Series. The Times Group –the news and entertainment leader in India — is partnering with Pickleball Asia to start this exciting new series on a global stage. The Pickleball World Series will start in the United States and travel across different continents with six major events in a year.  

    Pickleball –which has become a world-wide sensation in a very short period of time— is a fusion of tennis, table tennis and badminton. Its accessible gameplay has attracted enthusiasts of all age groups across the globe as well as sports stars and celebrities including champions from these three racquet sports,

    While there are several existing competitions and leagues in the US, the Pickleball World Series will be the first tournament with global ambitions and will also have a significantly enhanced entertainment quotient. In the first year, the Pickleball World Series will comprise of 64 players in the individual format and six teams comprising four players each, from the US and the rest of the world, including India – which is the rising hotspot for Pickleball.

    Times Group managing director Vineet Jain states: “Pickleball is gaining ground as the game for urban sports enthusiasts. Times Group is known for its innovation and ability to be ahead of the curve in every one of its initiatives and we hope that this effort to take the fastest growing modern sport to the next level will inspire its exponential growth all over the world including in India. I personally believe that in five to seven years, Pickleball will overtake Tennis in terms of participation.”

    Times Group CEO, New Media and Investments, N Subramanian added, “Rapidly accelerating participation and increasing fandom is driving the popularity of many innovative sports globally. That is the opportunity we spotted in Pickleball, an exciting sport that is being enjoyed by millions the world over. Powered by passion and fueled by competition, this fun and immersive sport has won over the hearts of Gen Z and Millennials, making it a natural choice for our partnership and an important addition to our portfolio of strong brands. The Pickleball World Series, our marquee event, will provide a unique platform to bring out the best in players and teams, for fans to enjoy and support their favourites, and for brands to engage and interact with these audiences.”

    Pickleball Asia Pranav Kohli  said, “The Pickleball player community is now 60 million strong worldwide and is growing steadily. We could not have found a better partner, anchor and investor than the Times Group –which brings us many positives that will swiftly move the needle of growth. That is a big gain for the sport and the Series.”

    Outlining details, he said, “Pickleball World Series will embody the spirit of the Pickleball community and aim to provide action-packed competition along with scintillating entertainment built around the game. Starting in the US, the Pickleball World Series will travel across different continents with six major events. The Series will be supported by Pickleball World Rankings, a one-of-a-kind ranking system that allows players to accumulate points and qualify for the Pickleball World Series. We expect this will enable Pickleball stars to rise from different corners of the world and not just from the US.”