ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • SportVot raises Rs 9.4 Cr to Digitise Grassroots Sports

    SportVot raises Rs 9.4 Cr to Digitise Grassroots Sports

    Mumbai: SportVot, a sports broadcast, and talent discovery platform, today, announced that it has raised Rs 9.4 Crore in a pre-series round. Led by Omidyar Network India, with participation from Anicut Capital, StartupLynk, Ventana Ventures, as well as existing investors Capital A, Ankur Capital, SucSEED Indovation Fund, and Marwah Sports, the funding marks a significant milestone in SportVot’s mission to democratise sports through technology. This capital will help SportVot increase the creation of opportunities for emerging sports talent while enhancing sports participation at all levels across India.

    Sportvot is a platform that provides a full suite of online services to stream sports events and help discover sports talent from the grassroots of India. Founded in 2019, SportVot has successfully delivered and commercialised grassroots-level sports, helped bring investment to local sports associations, and innovated sports broadcasting by utilising cloud technology. The firm has partnerships with the likes of the Brahmaputra Volleyball League in Assam, the Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association, the Football Delhi Association and the Nashik District Cricket Association, proving that even remote regions can participate in the global sports dialogue.

    Highlighting the impact of this funding, SportVot’s co-founder Sidhhant Agarwal said, “We are thrilled to have the backing of such esteemed investors. With this substantial investment, we aim to expand our technology and product offerings, not just within India but also internationally. Our goal is to make sports and advanced sports technology accessible to the millions of athletes and sports organisations across India and beyond”

    Omidyar Network India director Rohan Vyavaharkar commented, “As an investment firm focused on the next half billion or NHB, we believe in the power of sport to create impact in this segment. SportVot is providing a platform for nurturing grassroots-level sports and democratising the process of talent discovery, especially those with limited opportunities such as the NHB.  Its cutting-edge technology that allows anyone to broadcast from anywhere using any internet-enabled device with a camera makes it uniquely placed to help create impact. We believe in Sidhhant, Shubhangi and Yash’s vision and that SportVot will play a pivotal role in helping transform significant aspects of the sports sector in India.”

    The funding will primarily be used to make LIVE Sports Content and data capturing more accessible at all tiers of sport in India as well as globally, promote the culture of playing – professionally as well as casually and commercialise sports at the domestic level. Over the past four years, SportVot has digitised over 95,000 games from more than 15 sports, providing visibility to over 350,000 athletes. “We’re ready to scale new heights, over the past four years, we have enabled digitisation for over 100,000 games from more than 15 sports, we look to take this number to over 500,000 in India and globally. Our aim continues to be to bring unprecedented opportunities to emerging talents,” added SportVot co-founder Sidhhant Agarwal.

     

     

  • Hungama & Phoenix Citadel features exclusive concert of Ritviz

    Hungama & Phoenix Citadel features exclusive concert of Ritviz

    Mumbai: Hungama Digital Media and Phoenix Citadel Indore proudly present a concert featuring the multifaceted Ritviz. The singer, songwriter, and electronic music producer will grace the stage at Phoenix Citadel, Indore, on 17 February 2024, starting at 5 pm.

    Renowned for chart-toppers like ‘Udd Gaye,’ ‘Barso,’ and ‘Liggi,’ Ritviz promises to weave an unforgettable musical journey. Feel the pulse of his unique fusion of electronic beats and classical echoes, delivered with soulful vocals that have garnered a global fan following. This concert isn’t just an event; it’s a sonic adventure that will resonate long after the last note. 

  • “We are confident, people have unstinted faith in PM Modi’s leadership”: Nirmala Sitharaman in her first interview post-budget

    “We are confident, people have unstinted faith in PM Modi’s leadership”: Nirmala Sitharaman in her first interview post-budget

    Mumbai: In her first post-budget interview to any private network, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted what she called people’s unshakeable faith in prime minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that this trust gave the government confidence to focus on empowerment instead of populism just before elections

    In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia, Nirmala Sitharaman said the unflinching public faith in prime minister Modi empowered the government to prioritize long-term fiscal responsibility without compromising on the allocation to welfare schemes.

    “We are confident because, in the last 10 years, we have consistently launched schemes that benefit the people. And we don’t just launch the schemes, we ensure that the benefits reach the last person in the queue,” the finance minister said, to a question on the confidence on display with a budget that skipped any populist measure, including tax changes.

    “This is why we are confident that we have got the people’s blessings twice and will get it again. The people’s confidence in Prime Minister Modi is unshakeable and that gives us confidence.”

    Sitharaman, in the last budget before national polls, also trimmed the subsidy spend to Rs 3.81 lakh crore for FY25 compared to Rs 4.13 crore for FY24. Resisting the temptation of spending on schemes for the poor in the pre-election budget, the government stayed firm on fiscal consolidation to attract investors.

    “Our initiatives are not about populism or entitlement but of empowerment,” Sitharaman said, “We don’t believe in handholding people in a way which hampers their own decision-making. We will do welfare spending for healthcare and education.”

    Fiscal discipline and subsidies, she explained, are not substitutes to one another.

    To NDTV’s question on plans to raise capital expenditure, the finance minister said, “We will treat capex exhaustively in July (Union Budget).”

     

  • Celebrity Cricket League 2024 promo launch on the Burj Khalifa

    Celebrity Cricket League 2024 promo launch on the Burj Khalifa

    Mumbai : Celebrity Cricket League kicked off the 10 season with a spectacular show in Dubai on 2 February , right in the heart of the global metropolis, projecting this season’s promo on the magnificent Burj Khalifa. Superstars and captains from all 8 teams of CCL, including Kichcha Sudeep (Kannada),  Sohail Khan (Hindi), Arya and Jiiva (Tamil), Thaman & Sudheer Babu (Telugu), Jissu Sengupta (Bengal), Bunnu Dhillon and Sonu Sood (Punjabi), Indrajit Sukumaran and Unni Mukundhan (Malayalam) watched it live in Dubai.

    Celebrity Cricket League is the sportainment spectacle combining cinema and cricket. It is the only sports league in India that brings more than 200 actors from 8 different languages together. It is the convergence of sports and entertainment and is the only IP of its kind in India.  

    The grandiose league starts on 23 February in Sharjah, continuing for another three weekends in India with 20 action-packed and entertaining matches that appeal to a wide audience cohort beyond cricket fans. The adrenaline-pumping tournament will be live-streamed on Sony Sports Ten 5 and Jio Cinema along with multiple regional channels.

    Celebrity Cricket League founder & managing director Vishnu Vardhan Induri says, “CCL is always powerful and entertaining from day one and seeing the league grow every year is a reflection of the passion of all actors playing cricket in CCL on par with their busy schedules. When we say CCL 2024 is bigger than ever, we mean it.”

    Speaking about the promo launch on Burj Khalifa, Kichcha Sudeep said, “I have been on the Burj Khalifa earlier for my films, but seeing myself on the Burj Khalifa as a cricketer is very special and unforgettable. This is a massive statement from CCL that we are bigger than ever. ”

    Sonu Sood also shared his thoughts on the stunning visual on the Burj Khalifa – “Being alongside superstars representing 8 vibrant film industries of our great nation, standing together in front of the world’s tallest iconic structure watching the launch of something the whole India passionately love to is an amazing experience. This happens only at CCL, and my team will make CCL a remarkable edition this year.”

     

  • News18 India tops BARC ratings in Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha coverage

    News18 India tops BARC ratings in Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha coverage

    Mumbai: During the coverage of the historic inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, News18 India continued to be the viewer’s top choice. It garnered the highest viewership in the week of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha – a testimony to the superlative quality of coverage and content that it brought to the viewers. 

    Channel

    AMA 000’s

    News18 India

    94,848

    Aaj Tak

    93,276

    Republic Bharat

    81,267

    India TV

    80,109

     

    During the crucial week of coverage of the consecration, News18 India secured 9.48 crore AMAs, claiming for itself the top spot in the category. Source: BARC |Metric: AMA’s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 04’24, All Days, 24 Hrs |Market:HSM | 14 channels considered

    The channel’s endeavour was to bring truly diverse content that allowed viewers to experience the grandeur of the occasion. News18 India had the biggest and the most high-profile line-up of anchors on ground in Ayodhya including Kishore Ajwani, Amish Devgan, Prateek Trivedi, Aman Chopra, Rubika Liyaquat and Pankaj Bhargav. Multiple locations were used including a grand set that was built on the banks of the Saryu to capture the true essence of the festivities happening all around Ayodhya.

    From a Kavi Sammelan and on-ground events to documentaries, different formats were used to create really riveting programming. Innovative production techniques and graphics were used to deliver an enhanced viewer experience. Staying true to its legacy of bringing a fresh and clutter-breaking approach to high news-value event, News18 India’s compelling coverage of this momentous occasion ensured that channel continued to remain the most watched channel in the genre.

  • Gautam Krishna joins Odisha TV Network as national sales head

    Gautam Krishna joins Odisha TV Network as national sales head

    Mumbai: Gautam Krishna has joined Odisha Television Ltd as the national sales head moving on from BARC India where he served as VP client partnership & revenue – North & East.

    Krishna announced the same through a LinkedIn post.

    Krishna is a sales professional with over two decades of experience in strategic business development and building alliances. He has worked across TV, print, and radio, including earlier positions at Sony Pictures Networks India, Disney Star, BIG FM, Times Group, among others.

  • DP World ILT20 Season 2 records staggering 113M reach in its opening week

    DP World ILT20 Season 2 records staggering 113M reach in its opening week

    Mumbai: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), India’s largest content and entertainment powerhouse, has announced the viewership numbers for the opening week of DP World ILT20’s second season.

    The tournament garnered an impressive reach of 113 million in its opening week, as per data released by BARC TV+OOH. The company has reported an uptick of 12 per cent as compared to last year among males 15+ in India’s urban audiences (15+; India urban). Furthermore, the time spent on the series has surged by an impressive 32 per cent among viewers aged 15 and above in urban markets across India (15+; India urban). This substantial increase in viewing duration emphasizes the league’s ability to captivate and retain the attention of its audience, contributing to a more immersive and rewarding viewer experience.

    The franchise-style tournament with six teams and 34 matches is being played across the UAE. The league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars are slated to play in the Season 2, including David Warner, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill.

    On the back of this, DP World ILT20 continues to successfully be the world’s second most-watched global T20 league. As the official global broadcast partner of the league, ZEE Entertainment offers the widest live coverage of the ongoing tournament through its 10 linear channels and streaming platform – ZEE5, ensuring a comprehensive viewing experience for audiences across India and around the globe.

    Commenting on the announcement, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd president – business, South Asia Rahul Johri said, “We are delighted with the response that the second edition of DP World ILT20 has garnered. It is a testament of the league’s expanding appeal and a growing fan base across India. The event is escalating global enthusiasm for cricket, and we take immense pride in spearheading this phenomenon.”

    The truly-international T20 cricket league has proven to be an immense success, captivating fans worldwide as they eagerly tune in to witness the riveting action on the field. The competition has unfolded with intense and thrilling competition between teams, accompanied by stellar performances from players, creating a captivating spectacle that has consistently kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the entire series.

    ZEE Entertainment had announced a star-studded panel of commentators, which include — Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Rohan Gavaskar, Saba Karim, Nikhil Chopra, Vivek Razdan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, who are joined by Alan Wilkins, Simon Doull, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Niall O’Brien. With this distinguished commentary panel, ZEE Entertainment promises to offer a distinctive viewing experience, with iconic voices that promise to deliver captivating action from the league.

    Earlier this month, ZEE Entertainment unveiled its campaign film, featuring ace cricketer David Warner in a distinctive avatar along with Indian superstar Harbhajan Singh. Positioned as the biggest challenge for cricketers at the start of the year 2024, the campaign beautifully captures the passion and ambition of cricket players for this highly-competitive tournament, which will feature a roster of the most talented T20I cricketers.

    Cricket fans can watch this only-global T20 league on Zee’s most widely distributed and viewed 10 linear TV channels: &Pictures, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinemalu HD, &Flix, &Flix HD and Zee Zest HD and leading OTT platform ZEE5. All single header matches will be broadcast Live at 8 pm India prime time. The afternoon match on the double-header’s day will start at 4 pm.

    (*Source: BARC: 2+, India U+R, [Including TV+OOH, LIVE+PPL])
     

  • Avon Cycles partners with the Punjab Kings

    Avon Cycles partners with the Punjab Kings

    Mumbai: Avon Cycles is proud to partner with the Punjab Kings, a Chandigarh-based franchise owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity G Zinta, and Karan Paul.

    Avon Cycles had partnered earlier with the Punjab Kings in 2020 and have renewed their partnership for the cricket league season 2024.

    Avon Cycles CMD Onkar Singh Pahwa said, “Going on and beyond, here’s to sponsoring and coming together with the most coveted cricket team this season 2024. We are grateful to have a team that embodies the true spirit of sportsmanship, resilience, and excellence throughout the journey. As we carry on Avon’s legacy of being a frontrunner in bicycles, sports, and fitness, we are excited to reflect the values for the nation.”

    Avon Cycles joint MD Rishi Pahwa said, “We are delighted to hold a mark on the Punjab Kings for the upcoming 2024 season for the second time with optimism and enthusiasm. We are excited and thrilled to partner with this year’s most anticipated cricket team and look forward to rolling in with full speed and strength on the ground.”

    Avon Cycles ED Mandeep Pahwa said, “As we share the brimming values, it’s a moment of joy that we take on board the ‘lions’. We are grateful to share the strength and aim together to excel on the field in the true spirit of the game. All the best to the team Punjab Kings, looking forward to an amazing tournament of the season with a strategic win.”

    KPH Dream Cricket Pvt Ltd CEO Satish Menon said, “We are delighted to have Avon as our partner. For us the pleasure is multifold, firstly to have a Punjab-based brand and second that they have chosen to ride along with us again.”

    Avon Cycles, a leading player in the bicycle industry, has consistently promoted health and fitness at a higher level. With years of excellence, they have emerged as a preferred brand for Indians seeking reliable and sustainable commuting solutions.

    Today, they are even more delighted and proud to endorse the formidable Punjab Kings for the biggest franchise cricket league, wavering up the credibility and stride of the nation. Avon is aiming to align with the ethos of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle, encouraging the building blocks, the youth, to not only embrace the sport but embody the true values of sportsmanship in daily life.

    The collaboration has leveled up the excitement towards translating the values through the Punjab Kings! With their hustle, power, and performance, both brands are set to wheel into the season in 2024.
     

  • Tennis Channel will have exclusive, live coverage of India-Pakistan Davis Cup matchup this weekend

    Tennis Channel will have exclusive, live coverage of India-Pakistan Davis Cup matchup this weekend

    Mumbai: Tennis Channel will have exclusive, live coverage of the Davis Cup World Group I Playoff between India and Pakistan 3-4 Feb. in Islamabad.  Matches will begin at 11 a.m. local time each day and can be seen throughout India on Samsung TV+.

    Tennis Channel analyst Prakash Amritraj will provide commentary during the competition, working beside announcer Geoffery Chizever.

    Amritraj competed for India’s Davis Cup team from 2003-2006 and again in 2008.  He contributed to India’s 3-2 defeat of Pakistan in a World Group I semifinal in April 2006.  Before his professional career, Amritraj was a star college player who won an NCAA national championship and tournament MVP honours with the University of Southern California in 2002.

    The winner of this weekend’s contest will advance to play a Davis Cup World Group I tie in September.  The losing side will play a World Group II tie at that time.

    “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the Davis Cup rivalry between India and Pakistan again on Tennis Channel,” said Amritraj.  “I know from experience as a player and as a fan that the competition will be fierce and something for everyone to enjoy watching.”

    Introduced in 1900 and one of the oldest trophies in sports, Davis Cup is an annually contested “World Cup of Men’s Tennis.”  Each year the best players in the world represent their countries in a battle to determine the sport’s best men’s tennis nation.

    The Davis Cup playoff comes on the heels of tremendous success for Indian tennis at the Australian Open.  The country’s Rohan Bopana, at age 43, won the tournament’s doubles title and became not only the oldest major doubles champion ever but also the oldest World No. 1-ranked doubles player in men’s tennis history.

  • Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024: “Samvedna ka Safar” – A journey towards safer roads

    Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024: “Samvedna ka Safar” – A journey towards safer roads

    Mumbai: The ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH), under the leadership of minister Nitin Gadkari, is championing the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024. This pivotal public awareness initiative, dedicated to promoting road safety, will host its second edition four-hour telethon on  3 February 2024, in Mumbai. In partnership with the SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), a leading non-profit organization in India dedicated to improving road safety and emergency medical care in India since 2008, this Telethon will spotlight the critical importance of road safety, centring on ‘Empathy’ as its core theme.

    According to the “Road Accidents in India 2022 Report” by MoRTH, the country witnessed an average of 461 fatalities in 1,263 road crashes per day, marking an alarming 11.9 per cent increase in road crash fatalities from the previous year. Furthermore, there was a significant 15.3 per cent increase in injuries from road crashes.

    In response to these concerning statistics, this second edition of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan will address road safety challenges through an empathetic lens, focusing on behavioural modification among Indian commuters to enhance empathy and safety on the roads.

    The initiative is built on four foundational pillars:

    ·      Respect: Advocating for life preservation and active participation in life-saving measures.

    ·      Patience: Highlighting the necessity of adhering to speed limits and driving rules.

    ·      Safety: Encouraging the adoption of advanced technologies and initiatives for safer public roads.

    ·      Collaboration: Emphasizing the need for cooperation among all stakeholders, including the public.

    SaveLIFE Foundation founder and CEO Piyush Tewari commented, “Road crashes are a major public health concern in India. It is crucial to communicate the safety message to the masses, inspiring empathy and respect for life. The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan is a pioneering effort in this direction, and SaveLIFE Foundation is proud to support it.”

    The ministry of road transport and highways is committed to enhancing road infrastructure, improving road safety education, and promoting responsible driving to make roads safer for everyone. This initiative focuses on raising awareness about responsible two-wheeler driving, helmet usage, and the Good Samaritan Law, with special emphasis on two-wheeler users, who accounted for 44.5 per cent of total road fatalities in 2022.

    ”A collaborative effort from all stakeholders is imperative to bring about positive change on the roads. As we witness the unfolding of Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 and raise awareness about empathy, responsible driving, and road safety, let us also pledge to be more patient, respectful, and safe on the roads,” said Avinash Kaul, chief executive officer – Network 18 (Broadcast) and managing director A+E Networks.

    ”Road safety is not just about adhering to rules but also about cultivating compassion and transforming attitudes. The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 is taking a commendable step in this direction by emphasizing empathy as its central theme. We applaud the efforts of this ambitious initiative and extend our relentless support to this noble cause,” said Puneet Singhvi, CEO (Digital) & president of corporate strategy-Network 18.

    The 4-hour Telethon will feature eminent personalities, including Shri Nitin Gadkari and Bollywood legend Shri Amitabh Bachchan. Leading actors Pankaj Tripathi and R Madhavan are also an integral part of the campaign along with celebrated singer and composer Shri Shankar Mahadevan; Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Shri Prasoon Joshi; and Author and Philanthropist, Smt. Sudha Murty. The event will also see the launch of the Sadak Suraksha Anthem by Shankar Mahadevan, with lyrics by Shri Prasoon Joshi.

    The event will be live-streamed across all digital platforms of CNN News18, enabling audiences to engage with and promote safer, more responsible road behaviour. Watch LIVE on: