Mumbai: IAB Tech Lab, the global digital advertising technical standards-setting body, unveiled its new Advanced TV Initiative. Developed within the Advanced TV Commit Group, the initiative is set to bridge the gap between traditional linear TV, digital video, and live streaming.
Initially, the Commit Group’s primary focus is implementing a creative ID framework and conducting a dedicated workshop. This registered creative ID – overseen by organizations managing metadata and access controls – will outline the integration process for all supply chain members.
Additionally, it will include essential information about advertisers, represented products, and technical specifications – details crucial to various ad placement scenarios such as frequency capping, competitive separation, measurement, and cross-platform creative reconciliation.
“We understand that interoperability across distribution environments is critical to achieving better reconciliation, auditability, and verification,” said IAB Tech Lab COO & EVP of product Shailley Singh. “This effort emphasizes standardization and interoperability, paving the way for a unified and integrated television advertising reconciliation framework, freeing up thousands of hours of legacy inefficiencies, and saving media companies time and money.”
While TV viewing remains consistent for consumers, the underlying technologies for content delivery and advertising signaling vary across different platforms. To tackle this fragmentation, key companies in the industry have joined together to create foundational elements crucial for enhancing interoperability among these distribution environments.
“NBCUniversal’s north star is making sure our partners’ marketing dollars are as effective as they can be,” said NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships and IAB Tech Lab Board Member EVP advertising, platforms and operations, Ryan McConville. “The Commit Group is making significant strides advancing standardization and interoperability for the industry, which are critical components of driving efficiency and creating better, more impactful advertising.”
Mumbai: Gods Reign, an Esports organization based in Bangalore, has signed the nation’s leading BGMI team as its official roster on a three-year contractual agreement. With a wealth of talent, success, and expertise under their belt, the team is all set to take over the country’s BGMI landscape this year.
Led by their in-game leader (IGL) Ammar Khan (Destro), the star-studded roster comprises notable entry fraggers Justin Nadar (Justin), and Parth Garg (DeltaPG), alongside prominent support/assaulter Pavan Kumar (Shogun). Furthermore, Gods Reign has also appointed Vedang Chavan (Vedzz) as the team coach and Dharmdipsinh Zala (Code), as the team’s Analyst.
Vedang, who brings vast experience from representing India in the PUBG PC Acer Predator League in Tokyo, Japan, and Dharmdipsinh, the team’s Analyst, credited for instrumental contributions in 2023, will together provide strategic guidance to help the team formulate effective strategies and analyze numerous data to enhance the team’s prowess.
Speaking on the thought process behind onboarding the roster and their vision for the year, Gods Reign K.R. Rohith, CEO K.R. Rohith stated, “At Gods Reign, our commitment to excellence is evident. Acquiring the nation’s top BGMI team reinforces our dedication to building a formidable organization for success in 2024. With a proven track record in Star Sports-televised events and official tournaments, this team embodies exceptional skill and a relentless drive for victory. Gods Reign is confident that this well-balanced lineup is poised to achieve new heights in the competitive BGMI circuit in 2024. As we set our sights on upcoming tournaments, we aim to showcase the indomitable spirit that defines Gods Reign as an Esports powerhouse.”
In 2023, the team secured a total of approximately USD 2.80 lakhs (INR 2.5 crores) in prize money by showcasing their dominance and prevailing in tournaments. This included emerging victorious in official tournaments such as BGMI Master Series Season 2 (BGMS), which was televised on Star Sports, Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2023 (BGIS), and third-party tournaments, including Nodwin BGMI Champions Cup: Champions and the country’s largest online third-party BGMI tournament India Today League Invitationals.
They almost completed an unprecedented hattrick of official tournament triumphs but unfortunately fell short, finishing as runners-up at the Battlegrounds Mobile Pro Series 2023 (BMPS). Beyond leading their team to victory, the individual brilliance of the team’s stars has consistently shone through, with Justin earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in BGMS Season 2, and DeltaPG securing the MVP title in the BGIS 2023, as well as the India Today League Invitationals.
“I am honoured to join Gods Reign, an epitome of Esports excellence. My track record reflects a commitment to success, aligning seamlessly with the organization’s dedication to excellence. With immense pride and confidence, I take on the responsibility of representing the prestigious name of Gods Reign. In unity, I’m convinced we will transcend boundaries, achieving unparalleled success and adding to the ongoing legacy of greatness,” stated BGMI Esports Athlete at Gods Reign Ammar “Destro” Khan.
To fulfil its commitment to providing its players with an unparalleled support structure, Gods Reign will be providing its brand new BGMI roster with its cutting-edge BootCamp facilities that offer an optimal environment for practice, skill refinement, and strategic planning. Complementing these facilities is top-tier coaching, ensuring that players receive expert guidance and mentorship to elevate their individual and collective performances.
By creating an environment conducive to both physical and mental well-being, the team is focused on a holistic approach to player development and aims to bring out the best of their squad to replicate their extraordinary performances in the upcoming year.
Mumbai: Antara Mitra, the sensational singer teamed up with Arijit Singh and renowned composer Pritam to captivate hearts with their latest release, “Raat Akeli Thi.” The enchanting duet, infused with soulful melodies and emotive lyrics, promises to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
Antara Mitra, well-known for her captivating vocals, has come together with Arijit Singh and the maestro Pritam to create a musical masterpiece that encapsulates raw emotions and heartfelt sentiments. “Raat Akeli Thi” transcends boundaries, delivering a touching narrative through its evocative lyrics and amazingly beautiful composition by Pritam.
Speaking about the duet and the sentiments related to the song, Antara Mitra shared, “First and foremost, this song has a very unique composition compared to the kind of songs or compositions that’s happening around. ‘Raat Akeli Thi’ as a song has a classic taste to it. Hence, the composition of the song is so rich that I’m very glad to be a part of this beautiful process. Adding to that, Sriram Raghavan is one of my favorite directors especially when it comes to thriller and murder mystery. Now that I got the chance to sing for this film it’s like a real dream come true! Also, singing with Arijit has always been an incredible experience. ‘Raat Akeli Thi’ is a song very close to our hearts, and we hope it touches the souls of our listeners. Besides, after performing my first popular song ‘Bheegi Si,’ with Katrina, this is my second song with her in Sriram Raghavan sir’s film. If I emphasized the composition so much then definitely Pritam Da has really outdone himself. Again, it’s not very easy to fit a romantic song into a thriller movie! Also, this is my first work with Varun Grover. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I watched ‘Masan”.
This classic song was written by Varun and we loved it In a nutshell, I just want to say that working with the “Raat Akeli Thi” team will always be a delight for me.”
The song is a harmonious blend of poignant storytelling and mellifluous melodies and promises to be a treat for music lovers seeking emotional resonance. “Raat Akeli Thi” is now available on all major streaming platforms, offering listeners to immerse themselves in its heartfelt aura.
Mumbai: World of Krida Pvt Ltd, a multi-sport franchise owning company, has announced their fourth 3X3 Basketball team, Toronto Patriots for the FIBA 3×3 backed 3×3.EXE Super Premier Basketball League. The 3×3.EXE Super Premier basketball league’s inaugural edition will tip-off at the Xebio Arena Sendai, Japan. The league will be held at Japan on 13 & 14 January 2024, Thailand on 10 & 11 February, 2024, Australia on 24 & 25 February, 2024 and the finals in Japan on 17 March, 2024. The league will see Toronto Patriots along with two other top level international 3×3 teams, Lausanne and Sajmiste Serbia play the tournament as guest teams (invitation). The winners and runner-up from the 3×3.EXE Super Premier 2024 finals will qualify for the 2024 FIBA 3×3 World Tour and the winners of each round will book a spot at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Challengers respectively.
All the matches of 3×3.EXE Super Premier Basketball League can be streamed live on the 3×3.EXE OFFICIAL YouTube Channel.
Toronto Patriots team will see pro Indian origin ballers like Inderbir Singh Gill and Bikramjit Gill from USA and Canada respectively take on the court with their teammates Blaz Cresnar and Mark Berlic of Slovenia.
Toronto Patriots co-owner and World of Krida CEO Parina Suresh Parekh said, “3×3 basketball is dear to us. After Zagreb Patriots, Mumbai Patriots and Udon Thani Patriots, my heart swells with pride as we expand the Patriots universe to North America with Toronto Patriots. To be invited as a guest to the prestigious 3×3.EXE Super Premier League along with two of the best 3X3 teams in the world is a moment that we will cherish forever. 3X3 is now an Olympic sport and competitions like these not only help the franchise but even the players to rise up the ranks collecting crucial points that enable their goal to represent their country in the global competition. I am confident that we will make the most from the opportunity and aim #ForTheGlory.”
Member of the Toronto Patriots squad Bikramjit Gill also represented and won the Bronze medal for the Canadian National Team at the Commonwealth Games 2022 said, “Basketball has always played a huge part in my life, my dad represented the Indian National team back in his days, and I am fortunate enough to carry that legacy forward. Being a part of Toronto Patriots feels like representing home with pride in the oldest 3×3 basketball league. The entire team has a really good rapport and I just hope we can be amongst the top and give a tough fight to other teams.”
Dream Basketball Academy (DBA) and S4A have come onboard with Toronto Patriots as the Training and Facility Partner (Hyderabad) and Apparel Partner respectively.
The scheduled matches for Toronto Patriots in 3×3.EXE Super Premier 2024 in Round 1: Sendai, Japan are as follows:
Day one: 13 Jan, 2024 – First Match: 9:55 am IST – Second Match: 1:25 pm IST
Day two: 14 Jan, 2024 – 3 Match: 9:40 am IST Onwards
Amongst their other World of Krida owned franchises are Pune 7 Aces from the Premier Badminton League, Rajasthan Patriots in the Premier Handball League, Jaipur Patriots in Ultimate Table Tennis League and Punjab Patriots in Tennis Premier League. World of Krida also owns Chicago Patriots that competes in the United States Premier League, the T20 cricket league played in USA. They are also actively involved in the fast-paced world of 3X3 basketball, with the ownership of Mumbai Patriots, Udon Thani Patriots and Zagreb Patriots in the 3BL leagues in India, Thailand, and Croatia respectively.
Mumbai: Sony Sports Network is proud to announce its continued association with the prestigious Australian Open, bringing the electrifying LIVE telecast of the 2024 edition to tennis enthusiasts across India. The tournament, scheduled from Sunday, 14 January 2024, to Sunday, 28 January 2024, will captivate fans as Melbourne Park hosts the world’s tennis elite in a battle for the coveted first grand slam title of the year. Sony Sports Network will bring all the LIVE action from the tournament in English and Hindi, while Tamil and Telugu language feeds will be added from the Quarterfinals stage onwards.
Leading up to the tournament, Sony Sports Network launched it’s ‘#SlamOfTheGreats’ campaign, masterfully capturing all the thrills, competitive spirit, and excitement that the Australian Open has always offered. The campaign pays tribute to some of the greatest tennis moments in the history of the game, and also feature’s India’s own Tennis great Sania Mirza announcing her arrival to world tennis with her first Grand Slam win in 2009.
In a historic first, the Australian Open will begin on a Sunday, giving tennis fans an extra day of play. This change aims to reduce the pressure on late-night finishes for both the players and the fans, while also bringing one extra day of live tennis action.
As temperatures soar in Melbourne, the anticipation for the first tennis Grand Slam of the year is heating up, with Novak Djokovic aiming to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam victories. Djokovic faces mighty competition from the likes of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Jannik Sinner, all vying to etch their name in the history books. Fans of Women’s Tennis are in for a treat too with Aryna Sabalenka aiming to defend her title and ward off any challenges from current world number one Iga Świątek.
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business & head – sports business, Rajesh Kaul said, “It’s that time of the year when the best tennis stars gather in Melbourne to compete for the ultimate glory in the year’s first Grand Slam. The Australian Open has consistently been the most watched Grand Slam in India for the last few years. Our commitment extends beyond on-field action, featuring off-field initiatives like expert insights and opinions from two-time Australian Open winner Sania Mirza and Former India No 1, Somdev Devvarman on our live studio show, Extraaa Serve.”
Sony Sports Network two-times Australian Open winner & tennis brand ambassador Sania Mirza said, “The Australian Open tournament holds a special place in my heart as I made my Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2005. The Grand Slam continues to be a strong platform for players to showcase their talent, and this year’s tournament will feature both emerging talents and established stars lighting up the court. I am looking forward to being a part of Extraaa Serve on Sony Sports Network as a panellist through the course of the tournament. Throughout the broadcast, we will bring fans closer to all the live action in Australia and also present behind-the-scenes moments of this sporting spectacle.”
Olympian & former No 1 India Tennis Player. Asian Games & Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist and panellist, Extraaa Serve Somdev Devvarman said, “It’s an absolute pleasure to be a part of Sony Sports Network’s Australian Open broadcast. It’s a tournament that never fails to deliver incredible moments, and I look forward to being a part of the team that brings these moments to your screens. Sony Sports Network has been a champion for tennis in India, and I’m thrilled to contribute to the passion and excitement that the Australian Open always brings.”
As the ‘Home of Tennis’ in India, Sony Sports Network offers year-long marquee tennis events, featuring three out of the four Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garros (French Open), and US Open, along with Davis Cup and ATP Masters, making it the ultimate destination for top-tier tennis action. The Australian Open, in particular, holds a special place in the hearts of Indian tennis enthusiasts, consistently ranking as one of the most-watched tennis tournaments on Indian television.
Mumbai: In a world where everyday life can be overwhelming, Colors Bangla Cinema is here to turn that frown upside down with its latest offering, “Full Golmal”. Brace yourselves for an unparalleled riot of laughter as we present blockbuster films featuring the biggest stars, promising five days of pure unadulterated fun from 15 to 19 January 2024, at 4:00 PM.
Laughter, a cornerstone of the 7 emotions, defines the essence of Colors Bangla Cinema. We believe in extending the joy that permeates every home. To honour this commitment, we present the comedy festival, “Full Golmal,” a vibrant celebration of the genre for our cherished audience. Join us in welcoming a series of entertaining moments that will undoubtedly lift your spirits.
.Badsha, The Don starring Jeet and Nusraat Faria
. Khoka 420 starring Dev, Subhashree Ganguly and Nusrat Jahan
. Khiladi starring Ankush Hazra, Tapas Paul and Nusrat Jahan
.Mon Mane Na starring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Soumitra Chatterjee
.Love Marriage starring Ankush Hazra, Oindrila Sen, Ranjit Mullick and Aparajita Auddy
“Full Golmal” is not just an event; it’s an experience designed with a lineup of the biggest stars in the industry, bringing their most hilarious blockbusters that will leave you in splits!
Mark your calendars and get ready for an escape from the ‘boring.’ Join us from January 15 to 19, 2024, at 4:00 PM, as Colors Bangla Cinema guarantees a rollercoaster of emotions, and your ticket to this joyous ride awaits!
Mumbai: Hyderabad Eagles defeated U.P Warriors by 5 wickets to clinch the IDCA’s 1st T 10 Women’s Deaf Premier League trophy in association with Serum Institute of India (Cyrus Poonawala Group). The winning team was felicitated by chief guest British Deputy High Commission deputy head of mission Mumbai Catherine Barnes, during the closing ceremony held at Police Gymkhana Cricket Ground, Marine Lines, Mumbai, Maharashtra. The tournament was organised in association with Serum Institute of India, a part of Cyrus Poonawalla Group.
The closing ceremony was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries from different walks of life to support this maiden tournament. Representatives from Nykaa, IDCA Patron partner and Indo Count Industries, IDCA CSR partner also graced the occasion. Their presence reflected the collaborative spirit of and commitment to celebrate inclusivity in sports.
Addressing the gathering, Barnes said, “I am delighted to attend the Closing Ceremony of the IDCA T10 Deaf Women’s Premier League tournament today in Mumbai. It was an inspiring experience to see these amazing hearing-impaired women athletes from across India coming to play cricket. It is an excellent example of equality and diversity in sport which benefits society as a whole. The UK is a strong proponent of diversity in all aspects of life, so it was doubly exciting to see that manifest here today. My congratulations to all the participating athletes for demonstrating such great sporting prowess.”
The winning team Hyderabad Eagles was presented with the trophy and Rs 1,00,000 winning amount, while the runner-up UP Warriorz was awarded with a consolation prize of Rs 50,000 for their outstanding performance. Additionally, the best individual sportsmen in various categories including, batting, bowling, fielding, and super sixes received cash awards. Needa Shaikh from Deaf Mumbai Stars won the Woman of the Series, Deepti Maurya from Deaf U.P Warriorz – Best Bowler of the Series, Rinki from Deaf Hyderabad Eagles – Best Fielder of the Series and B Dhanalaxmi from Deaf U.P Warriorz won the Super Sixes in the tournament.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, IDCA president Sumit Jain said, “I extend my best wishes to the Hyderabad Eagles for their exemplary performance on the field. It was an enthralling tournament, and everyone performed at their best on the field. Winning and losing are the part of the game. I also express my gratitude to IDCA support partners for making this tournament successful.”
In this four-day tournament, six specially-abled women’s teams— Punjab Lions, UP Warriorz, Mumbai Stars, Delhi Bulls, Hyderabad Eagles and Bangalore Badshahs — competed against each other for the winner’s title. They played a total of 11 matches, and the two best teams faced each other in the final match.
IDCA CEO Roma Balwani said, “The winner might be one, but every sportsperson here today is a hero, and we are proud of them. The enthusiasm and talent of these specially-abled women crickets are commendable. Congratulations to all the players, who made the IDCA maiden T10 Women’s Deaf Premier League a success. Special thanks to our Chief Guest Ms. Catherine Barnes, Deputy Head of Mission, British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai and all the Guest of Honour for joining us here, motivating our players, and promoting cricket among hearing-impaired individuals.”
Present on the occasion from Indo Count Industries were Gayatri Jain chairman Anil Kumar Jain, Head Organizational Culture head Shivani Patoria, advisor – special projects D.P Garg and head CSR Sandeep Kumar
IDCA’s long-term partners, KFC India, Hero Moto Corp, Collearn, Impact Research, Cognito & Kaizzen also supported the tournament.
Mumbai: The 13 edition of CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 awards took place in New Delhi on Wednesday. The biggest awards platform of news television honoured Bollywood’s King Shah Rukh Khan with the prestigious Indian of the Year award.
In his moving acceptance speech, SRK opened up about his life and career like never before. He touched upon several subjects in his almost 10-minute long speech, which included his flops before he took a break, his family’s struggles, and his successful 2023. He then said that he wanted to make a ‘brash’ statement by saying he doesn’t only feel like the Indian of the Year 2023 but the Indian of all Years.
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year recognises exceptional contributions of remarkable individuals across seven categories — business, entertainment, sports, youth icon, rising sports star, social change, and climate warriors.
While Shah Rukh Khan was crowned as the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023, renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam was named CNN-News18 Indian of the Year in the Entertainment category.
Karnataka’s first transgender doctor and actor Trinetra Haldar was honoured with the Youth Icon of the Year award (Jury), while music composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander was awarded the Youth Icon (Popular) title at CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was honoured with the Indian of the Year 2023 award for outstanding achievement. The award recognised the remarkable contributions made by ISRO in pushing the boundaries of space exploration. Neeraj Chopra clinched the Indian of the Year award in the Sports category in recognition of his remarkable achievements and significant contribution to Indian sports.
Chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa was named Rising Sports Star at CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023. In the Climate Warriors category, Arun Krishnamurthy and Saalumarada Thimmakka won the award. Arun Krishnamurthy is the founder of the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), which has restored 460 waterbodies across 18 states.
Padma Shri award recipient Saalumarada Thimmakka is a 112-year-old climate warrior from Karnataka’s Tumkur district and is known as the “Mother of Trees” for planting over 8,000 trees. Ravi Kannan, a distinguished oncologist, was named the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 in the Social Change category. His commitment to people-centric and pro-poor healthcare has revolutionised cancer treatment in Assam.
State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Dinesh Khara won the prestigious Indian of the Year 2023 award in the business category. Khara joined SBI as a probationary officer in 1984 and has risen through the ranks over the years at India’s largest public sector lender. The Heroes of Uttarkashi garnered a special recognition at the awards ceremony. Union Minister Jitendra Singh presented the award to the heroes, who included National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Director General (DG) Atul Karwal, rat miners Munna and Wakil, along with foreman Gabbar Singh Negi and his colleague Saba Ahmed. The rat hole miners garnered nationwide acclaim for their pivotal role in the successful rescue effort in the Silkyara tunnel.
CNN-News18 Indian of the Year platform has a rich legacy of honoring exceptional individuals across various fields. A distinctive feature of this year’s event was the blend of expert judgment and public voting, where 50 per cent of the decision-making power lies with the discerning audience, and the remaining 50 per cent is entrusted to a distinguished panel of judges.
Over the years, CNN-News18 Indian of the Year award recipients have included personalities such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, cricket star Virat Kohli, the Indian women’s cricket team, NGO Stop Acid Attacks, Chess Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, music legend AR Rahman, former PM Manmohan Singh, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, star boxer MC Mary Kom, actress Deepika Padukone and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, among others.
Shah Rukh Khan Quotes ‘Vikram Rathore’ From His Blockbuster Hit ‘Jawan:
Shah Rukh Khan on the lessons he learned after the struggles his family underwent:
Mumbai: TV9 Bangla, the Bengali news channel of TV9 Network organised ‘Brands of Bengal’ at Hyatt Regency recently. It honoured a handful of successful businesses spanning a range of sectors who have already made their mark in their domains in this state and hold out a promising future. Apart from the felicitation, panel discussions were held with the award-winning businessmen and homegrown start-ups in of sectors such as healthcare, food, education, real estate, finance, technology and FMCG. Three panels brainstormed on issues that posed challenges to the business community of the state in order to have a clear understanding of the path that lay ahead of them and the roadmap to future investments in Bengal.
The topics that the panels discussed were (Banglar Byabsha: Samashya O Samadhan) business in Bengal: Problems and solutions, (Banglaye Start-Up: Bhobisyot) the future of startups in Bengal and Shilpe Medha: Porijayi Sankot (Migration of talent: Challenge for industry.)
The awards were handed to the businessmen by Nicco Engineering Services Ltd MD, Honorary Consul General Republic of Korea & Chairman CII, Eastern Region Shiv Siddhant Kaul and CII, Logistics, Warehousing & MMT Subcommittee (CII, ER) chairman and The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) managing committee member Debashis Dutta.
In between the panel discussions, prominent singers Rupankar Bagchi, Durnibar Saha and Jojo regaled the audience with their performances.
Some of the businessmen whose contribution in the state was recognised by TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal included:
Bhadreswar Rice Mill (Lalbaba Rice) – Excellence in Rice Brand of Eastern India
Bharati Diagnostic Centre – Excellence in Diagnostic Care
Orient Gems & Ornaments Pvt Ltd (Orient Jewellers) – Excellence in Gold and Diamond Retail Outlets Chain of North Bengal
Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor – Excellence in Culinary Delight
Poly Majumder Mini Rice Mill (Appayan Rice) – Excellence in Manufacturing of Husking Rice
Samata Cooperative Development Bank Ltd – Excellence in Cooperative Banking Services
Bidhan Shishu Udyan – Excellence in All Round Human Development
Excellence in All Round Human Development – Excellence in Skill Development
Nopany Institute – Excellence in Career Oriented Education
Global Institute of Management Studies (GIMS) – Excellence in Placement in Hotel and Hospitality Management
Jai Balaji Group (JBG) – Excellence in Real Estate Ancillary
Sontoshima Enterprise & Sontoshima Udyog – Excellence in Multipurpose Packaging
Tek Foods – Excellence in FMCG Industry
M R Group of Colleges & Hospitals – Excellence in Higher Education and Health Care Sector
Brands of Bengal will be telecast on 14 January, Sunday 9.30 am onwards only on TV9 Bangla.
MUMBAI: Can the recently launched Shrimad Ramayan give a shot in the arm to the struggling pay TV sector, especially cable TV? The jury is out and opinions are mixed, but there’s some movement afoot. One cannot forget that the earlier Ramyan on Doordarshan in the eighties resulted in India’s streets being deserted and during its rerun during the pandemic it attracted 76 million viewers on DD on 16 April 2020.
According to some cable TV operators, the signs are positive.
“I am glad that the show has launched as it has,” says Nagpur-based MSO UCN director Ajay Khamankar. “Shrimad Ramayan is only showing on TV which is good. I see a lot of potential in it slowing down the cord-cutting that has been plaguing the pay-TV sector.”
Mumbai-based MSO and OTT aggregator Sabot promoter Atul Saraf, however, disagrees. “We are getting some calls, but it’s not ground shifting. One show can’t change the fortunes of the cable TV sector. “
Khamankar contradicts this by saying that his company’s helplines have seen a lot of traction since 1 January when Shrimad Ramayan premiered with viewers asking for their cable TV connection to be restored. “We have been getting an unusual number of calls from subscribers who had earlier cancelled their subscriptions. It cuts across age groups, which is a good sign,” he highlights.
Saraf points out that he would like to monitor the situation for a few more weeks before concluding on Shrimad Ramayan being a standout for the cable TV sector. “Normally, we are seeing disconnections daily,” he reveals. “We will have to see whether the signups are more than the sign-outs over time.”
Shrimad Ramayan has been produced by the Siddharth Kumar Tewary-run Swastik Productions and airs at the premium 9 pm slot Monday to Friday. It stars Sujay Reu as Shri Ram, Prachi Bansal as Sita, and Basant Bhatt as Lakshman. It premiered on 1 January to rave reviews about its quality of production as well as story-telling. This is why it has been enamouring TV viewers at home. In just its first week, it zoomed up to No. 2 on the Sony ratings chart just behind Wagle Ki Duniya (1.1 TVR, TSV 15 minutes) and on the same rank as Pushpa Impossible (0.9 TVR; TSV: 18 minutes) with a TVR of 0.9 and TSV of 31 minutes.
“Obviously, the content is keeping viewers engaged and it can only grow from here,” says a media observer.
Shrimad Ramayan has also got an IMDB rating of 9.3 which shows a high audience approval. Critics too have given it a thumbs up with some like Tellychakkar mentioning “that the deep commitment to authenticity, cultural reverence and a contemporary sensibility is what makes the show a must-watch. “
Will the audience reciprocate as the show builds up in the coming weeks?
