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  • Stupa Sports and Ultimate Table Tennis collaborate for WTT Star Contender in Goa

    Stupa Sports and Ultimate Table Tennis collaborate for WTT Star Contender in Goa

    Mumbai: Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) are proud to announce a strategic collaboration for the upcoming WTT Star Contender, slated to take place in Goa from 23 to 28 January 2024.

    The Star Contender was first brought to India by Stupa Sports Analytics, a leading homegrown global sports analytics firm. As one of the most prestigious events in the international table tennis calendar, WTT Star Contender Goa took place earlier this year and had some of the world’s biggest stars on the show, including the World No. 1 Fan Zhendong, Japanese prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto, World No. 4 Wang Yidi, and World No. 5 Hina Hayata, descending to Goa for the inaugural edition. Besides that, the tournament also saw participation of 40 Indian players which was the highest for a WTT event.

    The partnership with Stupa Sports Analytics marks a significant milestone in UTT’s journey, promising to elevate the WTT Star Contender to new heights and solidify its status as a sporting landmark in India. This collaborative effort is set to transcend geographical boundaries, bringing together players from around the world for a week-long celebration of table tennis excellence.

    “The first edition of WTT Star Contender Goa was a great success. Table tennis is still at a nascent stage in India and tournaments like this not only show the sport’s potential commercially but also encourage its overall growth,” Megha Gambhir Analytics CEO and co-founder of Stupa Sports commented.

    As for UTT, it has consistently aimed at establishing a world-class league and providing a dynamic platform that unites players and fans, both in India and globally. With a vision to create unprecedented milestones for the sport, UTT has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant community around table tennis.

    “This collaboration signifies a commitment to fostering international camaraderie in table tennis and encouraging the passionate community of players and fans to unite in India like never before. The WTT Star Contender Goa is poised to be a global showcase of talent, skill, and competition,” UTT co-promoter Vita Dani said.

    The high-profile tournament is part of the six-star Contender series events where only the top 30 players are eligible to participate, with six players from the top 20 in the world rankings. The tournament boasts a massive prize pool of $250,000 and allows players to win ranking points and qualify for the WTT Cup Finals and WTT Champions Series.

    The tournament will be co-hosted by Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis under the guidance of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI).

    “Playing against world-class players or watching them from a close quarter always inspires the younger generation. This tournament is a great opportunity for our Indian players. We, at TTFI, extend full support to Stupa Sports Analytics and Ultimate Table Tennis to make the second edition a grand success,”  TTFI secretary general Kamlesh Mehta stated.

    World Table Tennis (WTT), conceptualised by the International Table Tennis Federation in 2019, serves as the epicentre for professional men’s and women’s table tennis events globally. The series encompasses a multitude of events throughout the year, with the four Grand Smashes standing out as the highest-ranked tournaments.

    China’s Liang Jingkun and Yidi had won men’s and women’s singles titles respectively in the inaugural edition of the tournament.

  • Network18 announces consolidation of India’s top news media powerhouses

    Network18 announces consolidation of India’s top news media powerhouses

    Mumbai: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd (Network18) (NSE: NETWORK18) and  TV18 Broadcast Ltd (TV18) (NSE: TV18BRDCST) has announced a scheme of arrangement in terms of which TV18 and e-Eighteen.com Ltd (“E18”, which owns and operates moneycontrol website and app) will merge with Network18.

    The proposed scheme will consolidate the TV and digital news businesses of the Network18 group in one company and will help create India’s largest platform-agnostic news media powerhouse with the widest footprint across languages, straddling both TV and Digital. It will enable Network18 to consolidate and further grow its business from a position of strength. This will present a unique opportunity to all shareholders to participate in the media business of the group through one listed entity.

    The merged entity will comprise of the TV portfolio of TV18 (20 news channels in 16 languages and CNBCTV18.com), Digital assets of Network18 (News18.com platform across 13 languages and Firstpost) as also moneycontrol website and app. Viacom18 with its portfolio of JioCinema and 40 TV channels will be a direct subsidiary of Network18. Network18 will continue to hold its investment in BookMyShow.

    As consumers and advertisers increasingly gravitate towards omnichannel experiences across different aspects of their lives, having a deep and integrated presence across both TV and digital media will enable the merged entity to serve them better. Further, as the Network18 group has been working towards convergence, an integrated entity for news gathering and dissemination is expected to result in cost and content synergies.

    The Board of Directors of the respective companies have approved the scheme of arrangement at their meetings held today.

    Brief details of the scheme of arrangement:

    Appointed date for merger: 1 April, 2023

    Share exchange ratio:

    100 shares of Network18 for every 172 shares of TV18

    19 shares of Network18 for every 1 share of E18

    A joint valuation report for the fair share exchange ratio has been provided by PwC Business Consulting Services LLP (PWC BCS) and Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services LLP (EY).  PWC BCS was appointed by Network18 and EY was appointed by TV18 and E18. BofA Securities India Limited (for Network18), Citigroup Global Markets India Pvt Ltd (for TV18) and HSBC Securities and Capital Markets India Pvt Ltd (for E18) provided Fairness Opinion as financial advisors while Khaitan & Co. is the legal advisor for the Scheme.

    The scheme of arrangement is subject to all necessary approvals.

  • Shemaroo Entertainment launches a metaverse revolution – ShemarooVerse on NEAR Protocol

    Shemaroo Entertainment launches a metaverse revolution – ShemarooVerse on NEAR Protocol

    Mumbai: Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd, India’s leading media and entertainment conglomerate, proudly introduces ShemarooVerse, an innovative and groundbreaking public metaverse poised to redefine the landscape of digital entertainment and social interaction.

    ShemarooVerse emerges as a digital universe where entertainment seamlessly integrates with Web3 and AI. Built on the secure and efficient NEAR protocol, with an expansive content library, engaging interactive games, Bollywood avatars, live concerts and events in vast expanse spaces, immersive VR cinema, wellness zone, devotional zone, dynamic workspaces, vibrant social spaces, and storefronts, ShemarooVerse boasts a diverse range of offerings, ensuring there is something for every user’s taste.

    This marks the beginning for ShemarooVerse, which has a continuous journey ahead, as it unlocks novel spaces and experiences. As the metaverse opportunity unfolds and consumers increasingly embrace new technologies, ShemarooVerse aspires to become the preferred destination for immersive entertainment.

    On the launch of ShemarooVerse, Shemaroo Entertainment COO Arghya Chakravarty said, “We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with the launch of ShemarooVerse, a digital universe where entertainment seamlessly merges with Web3 technology. It is a transformative experience that pushes the boundaries of what is possible in the digital realm. We believe ShemarooVerse will revolutionise the way users engage with content, and we are confident that the audience will embrace and enjoy the new platform that Shemaroo, a legacy brand, is bringing to them.”

    The creation of ShermarooVerse was made possible in part by a strategic partnership with the NEAR Foundation,  a non-profit organisation that focuses on supporting sustainable, community driven innovation to benefit people around the world.  One of its core areas of focus is the NEAR ecosystem, which includes a NEAR protocol, a fully operational decentralized blockchain-based platform for building decentralised applications.

    NEAR Foundation’s MD India, Asia, and Middle East, Arpit Sharma said, “NEAR is thrilled about this collaboration with Shemaroo. Users can expect a unique and enjoyable experience as entertainment meets the blockchain. This marks an exciting chapter in the evolution of Indian entertainment on the blockchain.”

    ShemarooVerse aims to become a central hub for digital enthusiasts, content creators, and socializers, setting a new standard for the future of entertainment in the digital age. It will be accessible on Web, mobile, and on JioDive VR headsets.

    ShemarooVerse’s dynamic metaverse is powered by a key partnership with Seracle, a leading Web3 full- stack infrastructure company. Leveraging Seracle’s Web3 expertise, ShemarooVerse has become a hub of innovation on blockchain, offering users a cutting-edge digital experience.

    Shemaroo Entertainment invites users to explore the limitless possibilities that ShemarooVerse offers, as the metaverse is set to become a hub for digital enthusiasts, content creators, and socializers.

  • TV18 & E18 to merge with Network 18

    TV18 & E18 to merge with Network 18

    Mumbai: Merger of TV18 and NW18 is a serious attempt made to target a larger share in the fragmented M&E market of India, specifically within digital media (search, display, social, e commerce, video, news , audio), which also has a larger set of advertisers spread across SME’s, apart from large verticals. India’s M&E market for TV, print and digital put together is quite large at Rs 1,530bn (CY22); having a bundled offering with a larger target audience/reach will help scalability on revenues and also help a better reach amongst varied set of advertisers. The merger could be a potential win-win for both entities as NW/TV18 have reported a tepid EBITDA margin of a mere 12.3 per cent/13.4 per cent (average of last four years); we believe 1) cost control measures, and 2) synergy benefits will drive efficiencies for the merged business. Further, a bundled offering under the NW18 umbrella, with a subscription plan at discounted price augurs well for a price sensitive market like India, coupled with a large reach of more than 450mn smartphone users by Jio (part of RIL, which is NW18 parent Co.).

    India market is all about aggregation of content across various mediums, which will offer better subscription revenue and visibility over content spends across mediums to create a strong pay/subscription-based model via bundling in a price sensitive market like India; higher subscription revenue can offer better visibility over content costs (across mediums). A superior user experience across all offerings coupled with differentiated and good quality content will be the only factor to drive a potential subscription revenue base. We don’t foresee any negative impact of above for listed peers like Z and SUNTV, as they don’t have presence in the news segment; however, in case of NW18 forming a media super app, providing all variety of content could pose a threat for the M&E ecosystem. Listed news players like TVT could see a negative impact of the above merger as they have digital news assets and TV channels.

    Implications of the event (Impact analysis):

    •  Large market opportunity (TAM)for the merged co., as India’s M&E market for print, TV and digital is at Rs 1,530 (CY22) , poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.2 per cent over CY22-25.

    •  This move will bring all mediums of media by NW18 under one umbrella; Print, TV and other mediums have seen a disruption over the last few years due to consumption moving to digital; this will provide respite to NW18 traditional media assets as it can be bundled with digital offerings

    •  NW18 will be able to cross sell strengths of all media assets and target better advertising revenue with scale over the medium to long term

    •  The merger will be an advantage for driving efficiencies with all operations, employee, and all other expenses (marketing, operations) under one umbrella to enhance portfolio strength and operating leverage

    •  NW18 may be able to offer all services and subscription on a bundled basis – subscription of the print magazines ,premium plan of Jio cinema and Moneycontrol pro

    •  The merged co. can target a larger variety of advertisers who can provide ad budgets to be split across various mediums

    •  A media based super app could also be formed offering all types of media content – 1) digital news 2) TV content 3) sports 4) web series/movies 5) ticket booking, which in turn can have a large customer base and can be used potentially for better ad revenue/monetisation of eyeballs. This kind of app with varied offerings could pose a serious threat to other video/broadcaster OTT apps.

    •  NW18 will also have a big advantage of last mile with Jio having a subs base of more than 450mn smartphone users

    Background of the event

    Network18 Media & Investments Ltd and TV18 Broadcast Ltd have announced a scheme of arrangement under which TV18 and E18, which owns and operates the Moneycontrol website and app, will merge with Network18. The proposed Scheme will consolidate TV and Digital news businesses of the Network18 group in one company and will help create India’s largest platform-agnostic news media powerhouse with the widest footprint across languages, straddling both TV and Digital. The merged entity will comprise the TV portfolio of TV18 (20 news channels in 16 languages and CNBCTV18.com), Digital assets of Network18 (News18.com platform across 13 languages and Firstpost) as also Moneycontrol website and app. Viacom18 with its portfolio of JioCinema and 40 TV channels will be a direct subsidiary of Network18. The appointed date for the merger is set as 1 April 2023 and the share exchange ratio stipulates that for every 172 shares of TV18, shareholders will receive 100 shares of Network18 and for every share of E18, shareholders will receive 19 shares of Network18. Post the merger, promoter shareholding in Network 18 will decrease to 56.9 per cent from 75 per cent while the public shareholding will move up to 43.1 per cent from 25 per cent.

    The credit of this article goes to Elara Capital SVP Karan Taurani.

  • TV9 Digital wins a historic mandate on counting day

    TV9 Digital wins a historic mandate on counting day

    Mumbai: Maintaining its leadership streak, TV9 Telugu broke all records and retained the undisputed No. 1 position on YouTube with an unprecedented 570K concurrent viewership during the first few hours of 3 December election result coverage. All other channels of TV9 Network capitalised in a big way on the massive viewership on their respective LIVE feeds on digital platforms on the big news on Sunday.

    TV9 Digital had advertisers lining up to capitalise on the attention of the massive viewership by buying on-screen branding options like L-bands, logos, etc.

    Speaking of the spectacular performance, TV9 Network chief growth officer Raktim Das said, “Viewers have again given a decisive mandate to TV9 Digital this counting day on December 3. Our YouTube channels, especially TV9 Telugu, saw record numbers in concurrent viewership as votes were counted for the southern state. In the Hindi heartland, viewers took a ‘pole position’ with the TV9 Bharatvarsh YouTube Channel. We have been topping the charts concerning YouTube concurrent viewership every counting day like we did earlier during the Karnataka and Gujarat elections.”  

    TV9 Digital cornered a sizable chunk of premium brands across sectors and categories. Some of the names include MDH, V-Guard, Tata AIG, Goldiee Group, Vimal, Sensodyne, Motul, R.Pure Masala, Chambal Fresh, Honda, Nuvoco Cement, Hindware, and Catch Foods.

    The TV9 Digital team also onboarded brands from the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, which included NSL Infratech, Elite Spine & Pain Management Centre, Bharathi Cements, Speed Infra, Pancha Tulasi, Indo British Advance Pain Clinic, Techno Paints, and Maangalya, among others. This time around, marketers tapped into the huge traction by advertising on TV9 Digital channels.

    The proactive response from advertisers is being seen as a robust endorsement of the digital landscape when it comes to big-ticket news events. Over the recent years, there has been significant interest in digital channels, marked by substantial concurrent viewership reaching lakhs during breaking news events.

     

  • India TV delivers 25 million Ad Impressions on its CTV stream on Assembly Poll Counting Day

    India TV delivers 25 million Ad Impressions on its CTV stream on Assembly Poll Counting Day

    Mumbai: Elections serve as the foundation of a democratic society, providing avenues for citizens to choose their representatives and actively participate in the decision-making process. The media plays a crucial role in these endeavours. Responsible, accurate, and timely reporting by the media helps shape public opinion and fosters an informed electorate during elections.

    During the recently concluded five state assembly polls, India TV empowered voters by delivering real-time updates and facilitating a transparent exchange of ideas through comprehensive coverage, analysis, and reporting. India TV, the only news network with exclusive CTV news channels in the country, also delivered an astounding 25 million advertisement impressions on its CTV stream on the counting day. Additionally, the stream registered an average engagement time per user of 44 minutes and 32 seconds and experienced a 2.4X growth in unique viewership.

    Sharing her thoughts on this milestone, Ritu Dhawan, Managing Director, and CEO of India TV, stated, ‘The growth of CTVs in the country has revolutionized advertising. CTV penetration in the NCCS A market and high viewer time spent are key parameters for CTV advertising growth. The 25 million advertisement impressions delivered by India TV on the counting day showcase a significant advancement in the advertising landscape, indicating a spike in the demand for CTV platforms. Considering the anticipated growth of the CTV market in the coming year, we expect the numbers to reach new heights in the near future.’

    On the day, the results of the state assembly polls were announced—a crucial event in recent times—India TV Digital witnessed substantial growth across its digital platforms. On December 3rd, content consumption reached an all-time high, surpassing multiple benchmarks. India TV’s digital platforms garnered 20.2 million gross viewership. On India TV Live streams, the watch minutes surpassed the 51 million milestone across digital platforms.

  • TMKOC welcomes Monaz Mevawalla as Mrs Roshan Singh Sodhi

    TMKOC welcomes Monaz Mevawalla as Mrs Roshan Singh Sodhi

    Mumbai: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, one of the most beloved Hindi general entertainment shows, welcomes Monaz Mevawalla as Mrs Roshan Singh Sodhi. TMKOC has been a household favourite, capturing the hearts of audiences with its engaging storytelling and endearing characters.

    Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah creator and producer Asit Modi, extended a warm welcome to Monaz, stating, “We are delighted to have Monaz Mevawalla. Her talent and passion for acting will undoubtedly add a new dimension to the character and the show. We welcome her wholeheartedly to the TMKOC family. Her portrayal is anticipated to bring a new dimension to the already beloved series, captivating audiences with her performance.”

    Expressing her enthusiasm, actor Monaz Mevawalla shared, “I am thrilled and proud to be part of the TMKOC family. I love the role and am grateful to Mr Modi for this opportunity. I’ll put all my energy and heart into this character. Having previously worked with Mr. Modi, I love his passion and dedication for every TMKOC member for the past 15 years. I’m sure that all the TMKOC fans will shower me their love and support.”

    Monaz will bring her unique flair and energy to Mrs Roshan’s character and further enrich the viewing experience for fans across the nation.
     

  • Rajeev Raja Combine presents Indo-Jazz fusion brilliance at International cultural festivals

    Rajeev Raja Combine presents Indo-Jazz fusion brilliance at International cultural festivals

    Mumbai: BrandMusiq founder & soundsmith Rajeev Raja, is also one of India’s finest Jazz & Fusion flautists. His Indo-Jazz fusion band, the Rajeev Raja Combine (RRC), has been chosen to represent India at cultural festivals in Netherlands & South Africa from the 1 to 17 December, 2023, courtesy the Indian Council for Cultural Relations(ICCR) under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs.  

    RRC band successfully blends influences across Indian classical, jazz, Latin, folk, and world music.

    Rajeev Raja Combine has earned acclaim for its ability to transcend traditional genres, creating a musical fusion that is both groundbreaking and culturally resonant. Their performances are a celebration of diversity, bringing together elements from different musical traditions to create a harmonious and enchanting experience for audiences around the world.

    Rajeev Raja, expressed his excitement about this prestigious opportunity, stating, “It is an immense honor for us to represent India on the international stage. Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, and we are thrilled to share the rich tapestry of Indian culture through our unique fusion at these esteemed festivals.”

    https://www.instagram.com/rajeevrajacombine/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D

     

  • Colors Bangla Cinema presents ‘Filmy Fulki’

    Colors Bangla Cinema presents ‘Filmy Fulki’

    Mumbai: Launched on 1 December Filmy Fulki festival on Colors Bangla Cinema has embarked on a spectacular journey, promising to keep the warmth soaring with a heated lineup of the biggest stars from Bengal. Throughout December, audience will experience the thrill of Filmy Fulki during Dumdar Dupur, every day at 1:00 PM as Colors Bangla Cinema transforms into the ultimate destination for Bengali movie aficionados.

    Colors Bangla Cinema, the No. 1 Bengali movie channel, provides TV viewers with an unmatched cinematic experience and this festival is not just a celebration of movies but also a testament to the Channel’s dedication to delivering quality entertainment.

    Join the thrilling cinematic journey with iconic movies such as:

    •    ‘Tulkalam‘ starring Mithun Chakraborty, Rachana Banerjee, and Rajatava Dutta
    •    ‘Sneher Protidaan’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rachana Banerjee, and Ranjit Mallick
    •    ‘Fighter, Marbo Noy Morbo’ starring Jeet and Srabanti
    •    ‘Awara’ starring Jeet and Sayantika Banerjee
    •    ‘Sathi’ starring Jeet and Priyanka Trivedi
    •    ‘Minister Fatakeshto’ starring Mithun Chakraborty, Koel Mallick, and Soumitra Chatterjee
    •    ‘Protibaad’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ranjit Mallick, and Arpita Chatterjee
    •    ‘Shoshurbari Zindabad’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta

    Supported by a robust 360° marketing campaign, Filmy Fulki is captivating audiences through cross-channel promotions, on-ground activation, and engaging social media content. Additionally, an On-air Watch & Win contest brings the excitement closer to viewers, offering daily chances to win silver coins and a weekly mega prize of coveted gold coins.

    Colors Bangla and Colors Bangla Cinema business head  Sagnik Ghosh shared, “Filmy Fulki is more than a festival; it is an experience designed to unite audiences with their favourite movies, creating great moments and surprises through the On-air Watch and Win Contest. Colors Bangla Cinema invites everyone to join the celebration of cinema, entertainment, and the joy of winning gold and silver coins this December!”

    Supported by Special Partner Dear Government Lotteries, a spokesperson mentioned, “Collaborating with Colors Bangla Cinema, the No. 1 Bengali movie channel, is a continual pleasure. With the Filmy Fulki festival, a blockbuster initiative, Colors Bangla Cinema is poised to receive tremendous audience love, further solidifying our aim to reach a larger audience base.”

     

  • Neeraj Goyat, WBC Asia Champ shines at World Boxing Convention 2023

    Neeraj Goyat, WBC Asia Champ shines at World Boxing Convention 2023

    Mumbai; Three-time WBC Asia title winner Neeraj Goyat, a renowned professional boxer, recently had the honour of representing India at the World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention in Uzbekistan. The convention brought together some of the most illustrious names in world boxing, including legends like Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Julio Cesar Chavez, Olexander Usyk, Shannon Briggs, and Amir Khan.

    At the convention, Neeraj Goyat had the opportunity to engage with these iconic figures, discussing the Indian Professional Boxing scenario and sharing insights into the challenges and triumphs faced by Indian fighters on the global stage.

    In a statement, Neeraj Goyat expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent India on such a prestigious platform. “It was an incredible experience to be in the presence of boxing legends who have paved the way for athletes like me, especially my role model Mike Tyson who is also known as the Iron man of World Professional Boxing.

    Neeraj Goyat’s presence at the World Boxing convention not only showcased his achievements as a three-time WBC Asia title winner but also highlighted India’s growing influence in the world of professional boxing.

    Speaking more about his discussion with the boxing legends Neeraj shared, “Their insights about Indian Professional Boxing were very positive. Their encouragement and insights have motivated me to continue striving for excellence and bringing glory to Indian boxing,” he said.

    As Neeraj Goyat continues to make waves in the professional boxing arena, his journey becomes an inspiration for aspiring Indian boxers. This event marks a significant milestone in the recognition and appreciation of India’s contribution to the sport at the international level.