ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Shaping India’s Future: Zee National Achievers Awards 2023 to felicitate Inspirational Change Makers on 28th July 2023

    Shaping India’s Future: Zee National Achievers Awards 2023 to felicitate Inspirational Change Makers on 28th July 2023

    Mumbai: Despite the numerous challenges, lack of resources and hurdles in life, champions and go-getters have achieved great heights in their respective domains. This has been the result of sheer resilience and a never-give-up attitude. To honour their dedication towards excelling in different fields. 

    IndiaDotcom Digital Private Ltd. (formerly known as Zee Digital) is all set for the Season 2 of Zee National Achievers Awards 2023, the event is an exclusive platform that aims to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of individuals, groups, and organizations who have made significant contributions over the past year. This grand star-studded event will be graced by chief guest- Arvind Kejriwal, (Chief Minister of Delhi), Indian playback singer – Kumar Sanu and a special appearance of Bollywood celebrity – Nushrratt Bharuccha. The event will also be attended by Industry stalwarts across different sectors.

    The game changers of India will be rewarded awards under various categories spread across auto, retail, estates, health, e-commerce, FMCG, hospitality, start-ups, fashion, jewellery etc. The nomination entries will be reviewed by industry experts. Season 2 of Zee National Achievers Awards 2023 will provide national recognition to the potential entrepreneurs and indomitable leaders who have created a better tomorrow through their intelligence, diligence and path-breaking performance.

    Speaking about the relevance of the upcoming awards ceremony, IndiaDotcom Digital Private Ltd. CRO Shridhar Mishra said, “We, at IDPL acknowledge the fact that achievements of today are the stepping stones towards a brighter future. Through the National Achievers Awards 2023, we have been felicitating & honouring visionaries for their outstanding contributions to Brand India and society, at large.”

    Zee Media Corporation Ltd. CMO Anindya Khare further highlighted, “It is a moment of great pride for the entire nation to celebrate the achievements of game changers. After the success of the inaugural edition of the National Achievers Awards, Zee Media is excited to roll out the second season with the sole purpose of applauding the great work done by solopreneurs, individuals and leaders across different sectors. We hope that this platform will ensure maximum stakeholder engagement in understanding and expanding the business vision of Zee Media.”

  • The ultimate desert challenge is back with its 2023 edition

    The ultimate desert challenge is back with its 2023 edition

    Mumbai: The Ultimate Desert Challenge (UDC), one of India’s biggest motorsport competitions, is all geared to launch its X-Factor edition in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, from 18 to 20 August 2023. The flagship IP event of Maxperience, UDC celebrates its eight years of legacy with this edition. 

    Prominent brands have joined hands with UDC; Hero MotoCorp as the title sponsor, CEAT Tyres as the tyre partner and powered by Polaris. The event will also be joined by the Hero Motorsports Rally team, among other key guests. 

    Conducted in the Desert Endurance format, the three-day event will span a total distance of over 200 km in the sandy dunes of Rajasthan. While UDC invites riders from both amateur and professional ends of the spectrum, the difficulty level for the competition has been set to ‘hard’. Ensuring the safety of the participants and everyone else involved, the event is sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the primary governing body for motorsports in India.

    Maxperience co-founder & CEO Arvind Balan said, “Having been a part of UDC in some capacity or other, since the very start, it is very much a passion project for me. Moreover, coming back for the first time after the pandemic, the team is all the more amped up for UDC 2023. For the first time, we have moved away from Bikaner, but the alluring city of Jaisalmer promises an even greater and more awe-inspiring experience. And we are excited to be sharing it with the participants, partners and everyone else”.

    Hero MotoCorp Head – Rides & Community Rohit Jha said, “It is always a pleasure partnering up with UDC & Maxperience! The Ultimate Desert Challenge perfectly combines the power of offroad vehicles in a competition framework. We are also excited to be showcasing our adventure bike, Hero Xpulse 200 4V 2023 Edition, at the event”.

    First held in 2014 by the Dune Adventure Sports Club, the Ultimate Desert Challenge is a high-endurance desert offroading competition that strives to give both experienced and aspiring offroaders an equal chance to win. 

  • News9 Plus Lounge presents ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ – A mesmerizing blend of cocktails, stories, and achievers!

    News9 Plus Lounge presents ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ – A mesmerizing blend of cocktails, stories, and achievers!

    Mumbai: News9 Plus Lounge presents ‘Connoisseur Conversations,’ a captivating series that uncovers the fascinating realm of cocktails, global food trivia, and remarkable achievers. In this power-packed six-part series, two connoisseurs – News9’s K Krishnakumar and hotelier Ashish Kapur, are joined by an exceptional woman achiever in each episode. Together, they lead engaging conversations against the backdrop of a fun game, which can become the steal for your next house party.

    Speaking about the inception of this series, News9 Plus creative director – programming Chirag Malhotra said, “The attention to detail in crafting an inviting set, complete with an elegant bar backdrop, creates an atmosphere that exudes sophistication and warmth. Our team has truly brought the show to life, expertly illuminating every bottle and glass, making them shine with an irresistible allure.”

    “Whether it’s our hosts attempting gravity-defying mixology tricks or the impromptu dance-offs between takes, the energy on show is contagious,” Malhotra added.

    The content style of the show strikes the perfect balance between being informative and engaging. Each episode explores the art of mixology and delves into the rich history behind each drink, while quizzing the guest connoisseur and challenging them in their own field, keeping the momentum high throughout.

    Commenting on gamifying the series, Krishnakumar said, “We realized that we needed to add an extra spark to the show. We devoted two weeks to creating a unique game, inspired by a simple spin game coupled with an array of activities such as Truth or Tweet, Pitch the Pitcher, Dumb Charades, Tipsy Tongue, Blind Date, and InstaGlam. This innovative game became the backbone of our content, stitching together various content elements.”

    Krishnakumar further highlighted the broad appeal of the show, comparing it to the widely acclaimed Netflix series, “If you think about watching ‘The Last Dance’ on Netflix, you don’t need to be a basketball enthusiast to enjoy the compelling story of Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls. Similarly, ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ transcends the boundaries of cocktail and mocktail enthusiasts. It is an enthralling journey that touches on various aspects of culture, travel, and life itself.”

    Restaurateur and Whisky Samba founder Ashish Kapur shared his delightful experience being part of ‘Connoisseur Conversations,’ expressing, “Being part of this show has been a fantastic and joyful experience. From ideation to execution, it has been an absolute joyride. The inclusion of fabulous women connoisseurs added the cherry on top. It felt surreal to be part of a show that I personally enjoy watching. Here I was, right in the midst of it all!”

    The remarkable aficionadas who have graced ‘Connoisseur Conversations’ include supermodel Sonalika Sahay, Bacardi India marketing director Zeenah Vilcassim, Travel content creator Akanksha Monga, actor and music festival curator Asmita Sood, Shuffle dancer and jewellery maker Akanksha Singh, and former country director of booking.com Ritu Mehrotra.

    Explore the world of mixology by downloading the News9 Plus app here: onelink.to/htmqpz

     

  • Ultra and CLD Distribution launches next-generation Esports platform Ultra Arena

    Ultra and CLD Distribution launches next-generation Esports platform Ultra Arena

    Mumbai: Ultra, a complete PC video gaming ecosystem created by AAA games industry talent from companies like Ubisoft, Playstation and Nintendo, and CLD Distribution, owner of Smartoys stores and official distributors for the largest retailers in Europe, today proudly announce the launch of Ultra Arena, a next-generation esports and tournament platform for all gamers.

    Created to expand access to competitive gaming for casual gamers and pros alike, Ultra Arena will go live globally on 8 August 2023 following a series of successful closed beta tournaments. Currently, gamers often need to join a multitude of third-party websites and Discord servers to compete in their favourite games. Ultra Arena addresses this by integrating directly within Ultra’s ecosystem of PC gaming apps, bringing together tournament organisation, prizes and rewards in a single intuitive hub.

    In addition to major benefits for gamers, Ultra Arena provides a multitude of opportunities for publishers, esports organisations, and gaming brands to connect with their audiences. Apart from supporting tournament sponsorships and custom branding for teams and competitions, brands and organisations have the ability to create and oversee their own exclusive tournaments and events. They can also assemble highly competitive lineups to represent them by directly engaging with emerging esports talents.

    Ultra Arena will host tournaments for titles including League of Legends, Overwatch 2, CSGO, and PUBG, as well as games that are already available to play on Ultra Games. Tournament organisers take control of the rules and brackets to cater to various skill levels, as well as reward systems. Prize pools can be made up of Ultra’s $UOS ecosystem token, digital games, and digital collectables. Physical licensed products such as graphics cards and keyboards can also be offered, which players can choose to keep or trade with others on Ultra’s built-in Uniq Marketplace.

    Ultra’s co-CEOs – Nicolas Gilot and David Hanson – have a long track record in gaming and esports, even creating their own CSGO org in the early 2000s. Announcing the launch of Ultra Arena, Nicolas Gilot said, “Today, esports beyond the very top professional level quickly becomes a mishmash of tournament platforms, Discord servers, and LFG groups. It’s a major challenge for competitive gamers and excludes casual gamers who’d nevertheless like to compete against similar-ability players in their favourite games. By offering a convenient and user-friendly hub within the wider Ultra ecosystem, we’re making it easier for players of all skill levels to access tournaments whilst providing unparalleled opportunities for esports and gaming brands to engage their fans and communities”.

    CLD Group CEO Raphael Pluta said, “After 24 years of passionate work within the gaming industry, I’m so proud of this partnership that will enable gamers to grow, compete and have fun in a safe and exciting environment. Our ambition is to connect physical products with this futuristic esports platform to offer the very best phygital experience. I strongly believe that Ultra Arena is an opportunity for retailers and e-tailers around the world to create communities, build marketing activations and grow their fan bases in innovative and authentic ways. Now more than ever, the gaming industry will show its power!”

    The launch of Ultra Arena follows the successful public launch of Ultra Games, Ultra’s next-generation PC games store, in April 2023. Tournaments can be held on Ultra Arena for any suitable gaming title, regardless of their availability on Ultra Games. Ultra Arena will be regularly updated with new features such as large-scale ongoing leagues for key esports titles. To download Ultra and start exploring the ecosystem.

     

  • Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah celebrates 15 years on Sony SAB

    Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah celebrates 15 years on Sony SAB

    Mumbai: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, a beloved sitcom that has been entertaining audiences across genders and age groups with its heartwarming stories and infectious humour, is all set to complete 15 glorious years on 28 July, this year. Launched back in 2008 on Sony SAB, the show has successfully bagged the title of one of the longest-running show on Indian television and features amongst the top ten shows in the Hindi general entertainment category year after year. It has been spreading joy and laughter for a decade and a half and enthralling audiences with its memorable characters, witty dialogues, and endearing storyline. In addition to its massive fan base on television, the show also dominates the digital space with an overwhelming number of shares and discussions on a regular basis.

    Produced by Asit Kumarr Modi, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is based on late Gujarati columnist/writer Taarak Mehta’s Duniya Ne Undha Chashma and has set a benchmark for family-friendly entertainment in the Indian television industry. On its 15 anniversary, the entire team of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the viewers for their unwavering support and promises to continue spreading laughter and positivity in the years to come.

    Sony Pictures Networks India CEO N.P. Singh said, “Television is a canvas that allows us to paint stories that touch the hearts of millions. It’s our constant endeavour to create content that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impact on our viewers. We believe in breaking barriers, defying conventions, and presenting unique concepts that resonate with diverse audiences. Together we strive to weave laughter, emotions, and relatability into every show, creating an unforgettable viewing experience. Our journey is fuelled by the love and support of our audience, and we remain committed to delivering joyful moments that unite families and spread smiles across the nation. On the occasion of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s 15 anniversary, I congratulate the entire team and crew on this significant milestone.”

    Sony SAB Business head Neeraj Vyas said, “At Sony SAB, we are dedicated to presenting stories that deeply touch the hearts of our viewers, evoking strong emotions. Our aim is to create relatable characters, that our viewers can resonate with and develop a genuine emotional connection with. Celebrating a momentous milestone, the 15-year journey of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has captured the hearts of many. The channel’s focus remains on producing family-friendly content that appeals to audiences of all ages, showcasing our passion for quality storytelling. We want to be known for weaving stories like Taarak Mehta, which take viewers on an enjoyable ride while leaving a lasting impact.”

    Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah producer Asit Kumarr Modi said, “When we began this endeavour 15 years ago, we never imagined the immense love and appreciation that would come our way. It feels like it was just yesterday that we started this incredible journey. To witness the love and acceptance of our viewers over the years has been nothing short of a blessing. Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has not just been a show but a way of life for me. The show’s success lies in its ability to bring people together through laughter and to showcase the importance of relationships and values in today’s fast-paced world.”

  • Indium Software presents the first-ever AITA ranking tournament in Chennai

    Indium Software presents the first-ever AITA ranking tournament in Chennai

    Mumbai: Indium Software, a fast-growing digital engineering company, today announced the launch of the Indium AITA Tennis Championship 2023 for men and women in association with the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association. The first-ever AITA ranking event in Chennai, the tournament will be held from 31 July – 5 August 2023 at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, Chennai and will also host the AITA ranking Wheelchair Tennis Championship for men & women.

    Indium Software is committed to nurturing young athletes and has supported multiple events across the fields of sports and the arts. The AITA Ranking Tournament is known for its competitive nature and high-profile contestants, bringing tennis enthusiasts from across the country together. This year will see over 300 players from 14 states in the country, including top seed players such as Manish Suresh Kumar – National Champion and National Games Gold medalist, Vishnu Vardhan – Former Davis Cup Winner of Telangana, Nitin Kumar Sinha – India Rank 14 of the West, V M Ranjeet — former TN star. The women players include Vaishnavi Adkar – India ranked 15 followed by a number of talented players such as India rank no. 18, Sahira Singh of Punjab, and current national Women’s Runner-up, Sai Samhitha of Tamilnadu.

    TNTA president Vijay Amritraj said, “It’s a historic moment for the TNTA as we are organising our inaugural AITA ranking event this year. TNTA has been among the leading state associations that have been promoting sports in the country for the last 28 years. The Indium AITA 2023 tournament is India’s highest-prize money AITA ranking event this year. It’s encouraging to see corporates like Indium actively supporting and nurturing young talent. Our collective vision is to build a thriving ecosystem that nurtures young tennis enthusiasts and develops world-class talent. With the right guidance, resources, and opportunities, Indian tennis players have the ability to reach new heights and compete on the global stage.”

    “We are proud to be associated with the AITA & TNTA Tournaments as their sponsor for the second consecutive year,” said Indium Software co-founder & CEO Ram Sukumar. “At Indium Software, we believe that sports are integral to shaping well-rounded individuals and providing them with the right of passage for a better future. This sponsorship reflects our corporate social responsibility and commitment to supporting young athletes and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent. We are excited to witness the outstanding performances that are going to unfold this year.”

  • Warner Bros. Discovery unveils new ‘Tom and Jerry’ Series

    Warner Bros. Discovery unveils new ‘Tom and Jerry’ Series

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery today announced its first-ever localised Tom and Jerry series, featuring the beloved cat and mouse duo as they take their rivalry through Singapore.

    Produced locally in Asia, and in association with Warner Bros. Animation, the new series comprises 7×3-minute shorts and will premiere on Cartoon Network in Asia Pacific, before being rolled out internationally. A pilot episode giving a flavour of what’s to come will launch in August – further details will be announced soon.

    Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids – Southeast Asia Christopher Ho said, “This series brings back the iconic music and classic animation style from the Hanna-Barbera 1950s era – but with a modern Singaporean twist. With distinctive landmarks, backdrops and atmosphere, the Asian city-state is the ideal location to create a humorous addition to the Tom and Jerry canon. Working with homegrown creative talent in Singapore and across Asia, this project grows the much-loved franchise in the region and beyond.”

    Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios Senior Vice President of Series Vishnu Athreya, said, “Tom and Jerry are two of our most universally loved characters, proving that laughs can translate to any audience. The fans in Asia have long embraced these characters and it’s great to finally give them a version to call their own.”

    The project is produced by Warner Bros. Discovery’s Carlene Tan. Vivek Bolar serves as Lead Director. The project is animated by Aum Animation Studios India, with stories and designs from Singapore-based Robot Playground Media and Chips and Toon Studios.

    There are also plans to launch additional Tom and Jerry-branded consumer products to complement the series launch later this year.

    Tom and Jerry is one of the leading franchises in the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio with a global social reach of 50 million and almost 30 billion minutes watched on the Warner Bros. Kids YouTube channel. There have been more than 500 episodes and 15 movies made so far in its 83-year history, securing seven Academy Awards along the way.

  • Doordarshan Network to telecast limited-overs leg of India tour of West Indies in seven channels & multiple languages

    Doordarshan Network to telecast limited-overs leg of India tour of West Indies in seven channels & multiple languages

    Mumbai: India’s public broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) Network will be telecasting the limited overs edition of the India tour of the West Indies on multiple languages and seven different channels. This bouquet of channels includes all the platforms of DD National and DD Sports. DD Sports will be telecasting the series with commentary in English and Hindi and DD National with commentary in Hindi and Bhojpuri. DD Podhigai will telecast the series with Tamil commentary, DD Saptagiri and DD Yadagiri with Telugu commentary, DD Bangla with Bengali commentary and DD Chandana with Kannada commentary. The ODI series will start on 27 July, followed by T20I series on 3 August.

    The T20I series will also see young guns like Tilak Varma and Yashasvi Jaiswal making their series debut. All the matches will start at either 7 PM or 8 PM, to suit Indian audiences.

    This move by DD will give the matches an unprecedented reach and availability across all households with a television, making it the most extensive and widest coverage on free-to-air TV.

    Speaking about it, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said “Cricket is loved across the country and we are delighted that through our large free-to-air network, we will be able to bring the action LIVE to each and every household in their preferred language. With addition of DD National, which is the oldest and most widely available television channel in India, I am confident to say that this is the maximum reach & distribution for any bilateral Indian cricket match in recent memory .”

    The channels that will be telecasting the matches in the following languages respectively are as follows:

    1. DD National – Hindi & Bhojpuri language commentary

    2. DD Sports – English and Hindi language commentary

    3. DD Podhigai – Tamil language commentary

    4. DD Chandana – Kannada language commentary

    5. DD Saptagiri – Telugu language commentary

    6. DD Yadagiri – Telugu language commentary

    7. DD Bangla – Bangla language commentary

  • ABP News honours gems of UP at ‘Uttar Pradesh Ke Anmol Ratn’

    ABP News honours gems of UP at ‘Uttar Pradesh Ke Anmol Ratn’

    Mumbai: ABP News, one of India’s leading 24×7 Hindi news channels, hosted a spectacular ground event, ‘Uttar Pradesh Ke Anmol Ratn,’ to recognise, highlight & felicitate individuals and organisations who have left an indelible mark on Uttar Pradesh and have also contributed significantly to the growth and development of the region. The event was organised at Radisson Blu, Noida, on 25 July 2023.

    During the event, ABP News’ recognised the entrepreneurial spirit of Uttar Pradesh’s torchbearers – people who have forged ahead to build successful & sustainable institutions that also contribute equally to the growth and development of the region.

    The event was graced by Nitin Gadkari, the honourable minister for road transport and highways, as chief guest. His presence added immense value to the event and inspired all participants.

    In his address, Gadkari lauded the efforts and entrepreneurial spirit of the awardees and emphasized their crucial role in shaping Uttar Pradesh’s future. He highlighted the significance of quality-centric products, increased exports, and enhanced job opportunities as essential factors for the state’s progress. Gadkari also stressed on prioritising rural agriculture and the tribal sector. Additionally, he mentioned the pivotal role that media can play in giving vision to the citizens of the country.

    Their contributions have driven Uttar Pradesh’s progress and inspired society.

    ABP News remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring excellence and promoting Uttar Pradesh’s best to the nation. The channel extends heartfelt gratitude to its audiences whose unwavering support has made the event a resounding success.

  • Peter the pied piper of India’s M&E sector

    Peter the pied piper of India’s M&E sector

    Mumbai: This is one gent who must be enjoying the accuracy of his predictions by having read the tea leaves about the future of the pay-TV broadcast and streaming business in India, almost five years back. It’s about having had a finger on the pulse of the market and its dynamics. The reference is to Peter Mukerjea, the former CEO of Star India who penned a book STARSTRUCK – Confessions of a TV executive on the then Murdoch-owned media and entertainment minnow which he transformed into a whale.

    “According to market estimates, streaming as a one-off business will continue to lose money for years to come,” quoting Mukerjea from the book. “With so many players all wanting rich content, it’s great news for production companies, and the average per episode costs will  simultaneously go up. As a comparative, market analysts believe that 20 firms globally will spend more on content than the sums invested in the oil industry.”

    He asks: “The big question is who will be left standing, as a shakeout is inevitable. Star is no longer Star now – they’re Disney now, but how long before one of the FAANGs (Facebook Apple Amazon Netflix and Google) devours them. Jio will either merge or exit the content business and simply be a platform or aggregator of content.”

    Television has a way of absorbing outsiders – whether they are from a tech background or banking or FMCG – and they will make expensive mistakes as they experiment with new business models. Paying vast amounts of money to acquire bragging rights for some of the cricket tourneys is a good example of that and heads have rolled for it. With all that volume of expenditure on content, there will be eagle-eyed finance people seeking revenue opportunities to match. This transition from a 24-hour schedule approach to a more flexible and splintered video-on-demand consumption will make it virtually impossible to have a clear number one influencer.”

    They will all be key influencers and will collectively encourage spending cuts on entertainment or even exit businesses to shore up their bottom lines. I have not mentioned  Google, Youtube or Facebook, who will eventually be acquirers and could well then gobble up a Disney or a Jio or both, given the size of their valuations.”

    Yes, the splurging era has gone past us with billions being spent on creating alluring content by the streamers and the broadcasters turned OTTs. And now we are into the age of spending cuts – with jobs being axed, divisions being put on the auction block. The decisions have probably been speeded up by the global economy which is currently limping around – weakened as it is by the pandemic and Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Of course,  the rapid uptake of AI and machine learning by the media and entertainment business has definitely hastened the transformation.

    Will another acquisition binge follow as Peter has foreseen?

    We probably are seeing the first signs of it in India: with the Zeel-Sony merger expected to get the NCLT green signal very soon. Reliance’s Jio sitting on the table with Bob Iger and their bankers to dissolve Star India into the Viacom18 brew.  We will have to wait and watch when ( not if ) more gigantic fusions will come out in the wash.