Mumbai: Piro Space Metaverse, a pioneering virtual reality platform, is set to transform the way fans experience sports with an unprecedented offering. As part of its groundbreaking initiative, Piro Space Metaverse will host the live stream of the highly anticipated TATA IPL final, with pre-match sessions, live scorecard, and live commentary.
With the aim of providing fans with an all-encompassing experience, Piro Space Metaverse introduces an array of features to enhance their engagement. Prior to the match, pre-match sessions featuring renowned sports personalities and experts will offer valuable insights, analysis, and predictions, heightening the anticipation and excitement for the main event.
During the match, fans will have access to live scorecards, ensuring they stay up-to-date with every run, wicket, and milestone achieved by their favorite teams. Additionally, a team of expert commentators will provide real-time commentary, adding a layer of immersion and expertise to the viewing experience.
“We are thrilled to present this unprecedented live-streaming experience to fans around the world,” said Piro Space co-founder Kapil Jain. “By incorporating pre-match sessions, live scorecards, and live commentary, we are providing fans with an immersive and interactive platform that redefines how they engage with sports.”
Piro Space Metaverse invites fans to immerse themselves in a dynamic virtual environment where they can not only watch the match but also interact with friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts. Through features like chat functions and social networking capabilities, fans can share their thoughts, emotions, and banter in real-time, creating a sense of community and togetherness.
Mumbai: JioCinema, the digital rights holder of the TATA Indian Premier League, will invite fans to the TATA IPL Fan Parks at Nagpur, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Anand, and Vijayawada, on May 28 for the final game of the season. The TATA IPL final will be live streamed on JioCinema this Sunday at 7:30 PM, which will be a repeat of the season’s opening fixture when Chennai Super Kings walk out to take on defending champions Gujarat Titans.
Earlier this week, Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 to book a spot in the final. Gujarat Titans then comfortably beat Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 to keep their title defence hopes alive, courtesy a Shubman Gill blitzkrieg.
Access to the TATA IPL Fan Parks will be free of cost and fans can enjoy the live streaming of the TATA IPL final on giant LED screens via the JioCinema app. The Fan Parks will be a great family experience to enjoy an evening out along with an array of exciting offerings for people of all ages including a dedicated Family Zone, Kids Zone, Food & Beverages, and the JioCinema Experience Zone. Gates will open at 7 PM.
JioCinema’s coverage of the TATA IPL has already broken several records viewership records in its first season itself. Among them, JioCinema set the peak concurrent viewership world record of 2.57 Cr. during the Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians Qualifier 2 on May 26. This was the fourth time that the peak concurrency viewership was breached in this season alone. JioCinema also clocked over 1500 Cr. video views in the first seven weeks of the TATA IPL 2023, another global benchmark in digital sports viewing.
The high engagement on JioCinema has been prodded on following the launch of Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan last month, a new contest that gives fans a chance to win one car every match thus enhancing their experience while watching the TATA IPL vis-à-vis passively watching the league on legacy platforms. Over 50 people have driven home a spanking new car in the contest till date with prizes up for grabs even in the final match.
Mumbai: JioCinema, the official digital streaming partner of TATA IPL, set a new world record as 2.57 cr. concurrent viewers witnessed the sensational century by Shubhman Gill in the first innings of the qualifier two of the TATA IPL 2023 between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. Gill’s knock and Titans skipper Hardik Pandya’s late flurry rocketed the platform past the world record equalled by JioCinema in the qualifier one between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans on Tuesday night, and first set during India vs New Zealand semi-final in the ICC 2019 World Cup.
JioCinema’s TATA IPL 2023 presentation has continuously set new benchmarks and shattered records almost every week through the season, evidence to cricket fans’ preference. On 17 April, 2.4 Cr. viewers came together to watch MS Dhoni’s CSK defend against a high-octane run chase from Royal Challengers Bangalore with bated breath at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This record was set after bettering the one set on 12 April of a peak concurrency touching 2.2 Cr., again when Dhoni almost pulled off another heist against Rajasthan Royals.
2.4Cr – enough to fill the Chinnaswamy 600 times, a number befitting the incredible drama and spectacle of this wonder we call the #TATAIPL!
“We are thrilled to announce that JioCinema has set a ground-breaking milestone by breaking the world record of concurrent viewers on digital,” said Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil Jayaraj. “It is a testament to our constant endeavour of offering unparalleled experience of TATA IPL to fans and viewers across every corner of the country. The achievement reinforces our commitment to deliver world-class sports action, no matter the scale, and motivates us to constantly push the boundaries of live sports streaming.”
In addition to edge of the seat match action, JioCinema’s repeat record-rumble comes on the back of several fan-centric offerings such as free streaming across all network subscribers, 4K streaming, 12-language commentary and free to play contest Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan with exciting prizes for every match including a car.
JioCinema continues to set global benchmarks in the world of digital sports viewing as it clocked over 1500 Cr. video views in the first seven weeks of the TATA IPL 2023. Viewers were glued to the exciting action on JioCinema as the average time spent per viewer per match touched 60 minutes. TATA IPL 2023 on Connected TV has already reached twice the number of viewers than that on HD TV in the first five weeks.
JioCinema has 26 top brands partnering for their digital streaming of TATA IPL 2023, including (co-presenting sponsor) Dream11, (co-powered) JioMart, PhonePe, Tiago EV, Jio (associate sponsor) Appy Fizz, ET Money, Castrol, TVS, Oreo, Bingo, Sting, AJIO, Haier, RuPay, Louis Philippe Jeans, Amazon, Rapido, Ultra Tech Cement, Puma, Kamla Pasand, Kingfisher Power Soda, Jindal Panther TMT Rebar, Saudi Tourism, Spotify and AMFI.
Mumbai: Sony AATH, one of the most loved Bengali entertainment Channels is bringing forth a family animation show titled ‘Kolpopurer Golpo’. Set against the backdrop of Kolpopur, a small village in Bengal during the late 17th century, the show captures the culture, emotions, and everyday life of a common man. It revolves around the story of Kanai, a hardworking farmer and devout follower of Maa Kali, who, despite tough financial conditions is content with his life.
‘Kolpopurer Golpo’ showcases the story of a small fictional village called Kolpopur in the interiors of Bengal when feudalism was prevalent in India. The protagonist of the show – ‘Kanai’ – a farmer, and an ardent devotee of Maa Kali, often gets troubled by tyrant Zamindar Dwarpanarayan. However, with his unwavering faith and honesty, he always manages to escape these situations. The show largely portrays the trials and tribulations faced by the peasant class due to the Zamindari system.
Produced by Ssoftoons, ‘Kolpopurer Golpo’ is a beautiful example of how goodness begets goodness. It will take viewers through a rollercoaster of emotions and is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. To promote the show, Sony AATH is rolling out a digital campaign on its social media pages.
Tune in to Sony AATH to watch the premiere of Kolpopurer Golpo on May 28 at 12:30 PM.
English Cluster & Sony AATH, Sony Pictures Networks India’s chief marketing officer & business head Tushar Shah said, “We have always believed in bringing forth content that not only entertains people but also connects them to the roots of Bengal. Our new show Kolpopurer Golpo is woven around the class struggle prevalent in the pre-independence era. We are sure that the virtuous protagonist prevailing over everyday hardships will strike an emotional chord with our audiences”.
Mumbai: A 12-member team from the global MotoGP commercial rights holder, Dorna Sports, recently concluded an advance reconnaissance visit to India to assess race preparations at the Buddha International Circuit. Led by Dorna’s events director, Norma Luna, the team also comprised officials of MotoGP™ marketing and sponsorship teams.
The purpose of the visit was to recce the highly anticipated MotoGP Bharat preparations ahead of the scheduled race to be held on September 22-24. Luna was accompanied by Daniel Trujillo (technical director), and Enrique Aguilar (live coverage director) among others. The team meticulously surveyed the circuit to evaluate various technical aspects as well as inspect the broadcast setup facilities and assess various other essential requirements for delivering a world-class event.
FairStreet Sports COO, Pushkar Nath Srivastava, the event’s Indian promoter, was confident in the venue’s ability to put up the country’s biggest annual sporting spectacle show and said, “With less than 124 days for the mega event, we had some important operational discussions as well as detailed marketing, branding, sponsorship and conversations related to the broadcast of the race. It is heartening to see how important MotoGP™ Bharat is from the global perspective as well as for us, the Indian stakeholders alongside the government”.
A big part of hosting MotoGP is also to showcase their tourism potential and during their visit, the Dorna team also had the opportunity to explore one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and the pride of Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal. Located at just a two-hour drive from the racetrack, the team was captivated by the Taj’s grandeur and left in awe.
MotoGP Bharat will not only encourage a diverse range of fans to come and witness the onsite marvels but also explore the unique milieu of rich culture, heritage and history.
Srivastava further added, “We anticipate a significant boost to the tourism industry, and this event is poised to unlock tremendous investment opportunities for the state of Uttar Pradesh”.
Scheduled as 13 races on the calendar, India will see 42 teams and 84 riders in action across MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 categories. It will include names like Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati, Marc Marquez of Repsol Honda Team, Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney, Brad Binder and Jack Miller of Redbull, and Jorge Martin of Prima, all set to hit the Indian soil soon.
Mumbai: The BBC news channel has confirmed details of new programmes, which began to air this week.
The reactive and fast-paced BBC News Now with Lucy Hockings (1630 IST/1200 BST to 1930 IST/1500 BST) will cover several stories throughout the programme, using Lucy’s versatile and accessible style in an immersive format designed to move seamlessly from stories to story.
The best of the BBC’s forensic analysis and journalism will be at the heart of Verified Live with Matthew Amroliwala (1930 IST/1500 BST to 2230 IST/ 1800 BST). Verified Live will delve into the key stories behind the headlines and work closely with BBC Verify, the BBC’s new verification hub and brand, which will use advanced editorial tools and techniques to investigate, source and verify information, video, and images.
The Daily Global with Yalda Hakim (2230 IST/1800 BST to 0030 IST/ 2000 BST) will be a deep-dive into some of the significant stories of the day, using Yalda’s trademark in-depth, news-making interviews combined with a unique global perspective.
The new programmes will join The Context with Christian Fraser (0030 IST/2000 BST to 0230 IST/ 2200BST) which was relaunched with a new format last month. The programme is known for its conversational style, regular panellists and thorough analysis, discussion and debate.
Fellow chief presenter Maryam Moshiri will move across all programmes.
BBC News channel interim executive editor Paul Royall said, “This is an exciting moment for the channel as we continue to shape our schedules. These new programmes will provide viewers with the trusted, impartial journalism they expect from us, but with new innovative formats which will deliver the best viewing experience”.
Mumbai: Vadnagar, located in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, stands as a captivating example of a city woven intricately into a rich urban tapestry, shaped and moulded over centuries. Its profound historical significance and enduring legacy have stood the test of time, evoking unparalleled admiration. Building upon this timeless allure, Warner Bros. Discovery is set to enthral audiences with the premier of the two-part docuseries, “Ananth Anaadih Vadnagar”, on 7 June.
In a collaborative effort with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Gujarat State Survey, and esteemed universities, the dedicated team behind the docuseries embarks on an extraordinary excavation journey. Their mission: to unearth and reveal remarkable archaeological evidence that will captivate audiences in this engrossing series. Guided by the seasoned host, Manoj Muntashir Shukla, the series weaves together the narrative of this eternal city across the ages, breathing life into its people, structures, and events through expert interviews and state-of-the-art 3D visual effects reconstructions.
Manoj Muntashir Shukla said, “The opportunity of hosting this docuseries has been a uniquely reassuring and a learning experience for me, and for that, I am truly grateful to Warner Bros. Discovery. This project marks my first collaboration with them. Despite Vadnagar’s widespread recognition, there were numerous fascinating aspects about the city that remained unknown to me, and I am confident that there will also be revelations for many people in India. The discoveries made in the docuseries took me by surprise and I cannot wait for viewers to explore this untold narrative and be equally surprised.
The captivating docuseries explores the enduring history of India’s fortified city where each episode delves into a specific era, beginning with Vadnagar’s evolution from a modest settlement to a prominent town during the Mauryan Era. The Indo-Greeks constructed imposing fortifications in the 1st Century BCE, while Buddhism thrived with the discovery of numerous monasteries. Vadnagar’s significance as a trade hub grew through coin mints, various industries and buzzing marketplaces prove the continued significance of Vadnagar as centre for commerce and trade in Gujarat during ancient and medieval periods. The series also reveals the settlement of Nagar Brahmins from the Hindukush, the amalgamation of faiths, and Vadnagar’s resilience in the face of arid conditions. It explores invasions, the rebuilding of the Hatkeshwar temple, and the city’s embrace of modernity under the Gaekwad Era. Recent excavations indicate Vadnagar’s existence predates the Mauryan era, further solidifying its remarkable 3000-year history.
Discovery South Asia head of factual and lifestyle cluster Sai Abhishek shared, “As pioneers in the history genre, we continue to lead the way with our unique content that resonates with audiences of all ages. Our ever-expanding roster of Indian Originals in the history genre is a testament to our commitment. Recognizing the vast potential of the subject, we are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Manoj Muntashir Shukla, and the Archaeological Society of India. The intriguing history of Vadnagar, with its unexplored facets, holds even greater significance today and deserves to be explored by audiences in India and around the world.”
The two-part special series, “Ananth Anaadih Vadnagar,” premieres on 7 June, Wednesday at 9:00 pm on Discovery Channel and is available to stream on the discovery+ platform.
Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.’s revenue for the fiscal ended 3 March 2023 stands at Rs 8167.62 crore compared to last fiscal’s Rs 8305.86 crore.
The company has recorded ad revenue of Rs 4057.89 crore, a drop of 7.6 per cent compared to last year’s Rs 4396.15 crore.
Subscription revenue saw a 2.7 per cent growth at 3335.47 crore on 31 March 2023, compared to Rs 3246.6 crore last fiscal.
The company said that its other sales and services revenue YoY was down 25 per cent, and up 71 per cent QoQ aided by new launches and higher syndication revenue.
The total revenue for its OTT platform ZEE5 stood at Rs 741 crore, up by 36 per cent in FY23 compared to the previous fiscal.
The company said that the programming and technology costs were higher YoY due to higher content cost in movies, investment in ZEE5 and Sports.
Advertising & Promotional expenses surged by 23 per cent to Rs 1055.4 crore from Rs 858.5 crore as new content launches on Digital increased the marketing cost on a YoY and QoQ basis.
Mumbai: In the realm of local IPs, category leader and pioneer in kids’ entertainment, Nickelodeon continues to solidify its leadership by consistently fostering innovation at its core. From iconic friendship of Motu Patlu, magical adventures of Rudra, relatable sibling banter of Chikoo and Bunty to the first homegrown sci-fi kids’ comedy series with Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family and much more, the kids’ franchise has identified whitespaces and addressed the consistent demand for engaging and immersive storytelling. Further staying true to its promise of propelling indigenous stories, Nickelodeon is all set to bring its recently announced 13th homegrown IP – ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ on Sonic, starting 28 May, every day at 10.30 AM.
Showcasing his playful and mischievous antics, ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ is a captivating mythological series that chronicles the evergreen tales of the adolescent Kanha, and traces his journey as a son, warrior, hero, and friend. Each episode showcases a legendary tale from Kanha’s life, featuring his courageous acts and his lessons on love and kindness. Recognizing the potential for broader appeal, Nickelodeon will extend the show beyond its channel, and make way to the Viacom18’s Hindi general entertainment channel Colors Rishtey, thereby strengthening the kids’ franchise’s presence across different age groups and widening its impact.
Speaking on the latest addition to its homegrown IP lineup, Viacom18, head mass entertainment and kids TV Network Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “At Nickelodeon, we have consistently set category benchmarks, revolutionizing entertainment for young audiences. We believe that introducing a show like Kanha – Morpankh Samraat will help kids connect to their roots through inspiring tales from our rich cultural heritage. As we embark on this remarkable journey, we remain dedicated to strengthening our franchise while simultaneously extending our content beyond our kids’ network on Colors Rishtey, thus reaching new heights and connecting with the minds of kids and families alike.”
Viacom18 head content and research further Anu Sikka added, “At Nickelodeon, we prioritize our young audience and strive to provide them with content that they truly enjoy. We have always broken the mould by bringing unique stories and endearing characters. While Kanha is an evergreen character, it’s time to bring back his tales in a new avatar that appeals to a wider audience. Our partnership with Cosmos-Maya further amplifies our commitment to creating groundbreaking content that sparks imagination and ignites young minds.”
Cosmos Maya CEO Megha Tata said, “As Nickelodeon embarks on the journey to create a new world with their latest IP ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’, we are thrilled to partner with them once again. This association strengthens our bond and reflects our commitment to delivering engaging and captivating content to young viewers. Together with Nickelodeon, we are excited to bring to life the adventures of Lord Kanha in an adolescent avatar.”
Pulling out all the stops, ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ will be brought to life through a robust marketing mix, encompassing partnerships, immersive experiences, besides a host of social media, digital and on-ground initiatives. The show will further engage children’s imaginations through a range of unique and creative promos across a variety of platforms, including GECs, and music and movie channels across and beyond its network strength. From in-cinema advertising to rolling out ads on connected TV platforms, the kids’ franchise aims to deepen engagement and create show awareness reach amongst young viewers.
Leading the local IP content game through creative storytelling and great animation, the launch of ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samraat’ is yet another addition to Nickelodeon’s robust content slate and is sure to capture the hearts and minds of kids and families alike.
Mumbai: The India Today Group has announced the launch of India Today in the UK market from May 31. This is a follow-up to the launch of the Group’s Hindi news channel, Aaj Tak, in the UK market. Previously operating as a hybrid channel, Aaj Tak and India Today served UK audiences with unique content.
With the launch of India Today, the English news channel will now be available as a free-to-air service, broadcasting in standard definition (SD) and accessible on Sky Channel No. 523. This will position it alongside other prominent English news channels, including Sky News, BBC News, GB News and Talk TV.
Meanwhile, Aaj Tak will continue to be available on Sky Channel number 710, providing uninterrupted access to Hindi content for viewers. The India Today Group, renowned for its comprehensive news coverage and commitment to delivering high-quality content, is thrilled to bring its linear presence to the UK audience.
With its launch in the UK, India Today aims to captivate audiences with its insightful reporting, engaging programmes, and unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence. The channel’s introduction is a testament to the India Today Group’s dedication to delivering informative and relevant content to viewers worldwide.
