ITV

Category: TV Channels

  • Nishant Tannwarr steps up as general manager at TV Today

    Nishant Tannwarr steps up as general manager at TV Today

    NEW DELHI: Nishant Tannwarr has been appointed general manager at TV Today, home to leading news brands like Aaj Tak and India Today. A media industry stalwart with over two decades of experience, Tannwarr brings deep expertise across regional revenue, key account management, and broadcast sales.

    Tannwarr has been with TV Today since 2022, previously serving as north head of Aaj Tak HD, where he spearheaded monetisation efforts across the premium Hindi news offering. His elevation signals the group’s intent to double down on integrated sales strategies and agency partnerships.

    Prior to joining TV Today, Tannwarr held senior sales and leadership roles at Sony Pictures Networks, where he served as region head for SAB TV, and earlier as vice president handling national revenue mandates. His media career includes stints at Star India, Zee Telefilms, Eenadu TV and Daewoo Motors—cutting his teeth across both regional and national markets.

    Known for building scalable revenue engines and high-performing sales teams, Tannwarr is expected to steer TV Today’s commercial agenda in a volatile media landscape increasingly shaped by digital shifts and advertiser fragmentation.

  • Richard Gere opens up to Wion in rare and powerful new interview

    Richard Gere opens up to Wion in rare and powerful new interview

    MUMBAI: In a world short on substance and long on noise, leave it to Richard Gere to centre the conversation, not on celebrity, but on compassion. The global film icon sits down with Wion for an unmissable interview airing this Saturday, 26 july at 7:30 pm IST, with repeat telecasts on Sunday, 27 July at 8:00 AM and 2:30 pm IST. Forget red carpets and glitzy premieres. This one’s about red robes, resistance, and the resilience of a people. Gere opens up to Wion’s Molly Gambhir in a conversation that spans decades of spiritual discovery, activism for Tibet, and the moral compass that’s kept him grounded in the midst of stardom.

    From his first encounter with His Holiness the Dalai Lama to championing Tibetan freedom on the world stage, Gere’s words are a masterclass in mindful living. “Spirituality isn’t something you wear, it’s how you move through the world,” he reflects in the episode, part of Wion’s signature series The Interview.

    He reminisces about monsoon evenings in Tibetan homes and dives into personal stories rarely shared of navigating Hollywood with intent, of standing firm in his beliefs when it wasn’t fashionable, and of advocating for truth even when it came at a cost.

    The special also serves as a deeper call to action. “In an age of distraction, we need moral clarity,” says Wion managing editor Rabin Sharma. “This isn’t just an interview. It’s a mirror held up to a world in flux and Gere’s voice cuts through the clutter with startling grace and honesty.”

    As the conversation shifts from spiritual identity to global solidarity, Gere champions the voices of those often ignored. His compassion doesn’t preach, it pulses with authenticity. Whether you’re tuning in for his thoughts on Tibetan freedom or just seeking a rare moment of calm wisdom, this is one interview you won’t want to miss.

    Catch Richard Gere: Unfiltered on Wion this weekend. Because sometimes, it takes a silver fox to deliver golden truths.

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  • TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property

    TV Today buys Romesh Films for Rs 200 crore to acquire Noida property

    MUMBAI: In a deal that’s more location than storyline, TV Today Network has greenlit a blockbuster acquisition not of a production house with a hit filmography, but of a shell company sitting on prime land. At its board meeting on 25 July, the India Today Group-owned broadcaster approved the Rs 200 crore acquisition of Romesh Films Private Limited, a company with zero revenue, a modest net worth of Rs 5.93 crore, and one marquee asset: an immovable property in Noida. The company posted a profit after tax of Rs 2.82 crore in FY25 despite no turnover, a neat little plot twist that reflects its sole function as a property holder.

    Rather than purchase the property outright, TV Today has opted to buy 100 per cent equity 4,65,010 shares of face value Rs 100 each of Romesh Films from existing shareholders. The deal excludes any net assets other than the land and building and is subject to due diligence, stamp duty, registration charges, and other transfer-related costs.

    Once completed, Romesh Films will become a wholly owned subsidiary of TV Today Network. The company says the acquisition will aid operational convenience and support long-term expansion, given its proximity to the group’s corporate office in Noida.

    TV Today Network reported revenue from operations of Rs 197.19 crore for the quarter ended June 2025, navigating a quarter of industry-wide recalibration following last year’s election-related ad spike. Profit from continuing operations stood at Rs 7.39 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 7.35 crore for the period, reflecting a stable performance in a non-election cycle.

    The radio business now treated as a discontinued operation dragged further, reporting a loss before tax of Rs 0.05 crore, contributing to a cumulative drag of Rs 7.89 crore for FY25.

    But the company isn’t tuning out yet. In February, it signed an MoU to sell its three radio stations in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata (104.8 FM) for Rs 20 crore. The transaction, pending MIB approvals, will be routed through its wholly owned subsidiary, Vibgyor Broadcasting.

    The net result? A strategic shift from frequencies to fixed assets, with an eye on solid ground even if it comes with no script.

     

  • Spot The Scam: NDTV Profit’s new series digs deep

    Spot The Scam: NDTV Profit’s new series digs deep

    MUMBAI: Every investor, who has faith in the India growth story, wants to believe the market is fair; it is safe. But behind the flashing tickers and shiny promises, there are shadows – scamsters waiting to exploit trust and ambition of a new India.

    NDTV Profit chose not to look away. It chose to light up those hidden corners and show viewers what really lies beneath. That is how Spot the Scam was born – a promise to watch over the markets, cut through its noise and stand by those who trade in good faith.

    The very first investigation showed why this matters. In Delhi, a firm called Trade Dost boldly placed a full front‑page ad in a leading Hindi daily on July 13, offering intraday margins of 500 times, carry‑forward margins of 60 times, zero brokerage, instant deposits and withdrawals, and trading accounts without any paperwork. None of it had SEBI approval.

    NDTV Profit’s intrepid reporters followed the trail and exposed the truth. Within days, the National Stock Exchange warned investors to stay away from Trade Dost and others like it. Soon after, the Securities and Exchange Board of India sent a formal notice to the newspaper that carried the illegal ad.

    NDTV Profit managing editor, Tamanna Inamdar summed it up, “As more investors put their faith in India’s markets, scamsters are finding new tricks – AI, phishing, ever sharper tactics. Our job is not just to report, but to reveal. We will keep exposing, keep educating, and keep standing with those who invest with trust.”

  • Aayush Ailawadi joins NDTV as editor – technology & AI

    Aayush Ailawadi joins NDTV as editor – technology & AI

    NEW DELHI:  One of India’s most recognisable voices in tech and AI journalism, Aayush Ailawadi, has joined NDTV as editor – technology & AI, adding another marquee name to the broadcaster’s expanding digital-first arsenal.

    Ailawadi made the announcement with characteristic flair, calling NDTV his “ultimate playground” and teasing followers to expect “maximum screens, maximum geek-outs and more surprises.”

    With a career that spans BloombergQuint, India Today, CNBC-TV18, and even All India Radio, Ailawadi is known for making tech talk relatable and fun — whether it’s AI, gadgets, fintech or cybersecurity. His current podcast, Let’s Tech About It, co-produced between LA and Mumbai, has built a loyal community of enthusiasts.

    Before this, he served as consulting editor at the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group and was technology editor and anchor at India Today, where he became a staple for millennial viewers tuning in for smart, jargon-free commentary.

    In his freelance avatar, Ailawadi has also lent his voice to Discovery, Netflix (Bad Boy Billionaires), and dozens of corporate films — all while doubling up as a scriptwriter, strategist and voiceover artist.

    His appointment underscores NDTV’s clear push into the tech vertical — aiming not just to inform, but to entertain, engage and, most of all, translate the complex for India’s growing digital citizenry.

  • NDTV India’s Bharat Srivastava joins India Today Group

    NDTV India’s Bharat Srivastava joins India Today Group

    MUMBAI:  Bharat Srivastava, who recently moved on from NDTV India, has joined India Today Group. This is his second stint with the group.

    Bharat Srivastava was Executive Producer at NDTV India. He had started his tenure at the channel around 20 days ago.

    Srivastava was with DD News before joining NDTV India, and prior to that he was with AajTak for nearly three years.

    Srivastava has also been associated with News18 between 2017 and 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, he was leading a prime-time show at Zee News.

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  • Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

    Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

     MUMBAI: Mat talk turns money talk and UPKL is wrestling its way to the top of India’s sports scene. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has thrown down the gauntlet and picked up a valuation tag of Rs 238 crore, cementing its status as one of India’s fastest-growing sports properties. Its creator and operator, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, has not only built a regional league, but a nationwide movement with global potential all in its very first season.

    Launched in 2024, the debut edition of UPKL featured eight franchise-based teams, capturing hearts in small towns and big cities alike. The data tells the story: according to BARC, over 30 million television viewers tuned in across India, while digital platforms clocked 300 million impressions.

    Sony Sports Network (on Sports Ten 1 and Ten 3), DD Sports, and Fancode collectively broadcast the matches, ensuring a multi-platform footprint that reached deep into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

    SJ Uplift’s Founder and Director Sambhav Jain attributes the league’s soaring valuation to “the growing popularity and resonance” of the UPKL format. He added, “This valuation reaffirms our belief in grassroots sports and the immense, untapped potential of regional talent. The overwhelming response from fans, franchises and brands proves we’re building something bigger than just a league.”

    Backed by a vision to scale kabaddi into a globally recognised sport, Jain sees UPKL not just as a commercial vehicle but as a cultural movement. With plans to build a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, fans and sponsors, SJ Uplift is already eyeing expansion, new partnerships, and greater professionalisation in the seasons ahead.

    UPKL’s debut season is not just a sporting win, it’s a statement. With a Rs 238 crore valuation, deep-rooted audience traction, and a hyperlocal-to-global narrative, it’s making regional kabaddi not just prime-time entertainment, but premium IP.

    From dusty courts to digital charts the future of Indian kabaddi is looking like a full-body slam dunk.

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  • Zee posts Rs 1,115 crore profit as legal heat with Star rises

    Zee posts Rs 1,115 crore profit as legal heat with Star rises

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought the drama was reserved for primetime, Zee Entertainment’s first quarter of FY26 delivered its own plot twist, a cocktail of climbing profits, flat revenues, and a billion-dollar legal cliffhanger.

    For the quarter ended 30 June 2025, Zee posted a standalone profit of Rs 1,115 million, up from Rs 469 million in Q4 FY25. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 16,839 million, a steep drop from Rs 20,042 million in the previous quarter and Rs 20,007 million a year ago. Yet, the bottom line perked up thanks to lower operational costs (Rs 9,574 million), subdued ad spends (Rs 2,531 million), and a positive fair value gain of Rs 185 million.

    Consolidated numbers tell a slightly flashier story: Zee clocked Rs 18,498 million in revenue and a net profit of Rs 1,437 million from continuing operations, despite a decline from Rs 22,203 million in the previous quarter. No surprises ad revenue dipped to Rs 7,585 million from Rs 8,375 million, while subscription revenue held steady at Rs 9,817 million.

    Zee managed to tame the finance cost dragon just Rs 77 million this quarter and depreciation remained under Rs 600 million. Tax outgo was Rs 535 million on a consolidated basis, including Rs 473 million current tax.

    What’s missing from this quarter? Exceptional items. After a Rs 2,024 million pre-tax profit in Q4, Zee reported no one-offs this time, a marked shift from the Rs 361 million in restructuring costs and write-offs reported in the same quarter last year.

    Still, the real cliffhanger lies in the 1,003 million dollars legal dispute with Star India. Star claims the termination of their Alliance Agreement was valid and now wants damages that have ballooned from 940 million dollars to over a billion dollars as of April 2025. Zee’s defence? A robust counterclaim and demand to recover 8 million dollars plus interest with arbitration hearings slated for November.

    Meanwhile, Zee has been busy spinning off new stories. It incorporated two new entities lbullet Enterprise Limited and Advance Media Distribution Limited in June 2025 to bolster distribution and vertical synergies.

    And for those keeping score on compliance subplots: the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) overturned SEBI’s order against one of Zee’s KMPs last October, although investigations continue. For now, it’s one less legal plotline to follow.

    With the company’s consolidated EPS at Rs 1.50 and a market bracing for the November arbitration climax, Zee seems to be scripting a cautious yet intriguing comeback.

    Zee may be facing more than just viewer fatigue but for now, it’s dodged the ratings dip where it matters most: the bottom line.
     

  • Indian aces call the shots at WSOP 2025

    Indian aces call the shots at WSOP 2025

    MUMBAI: India’s high rollers and card sharks just raised the stakes on the global stage. At the 56th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) – held at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas – Indian players went all in, pulling off one of their best runs yet. From final tables to gold bracelets, Team India’s performance wasn’t just impressive, it was a royal flush.

    This year’s WSOP shattered records with 100 live tournaments, drawing thousands of players from across the globe. Amidst the buzz and billion-dollar pots, Indian players made their presence known, notching up seven final tables and even a bracelet win.

    Leading the pack was seasoned pro and former WSOP champ Aditya Agarwal, who clinched India’s only bracelet of the season in the WSOP Online NLHE Championship. Not far behind, Laksh Pal Singh cashed in on eight events and reached the final table in the Poker Hall of Fame Bounty. A familiar face in the Indian poker scene, Laksh is also a game ambassador for PokerBaazi.

    Ankit Ahuja, ranked India’s Global Poker Index (GPI) Player of the Year—twice over—grabbed seven cashes, including a final table in the $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship. Zarvan Tumboli battled it out across six events, placing 119th in the prestigious Main Event and shining in Omaha. He took reps at PokerBaazi, flying the flag for Maharashtra and the National Poker Championship.

    Former bracelet winner Aditya Sushant added four cashes to his name, including a deep run in the PokerNews Deepstack Championship. Meanwhile, Santhosh Suvarna – already a two-time WSOP bracelet winner – made three strong finishes, including a 16th-place run in the High Roller and a title win at the Wynn Classic.

    And it didn’t stop there. WSOP vets like Nipun Java, Abhinav Iyer, and Kartik Ved returned to form, joined by crowd favourites like Kunal Patni, Nishant Sharma, Shrey Maheshwary, Tarun Goyal, Bhargav Kakani, Gaurav Sood, and many more. Whether representing PokerBaazi or gunning for solo glory, the Indian contingent didn’t just ante up—they dominated.

    Even beyond the WSOP tables, Indians were busy stacking chips across Vegas. Breakout star Gunisha Sinha, the dentist-turned-poker pro from Delhi, stole the spotlight with a cracking win at the Resorts World Las Vegas 2025 Summer Series in the $360 NLHE – PLON Ladies tournament. Gunisha, now the latest PokerBaazi game ambassador, also clinched a title in The Circuit: Season 3, proving that when it comes to poker, she’s no novice.

    Closing out the series in style, Florida’s Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi took home the WSOP Main Event crown, his eighth career bracelet and a cool $10 million payday. That win also earned him a coveted seat in the Poker Hall of Fame.

    India’s performance at WSOP 2025 isn’t just a blip, it’s a bold declaration: the country is no longer an outsider in global poker. These players aren’t here to watch—they’re here to win.

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  • Sun TV makes UK cricket power play with £100.5m Superchargers buy

    Sun TV makes UK cricket power play with £100.5m Superchargers buy

    LONDON: Sun TV Network has struck a six to the boundary with a bold £100.5 million acquisition of Northern Superchargers, a prominent franchise in the UK’s The Hundred cricket league. The all-cash deal, approved by Sun TV’s board on 18 July, makes the broadcaster the sole owner of the Leeds-based team and further cements its global sporting ambitions.

    The move sees Sun TV add a third franchise to its growing sports roster, which already includes Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20. With cricket’s commercial appeal soaring across continents, the company is betting big on the format’s future in the UK.

    Northern Superchargers, incorporated in 2019 and based in London, clocked a turnover of £1.89 million in FY24 and will become a wholly owned subsidiary once the transaction is completed, expected by the end of 2025. The acquisition is routed through India’s automatic route for overseas investment, with the final remittance pegged to prevailing exchange rates.

    Sun TV said the deal aligns with its strategy of tapping global cricket leagues with strong broadcast and sponsorship potential. “The Hundred has shown strong traction with younger audiences and we see significant upside in long-term value creation,” said the broadcaster in its filing.

    This acquisition marks a rare Indian media foray into English cricket—an arena traditionally dominated by homegrown stakeholders and legacy institutions. With this move, Sun TV is not just buying into a team, but into a format and fanbase with serious commercial legs.

    The game, it seems, is well and truly on.