ITV

Category: Viewership

  • Ganga Kinare Music Festival to telecast on Zee News

    Ganga Kinare Music Festival to telecast on Zee News

    Mumbai: Gear up for a night of cultural euphoria on 30 December at 10 pm, when Zee News illuminates screens with the radiant Ganga Kinare Music Festival, promising a symphony of enchantment!

    Varanasi recently witnessed the grandeur of the Ganga Kinare Music Festival, a collaborative masterpiece orchestrated by Zee Media and Havas Play presented by Aditya Birla Hindalco. Led by Padma Shri Kailash Kher and Pratibha Singh Baghel, this dynamic duo transcended mere entertainment, creating a fusion of cultural magnificence. Aligned with the ‘Namami Gange Programme’ endorsed by the United Nations, the festival fostered a vibrant community of river enthusiasts and contributed to the broader mission of environmental conservation.

    Beyond mere entertainment, this cultural extravaganza is a heartfelt celebration of Varanasi’s spirit and a collective pledge to safeguard the sanctity of the holy river Ganga. The event honoured individuals, including classical singer Padma Vibhushan Pandit Channu Lal Mishra, Dr Kulpati Tiwari, mahant of Kashi Vishwanath temple, Vishambhar Nath Mishra, Mahant of Sankat Mochan Mandir, and Padma Shri awardee Rajeshwar Acharya. The celebration of the legacy of Indian classical music extended to the felicitation of Nasir Abbas Bismillah Khan, the grandson of the legendary Bismillah Khan to honouring excellence across diverse realms.

    The stellar line-up of attendees also featured luminaries such as Swatantra Dev Singh, Jal Shakti minister, UP govt., Anupriya Patel, minister of state for commerce and industry, GoI, Rajshree Birla, Sourabh Raaj Jain, and more, promising showcase.

    Zee Media Corporation Limited CEO Abhay Ojha expressed his enthusiasm, said, “The Ganga Kinare Music Festival is not merely a melody; it resonates as a testament to our commitment to cultural heritage and environmental guardianship. Zee News stands proudly as the telecast partner for this transformative event, bringing more than just a broadcast to your screens. The festival is a curated experience, an intricate portrayal of Varanasi’s essence, and a pledge to Ganga conservation.”

    Zee Media Corporation Limited CRO Mona Jain said, “As an esteemed telecast partner for the Ganga Kinare Music Festival, our enthusiasm is coupled with strategic commitment as we unfold a cultural spectacle intricately aligned with our dynamic revenue growth strategy. Through skillful utilization and programming of the festival’s cultural richness and broad audience appeal, our objective is to forge inventive pathways for advertisers, sponsors, and partners, creating a platform that not only entertains but also serves as a fertile ground for mutually beneficial collaborations.”

    Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi emphasised, “Havas Play takes pride in curating a unique experience with the Ganga Kinare Music Festival. This festival isn’t confined to a physical location; it’s a journey that brings cultural magnificence and environmental consciousness to screens worldwide. Through our collaboration, we aspire to create not just content but a meaningful narrative that reflects the festival’s essence—a seamless blend of tradition with technology and fostering constructive engagement towards our environment which creates a lasting impact on the audience.”

    The grand telecast of Ganga Kinare Music Festival promises to deliver an evening of visual and auditory delight, blending cultural richness, soul-stirring performances, and a profound commitment to the conservation of the Holy River Ganga.

    This festival received substantial support, with the Uttar Pradesh government as the state partner Himgange, V-Guard, Royale Touche and Sujata as special partners, PISM (partner) and co-powered by AU Small Finance Bank. Additional support was received in association with Namami Gange, Kailasa Entertainment Private Limited, Rungta Steel TMT Bar, Meghdoot Ayurvedic, PMCH Health Advisors, Radio City as the Radio partner and AMC Media as outdoor partner.

    Event will be broadcast on 30 December at 10 pm, exclusively on Zee News.

  • Sony AATH wraps up a spectacular year!

    Sony AATH wraps up a spectacular year!

    Mumbai: Sony AATH, one of the most loved family entertainment channels, has been consistently enthralling viewers with a slew of interesting programming and engagements. As the channel closes on an outstanding 2023, here are the key highlights for the year.

    Key content launches

    Depicting the popular ‘adda’ culture of the villages, ‘Gultemama’ is the story of a Bengali hamlet Galadpur & its people. It connects viewers to the everyday life of Bengal. Gultemama spends his day gossiping with his friends. He is someone who would always find himself at the receiving end of his tricks.

    Set against the backdrop of Kolpopur, a small village in Bengal during the late 17th century, ‘Kolpopurer Golpo’ 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. The show largely portrays the trials and tribulations faced by the peasant class due to the Zamindari system.

    Sony AATH introduced the famous Gopal Bhar in an entirely new avatar as he made his cinematic debut. Having completed more than 1000 episodes of the iconic show on the channel, Sony AATH went beyond to regale the audiences with some new and unique characteristics of Gopal in an advanced 3D animation format. The first movie, titled ‘Goyenda Gopal – Daaba’r Chal’ showcased Gopal Bhar wearing the hat of a detective, unravelling mysteries, and saving his kingdom while maintaining his nonchalant comic and witty style. An extensive promotional campaign was planned with the mascot of Gopal Bhar making appearances at popular historical places such as Victoria Memorial and New Market, much to the pleasant surprise of the onlookers. He also visited two popular malls in the city, allowing everyone to not just meet him but also get an instant photo clicked.

    The channel premiered another Gopal Bhar movie titled ‘Goyenda Gopal – Shesh Chakranto’. The saga of conspiracy with Gopal Bhar getting into the shoes of the detective to save the King and the Kingdom continued with more challenges and interesting turn of events.

    Following the phenomenal response received for the Gopal Bhar movies, the channel plans to come up with a couple of more Gopal Bhar movies in the coming months.

    Sony AATH launched ‘Aamar Sai Shradha and Dahirjia’ which revolved around the life and teachings of Sai Baba. It took viewers through the life journey of Sai Baba – right from his young days to his journey of becoming a revered spiritual leader who touched lives with compassion and wisdom.

    The much-anticipated biographical drama ‘Shakuntala Devi premiered on Sony AATH to captivate the Bengali audience. Shakuntala Devi, often referred to as the Human-Computer, was a mathematical prodigy whose phenomenal abilities left the world in awe. The Bengali version of the film brought Shakuntala Devi’s story to life in a language that resonated with the heart of Bengal.

    Key initiatives & IPs

    Gopal Bhar 1000 episode celebrations: Gopal Bhar is a show that has carved a special place for itself in the hearts of Sony AATH viewers. The show completed a significant milestone of running 1000 episodes on the channel, the maximum for any animation series in Bengal.

    Hollywood Hungama: Season three of Hollywood Hungama was launched with an exciting line-up of movies from creature Features to Action and adventure. A mass visibility outdoor plan across West Bengal was planned with advertising on Metro stations and cable networks.

    Mahalaya and Kolkata Durga Pujo: Sony AATH celebrated Mahalaya with a specially curated day-long programming line-up titled ‘Mahalayar Mahautsab’ dedicated to the glory of the mighty Maa Durga. The channel celebrated Pujo by having the Gopal Bhar mascot make visits to select pujo pandals such as Thakurpukur S B Park, Dakshin 41 Pally, Hindusthan Park Sarbajanin and Dum Dum Park Tarun Sangha. The activity garnered an average footfall of over 200 people participating and interacting in various activities along with winning Sony AATH merchandises.

  • Sony BBC Earth transforms the festive season into a Metaverse wonderland for kids!

    Sony BBC Earth transforms the festive season into a Metaverse wonderland for kids!

    Mumbai: In a heartwarming gesture, Sony BBC Earth is unwrapping joy for kids with an exclusive Metaverse experience! This enchanting experience commenced with the channel presenting the less fortunate children with a chance to explore the world beyond their dreams.

    To make the Metaverse universe come alive, Sony BBC Earth collaborated with virtual reality experts and curated two captivating virtual worlds. The channel invited young minds to step into both worlds – the Polar region, dazzling with Aurora lights and surrounded by whimsical beings like penguins, seals, and polar bears, and the tropical rainforest teeming with lush canopies housing exotic creatures such as the Toucan, Cheetah, Crocodile, and Jackal. The experience made the children of the Udaan India Foundation wonder about the boundless possibilities in the AI space. Along with the Metaverse, the students also enjoyed the trivia session and fun games.

    This immersive initiative induced a strong sense of imagination and understanding of nature and its beings, making it a memorable experience for the younger generation. Sony BBC Earth aims to create more such experiences by extending the Metaverse experience to more children in schools and other centres.

    Comments

    Udaan Indian Foundation programs manager Pankti Lalaji shared,

    “Children are curious by nature, and technology amazes them to a great extent. We are grateful to Sony BBC Earth for showcasing the power of AI and providing an immersive experience to the kids of our foundation. The Metaverse experience was new and exciting for them and they got to learn so much from it.”

    Hitesh Vishwakarma, a class 8 student of Udaan India Foundation shared,

    “When I stepped into the Polar region, it was like magic. The lights in the sky were twinkling stars, and it felt like I was on a holiday to Antarctica. I am so happy that I got a chance to have a walkthrough in the snow and see the seals and penguins come alive.”

  • ZEE Biskope innovates with Ghar Duariya Birthday Lahariya

    ZEE Biskope innovates with Ghar Duariya Birthday Lahariya

    Mumbai: In its inaugural week, ZEE Biskope quickly became the dominant force in the market, elevating the presentation of a movie channel in the Bhojiwood genre like never before. The channel not only set several industry standards but also positioned itself as a pioneering influencer within the category. Through blockbuster premieres, carefully curated movie festivals, and innovative viewer engagement initiatives, ZEE Biskope has established its status as a proven preferred brand. The brand has brought multiple initiatives that the Bhojpuri market has never been exposed to and hence proved to be a thought leader throughout its remarkable journey. As the brand commemorates its fourth anniversary on 21 December, it’s time to thank the viewers for showering their love and blessings on the much-loved family entertainer in Bhojiwood. With much gratitude, ZEE Biskope is all set to continue its promise of delivering category-first initiatives to the Bhojpuri audience. The channel launches Ghar Duariya’s Birthday Lahariya – a campaign that celebrates the outstanding journey of the channel with its ardent viewers. For the first time in the history of Bhojiwood, a brand will reach directly in-person to the viewer’s house along with Bhojiwood’s superstar Arvind Akela Kallu to celebrate the brand’s fourth birthday along with the viewer families. The association of the viewers with the brand goes way notches higher with this initiative where the distance between the reel and the real world diminishes and the viewer becomes a part of the brand family. Read along to know how the brand plans this unique initiative.

    Viewers are invited to watch the prime-time movie on ZEE Biskope between 6 – 9 pm from 10 to 16 December. A question will be flashed during the movie that will have four answer options. Viewers need to give a missed call on 8563856307. Upon call back, they need to choose the right answer options in the IVR. The campaign running for a week will have seven winners who will have the great opportunity to host Arvind Akela Kallu while he celebrates ZEE Biskope’s birthday with the viewer families. The celebration at the viewer’s home will include an array of activities such as games, dance, candid conversations with the family, cake cutting, and an abundance of fun with the entire family. This unique initiative aims to bring the magic of Bhojiwood directly to the homes of ZEE Biskope’s dedicated viewers.

    On the brand’s birthday i.e., 21 December, ZEE Biskope will broadcast a special 30-minute episode between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm anchored by Arvind Akela Kallu. This show will encapsulate the essence of the celebration that ZEE Biskope had with all the seven viewer families, providing a comprehensive and entertaining overview of the fun, frolic & merriment that the Biskope lovers truly deserved.

    Speaking about this unique initiative, ZEEL chief cluster officer – East Samrat Ghosh said, “ZEE Biskope has undoubtedly been a thought leader for introducing distinctive and groundbreaking marketing initiatives, setting precedents in the Bhojpuri category. Even this time, the brand extends its innovative approach to its birthday campaign. Ghar Duariya’s Birthday Lahariya initiative is a testament to our commitment in creating immersive experiences for our viewers. The campaign’s TV- -Ground – TV route not just gratifies viewers for watching Biskope but even brings Bhojiwood right into their homes and then showcases the celebration with viewer families to the world. Its specially designed to ensure not just the brand but even its associate partners also have a one-on-one bond with the esteemed viewers. Given its unique format where viewers will experience brand up close and personal, it’s expected to drive positive results for us.”

    ZEEL chief channel officer – Bhojpuri Cluster Amarpreet Singh Saini added, “In the Bhojpuri heartland, our viewers are regarded not only as spectators but as integral members of our extended family. As we rejoice four years of Bhojiwood magic by brand Biskope, we continue to live up to our promise of bringing category-first concepts to our viewers. This initiative is an opportunity to foster deeper connections, meaningful association, and preserve enduring memories with our viewers. Through this campaign, we endeavour to showcase the true family-oriented character of Biskope with a personal touch. There could be no better way of saying ‘Thank You’ to our viewers who have so dearly endorsed our remarkable journey.” 

  • Zee Entertainment Targets 80 per cent plus prime-time viewership in the Telugu market.

    Zee Entertainment Targets 80 per cent plus prime-time viewership in the Telugu market.

    Mumbai: Media and entertainment company Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd aims to corner more than 80 per cent of prime-time television viewership in the Telugu market, as the overall southern territory emerges as its fastest-growing cluster within the television business, a senior company executive said. The company, which decided to tell more positive, women-centric stories post-COVID, operates 14 channels across the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam regions, and commands a 17 per cent market share in the south currently.

    “Southern markets like their content, be it movies or television. The average time spent per user is highest in the south and our effort, since our entry 18 years ago, has been to understand where the viewer is moving and juxtapose that into our content,”  Zee South chief cluster officer Siju Prabhakaran said in an interview. While the digital infrastructure improves and the region continues to see high penetration of mobile phones and the Internet, television will remain the first call of entertainment, the company believe.

    He added that the combined Zee-Sony entity (the merger deadline is 21 December) could have six to seven shows in the top ten in the Telugu market, besides an 80 per cent plus prime-time viewership share, which should be good news for advertisers. FMCG companies are particularly keen on the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana market.

    Also, retail, e-commerce and banking categories are emerging across the south, which also has the unique advantage of several local brands. “Television provides reach at the right cost and is here to stay. Business may not grow like it did 10-15 years ago, but the pace will remain steady,” he said.

    To be sure, concrete themes are emerging in the south Indian TV market, said Zee Telugu and Zee Keralam chief content officer  Anuradha Gudur. In the Telugu market, for instance, more males have entered the fold of TV viewing post covid and overall, there is demand for positive stories and stronger female characters. Prime-time viewership for Zee Telugu has grown by 38per cent in the year to October 2023.

    Two shows—Trinayani, about a woman who can predict the future, and Prema Entha Madhuram, which revolves around the love story of a middle-aged businessman and a young woman—have clocked in over ten television rating points.

    Zee Telugu, which ranks second in the market, commands a 33 per cent share, while Zee Tamil has registered a 20 per cent market share, despite the presence of legacy players like Sun TV. Zee Keralam, launched in 2018, has reached the number two position, while Zee Kannada ranks one in the market.

    Prabhakaran also pointed to the advantages of cross-pollination that a network like Zee enjoys. For example, Trinayani, a supernatural fiction television series on Zee Telugu, has been adapted from the eponymous Bengali language television series, which had been aired on Zee Bangla.

    The growth of digital media has also spelt good news for networks such as Zee that have benefited from streaming catch-up television content online.

    “Digital provides viewers with convenience and is growing. The second television set phenomenon has been replaced by OTT, and we see a lot of consumption taking place on connected TV sets,” Prabhakaran said, adding that while the company has brought out web originals in Tamil and Telugu, these are early days for the southern OTT market that is waiting to explode in the coming years.

    Sony Pictures Networks India Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) are facing hurdles in finalising their proposed merger due to a deadlock over leadership arrangements for the $10-bn merged entity, reports said.

  • News18 India’s exit poll coverage tops BARC ratings

    News18 India’s exit poll coverage tops BARC ratings

    Mumbai: The latest data released by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has solidified News18 India’s number one position during the five-state exit polls for the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Mizoram.

    During the crucial hours of the exit poll results, News18 India secured 5,472 AMA’000s, positioning itself as the top choice among viewers for comprehensive Exit Poll coverage. (Source: BARC | Metric: AMA’000s | TG: NCCS All 15+ | Period: Wk 48’23, 30th Nov, 1730-2400 Hrs | Market: HSM | 14 channels considered)

    Asserting its dominance throughout the day, News18 India retained the spotlight with 10,194 AMA’000.

    On the counting day across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, News18 Rajasthan’s live YouTube stream commanded an exceptional 706k concurrent views (Source: Playboard live concurrent on YouTube, 3rd December, 9 am to 12 pm*peak – concurrent numbers), setting a new standard for digital engagement. News18 MP-Chhattisgarh achieved a remarkable 130k concurrent views during the pivotal counting hours. (Source: Playboard live concurrent on YouTube, 3rd December, 11:30 am)

    BARC data on the assembly elections counting day released on Thursday, 3 December 2023, and News18 India stands poised to further solidify its position as the unrivaled leader in viewership and comprehensive coverage.

    With the most robust lineup of prime time shows and anchors in the news genre, News18 Network presents shows that offer unmatched perspective with authentic, comprehensible news. The network’s regional portfolio also stands as the largest in the country and has established leadership across regions in India.
     

  • Ajit Varghese unveils strategies behind Disney Star’s success in ICC World Cup 2023 at India Brand Summit

    Ajit Varghese unveils strategies behind Disney Star’s success in ICC World Cup 2023 at India Brand Summit

    Mumbai: The India Brand Summit, held on November 28, 2023, at The Lalit Mumbai, brought together leaders, marketers, entrepreneurs, and experts to discuss current trends in the dynamic brands and marketing arena. During a fireside chat with Ajit Varghese, Head of Network Ad Sales at Disney Star, Anil NM Wanvari praised Disney Star’s record-breaking viewership during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

    Varghese highlighted the success of the World Cup, attracting over 500 million TV viewers and a streaming reach of 295 million, making it one of the most successful ICC Cricket World Cups to date. He also emphasized their focus on seamless viewer experience, enhanced engagement, and facilitating ROI discussions. The streaming platform introduced a bunch of innovations including MaxView, a technological innovation that allows cricket fans to watch the game in vertical mode (9×14 portrait view) for the very first time in the history of cricket streaming. MaxView was launched in collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and had close to 30% people sample it during the tournament.

    Varghese also spoke about the self-serve platform launched for live cricket for the very first time. And how the platform gave advertisers the opportunity to advertise on cricket by just booking on the Disney+ Hotstar platform directly. The streaming service had hundreds of agencies logging in and almost 150+ new advertisers who advertised on cricket for the first time.

    Disney+ Hotstar broke the record for peak concurrency with 59 million viewers for the final match. Ajit spoke about how the platform enabled its tech to handle this feat seamlessly. “We actually enabled our tech to handle almost 50-55 million concurrent users. There are two things that you need to look at. One is, when you get to that concurrency, can you serve ads to all of them? Second, what if the concurrency goes up further? So, the enablement of tech is on both fronts. One is the ability to handle more concurrency. Second is having that ad insertion in a seamless way so that the user experience does not have lags, breakage and all of that.”

    He further added, “From a targeting point of view, there were around 12 targeting options. Now we took it up to 55 with the World Cup. Ad insertion capability moved up almost by 5X. So there are a lot of things that you observe when you watch a match seamlessly because finally for a consumer it’s his mobile and it’s his experience. When you look at close to 300 million people watching that tournament and when I look at 59 million concurrency, both should not have any leakage in experience and that’s why I think the sport is a history and the overall experience has been historic.”

    Wanvari then questioned Varghese about the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League to which he said “When we started PKL in 2014, in the year two or three itself, it became the second largest sport in India. And we recently announced PKL being available for free on mobile on Disney+ Hotstar with the aim to make Kabaddi accessible to all of India and foster a stronger sense of engagement amongst the fans.”

    He also highlighted the overall growth the league has witnessed, the boost in PKL player payments, and the significant advertiser value return expected from PKL, he said, “The growth in player payments is 10x. And if you look at the kind of advertiser value return, I would say this would be the single event which gives you more than 15-16x kind of return. PKL will be bigger than any other reality show.”

    When asked about the division between TV and OTT audiences for the World Cup, Varghese

    said “It is very interesting with the World Cup being offered for free on mobile. What we saw is that TV viewership was not affected at all. So, if you look at this World Cup or the last World Cup, TV viewership has held strong with TV’s peak concurrency hitting 13 crores. What’s beautiful with that logic is, digital streaming while has grown leaps and bounds, it hasn’t impacted TV viewership.”

    Varghese shared lessons for brands and advertisers, highlighting the effectiveness of sports in advertising. He emphasized the need for transparency in metrics and the importance of sports marketing for profitability and campaign success. Regarding the confusion between views and concurrent viewers, Varghese stressed the importance of transparency and factual data to instill confidence in advertisers.

    He also discussed the growth of Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) in India, primarily operating on Ad-supported Video on Demand (AVOD).

    Addressing the rise in consumption patterns on social media, Varghese debunked the notion that people only spend time on social platforms, emphasizing on the variety of content available today including User Generated Content and Professionally Generated Content. He discussed the evolving models for content creation as well.

    Varghese concluded by discussing India’s advertising market, anticipating growth as the country evolves into a per capita market. He highlighted the ample headroom for advertising spends to grow in India’s expanding economy and population.

  • TV viewership in India surges with an increase in weekly viewing of 53-minute

    TV viewership in India surges with an increase in weekly viewing of 53-minute

    Mumbai: In a compelling testament to the enduring allure of television, viewers in India are dedicating an additional 53 minutes per week to watching TV compared to the previous year. This significant increase signals heightened engagement and a reinforced connection with the medium, defying trends in evolving media consumption.

    In a dynamic content consumption landscape, Indian television not only holds its ground but also thrives, experiencing a notable 5.1 per cent growth in year-to-date (YTD) data for FY’24. This surge emphasises TV’s enduring appeal and solidifies its position as the preferred medium for a diverse audience.

    Younger audiences, in the age group of 15-30 years, have, in fact, seen a higher growth in TV viewership compared to the overall average with growth in viewership being seen across all economic strata and markets, reaffirming television’s appeal across diverse age groups.

    This growth surpasses specific regions or language segments and extends to the majority of language markets, accounting for 87 per cent of the Indian TV population. Television’s widespread appeal underscores its profound ability to resonate with audiences from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The commitment of television to deliver fresh, emotionally resonant content has not only retained viewers but has also driven growth.

    IBDF president K. Madhavan affirmed, “The impressive rise in television viewership underscores India as one of the few international markets witnessing consistent television growth, in spite of digital media’s rapid expansion. In today’s ‘AND’ world, where digital media excels in precise targeting and immediate rewards, television maintains its distinct advantage in the realm of long-term brand building. Television creates compelling stories that deeply connect with its audience, building trust and leaving an indelible mark across age groups.”

    A standout trend is the significant contribution of Indian women to television’s growth, with an impressive 59 per cent contribution to the overall TV viewership growth. This highlights their pivotal role as key influencers and consumers shaping television viewership trends.

    Deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of India, television continues to be a unifying force, bringing families together. With a massive 70 per cent penetration and headroom for further growth (90 million households), television remains the largest reach medium, inspiring and entertaining countless families. A notable seven per cent increase in pay household viewership, with 5.8 million households transitioning from free-to-air (FTA) to pay, showcases the magnetic pull of quality programming.

    Television viewership growth transcends economic strata and town classes, demonstrating its inclusive nature. This growth is observed across NCCS A, B, C, DE, and various town categories, including metros, large cities, smaller towns, and rural areas.

  • Republic Kannada Summit ‘Kanasina Karnataka’ sets new Industry benchmark with lineup

    Republic Kannada Summit ‘Kanasina Karnataka’ sets new Industry benchmark with lineup

    Mumbai: Two months within launch, Karnataka news channel Republic Kannada has set a new Industry benchmark with its highly successful Republic Kannada Summit titled: Maha Sangma with ‘Kanasina Karnataka’ or a Dream Karnataka as its theme.

    The ground event, held on the the 1 of December in Bengaluru hosted over 40 top personalities from across Karnataka, in an event that was live non stop on the ground and on Live broadcast from 8 am to 8 pm, thereby setting a record for the industry.

    The Summit, aimed at getting the biggest voices from the state to speak on what it takes to be a ‘Dream Karnataka’, brought together topmost religious figures, ministers, politicians across the political spectrum, activists, actors, academics, scientists, thinkers, veterans, top diplomats and biggest nationalist voices, all on one stage.

    Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar attended the event and in a one hour interaction, deliberated on politics, Brand Bengaluru and his vision of ‘Kanasina Karnataka’ or a dream Karnataka. Top ministers including Ramalinga Reddy, Chaluvaraya Swamy, former chief ministers Sadananda Gowda, Basavaraj Bommai, MPs Tejaswi Surya, Pratap Simha attended the event. JDS chief & former CM HD Kumaraswamy, leader Of Oppn R Ashoka made a joint appearance at the Summit. BJP state president BY Vijayendra gave his maiden interview at the Republic Kannada Summit while speaking about the challenges he faces in his new role.

    Young political voices Raksha Ramaiah, Pradip Easwar shared the stage on the need for youth to join the battle for a greater Karnataka. ISRO Scientist part of Chandrayaan 3 Mission, Dr Uma was at the Republic Kannada Summit and along with Actor Bhavana, Former Minister Shashikala Jolle were on the Women’s panel. Deliberating on the Kaveri issue were farmer leaders Kuruburu Shantakumar, Badagalpura Nagendra. Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of the legislative council deliberated on ways in which constitution can strengthen the fight for the real issues of the people of Karnataka.

    Republic Kannada Summit paid tribute to stars & late actors Puneeth Rajkumar and Chiranjeevi Sarja. Actors Meghana Raj, Saptami Gowda graced the Summit as they discussed ways in which cinema can take the Karnataka story forward. Thinker Chakravarthy Sulibele, Ambassador N Parthasarathi, Air Marshal Murali (Retd) spoke about the ‘Nation First’ principle at the event.
    Addressing the event and gathering virtually, editor in chief Arnab Goswami thanked the people of Karnataka for blessing the youngest channel of the network with the overwhelming response. He thanked the guests virtually for being a part of the first Republic Kannada Summit.

    Launched on the 23 September, Republic Kannada has already set new records with its opening on BARC with the third highest time spent in the breaking news day news wheel. Within two months, the channel has set standards for the entire industry with its 100 per cent news approach that has also forced other channels to change their formats. It is the channel of choice for news for the six crore people of Karnataka. 

  • Urvashi’s 700 films ‘Appatha’ set for world TV premiere on Colors Tamil

    Urvashi’s 700 films ‘Appatha’ set for world TV premiere on Colors Tamil

    Mumbai: Colors Tamil, Viacom18’s Tamil entertainment channel presents the captivating comedy ‘Appatha’ this Sunday, November 26, as part of its ‘Movie of the Month’ series.

    The family drama, with special partner ‘Gold Winner – Muppathu Varuda Nambikkai’, stars legendary actor Urvashi and will mark the world television premiere of the movie. To be aired at 2.00PM, ‘Appatha’ is Urvashi’s 700 film. Written and directed by Priyadarshan, the movie is produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Suresh Balaje and George Pius. It is presented by Jio Studios and comes under the banner of Wide-Angle Creations Production. Music is composed by Rajesh Murugesan while cinematography and editing are handled by Madhu Ambat and MS Aiyyappan Nair respectively.

    ‘Appatha’ takes viewers into the world of Kannamma, also known as Appatha who has spent all her life in the village of Kaayilanpatti. She raises her son all by herself after losing her husband even as she tries to make a name for herself with her business. Strong and fearless, her one and only true fear is her fear of dogs. Many years later, Kannamma tries to reconnect with her estranged son, who has settled down in Chennai. Everything seems fine until the family goes on a vacation, leaving Kannamma to keep an eye on the family dog Zeus.

    In a series of hilarious developments, the duo goes from trying to stay away from each other to becoming nearly inseparable. The film stars Urvashi and Aruldoss in the lead roles and boasts of an ensemble cast, including Amit Bhargav, Kaveri Jha, Meghali, Halam, Sidharth Babu, Semmalar Annam, and Y. G. Mahendran in supporting roles.

    Talking about the movie and sharing her experience, actress Urvashi said, “As my 700 films, Appatha was an extraordinary experience and holds a special place in my heart. The story beautifully captures the essence of family bonds, personal growth, and the importance of facing our fears. Working with the talented team led by Priyadarshan has been an absolute delight. I am eagerly looking forward for its Television premiere on Colors Tamil and am confident that the audience will be bowled over by the genuine emotions and warmth that ‘Appatha’ has to offer.”

    Director Priyadarshan shared his experience on his journey with the team, “I feel honoured to be a part of this project, bringing this heartfelt story to the screen. Through this film, we explore the dynamics of human connections and personal growth as Kannamma reconnects with her estranged son and confronts her fear of dogs. The genuine chemistry between the actors and the journey they embark on has made this project truly special. I am eagerly looking forward to sharing the emotions and depth of ‘Appatha’ with the Colors Tamil viewers and am hoping that it leaves a lasting impression on their hearts.”

    Get ready to immerse yourself in the loving world of ‘Appatha’ premiering on 26 November 2023 at 2 PM only on Colors Tamil.