ITV

Category: TV Shows

  • Zee Zest Unlimit Awards returns for the third edition

    Zee Zest Unlimit Awards returns for the third edition

    Mumbai: Zee Zest, an Indian lifestyle platform, has announced the third edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025, which honor the visionaries and innovators shaping the future of food, travel, and lifestyle.

    For this edition, Zee Zest invites pioneering establishments—from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to fine dining restaurants and nightlife destinations—to showcase their contributions and stand out in the industry. With 40 categories available, businesses have the opportunity to gain recognition for their creativity and impact. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of industry leaders, including Rashmi Uday Singh, Varun Sharma, Avinash Martins, Aditi Dugar, and Suvir Saran, ensuring a thorough evaluation. Public voting will also allow consumers to participate in selecting their favorite innovative establishments.

    Nominations for all categories are open from 15 October to 30 November 2024, with early bird submissions closing on 31 October 2024. Establishments of all sizes are encouraged to participate, whether they are boutique hotels or trend-setting bars. This is an opportunity to gain visibility and make an impact in the industry.

    Zee Zest business head Rishi Parekh added: “The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards celebrate the trailblazers who redefine the boundaries of creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation. We’re proud to recognise the changemakers who push the limits in food, travel, and lifestyle, offering something truly exceptional. These awards are not just about recognition; they provide an invaluable opportunity for establishments to make a lasting impact on their industry. Our 2025 edition of the Zee Zest Unlimit Awards will continue to focus on identifying these iconic places and celebrating their innovative spirit.”

    Building on last year’s success, which honored iconic places like Sidecar in Delhi, Subko Coffee Roasters in Mumbai, Avartana at ITC Grand Chola, and The Glass House in Goa, this year’s event promises to be equally impressive. The ceremony will feature celebrities including Bobby Deol, Chitrangda Singh, Babil Khan, Atul Kasbekar, and Manoj Bajpayee, alongside culinary stars like Ranveer Brar and Pankaj Bhadouria. The Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025 aims to provide establishments with a platform to showcase their excellence. The event celebrates creativity, vision, and the pursuit of excellence.

  • Six US media firms account for 51 per cent of global content spends: Ampere Analysis

    Six US media firms account for 51 per cent of global content spends: Ampere Analysis

    MUMBAI: The big media and entertainment boys are at it, despite all round murmurings that the content production business is seeing a massive slowdown. At least, that’s what new intelligence from Ampere Analysis has revealed. 

    The research firm stated that while recent market challenges have impacted the TV and film production landscape, spending across the top six global content providers – Disney, Comcast, Google, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and Paramount Global – has grown since the pandemic. Combined spending across these groups will reach a new high of $126  billion in 2024 and account for 51 per cent of the total content spend landscape, up from 47 per cent in 2020. Original content spend remains the leading spend type across these providers, accounting for over $56 billion in investment and 45 per cent of their total spending since 2022.
    Despite announced cutbacks among its linear and theatrical brands, Disney remains the largest contributor to the media landscape at 14 per cent of global investment in TV and film content in 2024. This has been supported by the full acquisition of Hulu at the beginning of 2024, adding an additional $9 billion in to Disney’s spend total.

    Netflix is the top investor in global streaming content. It has averaged a total of $14.5 billion in annual investment in original and acquired programmes since the pandemic. Further growth is expected in 2025 through the acquisition of sports tights for NFL matches and WWE entertainment.

    In total, $40 billion of the $126 billion is currently spent on these six operators’ subscription streaming services (including Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+). This highlights the growing importance of these platforms as audiences move away from linear television in favour of the convenience and expansive catalogues available via streaming.

    Google’s contribution to the content market comes via YouTube, and investment in programming through its revenue-sharing arrangements with content creators. While a different entity to other TV and film groups, YouTube continues to build its global presence through partnership deals with major content owners, making it the third largest contributor to the content landscape.

    Despite production shutdowns caused by the US writers’ and actors’ strikes, streamers have continued to support the production landscape by pivoting towards more global strategies. International (non-US originating) programming accounts for 40 per cent of Paramount+’s and 52 per cent of Netflix’s spend in 2024. Such content is typically cheaper to produce, and effective in motivating new and niche audiences to subscribe to a platform, supporting revenues.

    “Ongoing investment by major studios and streaming platforms into new programming will be key to keeping audiences engaged and entertained. We can expect the content landscape to see low-level growth in 2024 as production schedules recover from disruptions caused by the pandemic and the writers’ and actors’ union strikes. Looking forward however, overall growth in spend is set to plateau as companies look to refocus their output. This will include limiting commissioning volumes and prioritising strategic investments and profitability to counter the current challenges of the media market,” said Ampere Analysis investment analyst Peter Ingram, in his recent analysis made public today. 

    Pix Courtesy: The Walt Disney Company

  • Disney Star celebrates five wins at Digital Studios Awards 2024

    Disney Star celebrates five wins at Digital Studios Awards 2024

    Mumbai: Disney Star’s Broadcast Technology and Operations (BTO) team brought home five awards at the Digital Studios Awards 2024, underscoring its commitment to excellence in broadcast technology and operational innovation.

    At the individual level, Gajendra Tijare from Disney Star received the Excellence in Broadcast Leadership award for his visionary contributions in shaping the future of broadcast technology. The team subsequently received the Excellence in Broadcasting award, celebrating their significant advancements in broadcast processes that have enhanced operational efficiency.

    Disney Star also earned the Excellence in Broadcasting and Technology for Entertainment and Sports award, recognising exceptional delivery of broadcast experiences that resonate with audiences. Additionally, they received the Innovation in Broadcasting award for pioneering advancements in 4K UHD solutions, showcasing their commitment to cutting-edge technology. The Innovation in Post Production award further recognised Disney Star’s cloud-based post-production approach, which has set new standards in content creation.

    “We are honored to receive these prestigious awards, which recognize the hard work and dedication of our talented team at Disney Star. These awards reflect our unwavering commitment to advancing broadcast technology and our passion for delivering exceptional experiences to the audiences,” said Disney Star finance & strategy Mani Rangarajan.

     

  • Kartik Aaryan & Ranveer Brar face the wild in Star vs Food Survival season two

    Kartik Aaryan & Ranveer Brar face the wild in Star vs Food Survival season two

    Mumbai: Star vs Food Survival returns for season two on 28 October at 9 pm on discovery+ and Discovery Channel. Chef Ranveer Brar challenges stars like Kartik Aaryan in Maharashtra’s western ghats, Shikhar Dhawan in Himachal Pradesh, Shriya Saran in the Himalayan foothills, and Munawar Faruqui in Meghalaya’s Mawsynram jungle. This season, they face survival challenges along with cooking.

    In a unique twist, Kartik and Ranveer start by escaping from a locked box. Kartik confronts his fear of water while rappelling into a well and uses his engineering skills to navigate north, revealing his survival instincts. The show also revisits Kartik’s college cooking days and his iconic Pyaar Ka Punchnama monologue, adding a touch of nostalgia to the adventure.

    Aaryan stated, “Stepping into the wild for Star vs Food Survival season 2 was unlike anything I have done before. From diving into a well despite my fear of water to navigating through the wilderness using survival instincts I didn’t know I had, it was an unforgettable experience. But what made it truly special was doing it alongside Ranveer. We shared some nerve-wracking moments together, and some fun ones too; especially while cooking or reflecting on life and the industry. It was an adventure in every sense!”

    Brar said, “Shooting this season of Star vs Food Survival was a wild ride like no other. Kartik was an incredible companion, and the bond we formed over survival challenges, cooking, and deep conversations were truly unique. We pushed each other out of our comfort zones, and while there were tense moments, there was also a lot of laughter, especially when we joked about my “Brar Grylls” alter ego. It’s not every day you get to share such an adventure with someone who brings both energy and heart to the table”.

    As the duo tackles challenges, their bond deepens, bringing both survival skills and meaningful conversations about personal growth to the forefront. Will they complete the challenge? Find out as Star vs Food Survival combines intense moments with thoughtful exchanges in the season’s gripping start.

  • Dangal TV’s Mann Sundar gains 44 weeks of leadership in TV ratings

    Dangal TV’s Mann Sundar gains 44 weeks of leadership in TV ratings

    Mumbai: As Dangal TV’s flagship show, Mann Sundar marks an exceptional accomplishment in the Indian television landscape. Since its inception, the show has captivated millions of viewers across India, continuously pushing the boundaries of storytelling while maintaining exceptional viewer engagement. It has firmly held the number one position in viewership ratings, boasting 44 weeks of leadership in the 8 PM time slot (Source: BARC). Mann Sundar is a story that resonates with every household, highlighting the essence of inner beauty, making it not only a popular show but also a cultural phenomenon.

    Dangal TV’s commitment to socially relevant and family-friendly programming has been instrumental in the success of Mann Sundar. The network’s focus on impactful storytelling and relatable content has kept the show at the top of its game, setting new benchmarks for television excellence across India.

    As Dangal TV commemorates this extraordinary milestone, managing director Manish Singhal expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are incredibly thankful to our advertisers, stakeholders, and most importantly, our loyal viewers who have supported Mann Sundar on this journey. This success is a result of a collective effort, and we are committed to delivering more groundbreaking content.”

    Mann Sundar airs daily on Dangal TV at 8:00 PM.

    Source: BARC TG 2+ India, Wk’27-Wk’41 2024, All Days 24hrs, Weekly AVG AMA, TV Screens
    Source: BARC TG 2+ HSM Wk 50’23-Wk’41’24 2000 hrs MON-SAT AVG AMA TV Screens

  • MIP Junior 2024 draws large Indian presence

    MIP Junior 2024 draws large Indian presence

    CANNES:  It’s been a more compact MIP Junior which was flagged off on 18 October 2025 at the JW Marriot hotel in sunny Cannes, France. But most attendees appreciated the opportunities it offers for co-production, outsourcing, networking and keeping oneself updated about the developments in the kids and animation sector. MIP Junior had close to 1,000 registrants, despite the kids’ segment the world over going through its toughest and most trying times with viewer consumption moving towards streaming platforms.

    The Indian animation industry was well represented with attendees from all over the country coming in decent numbers. In fact, the Indian MIP Junior contingent is the largest in the post pandemic era.

    Among the Indian studios which were represented included: Hornbill Studios, Graphiti Multlmedia, Prayan Studios, Mesmor Studio, Studio56, Yoboho, USP Studios, Softoons Entertainment, Powerkids Entertainment, Purple Turtle and Guppy Theatre/Crossover Media & Design.

    20 Indian  representatives from various Indian studios were seen looking busy. Each one of them had their calendars packed with meetings and interactions with fellow professionals from different countries. And most of them were seen hobnobbing with others during the pre-opening party on the JW Marriot beach on 18 October and the opening one at the Majestic Hotel on 19 October. 
     

  • Bigg Boss Tamil season 8 kicks off with an engaging new format

    Bigg Boss Tamil season 8 kicks off with an engaging new format

    Mumbai: Bigg Boss Tamil season 8 has kicked off with a five hour grand launch on 6 October. This season has introduced Vijay Sethupathi as the new host, generating massive excitement among fans.

    This season features a format with a larger house and intriguing new twists, including the  ‘Men vs Women’ theme. From the very first episode, the competition has captured the audience’s attention. Sethupathi has quickly made his mark, skillfully addressing conflicts and challenging contestants during weekend episodes, which has resonated well with viewers throughout Tamil Nadu.

    The launch episode recorded impressive viewership ratings, achieving a nine TVR across Tamil Nadu and an outstanding 13 TVR in Chennai. These figures underscore the show’s strong following and the effective promotional efforts leading up to the premiere. Engagement has been robust across both television and digital platforms, amplifying its reach and impact.

    In just the first week, the show reached over 32 million viewers on TV, with 4.4 billion minutes of total watch time across television, digital, and Hotstar. Social media buzz was more than 162 million views, indicating the show’s popularity and the audience’s eagerness to engage with the content.

    The show airs daily at 9:30 PM on Star Vijay, with 24×7 live streaming available on Disney+ Hotstar.

  • Double Award Success at IBC2024 for nxtedition

    Double Award Success at IBC2024 for nxtedition

    nxtedition is proud to announce its remarkable success at IBC2024, having been recognised with two industry awards. The company received the IABM BaM Award in the Create category and was also named a TVBEurope Best of Show winner for its XR/Mixed Reality Studio Gallery Control. These accolades highlight nxtedition’s ongoing commitment to innovation and evolution in the broadcast industry.

    The IABM BaM Award, known as a ‘#BaMMY’, celebrates innovation and creative solutions in media technology. nxtedition’s achievement in the Create category was praised by the IABM judges, who remarked:

    “The word ‘groundbreaking’ appears in a lot of submissions for awards, but this truly is a groundbreaking product”

    “For many years people have tried to reduce a control room to the size of a piece of paper. Is this the product that finally does it?”

    “This is a really astonishing piece of kit, which I think is an outstanding and radical development.”

    nxtedition also received the TVBEurope Best of Show award for its XR/Mixed Reality Studio Gallery Control. These awards recognise outstanding products and solutions that were exhibited at IBC2024. They are judged by an independent panel of experts, including industry professionals and TVBEurope editorial staff, based on criteria such as innovation, performance, and cost-effectiveness. nxtedition’s recognition in this category reflects its dedication to delivering advanced broadcast solutions that meet the evolving needs of the industry.

    nxtedition played a key role in developing the XR/MR Studio Gallery Control as part of the IBC Accelerator project, “Evolution of the Control Room – Leveraging XR, Voice, AI & HTML-Based Graphics Solutions.” This project was a collaboration with Al Jazeera, BBC, ITN, Transmixer, Cuez, Loopic, SPX Graphics and many more. The accelerator perfectly aligned with nxtedition’s consolidated approach, showcasing how emerging technologies can reshape broadcast control. During the presentation, Adam Leah, Creative Director at nxtedition demonstrated the system live, remotely controlling a studio in Sweden using just a Meta Quest 3 and an iPad, which was met with great enthusiasm and praise.

    IBC2024 was a resounding success for the company, marked not only by these award wins but also by a record number of visitors to the stand. Roger Persson of nxtedition commented, “IBC2024 allowed us to showcase how our single, unified platform can genuinely change the way newsrooms work. The level of interest we received confirms that the industry is looking for more integrated, efficient solutions like ours.” 

  • HistoryTV18 shines with major recognitions at two Asian awards

    HistoryTV18 shines with major recognitions at two Asian awards

    Mumbai: HistoryTV18 has reinforced its status as a leader in infotainment and documentary content, receiving notable recognition at two prestigious television award platforms in 2024. At the Asian Television Awards 2024, the channel secured four nominations, highlighting the quality of its Indian productions.

    OMG! Yeh Mera India (Season 10) is nominated for best infotainment programme and best short form video series – scripted. Additionally, India Marvels & Mysteries with William Dalrymple received nominations for best direction (documentary or non-fiction) and best editing (documentary or non-fiction).

    Further confirming its creative excellence, HistoryTV18 celebrated two national nominations at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2024. Krushna Abhishek was awarded best entertainment host – India for OMG! Yeh Mera India, marking his third consecutive win, while India Marvels & Mysteries won best documentary – history.

    These accolades underscore HistoryTV18’s commitment to local stories and innovative storytelling. By consistently delivering content that engages audiences across India and Asia, the channel has solidified its position in factual entertainment.

    TV18 CEO – broadcast Network18 and MD A+E networks Avinash Kaul said, “In today’s evolving entertainment landscape, collaborations that were once unlikely are now driving innovation, with legacy brands joining forces. This is particularly evident in factual entertainment, where HistoryTV18’s award-winning Indian Originals, like India: Marvels & Mysteries with William Dalrymple, are also licensed to Discovery Plus and feature prominently in the streaming platform’s content line-up in India. This is a testament to the strength and enduring quality of our productions.”

    While HistoryTV18 continues to captivate over 100 million loyal viewers on TV with its international shows from A+E Networks and high-quality Indian originals, the brand’s digital presence is also thriving. HistoryTV18 serves its growing social media community of 13 million with a mix of shows and one-of-a-kind, mobile-first content that resonates with audiences across platforms.

  • Bigg Boss Kannada season 11 launches with record-breaking 9.9 TVR

    Bigg Boss Kannada season 11 launches with record-breaking 9.9 TVR

    Mumbai: Bigg Boss Kannada season 11 kicks off its exhilarating journey by achieving an all-time high of 9.9 TVR on its opening day. Produced by Endemol Shine India, this season’s success resonates across weekdays and weekends, captivating viewers at all times with its engaging content. Titled ‘Hosa Adhyaya’ (New Beginning), this season introduces the innovative ‘Hell and Heaven’ concept, showcasing contestants from diverse backgrounds and thrilling tasks that redefine the show’s evolution.

    In a groundbreaking twist, a few contestants were revealed during the ‘Raja Rani Reloaded’ finale, inviting viewers to vote on which contestants would enter ‘Hell’ or ‘Heaven.’ This interactive approach not only enhances viewer engagement but also fosters a sense of involvement right from the start.

    As the constant element in the show’s dynamic, Kiccha Sudeep continues to bring his charismatic leadership and wisdom, adapting his style to suit the housemates. During the promo reveal, he promised viewers that this season marks the beginning of a new decade for Bigg Boss Kannada, a sentiment reflected in the impressive viewership and market share.

    Viacom18, cluster head – Colors Marathi, Colors Kannada, and Colors Tamil, Sushma Rajesh stated, “Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11 has set a new benchmark for entertainment, achieving record-breaking viewership with an impressive 9.9 TVR. This achievement showcases the power of innovative content, from the unique ‘Hell and Heaven’ concept to the audience-driven narrative that fosters deeper engagement from the very beginning. Kiccha Sudeep’s steadfast presence continues to enhance the show’s dynamics, and the remarkable audience response reinforces our commitment to differentiated storytelling. This milestone further strengthens Colors Kannada’s position as a market leader and exemplifies our strategic vision to elevate regional content and deliver transformative viewer experiences.”

    During the launch week of Bigg Boss season 11, Colors Kannada achieved an impressive market share of 38 per cent, becoming the number one Kannada General Entertainment Channel (GEC) in Week 40. The season also welcomes a record number of 23 brand partners, achieving an opening revenue that is 22 per cent higher compared to last season, marking a grand start across multiple metrics.

    Viacom18, head – revenue, regional networks, Bikash Kundu commented, “Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11 has achieved a remarkable milestone by starting the season with 21 sponsors. We’ve brought together an array of brand partners from various categories, ranging from consumer goods and technology to lifestyle and financial services, creating a unique and integrated platform for them to engage with our audience. Our first-ever partnership with a cutting-edge elevator brand marks a significant first for the show, in fact, across languages. As Colors Kannada secures its position as the leading GEC, we are proud to offer unparalleled opportunities for brands to connect with viewers across both TV and digital platforms and thank our partners for their constant support.”

    Eco Planet Elevators and Escalators Pvt Ltd, managing director, H Raju Gowda expressed, “We are delighted to partner with Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11, and are excited to introduce our state-of-the-art elevator in the Bigg Boss house. This will be a first for the show and we look forward to the response from audiences and consumers. Our focus on innovative design, advanced technology, and uncompromising safety standards has positioned us as a trusted partner for a platform like Bigg Boss. We are confident that this integration will not only enhance the overall experience for viewers but also highlight the pivotal role that quality and modernization play in shaping everyday living spaces.”

    Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, founder and group CEO, Deepak Dhar added, “We’re thrilled to witness the extraordinary response to Bigg Boss Kannada Season 11, setting new benchmarks with its grand opening. This season’s innovative ‘Hell and Heaven’ concept along with the dynamic contestants has truly captivated the audience, showcasing our ongoing commitment to bringing fresh and engaging content to the viewers. Sudeep Kiccha’s exceptional performance year after year has been pivotal in Bigg Boss Kannada’s enduring success. His unique ability to connect with the audience and housemates alike has set the show apart, and Season 11 is no exception. Additionally, our long-standing association with Viacom18 has been integral in consistently delivering such landmark shows.”