Music and Youth

9XO takes the social way

Published

12 years ago

July 8, 2014

MUMBAI: It seems that the 9X Media cluster is busy re-inventing itself. After 9XM, 9X Tashan and 9X Jalwa changed their looks; its international offering has also gone under the knife.

What is unique about the re-invention is that 9XO, which airs international music, will allow a social networking experience with Twitter and Instagram updates of artists to its viewers.

9XO channel head Luke Kenny understands his target audiences’ needs and feels that after viewing the same kind of music, structure, design there comes a saturation point in a viewers’ watching pattern. “Being a broadcaster, we have to keep re-inventing ourselves every now and then to give viewers a fresh dose of music and entertainment. If people get to see the same thing every day, it tends to become a blind spot for them,” he says.

The new look of 9XO will allow the viewers to not only watch the latest and fresh tracks but also enable them to keep a tab on their favourite artists’ Twitter and Instagram updates.

So what made them take the social media route? After a lot of research and surveys, the channel found out that most of its TG spends their time online rather than in front of the television screens. “We thought if we replicate their interactive platform with a medium which is music that is on television then it would form a different kind of network enabling us to connect with the TG seamlessly,” says Kenny.

Along with the new look, the channel has also launched www.9XO.in, a website dedicated to help viewers discover great music. An in-house team worked on creating it as well as the new logo which is blue in colour symbolising the colour of internet.

Elaborates programming head Clyde D’Souza that music programming is all about handpicked curation. “We at 9XO want to be your cool friend who introduce you to the latest dance hit, ballad or quirky music video. The social feed will help viewers get closer to artists. The website will help viewers discover and share awesome music on their Facebook and Twitter timelines.”

Kenny feels that with technology, broadcasters too need to change. One needs to be in constant touch with the TG and should converse with them through social media. “Whenever we do something quirky or interesting on the channel via our packaging or any new ideas, we do get positive feedback from our viewers. Sometimes there are negative feedbacks as well, but we take it in our stride and try to better ourselves.”

Such innovations have paid off as well. “We realised that if there is something new or different on the channel, it does get our competitors’ attention and keeps the client excited. Our advertisers and sponsors love the channel and when we innovate they are always encouraging and supportive,” reveals Kenny.

With the revamp, the channel aims to create a link between the three mediums – internet, mobile and TV – on which the TG enjoys music. The main motto of getting the social media experience on-board was because it’s accessible on the go.

The channel is looking to get more music related content as time goes by. “But again where the difference comes in, because there is music related content on the internet anyway but a lot of it doesn’t get watched. So we are going to be the curators of that content that can make our viewers discover more,” concludes Kenny.

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Music and Youth

Mumbai gears up for the ultimate Global Youth Festival this December

Published

3 months ago

November 24, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.

The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.

But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.

Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.

After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.

Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.

Music and Youth

Reality Ranis swap jungle for shore as Season 2 drama washes ashore

Published

6 months ago

September 4, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: The Ranis are back and this time, they’re trading leaves for waves. Warner Bros. Discovery has dropped the trailer for Reality Ranis of the Jungle Season 2, and the all-female survival show is moving from dense forests to sandy shores. The first look teases a stormy mix of crashing waves, sizzling rivalries and survival drama as 12 contestants battle for the ultimate crown.

Season 1 set the tone with fierce jungle clashes, but the sequel looks double the size and twice the fun. The fresh lineup features Samyukta Hegde, Irena Rudakova, Archana Gautam, Sara Gurpal and more all ready to swap comfort zones for chaos. Adding extra spice, Rakhi Sawant storms into the mix, promising unpredictability that only she can deliver. Guiding the spectacle once again is host Varun Sood, whose return ensures fans a familiar yet amped-up ride through the survival saga.

The timing couldn’t be more symbolic. As Discovery celebrates 40 years globally and 30 in India, the series mirrors its DNA of bold, edge-of-seat storytelling. Reality Ranis Season 2 isn’t just about endurance, it’s about power plays, transformations, and testing limits under the scorching sun. With beach brawls, surprise twists, and a crown on the line, these Ranis are set to prove that survival, like the tide, waits for no one.

Music and Youth

Tips Music acquires Studio Radha’s Cultural music of Gujarati and Kutchi

Published

6 months ago

August 18, 2025

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Tips Music Ltd acquired Studio Radha’s complete music catalogue expanding its footprint into Gujarat’s rich cultural music heritage. The acquisition reflects Tips Music’s strategic expansion into regional markets, delivering authentic folk traditions with contemporary reach to Indian and global audiences.

Studio Radha, known for its extensive collection of 4,000+ traditional songs spanning devotional music, folk music, and cultural storytelling, adds a dynamic, heritage-rich catalogue to Tips Music’s diverse portfolio, strengthening its position in regional Indian music while exploring new digital streaming and global publishing opportunities.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tips Music Ltd managing director Kumar Taurani said, ” This acquisition, which has a authentic voice of our culture, is a strategic move to deepen our presence in India’s vibrant regional music markets. Beyond preserving this incredible legacy, our goal is to leverage our modern distribution infrastructure and introduce these timeless songs to a new generation of listeners globally. This aligns perfectly with our business strategy of investing in high-quality, diverse content that holds timeless appeal.”

The Studio Radha catalogue will be made available across all major streaming platforms and digital services under the Tips Music banner, ensuring these cultural gems reach music lovers worldwide.