Music and Youth
Voila 9XM looks better
MUMBAI: The logo change that 9XM underwent in March last year seems to have worked for the channel which saw yet another change recently. At 6am on 20 May, the “new look” 9XM went live, complete with a super large video area, enhanced audio quality, and brighter, bolder colours to boot.
Ask him why and 9X Media executive vice president and business head Punit Pandey likens it to the experience of buying new clothes to look and feel better. “9XM has been on-air since late 2007. It has a serious set of strong, loyal viewers. It has continued to be one of the most favourite destinations for music consumption on television. We just wanted our viewers to continue getting a better viewing, consuming and sound experience. It’s our treat to our viewers who continuously watch 9XM,” he says.
Indeed, the new avatar 9XM has been designed in-house and is all about providing that much-needed punch even as loyal fans lap up the latest music punctuated by the shenanigans of the channel’s animated heroes i.e. Bade-Chhote, Bheegi Billi, Badshah Bhai and The Betul Nuts.
Speaking of the philosophy behind the new design, 9X Media SVP and content head Amar Tidke says, “We at 9X Media always believe in providing a complete music viewing experience to our viewers. Our on-air presentation and content curation techniques have always placed us several notches higher than the rest in the genre.”
The thought took seed about six to eight weeks ago while it took the channel around four to five weeks to put it out there for public consumption. Surprisingly, there was no research involved. “It was very simple; we wanted viewers to experience a better 9XM,” says Pandey.
While ideating on the new look, 9XM’s strategy was to, “Keep it simple, keep it seamless, keep it smart,” according to Tidke. “The new look of 9XM ensures that one quickly moves from one element to another in a truly seamless fashion with captivating vibrant colours and design elements. It’s a very fresh approach to the way the latest super-hot Bollywood songs are presented,” he adds.
According to 9XM programming head Sunder Venketraman, “The youth with their short attention span are always on the look-out for new things. At 9XM, it has been our constant endeavour to provide best-in-class entertainment through innovative and appealing content and on-air presentation. With this new viewing experience, 9XM has yet again gone ahead and set a new benchmark for the rest to follow.”
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The teaser, “Get ready for a bigger canvas” set digital platforms abuzz. The new look has got a great response on digital platforms with nearly six million likes on Facebook and 143,000 followers on Twitter. Pandey exults, “They are just loving it and liking it. They are getting more to see and better sound to hear. We are delighted to get a positive response from the digital community. People have given us a thumbs-up.”
The change is restricted to the look of the channel only while the characters have not really changed, except that they look more vibrant and are seen interacting with viewers.
Has the channel expanded its music library? “9XM continues to be a current hit channel. Whatever hits in current time you will get to see on the channel. But there is nothing like expanding our music library. There is certain expectation a viewer has when they tune into 9XM,” says Pandey.
Music and Youth
Mumbai gears up for the ultimate Global Youth Festival this December
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
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
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.
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