ITV

Tag: Airtel Xstream

  • Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    Point Blank gears up for hard-hitting episode with R.K. Singh interview

    MUMBAI: When politics turns into prime-time theatre, few shows pack the punch of Point Blank. Live Times’ flagship programme, helmed by veteran anchor Deepak Chaurasia, is set to air another explosive episode on Sunday, 28 September at 8 pm, with senior BJP leader and former union minister R.K. Singh in the hot seat.

    In a no-holds-barred exchange, Singh tears into the BJP-led Bihar government, alleging corruption has seeped into even the prime minister’s flagship PM Awas Yojana. According to him, commissions are the price of approvals, and the Nitish Kumar administration has “no control” over the rot. Singh directly challenges party leaders Dilip Jaiswal and Ashok Choudhary to answer his allegations.

    But he doesn’t stop there. The former minister drops another political bombshell: Prashant Kishor invited him to join his party. While Singh insists he has no immediate plans to quit the BJP, he boldly declares he would form his own political party if expelled. “Ideas are good, but they must translate into action,” he says, hinting that Kishor’s promises may need proof in practice.

    The episode also revisits Singh’s much-debated association with the phrase “saffron terror”. He clarifies that the term was coined by others including former home minister and Congress veteran Digvijay Singh while his own comments were restricted to presenting facts. Singh underlines that the NDA’s path to electoral victory lies in restoring honesty and integrity, not in rhetoric.

    The interview captures the political crossroads facing Singh, who blends candour with calculation. It’s a conversation that could shake up the NDA narrative in Bihar, where anti-corruption credibility has often made or broken governments.

    Reflecting on the larger mission of Point Blank, Live Times founder Dilip Kumar Singh says: “At Live Times, truth is not negotiable. Point Blank embodies our mission to confront power with courage and clarity. This interview with R.K. Singh proves why journalism must go beyond headlines, it delivers the unfiltered reality citizens deserve.”

    With fearless questioning, fact-driven debate, and a refusal to let power escape scrutiny, Point Blank has cemented itself as the channel’s beating heart. Tomorrow’s episode is expected to be one of its most hard-hitting yet, a must-watch for anyone tracking the future of Bihar politics and the NDA’s credibility crisis.

    Audiences can tune in on DD Free Dish – Channel 100, Tata Play – 539, Airtel Digital TV – 385, Dish TV – 665, Sikka Cable – 519, and Jio TV – 3069, as well as streaming platforms including Tata Play Mobile, Airtel Xstream, Dish TV Watcho, and DD Waves. The full broadcast will also be available at www.livetimes.news.

    Live Times Complete Truth, Whatever It Takes.

  • Shin chan and Yakult team up for gut health drive

    Shin chan and Yakult team up for gut health drive

    MUMBAI: Belly laughs meet belly health. Shin chan is now on a mission to care for kids’ tummies.Yakult Danone India has roped in the mischievous Japanese cartoon character for a nationwide campaign to promote children’s gut health, timed perfectly with the India release of Shin chan: the spicy kasukabe dancers on 26 September.

    The drive blends fun with facts, highlighting how poor digestion affects nearly 30 per cent of Indian children, often lowering immunity, energy and nutrient absorption. Using Shin chan’s cheeky charm, the campaign explains why a healthy gut can help youngsters stay energetic, strong and happy.

    “Our association with Shin chan gives us an incredible opportunity to highlight Yakult’s core message on gut health in a fun, relatable way,” said Yakult Danone India  managing director Eiji Amano. “By starting these conversations early, we can inspire healthy habits that last.”

    The campaign is live across television and digital platforms including Youtube, Jio Cinema, MX Player, Zee5 and Airtel Xstream, alongside outdoor branding, hoardings and on-ground activations in cities from Delhi NCR and Mumbai to Hyderabad, Indore and Guwahati.

    Yakult Danone director – sales, pr & marketing Taku Otsuka added, “Gut health is vital for lifelong wellness. With Shin chan’s storytelling and Yakult’s science-backed probiotic, we’re making digestive health simple and fun.”

    By combining science, entertainment and a dose of Shin chan’s humour, Yakult hopes to make gut health a household conversation, proving that strong tummies really can lead to stronger kids.

  • Rise & Fall climbs to top as reality TV’s latest cultural power play

    Rise & Fall climbs to top as reality TV’s latest cultural power play

    MUMBAI: When it comes to reality television, what goes up must come down but for Amazon MX Player’s Rise & Fall, the only direction right now is up. Premiering on 6 September, the high-drama reality experiment has shot straight into the Top 2 original reality shows on Ormax ratings, winning fans across both metros and rural India. And the buzz isn’t limited to television screens, the show has already racked up a jaw-dropping 500 million social media views, turning reels, memes, and reactions into a second stage of drama.

    Hosted by Ashneer Grover, Rise & Fall drops 15 celebrity contestants spanning Bollywood, music, sports, entrepreneurship, and social media into a unique social experiment that examines the eternal tug-of-war between the powerful and the powerless. Over 42 days, alliances are built and broken, friendships tested, and betrayals executed with both tears and applause.

    The star-studded line-up features Arbaaz Patel, Aarush Bhola, Aahana Kumra, Aditya Narayan, Arjun Bijlani, Dhanashree Verma, Kubra Sait, Kiku Sharda, Anaya Banger, Nayandeep Rakshit, Bali, Akriti Negi with the first elimination seeing Noorin Sha bow out.

    “With Rise & Fall, Amazon MX Player is redefining reality television for India,” said Amazon MX Player director & head Karan Bedi. “We went back to the basics of what audiences want, not just spectacle and drama, but strategy, leadership, and emotion. By reimagining a global format through an Indian lens, we’re bringing viewers a bold, refreshing and powerful narrative that resonates deeply.”

    The opulent set, designed by National Award-winning art director Omung Kumar, provides the perfect stage for the drama. Behind it all, Banijay India’s powerhouse creative team has tailored the format to spark conversation across every medium and judging by the memes flooding Instagram and Twitter, it’s working.

    The show has also become a marketer’s playground. Amazon India head of advertising Girish Prabhu explained: “The response from brands has been phenomenal, they see real value in being part of Rise & Fall. Integrations feel natural and memorable, which is why sponsors like Lux Cozi, Orient Electric, Haier, Pintola, Avvatar Whey Protein, Envi, and HMD are seeing strong impact.”

    With streaming on Amazon MX Player, Prime Video, Fire TV, the Amazon shopping app, Airtel Xstream and airing on Sony Entertainment Television at 10:30 pm, brands also get the bonus of multi-platform reach.

    Rise & Fall isn’t just another unscripted series; it’s shaping up to be the OTT cultural moment of the year, where entertainment collides with hustle, and power shifts become prime-time spectacle. As fresh episodes drop daily at 12 pm, one thing’s clear, the only thing falling here are the contestants, while the show itself continues its meteoric rise.
     

  • Amazon MX Player, Sony TV team up to stream and beam ‘Rise and Fall’

    Amazon MX Player, Sony TV team up to stream and beam ‘Rise and Fall’

    MUMBAI: Streaming is going prime time. Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video service, has joined hands with Sony Entertainment Television to take its buzzy new reality series Rise and Fall to a wider audience.

    In a first-of-its-kind distribution pact, episodes of the show will drop daily at noon on Amazon MX Player before hitting Sony TV at 10:30 pm, giving viewers the choice of mobile-first streaming or traditional appointment viewing.

    The gamble seems to be paying off. According to Ormax Media, Rise and Fall was the most-watched show in its launch week. Hosted by Ashneer Grover, the show packs 15 celebrities from across entertainment, sports and music into a towering set split between extremes: a penthouse for the “Rulers” and a spartan basement for the “Workers.” Contestants shuffle between privilege and hardship, testing their wits in a battle of ambition, survival and strategy.

    Amazon MX Player, director & head of content, Amogh Dusad called the partnership “a cultural moment,” adding that the bold and disruptive format deserved the widest possible reach. Akshay Agrawal of Sony Pictures Networks India said the tie-up reflects Sony TV’s mission to bring “unique and compelling” formats to millions of households.

    The show has also lined up big-brand backers, with Lux Cozi, Orient Electric, Haier, Pintola and Avvatar Whey Protein among its sponsors.

    New episodes of Rise and Fall stream daily for free at 12 pm on Amazon MX Player, available via the MX app, Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV and Airtel Xstream and air at 10:30 pm on Sony Entertainment Television.

  • Naseeruddin Shah steps into J.R.D. Tata’s shoes in Amazon MX Player’s Made in India – A Titan Story

    Naseeruddin Shah steps into J.R.D. Tata’s shoes in Amazon MX Player’s Made in India – A Titan Story

    MUMBAI – On the 121st birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna J.R.D. Tata, Amazon MX Player and Almighty Motion Picture unveiled the first look of their upcoming series Made in India – A Titan Story. The series sees veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah bring the legendary industrialist to life in a cinematic retelling of ambition, innovation, and nation-building.

    Produced by Prabhleen Sandhu, founder of Almighty Motion Picture, and directed by Robby Grewal with writing by Karan Vyas, the series charts the extraordinary journey of J.R.D. Tata and his pivotal role in shaping modern India.

    Joining Shah is Jim Sarbh as Xerxes Desai, the visionary founder of Titan, alongside Namita Dubey, Vaibhav Tatwawaadi, Kaveri Seth, Lakshvir Saran, and Paresh Ganatra.

    Slated for release early next year, Made in India – A Titan Story will stream free on Amazon MX Player across mobile, CTVs, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Airtel Xstream, promising audiences a front-row seat to the story of an empire built on grit and genius.
     

  • Airtel’s festive surprise: Unwrapping Zee5’s entertainment treasure trove

    Airtel’s festive surprise: Unwrapping Zee5’s entertainment treasure trove

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought Santa was saving his best for Christmas, Airtel decided to beat him to it!

    In a move as delightful as unwrapping your favourite gift early, Bharti Airtel has teamed up with Zee5 to deliver a digital feast for its wifi customers.

    Starting with plans priced at Rs 699 and above, Airtel users can now dive into Zee5’s treasure trove of premium content—at no extra cost.

    This holiday season, your binge-watching dreams come bundled with your broadband!

    Through this collaboration, Zee5’s exclusive offerings—including original shows, chartbusters, and OTT movies—will become part of Airtel wifi’s ecosystem. Customers can enjoy 1.5 lakh plus hours of content, spanning multiple genres and languages, with hit titles such as Sam Bahadur, RRR, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, Manorathangal, and The Chronicles of Amaragiri.

    Bharti Airtel CMO & EVP customer experience, Amit Tripathi highlighted the significance of the partnership, “Partnerships are at the core of Airtel’s DNA, and we are delighted to partner with Zee5 in our endeavour to build a world-class digital content ecosystem. Zee5’s rich library adds a lot of depth to our content portfolio, enhancing the overall experience for our users. We remain committed to building our content portfolio with a single agenda of delighting our customers with the very best.”

    Zee5 CBO, Manish Kalra echoed the sentiment, “At Zee5, it has been our endeavour to democratise access to high-quality entertainment by making our diverse content library available to a larger audience. The collaboration with Airtel strengthens our commitment to offering viewers a seamless entertainment experience across genres, languages, and formats.”

    Airtel wifi plans and benefits

    With this integration, Airtel wifi customers can enjoy access to over 350 HD TV channels and 27 OTT platforms, including Disney+ Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and now Zee5.

    Plan

    Speed

    Benefits

    Rs 699

    Up to 40 Mbps

    Zee5, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

    Rs 899

    Up to 100 Mbps

    Zee5, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

    Rs 1099

    Up to 200 Mbps

    Zee5, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

    Rs 1599

    Up to 300 Mbps

    Zee5, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

    Rs 3999

    Up to 1 Gbps

    Zee5, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, 22+ OTTs

    Customers can claim their complimentary Zee5 subscription through the Airtel Thanks app.

    With Zee5 joining Airtel’s lineup, the partnership reinforces Airtel wifi’s position as a frontrunner in delivering a comprehensive and enriching digital entertainment experience, offering unparalleled content variety to its subscribers.

  • Glance, Airtel launch AI-powered Glance TV, rivaling Dor TV’s offerings

    Glance, Airtel launch AI-powered Glance TV, rivaling Dor TV’s offerings

    MUMBAI: Imagine walking into your living room after a long day, sinking into your favorite corner of the sofa, and glancing at your TV-not as a blank, lifeless screen but as an AI-powered gateway to a world of interactive wonders. A flicker of curiosity, a spark of excitement, and suddenly, your television transforms into more than a passive device-it becomes an experience.

    This vision of seamless, intuitive engagement has now been made possible by Glance, the brainchild of visionary founders Naveen Tewari and Piyush Shah. With an eye on reimagining how we connect with everyday technology, Glance has taken a bold leap into the future with Glance TV. This groundbreaking platform breathes life into idle connected TV screens, turning them into vibrant, interactive surfaces powered by AI.

    Debuting in India through a partnership with Airtel Xstream and Android TV OS, Glance TV is not just a new product—it’s a revolution in how we perceive home entertainment.

    Glance

    For those who dare to dream big and look beyond the ordinary, Glance TV is here to ensure that every moment spent in front of your screen is worth the glance.

    Glance TV redefines traditional connected TVs by turning passive moments into engaging, real-time experiences. Unlike conventional screens, Glance TV remains always-on, delivering live, personalised, and trending content tailored to user preferences, even when TVs are not actively used.

    In its first deployment phase, Glance TV has already reached over one million Airtel Xstream devices, with users engaging for an impressive average of 200 minutes across three daily sessions. By June 2025, Glance TV aims to expand to four million devices in India, with plans for entry into select global markets soon.

    Glance2

    Glance TV offers live updates across diverse categories, including breaking news, entertainment, sports, finance, technology, and more. Its live sports updates deliver real-time scores, statistics, and detailed scorecards. A weather widget further enhances functionality, ensuring users receive essential updates to plan their day effectively. The platform sources content from leading publishers and currently operates in English.

    Airtel Digital TV, CEO, Siddharth Sharma said, “Customers increasingly seek platforms offering more than traditional entertainment. Our partnership with Glance elevates customer experience by integrating advanced AI technology directly into their TVs, creating an unmatched interactive platform.”

    InMobi co-founder & Glance president & COO, Shah commented, “Glance TV redefines the television experience by elevating screens into dynamic, AI-powered platforms. By blending content with interaction, we transform TVs from mere entertainment devices into intelligent surfaces that engage, connect, and inspire users.”

    As India’s connected TV market crosses 40 million devices, the stage is set for a vibrant battle of innovation and consumer delight. Anuj Gandhi’s trailblazing vision with Dor TV ignited the spark, receiving a warm embrace on its debut. Yet, the plot thickens as Glance TV strides into the spotlight, carving its dominance in the digital age.

    The question now isn’t just who will lead, but how far they’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible. Will it be Dor TV, with its homegrown roots and pioneering spirit? Or will Glance TV’s bold strides cement its place as the visionary leader of this transformation?

    One thing is certain: the journey ahead promises a kaleidoscope of breakthroughs, rivalries, and endless possibilities for the connected future of India.

    The spotlight is on—and the story has just begun.

  • Bharti Airtel to shut down Wynk Music app: Report

    Bharti Airtel to shut down Wynk Music app: Report

    Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has decided to exit the music sector by shutting down its Wynk Music app according to media reports. Shortly after announcing a strategic partnership with Apple, the company will wind down Wynk Music over the next few months and integrate all current employees into other roles within the organisation.

    An Airtel spokesperson confirmed the closure, stating that Wynk Music will be discontinued in the coming months, and employees working on the app will be absorbed within the Airtel ecosystem.

    Since its launch in 2014, Wynk Music has built a significant user base with over 100 million subscribers. This move aligns with Airtel’s new focus on collaborating with Apple to enhance video and music streaming services. As part of this partnership, Airtel customers will have access to Apple Music, and Wynk Premium subscribers will receive special offers. Additionally, Apple TV+ will be accessible through Airtel’s Xstream service, further expanding its content offerings.

    With a diverse portfolio including Airtel Wynk, Airtel Thanks, and Xstream, Airtel serves more than 220 million active users and is aiming for continued growth in the competitive digital market.

  • Bharti Airtel launches multiplex on Partynite metaverse platform

    Bharti Airtel launches multiplex on Partynite metaverse platform

    Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has launched a multiplex on Partynite metaverse platform. The Xstream multiplex is an extension of Airtel’s Xstream premium offering.

    Airtel’s Xstream multiplex will be a 20-screen platform with access to content from leading OTT partners available on the application. The multiplex will enable sampling of top original shows and movies with content pieces such as the first episode of an OTT original or initial minutes of a movie in regional languages, besides English and Hindi.

    The idea was conceived by Essence, Airtel’s media agency of record, and developed by Gamitronics, the creator of blockchain-powered digital parallel universe Partynite. “The Xstream multiplex offers an immersive content experience with multiple engagement layers, which allow users to interact on Partynite Metaverse,” said the statement.

    “Airtel’s Xstream multiplex provides a larger-than-life experience, which brings together Web 3.0 apps and immersive storytelling, and an assortment of content from our partners,” said Airtel director – marketing Shashwat Sharma. “We all know people’s love for movies and entertainment in India. Through the metaverse, we are looking to tap into a larger audience, giving content enthusiasts an opportunity to sample Airtel’s Xstream Premium offering and, thus, aiding in driving higher adoption.”

    “We are delighted to partner with Airtel and bring alive India’s first multiplex in the metaverse. Airtel Xstream Premium’s multiplex experience is one of the most scalable use case scenarios for the metaverse,” said Partynite (Gamitronics) founder Rajat Ojha. “Future opportunities here include movies, music, live events and premium sports streaming. Apart from the robust scope, it will also allow social engagement, open up newer methods of content delivery and, of course, provide an immersive experience at the core of it.”

    Recently Airtel reported that its OTT platform Xstream reached two million subscribers within 100 days of its launch.

  • Airtel Xstream reports 2 mn paid subscribers; targets 20 million

    Airtel Xstream reports 2 mn paid subscribers; targets 20 million

    Mumbai: The telecom operator Bharti Airtel said its video streaming service, Airtel Xstream has achieved two million paid subscribers. Airtel Xstream offers a bouquet of OTT platforms to consumers across mobile and large screen formats.

    ”We are the fastest-growing OTT aggregator in India with two million paid subscribers,” Airtel Digital CEO Adarsh Nair told a news agency. 

    Airtel Xstream is well-positioned to solve the challenges faced by both OTT content providers and customers, he added. ”Customers face fragmented viewing experiences, multiple platforms for content, and pricing challenges, which Airtel Xstream solves.”

    The accelerated growth is also due to the ability to meet the needs of Indian consumers for compelling regional content. ”In addition to our existing partnership with 15 OTTs such as ErosNow, SonyLiv, Lionsgate, Hoichoi, ManoramaMax, Shemaroo, Ultra, Hungama Play, Ultra, EPICon, Docubay, DivoTV, etc, we have recently partnered with Chaupal TV and Kanncha Lanka, two of the most promising regional platforms with a dedicated viewership base across India, and we will now be able to extend our services to Punjabi, Bhojpuri, and Odia speaking audiences as well,” Nair said.

    Consumers are recognizing the value proposition of good content being accessible without the hassles of multiple subscriptions. Airtel Xstream brings multiple OTTs under one login, one experience, and a single subscription price, he observed.

    Announcing it has crossed the two million paid subscriber milestone, Airtel Xstream said significant user interest through repeat recharges/ subscriptions was seen in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

    The average viewing time on Airtel XStream is about 150 minutes which is increasing consistently and highlights customer stickiness.

    ”SonyLiv, Hungama, Eros Now, and Lions Gate play are the most searched for content partners on the platform. Multiple content properties from Sony occupy a position in the trending top 10 list,” the company said.

    Airtel is looking to achieve the 20 million paid subscriptions mark for Airtel Xstream. The addition of Chaupal TV and Kanncha Lanka will increase the platform’s appeal to the audiences in Punjab and Odisha and the diaspora based elsewhere in the country.

    Airtel has also brought onboard Social Swag, an influencer commerce platform backed by celebrities such as Akshay Kumar, Rana Daggubati, and Mahesh Bhupathi.

    ”Our accelerated growth is due to our ability to meet the needs of the Indian consumer for great regional content. We will be doubling down on our regional strategy with our existing partners and will continue to onboard new partners with stellar regional content catalogues,” Nair said.

    Mobile subscribers can select one OTT provider from the bouquet with a minimum recharge of Rs 148.

    The large screen format, launched earlier this year as Xstream Premium is also available at Rs 149 and enables access to over 10,500 movie titles and shows along with Live TV from Airtel’s OTT content partners such as Sony LIV, Eros Now, Lionsgate Play, Hoichoi, ManoramaMax, Shemaroo, Ultra, HungamaPlay, EPICon, Docubay, DivoTV among others.

    The Indian OTT sector is one of the most competitive emerging markets, with over 40 players in the ecosystem.

    The market is growing rapidly and expected to reach $2 billion by 2025, Nair said, adding that Airtel Xstream is “enthused” by the accelerated growth and hopes to maintain the momentum.