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Tag: Amazon Prime Video

  • Amazon Prime Video renews ‘Invincible’ for seasons 2 & 3

    Amazon Prime Video renews ‘Invincible’ for seasons 2 & 3

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video has greenlit anime series Invincible for a second and third season. The news was met with elation by fans who are eagerly waiting for the anime’s season 1 finale to drop on Prime today. 

    “I’m extremely thankful to Amazon for the support and dedication they’ve put behind Invincible. The comic book is truly a love letter to a genre that Cory (Walker) and I grew up reading and loving, and it’s been a gratifying journey to watch our characters come to life again through the animated series. We’re beyond excited to continue this story for at least two more seasons,” said Invincible co-creator Robert Kirkman in a statement. 

     

     

    Invincible revolves around the story of Mark Grayson, a normal teenager, except for the fact that his father Nolan is the world’s most powerful superhero. However, during his teenage, Grayson also starts developing superpowers, and it turns his life upside down. 

    The voice cast of the animated series includes big names like Steven Yeun, JK Simmons, Sandra Oh, Seth Rogen, Gillian Jacobs, Andrew Rannells, Zazie Beetz, Mark Hamill, Walton Goggins, Jason Mantzoukas, Zachary Quinto, and Grey Giffin. 

    Skybound is producing Invincible, while it is executive produced by Simon Racioppa, Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Catherine Winder, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg. 

    The first season of the comic-turned-anime has received unanimously positive reviews from all corners. Based on 54 reviews, the animated series has a 96 per cent approval rate in review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. 

  • Amazon Prime Video boasts 175mn+ viewers, investment in content & live sports to grow

    Amazon Prime Video boasts 175mn+ viewers, investment in content & live sports to grow

    KOLKATA: Video has emerged to be a key play for the tech giants, especially over the past year. After Google’s YouTube knocked over the industry with astounding ad revenue and viewership in the last quarter, and now, Amazon has also revealed how its streaming service Prime Video has fared in recent times.

    In what may sound warning bells for market leader Netflix and upstart Disney+, Prime Video’s viewer base has surpassed 175 million. In a letter to shareholders, Amazon boss Jeff Bezos shared he’s proud to have Prime Video in the family.

    “As Prime Video turns 10, over 175 million Prime members have streamed shows and movies in the past year, and streaming hours are up more than 70 per cent year over year. Amazon Studios received a record 12 Academy Award nominations and two wins. Upcoming originals include Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, The Tomorrow War, The Underground Railroad, and much more,” wrote Bezos.

    In mid-April, Bezos revealed that the e-commerce behemoth’s Prime service now has over 200 million subscribers, up 50 million from the beginning of 2020. The service includes fast free shipping, music, video, reading, gaming which is priced at Rs 129 per month, and Rs 999 per year in India.

    The numbers are not only talking. Prime Video is making its way into critics’ mind too as it has shined in recent award ceremonies. It earned 12 Academy Award nominations across four films this year; moreover, Sound of Metal won an Oscar in the newly-created sound category.

    Interestingly, the OTT is not limiting its video aspirations to original titles and movies but has thrown its hat into the competitive sports content too. “The live sports offering for Prime Video continues to grow internationally,” Bezos said in the letter. Very recently, it became the first streaming service to secure an exclusive national broadcast package from the prestigious NFL. It has ventured into cricket too, the most popular game in India, by acquiring the India territory rights for New Zealand cricket through 2025-2026. It may look at other popular cricket rights in India in the coming year to bolster its sports library.

    The company looks at video as a component of broader prime membership. Prime members who watch video have higher free trial conversion rates, higher renewal rates, higher overall engagement, an Amazon spokesperson said in the earnings call.

    “There’s great examples of places like Brazil where you launch a video only subscription for example that preceded the broader Prime membership with shipping components and that was as an example a great way to expose people to Amazon. And as we launched a broader Prime in Brazil, it was a great mechanism to get folks into that program,” he added.

    The content spend is expected to grow and the investment will go beyond original content to boost the live sports portfolio.

    Overall, the e-commerce giant has continued to cash in on our new shop-work-relax-from-home habits in the first three months of this year, reporting a huge rise in sales and a tripling of profits.

    Amazon’s overall revenue has gone up by 44 per cent year-on-year basis to reach $108.5 billion revenue. Net income skyrocketed to $8.1 billion compared to the corresponding quarter of 2020, when it stood at $2.5 billion. As online shopping has been one of the businesses to benefit in the ongoing pandemic, the quarterly results show how the digital drive is still fuelling its business.

    Net sales are expected to be between $110.0 billion and $116.0 billion for the next quarter, or to grow between 24 per cent and 30 per cent as against the second quarter 2020, the company guided. Operating income is expected to be between $4.5 billion and $8.0 billion. The company will also host its Prime Day event sometime in the second quarter.

  • From ‘One’ to ‘Without Remorse’: 5 best movies to watch on OTT this week

    From ‘One’ to ‘Without Remorse’: 5 best movies to watch on OTT this week

    NEW DELHI: The Covid2019 outbreak has elevated the popularity of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar in India. As people are now confined to their homes due to the second wave of the pandemic, watching your favourite show or movie or discovering something new on streamers could be the best possible way to get entertained. 

    Indiantelevision.com presents you with a list of the five most anticipated movies set to land on OTT platforms in India this week. 

    One (Netflix)

    Mammootty’s new movie One will premiere on Netflix on 27 April. The film had its theatrical release on 26 March. Even though One received positive responses from audiences and critics upon release, the film failed to make it big at the box-office due to the rising Covid cases in Kerala. 

    Directed by Santhosh Viswanathan and scripted by acclaimed writers Bobby-Sanjay, the movie sees Mammootty don the role of Kadakkal Chandran, an ideal chief minister. Apart from Mammootty, One also casts Murali Gopy, Joju George, Siddique, Sudev Nair, and Shankar Ramakrishnan in prominent roles. 

    Without Remorse (Amazon Prime Video)

    Without Remorse is an action thriller that will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 30 April. The film is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy, and stars Michael B Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Luke Mitchell, Jack Kesy, Brett Gelman, Colman Domingo, and Guy Pearce in the lead roles. 

    Directed by Stefano Sollima, the film will showcase the story of an elite Navy SEAL who is on a journey to avenge the death of his wife. 

    The Disciple (Netflix)

    Marathi film The Disciple will be screened on Netflix on 30 April. Directed by Chaitanya Tamhane, the film stars Aditya Modak, Arun Dravid, Sumitra Bhave, Deepika Bhide Bhagwat, and Kiran Yadnyopavit. Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron who has directed movies like Gravity has worked on this film as executive producer. 

    The Disciple had its premiere at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, where it received positive responses from critics and audiences alike. The film traces the life of a young man who has devoted his life to becoming an Indian classical music vocalist. 

    Back to the Future Trilogy (Netflix)

    Back to the Future is a time travel classic that enjoys a huge fan following in all nooks of the world. The first movie in this franchise was released in 1985 followed by sequels released in 1989 and 1990. 

    The sci-fi series has been on Netflix a million times before, but it is always special when the OTT platform streams all three movies together. Viewers can enjoy the Back to the Future trilogy from 1 May. 

    Yasuke (Netflix)

    Yasuke is a highly anticipated animation series, set to premiere on Netflix on 30 April. The series is loosely based on the historical figure of the same name – a samurai of African descent who lived and fought in 16th century Japan during the volatile Sengoku period. 

    Yasuke consists of six episodes, and is expected to offer a real treat to anime lovers. 

  • Five new movies & shows to catch on Netflix, Prime Video, & Disney+ Hotstar

    Five new movies & shows to catch on Netflix, Prime Video, & Disney+ Hotstar

    NEW DELHI: Post the Covid2019 outbreak, OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar have gained massive traction in India. As the second wave of the pandemic is spreading rapidly in the country, people have once again started spending time in their homes, and this trend could further elevate the popularity of streaming services. 

    In the first half of April, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar released several movies and originals, and the streaming platforms have quite a good selection for this week too. 

    Indiantelevision.com presents you with a list of the five most anticipated movies that will be streamed on OTT platforms in India this week. 

    Stowaway (Netflix) 

    Joe Penna's science fiction action thriller Stowaway will drop on Netflix on 22 April. The film stars Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette in the lead roles. 

    The story revolves around a spaceship crew that discovers an accidental stowaway shortly after takeoff while embarking on a mission to Mars. As resources quickly start dwindling, the spaceship's medical researcher becomes the only one who hopes for a survival, while others expect a grim outcome. 

    Joe Penna's previous movie was Arctic, another survival drama. Expectations surrounding Stowaway have already reached sky-high as Penna is returning with another sci-fi survival flick. 

    Venus and Serena (Amazon Prime Video)

    Venus Williams and Serena Williams, popularly called the Williams sisters, were once the most prolific talents on tennis courts. A documentary about their life named Venus and Serena will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video on 21 April. 

    The documentary will portray their glorious career and tournament wins and will show how the duo pushed the limits of longevity in such a demanding sport. 

    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+ Hotstar)

    Even though Disney+ Hotstar has no new releases this week, audiences are eagerly waiting for the sixth and final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier that will be streamed on 23 April. 

    The series based on Marvel characters premiered on 19 March, and since then fans of Marvel have been eagerly waiting for Fridays to witness new developments in the latest addition to the Marvel cinematic/television universe. As the first season of the show comes to a close on 23 April, fans are expecting a mindblowing conclusion that may set the stage for the next season. 

    Life in Color with David Attenborough (Netflix)

    One of the most anticipated documentaries of the year, Life in Color with David Attenborough begins streaming on Netflix on 22 April. There is a general perception that humans are the only species that can see in colour, but this documentary proves it wrong. Narrated by natural historian Sir David Attenborough, the docuseries tries to show how animals use colours to survive in the wild. 

    Shadow and Bone (Netflix)

    Shadow and Bone is an upcoming fantasy series landing on 23 April on Netflix. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling Grishaverse novels, fans of the trilogy are anticipating how the makers will accomplish the screen adaptation. The recently released trailer of the show looks extraordinary, and it clearly indicates that the showrunners are pulling out the stops to present a rich, sweeping fantastical world for viewers. 

  • ZeeL’s Vibha Chopra joins Amazon Prime Video

    ZeeL’s Vibha Chopra joins Amazon Prime Video

    KOLKATA: Media professional Vibha Chopra has moved on from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZeeL) to join Amazon Prime Video. She will be looking at content acquisition in her new role.

    “It’s been an exciting journey at Zee, where I got to learn , grow and work on exciting projects and with amazing people. I owe my rich experience to the wonderful teams across the globe with whom I had a chance to work. The achievements by my team at Zee Studios International of building it from scratch to the No.1 international distributor of Indian films across the world will always be cherished,” she wrote on professional networking platform LinkedIn.

    “ I am thankful to my seniors Amit Goenka and Punit Goenka who trusted me enough to give me different portfolios, latest being the opportunity to launch TVoD. There comes a time when you want to reinvent yourself. And with that in mind, I’m thrilled to announce that I have joined Amazon Prime Video, India. I’m super excited for this new chapter in my life and looking forward to an exciting journey with this global organization,” she added further.

    At ZeeL, Chopra was leading global syndication and international film distribution. She was associated with ZeeL in various capacities since 2006.

  • Amazon Prime hits 200 million subscribers

    Amazon Prime hits 200 million subscribers

    NEW DELHI: Amazon Prime, which comprises the e-commerce giant’s video streaming service, has reached a userbase of 200 million, an increase of over 50 million post the outbreak of the Covid2019 pandemic, revealed Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in a letter to shareholders.

    For comparison, Netflix had over 204 million users at the end of 2020, while Disney+ has amassed more than 100 million users in an year of its launch. Considering the viewing plans, Amazon is considered the most affordable when compared to Netflix and Disney+, and it is giving the OTT platform widespread acceptance in countries like India. 

    Streaming service Prime Video is simply an added value element included in Prime membership. Amazon has never officially revealed how many Prime subscribers are actively using the Prime Video function. 

    However, the company’s attention to churn out  video content has surged significantly over the years. Web series and movies produced by Amazon Studios (which invariably land on Prime Video) are finding favour not only with viewers but critics, too. The OTT platform’s star has been rising on the back of popular shows like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, as well as Oscar-nominated films like Borat Subsequent MovieFilm and Sound of Metal.

    Bezos, who will be replaced by former AWS head Andy Jassy as Amazon CEO this year, said in his final letter to the company’s shareholders that Amazon customers have connected more than 100 million smart home devices to Alexa. 

    Further, he informed that Amazon is currently employing more than 1.3 million people worldwide. 

    "Last year, we hired 500,000 employees and now directly employ 1.3 million people around the world. We have more than 200 million Prime members worldwide. More than 1.9 million small and medium-sized businesses sell in our store, and they make up close to 60 per cent of our retail sales," wrote Bezos. 

    The world’s richest man added that Amazon has created $1.6 trillion of wealth for shareowners. Additionally, the etailer spent $11 billion on video and music content in 2020, up from $7.8 billion in 2019, and it includes contents for Amazon Prime Video and royalties from Amazon Music. 

    Talking about Andy Jassy, Bezos said, "Andy is brilliant and has the highest of high standards. I guarantee you that Andy won’t let the universe make us typical. He will muster the energy needed to keep alive in us what makes us special. That won’t be easy, but it is critical. I also predict it will be satisfying and oftentimes fun.'' 

  • ‘Tenet’ to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 31 March

    ‘Tenet’ to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on 31 March

    KOLKATA: Amazon Prime Video has got the long weekend locked and loaded with the premiere of Christopher Nolan's much anticipated sci-fi spy thriller Tenet on 31 March 2021. The film will be available for Indian audiences in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

    Armed with only one word, Tenet, and fighting for the survival of the entire world, John David Washington plays an international spy who journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold into something beyond real time. Filmed across seven countries, this intense thriller will see a time travelling protagonist risking his own life to stop the inevitable catastrophe that could be bigger than World War III and a nuclear holocaust.  Will he make it ‘back in time’ to save the world? Viewers will get the answer soon.

    Tenet will join thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and Bollywood in the Prime Video catalogue. These include Indian-produced Amazon Original series Tandav, Mirzapur Season 1 & 2, Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa, Breathe: Into The Shadows, Bandish Bandits, Paatal Lok, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Four More Shots Please, The Family Man, Made In Heaven, and Inside Edge.

    Prime Video’s extensive library also includes Indian films such as Coolie No. 1, Gulabo Sitabo, Durgamati, Chhalaang, Shakuntala Devi, Ponmagal Vandhal, French Biriyani, Law, Sufiyum Sujatayum, Penguin, Nishabdham, Maara, V, CU Soon, Soorarai Pottru, Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja, Drishyam 2, Halal Love Story, Middle Class Melodies, Putham Pudhu Kaalai, Unpaused among others; and award-winning and critically acclaimed global Amazon Originals like Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, The Boys, Hunters, Fleabag, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

    Prime members will be able to watch Tenet anywhere and anytime on the Prime Video app for smart TVs, mobile devices, Fire TV, Fire TV stick, Fire tablets, Apple TV, etc. In the Prime Video app, Prime members can download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost.

  • Telecom bundling, availability of smart TVs boosting OTT market in India

    Telecom bundling, availability of smart TVs boosting OTT market in India

    NEW DELHI: The Covid2019 outbreak which brought the entire world to a standstill has helped one sector in India – the OTT industry. Post the pandemic, OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar gained massive popularity in the country, and they successfully expanded their userbase in 2020. 

    From bundling plans to cheaper smart televisions, there are various factors that have played a crucial role in elevating the popularity of OTT platforms in India, according to data shared by analytics firm Redseer.

    Telecom bundling helps OTT platforms increase their userbase

    Bundling plans offered by telecom and broadband providers have helped OTT platforms to increase their customer base during the pandemic. 

    Telecom companies like Airtel are offering subscriptions to Hotstar, Netflix, and Prime Video as a part of their bundling plans, while Jio Fibre's broadband bundling offers free Prime Video and Netflix subscriptions. 

    According to the report, unique paid user growth rate was 35 per cent in February 2021 when compared to April 2020. Subscriptions also increased by eight percent during the same period, and the subscription revenue also witnessed a rise of 41 per cent. 

    In an attempt to expand its customer base, Netflix last year launched a new plan priced at Rs 199, where the user can watch their favourite movies and shows on their smartphones. Even though this plan will not work on smart televisions, it has impressed the urban youth in the nation who spend most of the time on mobile screens. 

    The rise in smart TV users helps streamers

    The growing number of smart TV users in India is also contributing to the growth of OTT platforms in India, the Redseer analysis revealed. Unlike previous years where smart TVs were confined to rich homes, the entry of companies like Xiaomi in the Indian market turned things upside down, as they are now offering full HD and 4K smart televisions at an affordable rate. 

    Indians spend 188 billion minutes streaming videos in February

    According to the survey, Indians spent 188 billion minutes on OTT platforms in February, a drop of six percent when compared to the 200 billion OTT minutes Indians spent last April. The drop is primarily due to the country's return to normalcy, and the arrival of television soaps in channels. However, with more releases in the pipeline along with product improvement, the engagement is likely to increase in the coming months. 

    Out of the 188 billion minutes, users spent 69 billion minutes watching daily soaps, followed by movies with 31 billion minutes and then originals produced by the OTT platforms. 

  • Amazon Prime Video forays into film production in India

    Amazon Prime Video forays into film production in India

    KOLkATA: In a landmark move for its India operations, Amazon Prime Video has announced its association with the upcoming Hindi movie Ram Setu as a co-producer alongside Cape of Good Films, Abundantia Entertainment and Lyca Productions. 

    Directed by Abhishek Sharma (Parmanu, Tere Bin Laden) and creatively produced by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi (Prithviraj Chauhan), the film is an action-adventure drama that brings forward a story deeply rooted in Indian cultural and historical heritage. The film has a power-packed star-cast led by superstar Akshay Kumar and featuring Jacqueline Fernandes and Nushrratt Bharucha. Following its theatrical release, Ram Setu will soon be available for Prime members. 

    Amazon Prime Video India content director and head Vijay Subramanium said, “At Amazon Prime Video, every decision we take is from a customer-first perspective. Stories that are entrenched in Indian soil have often found an audience not only in India but across the world, and we are delighted to further take a step into co-producing by collaborating with a film that highlights our Indian heritage. Our collaboration with Vikram Malhotra and Abundantia Entertainment as well as with Akshay Kumar till date has been unique and highly successful; and with this step, we move into the direction of further deepening and strengthening our association. With an exemplary cast and a story that is unique yet steeped in history, we look forward to continuing to entertain our customers the world over.”

    Actor Akshay Kumar added, “The story of Ram Setu is one that has always intrigued and inspired me: it represents strength, bravery and love, and uniquely Indian values that have formed the moral and social fabric of our great country. Ram Setu is a bridge between generations past, present and future.I look forward to telling the story of a significant part of Indian heritage, especially for the youth and I am happy that, with Amazon Prime Video, the story will cut across geographies and strike a chord with viewers across the world.”

    Abundantia Entertainment founder & CEO Vikram Malhotra said, “In India, mythology, religion and history are deeply inter-twined. They form the nerve system of our nation and have always given us the foundation for great, epic storytelling. Ram Setu is a story formed on facts, science and historical heritage and is anchored in the deep belief of Indians since centuries We have had a wonderful association with Amazon Prime Video for our successful Amazon Original Series Breathe and Breathe: Into The Shadows as well as for films like Shakuntala Devi and the upcoming tentpole series – The End, also starring Akshay Kumar. I am thrilled to collaborate with Amazon once again for the opportunity to share this amazing story with a global audience.”

  • Bombay Begums: NCPCR asks Netflix to snip ‘objectionable’ scenes

    Bombay Begums: NCPCR asks Netflix to snip ‘objectionable’ scenes

    NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued an order asking Netflix to immediately remove specific scenes involving minors which are cited to be objectionable from the Bombay Begums series and asked it to stop streaming the series until then, the Times of India has reported.

    It has also sought an action taken report within the next three days.

    According to the report, the child rights body has also directed Mumbai police commissioner to take action with regards to the content in the series cited in the order and report back within a week. NCPCR has also given Netflix time till 18 March to reply.

    The order was passed following a meeting of Netflix officials with NCPCR to discuss the issues pertaining to representing and portrayal of children in the series Bombay Begums.

    “After detailed deliberations, the commission is of the view that these particular scenes are in violation of relevant sections of JJ Act, 2015, POCSO Act 2012 and IPC, 1860 as minor children were used in these scenes. Therefore, Netflix is directed to immediately remove these scenes from the series and meanwhile till the time they come to any decision in this regard, they shall stop the streaming of this series on their platform,” Kanoongo asserts in the order, according to the TOI report.

    As reported earlier, the NCPCR had issued a notice to OTT platform Netflix to stop streaming Bombay Begums. According to the notice, the commission received complaints from two Twitter handles regarding the Netflix original. The objections have been raised in regards to a scene where a 13-year-old girl is seen “snorting cocaine” at a party, as well as another plot point dealing with school girls sending nude selfies to members of the opposite sex.

    NCPCR had stated that the series with this type of content will pollute young minds and may result in abuse and exploitation of children at the hands of perpetrators and offenders and it does not allow representing, portraying, glorifying children in India in such manner on any platform including streaming services.

    Bombay Begums, written and directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, started streaming on 8 March and revolves around five women whose lives are interconnected.

    The action comes days after Netflix’s arch rival Amazon Prime Video issued an apology for its series Tandav in the wake of widespread furore over the depiction of Hindu deities.

    Meanwhile, the government has also notified new rules to better monitor and regulate the content on new age entertainment platforms consisting of a three-tier redressal mechanism.