ITV

Tag: Ashish Kumar

  • Not just couch potatoes

    Not just couch potatoes

    While watching television is the main source of entertainment for millions of Indians, the sheer number of channels and programs from which one has to choose makes for a rather mind-boggling exercise. But don’t fret for there’s help in the form of a new platform where people with similar viewing preferences can exchange views and stay updated with the latest developments.

    Founded by BIT-Meerut B.Tech graduates Rabi Gupta and Ashish Kumar in May this year, iCouchApp helps television viewers engage with the programs they are watching, get TV program alerts, and have loads of fun while they are at it.

    Audiences are attracted more towards a product that has official link-ups explain Ashish and Rabi

    Television enthusiasts Rabi and Ashish wanted more from TV shows than just nicely packaged programs, which is why they entered the domain with iDubba, a platform designed to bridge the gap between television and audiences. “We launched iDubba last year and it basically worked as a TV guide. Like viewers could set alerts for their favourite shows, movies, etc,” says Rabi, who not only was not satisfied with the existing shows but also curious to know more about them.

    Within sometime of launching iDubba, the duo noticed a change in the behaviour of their users, who started interacting on the platform about their likes and dislikes with respect to certain shows. “We came to the conclusion that while TV audience requires information, they also want an interactive platform. And that was the germ from where we started working on the iCouch app,” says Rabi about the genesis of the application, which has now found popularity among more than 25,000 android phone users.

    With very few contacts in the television industry, the duo first ran the idea through Zee Café and found it was taken in good spirit. “The channel was in the process of launching the new season of their popular show, Grey’s Anatomy and tied up with us for the same,” reveals Rabi.

    Zee Café found it an exhilarating idea as it would help them expand their viewer base. Business head Zee – niche channels Anurag Bedi says: “The rate at which various communication vehicles are seeing a decline, this initiative was taken to give the viewers a personalised bite into their TV viewing experience. This differentiated app has been developed in a creative and nimble way to get viewers talking about the show real time. With majority of the urban population now making a shift to smartphones, creating such an app was an obvious choice for engagement for this kind of a show,” adding that the app was meant to unite all fans of Grey’s Anatomy on a common platform and keep them glued to the show.”

        
    Before taking their plan ahead, Rabi and Ashish interacted with different TV channels to understand their problems in engaging with audiences. “It basically required building a kind of trust with the TV audience. Audiences are attracted more towards a product that has official link-ups. So we made sure to promote the app on the TV screen as a ticker while the show was on air,” says Rabi, adding that since the app is still new, their associations with channels are free of monetary give and take.

    After Zee Café, History Channel followed suit, partnering with iDubba for their series Ancient Aliens.

    Says A+E Networks TV18 VP and head marketing Sangeetha Aiyer: “We’re always on the lookout for ideas and activities which can help increase the overall engagement and help make the process of receiving viewer feedback more efficient. In this case, we were looking to integrate the social interactions with television directly, and iCouch solved this problem efficiently. Apart from being a novel experience for our viewers, it helped us receive direct feedback from the viewers – something that regular social interaction was not equipped to deliver efficiently.”

    Social analytics data derived from audience interactions helped the channel to analyse the mood and reception more accurately. “While the App helped us engage with viewers, the ticker playing live during the telecast helped the App accrue more downloads, making it a truly symbiotic relationship for both parties,” says Aiyer, highlighting that the business arrangement between both parties is pretty basic and their prime objective at the moment is to increase engagement.
    Rabi and Ashish were able to generate funds from many people in the industry like Ashok Kurien and Rajan Anandan.

    Currently, the app is really popular with audiences and is promoting few non-partner shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Bigg Boss Season 7 that are helping the duo increase their user base. “These are non-partner shows but they have become really popular and have picked up a lot of traction because of the interesting concept,” says Rabi, who has huge plans for the app in future. “It is not just exciting for viewers but broadcasters too. In the time to come, we are going to build a lot of things inside the app which would amplify engagement,” he concludes.

  • Not just couch potatoes

    While watching television is the main source of entertainment for millions of Indians, the sheer number of channels and programs from which one has to choose makes for a rather mind-boggling exercise. But don’t fret for there’s help in the form of a new platform where people with similar viewing preferences can exchange views and stay updated with the latest developments.

    Founded by BIT-Meerut B.Tech graduates Rabi Gupta and Ashish Kumar in May this year, iCouchApp helps television viewers engage with the programs they are watching, get TV program alerts, and have loads of fun while they are at it.

    Audiences are attracted more towards a product that has official link-ups explain Ashish and Rabi

    Television enthusiasts Rabi and Ashish wanted more from TV shows than just nicely packaged programs, which is why they entered the domain with iDubba, a platform designed to bridge the gap between television and audiences. “We launched iDubba last year and it basically worked as a TV guide. Like viewers could set alerts for their favourite shows, movies, etc,” says Rabi, who not only was not satisfied with the existing shows but also curious to know more about them.

    Within sometime of launching iDubba, the duo noticed a change in the behaviour of their users, who started interacting on the platform about their likes and dislikes with respect to certain shows. “We came to the conclusion that while TV audience requires information, they also want an interactive platform. And that was the germ from where we started working on the iCouch app,” says Rabi about the genesis of the application, which has now found popularity among more than 25,000 android phone users.

    With very few contacts in the television industry, the duo first ran the idea through Zee Café and found it was taken in good spirit. “The channel was in the process of launching the new season of their popular show, Grey’s Anatomy and tied up with us for the same,” reveals Rabi.

    Zee Café found it an exhilarating idea as it would help them expand their viewer base. Business head Zee – niche channels Anurag Bedi says: “The rate at which various communication vehicles are seeing a decline, this initiative was taken to give the viewers a personalised bite into their TV viewing experience. This differentiated app has been developed in a creative and nimble way to get viewers talking about the show real time. With majority of the urban population now making a shift to smartphones, creating such an app was an obvious choice for engagement for this kind of a show,” adding that the app was meant to unite all fans of Grey’s Anatomy on a common platform and keep them glued to the show.”

    Before taking their plan ahead, Rabi and Ashish interacted with different TV channels to understand their problems in engaging with audiences. “It basically required building a kind of trust with the TV audience. Audiences are attracted more towards a product that has official link-ups. So we made sure to promote the app on the TV screen as a ticker while the show was on air,” says Rabi, adding that since the app is still new, their associations with channels are free of monetary give and take.

    After Zee Café, History Channel followed suit, partnering with iDubba for their series Ancient Aliens.

    Says A+E Networks TV18 VP and head marketing Sangeetha Aiyer: “We’re always on the lookout for ideas and activities which can help increase the overall engagement and help make the process of receiving viewer feedback more efficient. In this case, we were looking to integrate the social interactions with television directly, and iCouch solved this problem efficiently. Apart from being a novel experience for our viewers, it helped us receive direct feedback from the viewers – something that regular social interaction was not equipped to deliver efficiently.”

    Social analytics data derived from audience interactions helped the channel to analyse the mood and reception more accurately. “While the App helped us engage with viewers, the ticker playing live during the telecast helped the App accrue more downloads, making it a truly symbiotic relationship for both parties,” says Aiyer, highlighting that the business arrangement between both parties is pretty basic and their prime objective at the moment is to increase engagement.

    Rabi and Ashish were able to generate funds from many people in the industry like Ashok Kurien and Rajan Anandan.

    Currently, the app is really popular with audiences and is promoting few non-partner shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati and Bigg Boss Season 7 that are helping the duo increase their user base. “These are non-partner shows but they have become really popular and have picked up a lot of traction because of the interesting concept,” says Rabi, who has huge plans for the app in future. “It is not just exciting for viewers but broadcasters too. In the time to come, we are going to build a lot of things inside the app which would amplify engagement,” he concludes.

  • Star Gold to premiere “Jai Santoshi Maa” this May

    Star Gold to premiere “Jai Santoshi Maa” this May

    Mumbai, 6th April-2006…Pray, there is immeasurable power in it! The last week of May brings divine blessings in the form of the blockbuster-hit film “Jai Santoshi Maa” when it premieres on Star Gold. A Vijay Sharma film starring- Anita Guha, Ashish Kumar, Kanan Kaushal, Music composed by C. Arjun, lyrics by Pradeep, cinematography by Sudhendu Roy, story by R. Priyadarshini, produced by Bhagyalakshmi Chitra Mandir; Jai Santoshi Maa broke all records at the box office. IN terms of return on investment, Jai Santoshi Maa remains the biggest hit ever at the Indian box office. And it is currently in the news for two reasons: the first ever satellite premiere of the movie (on Star Gold), and the fact that it is being remade.

    There have been innumerable films, which have proved that films can have a big impact on society. But none of them can even come close to the monumental 1975 hit, ‘Jai Santoshi Maa’. The film almost brought to the limelight a new Goddess, leaving everlasting impression on the Indian masses.

    The music by C. Arjun was highly popular, especially the song, “Main to aarti utaaru re, Santoshi Mata ki”. The number became the nation’s new anthem and even today, it’s heard at all religious functions and ceremonies.

    The film depicts hardships, tough times and sufferings can be overcome by being tolerant, patient, enduring pain and lastly – worshipping Goddess – “Santoshi Maa”.

    And it can now be viewed by millions of Santoshi Maa bhakts, as well as everyone else, as it will be premiered on Star Gold this May.

    Jap, Tap, Vrat- the three simple ways to attain Nirvana:

    These are the simple rules of life in which Satyavati believed and followed religiously. Satyavati (Kanan Kaushal) –was a devoted wife and firm believer of “Santoshi Maa”. Her dedication was put to test; in many ways…But it was her immense faith in “Santoshi Maa” which helped her sail through high tide every time.

    “Santoshi Maa” puts her true devotees to test:

    “Santoshi Maa” has a unique way of bestowing blessings upon the deserving devotees: not until she has put them through an acid test.

    Some facts about the film-“Jai Santoshi Maa”

    Did you know????

    *Until this film’s release, Goddess Santoshi was not a very well known idol of worship. But this movie’s spectacular success made her a household name all over India. Housewives across the country began observing Fridays as the day of worship of Santoshi Maa.

    *The film had such a phenomenal effect on people’s minds that in most theatres where the film was being screened, audiences would remove their footwear outside the cinema halls, as a mark of respect to the Goddess

    *Such was the impact on the mind of people that the moviegoers would bring aartis to cinema halls and actually perform the pooja; threw coins at the screen during certain scenes and songs! It was during this phase the whole country saw an upsurge in a unanimous feeling of religiousness

    A treat for all “Santoshi Maa” devotees only on the small screen for the first time. Do not miss the exclusive premiere of “Jai Santoshi Maa” in the last week of May -2006, only on Star Gold.