ITV

Tag: Disney +Hotstar

  • Watcho partners with Fastway and Netplus

    Watcho partners with Fastway and Netplus

    Mumbai – Watcho has partnered with Fastway and Netplus to introduce a comprehensive entertainment bundle with seamless connectivity. This strategic collaboration marks a significant expansion of Watcho’s regional footprint and addresses the growing demand for integrated entertainment solutions.

    The newly launched bundle seamlessly combines Fastway’s IPTV services, Netplus’s high-speed internet, and Watcho’s extensive OTT content into a single, unified package. This holistic entertainment solution eliminates the need for multiple service providers and complex billing processes, offering customers a streamlined entertainment experience. Subscribers can access 500+ live TV channels, Including 100+ channels with popular regional content via IPTV Set-top-box, robust internet connectivity, and a diverse range of OTT content from top providers such as Hotstar, SonyLIV, ZEE5, Chaupal, and many more, all under one Watcho subscription.

    The package features IPTV + Broadband Plans + Watcho OTT Bundles starting at Rs 598, providing an internet speed of 50 Mbps along with 500+ TV channels, a Catch-Up TV feature allowing users to access content up to 7 days, and content from 17 OTT apps. With this partnership, customers will benefit from simplified access to a wide array of entertainment through Watcho’s extensive content library and aggregated services from over 17 popular OTT platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, Sony Liv, Hungama Play, Chaupal, FanCode, Watcho Exclusives and many more, spanning genres like drama, romance, fantasy, and more.

    Dish TV India Ltd. CEO Manoj Dobhal said, “At Dish TV and Watcho, we always aim to deliver exceptional value and convenience to our customers. Our partnership with Fastway and Netplus embodies this commitment by offering a seamless bundle that integrates IPTV, high-speed internet, and extensive OTT content. This all-in-one solution simplifies access to diverse entertainment and enhances convenience for our customers across Punjab. We hope this package meets the increasing demand for integrated entertainment solutions, aligning with our mission to provide high-quality experiences while expanding our footprint and addressing a variety of entertainment needs with unmatched ease and efficiency.”

    Jujhar Group founder & chairman Gurdeep Singh commented, “We are excited about our partnership with Watcho. This launch represents a power-packed value proposition that both the brands proudly offer to its consumers. It delivers the most cost-effective and affordable form of entertainment. The brand is deeply committed to understanding and addressing the needs of its customers, consistently providing the best solutions tailored to enhance their viewing experience.”

    “The IPTV STB will also facilitate access to OTT content, powered by Watcho, thereby presenting a variety of premium regional and national content from top providers. We hope this collaboration will simplify access to quality content and set a new standard for convenience and innovation in the entertainment industry,” added Singh.

  • MobiKwik’s journey spotted on Bharat FinTech story streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

    MobiKwik’s journey spotted on Bharat FinTech story streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

    Mumbai: MobiKwik, a digital financial services platforms, is to be featured in the “Bharat Fintech Story” documentary series, produced by Edstead. This compelling series, now available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, highlights MobiKwik’s transformative impact on India’s financial ecosystem by empowering over 150 million people across the country with digital financial products and services.

    The Bharat Fintech Story is the first-of-its-kind docu-series spotlighting five fintech startups that are revolutionizing financial services in India. Among these trailblazers, MobiKwik’s journey is particularly notable, showcasing its evolution from a one-room home office to becoming the first fintech in India to achieve full-year profitability and now preparing for its debut on the stock exchange.

    The documentary delves into the story of MobiKwik’s founders, Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, and their mission to simplify digital payments and promote financial inclusion for millions of Indians. Through candid interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, viewers gain insight into the challenges, achievements, and milestones that have defined MobiKwik’s journey.

    One of the key highlights of the episode is MobiKwik’s relentless pursuit of bridging the digital divide, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. From simplifying everyday transactions, and effectively connecting merchants with users to offering seamless credit options, the docu-series showcases how MobiKwik continues to play a pivotal role in the financial lives of millions.

    “MobiKwik’s inclusion in this series is a testament to our commitment to driving financial inclusion and empowering every Indian with digital financial services,” said MobiKwik  co-founder and CFO Upasana Taku. “We are honored to share our story on such a prestigious platform and hope it inspires more entrepreneurs to create meaningful change in the world of fintech.”

    The episode also highlights MobiKwik’s diverse range of products, which serve the hinterlands of India, showcasing its impact in reaching and supporting underserved regions.

    The Bharat Fintech Story on Disney+ Hotstar is a must-watch for anyone interested in the dynamic world of fintech and the future of digital financial services in India.

  • Disney+ Hotstar to stream Premier League 2024/25 matches in 4K

    Disney+ Hotstar to stream Premier League 2024/25 matches in 4K

    Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar, the official streaming partner of the Premier League 2024/25 in India, is all set to bring select matches of the season in stunning 4K resolution. This is the first time that the Premier League will be streamed in 4K in India. This enhanced viewing experience will bring fans closer to the action, offering unprecedented clarity and detail.  

    The top-tier Premier League began on August 17 with the highly anticipated opening fixture between Manchester United and Fulham. Throughout the season, Disney+ Hotstar will stream over 100 matches in 4K on LR (Living Room) devices that are 4K-enabled. This feature will be available to Disney+ Hotstar users with premium subscriptions via the English-language audio feed. This strategic selection ensures that fans will have the opportunity to witness some of the most thrilling and high-octane football action in the league, all in 4K resolution.

    The Premier League is the pinnacle of English football, where 20 clubs battle it out for supremacy. This highly competitive league operates on a system of promotion and relegation, ensuring a dynamic landscape. Each season, spanning from August to May, clubs engage in a schedule of 38 matches, facing each opponent twice. While most games are played on the weekends, the league also features captivating midweek fixtures under the floodlights.

    The introduction of 4K streaming is a part of Disney+ Hotstar’s ongoing efforts to innovate and elevate the sports viewing experience and offer Indian fans the chance to experience the excitement in a whole new light. 

  • Brands of Tomorrow season two to feature AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems

    Brands of Tomorrow season two to feature AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems

    Mumbai: AKVO Atmospheric Water Systems, has featured in the second season of Brands of Tomorrow, premiering on Disney+ Hotstar on 19 August 2024. This feature will delve into the founder & CEO, Navkaran Singh Bagga’s journey and his efforts to address global water scarcity through innovative atmospheric water generation technology.

    In Brands of Tomorrow, Bagga will share insights into his mission to create sustainable solutions for water accessibility. As the head of Akvo, he has focused on developing technology that generates drinking water from air, offering a renewable alternative amidst growing concerns over water resources.

    “I am honored to be featured on Brands of Tomorrow and to have the opportunity to share Akvo’s journey with a wider audience,” said Navkaran Singh Bagga. “Our goal has always been to provide a sustainable solution to one of the world’s most pressing issues—water scarcity. Through this feature, I hope to inspire others to join us in making a meaningful impact on global water conservation.”

    Since its founding in 2017, Akvo has expanded its reach globally, with installations in over 15 countries. The company’s atmospheric water generation systems produce an average of 100 million liters of water annually, underscoring their impact on communities facing water scarcity.

    Bagga’s inclusion in Brands of Tomorrow highlights his leadership in the clean-tech sector and his commitment to environmental sustainability. The feature will provide viewers with a deeper understanding of how Akvo’s technology works and the broader implications for global water conservation efforts.

  • Brands of Tomorrow season two to premiere on 19 August on Disney + Hotstar

    Brands of Tomorrow season two to premiere on 19 August on Disney + Hotstar

    Mumbai: In a masterful display of narrative artistry, Advaita Innovation Labs (AIL-India) unveiled Brands of Tomorrow (BOT) last Independence Day, presenting a riveting docuseries that brought India’s most innovative and socially responsible brands to the forefront.

    Premiering on Disney+ Hotstar, this groundbreaking series redefined traditional storytelling by illuminating the vision and ventures of pioneering businesses. The inaugural season of Brands of Tomorrow featured the bold and inspiring stories of visionary startups such as Power Gummies, Nasher Miles, Chowman, Regrip, Zoff Spices, and Freakins.

    Building on its remarkable success and widespread acclaim on Disney+ Hotstar, Advaita Innovation Labs (AIL-India) is launching the second season of Brands of Tomorrow this Rakhi on 19 August on Disney+Hotstar.

    The forthcoming season promises to revolutionise the business and enterprise narrative landscape, blending cinematic excellence with compelling storytelling to showcase the dynamic fusion of innovation, purpose, and profitability that defines contemporary Indian entrepreneurship.

    Brands of Tomorrow founder Suchayan Mandal stated, “When we launched Brands of Tomorrow last year, we faced significant challenges convincing others of the importance of long-form content for founders. However, the overwhelming response we now see—evident in our overflowing inboxes and the strong turnout at our founder meetups—underscores the vital role of showcasing founders’ success stories in a cinematic narrative. Brands of Tomorrow is not just about data; it’s about humanising the stories of founders and inspiring India to believe in the power of entrepreneurial dreams.”

    In Brands of Tomorrow (BOT) – Season 2, they claim to have elevated their selection criteria compared to the previous season. Following the success of their debut, they report a significant increase in inquiries via social media and during the founders’ meetups (FOMO mixers) across tier one and tier two cities in India. They assert that it quickly became evident that limiting their episodes to six would no longer suffice due to the immense demand from brands and their founders. As a result, they expanded the roster to 14 episodes, each featuring a brand narrating its journey.

    Selecting the featured brands was challenging, as every brand that registered demonstrated maturity in revenue, products, and business impact. They refined their selection process by prioritising compelling stories and meaningful social impact. This season, they feature brands like Wow Momo, Fit & Flex’s zero-added-sugar cereals, the Virendra Sehwag-backed fintech startup GetePay, and Nilon’s, a 500-crore pickle brand. They assert that each of these brands has carved out a unique identity in the Indian market and made significant contributions to their respective categories through innovation.

    In the previous season, they achieved nearly 15 million views. This season, they are targeting 25 million views, driven by the social media influence of the selected brands, each of which commands a significant following and digital presence. They are confident that, considering the combined viewership of season one and season two, they will reach 50 million views. By the end of the year, with the launch of the next season, they anticipate this number to rise to 80 million. They claim that their audience distribution is balanced, with 58 per cnet from metropolitan areas and 42 per cent from smaller towns, and that their broad appeal spans demographics, particularly within the 25- to 45-year-old age group.

    Brands of Tomorrow show designer Sayantani Chakrabarty stated, “We are redefining how the stories of Indian founders are told. At a time when founders are emerging as India’s newest icons, various platforms—ranging from funding-focused reality shows to podcasts and social media videos—are striving to capture and share their inspiring journeys. With our show’s prestigious reach, it was imperative that we craft an approach that reflects the leadership values of these founders and resonates deeply with our audience. To achieve this, we employed the ‘rule of thirds’ in filming the interviews, a technique commonly used in global Netflix documentaries, to create a sense of awe and gravitas around featured founders. Our production is meticulously crafted to offer a cinematic experience, allowing viewers to engage with the content relaxed and immersively. The goal is to deliver a masterclass in entrepreneurship, offering genuine insights from India’s business legends through Brands of Tomorrow.”

    Advaita Innovation Labs claims to have developed intellectual properties like Brands of Tomorrow and Gods of Gourmet in collaboration with Disney+ Hotstar. Following the response to Brands of Tomorrow Seasons 1 and 2, AIL India is preparing for a third season. Additionally, they claim there is significant interest from SMEs, the backbone of India’s economy. This Diwali, they will debut Brands of Tomorrow: Rising Bharat—a series where SMEs will share their stories on Disney+ Hotstar.

    Among the 14 brands featured in season two, they highlight an 86-year-old grandfather who launched the hair oil brand Avimee from his apartment in Surat. Disillusioned with sugar-laden cereals, a marathon runner created Fit & Flex, a brand offering zero-added-sugar cereals. A former CMO at a media company left her career to start Koparo, a laundry detergent brand aimed at protecting her daughter. Inspired by the tragic loss of her sister to a brain illness, one woman founded Neuphony, a company that develops brain-wearable devices for monitoring brain health. Additionally, four friends established a 3,000 crore momo brand, and a second-generation entrepreneur expanded a pickle business to a 500 crore enterprise.

    Brands of Tomorrow is an IP they claim is crafted to elevate D2C brands by amplifying their operations and market presence across India. The show’s concept centers on sharing these brands’ narratives through their founders’ voices, fostering strong brand recall and recognition. Leveraging Hotstar’s precision targeting technology, they assert that they effectively reach the ideal audience, a feature highly valued by the participating founders. Additionally, they are planning to launch regional editions of Brands of Tomorrow, tailored to resonate with diverse linguistic and cultural segments across the country.

    AIL India is also developing several new IPs to launch later this year, including Brands of Tomorrow Season 3 and Brands of Tomorrow: Rising Bharat.

  • Disney+ Hotstar brings 3D anamorphic billboards for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

    Disney+ Hotstar brings 3D anamorphic billboards for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

    Mumbai: Disney+ Hotstar is setting a new standard in digital entertainment advertising with the launch of 21 3D anamorphic billboards across Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru for the much-anticipated release of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes on the platform. This use of cutting-edge technology underscores Disney+ Hotstar’s commitment to delivering immersive and captivating experiences to its audience.

    The revolutionary 3D anamorphic billboards have been introduced across multiple key locations in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru such as Jio World Drive, Cyber Hub, and Garuda Mall respectively to name a few, transforming the cityscapes with striking, lifelike visuals that bring the epic world of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes to life. These billboards show the apes from the film leaning out from the screen, giving the impression that the apes might jump out at any moment. Designed to be engaging, the billboards use advanced visual technology to create a sense of depth and motion, allowing viewers to experience the movie’s thrilling universe in a whole new dimension.

    Directed by Wes Ball, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was released on Disney+ Hotsar on 2 August in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Continuing the epic Planet of the Apes franchise, the film is set several generations after Caesar’s reign. In this era, apes are the dominant species living harmoniously, while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape embarks on a harrowing journey, questioning all he has known about the past and making choices that will define the future for both apes and humans alike.

  • Disney+ Hotstar collabs with PubMatic to scale advertising reach in India

    Disney+ Hotstar collabs with PubMatic to scale advertising reach in India

    Mumbai: PubMatic (Nasdaq: PUBM), an independent technology company delivering digital advertising’s supply chain of the future, has announced its association with Disney+ Hotstar, to transform the advertising landscape for digital advertising.

    The streaming platform has selected PubMatic to enable programmatic monetization of content across multiple buying channels, including audience-based and 1:1 private marketplace (PMP) and programmatic guaranteed campaigns.

    PubMatic’s sell-side technology allows publishers to connect with a broad set of global buyers while allowing them to maintain control over their user experience and maximize revenue yield.

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with Disney+ Hotstar,” said PubMatic chief revenue officer, APAC Jason Barnes. “With a rich and diverse catalog of premium on-demand content, Disney+ Hotstar offers premium video advertising at scale for advertisers. By leveraging PubMatic’s sell-side technology platform, advertisers across India and globally can now reach vast and highly engaged audiences.”

    “Collaborating with PubMatic aligns with our goal to provide a premium viewing experience for our users, while delivering measurable results for our advertisers,” said Disney+ Hotstar’s head of ads Dhruv Dhawan. “Utilizing sell-side technology like PubMatic offers the advantage of not limiting access to one set of buyers. This approach makes Disney+ Hotstar’s highly engaged audiences available to a broad spectrum of advertisers, and ensures advertising is relevant and engaging for our users.”

  • For an average Indian viewer, distinction between original and adapted content is often irrelevant: Mautik Tolia

    For an average Indian viewer, distinction between original and adapted content is often irrelevant: Mautik Tolia

    Mumbai:  With over 3000+ hours of content produced across 50+ shows for major broadcasters and OTT platforms, Bodhitree Multimedia Ltd specializes in drama, thriller, horror, comedy, and lifestyle genres. Their services encompass producing, directing, writing, dubbing, mixing, subtitling, content editing, and localization for a variety of media including television, films, and digital platforms, operating primarily on a B2B business model.

    The company operates in three main verticals: Broadcast – Hindi General Entertainment, Content for OTT platforms, and Regional Content across languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati for broadcast and digital. By focusing on trending and edgy themes, Bodhitree has established a strong reputation in the Indian media industry, becoming a preferred partner for many broadcasters and OTT platforms, thanks to their versatile and high-quality productions.

    Bodhitree most recently launched Gunaah on Hotstar, Class on Netflix. Other titles under Bodhitree include Fuh se Fantasy, The Gone Game, Marzi, The Raikar Case, among others.

    Indiantelevision.com reached out to Bodhitree Multimedia’s managing director Mautik Tolia, where he highlighted their significant content consumption growth, adaptations, new ventures and much more…

    Edited excepts

    Your recent show “Gunaah” on Disney+ Hotstar has been a significant success with 3.4 million views. What factors do you attribute to its popularity, and how does it fit into BTML’s overall content strategy?

    When we examined the original Turkish content, we found it to be highly plot-driven and filled with raw emotions. These elements resonate strongly with the Indian audience due to their deep-rooted appeal in pulpy storytelling, themes of revenge, drama, and family betrayal. Recognizing this, we tailored the content into a love story, confident that it would connect well with Indian audiences, particularly those who consume Hotstar. This approach has proven successful, garnering a very positive response for the show.

    BTML has been actively expanding into new ventures such as media rights management and studio facilities. How do these new ventures complement your core business of content production?

    Our strategy involves vertical expansion within our existing businesses, addressing specific infrastructure needs within the industry. We aim to fill crucial gaps in the market, ensuring we meet growing demands effectively.

    With the establishment of subsidiaries focusing on regional content like Marathi and Bhojpuri, how important is regional language content to BTML’s growth strategy, and what are your future plans in this segment?

    Regional content plays an important role in our strategy, given its exponential growth potential, especially through OTT platforms as internet penetration increases. While Hindi remains a dominant market, regional languages such as Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali are gaining significant traction in content consumption, mirroring trends seen in traditional broadcasting. We are poised to capitalize on this shift by producing tailored content in regional languages.

    BTML reported a 50% revenue growth in FY24 and an EBITDA margin of 14.23%. What were the key drivers behind this growth, and how do you plan to sustain this momentum in the coming years?

    Key drivers behind this growth is that our expanded content strategy is more inclusive than before, encompassing a wider range of platforms beyond TV and OTT. This diversification includes the establishment of subsidiaries and other strategic initiatives, reflecting our commitment to broader market coverage and sustained growth.

    Adaptations like “Class” on Netflix have been well-received. Could you elaborate on your thoughts on adapting international content for the Indian audience?

    For an average Indian viewer, the distinction between original and adapted content is often irrelevant; what matters most is the quality and appeal of the content itself. Whether an adaptation of an international series or a homegrown production, viewers judge based on its merits rather than its origins.

    As the managing director, what is your vision for BTML in the next 5-10 years, and how do you plan to position the company amidst competition and changing consumer preferences?

    The industry is undergoing rationalization, and we position ourselves to serve all verticals of content creation comprehensively. Our trajectory aims to encompass diverse languages, genres, and formats, ensuring a versatile presence in the content creation landscape.

  • Naukri.com & Disney+ Hotstar launch ‘Hardly Working by Naukri’

    Naukri.com & Disney+ Hotstar launch ‘Hardly Working by Naukri’

    Mumbai: Naukri.com and Disney+ Hotstar have announced the launch of ‘Hardly Working by Naukri,’ a standup show that humorously explores the lighter side of office culture.

    The series features an exceptional lineup of India’s top comedians, including Prashasti Singh, Anirban Dasgupta, Shreeja Chaturvedi, Nishant Suri, and Kumar Varun. Each comedian brings their unique style and perspective to the show, ensuring a diverse range of humor and a fresh take on every episode. Notably, all these talented artists have had firsthand experience in the corporate world, adding authenticity to their performances.

    The show delves into relatable and comedic moments, from common workplace situations and quirky coworkers to awkward meetings and office politics, reflecting universal truths that resonate with anyone who has ever worked in an office.

    The show is part of Naukri.com’s ongoing commitment to engage with Gen-Z professionals and address all aspects of their careers. Having already established a strong foothold in creating purposeful content through the successful IP ‘Workwise with Naukri’ – which offers valuable career insights and advice, Naukri.com, with this new show, is foraying into creating content that explores the lighter side of professional life.  ‘Hardly Working by Naukri’ is produced by the Disney+ Hotstar CreativeWorks team, the branded content arm of Disney+ Hotstar, and is streaming exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar starting 19 July. Known for its award-winning creative and content studio, Disney+ Hotstar CreativeWorks helps brands strike the right balance between content and advertising, thus enabling brands to forge deeper connections with their target audiences by leveraging the power of storytelling at scale.

    Naukri.com EVP & head of marketing Shail Gaurav said, “At Naukri, we understand the nuances of professional life, and firmly believe that we are allies to Indian professionals, helping them navigate their career journeys. ‘Hardly Working by Naukri’ is our attempt to inject a refreshing dose of humor to the conversation about work life, while reinforcing our position as the number one career platform in the country.”

    Disney+ Hotstar head of ads Dhruv Dhawan said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Naukri for ‘Hardly Working by Naukri’. This series brings humor and relatability to the everyday office experience, showcasing the lighter side of professional life. It also allows Naukri to leverage the power of storytelling to connect with their audiences in the most entertaining and relatable way. With the exceptional talent on board and the expertise of our CreativeWorks team, we are looking forward to present a show that will appeal to our viewers.”