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Tag: Jiostar

  • PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    PKL raids new turf with 8 languages and referee cam for Season 12

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi is no longer just heard in a single tongue, it’s shouting from the rooftops in eight. As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 kicks off on 29 August, fans can expect a whole new playbook of innovation, from fresh formats and referee cams to commentary in eight languages.

    For the first time, the league goes truly multilingual. Alongside English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi, viewers can now hear raids in Haryanvi and Bhojpuri a move that takes kabaddi deeper into its northern heartlands. Bhojpuri has already been a smash hit with cricket audiences, while Haryanvi adds a hyperlocal connect.

    And the voices leading the charge are just as starry. Ravi Kishan headlines the Bhojpuri feed, while Srinivas Reddy takes Telugu. Champions K. Prapanjan (Tamil), Mohit Chhillar (Haryanvi), Vishal Mane (Marathi), former India women’s captain Mamatha Poojary (Kannada) and raider Rishank Devadiga add insider flair. Add to that the likes of Sunil Taneja, Vrajesh Hirjee, Padamjeet Sehrawat, NC Kaushik and Chaitanya Sant, and the mat suddenly sounds richer than ever.

    The tech side gets a glow-up too. Fans can now experience two dugout views, a split screen revival tracker, and the big debut, the ‘Referee Cam’, which flips between live play and a bodycam perspective, plunging viewers into the heart of a raid.

    “Season 12 is about making the game more accessible and more engaging than ever,” said JioStar head of audience engagement Siddharth Sharma,  at . “By presenting the league in eight languages and adding immersive tools like referee cam, we’re creating a richer, more inclusive kabaddi story.”

    On the mat, the action is just as fierce. Tie-breakers will now settle drawn matches in the league phase, ensuring no game ends flat. A brand-new play-in phase has been added: the top two teams sail straight into the playoffs, 3rd and 4th contest a mini-qualifier, while 5th to 8th fight it out for the remaining slots.

    With every raid live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar, Season 12 promises to be kabaddi like never before faster, louder, and more local, with the referee’s whistle now literally in your ear.

  • Asianet strikes a floral chord with world’s first Poopaattu for Onam

    Asianet strikes a floral chord with world’s first Poopaattu for Onam

    MUMBAI: When flowers sing, Onam dances to a new tune. Asianet, Kerala’s top entertainment channel, has unveiled the world’s first Poopaattu (Flower Song), blending tradition with cutting-edge bio-sonification technology for its #Coloronam campaign.

    Created by music director Justin Varghese with vocals by singer-actor Remya Nambeesan, the track is no ordinary festive jingle, it’s a composition crafted from the natural vibrations of Onam flowers such as Thumba, Thechi, Chembarathi, and Shankupushpam. These subtle frequencies were captured, converted into notes, and layered into an original soundtrack that’s as scientific as it is soulful.

    The idea stems from the age-old Pookkalam (floral carpet) tradition, where each bloom held meaning Thumba symbolised sanctity, Mukutti prosperity, and Thechi devotion and strength. By turning these floral associations into music, Asianet hopes to revive cultural connections for modern audiences.

    “With Poopaattu, our aim was to show how cultural storytelling can be reimagined through innovation,” said JioStar head of cluster entertainment (South) Krishnan Kutty. “Onam is deeply emotional for our audiences in Kerala, and by combining tradition with technology, we’ve built a campaign that resonates locally while showcasing our ability to lead with fresh ideas.”

    The accompanying video mirrors the community spirit of Onam families and friends handpicking blossoms, weaving intricate Pookkalams, and celebrating togetherness with joy and generosity.

    For a festival rooted in colour, fragrance, and symbolism, Poopaattu adds a new sensory dimension: sound. By bridging heritage and innovation, Asianet is not just celebrating Onam but orchestrating it, one flower note at a time.

  • Brands lock horns as PKL scores big with four marquee sponsors

    Brands lock horns as PKL scores big with four marquee sponsors

    MUMBAI: Kabaddi isn’t just about raids and tackles anymore, it’s about brands charging onto the mat too. As Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) gets ready to storm Visakhapatnam on August 29, official broadcaster JioStar has announced four marquee sponsors: Shriram Finance Limited (BFSI), UltraTech Cement (Infrastructure), Birla Tilestix (Tile Adhesive), and energy drink giant Red Bull.

    The timing is a marketer’s dream. With the festive season around the corner, PKL offers advertisers a golden chance to ride the wave of India’s second-largest sporting league. Season 11 drew over 283 million viewers across TV and digital, including 140 million in Hindi-speaking markets alone numbers that outperformed reality shows and talent hunts. Fans weren’t just tuning in; they were hooked, watching 64 per cent of game time per match on average.

    Season 12 promises to turn up the volume. Expect a revamped format, richer storytelling, deeper fan interactivity, and expanded coverage across 10 plus TV channels and seven language feeds on JioHotstar. JioStar is betting that this multi-platform blitz will take engagement to record levels.

    “PKL has built a loyal and growing viewership, making it one of the most followed sporting leagues in the country,” a JioStar spokesperson said. “Season 12 will build on this momentum by offering brands high-impact visibility and strong engagement with premium audiences.”

    The action begins with a high-voltage Southern derby Telugu Titans vs Tamil Thalaivas setting the stage for another season of bruising raids, flying tackles, and, now, brand battles. With more sponsors expected to pile in, Season 12 looks set to prove that kabaddi isn’t just India’s ancient sport, it’s also modern marketing’s new playground.

  • Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    Order in the court Kajol returns with fiercer fight in The Trial Season 2

    MUMBAI: Justice may be blind, but this courtroom is about to see fireworks. The much-awaited trailer of The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha Season 2 has dropped, and Kajol’s return as Noyonika Sengupta promises a performance that is more fiery, vulnerable, and emotionally charged than ever before.

    Directed by Umesh Bist and produced by Banijay Asia, the new chapter premieres 19 September 2025 on JioHotstar. It picks up after Season 1, where Noyonika, once a timid housewife, re-entered law following her husband’s corruption scandal. Now she stands transformed into a razor-sharp lawyer and resolute mother yet Season 2 unravels her world piece by piece.

    Her husband Rajiv’s political ambitions (played by Jisshu Sengupta) threaten to tear the family apart, the law firm she depends on is riddled with rivalries, and a tangled love triangle clouds her judgement. In the dock is Noyonika herself torn between duty and desire, trust and truth.

    The series boasts a formidable cast, including Sonali Kulkarni, Sheeba Chaddha, Alyy Khan, Kubbra Sait, Gaurav Pandey, and Karanvir Sharma. Kajol teased, “This season is darker, deeper, and more personal. Noyonika isn’t just fighting in court, she’s fighting to keep her world from collapsing.”

    Bist revealed that Season 2 deliberately raises the stakes, balancing the intensity of legal duels with Noyonika’s internal unraveling. “It’s a layered story about power, identity, and the personal cost of standing up for oneself especially as a woman,” he said.

    Backing the show’s cinematic ambition, Alok Jain of JioStar positioned it as part of a bold content universe that challenges ideas of choice and identity, while Sushant Sreeram highlighted how international adaptations like The Trial (based on CBS Studios’ The Good Wife) are reimagined for Indian audiences. Banijay Asia CEO Deepak Dhar promised “a gripping ride with higher stakes, more intense emotions, and powerful performances.”

    Jisshu Sengupta added that Rajiv’s arc would shake viewers: “His ambitions have grown, but so has the cost. It’s love, regret, resentment and redemption colliding at once.”

    The original U.S. series The Good Wife, created by Robert and Michelle King, set the global bar for courtroom drama. Now, its Indian counterpart seems poised to go beyond the gavel blending betrayal, ambition, and raw humanity into a season that could very well be Kajol’s fiercest role yet.

    Order in the court: judgment day arrives 19 September.

  • Tiger tackles Kabaddi fever as JioStar amps up Season 12 campaign

    Tiger tackles Kabaddi fever as JioStar amps up Season 12 campaign

    MUMBAI: When Tiger Shroff says “Ghus Kar Maarenge,” you know things are about to get physical on screen and on the mat. JioStar has dropped the second film of its high-octane Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 campaign, and the action star brings all the grit and swagger that mirrors kabaddi’s raw intensity.

    Conceptualised by Zerofifty, the cinematic spot kicks off with Tiger facing down a mob of hostile neighbours at his gates. Instead of flinching, he walks out with a kabaddi player’s composure, serving up a line as fierce as a raid: “Ghus kar maarne ki baatein toh sab karte hain, par yahaan hum kar ke dikhate hain” (everyone talks of attacking, but here we do it and prove it).

    The campaign, titled “Ghus Kar Maarenge,” doubles down on the league’s promise of fearless aggression and edge-of-the-seat drama. Released in Hindi and Marathi, the film highlights that kabaddi is not about bravado, it’s about backing it up, move for move.

    “This is going to be the most exciting season of Pro Kabaddi League yet,” a JioStar spokesperson said, pointing to format changes and new rules designed to guarantee a result in every clash. “Tiger Shroff was the perfect face to embody this season’s intensity.”

    For Tiger, the campaign is personal: “Kabaddi is raw, real, and Indian to the core. It’s not just strength but fearless conviction, and I can’t wait to see India’s toughest athletes rise again.”

    Season 12 kicks off on 29 August 2025 with a southern derby between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas, broadcast live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network. With a new format, guaranteed outcomes, and Tiger leading the war cry, the mat is set for kabaddi’s fiercest showdown yet.

  • IAMAI hails piracy task force as shot in the arm for creative economy

    IAMAI hails piracy task force as shot in the arm for creative economy

    MUMBAI: The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has cheered the ministry of information and broadcasting’s (MIB’s) decision to set up a dedicated task force to tackle the scourge of online piracy, calling it a long-overdue step to protect the country’s creative economy.

    IAMAI’s digital entertainment committee said the initiative would help turn the tough provisions of the Cinematograph Amendment Act 2023 into action on the ground. The law introduced steep penalties for piracy and empowered authorities to crack down on illegal recordings and transmissions.

    A 2024 “Rob Report”, published by EY and IAMAI, estimated that India’s entertainment sector—spanning OTT platforms and cinemas—loses Rs 224 bn annually to piracy, with 51 per cent of consumers admitting to watching pirated content. It urged stronger enforcement, fairer pricing and more innovative distribution models.

    JioStar chief executive and chair of the digital entertainment committe Kiran Mani said IAMAI’s role in the task force would channel industry expertise into “decisive measures that safeguard our creative economy and fuel long-term growth.”

    Inshorts a co-founder & chief executive and co-chair of the committee  Deepit Purkayastha called piracy “one of the biggest hurdles” for the industry, adding that the task force was a chance to “set the stage for a stronger and more trusted entertainment industry.”

    With a task force in place, the law tightened and industry voices aligned, India’s media and entertainment sector is finally poised to fight piracy with more than words.

    (The picture shown above is just a representation of the task force and does not purport to depict either Shastri Bhawan or the industry executives who are part of the task force)

  • Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    MUMBAI: When Rana Daggubati says Ghus Kar Maarenge, even the toughest villains step back. JioStar has kicked off its Season 12 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) campaign with a high-octane film starring the Telugu star, setting the tone for what promises to be the most aggressive and competitive season yet. Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film opens with Daggubati confronting a hostile group outside a mansion. With a snap of his fingers, he flips the script summoning carpets, drums, and grandeur before marching forward to face them down, echoing kabaddi’s signature blend of poise and power. He seals the film with a line every Titan fan will remember: “Ghuss ke marne ki baatein toh sab karte hai, but hum Telugu Titans wale karke dikhaate hai.”

    Season 12 arrives with new rules designed to guarantee results in every match, upping the stakes for fans and players alike. “The campaign reflects this shift in intensity,” a JioStar spokesperson explained, noting that Daggubati’s screen presence, composure, and authority made him the natural choice.

    For Daggubati, the association is personal. “Kabaddi is not just a sport, it’s a battle of will, power, and fearless spirit. The Pro Kabaddi League has redefined how we look at home-grown sports in India. There’s something electrifying about the raw aggression on the mat every single match,” he said.

    The action begins on 29 August, with a southern showdown between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in the season opener. Every tackle, raid, and block will stream live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, as kabaddi prepares to deliver yet another adrenaline-charged spectacle.

  • Piracy gets a reality check as India sets up anti-piracy task force

    Piracy gets a reality check as India sets up anti-piracy task force

    MUMBAI: India’s pirates may soon find their screens going blank. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to crack down on online piracy, a menace that drains Rs 224 billion annually from the country’s entertainment industry, according to the 2024 Rob Report by EY and IAMAI.

    The scale of the problem is staggering with 51 per cent of Indian media consumers admitting to watching pirated content, both theatres and OTT platforms are losing revenue hand over fist. The Cinematograph Amendment Act 2023 had already introduced stricter penalties and empowered authorities to clamp down on illegal recordings and transmissions. Now, with a specialised task force, the fight against piracy is set to gain sharper teeth.

    Welcoming the move, JioStar CEO and IAMAI Digital Entertainment Committee (DEC) chair Kiran Mani called it a “timely and necessary step” that would directly channel industry expertise into decisive solutions. “By bringing together the collective experience of the ecosystem, we can help shape solutions that protect India’s creative economy and drive long-term growth,” he said.

    Echoing the urgency, Inshorts co-founder and CEO DEC Co-chair Deepit Purkayastha noted that piracy remains “one of the biggest hurdles” for the sector. “This task force is a chance to work hand in hand with the government to find solutions that really work. Together, we can set the stage for a stronger and more trusted entertainment industry,” he added.

    With stricter laws in place, industry leaders aligned, and the new task force gearing up, India’s media and entertainment sector has a rare chance to curb piracy, safeguard creativity, and expand its global influence. For once, it looks like the pirates may not have the last laugh.

  • JioHotstar unites nation with ‘Operation Tiranga: Tiranga Ek, Kahaniyaan Anek’

    JioHotstar unites nation with ‘Operation Tiranga: Tiranga Ek, Kahaniyaan Anek’

    MUMBAI: In celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, JioHotstar unveils ‘Operation Tiranga’, a platform-wide initiative to honour the nation’s spirit of freedom. Through Tiranga Ek, Kahaniyaan Anek – a thoughtfully curated line-up of powerful narratives, the initiative reflects the many identities, emotions, and ideals embodied by the Indian Tricolour. As part of the campaign, the platform will be extending full-day free access to its entire content library on August 15, emphasising its commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible brand across all parts of India.

    Beyond unlocking the content library, JioHotstar turns storytelling into a salute by welcoming viewers with a splash screen that reflects the colours and spirit of India. The reimagined interface sets the stage for a curated collection of powerful narratives that honour India’s courage and character. Leading this showcase is a collection of stories that explore the complexities of valour, sacrifice, and national identity. Drawing from the symbolism of the flag, the line-up evokes Saffron through accounts of courage and covert heroism in titles like Take Off, Madras Cafe, and IB71; White through emotionally resonant stories of sacrifice and resilience such as Salakaar, Neerja, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, and Chandrashekar; and Green through narratives rooted in cultural legacy and pride, including Sarzameen, Kesari 2, and Airlift. Together, these stories form a cohesive and evocative tribute to the nation — all and more available to stream for free on Independence Day as part of the campaign.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by JioHotstar (@jiohotstar)

    Speaking about the campaign, JioStar head – brand & creative Minakshi Achan said, “JioHotstar has always believed in unlocking infinite possibilities through storytelling by giving viewers the freedom to choose what they watch, when they watch, and how they engage with it. Operation Tiranga is an extension of that philosophy. It is a campaign that celebrates the spirit of Independence Day and removes all barriers to access, allowing every viewer to discover stories that reflect the courage, resilience, and identity of the nation.”

    Operation Tiranga comes to life across key consumer touchpoints – from in-app takeovers and primetime TV spots to high-visibility outdoor, digital, social media and brand collaborations. The campaign also features a partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India to drive flag etiquette awareness, making it a powerful blend of entertainment, education, and national pride.

     

  • JioStar reveals Festive Sentiment Survey 2025

    JioStar reveals Festive Sentiment Survey 2025

    MUMBAI – As the country gears up for the upcoming festive season, JioStar today released the 2025 edition of the JioStar Festive Sentiment Survey, which reveals that 92 per cent of Indian consumers plan to continue or increase their festive spending this year, signalling robust consumer confidence and a golden opportunity for brands. The survey, built to decode how India is thinking, spending and discovering this festive season, uncovers key trends for marketers – a growing millennial spend base, men spending more this festive season but women set to drive diversity in purchases, shopping across more categories such as fashion, beauty, wellness, home appliances, and mobiles, gifting resurgence with nearly 1 in 2 consumers shopping for others this season and most importantly 65 per cent of consumers yet to decide which brands they will buy from. With an average festive shopping budget of ₹16,500, the window to influence purchase decisions is wide open.

    JioStar is India’s most powerful entertainment engine, commanding ~50 per cent TV viewership during festive peaks and to capture the hearts of audiences and the attention of advertisers, JioStar also unveiled its most expansive entertainment line-up yet. From kids to families to premium audiences, JioStar’s festive programming ensures there’s something for everyone, with iconic characters, beloved shows, and new launches lighting up every screen. At the heart of this festive season lies #HarGharMeinJashn, JioStar’s flagship celebration of India’s biggest cultural months. Through this campaign, JioStar aims to go beyond just programming and focus on building moments of joy, memory and meaning across screens.

    “This year’s festive outlook is marked by strong consumer optimism and evolving media consumption. Marketers are looking to engage audiences across platforms and languages, and that’s where JioStar’s robust festive offering becomes invaluable. With #HarGharMeinJashn, we are creating a high-impact funnel for brands across discovery, intent, and purchase touchpoints,” said JioStar head of revenue, entertainment, Mahesh Shetty.

    As India prepares to celebrate, JioStar’s diverse content line-up includes a robust mix of reality and fiction that span cultures and languages. The line-up includes pan-India favourites like Bigg Boss across five languages, Star Parivaar Awards, a new weekend prime-time reality format Pati Patni Aur Panga, JioHotstar Specials such as Trial 2, Salakaar and Rambo in Love and marquee movies such as Chhaava, Kesari 2, Empuraan and Thudaram. Fiction powerhouses continue to drive daily engagement, with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Hindi), Siragadikka Aasai (Tamil), and Chempaneer Poovu (Malayalam) resonating deeply with audiences. International titles such as Thunderbolts, A Minecraft Movie, Final Destination Bloodlines, King & Conqueror, Only Murders in the Building S5 will also resonate with the newer audiences.

    With curated programming across Onam, Durga Puja, Navratri, Ganesh Utsav and Diwali, JioStar ensures that brands are placed at the heart of every celebration. JioHotstar will also bring families together for large-scale digital celebration Janmashtami LIVE, Navratri LIVE, Dussehra LIVE. The hyper-local festive programming is market-specific and curated to align with regional traditions, viewer behaviours, and cultural nuances.

    JioStar, with its unprecedented reach across TV and digital, is uniquely positioned to convert this consumer momentum into measurable brand impact. The survey, developed to decode how India is thinking, spending, and discovering this season, points to strong media influence and significant opportunity for last-mile persuasion.

    JioStar’s media solutions this festive season are sharper, smarter, and more immersive than ever. Alongside high-impact formats like pre-roll takeovers, pause ads and interactive formats, this year introduces innovations such as MegaBlasts for maximum reach, JioStarverse for AI-powered influencer marketing and Moment.ai for contextual storytelling. Advertisers can also tap into smarter ad formats, including countdown, location-based and AQI-based dynamic formats, unlocking real-time relevance and driving deeper audience engagement.

    As Indian homes light up, so do their screens, and JioStar is where brands can show up meaningfully and memorably. JioStar is giving advertisers every tool to make their presence count, at scale, in context, and in culture.

    Other Key Findings from the JioStar Sentiment Survey 2025 include:

    ·  Increased spending capacity: 85 per cent say their financial situation has improved or stayed the same over the last year

    ·  Millennial vs. Gen Z: Millennials expected to spend more than Gen Z, with higher budgets and category intent

    ·  Women shoppers drive variety: Women will shop across more than 2 categories, including apparel, beauty, gadgets, and home décor

    ·  Top product categories: Apparel and fashion (33 per cent), mobiles (27 per cent), electronics (18 per cent), followed by holidays, jewellery, and beauty

    ·  Online discovery leads: 76 per cent of consumers cite online ads as the top information source, followed by OTT/UGC content and social media

    ·   High brand influence opportunity: 65 per cent of shoppers have not yet decided on the brand they’ll buy from—opening the door for last-mile persuasion

    ·  Balanced retail channels: 52 per cent plan to shop online; 42 per cent offline, indicating the need for omnichannel strategies

    ·  Digital payments dominate: 61 per cent of shoppers prefer cashless options, led by UPI and mobile wallets

    Link to the Festive Sentiment Report