ITV

Tag: Joy Bhattacharjya

  • Nat Geo Junior Hunt searches for India’s superkid

    Nat Geo Junior Hunt searches for India’s superkid

    MUMBAI: This year, infotainment channel National Geographic (NGC), is setting its sights on connecting better with kids through an on ground initiative.

    Nat Geo Junior Hunt is a quest to find India’s superkid who is curious, adventurous, articulate, energetic and smart, in short, an all rounder.

    NGC has partnered with ICICI Pru Smart Kid and Lenovo for this innovative initiative, with more in the pipeline. The channel says that the endeavour aims to extend its children’s block Nat Geo Junior on-ground to provide an intelligent platform for kids to showcase their talent through a fun-filled, learning experience. 

    Elaborating on the initiative NGC senior VP programming Joy Bhattacharjya said, “With Nat Geo Junior Hunt we are looking for the brightest, smartest and the coolest Indian kid who likes his books as much as sports, likes to learn and discover new things, is adventurous, out-going and ready to take on challenges.

    “Nat Geo’s endeavour is to stimulate the intellect of our young audiences to ‘Think again’ and encourage them to learn more about the world they live in, while enjoying the experience.”

    NGC says that its kids block Nat Geo Junior which launched last year is proving to be popular amongst kids and is appreciated by both teachers as well as parents for its fun and educational format. The hunt will span across 10 cities, 380 reputed schools and will target approximately 364800 kids between 10 to 14 years of age.

    NGC VP marketing Rajesh Sheshadri says, “National Geographic Channel is committed towards providing entertainment that makes our viewers think and learn more about the world they live in. In keeping with these values, Nat Geo Junior Hunt is an first of its kind, a school challenge programme that has been developed for a younger set of Nat Geo audiences.

    “With Nat Geo Junior Hunt, the channel is opting for a 360 degree marketing approach which will be promoted on-air and off-air, and through an extensive media campaign.”

    How the Hunt works: The selection process for the contest will begin at the school level, where kids will be shortlisted through an innovative ‘Think again’ test. This test will incorporate questions that will examine kids’ general aptitude and logical reasoning. Post the school selection, ten city finalists will be selected based on a broader spectrum of rounds like games, puzzles, debates and think out of the box ideas.

    These city finalists will be run through a grueling set of tests in the setting of an adventure camp and only four out of these ten city finalists will make it to the national finals. The lucky four will be groomed before they host their own show on Nat Geo Junior. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges.

    The channel will open a fund for the winner for his/her future studies. In addition, the Nat Geo Junior will get a chance to host Nat Geo Junior shows on the channel for three months and will also win a bouquet of prizes from the partners of the hunt.

    This renewed synergy between the channel, viewer and advertiser through Nat Geo Junior Hunt will give the channel the opportunity to engage viewers more strongly and drive longer-term relationships and extended associations with key advertisers.

  • NGC to launch ‘Nat Geo Reveals’ on 14 May

    NGC to launch ‘Nat Geo Reveals’ on 14 May

    MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel (NGC) will take its viewers inside places they have never been before, to see what is unseen through its new series Nat Geo Reveals.

    The series premiering on 14 May at 8 pm would reveal the “inside information about places and subjects ranging from Bollywood to the Fire Service, the FBI to the US Secret Service, religion to nature’s fury to casinos and a lot more”.

    The twelve part series that premieres on 14 May will continue till 20 May with an all day long marathon repeat telecast on 21 May from 12 noon onwards. The highlights of the series will be two episodes set in India – Sunset Bollywood’ and ‘Delhi in Flames.

    Speaking about the series, National Geographic Channel, India SVP Joy Bhattacharjya said, “At National Geographic Channel, it is our constant endeavour to present programming that challenges our viewers and makes them rethink about the world they live in, and Nat Geo Reveals is trying to do the same. The series premieres with two India based films that are of global interest and I am sure that our audience will love it.”

    Delhi in Flames: When it comes to battling blazes, Delhi – a city of fourteen million people packed into fifteen hundred square kilometres, faces nearly insurmountable odds, but the Delhi Fire Service is undeterred. In Delhi In Flames, we ride along with the Delhi Fire Service, as they attempt to keep the city from lighting up like a tinderbox and reveal what real heroes are made of. This episode will kick off the series on 14 May.

    Sunset Bollywood: “To be a Star in India is like being God, literally” – A struggling actor in Bollywood dreams of his big screen break. It arrives, and he skyrockets to stardom. Becoming number one is easy after all – staying there is the hard part. Overnight success is sought by millions, but what happens when the lights go out? In Mumbai’s glamorous celluloid world, failure is not an option. We follow three actors – Rahul Roy, Kumar Gaurav and Bhagyashree on their journey back, some trying to cope with life after fame and one still craving the narcotic high of celebrity. This episode will be aired on 14 May at 9 pm.

    The Ultimate Vegas Casino: In the high-stakes game of real estate on the Las Vegas Strip, powerful developers place their bets on creating ultimate hotel casinos. Find out what it takes to build the ultimate Vegas casino with Nat Geo. This episode will be aired on 15 May at 8 pm.

    The Ultimate Roller Coaster: Join the designers of the world’s fastest and tallest roller coaster ride as they test their creation and follow through the entire construction process from its slow and steady start to its dramatic and heart-racing finish. A ride with Nat Geo, you’ll never forget. This episode will be aired on 15 May at 9 pm.

    Inside The U.S. Secret Service – Protecting the President: The National Geographic Channel gets you unprecedented access into this first and last line of defence for the U.S. president. Go on duty with agents and officers, and uncover the intricate precautions taken to get the job done. This episode will be aired on 16 May at 8 pm.

    Inside The FBI: Get ready to see what’s inside one of the world’s most secret organisations with Nat Geo. This episode will be aired on 16 May at 9 pm.

    The Airbus A380 – World’s Biggest Airliner: Airbus 380, world’s largest passenger plane is under construction and set to take to the skies in 2006. Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, this MEGA-plane, can seat 555 passengers over two main decks. Will the A380 be the future of aviation or will it be the biggest boondoggle in aviation history – Nat Geo Reveals. This episode will be aired on 17 May at 8 pm.

    Inside The Britannic: Unlock the mysteries of Britannic – the ship with the tragic distinction of being the largest vessel ever to sink, as well as sister ship to the Titanic. Hidden in the wreckage lies the explanation as to why the White Star Luxury Liner sank. Did a German U-boat target it or there were other reasons? This episode will be aired on Wednesday, 17 May at 9 pm.

    Inside Hurricane Katrina – Katrina: Unnatural Disaster: The show is a minute-by-minute chronology of the events leading up to, including, and following Hurricane Katrina. For years, it was widely predicted that a catastrophic storm could devastate the Gulf Coast, including the vulnerable city of New Orleans. And yet, when the storm came, the world watched as chaos broke out, hundreds died, and government failed at all levels. What happened? Nat Geo Reveals. This episode will be aired on 18 May at 8 pm as a two hour special.

    Gospel Of Judas: One of the biggest revelations in the history of religion that Nat Geo revealed is part of this series on popular demand. Did Judas betray Jesus or was asked by him to do that? This episode will be aired on 19 May at 8 pm (two hour special).

    Inside Mecca’: National Geographic Channel takes an inside look at the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the rituals that bring together the followers of the world’s fastest growing religion. A Muslim film crew gained privileged access to sites in and around Mecca and brought back amazing footage of the rituals of the hajj, as well as the personal stories of three pilgrims undertaking the spiritual journey of a lifetime. On 20 May at 8 pm.

    Inside NFL Films – The Idol Makers: NFL Films shoots more than 500 miles of film every season culminating in the annual Super Bowl, that unrivalled cultural phenomenon watched by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. During the 1997 Super Bowl, when the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots, a team of intrepid filmmakers shadowed the NFL Films cameramen for the first time history. From the sidelines to the rafters, midfield to the locker room, National Geographic Channel records the nonstop activity of a highly conditioned veteran team and their director, Steve Sabol, as they turn a game of violent action into a drama of epic proportions. On 20 May at 9 pm.

  • NGC to unveil ‘The Gospel of Judas’ on 9 April

    NGC to unveil ‘The Gospel of Judas’ on 9 April

    MUMBAI: What if an ancient gospel were rediscovered that offered a radically different perspective on a man that history has painted as the ultimate villain? What if this account turned Jesus’ betrayal on its head, and in it the villain became a hero?

    On 9 April, National Geographic Channel (NGC) presents the world premiere of The Gospel of Judas at 8 pm .

    This is a two-hour global event that traces the incredible story of what has happened to the Gospel of Judas since it was found, the recent authentication process and analysis, and key insight gleaned from its laborious translation and interpretation. The ancient document, the only known surviving copy of the Gospel of Judas, was introduced to the public today at a press conference at the National Geographic Society in Washington. The timing is apr what with Holy Week nearly upon us.

    The New Testament says that Judas Iscariot is the disciple who betrayed Jesus. For centuries his name has been synonymous with treachery and deceit. This gospel tells a different story. Discovered by chance in the 1970s, sold twice and stolen once, the gospel’s condition had deteriorated severely. The race is now on to preserve its pages before they turn to dust. But, when was this gospel written, and by whom?

    The research and documentary reveal details contained within the document as well as key sections translated from its ancient Coptic script. A dream team of biblical scholars and scientists verifies its authenticity. The authentication process, involving radiocarbon dating, ink analysis, multispectral imaging, contextual evidence and more – is covered in depth. The special also examines the modern history of the document since it was found, including the exhaustive conservation process.

    The Gospel of Judas presents a lost version of the last days of Jesus, using dramatic recreations to portray and clarify the complex story of intrigue and politics of the earliest days of Christianity and to portray the contents of the gospel itself. The gospel reframes Judas as the disciple closest to Jesus, who committed his act of betrayal at Jesus’ behest.

    The Gospel of Judas turns Judas’s act of betrayal into an act of obedience. And so for that reason, Judas emerges as the champion and he ends up being envied and even cursed and resented by the other disciples.

    This surviving Gospel of Judas manuscript was likely written down sometime around A.D. 300, but the first known reference to a Gospel of Judas was around A.D. 180, when the influential early Christian bishop Irenaeus denounced it as heretical. By then there were many accounts of Jesus’ life and times written by various early Christians in the 150 years after his death, in more than 30 gospels. Irenaeus helped clarify the Christian message by arguing that there should be just four approved Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. All others, including the Gospel of Judas, were branded as off-limits by early Church fathers.

    NGC India senior VP programming Joy Bhattacharjya said, “The Gospel of Judas on National Geographic Channel is the television event of the year as it has already created excitement worldwide and brings to light information that will make us rethink our beliefs. The Gospel of Judas along with other films from the Secret Bible Week reveal facts, beliefs, conspiracies, secrecies and a lot more about Christianity, which our viewers will get to witness for the first time.”

    Pages from the document will be exhibited at the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall in Washington. Once the conservation process is complete, the document will be delivered to its country of origin, Egypt, and housed in Cairo’s Coptic Museum.

    The Society is sharing information about the Gospel of Judas in a feature article in the May issue of National Geographic magazine, a web site at nationalgeographic.com/lostgospel, a lecture at the Society on April 10, and two books that will be published on 6 April. National Geographic Books also will publish an illustrated, critical edition of the codex in the coming year.