ITV

Tag: lifestyle channel

  • Living Foodz raises a Toast to India’s finest restaurants, night

    Living Foodz raises a Toast to India’s finest restaurants, night

    MUMBAI: India’s premium lifestyle channel, Living Foodz organized the second edition of Epicurean Guild Awards at an evening which saluted the game changers in India’s fine-dining, nightlife and lifestyle entertainment space. Held on March 22 at Sahara Star, Mumbai, the event was curated by Chef Manu Chandra. Living Foodz Epicurean Guild Awards paid ode to the country’s best fine-dining restaurants and lounges across 8 cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Goa.

    Attended by India’s finest food mavens, influencers and eminent personalities such as Kunal Kapur, Maria Goretti, Amrita Raichand, Thomas Zacharias, Brinda Miller, Zeba Kohli, Kunal Vijayakar, Devita Saraf, Kelvin Cheung, Adarsh Munjal, Michael Swamy and Prahlad Kakar. The evening was a celebration of India’s evolving fine-dining and nightlife culture. Comedians Kunal Rao and Azeem Banatwalla had the audience in splits throughout the night.

    The winners of this year’s Epicurean Guild Awards were:

    JURY CHOICE AWARDS:

    BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT: Yauatcha, Mumbai

    BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT: MEGU -The Leela Palace, Delhi

    BEST MULTI ASIAN RESTAURANT: Gung the Palace, Delhi

    BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT: Artusi Ristorante E-Bar, Delhi

    BEST EUROPEAN RESTAURANT: Masque, Mumbai

    BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT: Dum Pukht – ITC Maurya, Delhi

    BEST NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT: Royal Vega – ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

    BEST FREESTYLE RESTAURANT: The Bombay Canteen, Mumbai

    BEST NEW RESTAURANT: POH, Mumbai

    BEST NIGHTLIFE EXPERIENCE: KOKO Asian Gastropub, Mumbai

    BEST INDIAN WINERY: KRSMA Estates

    ICONIC RESTAURANT: Bukhara – ITC Maurya, Delhi

    LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Madhur Jaffrey

    NON-JURY AWARDS:

    BEST FOOD ENTERTAINER: Kunal Kapur

    BEST FOOD INSTAGRAMMER: Shivesh Bhatia

    As the curator of the Epicurean Guild Awards Chef Manu Chandra said “The Epicurean Guild Awards are an attempt to redefine the narrative of fine-dining in India, which has undergone a significant transformation over the last few years. The awards champion India’s emerging stars who have put the country on the global culinary map. I have always rooted for the emergence of talent in this space and I am delighted to be a part of this unique property.”

    While speaking about the evening Amit Nair said “At Living Foodz, we have always stood for creating new formats and intellectual properties.

    The Epicurean Guild Awards in its second year have been a resounding success due to the meticulous approach and range of the jury involved. The award categories and winners reflect the diversity of India’s culinary landscape and I congratulate each one of them for setting the bar high. We are thrilled at the response from the consumer votes for the Best Food entertainer and Best Instagrammer of the year. The whopping 10k plus votes was a testament to the burgeoning interest in food related content both on TV and Digital, where we have maintained a sustained leadership.”

    The awards were curated by Chef Manu Chandra along with an esteemed jury panel that consisted of an electric mix of the best chefs, influencers, and personalities from the food industry.  It comprised of Chef Ranveer Brar, AD Singh, Karen Anand, Magandeep Singh, Bhaichand Patel, Ajay Chopra, Chef Rakhee Vaswani, Clinton Cerejo, Anoothi Vishal, Rushina Munshaw-Ghildiyal, Kalyan Karmakar, Mohit Anand, Nicole Madon, Nikhil Agarwal, Antoine Lewis, Anirban Blah, Osama Jalali, Ruma Singh, Gauri Devidayal, Ruth Dsouza Prabhu, Purva Mehra and Hemamalini Maiya.  EY are the Process Advisors for the second edition of Living Foodz Epicurean Guild Awards 2018. The nomination process started by reviewing restaurants across the 8 cities, a dine out session followed by 2 jury deliberation rounds.

    India Gate Brown Rice was the ‘Co-Powered By’ Sponsor and Volkswagen was the ‘Driven By’ Sponsor for the Epicurean Guild Awards 2018. Some of the strategic partnerships for the property included Radio One: Radio partner, Facebook- Social Media partner, Jean Claude Biguine – styling partner, The Hindu- Print Partner, FBAI- Blogging Partner, TGI.Co – Tea partner and Sahara Star- Hospitality partner.

  • Zoom-ing in on the music aficionados

    Zoom-ing in on the music aficionados

    MUMBAI: Zoom aims at providing special type of content in the Bollywood space which is not happening on any other channel. Apart from branded content, music is the mainstay of this category. Distinguishing its position from the rest through differentiated Bollywood content available on the channel apart from being high on music is Zoom, the Bollywood and lifestyle channel from the Times Network.

    With a huge presence of its content on digital, the channel is clear on music being their forte. The channel is in a win-win situation as it witnesses a huge demand from the audience for Bollywood as well as music content.

    Apart from riding high on its content, the channel is also planning to launch an app for its audience. The channel has also brought the third season of Thank God It’s Fryday (TGIF) in partnership with Philips.

    “Though we have branded content, music is still the bread and butter of this category. Given the fact that 90 per cent of our content is completely music, we will not compromise on it,” says Times Network president (revenue) Ashit Kukian.

    The channel also plans to launch a couple of shows within 10 days. While, some of the shows will be new, others will be existing shows that worked well and were loved by the audience. The shows will be in line with the Bollywood and lifestyle theme.

    Since the time of its inception, the channel has seen a positive growth both, in terms of advertising revenue and viewership. “Every brand under the Times Network is trying to evolve with the changing needs of the consumer. The viewer’s needs change from what it was a few years ago. We are evolving both as a network and a channel,” says
    Kukian.

    Targeted at a well-defined audience from whoever is interested in music, 15-35 remains to be the channel’s core audience. With a strong Hindi and English song library, the channel sees more traction coming from the west and north of India.

    “As any other product, you will have age cohorts reflecting from either side of the defined category as well. If a channel plays more retro, than you can have a larger,higher age-bracket viewers. As we have more Hindi and English type of content, you will have people from the west or north dominating and consuming more,” explains the revenue
    head.

    With several branded shows, it sees a mix of advertising categories which cuts across age-groups, demographic and psychographic lifestyles. It has a lavish portfolio of advertisers from across categories like FMCG, e-commerce, auto, etc. “FMCG by and large uses a lot of music as a category”, comments Kukian.

    It intends to penetrate deeper as they believe that there is much more to do, especially when the entire music space is getting cluttered.

    “We are looking at larger share of value. In that sense, our current pricing is well in tune with what we deliver to the audience. As we peak up and our numbers increase, currency correction will happen from time to time. We do not have the understanding that now if it is six months old, we have to increase the rate. We believe that if we are delivering higher value to our advertisers, we will increase the rate which is acceptable to the advertisers,” adds Kukian.

    Kukian believes that with a portfolio of 10 to 12 channels the volumes in the music space are fragmented. “if you go by the clear division, anything which is about 8-10 per cent of the share is good and we are well above that”.

    With Sony Pictures Networks’ Sony Mix, 9XM, 9X Jalwa, ETC, Star India’s Channel V which recently got converted into a music-only channel, Viacom18’s VH1, MTV and the newest addition of Hindi music channel MTV Beats, the music genre is only getting more aggressive. But, the presence of these channels does not hamper the growth of Zoom. The channel does not see its relevance decreasing. “Whether they can be called as competitors, the answer is a yes and no. Yes, because we are operating in the same category, and no because I don’t think anyone else is giving that type of content. The entire music category is under stress from an overall perspective. But, within the category, each of us are being able to do the best we can,” he adds further.

    Even the availability of various online streaming services are not a threat for the clearly mapped action plan of Zoom. With the booming number of web series available on the internet today, Kulian believes that the content that is available through the existing terrestrial TV has a huge demand due to some reason, and will continue to be there.

    “Online streaming services will co-exist because the terrestrial TV follows a model and has its own reason due to which it has prevailed so far. Whether there will be a change of behaviour happening between people completely moving to streaming, I don’t think so. Music channels are distinctively going to be there in the next four to five years,” says Kukian.

    “Digital penetration is limited in India and the fact that we have come into using 3G or 4G, streaming is still a challenge from a consumer’s viewing experience,” he added.

    With the cost of content rising from what it was three years ago, the channel is keen on holding special events like music concerts, gigs, etc.

    “If there is a viewer-led on-ground event, we will be happy to do that. Right now, we do one or two small things but I would want to be a part of bigger events and we are working on that,” adds Kukian.

    Having sold as an independent channel due to its offering, the channel does not see distribution as a hurdle as it is available across all major MSOs and DTH platforms.

    Kukian says, “Zoom is sold as an independent channel. If there are advertisers who want to bundle it with them, we do cooperate.”

    With the advancement in technology and the improvement of infrastructure in our country, many broadcasting networks have either launched HD feed of their existing SD channels or have launched a HD channel directly. But, Zoom definitely does not see itself in that zone. “At this point in time, I don’t think an HD feed is necessary because for us the product itself is the differentiator and consumer experience is the next level,” says Kukian.

    Coming from a rich heritage as a brand and banking on differentiated content as its USP, the channel envisions to be amongst the top 2-3 brands just like the other channels under the Times umbrella which operate in various categories.

  • Zoom-ing in on the music aficionados

    Zoom-ing in on the music aficionados

    MUMBAI: Zoom aims at providing special type of content in the Bollywood space which is not happening on any other channel. Apart from branded content, music is the mainstay of this category. Distinguishing its position from the rest through differentiated Bollywood content available on the channel apart from being high on music is Zoom, the Bollywood and lifestyle channel from the Times Network.

    With a huge presence of its content on digital, the channel is clear on music being their forte. The channel is in a win-win situation as it witnesses a huge demand from the audience for Bollywood as well as music content.

    Apart from riding high on its content, the channel is also planning to launch an app for its audience. The channel has also brought the third season of Thank God It’s Fryday (TGIF) in partnership with Philips.

    “Though we have branded content, music is still the bread and butter of this category. Given the fact that 90 per cent of our content is completely music, we will not compromise on it,” says Times Network president (revenue) Ashit Kukian.

    The channel also plans to launch a couple of shows within 10 days. While, some of the shows will be new, others will be existing shows that worked well and were loved by the audience. The shows will be in line with the Bollywood and lifestyle theme.

    Since the time of its inception, the channel has seen a positive growth both, in terms of advertising revenue and viewership. “Every brand under the Times Network is trying to evolve with the changing needs of the consumer. The viewer’s needs change from what it was a few years ago. We are evolving both as a network and a channel,” says
    Kukian.

    Targeted at a well-defined audience from whoever is interested in music, 15-35 remains to be the channel’s core audience. With a strong Hindi and English song library, the channel sees more traction coming from the west and north of India.

    “As any other product, you will have age cohorts reflecting from either side of the defined category as well. If a channel plays more retro, than you can have a larger,higher age-bracket viewers. As we have more Hindi and English type of content, you will have people from the west or north dominating and consuming more,” explains the revenue
    head.

    With several branded shows, it sees a mix of advertising categories which cuts across age-groups, demographic and psychographic lifestyles. It has a lavish portfolio of advertisers from across categories like FMCG, e-commerce, auto, etc. “FMCG by and large uses a lot of music as a category”, comments Kukian.

    It intends to penetrate deeper as they believe that there is much more to do, especially when the entire music space is getting cluttered.

    “We are looking at larger share of value. In that sense, our current pricing is well in tune with what we deliver to the audience. As we peak up and our numbers increase, currency correction will happen from time to time. We do not have the understanding that now if it is six months old, we have to increase the rate. We believe that if we are delivering higher value to our advertisers, we will increase the rate which is acceptable to the advertisers,” adds Kukian.

    Kukian believes that with a portfolio of 10 to 12 channels the volumes in the music space are fragmented. “if you go by the clear division, anything which is about 8-10 per cent of the share is good and we are well above that”.

    With Sony Pictures Networks’ Sony Mix, 9XM, 9X Jalwa, ETC, Star India’s Channel V which recently got converted into a music-only channel, Viacom18’s VH1, MTV and the newest addition of Hindi music channel MTV Beats, the music genre is only getting more aggressive. But, the presence of these channels does not hamper the growth of Zoom. The channel does not see its relevance decreasing. “Whether they can be called as competitors, the answer is a yes and no. Yes, because we are operating in the same category, and no because I don’t think anyone else is giving that type of content. The entire music category is under stress from an overall perspective. But, within the category, each of us are being able to do the best we can,” he adds further.

    Even the availability of various online streaming services are not a threat for the clearly mapped action plan of Zoom. With the booming number of web series available on the internet today, Kulian believes that the content that is available through the existing terrestrial TV has a huge demand due to some reason, and will continue to be there.

    “Online streaming services will co-exist because the terrestrial TV follows a model and has its own reason due to which it has prevailed so far. Whether there will be a change of behaviour happening between people completely moving to streaming, I don’t think so. Music channels are distinctively going to be there in the next four to five years,” says Kukian.

    “Digital penetration is limited in India and the fact that we have come into using 3G or 4G, streaming is still a challenge from a consumer’s viewing experience,” he added.

    With the cost of content rising from what it was three years ago, the channel is keen on holding special events like music concerts, gigs, etc.

    “If there is a viewer-led on-ground event, we will be happy to do that. Right now, we do one or two small things but I would want to be a part of bigger events and we are working on that,” adds Kukian.

    Having sold as an independent channel due to its offering, the channel does not see distribution as a hurdle as it is available across all major MSOs and DTH platforms.

    Kukian says, “Zoom is sold as an independent channel. If there are advertisers who want to bundle it with them, we do cooperate.”

    With the advancement in technology and the improvement of infrastructure in our country, many broadcasting networks have either launched HD feed of their existing SD channels or have launched a HD channel directly. But, Zoom definitely does not see itself in that zone. “At this point in time, I don’t think an HD feed is necessary because for us the product itself is the differentiator and consumer experience is the next level,” says Kukian.

    Coming from a rich heritage as a brand and banking on differentiated content as its USP, the channel envisions to be amongst the top 2-3 brands just like the other channels under the Times umbrella which operate in various categories.

  • Experience the extravagant life in TLC’s new show ‘Epic’

    Experience the extravagant life in TLC’s new show ‘Epic’

    MUMBAI: India’s favourite lifestyle channel brings an all new season of EPIC that will feature the most expensive, excessive and outrageous extravagances people indulge in. The series will follow passionate individual that create the best and biggest way of life from massive log homes to fascinating American castles to high-tech over-the-top bathrooms, rotating houses or even backyards with private racetracks or sport courts suspended over cliffs,  and more. No price tag is too high and no obstacle too great to keep them getting exactly what they want.  If they can dream it, they will make it happen on a truly EPICscale!

     

    EPIC will showcase the daydreamers who have taken their passion to another level with impressive prized possessions that involves expert craftsmanship, technology, and innovation. Premiering on May 16, EPIC will air every Friday at 9 PM only on TLC.

     

    With eye-popping price tags over the million dollar mark, the recreational vehicles (RVs) featured this season have been transformed into mobile man-caves and mansions and tricked out with high tech gadgets that make every mile an adventure.Joining RVs for a second round in the series are more episodes featuring the cr?me de la cr?me of log homes.

     

    Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager- South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan- Regional Ad Sales & Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, “TLC continues to present the finest lifestyle experiencesto Indian audience. We are excited to bring some of the world’s most lavish possessions created by passionate group of individuals in our new series EPIC.”

     

    Step aside, living rooms and kitchens, the home has a new star! Bathrooms are the new hot spots of modern homes and in EPIC, we take a look at bathrooms with six-figure fixtures to ceilings with stars, to hot tubs that steal the show and space age technology that demand top notch engineering. Other brand new episodes include backyards that feature pro race tracks to full sport courts, zip lines and underwater caves, beach homes with two story windows, outdoor showers and indoor rivers, and the smartest homes ever – they follow voice commands, feed the cat, shut out sunlight and even automatically trap intruders!

     

    Viewers will also be amazed by EPIC’s ‘Home Builds’ episode that showcases a “flying saucer” house that spins, an underground dome and a 10-story tree house all of which are engineered and built by creative geniuses who never let reality dampen their wild imaginations.

     

    If those homes don’t impress you, maybe a private island and personal paradise will! From a very private Florida Key with a pier that cost half a million bucks to Frank Llyod Wright house with a rooftop helipad, to a 3,000 acre nature preserve in Wisconsin – that’s the size of almost 2,270 American football fields – these islanders are enjoying every aspect of their home living.

     

    Meet the passionate, determined and downright obsessed Americans who will stop at nothing to build the best, most elaborate places ever in some of the following episodes of EPIC:

     

    Episode 1 – RVs 2

    More Americans are taking to the open road in RVs than ever before, and the rigs are bigger and ‘badder’ than ever.  From a professional golfer who practices on a putting green inside his trailer, to a Hollywood star who ordered a double-wide soaking tub on his double-decker bus, life in these RVs is ingenious luxury on wheels.  

    Episode 2 – Bathrooms

    Bathrooms are the new “it” room of the house and people are going overboard to make these thrones fit for royalty.    From toilet  lids that open when you walk in the room, to showers that set their own water temperature and pressure to hand-pounded copper tubs worth thousands, bathrooms have gotten smart and sophisticated.  

    Episode 3 – Tech Homes

    The future is now in these EPIC high tech homes. Some are like being on a starship that answers voice commands and talks back to you; others make you feel part of a spy movie where the house protects you from intruders with dangerous gadgets straight out of James Bond.  

    Episode 4 – Backyards

    Backyards used to just have swing sets and wading pools… but not anymore. They’ve been transformed into five star resorts just outside the door. It’s all about fun and games, from a full size race car speedway to a complete replica of Fenway Park.  

     

    Episode 5 – Beach Homes

    Imagine living so close to the ocean you can hear dolphins and whales just outside your front door, or being able to walk along a sandy beach your backyard.  

     

    Episode 6 – Private Islands

    The owners of these private islands know what they want. Whether it’s the southernmost tip of the U.S. or the northern border just shy of Canada, an island in the Georgia marshes or the remote mountains of Montana, these owners are going the distance to get their very own piece of paradise.

     

    Episode 7 – American Castles

    You don’t need to travel to Europe to find truly amazing castles – there are plenty in Americathat run the gamut from Medieval to modern, and historic relics to contemporary compounds.

  • Gourmet superstars coming to Fox Traveller

    Gourmet superstars coming to Fox Traveller

    MUMBAI: Travel and Lifestyle channel is launching a latest international show- The Taste.

    Fox Traveller is teaming, for the first-time ever, with internationally acclaimed culinary geniuses – Anthony Bourdain, Nigella Lawson, Brian Malarkey and Ludo Lefebvre who will get down to what truly matters, the way the food tastes!

    The show will feature the chefs who will in return select 16 contestants – both amateur and professional cooks – by tasting just one spoonful of their food while they are blindfold. The judges then mentor their team of four contestants, but the blind tasting continues, meaning a judge may unwittingly vote off their own team member.

    Elaborating on FOX Traveller’s decision to bring ‘The Taste’ to India, Fox International Channels vice president marketing Debarpita Banerjee said, “We continue to introduce different twists and perspectives to travel, food and lifestyle. With this show, we are confident of breathing a fresh lease of life into the way cooking reality shows are seen, in our country.”

    The Taste will air every Friday at 9:00 pm starting 18 October 2013 only on Fox Traveller.

  • NDTV Good Times enters UK with Virgin Media

    NDTV Good Times enters UK with Virgin Media

    NEW DELHI: Expanding its reach in the international market, NDTV Lifestyle has launched NDTV Good Times on Virgin Media, UK‘s largest cable platform.

    Commenting on the launch, Rahul Sood, Head – Network Distribution & Affiliate Sales, NDTV said: "We are pleased to announce the entry of NDTV Good Times in the UK market. The channel with its focus on everything Indian ranging from food, travel, fashion, technology, people, technology, etc, will offer a fresh viewing experience to the Indian Diaspora who so far have only experienced soaps, drama, music, movies and news from the current line-up of Indian channels."
     
    "We hope the viewers will like our representation of the New India through its world-class, aspirational lifestyle programming that advocates living large and celebrating Life, the Indian style," he added.

    Virgin Media Director of Content Acquisition Emma Jones said, "We‘re always looking to bring the most exciting TV to our customers so they can watch and discover shows they‘ll love. As India‘s leading lifestyle channel, NDTV Good Times will be a fantastic addition to our lineup and has a welcoming home on Virgin Media."

  • Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    Zoom adds ‘Bollywood Laffs’ to humour quotient

    MUMBAI: Lifestyle channel Zoom kicks off a new comedy show Haff Hour Laff Hour on 26 January 2007 at 8:30 pm.

    Stand-up comedian Sajid Khan will host the show along with impersonator Suresh Menon. This show is a complete stand-up comical rhapsody with the funny twosome taking viewers on a laughter trip disguised as Bollywood, cricket, music personalities and celebrities from the entertainment world.

    Right from spoofing celebrity interviews, to reviewing Bollywood movies in their witty style, the hosts will give viewers their expert fake-take on the latest news trends, fashion, politicians and celebrities who are in the news for all kinds of reasons.

    Sajid says, “This association with Zoom is turning out to be a fabulous experience. We hope to offer a fresh twist to comedy via the show”.
     

  • BBC World invites entries for a show on Indian weddings

    BBC World invites entries for a show on Indian weddings

    MUMBAI: Looks like the big fat Indian wedding with its diverse facets is becoming a strong subject for channels. Last year Discovery’s lifestyle channel Travel and Living had kicked off its localisation plans with The Great Indian Wedding.Now news channel BBC World is inviting applications from soon-to-be-married Indian couples for its forthcoming programme on Indian weddings. The programme scheduled to air in the summer will focus on the business that Indian weddings generate, in addition to the traditions and mystique.

    BBC World will telecast the wedding of one Indian couple, across the world. Produced by Pulse Media, this programme will give a couple who are scheduled to get married in March, an opportunity to have their wedding featured on the channel. The short-listed entries will be chosen on the basis of their profiles and auditions will take place in Delhi.

    BBC World commissioning editor Narendhra Morar says, “With this innovative series we plan to exhibit an Indian wedding from a business perspective which we believe will be a revelation to audiences across the globe. From the bridal trousseau to the banqueting options and the wedding planners, Indian weddings provide a commercial opportunity across many industries. By showcasing a real wedding, we believe BBC World will be able to effectively capture the fascinating customs while at the same time accessing the financial intricacies of modern-day marriage in India”.

    The entries for BBC World’s wedding series auditions are open until 14 January 2007 for Indian couples getting married in March 2007. Filming will take place that month. Profiles and pictures of candidates can be emailed to bbcworld@pulsemedia.co.in or BBC World Audition, c/o Pulse media Pvt. LtdT 95A, CL House, 3rd Floor, Gulmohar Enclave, New Delhi 110049. BBC World will contact short-listed applicants on an individual basis.