ITV

Tag: National Geographic

  • Disney+ Hotstar to enter Thailand market on 30 June

    KOLKATA: Disney+Hostar has been a significant contributor to Walt Disney Co. (Disney)’s biggest OTT bet Disney+. Following its success in India and Indonesia, Disney+Hotstar is now rapidly expanding its footprints in the South East Asian market. Coming 30 June, the service will be operational in Thailand.

    As revealed on the official website of Disney+Hotstar Thailand, the service will be available at 799 baht a year or 99 baht per month. It will have close ties with local telecom provider AIS. For AIS customers, the service will be priced at 35 baht per month if pre-subscribed between 8-27 June with an additional one-month free service.

    Along with Thai shows, content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic will be available for its users. Disney has entered partnerships with studios like GDH 559, Sahamongkolfilm, Kantana Group, and One 31 for a robust content library. Exclusive shows like God Bless The Trainees Too!, Extraordinary Siamese Story: Eng and Chang, movies such as Pee Mak, Friend Zone, Brother Of The Year, Laddaland, and Tom Yum Goong will be on the service.

    Disney+Hotstar entered Malaysia just a week back on 1 June. The platform struck a deal with Astro Malaysia Bhd for distribution. For its Singapore launch last year, it tied up with Starhub.

    Hotstar, which grew as an Indian OTT platform under Star India, came under the Disney umbrella after the 21st Century Fox acquisition. After Disney Plus’ launch, the parent company decided to rebrand it as Disney+Hotstar in India to leverage the existing base of consumers. Notably, Hotstar was already regarded as the biggest OTT platform after YouTube in the Indian market. As Disney+Hotstar was launched in India last April, it was soon expanded in Indonesia.

    Disney+ paid subscribers already exceeded 100 million at the end of March, Disney+Hotstar was the strongest contributor to net subscriber addition and made approximately a third of the total Disney+ subscriber base.

    Recently, the company announced that it will close 100 linear channels this year to push its direct-to-consumer strategy. A large part of the linear TV content will move to Disney+. 

  • National Geographic announces new show with Bear Grylls

    National Geographic announces new show with Bear Grylls

    New Delhi: National Geographic India has announced the launch of a special show named Sunday Thrills with Bear Grylls, which will feature the adventures of Bear Grylls, popularly known as the world’s fiercest survivalist.

    The show will be telecasted over four weeks, starting from 23 May 2021 at 07.00 PM. It plans to take viewers on an awe-inspiring journey offering unlimited adventure, accompanied by stunning visuals and breath-taking cinematography, said the channel on Friday. The India special programming will also include shows such as Running Wild with Bear Grylls, Get Out Alive with Bear Grylls, Mission Survive With Bear Grylls, and Britain’s Greatest Adventurers With Bear Grylls. 

    “Bear Grylls has become the embodiment of adventure and outdoor survival and we are excited to work with him and collaborate on a Sunday special that has been curated especially for our Indian viewers. We hope that this programming allows them to explore the world of the wild and adventure and keep the spirits high alongside their favourite icon,” said Star & Disney India, Infotainment, Kids & Regional Entertainment Channels, president and head Kevin Vaz. 

    Bear Grylls said, “Life has truly been challenging for so many people around the world this last year, but if the wild has taught me anything, it is the importance of resilience and a never give up spirit. With this special adventure programming across all these Sundays ahead, the goal is to take viewers with me on many journeys and expeditions and to help them experience how the wild places can transform us and inspire us to be stronger, more determined and to view the storms of life as times of opportunity. Together we can beat this and come through this challenging time.” 

  • Nat Geo India, with Gul Panag, launches 2 shows for Earth Day

    Nat Geo India, with Gul Panag, launches 2 shows for Earth Day

    MUMBAI: National Geographic in India, with a mission to ignite hope and change among the planet-conscious viewers, is bringing in Planet Possible to celebrate Earth Day 2021. With actor and environmental enthusiast Gul Panag on board, Planet Possible seeks to inform, inspire and empower viewers by bringing them stories of ingenuity, grit, hope, and optimism. The celebrations will feature the premiere of Tiger Queen of Taru and On the Brink on 22 April 2021 at 12 pm & 1 pm on National Geographic India and Nat Geo Wild. The shows will also stream on Disney+ Hotstar.

    Encouraging viewers to bring about a change – either through the biggest or smallest of actions, Planet Possible aims to inspire people of all ages to step outside their realities, ask questions, look closer, and forge a deeper understanding of the world and their place in it. As a part of the initiative, the films – Tiger Queen of Taru and On the Brink will explore the life of wild animals living in the 21st century in India and share intriguing insights along with offering a fresh new perspective and nuances.

    Directed by Indian documentary filmmaker Aishwarya Sridhar for over six years, the film Tiger Queen of Taru traces the remarkable life of Maya, a wild Bengal tiger living in the Tadoba Andhari tiger reserve, Maharashtra’s oldest and largest National park. On the Brink series journeys through the sub-continent, immersing audiences in the most incredible landscapes and habitats in the country and bringing them eye to eye with the rarely spotted animals that are living on the edge of extinction. From vanishing Gharial crocodiles in Chambal River to Indian Pangolin in Papikonda National Park, Andhra Pradesh, the two part series will uncover the hidden and harsh reality, secrets and facts about the endangered species and help discover the key for their survival.

    “At National Geographic, we draw audiences with our creative storytelling; taking them on immersive, empathetic journeys. With an unwavering commitment to the world we live in, Planet Possible hopes to provide a perspective-shifting inspiration through our narratives – Tiger Queen of Taru & On the Brink and illustrate the most effective ways to help our world. We are really happy to have Gul Panag join us in our mission to bring stories of hope and change for all the planet lovers across in the country,” said Star & Disney India infotainment, kids & regional entertainment channels president & head Kevin Vaz.

    “I have grown up with National Geographic and I’m truly honoured that I got the chance to be part of their Earth Day special celebrations. The thought and cause behind Planet Possible is extremely close to my heart since I firmly believe that we should all be contributing towards our planet. I am urging people to take inspiration from the films and do their bit in making the world a better place to live in,” said Gul Panag

  • Nat Geo signs Colgate, Citroen & HDFC as sponsors for ‘Women of Honour: Destination Army’

    Nat Geo signs Colgate, Citroen & HDFC as sponsors for ‘Women of Honour: Destination Army’

    MUMBAI: National Geographic India has roped in three key sponsors — Colgate, Citroen, and HDFC for its upcoming Women’s Day special documentary titled Women of Honour: Destination Army that features women in the Indian Armed Forces. Colgate and Citroen have come on board as a special and powered by sponsor respectively whereas HDFC has joined as an associate sponsor.

    Premiering on International Women’s Day – on 8 March 2021 at 9 pm, the film chronicles the riveting tale of two lady cadets at the esteemed institute of Officers Training Academy, Chennai. With an aim to break society-stereotypes, the 22 minute documentary film captures how empowered women transform and transcend themselves through a rigorous process of mental, physical and weapon training, drills, tactics, intellectual development and leadership training to become Army Officers. 

    “Our partners have always valued the promise and ethos that we at National Geographic bring through our stories. Our Women of Honour series celebrates the power and strength of women who have persevered and achieved their dreams through sheer determination and this documentary, in particular, brings out the fascinating tale of women in our Armed Forces who have conquered barriers and stereotypes in their quest to serve the nation. We are happy to have likeminded brands like Citroen, HDFC, and Colgate partnering with us in our journey to inspire millions with stories of utmost bravery,” said Star & Disney India infotainment kids & regional entertainment channels president & head Kevin Vaz.

  • National Geographic India returns with new edition of Extreme Tech

    National Geographic India returns with new edition of Extreme Tech

    MUMBAI: The latest edition of National Geographic India’s Extreme Tech is all set to bring forth an extreme engineering feat that aims to change the narrative of the freight transport system in India. Premiering Extreme Tech: The Freight Corridor on 19 December 2020 at 7 pm, the channel will offer a glimpse into the new age Indian Railways transportation system and delve into the efforts of introducing a pioneering solution – dedicated freight corridors – that can become a model of infrastructural development.

    The documentary brings to light the journey of Indian Railways, which is one of the world’s largest rail networks by size, and touches upon the numerous challenges currently faced by our freight transport. It highlights the need for path-breaking innovation and demonstrates the profound impact envisioned for the dedicated freight corridors that can make India’s freight movement fast, cost effective and reliable. Taking the viewer across various sites where construction is underway, the documentary concentrates on understanding the process and the long-term positive impact it will have on Indian businesses, trade, economy and India’s GDP in the coming years. From running a dedicated freight corridor, managing freight traffic efficiently to slashing the carbon footprint by more than 4.5X the documentary showcases the way ahead for India’s future-ready transport system.          

    “At National Geographic India, we endeavour to bring inspirational stories of our nation’s growth and development, through insightful and ground-breaking storytelling. With this edition of Extreme Tech, which focuses on highlighting the magnificence of modern engineering, we took the opportunity to enlighten our viewers on an engineering marvel that can change the very landscape of the Indian freight transport system,” said a National Geographic India spokesperson

    “DFC is a project that will make India stand out in the world market; cementing our place as a manufacturing hub. We are creating a truly futuristic design with a sustainable and green model that has the potential to expand its capacity to keep up with India’s ever-growing freight demands. DFC will pave the way for a robust, world class ecosystem in infrastructure” said DFCCIL MD Ravindra Kumar Jain. 

  • Pawan Soni quits National Geographic

    Pawan Soni quits National Geographic

    NEW DELHI: Pawan Soni, VP, head of programming & marketing has moved on from National Geographic. 

    At Nat Geo, Soni was responsible for overall P&L and building the network's content and marketing strategy along with overall business affairs. He spearheaded many campaigns involving various ministries dealing with central and state-level ministers while managing political sensitivities. He identified opportunities, led and built teams, improved business process flows and supervised daily operations.

    Prior to that, Soni was AVP at Fox International Channel, followed by a two year run as commercial head at Fox Networks Group Asia. He spent over 9 years at the group.

    Prior to joining Fox Channels, he worked with J Walter Thompson and Promodome Communications in his 15 year-long career.

  • Star and Disney India commit to reduce usage of single-use plastics across their offices

    Star and Disney India commit to reduce usage of single-use plastics across their offices

    MUMBAI: Star and Disney India has announced their commitment to cut-down on the use of single-use plastics across their offices. As a part of this decision, the company has introduced alternatives to single-use plastics in their office premises.

    The company has always been extremely conscious of its carbon footprint and the impact it has on the environment. They have already replaced plastic teacups with paper cups, plastic stirrers with wooden stirrers, tea and coffee sachets with paper sachets, and added biodegradable plastic wrappers for umbrellas. Additionally, plastic bottles have been replaced with glass jars with immediate effect.

    “At Star and Disney India, we have always believed in being a responsible corporate citizen and with this small step we want to inspire a more sustainable lifestyle. Today, plastic waste is at epidemic proportions in the world's oceans with over 9 million tons of plastic waste being dumped every year with 40% of this being used only once and disposed,” said The Walt Disney Company APAC President and Star & Disney India Chairman Uday Shankar. “It’s about time for us as corporates to make the change for a better tomorrow,” he added.

    On October 2, 2019, National Geographic channel, part of the Star Network launched the Planet or Plastic? Pledge, an initiative aimed at addressing the pressing problem of single-use plastics by raising awareness and encouraging people around the country to take a pledge.

    The initiative received an overwhelming response with 47,000 tweets and 881 million impressions on social media. The pledges generated a commitment to reduce 25 million items of plastic in the first 24 hours. In 2012, Star pioneered the digital broadcast ecosystem by moving its content from tape to cloud, dramatically reducing its carbon footprint.

  • National Geographic,. Star Plus,. Star Bharat & Hotstar join forces to showcase India’s mission to the Moon to Indians across the globe

    National Geographic,. Star Plus,. Star Bharat & Hotstar join forces to showcase India’s mission to the Moon to Indians across the globe

    MUMBAI: India  will be carving a place for itself  among the  world's space faring nations with ISRO's Chandrayaan 2 landing as it attempts to become the  fourth country to land  on the  moon after the  former Soviet  Union,  US and China. If successful, Chandrayaan 2 will be the  southernmost lunar landing ever on the moon's surface. This will be a moment of national pride for India  and to celebrate it, National Geographic, Star Plus, Star  Bharat  and  Hotstar have  come together to telecast the  Chandrayaan 2 landing to viewers across 100+ countries.

    National Geographic has a rich legacy in pushing the boundaries of exploration and bringing it alive through credible and immersive storytelling over the last 131 years.Star Plus and Star Bharat  have  built love  among Indians  through new  and innovative stories  that stimulate change. The  coming together of  these stellar  forces  aims at  uniting Indians  across 100+ countries to witness this historic mission.

    "This event will be a historic and immensely proud moment for  India. What  ISRO and the team  of scientists have achieved is nothing short  of spectacular. The Star network believes in inspiring its  viewers with path breaking content and we are delighted to provide our audience with the  chance to witness the  historic moment live"  said Sanjay Gupta, Country Manager- Star & Disney India

    This milestone event will  also include spectacular visuals, trivia and  expert interviews to demystify the mission in an immersive and authentic way. The show will be telecast live on National Geographic, Hotstar,Star Plus and Star Bharat in India on September 6, 2019 from
    11.30 PM1ST (6:00PMGMD, one hour before the scheduled touchdown. It will also air across
    100+ countries and will be available to viewers on Hotstar anytime, anywhere.
     

  • National Geographic to air documentary “Counting Tigers” on 7 August

    National Geographic to air documentary “Counting Tigers” on 7 August

    MUMBAI: National Geographic’s upcoming documentary Counting Tigers which closely follows India’s tiger census and gives viewers rare access to the operations behind this momentous exercise to premiere on 7 August. The documentary will also stream on Hotstar.

    The documentary showcases the efforts of officers and forest guards involved in the process of tracking and counting tigers, including the never before in-depth tiger profiling. It also encapsulates the use of advanced technology and efficacious methods deployed in order to up the ante on accuracy of this tiger census. Interesting to know that nearly 15,000 camera traps were used for capturing tiger images and recording their unique stripe pattern with the help of a dedicated software.

    Riding on the spirit of authentic and trustworthy storytelling, National Geographic, through this documentary, elaborates on the current habitat and situation of tigers in India. It celebrates those officials and biologists who have taken the responsibility to conserve the tiger population and work round the clock to ensure so.

    Commenting on the announcement, a Nat Geo spokesperson said, "As the world battles to save its most charismatic animal, Counting Tigers showcases the intricacies of monitoring and tracking tigers and deep dives into the existing challenges that are a threat to the tiger population. Through this film, for the first time, viewers will get to understand how the Indian jungles are positively impacting the global tiger population. We are delighted to be a part of this year’s census estimation and to be able to share this incredible story with every viewer."

  • National Geographic to take viewers behind-the-scenes of Chandrayaan 2 from ISRO’s Command Centre

    National Geographic to take viewers behind-the-scenes of Chandrayaan 2 from ISRO’s Command Centre

    MUMBAI: Taking further its proven legacy of always being in forefront of space content, National Geographic will set the benchmark high once again as it narrates the incredible story of India’s bold attempt to reach the moon’s south pole.

    Eleven years after the country’s first expedition to the moon, India is all set to explore the unchartered part of space with its second lunar exploration Chandrayaan-2. Developed by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the  Chandrayaan-2 will attempt to soft land the lander -Vikram and rover- Pragyan on the moon’s South Polar Region in Sep 2019. Celebrating India’s most ambitious space mission yet, National Geographic, in an endeavor to give unprecedented access to the viewers, has announced an upcoming live show based on the Chandrayaan 2 which will divulge the touchdown of the lander.

    The live show scheduled in September, will slowly drum up the excitement by giving the viewers deeper insights into the historic moment.

    The show will be an interesting interplay of live coverage and pre-shot stories narrating the iconic nature of the mission and interview of the experts of the field to talk about India’s ambitious second Mission to the Moon.

    Programming will originate from ISRO’s Command Centre , where  National Geographic will share live updates, while the Mission 2 Moon attempts to soft land on the surface of Moon. The live show will capture the excitement of will it, wont it as National Geographic brings unheard and unseen perspectives from the heart of action.

    An effort by ISRO, the mission aims to improve their understanding of the Moon — discoveries that will benefit India and humanity as a whole. These insights and experiences aim at a paradigm shift in how lunar expeditions are approached for years to come — propelling further voyages into the farthest frontiers.

    The mission attempts to foster a new age of discovery, increase understanding of space, stimulate the advancement of technology, promote global alliances, and inspire a future generation of explorers and scientists.