ITV

Tag: One Direction

  • India gets its own Direction with Outstation, a boy band made for Gen Z

    India gets its own Direction with Outstation, a boy band made for Gen Z

    Mumbai: Move over metro pop and recycled remixes, India’s newest boy band is here, and they’re ready to make some noise straight out of Outstation. In a move set to reboot India’s pop landscape, Visva Records India, helmed by global music powerhouse Savan Kotecha, has launched Outstation, a five-member teen boy band aimed squarely at the hearts (and playlists) of young India.

    The group Bhuvan Shetty (22, Udupi), Hemang Singh (20, Prayagraj), Mashaal Shaikh (21, Goa), Kurien Sebastian (20, Delhi-raised Malayali), and Shayan Pattem (17, Hyderabad) were handpicked from thousands through a nationwide talent hunt. The final five emerged after a high-intensity bootcamp in Goa with 12 shortlisted contenders, making their debut a blend of hustle, harmony, and hope.

    At the helm of this pop experiment is Savan Kotecha, the 17-time Grammy nominee and songwriting brain behind hits for One Direction, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, and most recently, Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh’s chart-topping duet “Sapphire”. Kotecha’s latest venture aims to give India what it’s been missing, a fresh, youthful boy band that mirrors the diversity, charm, and talent of today’s young generation.

    “India has always had the talent, but not the pop group to match,” said Kotecha. “With OutStation, we’re flipping the script these boys represent not just metros, but every corner of India.”

    Backed by Republic Records and Universal Music India, OutStation’s launch is more than a band debut, it’s a strategic swing at creating India’s first mainstream Gen Z pop act, a space that’s long been dominated by Western imports. For Visva Records, which already boasts seven tracks in Spotify’s Global Top 25 (courtesy of its work on the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack), the group is a bet on building pop icons from the ground up.

    With slick production, personality-driven storytelling, and a roadmap rooted in long-term artist development, Outstation isn’t just a boy band, it’s a youth movement on a melody mission.

    As teen hearts and Spotify stats start to sync, one thing’s clear: the next big pop wave in India won’t be coming from a big city, it’ll be rolling in from OutStation.

  • FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    BENGALURU:  Sony Corporation (Sony) reported 1.3 percent drop in sales for the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). Sony’s revenue for the current year was ¥8,105.7 billion, for the previous year it was ¥8,215.9 billion. Sony attributes the decrease to a decline of 20 percent in sales of its Mobile Communications (MC) segment which was offset by a 11.8 percent increase in sales of its Games and Network Services (G&NS) segment, and a 10.4 percent in sales from its Music segment. The increase in sales from Sony’s G&NS segment reflects an increase in sales of its PlayStation 4 (PS4).

    Sony’s reported net income attributable to stockholders at ¥147.8 billion for the current year as compared to a loss of ¥126 billion yen in the previous year.

    Of special significance from the India perspective was the increase in Media Networks sales which was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The Media Networks is a category in Sony’s Pictures segment.

    Mobile Communications

    MC segment reported 20 percent drop in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,127.5 billion from ¥1,410.2 billion in the previous year. The segment reported a lower operating loss of ¥61.4 billion as compared to an operating loss ¥217.6 billion in the previous year. The company says that this was because of a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

    Game & Network Services

    G&NS segment reported an increase of 11.8 percent in sales to ¥1,551.9 billion in the current year as compared to ¥1,388 billion in the previous year. The above mentioned gains from PS4 were offset by a decline in PS3 hardware and software sales. Operating income in FY-16 increased 84.4 percent in the current year to ¥88.7 billion from ¥48.1 billion in the previous year. Sony attributes the increase to increase in PS4 software sales and PS4 hardware cost reductions as well as the absence of write down of ¥11.2 billion in the current year of PS Vita and PS TV components that was recorded in FY-15.

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a 1.7 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥712.2 billion as compared to ¥723.9 billion in the previous year. Sony says that sales of video cameras and digital cameras were lower due to the contraction of the market. This segment reported a 72.1 increase in operating profit in FY-16 at ¥72.1 billion from ¥41.8 billion in the previous year. The increase was due to improvement in product mix of digital cameras and price reductions.

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    HE&S segment reported a 6.4 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,159 billion from ¥1,238.1 billion in FY-15. Sony says that this was due to a decline in unit sales of LCD televisions and a decline in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market. Television sales declined 4.5 percent in FY-16 to ¥797.8 billion as compared to last year.

    The segment’s operating income increased to ¥50.6 billion in the current year from ¥24.1 in FY-15, primarily due to cost reductions and increase in product mix.

    Devices

    Devices segment revenue in FY-16 was flat (increased by 0.9 percent) to ¥735.8 billion from ¥927.1 billion in FY-15. The segment reported an operating loss of ¥28.6 billion in the current year as compared to an operating profit of ¥89 billon in FY-15.

    Pictures

    Pictures segment sales increased 6.8 percent to ¥938.1 billion in FY-16 from ¥878.7 billion in the previous year. Sony’s Pictures segment is primarily comprises of Motion Pictures, Televisions Productions and Media Networks categories. The impact of forex rates and lower sales in Motion Pictures was offset by higher sales in Televisions Productions and Media Networks. The increase in Media Networks was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The increase in Television Productions sales was primarily due to higher subscription video-on-demand (VOD) revenues from Breaking Bad, The Blacklist and Better call Saul.

    Operating income for the segment declined 51.9 percent in the current year to ¥38.5 billion from ¥58.5 billion in FY-15.

    Music

    Sony’s Music segment comprises of Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform categories. The segment reported a 10.4 percent increase in sales to ¥617.6 billion in FY-16 from ¥559.2 billion in FY-15. Sony says that the increase was primarily due to the depreciation of the yen versus the US dollar. There was a significant increase in Visual Media and Platform sales reflecting the continued strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. In Recorded Music digital streaming revenues significantly increased, partially offset by a worldwide decline in physical and digital download sales. The current year includes the record breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles include One Direction’s Made in the A.M., David Bowie’s Black Star and Meghan Trainor’s Title.

    The segment’s operating income increased 44.1 percent in FY-16 to ¥87.3 billion from ¥60.6 billion in the previous year.

    Besides the above, Sony has two other segments – Financial Services and All Other services. Numbers of these segments have not been mentioned in this report.

  • FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    FY-16: Games, Music dampen Mobile’s drop in Sony revenue; reports profit

    BENGALURU:  Sony Corporation (Sony) reported 1.3 percent drop in sales for the year ended 31 March 2016 (FY-16, current year). Sony’s revenue for the current year was ¥8,105.7 billion, for the previous year it was ¥8,215.9 billion. Sony attributes the decrease to a decline of 20 percent in sales of its Mobile Communications (MC) segment which was offset by a 11.8 percent increase in sales of its Games and Network Services (G&NS) segment, and a 10.4 percent in sales from its Music segment. The increase in sales from Sony’s G&NS segment reflects an increase in sales of its PlayStation 4 (PS4).

    Sony’s reported net income attributable to stockholders at ¥147.8 billion for the current year as compared to a loss of ¥126 billion yen in the previous year.

    Of special significance from the India perspective was the increase in Media Networks sales which was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The Media Networks is a category in Sony’s Pictures segment.

    Mobile Communications

    MC segment reported 20 percent drop in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,127.5 billion from ¥1,410.2 billion in the previous year. The segment reported a lower operating loss of ¥61.4 billion as compared to an operating loss ¥217.6 billion in the previous year. The company says that this was because of a strategic decision not to pursue scale in order to improve profitability.

    Game & Network Services

    G&NS segment reported an increase of 11.8 percent in sales to ¥1,551.9 billion in the current year as compared to ¥1,388 billion in the previous year. The above mentioned gains from PS4 were offset by a decline in PS3 hardware and software sales. Operating income in FY-16 increased 84.4 percent in the current year to ¥88.7 billion from ¥48.1 billion in the previous year. Sony attributes the increase to increase in PS4 software sales and PS4 hardware cost reductions as well as the absence of write down of ¥11.2 billion in the current year of PS Vita and PS TV components that was recorded in FY-15.

    Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)

    IP&S segment reported a 1.7 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥712.2 billion as compared to ¥723.9 billion in the previous year. Sony says that sales of video cameras and digital cameras were lower due to the contraction of the market. This segment reported a 72.1 increase in operating profit in FY-16 at ¥72.1 billion from ¥41.8 billion in the previous year. The increase was due to improvement in product mix of digital cameras and price reductions.

    Home Entertainment & Sound (HE&S)

    HE&S segment reported a 6.4 percent decline in sales in FY-16 to ¥1,159 billion from ¥1,238.1 billion in FY-15. Sony says that this was due to a decline in unit sales of LCD televisions and a decline in home audio and video unit sales, reflecting a contraction of the market. Television sales declined 4.5 percent in FY-16 to ¥797.8 billion as compared to last year.

    The segment’s operating income increased to ¥50.6 billion in the current year from ¥24.1 in FY-15, primarily due to cost reductions and increase in product mix.

    Devices

    Devices segment revenue in FY-16 was flat (increased by 0.9 percent) to ¥735.8 billion from ¥927.1 billion in FY-15. The segment reported an operating loss of ¥28.6 billion in the current year as compared to an operating profit of ¥89 billon in FY-15.

    Pictures

    Pictures segment sales increased 6.8 percent to ¥938.1 billion in FY-16 from ¥878.7 billion in the previous year. Sony’s Pictures segment is primarily comprises of Motion Pictures, Televisions Productions and Media Networks categories. The impact of forex rates and lower sales in Motion Pictures was offset by higher sales in Televisions Productions and Media Networks. The increase in Media Networks was primarily due to higher advertising revenues in India and the United Kingdom. The increase in Television Productions sales was primarily due to higher subscription video-on-demand (VOD) revenues from Breaking Bad, The Blacklist and Better call Saul.

    Operating income for the segment declined 51.9 percent in the current year to ¥38.5 billion from ¥58.5 billion in FY-15.

    Music

    Sony’s Music segment comprises of Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform categories. The segment reported a 10.4 percent increase in sales to ¥617.6 billion in FY-16 from ¥559.2 billion in FY-15. Sony says that the increase was primarily due to the depreciation of the yen versus the US dollar. There was a significant increase in Visual Media and Platform sales reflecting the continued strong performance of a game application for mobile devices. In Recorded Music digital streaming revenues significantly increased, partially offset by a worldwide decline in physical and digital download sales. The current year includes the record breaking sales of Adele’s new album 25. Other best-selling titles include One Direction’s Made in the A.M., David Bowie’s Black Star and Meghan Trainor’s Title.

    The segment’s operating income increased 44.1 percent in FY-16 to ¥87.3 billion from ¥60.6 billion in the previous year.

    Besides the above, Sony has two other segments – Financial Services and All Other services. Numbers of these segments have not been mentioned in this report.

  • Yahoo announces contest for Apple Music Festival in September

    Yahoo announces contest for Apple Music Festival in September

    MUMBAI:  Yahoo India has announced a contest that will give music fans the exclusive chance to travel to London for the 2015 Apple Music Festival in September.

     

    To participate, fans need to start a blog on Tumblr, create as many music-related posts as they like and register for the contest. Given that Tumblr lets you effortlessly share anything, these posts can be in any format – audio, photo, video, gif, links or a quote. Whether it’s singing a tune, grooving to one or writing a song, participants need to showcase their creative best. The contest closes at 23:59 hours, IST, 9 September 2015.

     

    Five contestants with the most creative, imaginative Tumblr blogs that show plenty of music love, will win the chance to fly (with a friend) to London for the closing night of the Apple Music Festival on September 28.

     

    Pharrell Williams, One Direction, Florence + The Machine and Disclosure are among the headliners at this year’s Festival, which includes ten nights of spectacular live shows at London’s historic Roundhouse venue. Get ready for all the action at this year’s Apple Music Festival with a selection of incredible live performances from years past at www.applemusic.com/festival

     

    Stay updated with the latest news on Apple Music Festival, with exclusive content on Yahoo India Celebrity. 

  • Guinness Book of World Records 2015 to be star studded

    Guinness Book of World Records 2015 to be star studded

    MUMBAI: The Guinness Book of Records 2015 has announced a new list of personalities who broke and created new records this year and it appears to be filled with names of prominent musicians.

     

    Metallica, Eminem, One Direction and Miley Cyrus are among the musicians who have found their way into Guinness World Records 2015 which will be published next week.

     

    Eminem earned the honour for the ‘most words in a hit single’ with his song Rap God, which has him rapping 1,560 words in six minutes nine second. Eminem’s rapping skill has been applauded by the Guinness Book of World Records for the first time.

     

    The band ‘One Direction’ was recognised for being the ‘First act to debut at No. 1 with first three albums’ on the standard-bearing American chart. Their album Midnight Memories debuted at top position last year following the chart-topping successes of Up All Night and Take Me Home in 2012.

     

    While Miley Cyrus has been chosen for being ‘the most searched-for Pop Star on the Internet in a year,’ Shakira is officially the ‘Most liked person on Facebook’. Shakira reached 100 million likes in July on Facebook also making her the ‘First person to reach 100 million likes on Facebook’ and star singer Katy Perry boasts the most Twitter followers in the world, with a count of more than 56 million.

     

    Thanks to their ‘Freeze ‘Em All’ show in Antarctica, Metallica became the first and only band to ‘perform a concert on each of the Earth’s seven continents’.

     

    The band set the record after they entertained 120 scientists and competition winners in a transparent dome at Carlini Station in Antarctica in December 2013.

     

    Among the television and film records listed in the book, the popular movie Frozen has also found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the ‘highest box-office earning for an animated movie’, HBO show Game of Throne is now officially the most copiously pirated show on television. Each episode of the show has been recorded to be downloaded at an average of 5.9 million times. The last show of the recently concluded season alone was downloaded 1 million times.

     

    The DiCaprio-Scorcese movie The Wolf of Wall Street makes record for ‘Most swearing in one film’. The movie has at least 687 expletives at an average of 3.81 swear words per minute.

     

    Guinness World Records 2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the book and will be available on stands from 9 September.

  • Uruguay’s win creates frenzy on Twitter

    Uruguay’s win creates frenzy on Twitter

    MUMBAI: Bouncing back after a knee recovery, Luis Suarez scored twice to give Uruguay a 2-1 victory over England at the FIFA World Cup to revive his team’s Group D campaign.

     

    The action in Brazil played out on twitter with fans, players and celebrities expressing themselves in 140 characters.

     

    There were a total of 6.7 million tweets during the match window. It wasn’t surprising that the Liverpool striker Suarez received 1.5 million mentions of his twitter handle @luis16suarez during the game.

     

    The star players of Uruguay who found the most mentions were Luis Suarez, Alvaro Pereira and Edinson Cavani while from the English team Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge received the most number tweets with their respective twitter handle mentions.

     

    The top three peak moments of the game were when Suarez scored the first goal which had twitter abuzz with 2,14,246 tweets while English star player Rooney lone goal generated a total of 2,07,730 tweets and 1,47,428 tweets when Suarez scored the second and final goal.

     

    The most shared tweet from the riveting game was from OneDirection’s Liam Payne’s tweet which received more than 48,000 thousand retweets. The other popular tweets were from Dutch footballer Robin Van Persie, Rolling Stones founder vocalist Mick Jagger and Rihanna.

  • Brazil’s opener most tweeted match of World Cup to-date

    Brazil’s opener most tweeted match of World Cup to-date

    MUMBAI: It has been an exciting week for football fans with the ongoing FIFA world cup matches. Fans and viewers alike have taken to twitter to express themselves with various hashtags either supporting or condemning a team.

     

    The opening match between Brazil and Croatia generated 12.2 million tweets, which has been the most tweeted match of the tournament until now. This was followed by Spain vs. Netherland on 14 June with 8.3 million tweets and England vs. Italy encounter generating 7.2 million tweets.

     

    The top three moments of the World Cup on Twitter came from the Brazil vs. Croatia match. However, after the opening match, the most tweeted moment was Argentina’s Lionel Messi’s first World Cup goal in eight years against Bosnia and Herzegovina which received 236,174 tweets.

     

    This was followed by Daniel Sturridge’s goal with 219,637 tweets and Claudio Marchisio goal with 192,633 tweets in the England vs. Italy football game.

     

    UK’s boyband One Direction band members (@NiallOfficial,, @Real_Liam_Payne)  and Australian brand 5 Seconds of Summer (@Calum5SOS) had some of the most shared tweets over the past few days, the official game ball (@brazuca) got honourable mention for its tweet confirming an own goal during the France vs. Honduras match.

  • 9XO and Sony Music to present ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style

    9XO and Sony Music to present ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style

    MUMBAI: 9XO, the international music channel from 9X Media is providing One Direction fans in India, an opportunity never to be missed.  The channel in association with Sony Music is the official partner celebrating the 1 D Day in India. 9XO has launched a contest titled ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style,’ offering the viewers an opportunity to teach some cool Bollywood style dancing to this popular English-Irish pop boy band.

     

    1D Day which will be held on 23 November is a global event providing an exclusive insight into the lives of ‘One Direction’ band members consisting of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. Being the official partner of 1 D Day, 9XO will also premiere their latest song Story of My Life exclusively in India. The channel has also created the ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest for the fans to showcase their love for One Direction.

     

    9XO channel head Luke Kenny said “Our exclusive partnership with Sony Music, will give our viewers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to associate with One Direction. Every country has planned a unique challenge for the boys and with Indian cinema going global; we were keen on the band members experiencing the vibrant flavor of Bollywood through the ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style,’ contest. One Direction is a rage amongst the youth across the globe and this is our treat to their fans across India. So, bring it on all you One Direction fans and let’s teach them some super cool Bollywood moves!”

     

    ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest by 9XO will provide the hardcore fans a chance to teach the Boys their most favourite Bollywood moves. The best video selected will be played on 1 D Day on 23 November for the band.

    The ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest will be promoted on air and across all the digital platforms.  Fans can also log on to Twitter.com/9XOIndia for the latest updates. Last date for participating in the #1DDayIndia challenge is 19 November.