ITV

Tag: Playground

  • Level up: Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming partner to power up India’s youthverse

    Level up: Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming partner to power up India’s youthverse

    MUMBAI: In a match made in gamer heaven, Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming have teamed up to turbocharge India’s youth entertainment and gaming landscape. The two powerhouses have inked a strategic partnership that will see Banijay Asia take the reins of Playground — Nodwin’s flagship gaming reality show — and co-create a slew of fresh, disruptive content across gaming, esports, and influencer-led formats.

    With gaming now a full-blown lifestyle, this collaboration aims to tap into India’s ever-evolving Gen Z mindspace by fusing Banijay’s storytelling muscle with Nodwin’s pulse on the gaming community. And they’re not stopping at one franchise — the duo plans to unleash an entire ecosystem of new scripted and reality IPs.

    “This collaboration with Nodwin Gaming is an exciting extension of our vision to create content that resonates with evolving youth audiences. Gaming is not just a sport; it’s a culture, a lifestyle, and a massive content opportunity. With Playground and our upcoming IPs, we aim to redefine engagement and storytelling in this space. I look forward to the creative collaboration with Akshat Rathee, and Joost Roset who we previously worked with, in bringing iconic global IPs to India. This is an invaluable opportunity to create clutter-breaking formats in the youth and gaming space,” said Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar. 

    Nodwin Gaming co-founder & managing director Akshat Rathee added, “”Youth entertainment is evolving rapidly, and our partnership with Banijay Asia positions us perfectly to lead that change. With Playground, we’ve just begun to explore what’s possible. Backed by Banijay’s global expertise, we’re now set to scale the IP across multiple languages and markets, with the ambition of building an international format. At the heart of our approach is our philosophy of ‘timeshare of mindshare.’ We’re not just creating content, we’re creating cultural moments. This is just the beginning of a bold new chapter in gaming and youth content.”

    The Rusk Media creative team — original minds behind Playground — will stay involved as the format evolves from a single show into an annual line-up of five to 10 marquee IPs. Expect more drama, more battles, and more screen time as the series expands.

    Backed by its success with Comic Con India, BGMI Masters Series, and NH7 Weekender, Nodwin Gaming is already a big player in the youth space. Now with Banijay — whose global playbook includes brands like MasterChef, Peaky Blinders, and Black Mirror — the stage is set for a full-blown format revolution in Indian gaming content.

    From stream to scream, it’s into the playground for the two. At least for now!

    (Deepak Dhar – left – and Akshat Rathee -right- pictured above. source: Banijay Asia)

  • Amazon miniTV returns with Playground season 3

    Amazon miniTV returns with Playground season 3

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV- Amazon’s free video streaming service is back with the third season of Playground, India’s first one-of-a-kind gaming reality show, in association with Rusk Media. The excitement levels are set to skyrocket as Indian YouTube sensation, Carry Minati, continues his association with the brand and dons the role of a mentor for the third time running! The OG mentor will be seen leading his team, Dare Dragons into the battle of captive reality over a period of 30 days. Not just that, the anticipation and curiosity levels are set to peak as newer mentors are slated to be revealed this week. After the massive success of the first two seasons, the third edition promises triple the drama, entertainment and hardcore challenges set to keep viewers hooked!

    Bringing a twist to the competition, Playground S3 introduces a new format focused on individual achievement, for players to compete for the coveted title of “Ultimate Gaming Entertainer”. The third season will witness sixteen dynamic micro-influencers as contestants entering the Playground Arcade for a 30-day showdown, led by four renowned mentors. Embarking on a journey filled with heart-pounding physical challenges, intense gaming competitions, and uproarious entertainment trials, the contestants will showcase their skills and strategic prowess to outplay their rivals and emerge victorious. With enticing prizes awaiting the champions, the show guarantees an unforgettable blend of gaming excitement and an entertainment spectacle. Taking the excitement level to new heights, viewers will get the chance to actively participate in the action by voting for their favourite contestants directly on the Amazon miniTV app.

    Amazon miniTV head of content Amogh Dusad shared, “With the gaming industry evolving and growing at a rapid pace in India, we’re excited to bring another season of Playground to our audiences, a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in entertainment. Adrenaline, entertainment, and passion for gaming – all make Playground the perfect masala binge!”

    Adding to it, Amazon miniTV business head Aruna Daryanani said, “We are delighted to bring the third season of Playground, marking a significant milestone in elevating our content offering for our audiences. The show not only amplifies gaming entertainment, which is highly popular with the youth but also highlights our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our viewers. Viewers across India will be able to enjoy this Playground for free and I can’t wait to see their reaction.”

    In response to the introduction of Playground’s third season and the strategic partnerships, Rusk Media CEO Mayank Yadav expressed, “We are thrilled to embark on another exhilarating journey with the upcoming season of Playground. With the continued support of our partners, we are poised to redefine gaming entertainment. This season promises to be our most exciting yet, delivering an unmatched experience for gamers and viewers alike. Get ready to immerse yourself in the thrill of competition and witness gaming history in the making.”

    Talking about the third season, Carry Minati expressed, “I am thrilled to return to Playground as a mentor for the third season of the reality show. In the past two seasons, I’ve witnessed the commitment, dedication and skill set of the players, and I look forward to interacting with fresh talent this season. This season is all about embracing risks, pushing the limits, overcoming challenges, and unleashing the core ethos of gaming. I’ve been an avid gaming enthusiast throughout my career and this association is a natural extension of my passion and vision. Gaming is the future of the metaverse, and we need to revolutionize this industry substantially in times to come. India is known to be a land of gamers and one of the biggest gaming markets in the world, but despite its size, the country is still at a nascent stage as a gaming market, both in terms of maturity and adoption.  I aspire to change that equation in times to come.”

    Witness the evolution of gaming entertainment in Playground S3 filled with adrenaline-pumping challenges, fierce competition, and non-stop excitement. The reality show will stream exclusively on Amazon miniTV.