ITV

Tag: Prashant Neel

  • News First enters Year 3 with a New Tagline, ‘Fearless…For You’

    News First enters Year 3 with a New Tagline, ‘Fearless…For You’

    Mumbai: When News First started on 20 September 2020, it was the most extreme challenging times one can imagine.

    Started in the midst of Covid Phase 1.

    Welcomed without BARC ratings within 4 weeks of launch.

    Embraced by Covid Phase 2 soon after.

    The rollercoaster in the first 18 months didn’t deter News First.

    When the ratings eventually were restored, News First had broken into the Top 5. No mean achievement given the once in the many generations obstacles  upfront.

    News First had made a name for itself in super quick time with exclusives not  seen in Karnataka.  

    This includes political breaks, programming innovations like AI MAYA, high  impact investigations like Murugasri Scandal (the notorious religious head) –  which no one dared pursue, World Exclusive interview with KGF director Prashant Neel, Getting Karnataka’s most famous TV legal eagle,  TN Seetharam to host a weekend show on the channel – for the First time on  Indian News Television …the list goes on.

    Today, News First has become the channel of choice for Politics, Cinema and  Cricket.

    The channel is in the Top 3 in a number of markets, in reach and time bands. The brand is amongst the leaders on outube and Facebook too. Three years after being every moment for the people of Karnataka, News First  is making a departure.

    The channel is embracing the a new tagline, Fearless… For You.

    Speaking about this MD & CEO S Ravikumar said, “Every moment in our three year journey was about dare and care.  This is evident in the number of news breaks we dared to do and the number of  stories for the people we carried. We felt the time was right to translate our actions into our brand messaging. The existing tagline shows our softer version. The new tagline adds aggression to the softness.”

    Editor in chief Maruthi SH said,“Our dares and cares have always been for people in need. But the dares have extended to exclusive shows, exclusive interviews, exclusive  concepts and celebrating other achievers’ dares. To that extent, dare has a whole wide range of meanings for us at News First”

    Business head S Divaakar said, “Our news content was always our forte. People have helped us grow steadily. The market is seeing it week on week. My team is looking forward to surge with the aggressive new intent of the  brand.”

    A new year, a tagline, with new intent.

    News First surely has stood the test of challenging times.

    The times ahead will show how far they can go from the current position of  strength.

  • ZEEL’s South GECs acquire rights to ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    ZEEL’s South GECs acquire rights to ‘KGF Chapter 2’

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), south cluster channels including ZEE Kannada, ZEE Tamil, ZEE Telugu and ZEE Keralam have secured the rights for “KGF Chapter 2“. The film will premiere on TV after its theatrical release in the respective regional languages.

    Directed by Prashanth Neel, produced by Hombale Films and starring Yash, the first part of the film surpassed the Rs 100 crore mark in terms of worldwide box office collections within a week of its release. The film has become the highest-grossing Kannada language entertainer to ever hit the screens.

    “We are thrilled to bring the most anticipated movie in the country to every screen in the South through the TV acquisition rights of KGF Chapter 2 in all four southern languages. This is yet another firm step we have taken as a brand to keep our promise to the audience and provide the best of entertainment in the comfort and safety of their homes. With this association, we are glad to present our viewers with quality content that is larger-than-life and appeals to diverse audiences across the world and enhances our connection with them,” said ZEEL, cluster head – South, Siju Prabhakaran.

    “ZEE Keralam proudly acquires the satellite rights of KGF 2. KGF Chapter 1 has a cult following in Kerala and we are excited to bring to our loyal viewers this mega entertainer,” said ZEE Keralam, business head, Santosh J Nair.

    “We are pleased to announce that we have associated with ZEE’s South Cluster for the satellite rights of our magnum opus KGF Chapter2, for the southern languages. With our partnership with ZEE’s South cluster of channels, we are confident to expand our reach to a wider audience,” said Hombale Films producer, Vijay Kirangandur.

    “With KGF Chapter 2, we have tried to enhance the spirit and scale of KGF legacy to provide the best cinematic experience for our fans. We hope to create and witness a greater euphoria with our grand release. And we are confident that KGF Chapter 2 will be showered with the same love and affection and will script a new benchmark in the film industry,” Kirangandur added.

    “KGF 2 holds a very special place in my heart. My director Prashant Neel, producer Vijay Kirgandur and I have a vision that has been very different and approachable and we are grateful that the audiences believe in the work we believe in. The love and support from the audiences have been immense and I am glad that the film from the region I hail from has managed to bring oneness amongst our audiences pan India. I am elated to associate with ZEE’s South cluster of channels that have been entertaining Indian audiences since its inception. I would like to extend my gratitude to ZEE and wish them the best. I hope we continue to have successful associations for our future projects,” said actor Yash.

    “KGF Chapter 2” teaser garnered 208 million views digitally, including trending at the top spot on Twitter and YouTube. The film also features Sanjay Dutt, Srinidhi Shetty, and Raveena Tandon as lead characters.