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Tag: Rahul Johri

  • TLC to air journey of Lindsay Lohan in its new series ‘Lindsay’

    TLC to air journey of Lindsay Lohan in its new series ‘Lindsay’

     

    MUMBAI: TLC presents to you the highly anticipated series, Lindsay which will capture the life of the controversial actress and media sensation – Lindsay Lohan. The series will show Lindsay’s journey through recovery, following a very public event of crisis.

     

    Lindsay airs every Thursday and Friday at 10 pm.

     

    Lindsay is one of the most talented young actresses of her generation, boasting of an impressive list of credits, including The Parent Trap, Mean Girls and A Prairie Home Companion. Having had her career and personal life sidelined by her public struggles, Lindsay for the very first time is strikingly candid about her life and is more determined than ever to get back on her feet.
     

    Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager – South Asia & South East Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said “TLC is more than just a TV channel – it is a way of life that presents the best lifestyle experiences in its distinct style and treatment. Our new series, Lindsay will offer an inside look into the life of Hollywood’s most talked-about star and reveal various aspects of her celebrity life.”

     

    Each episode of Lindsay will document her honest and no-holds-barred account, with an intimate and unflinching look into the life of one of the world’s most sought-after celebrities. Cameras will follow Lindsay as she returns to New York, reunites with friends and family, and attempts to build a new life. Viewers will see as she works to stay on track amidst the demands and pitfalls of fame. She opens up like never before, discussing everything from her emotional recovery process to her exhausting run-in with the paparazzi.

     

    This eight part series will give viewers an opportunity to know not only about the celebrity Lindsay Lohan but also Lindsay, the person.

     

    A small glimpse into the series:

     

    Part One

    After completing her sixth stay in rehab, Lindsay decides to move to New York to work on her sobriety and rebuild her once promising career. But will she resist temptation?

     

    Part Two

    While trying to manage her sobriety in a chaotic setting, Lindsay fights to move into her new apartment, and the producers start to question her commitment to the series.

     

    Part Three

    After finally getting the keys to her apartment, Lindsay refuses to let the cameras film, and her assistant threatens to quit. But will Oprah be able to make her see sense?

     

    Part Four

    After a visit from Oprah, Lindsay attempts to jump-start her career by doing a skit with Jimmy Fallon. Later, she performs community service at a children’s center.

     

    Part Five

    AJ, Lindsay’s sobriety coach, questions her abstinence. And later, when Lindsay returns home after a tabloid-fuelled trip, everything comes into question.

     

    Part Six

    A large crew travels to Manhattan to shoot Lindsay for the cover of Elle Indonesia’s anniversary edition. But when she fails to show up on time, the friction is palpable.

     

    Part Seven

    Lindsay appears on the brink of getting what she’s been striving for since getting out of rehab: a starring role in a Hollywood film. But will everything go according to plan?

     

    Part Eight

    After being out of rehab for nearly five months, Lindsay finally feels like she’s settling into life in New York, and she gets the chance to reflect on her journey.

  • TLC to showcase ‘Gordon’s Great Escape’

    TLC to showcase ‘Gordon’s Great Escape’

    MUMBAI: TLC presents the culinary discovery of India by one of the world’s most renowned chefs, Gordon Ramsay in the new series ‘Gordon’s Great Escape.’

     

    The series will showcase Gordon travelling in search of Indian flavours, discovering authentic food from the most jaw-dropping locations across the country. Gordon will explore the diversity of Indian food, starting his journey in the capital, Delhi and moving on to exciting locations including Kolkata, Kerala, Northeast India and ending his journey in bustling Mumbai.

     

    ‘Gordon’s Great Escape’ will premiere on 31 January and will air every Saturday at       10 PM on TLC.

     

    As Gordon samples a variety of Indian delicacies, he will immerse himself in local traditions and activities such as bullock racing in Kerala, hunting deer in Nagaland and assisting a master chef in Lucknow to help prepare a wedding feast.

     

    Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager – South Asia & South East Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said “TLC continues to present the world of ultimate lifestyle experiences to Indian audience with its varied, distinct and quintessential programming. Gordon Ramsay is an iconic host loved by viewers for his unique personality and style. We are delighted to present his first ever culinary expedition in the new series Gordon’s Great Escape on TLC.” 

     

    Watch Gordon Ramsay doing what he loves most, seeking out the best food in India and testing himself in extreme and demanding situations. His appetite for adventure will take him across the country on his ‘great escape’.

     

    Some of Gordon Ramsay’s India culinary experiences are captured below:

     

    Northern India

    Gordon will travel around Northern India to look for more authentic versions of the popular Indian dishes he grew up with, and at the end, will have to prove he’s learned how to cook some authentic Indian food in front of food experts in New Delhi.

     

    Kolkata

    Gordon demonstrates his curiosity about Indian cuisines that aren’t normally represented in UK restaurants, so he will travel to remote Northeast India to search them out, and will open a food cart in Calcutta for a day to prove he’s learned something.

     

    Southern India

    Gordon will travel to Southern India to learn more about vegetarian cooking and Indian fish dishes. He will cook Sambar with a street chef and put on a fancy dinner for the upper crust of Mumbai.

     

     

  • Animal Planet uncovers ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ in a new series

    Animal Planet uncovers ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ in a new series

    MUMBAI: Animal Planet will air ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’, an all-new series featuring renowned zoologist, animal trainer and television presenter Dave Salmoni. In a unique approach that blends all the splendor of a natural history series with an incredible investigative twist, audiences follow Dave as detective while he sets out to crack some of the last big secrets surrounding the world’s most successful natural-born killers. ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ will premiere on Animal Planet on January 19 and will air Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

    The six-part series puts Dave’s expertise and survival skills to the test as he faces the terrifying unknown. Getting dangerously close to the world’s wildest creatures — from the vampire bat and the great hammerhead shark to the killer whale and the grizzly bear — Dave lives alongside them to uncover the secrets of their domination in these strange, confined places, over and above any of the other species that live there.

    “This is Animal Planet at its best: exploring areas unknown and providing unprecedented access to awe-inspiring environments,” said Rahul Johri, EVP & GM – South Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific.   “Dave Salmoni’s extraordinary wildlife expertise, captured by world class filmmakers, has produced that rare hybrid of blue chip programming: natural history and adventure set against a spine-tingling mystery – making ‘Mystery of the Lost Islands’ a truly incredible series and must-see programming event.”

    Follow Dave on this heart-stopping adventure amidst the striking hidden beauty of the untamed islands of Rangiroa, Falklands, Admiralty, Fernandina and Coiba.

    Only by venturing closer than most would dare to the world’s wildest creatures will Dave uncover their secrets. Viewers will be awed as Dave’s skills and survival are put to the test, and likewise as he illuminates the intricate inner workings of nature.

     

  • ID to telecast ‘I’d Kill For You’

    ID to telecast ‘I’d Kill For You’

    MUMBAI: ID- Investigation Discovery presents dangerous love stories in its brand new series ‘I’d Kill For You’. The series will showcase how lust and jealousy can change a happy and romantic love story into a fatal one.

    ‘I’d Kill For You’ will premiere on 5 January and will air every Monday to Saturday at 10 pm.

    ‘I’d Kill For You’ exposes chilling crimes committed by men and women with twisted agendas who use their lovers as murder weapons. Whether they’re after the inheritance of their elderly husband, have their eyes set on a younger model, or are trying to stake claim to their partner’s life insurance, these men and women will stop at nothing to live their own happily ever – even if it means a tragic end for someone else.

    Sharing details about the new series, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager – south Asia & southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “In a short span of time, ID has seized the viewers’ attention with its unique and engaging programmes. ‘I’d Kill For You’ will further enhance ID’s offerings in the Hindi entertainment space and viewers will enjoy the surprising twists and turns in the series.”

    How far can someone go for the one they love? Can they lie, die or even kill for them? ‘I’d Kill For You’ lifts the lid on unbelievable crimes in which one human’s love, loyalty or devotion is chosen over another’s life. These pre-meditated, highly calculated killings are all orchestrated by a twisted manipulator, who uses their love and power as the ultimate murder weapon.
     
    These are stories of love affairs poisoned by deadly sin, greed and rage. Each episode features in-depth interviews with family, friends and authorities on the case who provide the missing details that patch together pieces of the investigation. Cinematic recreations illuminate the drama, mystery and tragedy of these all too real crimes.

     

  • Indian broadcasting industry is on the cusp of transformation, says Rahul Johri

    Indian broadcasting industry is on the cusp of transformation, says Rahul Johri

    The year 2014 has been a remarkable one for Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific (DNAP). It announced the launch of three new channels in India, in May. Widely recognised for enhancing the television viewing experience in India over the last two decades, Discovery launched a refreshing new concept Hindi entertainment channel named ID – Investigation Discovery.

    The company also expanded its HD offering with the launch of two differentiated gold standard channels – TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World.

    The year saw Rahul Johri being promoted to the role of executive vice president and general manager, South Asia and head of revenue, pan-regional ad sales and Southeast Asia. And the end of the 10-year joint venture distribution company with Multi Screen Media (MSM).

    DNAP south Asia and southeast Asia GM and executive VP Rahul Johri talks about the high and low points of the year.

    What has been the highlight for the year for Discovery Networks?

    Discovery Networks launched three new channels in 2014. Today, we operate in six unique genres through our robust portfolio of 11 networks reaching a cumulative 260 million homes in five languages. Extending our brand experience beyond television, we made a foray in print with the launch of Discovery Channel Magazine. We expanded our business fuelled by marquee initiatives – new channels, unmatched India productions and marketing innovations.

    Continuing to offer the widest repertoire of programmes, we launched more than 300 high-quality programmes catering to the interests, passions and demands of children, youth, women, men and families. We strengthened our India content slate with unprecedented 100 original hours in the last two years bringing unique stories, pristine subjects, and exclusive accesses.

    Some of the path-breaking India productions on Discovery Channel and TLC include programmes like Revealed: National Defence Academy, Revealed: The Line of Control, Revealed: World’s Biggest Election, India: Living Traditions, Ravinder’s Kitchen, Trinny & Susannah’s Makeover Mission India and The Great Indian World Trip amongst many others. We have recently launched Revealed: Rann of Kutch, an extraordinaire account of the seasonal salt marsh located in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

    We launched ID – our distinct and high-quality investigative channel. Our research findings revealed that Indian viewers have immense appetite to watch true investigation and crime based narratives if presented in an entertaining way. We identified this vacuum and created a segment within the Hindi entertainment genre.

    As a pioneer in high-definition, we further extended our leadership in this genre with the launch of TLC HD World and Animal Planet HD World.

    To broaden the appeal of Discovery Turbo, we have refreshed the brand with new logo, new identity and have expanded its content offering to suit tastes and preferences of male audiences.

    We are committed to offer the finest viewing experience and differentiated offerings to viewers and maximum value to our trade partners. Our expansion over the past few years and the matching success is a reflection of India’s significance in the world of Discovery.

     

    What was the challenging phase faced by Discovery Networks this year?

    I have often said that digitisation has brought new opportunities and challenges in equal measure. Competition has got fiercer. Viewer fragmentation is a reality. Innovations are making the existing channels look traditional. In short, one has to be ahead of the rest to enjoy viewers, affiliates and advertisers’ confidence. However, whichever way one looks, the benefits far out shadows the challenges.

    The year 2014 marked to be the year of opportunities for Discovery.  We expanded our portfolio with the launch of three new channels and the launch of Discovery Channel India Magazine.

    Discovery had some of most path-breaking India productions like Revealed: National Defence Academy, Revealed: The Line of Control, Revealed: World’s Biggest Election, India: Living Traditions; and our first local animated series KISNA on Discovery Kids.

    Benefiting from digitisation, all our channels have witnessed viewership growth this year.  Discovery Kids jumped by 80 per cent and Discovery Science’s viewership grew by 39 per cent over last year.  Animal Planet recorded lifetime high ratings in the channel’s 20-year presence in India.  Propelled by engaging content, nationwide penetration and innovative campaigns, Animal Planet has registered 16 per cent rise in viewership this year.  Building strong affinity with its viewers, Animal Planet has surpassed History TV18 ratings this year, increasing its gap to 10 per cent for the YTD period.

     

    How did the Indian broadcast industry fare in 2104?

    Indian broadcasting industry is on the cusp of a transformation.  Undoubtedly, digitisation has been the biggest change the industry is experiencing. It will help drive up the value of differentiated and high quality content and thus will naturally benefit Discovery’s channels.  We support this drive and believe it will be a milestone achievement for the country and generate higher value for all stakeholders especially the viewers.

    The other milestone should be the new audience measurement system – BARC, which should create new value system for the broadcast sector.

     

    High points and low points for the brands…

    India is a vast country with diverse needs and attitudes. Indian viewer is discerning and appreciates variety of content. Discovery has catered to this need with its wide ranging bouquet of 11 networks from factual, lifestyle, kids’, high-definition to Hindi entertainment. Our compelling programming repertoire spans genres including science, exploration, survival, natural history, technology, space, health and wellness, engineering, crime and investigation, civilizations, kids and more. We have been able to lead in the respective genres through our commitment to deliver on the brand promise.

    Today’s viewer is well travelled, aware and has experienced finer things of life demanding a mix of India and international content in the comfort of his home. Discovery Networks, through its eclectic programming mix across networks offers the right blend of India and international content. We have consistently presented India themes that can travel the world and international themes relevant to India. We have surprised and delighted the viewer with some of our extraordinary shows giving them an opportunity to watch and enjoy once in a lifetime experiences such as Skyscraper Live with Nik Wallenda – a LIVE event which has been a huge hit all over the world. Another one to air on December 31 will be Eaten Alive, which is an attempt to be eaten alive by an anaconda.

    Offering credible and high-quality content 24 hours x 365 days consistently, Discovery is missioned to satisfy the curiosity of Indian viewers. The audience, advertisers and affiliates expect nothing less than the finest from Discovery.

  • Discovery Kids to air Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 on 20 December at 11 am

    Discovery Kids to air Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 on 20 December at 11 am

    New Delhi: Discovery Kids, in partnership with WWF-India, presents WILD WISDOM QUIZ 2014 – India’s largest wildlife quiz for children. The quiz show will air on Discovery Kids on Saturday, December 20 at 11 AM, with a repeat on Sunday, December 21 at 8 PM.

     

    Held in 30 cities across India, Discovery Kids and WWF-India’s Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 is aimed at increasing environmental awareness amongst students in India through various themes associated with conservation.

     

    This year, the quiz focused on ‘Forest Biodiversity’ to spread awareness of the increasing importance of conserving our forests amongst school children. The quiz saw participation from over 15,000 schools across the country. In addition to the Middle School quiz, there was a quiz for Junior School (Classes 3-5) and an online quiz for High School (Classes 9-12) children.

     

    Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager – South Asia & Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific said, “Wild Wisdom Quiz 2014 received an encouraging response from schools across the country. In keeping with the brand promise, Discovery Kids, through this quiz, will stimulate young minds and provide wholesome entertainment.”

     

    The quiz was conducted for the Middle School level on October 1, 2014 at the WWF-India auditorium in New Delhi. The champions for this year’s Wild Wisdom Quiz are  Aaron Dev Jose and Pooja Bijoy of L’ecole Chemnaka School, Trivandrum, with  Jeevesh C. and Vignesh SK of Vidya Niketan School, Chennai, and Arnav Gupta and Aniket Mishra of Arwachin International School, Delhi, in second and third place respectively. The winners have won a trip to a Nature Camp in Rishikesh, where they can partake in a host of adventure sports and nature-related activities. Supported by Adventure Nation, the camp enables students to experience nature in all its wonder.

     

  • Discovery’s six point agenda for 2015

    Discovery’s six point agenda for 2015

    MUMBAI: The network has tripled itself in India in the last five years, and today operates in six unique genres through its robust portfolio of 11 networks reaching a cumulative 260 million homes in five languages.

    We are talking about Discovery Networks, which extended its brand experience by launching Discovery Channel Magazine. It has expanded the business fuelled by marquee initiatives – new channels, unmatched India productions and marketing innovations.

    And going forward, the network is going to focus on six points – maintain leadership across genres, maximise viewership, build on the strength of Discovery Kids; establish ID as a ‘must watch’ channel; deliver on ‘male-centric’ brand promise of Turbo; continue to produce path-breaking India content, continue to innovate; and deliver value to advertisers and relentlessly explore new opportunities for growth.

    The year 2015 brings with it a heap of opportunities, but the path was laid in 2014 itself. The network revamped its channel, Turbo, to skew more towards men. The repositioning came in as a response to research conducted over the past couple of years.  “The viewers’ feedback and our constant research suggested a vacuum in English entertainment genre for men. Indian television has primarily been dominated by female led programming. The refreshed Turbo channel is an upscale men’s television network that provides high-octane programming for its viewers.  Turbo broadens its content with more genre mix to offer variety to its male audience.  It also enhances its value proposition for its viewers, advertisers and affiliates,” says Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific south Asia and southeast Asia executive VP and GM Rahul Johri.

    One of the key reasons to rebrand was to widen the channel’s appeal. Its core strength will be variety.  “Turbo will be the only specialised content channel in the English genre, reflecting the promised benefits of digitisation.  The Indian television landscape is ever changing and we have stayed ahead of the curve by recognising the evolving trends and addressing them by creating new television genres and distinct audience segments,” he adds.

    With each brand having its own identity and evolution process, the network is continuously evaluating all its channels, and when need arises, it shall plan if others too need to be revamped or not.
    Not only this, a surprise move for many in the industry, the network was able to get its recently-launched channel ID-Investigation in Tata Sky’s Hindi channel base pack. The move was to cater to Hindi speaking masses.  “The channel’s specialised content dedicated to crime and investigation has wider appeal.  In three months of its launch, ID has gained tremendous popularity, and has become an ideal ‘channel of choice’ for the base pack,” explains Johri when asked the reason behind the move.

    Others like Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Discovery Science have wider demographic appeal and thus, are the preferred channels for viewers in the factual entertainment genre.  These channels too are in the base packs of DTH platforms.

    Nonetheless, with TheOneAlliance, the distribution JV between Multi Screen Media (MSM) and Discovery Network, being dissolved with effect from 1 January 2015, after 12 long years, the network is pulling all strings to make the coming year a remarkable one.

  • TLC presents ‘The Great Indian World Trip’

    TLC presents ‘The Great Indian World Trip’

    MUMBAI: Breaking away from the world of busy schedules, work travels, virtual life, TLC presents a riveting series on a record breaking road trip – ‘The Great Indian World Trip’. Join Sanjay and Tushar in their quest to explore the world and experience new cultures in the journey of a lifetime as they travel across six continents, fifty countries and drive over 90,000 kilometres in a car, without a GPS. In the process, the duo create seven new world records and break one Guinness World Record.
     
    ‘The Great Indian World Trip’ will premiere on December 15 and will air every Monday and Tuesday at 9PM on TLC.
     
    Sanjay and Tushar are two simple Indians with one dream – to travel the world by road. From the UFO Capital of the world, to driving from the end of the world in Ushuaia to the top of the world in Deadhorse, having BBQ in Kentucky, doing the Tango on the streets of Buenos Aires, listening to blues in ‘The South’, wearing a kilt and shopping in Scotland, eating weiner schnitzel in Vienna, the duo has done it all. TLC joins them on this epic trip and bring its viewers the sights, sounds and cultures of people across the world.
     
    Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific executive vice president and general manager, South Asia and Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “Over the last 10 years, TLC has extended the definition of travel in India and we continue to present the diversity of the country through unique and engaging formats. The Great Indian World Trip’ is an exciting adventure series based on a road trip across the world by two Indian travellers. The series will inspire travel enthusiasts to take the leap and realise their dreams.”
     
    With their eyes set on the records, Tushar and Sanjay will begin the first leg of their journey, an 8000 km drive from India to Singapore, crossing Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. The two encounter funny and troublesome situations on their journey but their will to travel and explore the world triumphs over everything else.

     

  • Discovery Channel launches ‘Revealed: Rann of Kutch in Gujarat’

    Discovery Channel launches ‘Revealed: Rann of Kutch in Gujarat’

    MUMBAI: The salt desert of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat is one of the world’s greatest wildernesses and a significant attraction for people across the world. Discovery Networks Asia Pacific executive VP and general manager – South Asia & Southeast Asia Rahul Johri, presented the programme ‘Revealed: Rann of Kutch in Gujarat’ to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Anandiben Patel, at her office in Gandhinagar.

     
    Commenting on the launch, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific executive VP and general manager – South Asia & Southeast Asia Rahul Johri said, “The viewers will get a first-hand experience of wetlands, thorn forests, grasslands and marshes that surround this salt land and together make the incredible biosphere of the Rann of Kutch.”

     
    Showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the mystique Rann, Discovery Channel will premiere Revealed: Rann of Kutch on Monday, 8 December at 9 pm.

     
    While on the face of it, the Rann does seem to be deserted, there is much more to it than meets the eye. The Rann and the areas around it support a staggering diversity of life and cultures. Discovery Channel’s Revealed: Rann of Kutch explores some of them like never before. It features some rarely filmed and curious creatures of the Rann, like the subterranean dwellers, the Desert Jird, the elusive Desert Fox and the extinct volcano, Dhino Dhar.

     
    The programme reveals the diverse groups of ethnicities that nest in The Rann of Kutch. Viewers will meet innovative tourist guides in a horse safari, intrepid honey gatherers negotiating a hive of wild rock bees, village artisans and craftsman, salt-pan workers and high tech wind farm technicians.

     

  • ID presents the mystery of missing people in ‘Disappeared’

    ID presents the mystery of missing people in ‘Disappeared’

     MUMBAI: ID- Investigation Discovery, brings intriguing stories of people who vanish without leaving any traces in its new series ‘Disappeared’. A riveting and compelling series, ‘Disappeared’ offers viewers the insight behind people going missing suddenly and unexpectedly.
     
    ‘Disappeared’ airs every Monday to Saturday at 8PM on ID.
     
    The new series investigates the disappearance of victims, who are here one minute, gone the next. Each episode focuses on one victim’s story, as told through the perspectives and actual voices of their closest friends and family and the investigators are trying to solve the case.
     
    Sharing details about the new series, Rahul Johri, Executive Vice President and General Manager – South Asia & South East Asia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said ”ID continues to offer distinctive stories on crime, mystery and investigation. ‘Disappeared’ unfolds the clues and dark secrets hidden beneath mystery of missing people who left behind anguished families with unanswered questions and heartbreaking memories.”
     
    Each episode of ‘Disappeared’, recollects the actions, thoughts, circumstances and motivations that led to each person’s disappearance by  interviewing families, friends, police, and investigators. Viewers will experience the thrill of victim’s final hours until they vanished.

    Watch interviews with experts, from psychologists to forensic specialists to psychics, who will offer new insights into what may have happened in each case, whether the person was a victim of foul play or a runaway.
     
    ‘Disappeared’ will take you inside the world of the missing, investigators race against the clock to solve a mystery, and the victim’s anguished family and friends are left to wonder what in the world could have happened.