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Tag: Rohit Agarwal

  • Vh1 announces two new shows ‘Vh1 Unleashed’ & ‘PopCurry Rice’

    Vh1 announces two new shows ‘Vh1 Unleashed’ & ‘PopCurry Rice’

    Mumbai: Vh1, Viacom18’s international music and English entertainment channel, has announced the launch of its newest original show, ‘Vh1 Unleashed’, premiering on Thursday, 22 August 2024, at 10:00 pm. This new addition joins ‘PopCurry Rice’, which premiered earlier this year along with the launch of its anime content segment ‘AniNation’ to its dynamic lineup. With these new additions, Vh1 is elevating its content offering providing even more diverse and engaging content, while opening fresh avenues for brands and sponsors.

    In collaboration with Alpha Zegus, ‘Vh1 Unleashed’ promises to revolutionise the gaming landscape on multi-platform. The show offers an immersive experience, delving into how gaming serves as a therapeutic outlet, enabling individuals to tackle personal challenges and find empowerment. The show’s core message, “Slay Your Demons” symbolises the power of gaming to help people confront and conquer personal struggles. With segments including gameplay walkthroughs, gear reviews, and in-depth interviews with top gamers like Harsh Khelraay, Jimmy Gaming, Game Strange, and Kushal Mahajan, Willy Gaming and Chirag Nangru. ‘Vh1 Unleashed’ not only caters to gaming enthusiasts but also opens doors for diverse brand collaborations and sponsorship opportunities.

    The first episode, airing on 22 August and will spotlight Toaster Roaster, followed by Psy Gaming, and Meow16k. Repeat telecasts will be available on Saturday and Tuesday at 10:00 pm.

    ‘PopCurry Rice,’ which premiered on 18 May 2024, continues to serve up the freshest in independent Indian pop music. This genre-fluid music block showcases both popular and emerging artists, including Armaan Malik, Kayan, Yashraj, Zephyrtone, Chirag Todi, and Perp. ‘PopCurry Rice’ is not just a music show; it represents Vh1’s foray into local pop culture, featuring indie artists and their unique sounds, and reinforcing the channel’s dedication to diverse and dynamic content. Alongside, Vh1 celebrates the vibrant world of Japanese anime with ‘Vh1 AniNation’, catering to its immense popularity in India and featuring compelling storylines, genres, and music that resonate with audiences.

    Viacom18 business head, youth, music, and English entertainment cluster Anshul Ailawadi said, “Vh1 is always at the forefront of innovative, audience-centric programming. With the launch of ‘Vh1 Unleashed’, and recent shows ‘Vh1 PopCurry Rice’ and ‘Vh1 AniNation’, we are bolstering our robust slate of original lifestyle content across multiplatform, tapping into the evolving micro- and macro-trends of our audience. This offers a dynamic playground for diverse brands and sponsors to reach a wide audience.”

    On the launch of Vh1 Unleashed, Alpha Zegus founder Rohit Agarwal said, “Collaborating with Vh1 on ‘Vh1 Unleashed’ is an exciting and transformative opportunity for us. Vh1, with its established reputation for innovation, is taking a bold leap into the gaming world, showcasing how gaming can inspire and connect people. This partnership not only reflects the growing influence of the gaming community but also allows us to bring our expertise to a platform that’s set to revolutionize how gaming is experienced and celebrated. We’re thrilled to work together and create something unique that will resonate deeply with gamers across the country, offering them an enriching and engaging experience.”

    With Vh1 ‘Unleashed’, ‘PopCurry Rice’, and ‘AniNation’, Vh1 is broadening its programming to cater to wider audience, from gaming enthusiasts and pop culture lovers to animation fans. This expansion paves the way for fresh brand partnerships and exciting new opportunities, solidifying Vh1’s position as a leader in delivering diverse and engaging content. As Vh1 continues to grow and innovate, it remains committed to providing exceptional entertainment while offering valuable opportunities for its partners.

    Explore the world of Indian independent pop music with PopCurry Rice, stunning animation via AniNation and the dynamic gaming ecosystem with Vh1 Unleashed, only on Vh1, JioCinema, and Kaanphod YouTube channel.

  • Indian Esports: Reflecting on a historic year, Outlook for 2023

    Indian Esports: Reflecting on a historic year, Outlook for 2023

    Mumbai: The year 2023 has been defined by a multitude of key events and accomplishments for Indian Esports. The ‘Leveling up: State of India Gaming FY’23’ report by Lumikai in collaboration with Google states that India was home to 568 Mn gamers in FY23. The country’s gaming market hit $3.1 Bn in FY23 and is projected to reach $7.5 Bn by FY28, growing at a CAGR of 20 per cent.

    The Indian contingent’s participation in the Asian Games 2022, where Esports debuted as an official medal sport, and the remarkable fifth-place finish secured by the League of Legends team emerged as the year’s crowning achievement that showcased the nation’s Esports prowess on the international stage. S8UL, India’s premier Esports organization, added to this triumph by winning the first-ever ‘Global Impact on Mobile Gaming’ at the MOBIES Awards as well as the ‘Content Creator of the Year award at the Global Esports Awards 2023.

    8Bit Creatives and S8UL founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug reflected on these milestones, stating, “The recognition on the global stage including our country’s talented contingent competing at the Asian Games 2022 and S8UL achieving unprecedented success elevated the industry’s status. The stigma surrounding gaming as a career choice has dissipated, opening new opportunities for aspiring gamers and legitimizing Esports as a viable and respected profession.”

    The year also witnessed a transformative influx of brands into the Esports ecosystem, with notable examples such as IQOO SOUL’s historic title sponsorship with Team SOUL. Animesh Agarwal highlighted the significance, saying, “The increasing involvement of non-endemic brands, their entry into the gaming space, and the rise of official tournaments have reshaped the industry’s landscape. IQOO SOUL’s title sponsorship with IQOO highlights the expanding horizons of Esports sponsorships with brands across all domains. The influx of non-endemic brands brings both financial support and broader visibility to gaming creators, organizations, tournaments, and other Esports events.”

    The amendments made to the Information and Technology (IT) Act by the Indian government played a pivotal role in distinguishing Esports from real money gaming (RMG). This recognition provided legitimacy to the sector, leading to increased sponsorships and investments.

    States like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh have also taken proactive steps, with initiatives such as the country’s first esports academy and tournaments. Educational institutions have also embraced Esports with the inclusion of Esports in the curriculum.

    Sharing his thoughts on these developments, the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) director of Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and vice-president Lokesh Suji commented, “The future of Esports is exceptionally bright in India. Through the consistent efforts of ESFI, the Indian government officially recognized Esports as a multi-sport event and categorized it under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in December 2022. Beyond official recognition, infrastructure development is a critical factor for the sustained growth of the Esports industry. The initiatives by our government and numerous states have laid the groundwork for potential financial backing and infrastructure growth in the coming years. Esports now proudly stands alongside the traditional sports of the country, attracting more players and sponsors to the industry.”

    After its temporary hiatus, the triumphant return of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) this year was an instrumental factor for the Indian Esports industry. Emphasising resilience and growth, Alpha Zegus founder & director Rohit Agarwal noted, “Content solutions have been our top priority in 2023, and it has been an incredible year for us. Titles like BGMI had a comeback that boosted the Esports industry by more than 4x factor, while publishers like RIOT took serious efforts and made massive investments into the Indian gaming space. In numbers, we generated more than 400 pieces of quality content for our partners and saw a 300 per cent growth in content solutions as compared to 2022. In 2024, our efforts are going to continue towards content solutions and experiential marketing, expanding our base to different regions, and bringing more quality to our work.”

    As Esports continues its ascent as a global phenomenon, the inaugural Esports World Cup 2024 and the entry of streaming giants like Netflix and YouTube into gaming signal a revolutionary shift for Indian esports in the upcoming year. The convergence of these factors coupled with other trends promises a dynamic and transformative year ahead.