MUMBAI: Two’s company, but IN10 Media Network is making it a power duo. In a move straight out of a well-scripted plot twist, the network has handed expanded mandates to two of its leading men Samar Khan and Sourjya Mohanty across its digital platforms Docubay and Epic On.
Khan, best known for helming Juggernaut Productions, will now don the hat of chief content officer for both platforms. His new gig sees him leading the content charge, shaping the creative direction, and fine-tuning the storytelling voices of the documentary-led DocuBay and the fiction-forward Epic On. Call it a genre-spanning role with a tight narrative brief.
On the operations front, Mohanty, already the COO at Epic On, will now extend his oversight to Docubay as well becoming the double-barrelled COO tasked with keeping the business engine running smoothly across both arms of the network.
Speaking on the leadership elevation, IN10 Media Network managing director Aditya Pittie said, “Samar and Sourjya’s expanded roles reflect the confidence we have in their leadership and vision. In today’s rapidly evolving ecosystem, success lies at the intersection of strong content and sound strategy. At IN10 Media Network, we are committed to building a future-ready digital content business, one that is driven as the premium destination of documentaries and other is for the fictional storytelling excellence. This leadership realignment is a key step in advancing that mission and solidifying our position in the digital media landscape.”
The twin elevation is part of IN10’s broader vision to create a more seamless and strategic content ecosystem. By syncing operations and storytelling, the media group hopes to strengthen both platforms’ positioning as go-to destinations for bold, relevant, and globally resonant content.
Mumbai: EPIC ON, the OTT platform from IN10 Media Network, celebrated for its diverse original content, is thrilled to announce the launch of its highly anticipated series, #BLUETICK (verified). This captivating drama, featuring acclaimed actors Parul Gulati and Siddharth Nigam in the lead roles, is set to premiere on July 19, 2024.
The series introduces Pallavi (played by Parul Gulati), an influencer whose viral video propels her to instant fame. As she navigates the glittering corridors of the industry, the series delves into the complex interplay between her online persona and real-life struggles. Amidst this journey, she meets Viraj (portrayed by Siddharth Nigam), a charming B-town celebrity. Their chance encounter in a small town near Delhi kickstarts a thrilling story of ambition, love, and deep self-discovery.
Parul Gulati, who portrays the character of Pallavi, added, “This series is a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. My character’s journey from an ordinary individual to a social media icon and then to navigating the cutthroat film industry is both inspiring and cautionary. It’s a reflection of how quickly life can change and the importance of staying grounded. I believe viewers will find a part of themselves in this story.”
Siddharth Nigam, who plays a pivotal role in the series as Viraj, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Being part of #BLUETICK (verified) has been an extraordinary experience. The storyline is incredibly relevant in today’s digital age where social media is omnipresent. It’s a thought-provoking tale that will resonate with audiences who understand the power and pitfalls of social media. I’m thrilled to bring this character to life and to be part of such a compelling narrative.”
EPIC ON chief operating officer Sourjya Mohanty commented, “At EPIC ON, our mission is to deliver diverse and captivating content that connects with our viewers. We are thrilled to introduce #BLUETICK (verified), a series that mirrors our social media-driven world. Featuring outstanding performances by Parul Gulati and Siddharth Nigam, we believe this show will deeply resonate with audiences.”
#BLUETICK (verified) will be available for streaming exclusively on EPIC ON starting July 19, 2024.
Mumbai: This Valentine’s Day, EPIC ON is all set to air its newest culinary show – ‘Family Table’. The show is coupled with love, romance, and cuisine and it is hosted by none other than celebrity Chef Ranveer Brar.
Grounded in the philosophy of food connecting people, the show invites families across India to share their kitchens, offering entertainment and gastronomic delight. Beyond recipes, ‘Family Table’ explores the stories behind dishes, delving into traditions and moments that make family meals extraordinary.
The show also welcomes six celebrity guests – Tejasswi Prakash, Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Shweta Tiwari, Karishma Tanna, and Fatima Sana Shaikh who bring their favorite family dishes to be recreated on the show.
On the sidelines of the ‘Masterclass by Ranveer Brar’ event held on 9 Feb at Escobar in Bandra, Indian Television caught up with EPIC ON COO Sourjya Mohanty who shared interesting insights on the show’s special USP, interactive elements for audience engagements, and more…
Edited Excerpts:
On the unique elements that ‘Family Table’ offers compared to other cooking shows
The Family Table is a very special show. We have a lot of cuisine and cookery shows, which are there out there on digital and linear, but the show is very special because it’s got the blend of star divas, then we have the most favourite, celebrated chef – Ranveer Brar in our show where not only the skills are shown, but also there is a family fight, which happens to prepare the best of the food. So there’s a family angle to it. This show is not only going to create a powerhouse of entertainment but also give inspiration to a lot of upcoming chefs and creators to see and get inspired, on how such shows can be created. So this is the special USP of the show.
On the significance of launching ‘Family Table’ on Valentine’s Day, and its relation to the show’s theme of connection through food
I think Valentine’s Day is a very special day for all of us, where love and romance is a very ubiquitous theme out there. On this day, everyone seeks unique ways to celebrate, and it often begins with good food. We thought that why not start Valentine’s Day with a big bang – ‘Family Table’ wherein the divas along with the celebrated chef are there. So why go out when we can see the complete web series streaming on EPIC ON? See all the six different kinds of cuisines that the chef is driving not only the audience but also the stars to be a part of it. The families are also fighting it out to make the best food out there, get inspired, and then see it on Valentine’s Day and make it special for the special ones.
On the incorporation of interactive elements or audience participation in the show to engage viewers beyond passive viewing
We have various exciting components in place. Since it’s a digital-first show, it’s also going to be aired on Epic TV. Additionally, on EPIC ON, we are launching a contest inviting creators and food bloggers to submit their entries for their favorite cuisine. This will lead to a digital cooking showdown, where participants compete. On top of that, the winners will be featured on digital media, and their names will be announced. So that’s one sort of engagement. The other sort of engagement is, of course, giving out special mentions to select winners on both television and digital platforms.
On the contribution of “Family Table” to the cultural representation and celebration of Indian cuisine and culinary heritage
The association with Chef Ranveer Brar goes a very long way. We have a show called – ‘Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan’ on Epic TV, and coming from that particular connection, where we have been showcasing food as one of the central points of our overall programs in our slate. We feel that ‘Family Table’ at this juncture brings a freshness, a different kind of twist to the overall web shows that are being made. And this show is absolutely unscripted. The show also talks about lots of cuisines that are created in the homes but stay at home and not being showcased anywhere else. Family Table is an attempt to bring all of those home cuisines out there and present them to millions of audiences out there through digital and TV. A lot of family members or moms and relatives keep on preparing food in the kitchens. Some of these are very extremely palatable and nice but all of this happens inside the house. So we thought of getting it out there and projecting and showcasing it on the digital front. That’s the idea of ‘Family Table’.
On choosing Chef Ranveer Brar as the host for ‘Family Table’
As I mentioned earlier, Chef Brar has a longstanding association with Epic TV through ‘Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan’. Plus, he’s world-renowned, in terms of his presence across social media like Instagram, or any kind of platform. So it’s a very unique combination of charisma of relating with the audience, his culinary skills, and as well as his way of presenting anything that he does. It is not only it is about the cuisine part, but also the charismatic talks that he does. The audience gets hooked to him, listening to him with all the detailing that he does and the vast knowledge that he possesses. I think we felt that, at this juncture, none other than Ranveer Brar would be the right or the apt host to do this show. So that’s the reason he is the single choice that we went ahead with.
Mumbai: This Valentine’s Day, renowned chef Ranveer Brar, celebrated for his culinary prowess, brings forth a cooking battle that weaves together a delightful tapestry of culinary expertise, heart-warming narratives, and the joy of shared meals.
Chef Brar’s culinary philosophy, grounded in the idea of food as a conduit for connection and cherished memories, takes centre stage in ‘Family Table.’ The show extends an invitation to families across India to share their kitchens, offering a distinctive blend of entertainment and gastronomic delight. Beyond the realm of recipes, ‘Family Table’ explores the stories behind the dishes, delving into traditions and the moments that render a family meal extraordinary.
Adding a touch of celebrity allure, special guests Tejasswi Prakash, Vaani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Shweta Tiwari, Karishma Tanna, and Fatima Sana Shaikh will bring their favorite family dishes they love sharing with their loved ones to be recreated on the show.
Chef Brar expressed, “My association with the IN10 Media Network goes back a long way. ‘Family Table’ will present me in a new avatar, elevating the show from my previous cookery ventures.”
He continued, “In every home, there’s a hidden recipe that can elevate the mood of your taste buds. To showcase these hidden gems, we are featuring diverse families from different parts of India, highlighting how food binds us all in love.”
EPIC ON COO Sourjya Mohanty said, “EPIC ON aims to build a diverse library of original shows, resonating with various audience groups. ‘Family Table’ takes a step further, connecting with Indian audiences through their taste buds. Viewers can anticipate more than just a cooking demonstration, as the show seamlessly intertwines food, family, and entertainment, enriching the tapestry of cooking shows.”
Produced by 1947 Productions, the culinary reality show ‘Family Table’ is set to stream on the EPIC ON starting 14 February 2024. The show is also available on the network’s flagship channel, EPIC.
Get ready for a feast that goes beyond the kitchen, weaving together the threads of food, family, and entertainment.
Mumbai: Did you know India witnesses 500 cases of sextortion every day? Sextortion scams are the biggest threats of the internet, and EPIC ON’s upcoming web series is an edge-of-the-seat thriller that tackles this subject.
‘Video Cam Scam’ starring Amruta Khanvilkar and Rajneish Duggall, is a twist and turn filled tale about a husband and wife battling the dark and deadly forces behind the shocking online crime known as ‘sextortion’.
Scheduled to release on 12 January, the series follows Vinay Kumar, an honest and upright police officer, and Priya, his kind and loving wife. The picture-perfect couple is pulled into the sinful world of sextortion when Vinay gets trapped in this wicked web.
Will Vinay be proven innocent? Can Priya save her husband?
The Blue Drop Films production answers these enthralling questions while also serving a timely reminder against the dangers of the internet. The show also stars Farnaz Shetty, Kunj Anand, Rahul Singh, Aradhana Sharma and Pritam Singh in pivotal roles.
Sharing his comments on their second web show, EPIC ON COO Sourjya Mohanty said, “At EPIC ON, our endeavour is to unveil diverse and novel stories. While our first release was a witty con caper, our second show is a thrilling and unfiltered look at the darker side of the internet that many Indians don’t know of. Video Cam Scam will keep you hooked till the end, while also sharing an important message”.
Talking about the project, Amruta Khanvilkar said, “Video Cam Scam is a thrilling and entertaining drama with a pertinent message. The story seamlessly blends thrills and suspense with a real and relevant subject. What drew me towards my character was how she switches from devoted wife to a headstrong warrior at her own will”.
Sharing his thoughts on the series, Rajneish Duggall said, “The first time I read the script of this show, I was quite taken aback by how deep and dark the world of sextortion runs in India. When I read the way Vinay has to battle all odds to get justice, I knew this was a role that I couldn’t say no to”.
‘Video Cam Scam’ marks EPIC ON’s second coveted release post the success of ‘Tatlubaaz’. After starting with an entertaining bang, EPIC ON looks all set to capture eyeballs again with a scintillating tale of crime, love, sin and justice in the digital world.
‘Video Cam Scam’, a Blue Drop Films production starring Rajneish Duggall and Amruta Khanvilkar, starts streaming on EPIC ON from 12 January 2024.
Mumbai: The world’s largest streaming service Netflix with 222 million paid subscribers reported that another 100 million subscribers were accessing its services via shared passwords. The OTT platform is effectively losing billions in revenue every year because of password sharing. Similarly, issues like downloadable pirated content, illegal video hosting websites, password sharing and duplication of copyrighted intellectual property (IP) have created a parallel economy on the worldwide web that is hurting the revenues of video-on-demand platforms.
Recently, IndianTelevision.com’s VidNet Summit 2022 organised a panel discussion on the ‘best practices for securing revenue for OTT platforms’ that included Inka Entworks India global business head Govindraj Basatwar, Epic On and Stream-Sens chief operating officer Sourjya Mohanty and Eros Now chief technology officer Lokesh Chauhan. The agenda of the session was to figure out how OTTs can plug the leakages in their revenue pipeline.
The two-day industry event was supported by technology partners Dell Technologies and Synamedia, summit partners Applause Entertainment and Viewlift, industry support partners Gupshup, Lionsgate Play and Pallycon, community partners Screenwriters Association and Indian Film and Television Producers Council and gifting partner The Ayurveda Co.
Epic On’s Sourjya Mohanty started the discussion by explaining that OTT platforms face revenue loss on two fronts. One is the technology front and another is the content front. On the content front, there is the issue of piracy that stems from the fact that certain segment of audiences may not be able to afford the content. “It is important to create protections for the content within the tech stack. This includes an effective digital rights management (DRM) system as well as embedded security features in the video player itself.”
DRM is the use of technology to control and manage access to copyrighted material. It is a mode of encryption and decryption that determines whether the user who’s accessing the content is authentic or not. “Often platforms ignore these basic security measures and that’s the reason why piracy takes place,” remarked Mohanty.
On the technology front, it is not just a content leak that causes revenue to be impacted. A platform may come under a variety of attacks ranging from a potential hijack of the app, a distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack, or something as simple as password sharing. Another issue is consumer awareness and education as many believe that it is fine to share password with friends and family.
Furthermore, Mohanty observed that in the last five years with the proliferation of OTT services the audience is no longer loyal to the platform but rather it chases the content.
Inka Entworks India’s Govindraj Basatwar was of the view that the best practices in terms of content distribution security are not being followed in India. He stated that distribution also means application security and that 50 per cent of the time subscription business models are hacked at the application level. He explained, “There are MOD APKs of apps available on the internet for download that gives consumers access to the platform’s content for free.”
MOD APKs are modified versions of android applications. “When you put your application on the Play Store you effectively lose control of who gets to download it. It may be downloaded by an imposter or a genuine user,” said Basatwar. “Hackers usually reverse engineer the application, remove the subscription wall and upload the MOD APK. The MOD APK may be used by consumers without requiring them to share any credentials.”
Eros Now’s Lokesh Chauhan held the opinion that all platforms are fundamentally prone to attacks and the attacker is constantly evolving. While OTT platforms routinely do jailbreak testing to look for weaknesses in their security but the best way to mitigate attacks is the democratisation of content availability. He said, “The access to content itself should be made readily available at affordable price points. This makes it easier for consumers to access it rather than install something like a MOD APK that is going to infect their system with a virus and make them vulnerable to potential credential hijacks. We have to make people understand that piracy is not worth it.”
Chauhan also stated that technology infrastructure on an OTT platform has to be dynamically scaled up and down to keep control of costs. This is a big challenge currently for platforms, he said. “The structure for computing, caches, databases etc. should start playing a role in service-level agreements (SLAs).”
An SLA is the level of service expected by a customer, i.e., the OTT platform, from a supplier i.e., the technology partner. Chauhan noted that these SLAs should factor in the cost of scaling up and maintaining the performance when a spike in usage happens.
Mumbai: IN10 Media Network’s super-app Epic On has announced its collaboration with Yupp TV, a B2B aggregator of live TV channels and VOD. The partnership will aid the app in expanding its footprint across metros as well as tier 2 and 3 cities.
YuppTV, which offers users a single subscription to all premium OTT apps, has a vast distribution network via its partnership with ISPs and broadband companies.
“With an increase in smartphones, affordable data availability and varied taste clusters there has been unprecedented growth in content consumption in the country. Consumers now look beyond the traditional medium for entertainment. To reach a wider set audience across geographies at ease, Epic On has partnered with the B2B aggregator,” said the company in a media statement.
“I am glad to partner with YuppTV Scope that enjoys an immensely penetrated network in the country,” said Epic On COO Sourjya Mohanty. “With this partnership, we look to provide our content to millions of more viewers who are still untapped from an OTT content perspective.”
To be easily accessible to viewers across platforms, Epic On has partnered with multiple partners in the recent past with a presence across 45+ smart TVs and telcos both in domestic and international markets.
“OTT consumption has been growing and through this partnership, we further look to increase the consumers base for YuppTV Scope,” said YuppTV founder and CEO Uday Reddy. “Users will be able to watch top-notch online video streams and enjoy a unique entertainment experience from a single platform.”
YuppTV Scope, a tech-enabled single subscription video streaming platform. It is a one-stop destination that offers users a unified interface to all premium OTT apps using a single subscription while eliminating the task of accessing multiple apps, said the statement.
Mumbai: Responding to increasing internet penetration in tier 2 and tier 3 India, IN10 Media Network-powered OTT platform EPIC ON has partnered with various Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with an aim to reach out to new consumers in these parts of the country. The platform now has 30 players like Meghbala from Kolkatta and Next Trillion from Mumbai as partners from across regions.
With the ISPs, the app has already seen growth in terms of brand equity and revenues. To achieve this, EPIC ON bundled numerous offers like a monthly pack or yearly pack for customers via the ISP route. The East zone has seen a surge in monthly pack uptake while Mumbai has witnessed yearly pack demand, said the media brand in a statement.
“Tier 2/3 and Bharat majorly remains untapped from OTT content perspective; hence, deep penetration into these regions will amplify EPIC ON brand among the new audience bases as well as bolster our acquisitions suited for the audience,” said EPIC ON, COO, Sourjya Mohanty.
“Depending on user behaviour, we create flexible deals with ISPs to cater to their user bases. It’s B2B in nature and we are happy to keep it the same way as we believe any MSO or ISP has complete knowledge about their customer bases and we want to leverage it in our business model,” added Mohanty.
The partnership benefits the independent ISPs by enhancing their ancillary revenue as now they provide services beyond data plans.
Commenting on the partnership, Meghbela Broadband’s director Tapabrata Mukherjee stated, “I see the Meghbela android TV box bundled with EPIC ON’s premium subscription backed with high-speed internet up to 250mbps, as a marriage of entertainment and technology which will enable the delivery of quality content right inside the living room of the end consumer.”
“We are extremely excited to partner with EPIC ON to enhance our OTT users’ experience with PlayboxTV. Our undertaking to cover the entire gamut of entertainment fits perfectly with EPIC ON’s vast array of content. We hope to nurture and strengthen this partnership even more in the long run,” said Playbox TV business head and director, Samson Jesudas.
EPIC ON offers multi-format content with videos, web series, movies, documentaries, podcasts, e-books, and games. The platform recently crossed 40 million downloads.
KOLKATA: Amidst the tremendous growth of OTT platforms and a boom in home entertainment, IN10 Media Network has launched a new technology service solution, Stream-Sense.
The technology, client support, and security solution will help enterprises communicate through the power of video. Stream-Sense will enable broadcasters, distributors, content owners as well as sports-tech companies to stream live and on-demand video/audio content on multiple devices like the web, mobile, and SmartTV.
Commenting on the new venture, IN10 Media Network MD Aditya Pittie said, “IN10 Media Network is committed to the development of the broadcast and digital ecosystem in the country. And with Stream-Sense, we aim to drive the growth of content platforms by providing them with swift technology to reach out to a large section of the audience via our streaming PAAS (Platform-As-A-Service).”
Sourjya Mohanty, who currently heads the network’s OTT platform, Epic On, will also be in charge of the new vertical along with a specialized team.
“The solution aims to help clients make sense of their end-to-end streaming requirements across audio, video, gaming, and E-Books. We have developed 30+ key components indigenously to provide cutting–edge technology to our clients,” said Mohanty.
He added, “With Stream-Sense, IN10 Media’s commitment takes a significant step ahead in the digital transformation of many creators, publishers, and existing platforms businesses as it will enable enhancement of their revenues by offering a better quality of streaming to their audience and monetization routes.”
The service caters to existing as well as upcoming content platforms in the country.
MUMBAI: Premium OTT platform Epic On has partnered with PhonePe to offer its subscription at a 25 per cent discount to PhonePe’s over 250 million users. PhonePe users can now get a six-month subscription to Epic On’s diverse mix of multiform content across genres and formats for just Rs 299 and an annual subscription for Rs 499.
With the country being hit by a pandemic and people forced to shelter in place, the digital wave got a massive boost and led to a sudden unprecedented surge in the demand for digital and OTT content. The introduction of new digital technologies at a lower cost had already made new inroads for the digital entertainment sector in India. In the past two years, India’s digital streaming industry eclipsed India’s film industry in size and the OTT industry grew by a whopping 240 percent between 2016 and 2019.
Epic On chief operating officer Sourjya Mohanty said, “Having seen the exponential rise in demand for digital entertainment content and digital payment solutions across India, we are excited to partner with PhonePe to leverage their subscription payment features. This will allow our users to utilise their option of easy payments while providing a 25 per cent discount for enjoying our premium content while subscribing from the PhonePe platform.”
PhonePe director of business development Ankit Gaur said, “In the current times, we have seen a rising demand for quality digital entertainment options that can be enjoyed from the safety of home. In line with this, we launched the Subscriptions category in April this year. Our collaboration with Epic On is another important step in providing our users with a seamless way to buy subscriptions at attractive prices. We are working to add more such entertainment options to our platform in the future.”
To buy a subscription, all that PhonePe users need to do is to log in to the PhonePe app and go to the Recharge & Pay Bills section. Then they just need to go to the Subscriptions category and select Epic On and pay for their subscription using UPI/debit or credit card/PhonePe wallet.
