ITV

Tag: Studio9

  • Studio9 launches LGBT-focused Docu-series ‘This Is Me’ on News9 Plus

    Studio9 launches LGBT-focused Docu-series ‘This Is Me’ on News9 Plus

    Mumbai: Studio9 announces the release of ‘This Is Me’, a unique English-language non-fiction docu-series on the LGBTQIA+ community that seeks to enlighten and engage viewers on the many aspects of a community that remains shrouded in misconception, and also to tell intensely personal stories of struggles and triumphs of the community’s members.

    The series will premiere on News9 Plus, India’s first news OTT, to commemorate Pride Month 2024. Through a scientific, cultural, and historical lens, the series provides audiences with an intimate look at the science, legality, and socio-cultural challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, primarily in India but also across the world.

    ‘This Is Me’ features prominent members of the LGBTQ+ community, including India’s first transgender judge Joyita Mondal, India’s first trans celebrity hair designer Sylvie Rodgers, interdisciplinary artist Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee and others, who share deeply personal and moving stories that speak to the indomitable human spirit.

    Their stories are complemented by insights from notable lawyers, activists, medical experts, and other professionals, including Supreme Court advocate Sanjay K. Chadha, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rajat Gupta, leading psychologist Dr. Jayanti Dutta and activist Anjali Gopalan among many others. These experts add enlightening and comprehensive perspectives to the narrative that makes ‘This Is Me’ both informative and emotionally powerful.

    Over the course of five episodes, the series sheds light on the often misunderstood notions of gender identity and sexual orientation while simultaneously highlighting the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community today. ‘This Is Me’ also explores the historical and social influences that have shaped social perceptions of the LGBTQ+ community over time, to give viewers a deeper understanding of oft-misunderstood subjects such as the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation, the psychological impact of gender dysphoria, and the significance of gender realignment surgery.

    Episode Highlights:

    Episode 1 – Introduction of key LGBTQI+ figures, exploration of gender fluidity, and societal pressures faced by those defying traditional norms.

    Episode 2 – Exploration of various sexual orientations, gender dysphoria, and gender realignment surgery.

    Episode 3 – Bullying, lack of family support, and historical impacts of British colonialism on the LGBTQI+ community.

    Episode 4 – The transformative power of education and workplace challenges for the LGBTQI+ community.

    Episode 5 – Love, marriage, family life, and the legalities surrounding same-sex marriages and adoption.

    “Having spent more than two decades in front of the camera, ‘This is Me’ is my directorial debut and a celebration of the triumph of humanity over social norms. It’s a docu-series about the struggles of a few special individuals of the community, whose narratives are interwoven with invaluable factual insights from experts and professionals. Viewers will be moved to tears by the bravery and resilience displayed by my protagonists – the members of the LGBTQIA+ community”, said Studio9 the director of the series and the founder Arpita Chatterjee.

    The premiere of ‘This Is Me’ and the spirit it represents will be celebrated by a launch event which will feature the who’s-who of the LGBTQIA+ community, and will celebrate the unique essence of every identity over an evening of wine and cheese.

  • TV9 Network to shut English news channel News9 to focus on digital medium

    TV9 Network to shut English news channel News9 to focus on digital medium

    MUMBAI: With the huge audience shift from television to digital, staying relevant in the broadcast industry is challenging. With that goal, TV9 is all set to venture into the digital medium for its English news. In a fireside chat with Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor in chief Anil Wanvari, TV9 Network CEO Barun Das said that the company will shut down its English channel News9 to focus on expanding its digital platform.

    He said, “Traditional format of television would go and it will get more into the digital space. People below the age of 18 years are not watching news channels. If you see English news channels have shrunk to an extent that they will not sustain. We had News9, a Bangalore-based channel, but I believe city-based English news offerings in the Indian market are not ready yet. We had to take a business call, so we are coming up with a national version of that but on a digital platform. We are coming up with digital web TV.”

    He further explained that the television news genre is overly crowded and even the regional channels are exploding. According to Das, news channels have more than “pure business reasons” to launch channels. So, that is the reason why fringe channels come in and the market gets crowded.

    He added, “But I think viewers and advertisers filter them out. In the regional market, there are not more than four big channels. In Hindi it is a larger market, 45 per cent of our population speaks Hindi. Advertisers look at the top nine channels so every leading new channel gets the share of the pie.”

    As per Das, in the past 10 years Hindi and regional news channels have moved in the same way print has moved in 10 years.

    He pointed out that the channel will continue to grow in double digits leaving out exceptions like Covid2019 period and slowly it will taper into single-digit. Das also clarifies that the content on news will not disappear but the way it is being packaged and distributed will change.

    “In India, digital revenue will overtake the traditional medium by 2025. This scenario will happen to Hindi and regional channels by 2028. We still have good seven to eight years to go. Hence we are currently focusing on the digital front. As TV9 group was not digital-savvy, our focus has turned to embark on a major expansion on the digital side,” he said.

    Das highlighted that the channel has already set up an infrastructure for Studio9 where the team will look to work with clients to develop creative solutions. Studio9 will look at the convergence of television and digital revenue with a solution-driven approach. As a major expansion in the digital medium, TV9 Network has set up a new office of 20,000 square feet where it is briefing teams across the country. The company has recruited close to 400 employees.

    He quipped, “Digital is a big game for us going forward. Raktim Das will be looking at the convergence side. Slowly you will see we will be moving with digital but also keeping a stronghold on TV side revenue. I am also planning to do anchoring in the coming future. I am working on a concept that will see the light of the day, but it will be on the English side.”

    You can catch the full fireside chat here:

  • TV9 appoints Raktim Das as COO of Studio9

    TV9 appoints Raktim Das as COO of Studio9

    NEW DELHI: Beefing up its management team and adding momentum to its pan-network digital expansion plans, TV9 Bharatvarsh announced the appointment of former Zee executive cluster head, innovation studio, and custom content Raktim Das as COO of its property Studio9. 

    In his new role, Das will be responsible for driving the convergence of TV and digital revenue function, with focus on branded content innovation. He will be mandated with setting up an independent profit centre that will design and monetise Web+TV custom content products across multiple language platforms. He will also be responsible for building talent relationships and strategic partnerships for nurturing new growth avenues.

    TV9 Network CEO Barun Das said, “Studio9 is a concept which will enable the convergence of traditional TV and digital in our network. Digital is the future – Hindi and regional news will certainly make a transition from traditional TV to web format. This convergence in the revenue field is of extreme importance. Studio9 will also work with clients to develop creative solutions for their communication challenge. Raktim is certainly the best in the industry to build it from scratch.”

    Looking ahead, Barun Das added that the expects the way the M&E industry conducts its business to change drastically in the post-Covid2019 world. “Those who will adapt to solution-driven models in business, with the infusion of right technology, will lead the revival. While the broader economic environment will be highly challenging, the television news industry will possibly be better off compared to other genres,” Barun Das pointed out

    Raktim Das said, “I am looking forward to be part of the TV9 family. I see huge opportunity for growth in the language markets as nine out of every 10 new internet users in India are likely to be Indian language users. In the new normal, when we are all managing tight business situations, clients and agencies are looking for compelling solutions that are woven around smart innovation to enable purpose-driven, meaningful brand engagement. Ultimately, driving cross-screen engagement will provide the edge to brands.”

    Barun Das added, “I believe that video content across linear TV and digital platforms will converge before completely shifting to digital model. Our digital business model will centre around 3Cs: content, context, and commerce. To me, the digital content business is as much a tech business. Technology is a differentiator and not an enabler. Then comes the ability to innovate as per changing viewers taste.” 

    Prior to Raktim Das’s induction, the network had in June made some strategic leadership moves, including promotion of erstwhile President Sales, Vikram K as COO south to drive the group’s flagship channels TV9 Telugu and TV9 Kannada, while Amit Tripathi was brought on board from Network 18 to serve as the new chief revenue officer.

    In his previous assignment as executive cluster head – innovation studio & custom content at Zee Entertainment, collaborated with leading brands to co-create many award-winning content campaigns. Raktim collaborated with leading brands to co-create many award-winning content campaigns. His media career features many success stories in organizations like the Times of India, India Today Group, Zee Media Corporation Limited, and Network 18.