ITV

Tag: Sunita Uchil

  • Korean TV format powerhouse plants flag in India with two ambitious deals

    Korean TV format powerhouse plants flag in India with two ambitious deals

    CANNES: Seoul’s Something Special has cracked India’s booming television market with a one-two punch, licensing two Korean formats to Karman Unlimited that promise to deliver both tears and laughter to subcontinental audiences. The Seoul-based agency announced the deals at Mipcom, the world’s largest television content marketplace held this month in Cannes.

    First up is Unforgettable Duet, a heart-wrenching unscripted series that reunites dementia patients with their pasts through music and memory. Families curate mementos and a cherished song, which are then loaded onto a Memory Bus that triggers long-buried recollections. The finale sees the patient perform an emotional duet with a family member, crowned by a tribute song from a professional artist. It is therapeutic television at its most potent.

    Then there is Hit & Miss Tour, a raucous comedy show featuring five long-time comedian friends competing in six to eight daily mini-challenges across tourist destinations. With over 210 games in the bank and sponsorship from tourism boards across Turkey and Greece, the format has proved a ratings winner on Channel S in South Korea.

    Something Special president and executive producer Jin Woo Hwang sees the deals as validation of the company’s mission to export Korean creative firepower globally. Karman Unlimited founder & chief executive Sunita Uchil —who previously held sway at Zee TV International—is equally bullish, predicting that Unforgettable Duet will strike a chord with Indian families whilst Hit & Miss Tour delivers the laughs the country desperately needs. Two formats, two markets, infinite possibilities.

  • Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited partner on drama Love is a Stranger

    Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited partner on drama Love is a Stranger

    MUMBAI:  The Ripple Effect has brokered a cross-continental partnership between Brazil’s Visom Digital and India’s Karman Unlimited to adapt the acclaimed Brazilian drama Love is a Stranger for the Indian market. The latter has optioned the series from Visom Digital. 

    The series, created by Ingrid Zavarezzi and Carlos de Andrade, centres on Vânia Jardim, a Rio police officer investigating domestic violence cases while battling her own trauma. . Inspired by true stories, the series intertwines real cases ofdomestic violence with Vânia’s   battle against a ruthless media campaign led by digital influencer Branca Lemos. Ultimately, the narrative transcends crime drama to deliver a socially impactful message about resilience, justice, and hope.

    Originally airing on AXN Brazil since 2024, it drew praise for its raw realism and won the lead Juliana Knust a Golden Panda Award nomination. A wider rollout on Record TV is due in late 2025.

    “Love is a Stranger is more than a police drama—it is a call to action against gender-based violence,” said The Ripple Effect executive vice-president Viviana Hadid.

    Carlos de Andrade of Visom Digital called the story “a responsibility to shine light on issues society too often ignores”, while Karman Unlimited chief executive Sunita Uchil said the remake would reaffirm “the power of entertainment to inspire awareness and change.”

    The Indian version is in early development, with further international adaptations expected across Latin America.

  • Zee Content Hub originals slate for DISCOP SA: First Indian-African drama, lifestyle and factual programmes offered

    Zee Content Hub originals slate for DISCOP SA: First Indian-African drama, lifestyle and factual programmes offered

    MUMBAI: Global Content Hub by Zee – the syndication division of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) — announced its new, original programmes for licensing at the upcoming DISCOP market, in Johannesburg on 25-27 October.

    Highlights of this year’s portfolio include the new Indian/African co-production series Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan, filmed in Dubai and the Ivory Coast.  Other featured shows on offer are two new dramas and a lifestyle programme, as well as Zee’s complete rich catalogue of over 2400,000 hours’ programs in all genres.

    Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan is an original and ground-breaking African-Indian co-production between Zee TV and RTI from Ivory Coast. Filmed in both Africa and the Middle East, the 13-episod ic one-hour drama features well-known African actor Ahmed Souane from the Ivory Coast, who co-stars as the protagonist tycoon’s best friend.

    Khwaabon-Ke-Darmiyaan.jpg

    Renowned actor Javed Sheikh portrays the UAE real estate tycoon, Ikram Malik, and the story follows his endeavor to launch a massive real estate project in the UAE. The series is fast-paced, sophisticated and engrossing and began its broadcast in December 2016, garnering the highest rating recorded for any show in the UAE for 2016 (Average 12.1 TVR); and went on to become the top-rated show among South Asians for its entire 2-month run through February 2017. Khwaabon Ke Darmiyaan is the second Indian drama series ever filmed in Dubai, the first was Parwaaz also produced by Zee.

    Also on offer for the first time are two popular dramas and one factual programme: Woh Apna Sa — an Indian drama series about a troubled marriage and potential love triangle; Waaris (Heir) an Indian drama-thriller series; and English-language, transformational reality programme Big Fat Truth about healthy living.

    waaris-wo-apna-sa.JPG

    ZEEL chief business officer – international ad sales, global syndication and production Sunita Uchil said, “Zee’s Global Content Hub is also highlighting two fantastic dramas for the first time as well as an English-language healthy lifestyle programme."

     

  • Zee takes drama, factual and lifestyle shows to MIPCOM, celebrates 25 years

    Zee takes drama, factual and lifestyle shows to MIPCOM, celebrates 25 years

    MUMBAI: Global Content Hub by Zee, the syndication division of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), has announced its slate of new shows for MIPCOM 2017. This MIPCOM also marks the start of 25 years in business for Zee TV, one of of the leading Indian broadcasters with a reach in 171 countries.

    Debuting at the market is Lala’s Ladiez, Zee’s first-ever English adaptation. Based on Zee’s Indian comedy series Hum Paanch, the story is about a father living with five spirited daughters and his English wife. Each daughter possesses a different personality – one being a feminist; another is all beauty and no brains; yet another is an eco-warrior; a smart tomboy with the youngest being the most fearless. A Zee Format Factory initiative, this 20-part series is being produced in the UK by Endemol Shine.

    Zee’s Indian dramas – Piya Albela, Kundali Bhagya, Woh Apna Sa, Kundali Bhagya are coming to MIPCOM for the first time.

    Piya Albela is a modern love story revolving two people who are worlds apart in character. Naren is a thoughtful and spiritual young man, studying psychology at college, while Pooja is a very modern woman. Naren’s business-tycoon father hires Pooja to entice his son away from his austere life to join the family business. Pooja comes to understand Naren and develop a deep bond. Woh Apna Sa – an Indian drama series about a troubled marriage and the potential love triangle.

    Kundali Bhagya is a spinoff of the family series of the very popular Indian drama series, Kum Kum Bhagya, and the show is about two young girls Preeta and Shristi who discover the existence of their mother ‘Sarla’ and sister Pragya after the death of their father.

    Coming from Zee’s US lifestyle catalogue, Z Living, 34 hours of fresh content have been added to the outstanding library of 1700 hours of health and lifestyle content.

    All are produced in the US in English-language including Conquered, showcasing uplifting stories about people from the everyday to the influential who have broken boundaries and conquered obstacles to achieve their goals in fitness, relationships, career, health and more as well as a second season of Altar’d — the popular wedding reality series featuring fitness and nutrition experts who work with a future bride and groom to shape them up for their big wedding day; Yoga Girls is a never-before-seen side of yoga in Los Angeles, a cut-throat city where the practice can sometimes lead to kicking some serious “asana” and Big Fat Truth is available featuring host/mentor, JD Roth, one of television’s most experienced producers of transformational programming.

    JD helps contestants in this inspiring reality series, inspiring people to change their lives and gain the rewards of a healthier lifestyle.

    Family reality competition programming along with the format is also being featured at MIPCOM. “India’s Asli Champion… HAI DUM!” is hosted by Suniel Shetty. This uniquely crafted show aims to find and crown the “fittest Indian.” After an intensive search across India, 12 contestants, six boys and girls each, coming from different walks of life, have been short-listed for the competition. These 12 contestants battle it out in the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance to win the glorious title of India’s Asli Champion.

    From Zee’s Format Factory, come several scripted and non-scripted formats including: surreal scripted series Phantasmagoria, game show Moksha, scripted comedy Love Thy Neighbour, and family competition, Asli Champion.

    ZEEL’s chief business officer – international ad sales, global syndication and production Sunita Uchil said, “Global Content Hub by Zee has dynamic new drama and comedy series, exciting formats – both scripted and non-scripted — as well as inspiring, English-language, mainstream lifestyle programmes from our US channel, Z Living.”

  • MIPCOM: Zee presents scripted, unscripted series

    MIPCOM: Zee presents scripted, unscripted series

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) announced its slate of six new and current formats for MIPCOM for licensing and development. For the first time, screening sessions will be held in the Zee Bollyworld Preview Theatre located at ZEE’s booth # P1-K51.

    Sunita Uchil, recently promoted to chief business officer, international ad sales, global syndication and production, said, “Zee has a rich history of developing and producing programs with universal themes that are adaptable to all regions of the world. We are looking forward to hosting buyers and showcasing our new formats, as well as the popular dance-based reality show ‘Dance India Dance’, at our Zee Bollyworld Preview Theatre. In other words, Zee Bollyworld promises a truly edge-of-the-seat experience at MIPCOM 2016”.

    Zee’s unscripted formats include India’s original dance reality show, Dance India Dance, in which contestants are judged by leading Bollywood choreographers on their dance skills. Launching its sixth
    season later this year, there have been numerous spinoffs of the format, a Singapore edition, as well as a local production in Thailand. Moksha is a brand-new game show requiring strategy, luck and
    skill.

    Zee’s scripted formats include: Phantasmagoria is a series of 12 wickedly twisted short stories. The story centers on an inconspicuous pawnshop in the corner of a decrepit by lane. Each tale brings about a series of illusions, apparitions and deception based on the elements that are uniquely characteristic of each sign of the zodiac. The Eclipse Harvest is a high-octane crime series about the NYPD Organized Crime Control Bureau. The son of a decorated officer in the Narcotics Division and the son of a drug lord each set out to eclipse their respective fathers of their glory. The mothers of the young men narrate the stories of how their lives are taken away by circumstances and how they are paradoxically connected.

    Two additional scripted formats are all-time favorites in the comedy genre are Hum Paanch (Five Is A Crowd) and Kareena Kareena.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited is one of India’s leading television media and entertainment companies. It is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with an extensive library housing over 222,000 hours of television content.

  • MIPCOM: Zee presents scripted, unscripted series

    MIPCOM: Zee presents scripted, unscripted series

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) announced its slate of six new and current formats for MIPCOM for licensing and development. For the first time, screening sessions will be held in the Zee Bollyworld Preview Theatre located at ZEE’s booth # P1-K51.

    Sunita Uchil, recently promoted to chief business officer, international ad sales, global syndication and production, said, “Zee has a rich history of developing and producing programs with universal themes that are adaptable to all regions of the world. We are looking forward to hosting buyers and showcasing our new formats, as well as the popular dance-based reality show ‘Dance India Dance’, at our Zee Bollyworld Preview Theatre. In other words, Zee Bollyworld promises a truly edge-of-the-seat experience at MIPCOM 2016”.

    Zee’s unscripted formats include India’s original dance reality show, Dance India Dance, in which contestants are judged by leading Bollywood choreographers on their dance skills. Launching its sixth
    season later this year, there have been numerous spinoffs of the format, a Singapore edition, as well as a local production in Thailand. Moksha is a brand-new game show requiring strategy, luck and
    skill.

    Zee’s scripted formats include: Phantasmagoria is a series of 12 wickedly twisted short stories. The story centers on an inconspicuous pawnshop in the corner of a decrepit by lane. Each tale brings about a series of illusions, apparitions and deception based on the elements that are uniquely characteristic of each sign of the zodiac. The Eclipse Harvest is a high-octane crime series about the NYPD Organized Crime Control Bureau. The son of a decorated officer in the Narcotics Division and the son of a drug lord each set out to eclipse their respective fathers of their glory. The mothers of the young men narrate the stories of how their lives are taken away by circumstances and how they are paradoxically connected.

    Two additional scripted formats are all-time favorites in the comedy genre are Hum Paanch (Five Is A Crowd) and Kareena Kareena.

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited is one of India’s leading television media and entertainment companies. It is amongst the largest producers and aggregators of Hindi programming in the world, with an extensive library housing over 222,000 hours of television content.

  • Zee TV appoints new European syndication head Janice Strangward

    Zee TV appoints new European syndication head Janice Strangward

    MUMBAI: Sunita Uchil, chief business officer, International ad sales, Global syndication and production of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) announced the appointment of Janice Strangward as head of European sales syndication based out of London. Strangward previously held senior executive roles at Discovery Networks Europe, Passion Distribution, EOne and Al Jazeera Media Network.

    “We are delighted to have Janice join the Zee team to head up UK and European sales syndication.  As a globally recognized, and highly-respected executive, Janice is ideally placed to lead our European growth strategy. The Zee library contains many  top rating and award winning local formats. Janice will work on adapting  these for the European market. She will also lead our co-production strategy in the region.” said Uchil. “Zee continues to strengthen its reach around the globe and we look forward to great success in the European market.”

    “Zee is one of the world’s top television brands, with a fantastic premium catalog full of rich dramas, informative and entertaining documentaries and engaging family programs. I am pleased to become part of the Zee family,” said Strangward. “And I am excited to share Zee’s great programming from both, Zee Bollyworld and Z Living libraries with European audiences.”

    Strangward started her sales career with CBC in its London based  international sales office. She subsequently spent 11 years at Discovery Networks Europe  rising to become Regional Program Sales Director, leading their content sales and strategy across UK & EMEA.  Most recently, Strangward managed programme sales across Europe on behalf of  the Al Jazeera Media Network.

     

  • Zee TV appoints new European syndication head Janice Strangward

    Zee TV appoints new European syndication head Janice Strangward

    MUMBAI: Sunita Uchil, chief business officer, International ad sales, Global syndication and production of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) announced the appointment of Janice Strangward as head of European sales syndication based out of London. Strangward previously held senior executive roles at Discovery Networks Europe, Passion Distribution, EOne and Al Jazeera Media Network.

    “We are delighted to have Janice join the Zee team to head up UK and European sales syndication.  As a globally recognized, and highly-respected executive, Janice is ideally placed to lead our European growth strategy. The Zee library contains many  top rating and award winning local formats. Janice will work on adapting  these for the European market. She will also lead our co-production strategy in the region.” said Uchil. “Zee continues to strengthen its reach around the globe and we look forward to great success in the European market.”

    “Zee is one of the world’s top television brands, with a fantastic premium catalog full of rich dramas, informative and entertaining documentaries and engaging family programs. I am pleased to become part of the Zee family,” said Strangward. “And I am excited to share Zee’s great programming from both, Zee Bollyworld and Z Living libraries with European audiences.”

    Strangward started her sales career with CBC in its London based  international sales office. She subsequently spent 11 years at Discovery Networks Europe  rising to become Regional Program Sales Director, leading their content sales and strategy across UK & EMEA.  Most recently, Strangward managed programme sales across Europe on behalf of  the Al Jazeera Media Network.

     

  • Zeel & FilmOn partner to launch online Bollywood channel

    Zeel & FilmOn partner to launch online Bollywood channel

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (Zeel) and internet TV provider FilmOn.com have entered into a partnership to launch a new customised channel called Zee Bollyworld TV. The channel will bring content from India to FilmOn’s 65 million monthly unique users.

     

    The content on Zee Bollyworld TV will be broadcast in Hindi along with English subtitles, and will be available free everywhere. The HD channel will show a packed schedule of premium entertainment. 

     

    FilmOn Networks founder and chief executive officer Alki David said, “We are delighted to have reached this unique agreement with India’s most exciting broadcaster, Zeel, to share their fantastic content with our audiences on a worldwide basis for the first time. Zee Bollyworld TV on FilmOn.com will showcase some of the very best programming that India has to offer, including great Bollywood movies, chat shows and top drama. Our new custom-made channel will be available free straight to desktop, tablet or mobile.”

     

    Zeel global head syndication Sunita Uchil added, “With new modes of content consumption emerging in today’s digital age, our partnership with FilmOn.com will help us reach out to a wider range of audiences. We are confident that the new channel will be of huge interest to Indian communities within the USA and the UK and also to anyone who wishes to enjoy the rich diversity of content from India.”

     

    Currently, FilmOn has over 600 free channels and more than 90,000 video-on-demand titles.

  • Zeel licenses home-grown format ‘DID’ to Thailand’s broadcaster

    Zeel licenses home-grown format ‘DID’ to Thailand’s broadcaster

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) has created a broadcast history by finalizing a syndication deal with JKN Global Media Limited Thailand for its home-grown format, Dance India Dance (DID). 

     

    It is a known fact that prime-time content in India has been laced with popular international formats, which are regularly imported and licensed by Indian TV channels from international broadcasters, production houses or format owners. 

     

    While Indian content being aired or repurposed on TV channels across the world is quite common, this particular syndication deal is a landmark achievement since it’s the very first time that a format created in India has been licensed internationally. The Indian content industry’s contribution to ‘Make in India’, literally.

     

    Zeel MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, “At Zee, we have always believed in developing in-house formats. It was our belief in the concept of Dance India Dance that led to its growth from the regional to the international platform. Through this partnership with JKN Global Media Limited, DID will not only reach out to the South-Asian diaspora but the local, mainstream audiences in Thailand as well.”

     

    “Going forward, we hope to license not just Dance India Dance but our other home-grown formats to the international markets,” Goenka added.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, JKN Global Media Thailand MD Andrew Suteestarpon said, “I’m very pleased to develop the well-known format show called Dance India Dance into the local version. With the collaboration of Zee, I strongly believe in the professional team and the corporate experience that can lead JKN Channel into achieving a high success rating with Dance Thailand Dance.”

     

    Zeel global head syndication Sunita Uchil added, “We are very proud that our home-grown format Dance India Dance will now reach 22 million homes in Thailand through JKN Channel. Over the years, there has been an increasing demand for Indian content and we have endeavored to meet this demand by offering a wide array of entertainment content through customized services like dubbing and subtitling in foreign languages under the Zee Bollyworld umbrella. This deal embraces our global positioning of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is My Family’ and reinforces Zee Bollyworld’s leadership as the ‘one-stop shop for Indian entertainment content the world over.’”