ITV

Tag: Tata Play

  • Tata Play unveils Marathi Classics

    Tata Play unveils Marathi Classics

    Mumbai: Tata Play introduced Marathi Classics, a new platform service dedicated to iconic movies and shows from the golden era of Marathi entertainment. Recognising its audience’s content preferences, this service will also feature a rich catalogue of kirtans, to cater to spiritually inclined viewers. Powered by ZEE Talkies, this latest addition aims to curate the finest Marathi titles and classic movie offerings that have a strong connect with the viewers.  

    This ad-free service contains a captivating lineup of Classic Marathi blockbusters which released post 1950’s, along with an impressive lineup of popular serials and kirtan recitals. Cult classics like Zapatlela, GupChup GupChup, Palva Palvi, Maherchi Sadi, Dev Manus are a part of the content lineup. Subscribers will get to enjoy movies featuring legendary actors like Ashok Saraf, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Laxmikant Berde, Dada Kondke, Varsha Usgaonkar, Jayshree Gadkar, Nilu Phule and many more. Daily soaps like Avantika, Vadalvaat, Abhalmaya, etc will also be brought back as part of the offering.

    Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri, said, “Yesteryear’s Marathi content is known for its beautiful portrayal of rich Maharashtrian culture. There is a dedicated fan base for such content and we, in partnership with ZEE Talkies, wanted to revive these timeless shows and films that are celebrated today as classics. We believe this eclectic curation will resonate deeply with our viewers, rekindling their nostalgia.”

    ZEEL head public & regulatory affairs and CRO-Affiliate sales Anil Malhotra further added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Tata Play to bring back the golden age of Marathi cinema. Marathi Classics is a testament to the enduring appeal of timeless storytelling. With this curated platform, we aim to reconnect audiences with iconic films and shows that have shaped Marathi entertainment.”

    The service is free for the first five days from the date of subscription; INR 1.5 per day will be charged thereafter. On-the-go viewing can be availed through the Tata Play Mobile App.

    Tata Play Marathi Classics joins Tata Play’s range of over 50 entertainment and infotainment Platform Services suitable across age groups and providing content across genres like Entertainment, Kids, Learn, Regional, Devotion and much more. For more information, log onto Tata Play Specials.

  • Bharti Airtel responds to BSE query on Tata Play buyout

    Bharti Airtel responds to BSE query on Tata Play buyout

    MUMBAI: The Sunil Mittal-owned Bharti Airtel has responded to a query from the Bombay stock exchange (BSE) regarding news reports that it is in advanced talks to acquire the lossmaking DTH market leader and Tata group company Tata Play, led by Harit Nagpal.

    The company told the BSE that from time to time it or its subsidiaries evaluate various opportunities. And that it saw no reason why it should make any disclosures now, keeping in mind Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) regulations for listed companies.

    In a letter addressed to both the National Stock Exchange and BSE, it responded as follows:

    “We wish to clarify that the Company (on its own or through its subsidiary companies) evaluates various opportunities of alliances/ acquisitions and other similar avenues as per its requirements from time to time, in the ordinary course of business. There is no material event/ information that requires disclosure under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
    Regulations, 2015 (‘SEBI Listing Regulations’). As a responsible corporate that follows the highest standards of corporate governance, the Company is fully conscious of its disclosure obligations under SEBI Listing Regulations and will duly make appropriate disclosures in compliance with applicable laws.”

    It may be recalled that The Economic Times had reported a couple of days ago that Tata Sons which holds a 70 per cent stake in Tata Play is looking at exiting along with Walt Disney, which holds 30 per cent.  The DTH provider’s valuation has reportedly plummeted from around $3 billion pre-covid to around $1 billion today. Tata Sons had bought out Singapore’s Temasek Holding’s  10 per cent investment in Tata Play for around $100 million in April 2024.  Bharti Airtel is expecting to close the purchase at the same valuation, the Economic Times report had stated. 

    Bharti Airtel owns the second largest DTH platform in India in Airtel DTH and the Tata Play acquisition will reportedly bolster its subscriber base. 

  • Targeted ads on Disney Star Network’s TV Entertainment channels deliver a remarkable windfall for brands

    Targeted ads on Disney Star Network’s TV Entertainment channels deliver a remarkable windfall for brands

    Mumbai: The introduction of a targeted advertising solution on Linear TV through a collaboration between Disney Star Network and Tata Play, is transforming the landscape for brands that have previously hesitated to engage with linear advertising. The concerns of spillover and large campaign outlays got allayed with the creation of this extremely premium & exclusive audience cohort lowering the barriers to entry significantly.

    Brands are seizing the opportunity to execute a high visibility campaign among Linear TV’s premium audiences, complementing their digital exclusive audience across mobile & CTV. This breakthrough innovation offering targeted ads on Disney Star Network’s HD entertainment channels and top-rated shows attracted one of India’s largest advertisers, Amazon which has executed three campaigns for Amazon Fresh and Prime Speed delivery. Flipkart launched their most important “Big Billion Day” campaign recently to access this affluent metro cohort. Brands from D2C, BFSI, Pharma, Media & Entertainment and FMCG have attained a significant push to their growth with these targeted campaigns on Linear TV.  

    “We are thrilled with the response received for our new Addressable Ads solution on our linear network of HD channels. Through this one-of-a-kind ad-solution launched in collaboration with Tata Play, we have introduced an array of possibilities for brands who have specific business objectives and want to target affluent metro audiences only. We look forward to many more successful campaigns during the festive season,” said Disney Star, Head of Entertainment, Ad Sales & Strategy, Dev Shenoy.

    Tata Play tested this differentiated ad product to enhance Linear HD audiences and drive app downloads for its OTT aggregation platform, Tata Play Binge. A high frequency 10-day Binge campaign delivered instantaneous impact. Tata Play chief commercial & content Officer Pallavi Puri remarked on the campaign’s success “To promote our Tata Play Binge campaign, we leveraged the addressable ads platform to effectively target the metro viewers of Disney Star Network’s HD channels, and it resulted in a 17% jump in app downloads. We believe this is a remarkable standard for efficacy and ROI.”

    Riversoft, a water softener start-up was one of the first brand campaigns on this new ad product and experienced a substantial double-digit growth in its E-commerce sales. Riversoft founder Ashutosh Kedawat commented on the enthusiastic consumer response to this campaign “We wanted to try out Linear TV for our ad campaign and we were looking for a plan with less spill over that helps us reach our target audience. Disney Star Network presented a plan targeting the top 8 metros which also coincided with our target audience. We were really delighted to see how well the campaign performed.”

    Other D2C brands and start-ups ventured into Linear TV advertising successfully using this pioneering ad product. Perfora, a GenZ first oral care brand that is reimagining teeth whitening with safe & effective solutions, in its inaugural TV campaign expanded its audience by tapping into millennials. The campaign saw a significant surge in website traffic and resulted in increased brand search volume during its run. Gourmet snack brand 4700BC, witnessed a sizable increase in quick commerce orders. Third Wave Coffee saw its store footfalls rise across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore resulting in high double-digit revenue growth.

    While this one-of-a-kind ad product on Linear TV attracted many new brands, existing FMCG advertiser such as Freedom Oil leveraged this ad product to reach out to a niche audience cohort of Hindi content viewers in the Southern metros. 

  • APOS 24: Tata Play powers Philippines-based Cignal TV’s super app

    APOS 24: Tata Play powers Philippines-based Cignal TV’s super app

    MUMBAI: Tata Play has added another feather in its cap. Speaking at APOS in Bali this morning, Tata Play managing director & CEO Harit Nagpal announced -alongside Cignal TV’s president & CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas and Akash Digital TV CEO Tariq Alam – that the it  had provided its Tata Play Binge app’s platform as a service (PaaS) to Cignal TV. This follows quickly in the footsteps of Akash Digital in Bangladesh also opting for PaaS.

    The  Cignal Super app is the first ever OTT-aggregation platform to be introduced in the Philippines. Currently in its pilot phase, Cignal Super  app will soon give users a unified subscription to access content from various OTT platforms.

    “Tata Play’s intuitive user interface makes content discovery easy for our TV customers,” stated Nagpal at APOS. “We have applied the same principle while designing Binge. This will become even more relevant in the future as the number of apps increase. It is all about understanding what today’s viewer really needs: simplicity, choice, and affordability. And with Tata Play Binge’s cloud technology, we are making sure this vision can be scaled globally. The launch of the Akash Go app and now Cignal Super demonstrates the universal appeal of our platform and our rapid delivery times, allowing partners to create their own branded app.”

    Cignal Super will launch with partners including VIU, Lionsgate Play, Curiosity Stream, Fuse+, Pilipinas Live, and Cignal Play.
    “At Cignal, we’re excited to launch Cignal Super, the first of its kind in the Philippines.  With content becoming increasingly fragmented, and streaming subscription prices increasing, we believe this service will be compelling and relevant for our customers as we simplify access to content from multiple apps into one platform – with a single subscription, unified content discovery, and one affordable price. This further establishes Cignal’s continuing commitment to aggregate the best content for our customers, and we thank Tata Play and all our partners for enabling us to bring this product to life”, said Cignal TV’s Jane Jimenez-Basas. 

  • Tata Play brings Star Plus’ iconic serials

    Tata Play brings Star Plus’ iconic serials

    Mumbai: Tata Play announced the launch of yet another sought-after offering – Tata Play Superhit Serials. Seeped in nostalgia, this new value-added service will bring back the shows of the 2000s for the subscribers. Powered by Star Plus, the service will feature the reruns of the channel’s most popular shows that touched the hearts of millions and still hold a strong cult following. The demand for such shows is considerable since they are no longer available on any TV channel.

    Tata Play Superhit Serials promises a captivating lineup of content that reigned supreme in that decade. Featuring strong-willed female protagonists and complex family dynamics, such as ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’, ‘Kasautii Zindagi Kay’, ‘Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan’, ‘Kaahin Kissii Roz’, as well as period dramas with rich collection of characters and stories like ‘Hatim’, ‘Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan’, and the must-watch romance drama ‘Navya’, the service will bring back the best of Star Plus shows from the 2000s.

    Commenting on the launch, Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri said, “Our research revealed a significant demand for beloved classic shows. With a sizeable audience reminiscing about iconic properties like Kasautii, Kahaani, etc., we recognised the need to revisit and curate these groundbreaking programs that till date enjoys a strong resonance in the minds of the viewers. We collaborated with Star Plus to revitalize these gems and bring their timeless appeal back to families in the form of Tata Play Superhit Serials.”

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with Tata Play to bring back some of Star Plus’ most beloved serials that have left an indelible mark on Indian television. This initiative goes beyond merely reviving classics; it’s about reigniting the excitement and anticipation among our viewers who cherish these timeless stories and characters,” said Disney Star head – distribution and International Gurjeev Singh Kapoor. “Audiences, across generations, can fully immerse themselves in these shows, which still resonate today, through a seamless, ad-free viewing experience. Our commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment that resonates with viewers and stands the test of time remains at the core of everything we do,” he added.

    The reruns will feature popular actors such as Sakshi Tanwar, Shweta Tiwari, Ronit Roy, Urvashi Dholakia, Cezanne Khan, Ali Asgar, Rupali Ganguli, Haussain Kuwajerwala, Juhi Parmar, Sudha Chandran, Hiten Tejwani, Kiku Sharda, Anita Hassanandani, Eijaz Khan, Iqbal Khan and many more. Iconic characters like Prerna, Parvati, Komolika, Mr. Bajaj, Anurag Basu will return to Indian homes through this special offering. Tata Play subscribers can access these shows ad-free for a nominal fee of Rs 2 per day.

    Tata Play serials join Tata Play’s range of over 45 entertainment and infotainment Platform Services suitable across age groups and providing content across genres like Entertainment, Kids, Learn, Regional, Devotion and much more. For more information, log onto Choose Tata Play (formerly Tata Sky) DTH Services in India | Tata Play

  • Experience the monsoon magic this month with Zindagi’s shows

    Experience the monsoon magic this month with Zindagi’s shows

    Mumbai: Embrace the monsoon season with Zindagi’s curated lineup themed ‘Best of Romance’ for July, promising a journey through love and drama. Starting from 4 July, 6 pm, catch the premiere of Dil Lagi, starring Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat, a romantic tale set amidst the narrow backstreets of Sukkur in interior Sindh.

    On 14 July, 7:30 pm, witness Pyaare Afzal, starring Ayeza Khan and Hamza Abbasi, where Afzal’s infatuation with Farah leads to unexpected twists of love and personal growth. Following this on 16 July, 6 pm, is Pyar Ke Sadqay, featuring Bilal Abbas and Yumna Zaidi, as Abdullah and Mahjabeen navigate challenges in their quest for love.

    For cinema enthusiasts, don’t miss the film Behadd, starring a stellar ensemble including Fawad Khan, Sajal Aly, and Adnan Siddiqui among others premiering 14 July, 11 am, offering a poignant tale of love and family dynamics. Adding to the lineup is Shehr E Zaat, premiering 7 July, 12 – 2 pm, starring Mahira Khan an only child to very rich parents. The storyline revolves around her journey from self to subsistence in sculpting the man of her dreams.

    Launching on 13 July 9 pm, is Khoya Khoya Chand, featuring Maya Ali, Ahsan Khan, and Sohai Ali Abroo, unraveling a tale of love and destiny amidst personal challenges and family dynamics.

    Mehwish Hayat portraying Anmol in Dil Lagi, shared, “Playing Anmol has been a privilege. She is a strong, sensible young woman who faces every problem head-on and cares deeply for her family. This beautifully written family-oriented romance captivated viewers till the very last episode. The narrative not only explores the depths of human emotion but also resonates with universal themes of love and resilience. I am thrilled and honored that Indian audiences will now have the opportunity to experience our storytelling through Zindagi. It’s a wonderful testament to the power of cross-border content that transcends geographical boundaries and connects us through shared emotions.”

    Tune in exclusively on Zindagi DTH Tata Play (Channel 154), Dish TV and D2h (Channel 117), and Airtel TV (Channel 102) for a month-long celebration of romance and drama that promises to captivate your heart and soul.

  • Tata Play introduces anime local

    Tata Play introduces anime local

    Mumbai: Tata Play’s platform service portfolio gains momentum with its latest addition – Anime Local. Bringing the best of Japanese animation to audiences in India, Anime Local on Tata Play, is an ad free service available to all Tata Play subscribers in three different languages – Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. For ease of access, the service will also be available simultaneously on the Tata Play mobile app for portable, on-the-move viewing.

    Anime Local on Tata Play seeks to entice the viewers with a large bouquet of curated anime content, from thrilling action epics to heartwarming coming-of-age stories, at just Rs. 2 per day.  The service will feature popular anime shows like Naruto, Sergeant Keroro, Ninjaboy Rantaro, Naruto Shippuden, Black Clover, Robotan, among many others, in Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam languages.

    Commenting on the successful launch of another niche programming service, Tata Play’s chief commercial and content officer, Pallavi Puri said, “The evolving preferences of our TV audiences have been the driving force behind the innovative programming we’ve envisioned for our platform services. Anime Local on Tata Play will be yet another jewel to our exhaustive offering. The palette for Anime content has been growing, and our new service will provide top notch content, to suit that growing appetite. We thank our partner Culver Max Entertainment for putting together this curation for us.”

    Adding to the same, Sony YAY! – business head (CMEPL) Leena Lele Dutta commented, “In today’s world, where innovation drives the evolution of entertainment, anime has emerged as a global sensation and is rapidly growing in India. To meet this growing enthusiasm, we are thrilled to launch ‘Anime Local’ with TATA PLAY, that aims to revolutionize the anime viewing experience for Indian fans.”

  • Goafest 2024: Adapt to thrive not just survive

    Goafest 2024: Adapt to thrive not just survive

    Mumbai: This year, Goafest has adapted to new horizons, bringing the 17th edition of the festival to the vibrant city of Mumbai.

    As they celebrated numerous ground-breaking ideas, they rose a toast to adaptability – the key to success in their ever-changing world. From diverse view-points to cutting-edge strategies, set amidst the serene backdrop of Powai Lake, this year’s Goafest ignited the creative spark and empowered people to navigate the exciting unknown.

    In the first session presented by News 18 Network, titled Adapt To Thrive Not Just Survive, Tata Play managing director & CEO Harit Nagpal emphasised the importance of adaptability as a key to thriving rather than merely surviving. In a captivating speech that left the audience both thinking and inspired, laden with anecdotes, the keynote speaker emphasised the inevitability of disruption in our lives and the critical importance of resilience in the face of it. “Disruption can be caused by anything or anyone, but it becomes our responsibility to survive and thrive,” he asserted! He then discussed Business Continuity Planning, a strategy used in the 2000s, designed to address both expected and unexpected scenarios, and its relevance to COVID-19.

    He then moved on to highlight the surge in digital interactions, including video calls and remote work, which have become the norm. The pandemic, he noted, disrupted traditional office setups but ultimately led to more flexible and efficient work arrangements.

    He also revealed that a significant and growing proportion of Tata Play’s customer base is now opting for digital recharge options, marking a notable shift in consumer behaviour. This trend is reflected in the company’s increasing market share, as more and more customers embrace the convenience of virtual recharges. In a nod to the rapid pace of innovation, he declared, “Disruption is the new norm.” From the worldwide web to AI, each breakthrough is shrinking the gap between disruptions, and we’re just getting started.

    His parting words, “Either you disrupt, or someone else is going to do it for you, and the best time to do it is when you feel the most comfortable!” left an indelible mark!
     

  • Tata group to buy out Disney’s 30 per cent stake in Tata Play

    Tata group to buy out Disney’s 30 per cent stake in Tata Play

    MUMBAI: The mouse house is playing its final hand in India. The Bob Iger headed entertainment major has lined up a deal under which it will be selling its near 30 per cent stake in DTH firm Tata Play to the Tata Group. The transaction values India’s most respected pay TV operator at $1 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg.

    The exit by Disney will allow it to merge its India business with the Mukesh Ambani-owned Viacom18.

    Disney pocketed its holding in Tata Play when it acquired the entertainment business of Twenty First Century Fox from News Corp which landed it the Star India network.

    Tata Play, which has seen in an erosion in subscriber numbers, like most in the pay TV business, thanks to the expansion of the government-owned Free Dish, and cord cutting which has seen in the growth of streaming services.

    It has been looking at unlocking value and attracting capital, and even started the process for an IPO in 2020, which it later dropped.

    With the acquisition of Disney’s 30 per cent, the Tatas will retain total ownership of Tata Play.

  • Tata Play and Amazon Prime collaborate to offer Prime benefits to viewers across TV and OTT

    Tata Play and Amazon Prime collaborate to offer Prime benefits to viewers across TV and OTT

    Mumbai: Leading content distribution platform, Tata Play, has joined hands with Amazon Prime to offer Tata Play DTH and Tata Play Binge customers multiple ways to access Prime Video’s blockbuster content. Tata Play DTH subscribers can now choose from multiple packs starting from Rs 199 per month, that offer a variety of their favourite TV channels along with Prime Lite with Tata Play. In addition, Binge subscribers can enjoy Prime Lite with Tata Play along with 30+ other popular apps at various price points. At INR 199 per month, users can subscribe to 6 OTT apps, including Prime Video, from a list of 33 apps, or can subscribe to all 33, including Prime Video at Rs 349 per month.

    The new price plans from Tata Play Binge put the freedom of choice in the hands of its audience to make their own OTT packs. Prime Video’s addition to the league of 30+ national, international, and regional apps on Tata Play Binge aims to further elevate content bingeing into an even more indulgent experience, all in one convenient location across languages, genres, and devices.  

    This extensive collaboration between Tata Play and Amazon Prime is dedicated to offering comprehensive value to the customers, ensuring they enjoy video, shipping and shopping benefits. Consumers can enjoy the full selection of amazing shows and movies on Prime Video including the highly popular Original series like Panchayat, Mirzapur, The Family Man, Dhootha, Inspector Rishi, Farzi, Dahaad, Made in Heaven, Indian Police Force, Suzhal – The Vortex, Dil Dosti Dilemma, Poacher, among others, blockbuster movies like Pathaan, Jailer, Ponniyin Selvan I & II, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Tiger 3, Kantara, Mast Mein Rehne Ka, Maja Ma, Bawaal, Pippa, Captain Miller, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and many more, along with international series and movies like Fallout, Citadel, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, The Idea of You, The Boys, Jack Ryan, Reacher, to name a few. This is in addition to other Prime Lite benefits like, free unlimited same day delivery across 1M+ products and next day delivery across 4M+ products, prime early access & exclusive deals and 5% cashback on Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card while on shopping on Amazon.

    “While on the one hand, Tata Play’s robust content distribution network will help in expanding Amazon Prime’s outreach to newer audience segments, on the other, addition of Prime Lite Membership with Tata Play will make Binge a more compelling proposition,” said Tata Play managing director & CEO Harit Nagpal, on this first-of-its-kind partnership.

    “At Prime Video, our mission is to super-serve our customers with the best of entertainment, and we are constantly looking at ways to strengthen our distribution to ensure wider availability of our much-loved movies and series,” said Prime Video VP, APAC & MENA Gaurav Gandhi. “The collaboration with Tata Play provides its DTH and digital customers seamless access to Prime Video’s full selection of content, as well as Prime Lite benefits like unlimited free shopping & shipping of ‘Same-day/Next-Day’ delivery, Prime exclusive deals and much more. We look forward to working with Tata Play to make premium entertainment even more accessible to customers in India.”

    Amazon Prime and Tata Play – Plans & Benefits

    DTH Packs and Prime Lite with Tata Play

    • Access Prime Video content on any 2 screens (mobile or TV)

    • Access to exclusive deals and free shipping on Amazon

    • Available as a bundle with linear TV packs  

    • Price – Starting at Rs 199 per month

    Prime Lite with Tata Play Binge

    • Access Prime Video content on any 2 screens (mobile or TV)

    • Access to exclusive deals and unlimited same day and next day delivery across millions of products

    • Select 6 OTT apps, including Prime Lite at Rs 199 per month, or enjoy all 33 apps, including Prime Lite, at Rs 349 per month

    In addition to the above new plans, DTH customers can also subscribe to the annual subscription of Amazon Prime through Tata Play DTH at an attractive limited time introductory offer, and gain access to Prime Video, free shipping/ shopping benefits, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming etc., and access through 5 devices.