ITV

Tag: Uttar Pradesh

  • Network18 launches India’s local news portal www.News18.com

    Network18 launches India’s local news portal www.News18.com

    MUMBAI: News from India goes deeply local in the latest online news website from Network18: News18.com. India’s first web, mobile and tablet service to focus on news at the state and city level, News18.com was launched on January 26.  

    Available on the web, on mobile phones and tablets, and as downloadable apps for iOS and Android devices, News18.com currently covers seven states: Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It will expand to the remaining states of the country over the next 18 months.

    News18.com draws on the unparallelled local news-­gathering expertise of the ETV network of news channels, whose Hindi services cover these seven states. The deep reach of ETV News into every corner of these states generates a rich and unique stream of news, updated by the minute.

    People can now follow all of these news reports, in the form of engaging video clips, instant updates, and snappy text stories, on News18.com. Local news will break fast – and first -­ on News18.com, and in-­depth coverage of local developments and issues will keep users fully informed about their home state and city.

    Highlighting the importance of local news, Lakshmi Narasimhan CEO, Web18 said, “News18 is a completely fresh approach to covering news online. With Internet penetration and smartphones users galloping in tier 2 & 3 towns, it is important to provide a convenient platform to consume news. This is the information century, with content consumption at an all time high. For somebody living in Bihar or Rajasthan it is no longer sufficient to simply know what is happening in Delhi. News18 brings you closer to your world and gets you news that truly matters to you.”

    Arunava Sinha, Head, IBNLive.com & News18.com is confident that readers will enjoy the interactive user-­experience of the site. “News18.com will give readers a totally fresh and unique content experience. Watching live TV on the mobile and on the dektop, keeping track of the latest developments through live tickers and smart app alerts, sharing the news of one’s choice with friends on Facebook and Twitter – users will be able to do it all.”

    By taking local news beyond its borders and making it available everywhere, News18.com turns the local into the national and international. And with its availability of computers, tablets and mobiles – the first online news offering from India to be available on all three devices from day one – it brings local news within easy reach of people wherever they are.

     
    The Network18 Group is a media and entertainment company with interests in television, Internet, films, e-­commerce, magazines, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its subsidiary ‘TV18 Broadcast Ltd.’ [BSE: 532800, NSE: TV18BRDCST], the group operates news channels -­ CNBC-­TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNBC-­TV18 Prime HD, CNN-­IBN, IBN7 and IBN-­Lokmat (a Marathi regional news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group). TV18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18, which houses a portfolio of popular entertainment channels – Colors, Colors HD, MTV, Comedy Central, Vh1, Nick, Sonic, Nick Jr./Teen Nick and Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the group’s filmed entertainment business.

    TV18 has also forayed into the Indian factual entertainment space through A+E Networks | TV18 (a joint venture between A+E Networks and TV18 Broadcast) and operates HistoryTV18. TV18 and Viacom18 have also formed a strategic joint venture called IndiaCast, a multi-­platform ‘content asset monetization’ entity that drives domestic and international channel distribution, placement services and content syndication for the bouquet of channels from TV18, Viacom18 and other broadcasters. Through ‘Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.’ [BSE: 532798, NSE: Network18], the group operates its digital, publishing and e-­commerce assets including moneycontrol.com, ibnlive.com, in.com and firstpost.com.

    ‘Network18’ also operates e-­commerce properties like HomeShop18 and bookmyshow.com and publishes Forbes India, the nation’s first local edition of a foreign news magazine title, in collaboration with Forbes Media. In addition, through ‘Network18’, the group operates Network18 Publishing, a player in the special interest publishing space. ‘Network18’ has investments in Yatra, Stargaze and other Capital18 portfolio companies.

     

  • The Times Now, India News blackout in Uttar Pradesh

    The Times Now, India News blackout in Uttar Pradesh

    MUMBAI: Two major news channels – Times Now and India News – were blacked out over the weekend in Uttar Pradesh, following their criticism of  the lavish Saifai Mahotsav ceremony by the Akhilesh Yadav-run government in the state. The black out of the two channels was done following unofficial orders from government officials, local cable TV operators have confessed to the media.  However, both Times Now and India News were back on most cable TV networks in the state, though the latter was was still not available in Lucknow and Faizabad, at the time of writing.

     

    The black out  has disturbed both the government and the news broadcast industry. Information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari candidly remarked yesterday that his ministry would fast track TRAI’s recommendations on cable TV monopolies in various states to prevent operators from misusing their dominance. 

     

    Times Television Network CEO Sunil Lulla spoke to indiantelevision.com, saying that the issue was a matter of fundamental rights. “We completely echo the thoughts of the minister on monopolisation. There cannot be any arbitrariness,” he says. 

     

    India News which is a Hindi channel says that nearly 25 per cent of its viewership comes from UP. And, it lost a large part of that in the past two days.  “Our channel has been switched off since 10 January and although no one is coming out in the open we have heard that they have been ordered to do so. Our channel is still missing in Lucknow and Faizabad which are important strongholds. So, we are still discussing with the local cable TV ops to get it back on as soon as possible,” says ITV Network (India News and News X) CEO R K Arora. 

     

    Some fingers have been pointed toward MSO DEN Networks which has a large share of cable TV subscribers in Uttar Pradesh for giving into government pressure and switching off the two channels. However, DEN COO M. Azhar disagrees that there was any pressure from any quarter. Pooh-poohing claims that there was a large scale blackout from his network, he says that it was restricted to only a few local cable TV operators. 

     

    “All channels are now running on our network and it was only a few people who had done it for sometime but now everything is restored,” he says. 

     

    Lulla, while agreeing that his channel has been restored, states that “a standard process needs to be followed by both the broadcaster as well as the MSO and no disconnection can be done without notice. It was probably some state officials who had jumped the gun.” 

  • KBC 2013 gets its first Female Crorepati of the season

    KBC 2013 gets its first Female Crorepati of the season

    MUMBAI: ‘Aap crorepati ban gayi hain’ resonated one last time on the sets of India’s most loved quiz game show Kaun Banega Crorepati as host Amitabh Bachchan congratulated hot seat contestant Firoz Fatma. Hailing from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Firoz Fatma is the first female contestant this season to walk away with the most desired title, that of a ‘Crorepati’ on this life changing game show.

    A BSc. Student, Firoz never wanted her sister to stop her studies, so she sacrificed her education due to financial problems. She participated in the game show to win a certain amount to pay off her deceased father’s loan. On the second last day of the game, Firoz had lost all her hopes to make it to the hot seat. But her knowledge which she gathered only by reading newspapers and watching news channels helped her reach the most celebrated hot seat.

    After winning a crore an excited Firoz said, “I was very nervous when I wasn’t able to make it to the hot seat in the second last episode and felt I have to go home empty handed. But then I aced the fastest finger first round and made my way to the hot seat. Also, I didn’t feel as the 1 Crore winner until the audience clapped and Bachchanji hugged me. It is a great feeling”.

    With the winning amount, Firoz wants to help her family get rid of the loan and study further. She also wants her mother to live a tension free life.
    Tune in to witness the excitement of the first female Crorepati of the season on Sunday 1st December, 8:30pm only on Sony Entertainment Television

  • highlight Sony Entertainment – Crime Patrol

    highlight Sony Entertainment – Crime Patrol

    UTTAR PRADESH : Aruna Sampath, a political figure in Uttar Pradesh is shot dead while traveling to Lucknow. How was it that she was killed inside a bus shot at yet no one heard any sound any scream? A maze of rivalry revenge and bloodbath was unraveled as the investigations progressed. Power is poison it is said. Power corrupts it is said. Yet the powerful or those with the penchant for power play the game and fall a prey to the game. An entire web of criminal intent; an ambitious woman with a penchant for power Aruna Sampath, and a daughter in law not willing to be subjugated. A chain of criminal conspiracies, a series of crimes. Love turning into despise, despise not willing to subside, a child at the heart of the rivalry, and two men, two loyal men supposedly betraying. A daughter in law Vibha no longer staying with the family.

    Two ex-confidantes Atul Sharma and Aditya Shrivastava no longer in good books of the family. Why did two confidantes turn against Aruna Sampath and how did they gang up with a disgruntled daughter in law? Did the three get together and carry out the killing?

  • Saif Ali Khan gets fitter for Bullett Raja

    Saif Ali Khan gets fitter for Bullett Raja

    Bollywood’s leading actor and fitness freak, Saif Ali Khan is all geared up for his forthcoming film Bullett Raja which is all set to release on 29 November.

     

    Saif will be seen in a very raw and rustic avatar in the film. And for this look the actor has been working out real hard. Insiders say that the films script is very demanding in terms of action and all the sequences are done by Saif himself.

     

    When asked Saif about his fitness in Bullett Raja he said, “I wasn’t fit when I did the Race 2 run. I was okay but I am way fitter now and it looks different. If you are fit, your body language changes. You are more agile and the kind of action you do, particularly like in Bullett Raja, it’s incredibly physically demanding. It’s a great feeling when you are fit and you are looking good when they shoot you”

     

    With a customised workout regime the actor sports one of his best look on screen till date.

     

    Bullett Raja which is back dropped against a mafia based in Uttar Pradesh will be a complete action packed entertainer. Produced by Select Media & BrandSmith Motion Pictures the film also stars Jimmy Shergill, Vidyut Jamwal, Gulshan Grover, Raj Babbar and Chunky Pandey.

     

    So get ready to witness the bloody badlands of director Tigmanshu Dhulia as Bullet Raja releases this November.

  • Preity Zinta back with Bhaiyyaji Superhit

    Preity Zinta back with Bhaiyyaji Superhit

    After doing a cameo with Saif Ali Khan in the US for a film titled Happy Ending, Preity Zinta is back in Mumbai.

     

    She has resumed shooting in India with Neeraj Pathak’s Bhaiyyaji Superhit where in her own words she has a “damned interesting role” opposite Sunny Deol. For the first time, Preity gets to play a bonafide rustic character. And she’s working hard to clean herself of the subtle American twang she has acquired during her frequent visits to the US where her brother lives.

     

    Last seen in her home-production Ishkq In Paris, the film’s failure left Preity disappointed but undeterred.

     

    Preity begins shooting for Bhaiyyaji Superhit in Udaipur this week. She plays a character from rural Uttar Pradesh. Sunny Deol plays her husband.

  • Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand tops channel race in its region

    Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand tops channel race in its region

    NEW DELHI: Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand is the most preferred channel in its region and has been a resounding hit. According to TAM data, the channel is No. 1 in terms of viewership. The channel has acquired the No. 1 spot leaving behind channels like ETV UP and Buland News UPUT.

    The channel has become the preferred channel in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, because of its informative content that caters viewers from all walks of life. Its programming mix has created a niche for itself, resulting in huge and loyal viewership. Source: TAM, Viewership data in (GTVT’000), CS 15+, Avg. 4 Weeks (Wk 31-Wk 34 ’13), Uttar Pradesh.

    Going by its philosophy “Apna Pradesh, Apna Desh”, the channel strikes the right balance between National and Regional News, Current Affairs Programming with Feature Programming like Naari, Money Matters, and recently started Debate@8. In a nutshell, the channel’s objective is to inform viewers not only about their region, but also about other relevant information from across the country.

    Speaking on the achievement, Zee News Regional Channels editor Vasindra Mishra said, “It’s due to the programming mix and content that we have been successful in educating and empowering our viewers, and this is the reason why most of the viewers in our genre patronise our channel. It has been our constant endeavour to innovate and create content tailor-made for the viewers’ needs and this is the cornerstone to the consistent success of the Channel. Hopefully we will continue to deliver content as per our viewers’ choice and they will continue to like us as always.”

    Zee Media CEO Alok Agarwal said, “We have put in the best of our efforts by adapting our self to the regular feedbacks, Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand resonates well with the people of both the states and best exemplifies the new-found zeal, aspiration and resilience of the people of the two states. Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand believes is filling a void in the viewing experience of our viewers in these two states. The viewers have selected us over competition and this surely makes us feel special as well as more responsible to our duties.”

    Zee Media, which beams Zee Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand is the pioneer of News Channels in the country and has always been on the forefront of promoting regional programming. With over 100 million viewers, the largest news network in the country has always provided content to its viewers which is topical and of relevance to the viewer, keeping in mind the ever-dynamic taste of the viewers.

  • King Khan shares the magic of fresh ‘n’ juicy mangoes with his die-hard fans

    King Khan shares the magic of fresh ‘n’ juicy mangoes with his die-hard fans

    MUMBAI: India’s most cherished mango drink- Frooti, announced winners of the ‘Share a Frooti with SRK’ contest. As a part of the contest, only ten blessed fans amongst the billion others in the country earned the chance to share a Frooti with none other than the King Khan.

    The brand invited participation from Frooti enthusiasts and SRK loyalists, asking them to creatively describe their love for both through voice messages. All they had to do was dial-in on number specified on Frooti packs or online channels and narrate short stories, >mimic Shahrukh Khan’s dialogues, use Frooti’s iconic jingle tone etc alongwith describing their passion for Frooti and SRK. This nationwide contest ran for a duration of 4 months (April 10, 2013 – August 10, 2013) and ten best answers were selected. The winners came from across the country- New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan including Maharashtra to spend a special evening with SRK.

    Talking about his experience, Frooti’s brand ambassador Shahrukh Khan said, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Frooti contest. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the winners who expressed their love for me so sweetly. Cheers to Frooti for organizing this amazing evening and good luck to all the participants.”

    That is not all, the entire journey of fans coming from various parts of India is documented through webisodes that will be uploaded on Frooti’s official channel. It will capture everything starting from the time they leave their home, to them taking a flight, reaching Mumbai and finally meeting SRK.

     ‘Share a Frooti with SRK’ contest was conceptualized to create excitement around the association of number one superstar of the country with the number one mango drink and has received unprecedented success. The contest built strong engagement with the audience through telephonic calls and social platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

  • Enquiry by PCI begins in Azam Khan whipping statement

    Enquiry by PCI begins in Azam Khan whipping statement

    NEW DELHI: The Press Council of India has started its enquiry into the complaints relating to senior Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan’s whipping statement on bureaucracy by asking the editors of the newspapers to explain their side of the story.

     

    Azam Khan had allegedly said in a meeting in Samajwadi Party office at Lucknow on 30 January 2013 that the officers understand only the language of whipping, but the next day his official statement came that such media reports were baseless and had been done to tarnish his image and that of his government.

     

    In view of the credibility of Media, social activist Dr Nutan Thakur had requested PCI Chairman Justice Markandey Katju to conduct a detailed enquiry in the matter so as to bring the truth of whether the initial media reports regarding his whipping statements are correct or not, which will also clarify the situation about his later denials.

  • Zee’s new talk show ‘Wheel of Life’ will be aired on 5 of its channels

    Zee’s new talk show ‘Wheel of Life’ will be aired on 5 of its channels

    NEW DELHI: For the first time in its history, Zee TV has commenced telecast of a series which is being shown on five of its channels of which two are beamed overseas.

     

    The 26-episode ‘Wheel of Life’ talk show is based on the book of that name by senior Uttar Pradesh Indian Administrative Service officer R K Singh.

     

    The half-hour programme has been conceived by Sonorous Knowledge Trust and Shirdi Sai Baba Foundation headed by entrepreneur and TV personality Aushim Khetrapal.

     

    It is being beamed at 6.30 am on Sundays on Zee News, 8.30 am on Saturdays on Zee Business, 1.30 am on Saturdays on Zee UP, and on Zee American and Zee Dubai on their general entertainment channels at 8.00 am on Friday and Sunday mornings.

     

    With the theme song and music by Shankar Mahadevan, the series is anchored by Amrita Raichand.

     

    Cosmology, genetics and quantum physics, and knowledge of spirituality are the base of the show, which Singh said at a press meet, has been inspired by the Upanishads and also the religious texts of all religions. However, he stressed that it was not a programme about religion or spirituality and was based more on understanding the value of life.

     

    Answering a question, he said the Big Bang theory which was referred to in the series was not something that had come from the west, but had been talked of by Indian sages even up to the eleventh century.

     

    Khetrapal told indiantelevision.com that the series was presently sponsored by Natural Essence among others and had reached a TRP of 0.4 in the third episode on Zee Business.

     

    He said he had conceived the series around three years earlier when he had met Singh in UP, but the latter had to get permission from the state government for appearing on television.

     

    Singh said he had begun by scribbling some notings based on his reading of the Upanishads in 1996 and it was only in 1999 that he began writing the book, which was published in the United States in 2005.

     

    He had attempted to show in the series that humans were only seized with a contemporary attitude to life and were like automatons, whereas the purpose of human life was much deeper and it was necessary to understand this.

     

    Referring to marketing of the show, Khetrapal said it was clearly not the kind of show that would pick up through promos and therefore the social media and word of mouth publicity was the best way to spread the message. But he said that several thousand calls were received almost on a daily basis. Around 25,000 mails had been received by each of the five channels.

     

    Later, pamphlets and e-mailers would be sent and road shows held to popularise the show, he added.