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Tag: Voot Select

  • VOOT Select subscribers coming mainly from top 6 metros: Ferzad Palia

    VOOT Select subscribers coming mainly from top 6 metros: Ferzad Palia

    KOLKATA: Production houses have been able to resume the shooting schedule for shows since July, four months after the lockdown, but the fate of large scale projects still remains cloudy. Amid the backdrop of this uncertainty, the OTT players are innovating to churn out content.

    VOOT Select, the subscription-based premium service of  VOOT, that was introduced a few days before the lockdown, has launched a new show – The Gone Game. Interestingly, the show has been shot remotely and entirely in isolation during the lockdown. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, The Gone Game is a one of a kind and a never-seen-before concept that puts creative freedom in the hands of the cast of the series to innovate while shooting from their homes. 

    Although some of the projects have been delayed during the lockdown, VOOT Select, Viacom18 Youth, Music, and English Entertainment head Ferzad Palia is confident of its content pipeline thanks to the mix of originals, international content and before TV.

    The lockdown has given a huge surge to all streaming services. VOOT Select did not have a chance to compare its traffic to pre-Covid period but shelter-at-home directive has helped it to beat in terms of subscription, watch time.

    Palia said the subscribers are consuming all sort of content with its originals like Asur, The Raikar Case, and Illegal creating a good buzz. Talking about the subscribers, Palia mentioned that they are mostly coming from top six metro cities followed by significant inflow from the top 15 cities as well.

    While lockdown has created an opportunity for streaming services, it has also impacted the marketing strategy due to the absence of the outdoor medium. Palia said while they have not been able to effectively use the outdoors after the first few days of launch, they have diverted marketing spends towards digital and TV. VOOT Select is evaluating all options around the outdoor medium with lockdown ending in a few parts of the country but currently keeping the focus on digital and television.

    During these last four-five months, many of the large OTT platforms have struck deals with movies lined up for theatrical release. Palia said the platform needs to focus on its own product now as it has a strong original slate and international content slate. He mentioned that no opportunity is off the table but timing is important.

    “We are very clear that our distribution strategy is not to be necessarily available with every single partner. We are very selective about the partner that we choose and Tata Sky Binge is the first announcement that we have made. There are others in the pipeline. It's important for us to build reach and for that distribution to increase. While the heart of our business is d2c, if there are opportunities which will help consumers access us through partners and that is relevant for them, we will take a call,” Palia commented on distribution strategy.

    As several parts of the country are reopening, experts believe there might be a slowdown in the growth of OTTs. But Palia said that subscribers have discovered new content and a new way of consumption. Hence, they are not seeing any slowdown in subscription growth or any reduction in time spend; both are growing day-by-day.      

  • VOOT Select launches The Gone game, a show shot remotely during lockdown

    VOOT Select launches The Gone game, a show shot remotely during lockdown

    KOLKATA: Voot Select is all set to launch its next big original The Gone Game. As a service that launched just on the heels of the Covid-19 pandemic, Voot Select has truly unleashed the potential of OTT. Backed with its critically and commercially acclaimed shows like Asur, Marzi, The Raikar Case and Illegal, the next from  VOOT Select – made for stories is The Gone Game – a show that breaks the barriers of space and location to deliver on a gripping and compelling story.

    Voot Select has noted a stellar growth trajectory and with offerings such as the upcoming season of Bigg Boss being available on the platform before TV, launch of premium content in regional languages and originals like The Gone Game, the platform is all set to further accelerate its growth in the next few months. 

    Speaking about the journey of Voot, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit said: “Voot has had a tremendous growth trajectory since launch. Being the last entrant in the broadcaster backed OTT category, we quickly catapulted to being the second largest AVOD player. We launched Voot Select on the heels of the ongoing pandemic, however the lockdown truly unlocked the value of a premium service and in a very short time frame we have grown to be home to some of the best original and international content.”

    “Voot Select has witnessed tremendous growth since the launch in early March of 2020. Being the most recent SVOD entrant in the broadcaster backed OTT category, it's heartening to see how much ground we've been able to cover in such quick time. Beyond subscription numbers we've also grown in reputation to become home to some of the finest original web series in the country. I have no doubt that "The Gone Game” will join the list of celebrated stories from Voot Select," Rakshit added.

    Shot entirely in isolation during the lockdown, The Gone Game has been executed through remote direction, ingenious cinematography and limited equipment. Marked by nuanced performances and inimitable viewing experience, the show will build intrigue and unravel a mystery at every step of the way. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, The Gone Game is a one of a kind and a never-seen-before concept that puts creative freedom in the hands of the cast of the series to innovate while shooting from their homes.  

    Commenting on the launch of The Gone Game, Voot Select, Viacom18 Youth, Music and English Entertainment head Ferzad Palia said, “Voot Select has had a tremendous first 150 days. Subscriber growth has surpassed all estimates by a long, long way. This spectacular success of the platform comes on the back of Originals, Before TV Content & our International offering. The lockdown has provided a further boost to the rapid rise in subscriber growth. We have innovatively navigated through the challenges of the lockdown and continued to create the best in content and viewing experience for our audience. The Gone Game has a gripping storyline, top drawer cast, and has been shot entirely from home with utmost precision and skill. The thrill and excitement of the show will deliver top-notch entertainment.”  

    Set in a global pandemic, with a nation in lockdown, the story starts amidst a mysterious disappearance.  Sahil Gujral is gone. Did he fall prey to the virus? Or is something more sinister at play? 2020 has changed the world forever, but for the Gujral family, the nightmare has just begun.Backed with a power-packed cast including Sanjay Kapoor, Arjun Mathur, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Rukhsar Rehman, Lubna Salim, Indraneil Sengupta, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and produced by Bodhi Tree Multimedia, The Gone Game will stream on Voot Select from 20 August.

    Sukesh Motwani of Bodhi Tree Multimedia said, “It will not be wrong to say that we made it from scratch as we were working with very limited resources and shooting entirely from home. It was challenging but our entire team in association with Voot Select and Nikhil Nagesh Bhat built the concept and storyline of the show creatively without compromising on the output. We were lucky to have a fantastic cast and crew that collectively helped us put a great show together. We are certain that the audience are in for a thrilling ride.” 

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  • Tata Sky Binge strengthens OTT play with the addition of VOOT Select and VOOT Kids

    Tata Sky Binge strengthens OTT play with the addition of VOOT Select and VOOT Kids

    KOLKATA: Strengthening its content catalogue to meet the growing entertainment requirements across age groups, Tata Sky Binge – Tata Sky’s OTT aggregator service has now partnered with Viacom18 Digital Ventures to bring onboard their premium content streaming service VOOT Select, and kids-focused VOOT Kids for its growing subscriber base.

    This partnership will add India’s top TV shows from Viacom18 and Voot Originals, along with the most-loved cartoon characters from Indian and International shows, to Tata Sky Binge. Bringing the benefits of catch-up and premium OTT content on television, Tata Sky Binge already offers a host of entertainment options from India’s top OTT platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar Premium, ZEE5, SunNxt, Hungama Play, Eros Now and ShemarooMe.

    The addition of VOOT Select and VOOT Kids to the existing vast offering of content on Tata Sky Binge will enable Binge users to access path breaking originals, exclusive international content, cult blockbuster movies in multiple languages and a versatile collection of thousands of videos, e-books, quizzes and audio stories for children with an aim to aid  holistic development of their mental, emotional and social faculties.. The partnership will reconceptualize the way content is consumed on television in the age of connected devices and will help cater to a wide set of underserved audiences, giving a fillip to consumer satisfaction quotient.

    Commenting on the partnership, Tata Sky chief commercial officer and content officer  Pallavi Puri said, “Keeping customer requirements at the forefront, we have continued to expand the library for Tata Sky Binge with OTT apps that offer the most popular and relatable content for the entire family. In the current environment when children are facing a dearth of entertainment options, adding VOOT Kids will enhance the entertainment experience for kids with a balanced library of fun and learning content. Further, with Voot Select, we will open the doors to Viacom18’s exciting library of movies and top Indian TV shows – all available 24 hours before TV.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit said, “At VOOT, we believe in building a versatile and immersive digital ecosystem that will add value to our users with path-breaking and diverse content experiences. With an increase in demand for content consumption, be it entertainment through VOOT Select or fun learning through VOOT Kids, this promising collaboration with Tata Sky Binge will help us cater and reach out to a larger audience base. We are delighted to partner with a like-minded brand who resonates with our ideologies and will help us make content viewing an enriching and engaging experience for all our viewers.”

    With VOOT Select, Tata Sky Binge users can access host of exciting content, including many Voot Originals like Asur, Marzi, Raiker Case, Illegal, etc. Blockbuster movies and on demand content of popular shows from Colors (Hindi), MTV, Nickelodeon, Colors Kannada, Colors Marathi, Colors Bangla, Colors Super and Colors Gujarati will also be featured on the platform. Added to the list are renowned international shows, such as Shark Tank S11, Why Women Kill, The Good Wife, The Affair and The Twilight Zone among others.

    At a time when kids are compelled to stay indoors and there has been an increased demand for content to keep them safely engaged at home, the partnership with VOOT Kids – India’s only app for kids that provides an amalgamation of learning and entertainment content – will provide the perfect destination for kids on Tata Sky Binge. It offers thousands of hours of popular Indian and international shows, with 200+ cartoons – including favourites like Pokemon, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Motu Patlu, Dora the Explorer, Ben 10 and Avatar – 150+ audio stories, 500+ eBooks and 5000+ educational quizzes.

    Tata Sky subscribers can access the library of premium OTT apps on Tata Sky Binge via the Amazon Fire TV Stick – Tata Sky Edition for just Rs. 299/-per month. New and existing Tata Sky customers can avail a Tata Sky Binge+ connection at an offer price of Rs. 3999/- which includes 6 months subscription to the Tata Sky Binge platform. Tata Sky Binge customers on the FireTV stick or the Android Box also get access to last seven days of missed shows (based on linear entitlement) and three months of Amazon Prime subscription at no extra cost.

  • Voot Select takes its premium content to regional audiences

    Voot Select takes its premium content to regional audiences

    KOLKATA: Fulfilling every entertainment need of its diverse and multi-cultural userbase, Voot Select is all set to make its regional content slate more dynamic and relevant to its audience with the launch of its Originals – Asur, Marzi, The Raikar Case and Illegal in Kannada. Furthering Viacom18’s existing content proposition in the  the Kannada market, Voot Select’s new language play will enable viewers to enjoy the platforms’ incredible Hindi original content in their local language and overturn the language barrier.

     While Asur, The Raikar Case and Illegal are all live on the platform, and will be followed by Marzi.  Apart from this, the subscribers will also get exclusive access to popular Kannada movies like Bell Bottom, Ayogya, Kirik Party and other movies like Thrayambakam, Eedhiga Bandha Suddhi, Dayavittu Gamanisi, Theory, Alamelamma on Voot Select.

    Commenting on the new offerings, Voot Select head  Viacom18 Youth, Music, and English Entertainment head Ferzad Palia said, “When we launched Voot Select, the idea was to share compelling stories with the audience all over the country. The appetite for regional content consumption is huge and by making Voot Originals available in Kannada, we are not only expanding our reach but also adding to the content experience of our audiences in Karnataka.  We as a network already have a strong presence in the Kannada market with Colors Super, Colors Kannada Cinema and  Colors Kannada with its content available 24 hours on Voot Select. With this move, the viewers can now access its premium Originals and movies in the language of their comfort and choice.”

    With the introduction of this language proposition, Voot Select has opened a myriad of opportunities for the regional markets. With the most compelling stories and top notch premium content, the Kannada speaking audience can surely look forward to some of the finest content in their own language. Voot Select’s premium content will soon launch in multiple languages including Tamil, Bengali, Marathi and Telugu.

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  • VOOT SELECT gets into sports content, brings Arsenal TV on the platform

    VOOT SELECT gets into sports content, brings Arsenal TV on the platform

    KOLKATA:  In India, Arsenal fans, famously called as ‘Gooners’ have a reason to celebrate now as Viacom18’s premium English entertainment destinations VOOT SELECT and COLORS INFINITY are exclusively showcasing Arsenal TV on the platform and channel respectively. Gooners will now have access to full matches, press conferences, player interviews, training videos, match highlights, post-match analysis and BTS footage of their favorite team, through Arsenal TV programming – Arsenal World and Arsenal 360.

    Football is the most watched and followed sport in the world and the fanfare in India has been rising exponentially, with legendary clubs like Arsenal FC being amongst the most popular clubs in the country. Fans will get an even more immersive experience and insight to the matches through special programming and exclusive access to club related content they never had before.

    Along with complete matches of Arsenal FC in the Premier League, European and FA Cup, viewers can watch the exclusive programming of Arsenal World and Arsenal 360, as well as unforgettable moments from previous seasons including the season of ‘The Invincibles’. Furthermore, Arsenal TV will be a window to the training videos, interviews of manager Mikel Arteta, star players Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Granit Xhaka, David Luiz and the rest of the squad.

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  • Decoding Viacom18’s SVOD blueprint for Voot Select

    Decoding Viacom18’s SVOD blueprint for Voot Select

    MUMBAI: Unlike other international markets, the Indian streaming revolution was started by major broadcasters and Viacom18’s Voot has been at the forefront of the OTT boom in the country. While it has already built up a robust 100 million monthly active user base, the platform now starts its journey into the subscription game. Voot Select enters the market at a time when SVOD has already started its uptick. As the platform aims to strike a balance between quality and quantity, it looks at a window of three-four years to turn the business profitable.

    Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit says that this next decade is going to be about subscription and depth of content consumption while the previous decade was about online video and most of it free. He adds that consumers that are now habituated to online video consumption are going to start to become more and more comfortable with online payments providing impetus to the category.

    "We are very clear that we are not playing for quantity. We as a whole network are very clear that we will focus on great stories. And we have been great storytellers, by virtue of everything that you have seen of us over the last 12 to 15 years and creating content at any scale, in any language is second nature to us. That is exactly why we're so proud of the originals that we have. Each original is gripping, keeps you hooked right to the last episode, and you will not want to move till it's over- that is the strength of a story. The primary focus is the script, then everything else,” Voot Select and Viacom18 youth, music and English entertainment head Ferzad Palia comments on content strategy.

    “The nature and width of offering that we have is unlike anyone else. Now it comes down to the quality of stories and we are confident of our stories being great stories,” he adds.

    “We will do telco and other partnerships with all of the people that either have reached to the consumer, or in billing relationships with the consumer. Both such models makes sense to us and will help us in delivering valuable content to the frontline. Hence, anybody who has a billing pipe to a consumer is valuable to us. These are the partners that we would find a natural fit with and seek to engage,” Rakshit comments on the distribution.

    The first step of the campaign will be to target existing AVOD subscribers. "We do have the significant advantage of scale of some of our other businesses, which will allow us to communicate our message and make our offering to them first,” Palia comments.

    Voot Select has 30 originals planned in the coming financial year. The currently planned library of these 30 originals will consist of long-format content but the platform is evaluating some interesting digital movies too. The premium service has been priced at Rs 99 per month or at Rs 999 per year with an exclusive offer price of Rs 499 per year.

    “The AVOD gives us wings to be able to run this SVOD business. Hence, we will continue to invest in the business and what we are really good at is doubling down on interactivity, moving the 300 million number to a billion and creating an AVOD world as a place where fandom can exist. The SVoD business is going to be all about storytelling. Select is made for stories, and so the best stories in the world are going to be curated for you. And that is kind of how I see the distinct role played by these two businesses,” Rakshit adds on the overall approach going forward. 

  • Viacom18 expands SVoD service with Voot Select

    Viacom18 expands SVoD service with Voot Select

    MUMBAI: Viacom18 today announced the expansion of its digital portfolio by launching Voot Select – the company’s newest foray into the subscription VoD services. Now available across platforms, Voot Select will house some of the most edgy and disruptive stories crafted by new age and imaginative storytellers. In a first in the Indian industry, Voot Select will bring the best of content from Viacom18’s extensive portfolio of channels on the digital platform 24 hours before the episodes debut on TV.

    To bring alive its vision for how digital India views content, Voot Select will house 30+ path-breaking Originals, global content through partnerships with some of the biggest International studios, 1500+ cult blockbuster movies and stream over 35+ live TV channels. To experience Voot Select, download the Voot app.  One can select this new premium service on VOOT, available for Android, iOS and web users for Rs per month or Rs 999 for an annual subscription. A limited period introductory offer of Rs 499 for the annual subscription, was also announced. 

    Viacom18  Group CEO & MD Sudhanshu Vats said, “In a short span, VOOT has already emerged as one of India’s largest OTT platforms with 100 milliom MAUs and 100 billion watch minutes. It is India’s most engaged platform with an average TSV of 50 mins. With projections of aggressive growth in Fibre to Home, Viacom18 is ready to go Digital First. VOOT Select is our premium SVoD offering developed to cater to this growing connected TV audience.” He further added, “We’ve put together a very compelling proposition and even pushed the envelope with publishing content 24 hours before TV, clutter-breaking originals and international content. The launch of VOOT Select marks a key milestone in our journey to become a future-ready, pipe-agnostic storyteller.”

    Voot Select will house exclusive global content from some of the world’s biggest studios, through partnerships with CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Chelsea TV, Arsenal TV, Real Madrid TV, BBC and Sony Pictures, among others.

    Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit said, “Voot is the outcome of Viacom18’s vison to create a future ready digital business catering to the evolving digital entertainment needs of every Indian. It is with this focus and a content first approach that we have built Voot Select as a premium platform providing an enhanced viewing experience for our users. Voot Select is “made for stories” that are differentiated and compelling and with them we are determined to be the most sought-after content destination for every Indian.”

    In addition to Voot Select Originals and Viacom18 network’s leading shows 24 hours before TV, Voot Select subscribers will also have access to a vast selection of international content including some of the biggest shows from all over the world, global premieres, LIVE events, exclusive daily talk shows, fashion, sports and lifestyle shows and 1500+ Bollywood & Regional language movies. 

    Speaking about the unique proposition of Voot Select,  Viacom18 Voot Select, youth, music and English entertainment head Ferzad Palia said, “Voot Select has been carefully crafted and designed for today’s ‘on-demand’ generation. We’re proud to give to India a destination that has the country’s largest showcase of stories ranging from Hindi & regional Originals, LIVE television channels from across the world, the widest variety of top-drawer international content to ‘24 hour-before-TV’ premieres of our TV network content. Ad free, multi-screen access and a solid recommendation engine will further add to a great entertainment experience for our subscribers.” 

    Highlighting the massive content suite of Voot Select:

    The best of network content 24 hours before TV

    Delivering on its digital first strategy, all the network fiction content on Voot Select will be aired 24 hours before airing on television. All the non-fiction content can be accessed on the platform, 15 – 30 minutes before its television airing.

    Voot Select Originals – Stories that must be shared

    Voot Select will captivate its audiences with a diverse array of 30+ Select Originals in multiple local languages. Compelling stories brought to life by some of the country’s best and most loved actors like Arshad Warsi, Rajeev Khandelwal, Barun Sobti, Ahana Kumra, Atul Kulkarni, Saqib Salem, Piyush Mishra, Shriya Pilgaonkar;  directors and storytellers like  Vikram Bhatt, Apoorva Lakhia, Oni Sen, amongst others,  will entertain, engage and capture the imagination of India. Some of the initial interesting VOOT Select Originals will include 

    Asur:  Asur is a unique crime thriller that pits 2 opposing worlds against each other. The less explored, intricate world of forensic science and the deep mysticism of Indian Mythology.  Asur will shine light on everyone’s dark side.

    Marzi: Two different stories, some blurred memories, altered culminations and contrasting perspectives of the same incident will take the viewers on a jarring ride of emotions in this intriguing drama Marzi. Would you believe the distressed woman on the quest to prove the truth or the victimized man? Who is lying in this game of lies?

    Raikar: In a country where our families are at the heart of our social fabric and the foundation of our lives, ‘The Raikar Case’ is an engaging new series, about family, love, deceit, and the secrets that wrench us apart. Because sometimes the most dangerous people come disguised as family!

    Illegal: Two high profile cases, a battery of high-power legal eagles & top law firm of the country. A first of its kind intense, racy legal drama that questions whether lawyers can resist the lure of greed, ambition and power; and fight to win defining judgements that hold the bar of justice high and restore faith in humanity.

    Crackdown: A high-octane action drama that keeps you at the edge of your seat with constant twists and turns leading to a larger threat to national security. What do you do when one among you is on the other side?

    Diverse Suite of International Content

    Voot Select to offer a wide array of global content experiences through  exclusive and marquee content partnerships with global content studios like CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Sony Pictures, Fremantle, BBC, Endemol Shine and more.

    Hard Hitting and critically acclaimed documentaries/docu series like Murder in the Bayou, 48 Hours, Crimes Of The Century, Whistleblower, Enemies: FBI vs The President; brand new exclusive global premieres like Why Women Kill, The Twilight Zone, Interrogation, BH 90210, Nancy Drew & critically acclaimed shows like Dexter, Californication, Elementary, Madam Secretary, Nurse Jackie will provide the regular dose of drama and entertainment.  VOOT select will also be the premier destination for reality with Masterchef USA, Master Chef Junior, Shark Tank, America’s Got Talent, X Factor, Project Runway, Fear Factor, My Kitchen Rules and more. Housing award winning series by Celebrity Chefs like Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson and the late Anthony Bourdain, Voot Select will allow users access to some of the best gourmet content from all over the world. 

    In a coup of sorts, Voot Select will exclusively showcase almost all the biggest daily talk shows such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Daily Mail TV, The Graham Norton Show and more.

    Through a partnership with major international channels such as Fashion One, Clubbing TV and Real Madrid TV, the platform will showcase 24 hour Live Streams with access to the biggest fashion events, music festivals and exclusive football content. Fans of Arsenal and Chelsea will also have dedicated, exclusive content through the week. Adding to the diversity the world’s largest 24/7 LGBTQ channel, Revry TV will make its debut in India on Voot Select. The gaming community will also have tons to look forward to, with tournaments from World Poker Tour now available on the service. 

  • Voot to roll-out 4 new originals in a month under SVoD

    Voot to roll-out 4 new originals in a month under SVoD

    MUMBAI: To lure more users, Viacom18’s over-the-top (OTT) platform — Voot — will roll-out four new Originals under the subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) category on the platform. The launch of these four new Original series will happen anytime within 30 to 45 days, says Viacom18 Digital Ventures, chief operating officer, Gourav Rakshit speaking exclusively to Indiantelevision.com.

    The media and entertainment company earlier this year has already formally announced a subscription-based video streaming service — Voot Select, a premium pay service. The arm of the company’s OTT platform will be helmed by Ferzad Palia, head – youth, music & English, Viacom18.

    “The shooting of Originals being already completed, it was outsourced to production houses”, says Rakshit. “As the platform will roll-out the very first Originals, it had to be Hindi genre, however, it will have a translation to other regional languages.”

    According to Rakshit, “Regional is going to be a growth factor for the next five years. Even though Hindi content will grow, the regional content’s growth would be more excessive.”

    Besides Voot Select, the company had also launched Voot Kids last year, its first paid service to tap into the growing demand for kids’ content. Meanwhile, Hotstar has also introduced a new “Kids” button to its website that filters age-appropriate content with parental control last year.

    The SVoD category will provide exclusive content across a diverse multi-genre marquee, of which four of them will be unveiled in a month’s time. “Originals are the big players in the customer acquisition for subscription business,” says Rakshit.

    The data and content have been the major engine drivers for OTTs. Disregarding both of them, Rakshit says, “Our focus is on users more than the data or content. Users exposed to content will definitely provide the data and the reason for our existence is only because of them.”

    “We are putting out a slate, which is our best guess with respect to upcoming Originals, beyond that we’ll start getting data,” says Rakshit. “We have already been live while in terms of just putting out our select service sans putting out Originals. This is done to get likes and dislikes of the consumer.”

    He adds, “On the AVoD side, there is a lot of content we make ourselves under Voot Night Live, which is like an extra innings of the hit show Bigg Boss.” This attempt itself has given a lot many tractions on the digital platform but it wanted to go beyond TV content on the OTT platform and hence the decision to come up with new Originals soon, explains Rakshit.

    Voot is the third broadcaster-led OTT platform, after ZEE5 and Hotstar, to enter into the SVoD category. It has over 100 million downloads on the Google Play store.

    Stating that it’s just a start for the OTT players, Rakshit says, “Don’t believe 2020 is going to be the transformation year. However, it’s going to be a whole decade. In this context, we are neither late nor early to come up with new Originals and in this decade lot many things are going to change.”

  • MTV to premiere 17th season of Roadies on 15 Feb

    MTV to premiere 17th season of Roadies on 15 Feb

    MUMBAI: Thrill – Check, Passion – Check, Adrenaline – Check; the most remarkable adventure of your life is about to begin. India’s longest running reality show is back with yet another milestone in its 17th season. With an aim to trigger social impact OPPO Roadies Revolution co-powered by Castrol Power 1, Alo Frut Juice and Manforce is here to hunt young and determined individuals who have it in them to be the force of change. Starting 15 February, every Saturday, 7PM onwards on MTV, Roadies Revolution will celebrate the undying zeal of a Roadie coupled with their willingness to inflict tangible progress in society.

    Commenting on the launch of Roadies Revolution Viacom18 Voot Select, Youth, Music & English Entertainment head Ferzad Palia said: “Over the past 16 years, Roadies has transformed into a cult, transcending from just television to a broadcast+ ecosystem. The last season of the show witnessed a 37% jump in TSV, 55% growth in watch-time on Voot and clocked 40 mn views of its Voot exclusive content, reinforcing its fandom. On social media, the reach for Roadies Real Heroes doubled last year. We have also licensed the franchise to open Café Roadies in Noida and Club Roadies in Jaipur last year, adding scale to the ecosystem. For MTV Roadies Revolution, we are happy to have OPPO on board as our title sponsor, Castrol Power 1, Alo Frut Juice and Manforce as our co- powered by sponsors. Big Muscle Nutrition joins in as our nutrition partner and Envy as an associate sponsor, as we go on the road with JAWA, fueling yet another journey of this iconic show.”

    Led by an epic panel of celebrity leaders, Neha Dhupia, Nikhil Chinappa, Raftaar and Prince Narula, along with host Rannvijay Singha, Roadies Revolution will touch upon several social causes through its journey and encourage contestants to give back to society and work towards its betterment. While Neha Dhupia will be echoing the cause of women’s safety, Raftaar will raise his voice against gender discrimination. Climate change will find a much-needed advocate in Nikhil Chinappa and youth icon Prince Narula will take a stand against the alarming effects of drug abuse. Each of the leaders will champion a social cause close to their heart and create a revolution, but in the quintessential Roadie way. With a perfect blend of adventure, thrill and a grand comeback with bikes this time, the issues highlighted this season will be reflected in the tasks and challenges performed during the journey.

    OPPO India product & marketing VP Sumit Walia said: “As a brand that keeps young consumers at the heart of our business, we have always aimed at forging partnerships that resonate with our customers. OPPO believes in pushing the boundaries of innovation to exceed customers’ expectations, much like MTV Roadies, pushing its participants to bring out the best in them. We strongly believe that this symbiotic partnership will help us develop a stronger connect with the youth. We wish MTV and the participants of the show a tremendous success.”

    The ultimate youth icon, Rannvijay Singha expressed his excitement for Roadies Revolution, “Bringing the 17th season of a show that has been a defining experience for me is surreal. With powerful themes and innovative concepts, Roadies has continued to stay relevant amongst the audience. This year, Roadies Revolution takes a bigger leap in directing the youngsters to commit themselves for greater good. We are glad to take this phenomenon ahead and hold the baton high to create a change, together with the youth.”

    The auditions for Roadies Revolution saw an overwhelming response with thousands of fans showcasing their zest to be a Roadie. In addition to Delhi, Pune and Chandigarh, Roadies made a comeback to Kolkata after 2 years to hunt for youngsters in the city who have it in them to stand out. Celebrating the theme of propelling social good, MTV tied up with Chelsea India and Magic Bus Foundation for a friendly football match in Kolkata to inculcate the need of fitness and sports amongst children. Celebrity leaders Neha Dhupia and Nikhil Chinappa along with Rannvijay Singha also led a troupe of 25 bikers in Pune to echo the cause of road safety before wrapping up the auditions in style.

    Every year, Roadies takes the viewers on a breathtaking journey through the scenic landscapes of India. It will be interesting to see where the troop would be headed to this year.

    Tune-in to the adventure extravaganza with OPPO MTV Roadies Revolution co-powered by Castrol Power 1, Alo Frut Juice and Manforce starting 15 February, every Saturday at 7PM only on MTV.

  • Voot to soon launch premium SVOD Voot Select

    Voot to soon launch premium SVOD Voot Select

    MUMBAI: Tiering is coming to the OTT ecosystem in India. AVOD, SVOD, premium SVOD is the direction it seems to be taking. Following in the footsteps of Hotstar which launched its VIP service earlier this year, Viacom18, India’s fastest growing entertainment network  has announced its second subscription video on demand service called Voot Select.  Pricing was not revealed in the announcement sent out a short while ago.

    To be helmed, by Ferzad Palia head –youth, music and English, Voot Select will give users access to diverse multi genre marquee content experiences which includes exclusive originals.

    Says Viacom18 Group CEO & MD Sudhanshu Vats: “The video on demand market is the fastest growing segment in the media and entertainment sector today.  Subscription led business models are going to be the next big growth drivers in the years to come. Having established Voot as India’s second largest premium AVoD platform, we think the time is apt for us to unveil our premium subscription offering, Voot Select.  The new premium offering will bring more bespoke content to our always-on viewers.”

    Adds Viacom18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit:  “With Voot, the successful launch of Voot Kids and now Voot Select, our aim is to build a versatile and immersive digital ecosystem that will add value to our users. The new offering will provide them with differentiated content experiences across genres and segments. Currently in its final leg of testing, the all new Voot Select once live will see many untapped genres being made available for our users to experience and enjoy.”

    An exclusive logo has been designed for Voot Select that reflects the company’s commitment to providing exclusive content and quality entertainment for subscribers. “Minimal, premium, and contemporary, this wordmark distinguishes itself from the mother brand through its form, while being intimately connected with the core brand ethos through subtle gradients and rounded edges. It is a visual translation of the brand proposition to provide the best digital content for a discerning audience,” says the release.