ITV

Tag: VOOT

  • Netflix India ropes in Tanya Bami as director international originals

    Netflix India ropes in Tanya Bami as director international originals

    MUMBAI: Tanya Bami is the latest senior executive to join Netflix as the global streaming giant continues to beef up its India arm. Tanya, Indiantelevision.com has learnt, will join the streamer next week as director international originals. She will be part of the team which Monika Shergill leads.

    In July this year, Indiantelevision.com had reported that Tanya had stepped down from her role at Viacom Digital Ventures as head Voot Originals and vice president content.

    The veteran media executive joined Voot in November 2015 from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd where she served as head – weekend content.

    Before joining ZEEL, Tanya spent over five years at Star India where she held the position of AVP content for the network’s flagship GEC Star Plus.

    Apart from stints at broadcasters like MTV, Channel V, and BBC, she has also worked at major production houses like Big Synergy and Optimystix Entertainment India.

  • Viacom18’s Tanya Bami steps down as head Voot Originals & VP content

    Viacom18’s Tanya Bami steps down as head Voot Originals & VP content

    MUMBAI: Viacom Digital Ventures' Tanya Bami has resigned from her role as head of Voot Originals and vice president content. Bami is expected to be at the company for a couple of months to serve her notice period.

    The veteran media executive joined Voot in November 2015 from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd where she served as head – weekend content.

    Before joining ZEEL, Bami spent over five years at Star India where she held the position of AVP content for the network’s flagship GEC Star Plus.

    Apart from stints at broadcasters like MTV, Channel V, and BBC, she has also worked at major production houses like Big Synergy and Optimystix Entertainment India.

  • MTV ka #TVKahaanGaya campaign puts spotlight on platform agnostic youth content

    MTV ka #TVKahaanGaya campaign puts spotlight on platform agnostic youth content

    MUMBAI: MTV, India’s no. 1 youth brand, today revealed its ‘MTV Ka #TVKahaanGaya’ campaign, showcasing the channel’s strength on Viacom18’s digital platform VOOT. With an aim to entertain, lead, break stereotypes and collaborate with young people through its evocative communication, MTV has always stood out of the crowd with youth relevant shows. Proving once again that good content is platform agnostic, the MTV ka #TVKahaanGaya campaign is a pragmatic showcase of how the youth is attracted to consuming relevant content at their own pace and time. MTV’s leading shows such as Roadies, Splitsvilla, Love School, MTV Unplugged and The Anti-Social Network are being watched for 2.5 Billion2 minutes on VOOT.

    Commenting on the campaign, Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music & English Entertainment, Viacom18 said, ““The perception today is that the Indian youth spends lesser time-consuming content on TV, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Time spent on TV content AND online video has gone up amongst youth. As the country’s leading youth brand, we understand that to keep our audience engaged, content that is platform agnostic, speaks their language and is available to them any time is what will win their heart. The MTV ka #TVKahaanGaya campaign is conceptualised from that thought and lands this creative rendition in the quirky MTV style.  Over the last year, our TV ratings have doubled and consumption on VOOT has grown 3-fold, a testament to our belief that content is the king. Comparing to the previous season, shows such as Roadies Real Heroes have accounted for 42% viewership3 growth on VOOT and MTV Unplugged has seen an increase of 52%, respectively.”

    The ‘MTV Ka #TVKahaanGaya’ campaign exhibits an equilibrium between the linear television and its digital platform, VOOT. With a mix of content available on the channel, the monthly watch time for MTV shows on VOOT has been consistently growing.  With youth driven shows being aired on VOOT, Splitsvilla S11 has seen a growth of 77% in its hours of content as compared to the previous season. With major share of consumption happening in the non-metro cities, the digital platform, VOOT is in sync with linear television.

    Speaking about youth content on VOOT, Akash Banerji, Head- Advertising Video On Demand Business, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said, “Fandom is a phenomenon that transcends platforms and can help brands grow in both linear and OTT. MTV content works very well on VOOT and has engaged 30% of VOOT Viewers4 till date. As a network we have successfully explored content synergy between MTV and VOOT with popular MTV series – Kaisi Yeh Yaariyan season 3 being launched as a VOOT original garnering 32 mn views5.

  • VOOT’s Akash Banerji hints at introduction of interactive content around fiction programming

    VOOT’s Akash Banerji hints at introduction of interactive content around fiction programming

    MUMBAI: With a rich line-up of content and advanced solution for advertisers, Viacom18’s OTT arm, VOOT, has pledged to reach 100 million monthly active users within the fiscal year on its third anniversary. The advertising-based video on-demand (AVOD) platform is now looking at the introduction of a freemium model in the second half of the year, VOOT Kids, which is at the beta testing stage, further expansion of international business followed by an entry in the UK. More interestingly, the streaming platform may introduce interactive opportunities for consumers around fiction content.

    “I think that’s where a huge unlocking of value is going to happen. Just imagine if a drama show is running, you can decide what you want the protagonist of the drama show to do, what choice he or she should make which could be about the relationships, which could be at a certain inflexion point in the storyline and you act on it. Either you do what consumers are looking for or you do something different to surprise them. This is one of the things that we have been discussing and you will see something interesting coming up,” VOOT AVOD business head Akash Banerji commented when asked if the platform has any plan to introduce interactive content around fiction programming.

    While the platform had already ventured into the branded content opportunities, it is now introducing VOOT Studios, a business performance-oriented content-tech solution for advertisers. Explaining the rationale behind the move, Banerji pointed out key problems for advertisers. According to him, although brands started creating an interesting array of short-form content they did not necessarily drive great business value or ROI. Brands failed to realise sometimes creating content alone cannot drive the conversation and engagement unless more pieces of data and tech are added to it.

    Banerji said that the second big barrier is the inability to initiate dialogue with content writers, data scientists, tech people, agencies, etc. for brand building and, more importantly, how to bring all of that together.

    “We are a digital-first brand and we have this huge roster of maverick rich insights and deep consumer understanding of more than 1000 plus audience segments. We will not just make stories for VOOT, we will integrate data and tech and give out solutions which are bespoke and will help solve a brand’s specific need. That has actually led to the birth of VOOT Studio. Essentially, we have just institutionalised this entire solution from our side,” he added.

    He also noted that the platform gets all kind of large advertisers including CPGs, e-commerce brands, fashion brands, consumer durables on board. Banerji pointed out that the brands don’t have the luxury anymore to think of spending on TV alone as everyone knows the next wave of audience growth and audience time spent is happening on digital. While a CPG brand advertising on digital would have raised eyebrows earlier, brands today are thinking differently.

    Digital brands today turn to OTT for better ROI while non-digital brands come for branding purposes.

  • Voot guns for 100mn MAU with barrage of Originals, branded content innovation

    Voot guns for 100mn MAU with barrage of Originals, branded content innovation

    MUMBAI: Viacom18’s digital video-on-demand streaming service VOOT is celebrating its third anniversary with 100+ billion minutes of watch time. With a commitment to offer quality and differentiated content in the digital ecosystem backed with technology and insights, VOOT now aims to reach 100 million monthly active users within the fiscal year. 

    As part of its future growth strategy, the platform also announced the further scaling of its current content library with a robust line-up of over 30+ VOOT Originals across genres and languages, to be launched this fiscal. Law and Honour, Naaz, Love All, The Raikar Case, Kaisi Yeh Yaariaan – Season 4, Marzi and Asura are few of the VOOT Originals that will be launched shortly. 

    “India will have an online consumer base of more than million by 2022. Of this, more than 3/4th will be consuming video content. While technological advancements allow us to personalise content consumption, growth for the category will come from our ability to segment our offerings to multiple consumer segments accelerated by the three A’s – accessibility, availability and affordability”, said Viacom18 group CEO and MD Sudhanshu Vats, before adding, “VOOT has crossed the 100 billion watch minutes’ mark in three years and we are now targeting 100 million monthly active users within this financial year. Additionally, we are segmenting the VOOT business into four uniquely focussed propositions – the existing AVOD model and the upcoming freemium offering, VOOT Kids and VOOT International.” 

    Institutionalising the branded content play, VOOT announced the launch of VOOT Studios – a business performance-oriented content tech solution for advertisers looking to connect with digital audiences with branded shows, sponsorships, interactive formats in addition to other bespoke solutions.

    Speaking about the branded content play for VOOT – , Head – AVOD Business Akash Banerji said, “Brands today realise regular ad spot while important is not sufficient to drive resonance with the consumer. Branded content solutioning is hence the way forward given that it allows for bespoke content curation and subtle communication embedded into the narrative of the show. VOOT Studios will allow brands to bring the world of story-telling, data and tech all together to deliver the brand message and the ROI effectively for the business.”

    With the proliferation of digital content and its increasing consumption across mediums, understanding consumer behaviour now plays a critical role. VOOT’s consumer insights product MAVARIC is built to help advertisers identify the right audience thus ensuring high impact via communication. MAVARIC helps advertisers with consumer insights as well as target their messaging beyond simple demographic profiles and instead focuses on enhanced insights around online behaviour, purchase behaviour, affinity and interest and more. 

    Insights clubbed with interactivity solutions will allow brands to provide immersive brand engagements. Reinforcing the importance of interactivity on OTT platforms, VOOT will strengthen its current offering with the addition of five new programmes in the next few months which will fuel further growth and attract users to the platform. 

    Now available on iOS, Android, Web, and Amazon Fire TV, and built on a robust technology backbone, VOOT further strengthens its technology and distribution system by announcing over 20+ new distribution partners across the travel, broadband and mobile ecosystem as well as with OEMs. The OTT platform has partnered with smart TV manufacturer like CloudWalker,  ShareIt , Act Fibrenet and travel network company OLA, amongst the others. 

    Currently driven by an advertising supported video-on-demand model, VOOT will continue to build scale by soon diversifying from one business model of AVOD to four – VOOT AVOD, VOOT Kids, VOOT International and VOOT Freemium.

  • Voot to launch ‘Fuh se Fantasy’ produced by Bodhitree

    Voot to launch ‘Fuh se Fantasy’ produced by Bodhitree

    MUMBAI: Voot is all set to come up with a new original series, Fuh se Fantasy, produced by Bodhitree production house and the show will start streaming from 5 April 2019.

    Fuh se Fantasy is a series about the delight in modern relationships that dare to explore their deepest, quirkiest and most exciting desires. In a world where we are opening our minds and laws up to every kind of relationship, why think twice before we go after what our heart is truly attracted towards? 

    Voot head content Monika Shergill said, “As a platform, we have sharply catered our original content to the millennial audience that is keen to understand the complex definitions around love , relationships and desire in today’s world. Fuh se Fantasy is a delightful look at people in love taking their fantasies head on. The anthology series makes a progressive, edgy and fun statement and will surely entertain with its quirky,  brave and  immersive stories.”

    A charming showcase of couples exploring their fun fantasies, the show, starring popular faces such as Karan Wahi, Plabita Borthakur, Naveen Kasturia, Anshuman Malhotra, Gaurav Pandey and Anupriya Goenka, is a 10 episodic series.

  • The widest & whackiest Bollywood slumber Party of the Year

    The widest & whackiest Bollywood slumber Party of the Year

    MUMBAI: Brace up for some quirky bedside conversations, saucy revelations and celebrities at their naughtiest best on Season 2 of the VOOT Original , Feet Up with the stars -Presented by Nestlé KitKat and co powered by OLX . In this one of a kind intimate chat show hosted by one of India’s most celebrated fashion stylists and fashion Director Vogue, Anaita Shroff Adajania invites the stars to get all their sass, candour & designer pyjamas along! So get ready for some delicious secrets, provocative conversations and unending laughter between the sheets, streaming now on VOOT with a new episode every Sunday.

    Known for its intimate & personal conversations, the VOOT Original Feet Up with the Stars – Season 1 redefined the genre of chat shows. Gone was the red carpet look, the couch and the gossip, only to be replaced by celebs in nightwear, talking about themselves, their lives and their bedroom fetishes!

    Season 2 raises the bar even higher with the current hot favourite of Bollywood, Vicky Kaushal bringing his `josh’ in bed for the opening episode. From crunches to seducing in chaste Punjabi, Vicky is a revelation on the show! The lovely & gregarious Taapsee Pannu shares her favourite fantasy and the newest kid on the block Siddhanth Chaturvedi a.k.a MC Sher sings an original composition only for Anaita and the fans of Feet Up with the Stars.

    All set to launch the second season, Monika Shergill, Head of Content at Viacom18 Digital Ventures (VOOT) said, “Voot is a young platform with a huge skew of younger audiences that are constantly craving for cool, trend setting original content. Feet UP with the Stars in its first season really cut through the clutter of chat shows due to its intimate atmosphere and for the first time very personal and cosy, in bed conversations with the Bollywood stars. Season 2 will take the sassiness of this VOOT Original to the next level with the superlative line up of new stars and their candid conversations.”  

    Commenting on the comeback of the show, Anita Horam, Director of Video at Conde Nast India  said, "With Feet Up with the Stars, we have used our unique vantage point and access to Bollywood A-listers to create a never seen before chat show format that gives viewers a chance to get to know a whole new & naughtier side of their favorite bollywood A listers. Season 2 gets even bolder and better!”

    Commenting on the association, Mr. Nikhil Chand, General Manager, Chocolate & Confectionery, Nestlé India, said “We are delighted to associate with ‘Feet up with the Stars’, a show that resonates with the KITKAT’s belief of taking a break from the grind. With an array of stars, we are confident that Season 2 of the show will be loved by all.”

    Apoorv Pandey, Lead Digital Marketing and Customer Lifecycle Management at OLX said: “OLX's new brand logo and tagline – SET HAI is conceptualized to attract millennial population of India and therefore, VOOT becomes an ideal choice for its captivating content and growing viewership.

    With this integration, we unravel some really interesting aspects of the lives of some of India's youth icons. Such integrations help us capture long lasting mind space of online video audiences. Original content in form of web-only series are extremely popular with the youth today and through this integration, we aim to seamlessly explain the concept of our new brand language effectively.”

    Now streaming on VOOT, the second edition of ‘Nestlé KitKat Presents Feet Up with the Stars Co-Powered by OLX”, promises to be more spicy and chic with its fun , new line up of Bollywood stars. 

    So get ready to catch these stars put their feet up, bring some oomph and indulge in unfiltered Bollywood drama in the latest VOOT Original “Nestlé KitKat Presents Feet Up with the Stars Co-Powered by OLX”.

  • VOOT announces season 2 of ‘Silsila Badalte Rishto ka’

    VOOT announces season 2 of ‘Silsila Badalte Rishto ka’

    MUMBAI: VOOT’s popular show ‘Silsila Badalte Rishto Ka’ which has been at the center of conversations is now going for a new season with a compelling new love story.  The marquee show that is a fan favorite has gained significant viewership after coming on to Voot and as an Exclusive series created by Voot Originals team it resulted in more than 2X growth in views. In the last 45 days alone It has  garnered 200 M plus views !

    ‘Silsila Badalte Rishto Ka’ known for its  brave and distinctive narrative of a forbidden love story is set to take a leap with a powerhouse cast of heart-throb Kunal Jaisingh, the beautiful Tejasswi Prakash and the talented Aneri Vajani essaying key roles as the next generation . Season 2 deals with the complex relationship decisions and dilemmas that all the young people face when needed to choose between commitment and true love . VOOT Original “Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka – Season 2 is set to go live on VOOT , starting 5th March 2019.

    Elaborating on the launch of the show, Monika Shergill – Content Head, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said “ As the only daily Original series across the entire digital landscape , Silsila has been a gamechanger by successfully doubling its audience on VOOT. On the back of its terrific performance and fandom we are very excited to now take it younger in season 2 and  explore all the relationship themes that are relevant to our huge youth TG on VOOT.”     

    The upcoming journey of the series is definitely set to get as much love and support from its viewers and create new milestones. So now, get ready to experience the changing face of your favorite show only on VOOT.

  • Voot, EROS Now part of UK’s first ever on-demand Asian TV apps pack by Virgin TV

    Voot, EROS Now part of UK’s first ever on-demand Asian TV apps pack by Virgin TV

    MUMBAI: Virgin TV has become the UK’s first ever Pay TV provider to add an on-demand library of films and shows through two Asian entertainment apps.

    The Desi App Pack, which Virgin TV customers can add to their package from Thursday 28th February 2019, brings together two of India’s biggest entertainment apps – Eros Now and Voot – into an easy to access apps pack that allows TV viewers to watch a range of shows and movies at a click of a button.

    There are multiple hours of content for viewers to watch which is available in more than 10 languages.

    Voot is home to exclusive original productions including It’s Not That Simple, Feet Up with the Stars and hit shows Bigg Boss, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Silsila Badalte Rishton Ka amongst others and over 400 movies.

    Eros Now has a blockbuster library of more than 12,000 films including original productions such as Operation Cobra and Enaaya.

    Those who currently have Asian Mela TV as part of their subscription can add the service for just £6 per month. It is £12 per month for all other customers.

    Customers can add the service though their TV set box or over the phone. To access the Desi App Pack, customers will need a V6 box and go to channel 800 and press the red button on their remote.

    Over the past year Virgin TV has invested and bolstered its Asian TV offering with new channels and upgraded many standard definition channels to HD.

    David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, said: “We designed our V6 TV box to work seamlessly with on demand apps such as Netflix and to maximise the power of our fibre network for instantaneous access to the limitless programming available on demand. The addition of the Desi apps further strengthens our lead in the on demand viewing experience”

    Commenting on the integration deal, Rishika Lulla Singh, CEO – Eros Digital said: “With increasing consumption of cross border content and popularity of Indian films, we are excited to announce our collaboration with Virgin Media. Eros Now is the largest South Asian Video Service with close to 16M paid subscriber’s world over and the United Kingdom is one of our primary international markets. We are happy to cater to this growing community with best of Indian content and remain focused on expanding our global presence by exploring opportunities to connect with local audiences.”

    Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & MD, Viacom18 said: “The UK consists of a vibrant Asian diaspora and is indeed one of our stronger overseas markets. Virgin TV’s Desi Apps pack is a winning proposition for all involved – consumers can now view the best of entertainment, on demand on VOOT, and it opens up an entire range of audiences for our content as well.”

  • Voot taps Marathi film industry talent for ‘The Sawaikar Case’

    Voot taps Marathi film industry talent for ‘The Sawaikar Case’

    MUMBAI: Viacom 18’s digital venture Voot is upping its original content game significantly since last August. Now, the over-the-top (OTT) platform is all set to launch its new original The Sawaikar Case, a thrilling family drama.

    The Sawaikar Case will see renowned Marathi actor Atul Kulkarni’s debut on Voot who has acted across multi-lingual films. Other than Kulkarni, the new series will also feature Ashwini Bhave, Parul Gulati, Neil Bhoopalam and Lalit Prabhakar.

    Directed by the celebrated Marathi director Aditya Sarpotdar, famous for his latest hit Mauli starring Ritiesh Deshmukh, the show will start rolling by the end of February this year.  Set in Goa, The Sawaikar Case promises to be the next binge-watch and hook-worthy series.

    Last August Voot announced 17 new originals as well as expansion into UK market. Recently in an interview with Indiantelevision.com, Viacom18 digital ventures marketing and partnerships head Akash Banerji said it would double down efforts for blockbuster content this year.