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Tag: Zee5

  • SPNI hires Nimisha Pandey for top programing job at Sony-SAB

    SPNI hires Nimisha Pandey for top programing job at Sony-SAB

    MUMBAI; It’s homecoming for television creative professional Nimisha Pandey. Market sources say that she is set to join Sony Entertainment Television’s profitable Sony SAB channel as its programming head.

    For those not in the know, Nimisha had joined Multiscreen Media (as Sony was known then) for two years as an executive producer between 2004-2006 at the start of her career after completing her course in direction from the Film & Television Institute of India in Pune.

    It may be recalled that the long-serving NP Singh had retired as Sony Pictures Network India CEO a couple of months ago; he was replaced by content star Gaurav Banerjee. Nimisha is one of GB’s (as he is known) first unconfirmed senior creative hires since taking over.

    Nimisha was last the chief content head, originals at Zee5 for almost four years. Prior to that she was director international originals for nearly two years at global streaming powerhouse Netflix’s India ops Before that she held the position of head of content at Alt Balaji for three years.

    She has  had year-long-project-led stints at various production houses right from Balaji Telefilms, 4 Lions Films, Fireworks, Directors Kut, Sphere Origin (for three years),  and Shreya Entertainment over the years.

    We tried to reach out to the normally effervescent and bubbly Nimisha but she was unavailable for comment. Neither was anyone from Sony; it, being a Sunday.

    With the buzz being extremely strong, Indiantelevision.com decided to go ahead and report her appointment.

    With 20 years’ varied experience under her belt producing and commissioning shows, Nimisha does seem like the right candidate for the job.
     

  • OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2024 to honour trailblazers of south Indian cinema

    OTTplay Changemakers Awards 2024 to honour trailblazers of south Indian cinema

    Mumbai: OTTplay, an OTT App and AI-based recommendation engine platform is set to unveil the second edition of the OTTplay Changemakers Awards on 26 October 2024, at the prestigious Taj Coromandel in Chennai. The highly anticipated event will shine the spotlight on the South Indian entertainment industry, honouring the individuals and creative minds who have driven innovation and transformation across OTT platforms and cinema.

    Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2023, which celebrated disruptors from across the Indian film industries, the 2024 awards will focus exclusively on the thriving Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema industries. As south Indian films continue to break barriers with groundbreaking storytelling and commercial success, this year’s event will bring together visionaries from these vibrant industries.

    The awards ceremony will felicitate winners in about 35 categories, with special emphasis on the awards for disruptive star, most versatile performer and inspiring actor, across the four south industries, along with celebrating the pioneers of the industry. These categories, for both male and female talents, will highlight the creativity, versatility and social impact made by those who have left a lasting impression in both OTT and traditional cinema.

    OTTplay co-founder & CEO Avinash Mudaliar said, “The OTTplay Changemakers Awards is not just about recognizing talent; it’s about celebrating the power of storytelling to bring about real change. This year, with our exclusive focus on South Indian cinema, we’re honouring individuals who have pushed creative boundaries and inspired audiences globally. We are proud to continue the legacy started last year, now showcasing the incredible contributions of South Indian storytellers.”

    In addition to individual recognitions, the awards will spotlight two categories: ‘voice of change’ and ‘cinema for change’, which will honour contributions toward social causes such as supporting animal welfare and highlight the industry’s commitment to social responsibility.

    Just like last year, the credibility and transparency of the OTTplay Changemakers Awards are maintained through an editorially driven process led by OTTplay and Hindu Tamil Thisai, ensuring that each winner is thoughtfully selected and deserving of the recognition they receive.

    The event is supported by prestigious partners, including the Vedanta Anil Agarwal Foundation as the presenting sponsor and Hindu Tamil Thisai as a media partner. The excitement of the awards will reach a broader audience as the event will be streamed on Zee5, the official streaming partner, with Fever FM as the radio partner.

  • ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ to premiere on Zee5 on 10 Oct

    ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ to premiere on Zee5 on 10 Oct

    Mumbai: Zee5 has announced the digital premiere of ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ on 10 October. Directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment, and JA Entertainment, this action drama features John Abraham, Sharvari, Abhishek Banerjee, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Ashish Vidyarthi. Inspired by real-life events, ‘Vedaa’ follows the journey of a Dalit girl and addresses caste-based injustices and crimes.

    The story centers on Major Abhimanyu Kanwar (John Abraham), a court-martialed army officer, whose path intersects with Vedaa (Sharvari), a determined Dalit woman seeking justice. Together, they confront societal challenges and oppressive forces, including the village chief (Abhishek Banerjee), who aims to silence them. As they uncover painful truths and fight for redemption, the film presents a narrative of courage and the pursuit of justice.

    Directed by Nikkhil Advani, ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ masterfully combines intense action with a poignant social message.

    Zee5 India CBO Manish Kalra stated, “At Zee5, we believe that cinema can inspire change and ‘Vedaa,’ embodies this spirit by shedding light on pressing social issues through its powerful narrative and creative storytelling. We are proud to present this film that entertains and sparks meaningful conversations about justice and resilience. The film aligns perfectly with our thought of connecting, collaborating, and communicating with our viewers through impactful and transformative stories. With ‘Vedaa’’, we are strengthening Zee5’s commitment of delivering quality content that not only resonates with diverse audience segments but also drives positive change in society.”

    Zee Studios CBO Umesh Kr Bansal said, “With Vedaa’ now releasing on Zee5, we’re excited that this powerful story of resilience will reach an even wider audience. It reflects our commitment to impactful storytelling, and we believe its compelling narrative and strong performances will deeply resonate with viewers.”

    Emmay Entertainment producer Madhu Bhojwani shared, “We are excited to bring Vedaa, to an even larger audience with its digital premiere.  When we started the journey to make this film, it was driven by the need to tell a story that inspires and empowers, and we can’t wait for more people to join the conversation through its digital release.”

    Director Nikkhil Advani said, “I believe ‘Vedaa,’ not only entertains but also sheds light on important issues. From the very beginning, our aim with this film was to tell a story that sparks meaningful conversations, and we look forward to more viewers experiencing its message now through the film’s release on Zee5”.

    Abraham said, “I’m proud to be part of a film that not only entertains but also empowers. Vedaa, inspires women to embrace their strength and also encourages all of us to support and uplift one another. The film is very important and relevant in today’s day and age which is a powerful reminder that when women thrive, we all thrive. I can’t wait for audiences of Zee5 to experience this transformative message in Vedaa.”

    Sharvari expressed, “I’m excited for the digital release of ‘Vedaa,’ on Zee5! Playing Vedaa Berwa has been an enriching experience for me. She is someone who seeked equality and justice. I felt her fire to stand up and fight for what is right. Its very overwhelming to receive so much love and appreciation for Vedaa, and it means the world to me to be part of a film that makes you think. Through boxing and martial arts training, Vedaa discovers her strength and voice in the film. I can’t wait for audiences to witness her inspiring journey!”

  • One Health Assist appoints Divya Dixit as chief growth officer

    One Health Assist appoints Divya Dixit as chief growth officer

    Mumbai: One Health Assist has announced the appointment of business strategy veteran, Divya Dixit, as chief growth officer. In this role, Divya will be responsible for spearheading the organisation’s innovative growth initiatives, driving revenue generation through strategic partnerships and multi-channel marketing efforts, both in domestic and international markets.

    With over 25+ years of diverse experience in growth marketing, digital transformation, and business expansion, Divya has previously worked with leading organizations such as Alt Balaji, ZEE5, Saregama, Tata Docomo, Star TV, UTV, Sony Entertainment, and Barista Coffee. Her ability to scale businesses and transform brands has consistently delivered impressive results across sectors, establishing her as a leader in growth-driven roles. At Alt Balaji, under her four year leadership tenure, it witnessed a stupendous business growth, growing from a seven crore topline to a 110 Crore.

    As the CGO, Divya’s mandate focuses on driving business to consumer revenue for the brand and strategic business collaborations as well as focus on wellness and ecommerce divisions. Her role will encompass creating and executing growth-driven strategies that expand the company’s footprint in India as well as International Markets, ensuring the brand’s continued upward trajectory.

    One Health Assist founder Davinder Bhasin expressed his enthusiasm about her appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Divya onboard as our Chief Growth Officer. Her exceptional portfolio in scaling companies through growth as well as strategic initiatives speaks for itself and she will play a crucial role in our vision to be the market leader as we enter this dynamic phase in the healthcare sector.”

    One Health Assist co-founder Karan Arora added, “Divya’s proven track record of driving growth across diverse industries speaks volumes. As a forward-thinking healthcare ecosystem, One Health Assist will rapidly establish its market presence and Divya’s fresh perspective will be key to revolutionizing healthcare ecosystem”

    Speaking on her new role, Dixit said, “I’m excited to join One Health Assist at such an inflection point for the healthcare sector. Leveraging my experience across industries and startups, I look forward to driving top line initiatives that will further One Health Assist’s mission to revolutionize healthcare through digital transformation as well as driving incredible consumer experience. The brand is uniquely positioned to be an industry leader, and I’m eager to be a part of this growth curve.”

  • Zee5 champions design innovation at Kyoorius Designyatra 2024

    Zee5 champions design innovation at Kyoorius Designyatra 2024

    Mumbai: Zee5 returned as the title sponsor of Kyoorius Designyatra 2024, for the second consecutive year. The three-day event, held from 26 to 28 September in Goa, offered a prestigious global platform for design and creative professionals across industries to showcase their work, collaborate, and celebrate artistic innovation.

    At Kyoorius Designyatra 2024, Zee5 organised an immersive experiential zone and workshop on design, UI/UX, product ideation, and creativity led by Vatsal Chaoji, at the event that attracted a large audience. Zee5’s Replay & Reimagine contest, featuring movies ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’, ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ and ‘Gadar 2’, saw three young winners that showcased their immense creative prowess.

    Esteemed names like Studio Lotus’ founding principal Ambrish Arora, Aaquib Wani Design founder & director Aaquib Wani, and Studio Eeksaurus’ director Suresh Eriyat also graced the event with their expertise and vision, with a total of 22 speakers; coveted legends from the international circuit.

    Zee5 India CBO Manish Kalra said, “Designyatra stands as a premier platform, bringing together global representation across industries to celebrate and showcase design excellence. At Zee5, our commitment has always been to elevate the platform experience through various touchpoints, where design plays a crucial role in shaping our product offerings. We extend our gratitude to our partners for uniting the brightest minds in the creative industry, paving the way for a new era of design innovation.”

    Kyoorius founder CEO Rajesh Kejriwal said, “Kyoorius Designyatra in 2024 transformed into an Academy of Play, bringing together an anti-disciplinary speaker roster to inspire the next generation of design in India. The Kyoorius Design Awards 2024 has seen an influx of entries and is a testament to the growth and power of design in India. This is made possible by Zee5’s continued commitment to find India’s design excellence a spot on the global stage and inculcating an immense culture of design within their own practice.”

    Designyatra 2024 gathered global talent to explore the future of design. Zee5 partnered with the event to challenge designers to reimagine posters for iconic films like Gadar and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. The focus was on reinterpretation, showcasing creativity through various mediums, including iPads and an iMac, in the Zee5 Hall of Fame. Winners received giveaways and special recognition.

    Zee’s head of product development Vatsal Chaoji introduced a card-based game to enhance designers’ understanding of product ideation from the end-user perspective, boosting Zee5’s tech capabilities.

    The event attracted students, industry veterans, and designers, promoting fresh narratives across graphic, interior, product, industrial, and furniture design.

  • Zee5 announces Mithya season two

    Zee5 announces Mithya season two

    Mumbai: Zee5 has announced the return of the psychological drama Mithya for the second season after the success of the first season. The series revolves around the tumultuous relationship between two half-sisters, marked by ambition, betrayal, and revenge.

    Directed by Kapil Sharma and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Rose Audio Visual Production, the second season of Mithya features a stellar cast, including Huma Qureshi and Avantika Dasani as the half-sisters, alongside Rajit Kapur and Indraneil Sengupta in prominent roles. They are joined by Naveen Kasturia in the new season who will be seen as a mysterious character adding more spice to the lives of the two sisters.

    The second season delves deeper into the complex and dysfunctional interpersonal relationships of all the significant characters in the series. With tensions escalating and the stakes higher than ever, Mithya season two premieres soon on Zee5.

    Zee5 CBO Manish Kalra said, “After seeing the love the audience had for a successful first season, we are thrilled to bring back Mithya with a more thrilling narrative. With their powerful performances, the cast has brought the complex and layered plot to life, ensuring the series further exemplifies our focus on creative storytelling. Mithya season 2 is also a result of our longstanding and creatively fulfilling partnership with Applause Entertainment and Rose Audio Visuals. We’re looking forward to audience response to Mithya S2 while strengthening our commitment to deliver exceptional stories.”

    Applause Entertainment MD Sameer Nair, ” We’re thrilled to return with Mithya for a gripping second season that delves even deeper into its complex narrative. This is far from a conventional thriller — the set-up, location, and intricate relationships push the boundaries of storytelling. At its heart, Mithya is a tale of betrayal and revenge, with the tension between the half-sisters and their fathers reaching new heights. Grounded in a distinctive and immersive narrative, this season draws viewers deeper into a psychological drama of sisters, traumas, and secrets.”

    Rose Audio Visuals producer Goldie Bhel said, “We’re thrilled to bring Mithya back for Season 2. This series has always been about exploring the grey areas of truth, deception, and the human psyche, and with this new season, we’re diving even deeper. The response to Season 1 was incredible, and it’s pushed us to take bigger creative risks this time around. We’ve crafted a story that’s darker, more intense, and full of surprises, and we can’t wait for the audience to experience what’s next.”

    Director Kapil Sharma expressed, “We are absolutely thrilled to bring our audiences the new season, that is not only rich in story arcs but also visually stunning. Set in breathtaking Darjeeling, we have captured some wonderful performances by the talented cast with high-octane visuals and thrills that enhance the intensity of the narrative. The buzz surrounding the return of Mithya is immense, and we aim to lift our audience’s expectations a notch higher.”

  • Zee5 adopts common media application format

    Zee5 adopts common media application format

    Mumbai: Zee5 has successfully adopted the common media application format (CMAF) at a wider scale to transform content delivery and enhance viewer experience. The innovative move, implemented by the company’s technology & innovation centre based in Bengaluru, facilitates smoother video playback across devices and allows Zee5 users to experience good AV quality even in areas with low internet bandwidth.

    By optimising bandwidth consumption and reducing operational costs, Zee5 is expanding its reach to 100 million users, ensuring more viewers can have access to high-quality streaming. CMAF is a versatile and extensible standard designed to package segmented media, enabling seamless cross-device compatibility. By adopting CMAF, Zee5 is not only ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience but also reducing latency, a critical factor in live streaming of sports, news and events.

    Reflecting on the impact of CMAF, Zee’s chief technology and product officer Shiva Chinnasamy said, “Our strategic focus is to provide best-in-class AV experience even in areas with low internet. CMAF allows us to serve content more efficiently, ensuring no data wastage while delivering high-quality immersive experiences to every viewer, no matter their bandwidth. Zee5 is focusing on building in-house capabilities to provide robust services and experience to their consumers and adoption of CMAF is a crucial step to achieve the same.”

    Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “At Zee5, we remain focused on enhancing viewer experience through cutting-edge technology. Adopting the Common Media Application Format (CMAF) is a step forward in Zee5’s vision to democratise access to quality entertainment. This ensures that even in regions with low internet connectivity, our users can enjoy seamless viewing experiences. This strategic move reflects our commitment to bring quality content to a broader audience, which also aligns with our goal of delivering immersive entertainment across multiple devices. CMAF represents a significant step in further refining how our viewers engage with content on our platform.”

    Commenting on the success of the format, Zee’s SVP & head of video engineering Suneel Khare said, “The implementation of CMAF is strategic. It allows us to streamline and improve our content delivery, enabling real-time low-latency streaming while significantly reducing data requirements. This enhancement ensures smoother playback even in regions with low bandwidth, expanding Zee5’s reach to a broader audience, including those with limited internet access.”

    Zee5’s successful implementation of CMAF has resulted in several key advantages, including:

    . Low-latency streaming: Essential for live events, CMAF ensures near real-time video delivery, minimizing delays and enhancing live event viewing.

    . Bandwidth optimization: The efficient CMAF packaging reduces data consumption, enhancing video quality in low-bandwidth environments.

    . Cross-device compatibility: CMAF supports both HLS (HTTP live streaming) and DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) formats, ensuring consistent video playback across mobile devices, Smart TVs, and more.

    . Future-ready encryption: CMAF utilises Widevine CBCS technology, a standard for content protection that allows for seamless playback across both Apple & Android devices and ensures a seamless and secure streaming experience.

    Zee’s principal architect of video engineering Rahul Banerjee added, “With CMAF, the real-time improvements in video quality and reduced buffering have significantly enhanced viewer engagement. This upgrade ensures viewers enjoy higher-quality streams with minimal delays, even in regions with weaker internet connectivity.”

    CMAF has enhanced the viewer experience and provided operational benefits for Zee5. By optimising content packaging, it has reduced storage requirements by over 30 per cent while keeping CDN (content delivery network) costs stable despite increased demand for higher-resolution content. Additionally, CMAF’s scalability allows Zee5 to expand its global reach in over 12 languages, maintaining consistent performance during peak usage.

    With CMAF, Zee5 improves operational efficiency and strengthens its commitment to delivering quality content to a diverse audience. The platform’s approach to content packaging and delivery positions it well for the evolving OTT landscape.

  • Kyoorius Designyatra 2024 starts 26 September at Grand Hyatt Goa

    Kyoorius Designyatra 2024 starts 26 September at Grand Hyatt Goa

    Mumbai: Kyoorius Designyatra, India’s biggest anti-disciplinary design conference, presented by Zee5, with Air India Express as journey partner and Johnnie Walker as celebration partner, commences on 26 September 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Goa. Running until 28 September, the event will gather top minds to explore various design fields, including architecture, interiors, branding, illustration, animation, typography, communication, digital, experiential, product, and packaging.

    The theme for this year is ‘Academy of Play’, highlighting the importance of playfulness in creativity and urging the design community to explore the role of play in their creative processes. Kyoorius founder and CEO Rajesh Kejriwal shared his excitement for the upcoming conference: “At this year’s Kyoorius Designyatra, we have transported the Grand Hyatt into the Academy of Play to explore how play drives the creative process. Through the Academy of Play, attendees will hear from our ‘Professors of Play’ – those who have made play an essential part of their process. We can’t wait to make it memorable for everyone.”

    The ‘Professors of Play’ will share their insights and creative journeys, offering attendees the chance to learn from key figures across various creative disciplines. Speakers include Adidas kit designer for Team India Aaquib Waani, known for his work on the 2024 Olympics and international cricket kits; Knopf graphic designer Chip Kidd, whose notable works include Jurassic Park, Peanuts, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and 1Q84; Bang & Olufsen’s former creative director Johannes Torpe, known for his innovative designs blending aesthetics and functionality; typographer and lettering artist Gemma O’Brien; interactive installation artist and engineer Nassia Inglessis; and acclaimed artist and designer Paul Cocksedge, whose work explores light and materiality through playful installations.

    Other speakers include IKEA in-house designer Akanksha Deo Sharma; Studio Lotus founding principal Ambrish Arora; Amna Elshandaweely fashion designer Amna Elshandaweely; 3D artist and animation director Eva Cremers; PepsiCo India & South Asia head of design Tanu Sinha; Studio Waldemeyer co-founders and product designers Moritz Waldemeyer and Nazanin Farahbod; Mota Italic typeface designers Rob Keller and Kimya Gandhi; Atelier Kaja Dahl stone sculptor and product designer Kaja Solgaard Dahl; That Thing founder and creative directors Joe Weir and Mark Williams; It’s Nice That editor-in-chief Matt Alagiah; STUDIO EEKSAURUS founder and creative director Suresh Eriyat; and Somnath Bhatt, designer, artist, and writer, among others.

    In addition to the inspiring talks, Kyoorius Designyatra 2024 will feature interactive workshops and hands-on experiences, giving participants opportunities to put their play into practice.

    The event culminates on the 28 September with the prestigious 2024 Kyoorius Design Awards Night, celebrating the finest design talent in the industry with the Blue and Black Elephants at the Kyoorius Design Awards. Along with that, the Red Elephants will be announced for the Kyoorius Young Blood Awards, honouring young, bold, and innovative creators who are shaping the future of design.

  • Zee to go the whole hog with DP World ILT20 cricket league in 2025

    Zee to go the whole hog with DP World ILT20 cricket league in 2025

    MUMBAI: Sports is what it had let go of more than a decade or so ago. Now Zee Entertainment is making a big-bang entry back into it. The entertainment giant announced today that it will be telecasting the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) on 15 of its channels, on Zee5 and on its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks across the world from 11 January 2025 for the month long cricket fiesta. 

    Among the channels it will be telecasting the matches include: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD. The DPL ILT20 tournament will also be free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platforms – Zee5. 

    A press release issued by the network states that the idea is to capture a viewership of 230 million just from India. What will help it get there is the fact that the tournament will be shown on its southern language channels as well, expanding its reach exponentially. 

    The matches will take place at three iconic UAE locations – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – starting from 11 January  to 9 February 2025.

    “Zee is delighted to present third season of DP World ILT20 to cricket fans in India and across the globe, offering an electrifying experience across our 15 linear TV channels and OTT platform, Zee5,” says Zee chief growth officer-digital & broadcast revenue. “With some of the finest players, iconic stadiums and top sporting franchises, we aim to elevate the cricket carnival experience, building on last year’s success and cementing the league’s status as the second most watched T20 cricket league globally.” 

    DP World ILT20, in its second season, drew 200,000 attendees over 34 games. The league is the second most-watched T20 cricket league globally, with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world, including a staggering 221 million viewers from India. With a notable 46 per cent share of female viewership and 55 per cent share of youth viewership, the league’s broad appeal in India underscores its status as household entertainment, says the press release.

    “The difference between DPL World ILT20 and IPLT20 is that each of the franchises can have more international players on the teams in our league. The IPL has by its construct more Indian players in each team,” Sehgal had told news channel Wion during an interview earlier this week. 

    The existing roster continues to be strong with the presence of players like David Warner, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga and Jake Fraser McGurk among others.

    The franchise-style tournament DP World ILT20 comprises six teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR Group), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriorz (Capri Global).

    The previous edition was won by MI Emirates.

  • DP World ILT20 season three unveils new signings and retained players

    DP World ILT20 season three unveils new signings and retained players

    Mumbai: The DP World International League T20’s season three, to be broadcasted by Zee Entertainment, promises to be a high-octane cricket experience with the addition of the biggest names to the six franchises. The window to sign new players began in June and concluded on Sunday, 15 September.

    Season three of DP World ILT20 will feature international T20 stars like Jason Roy (Sharjah Warriors), Fakhar Zaman (Desert Vipers), Shai Hope (Dubai Capitals), Lockie Ferguson (Desert Vipers), Roston Chase (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Matthew Wade (Sharjah Warriors), Ibrahim Zadran (Gulf Giants) and Romario Shepherd (MI Emirates) making their debut in the tournament. Fans will be treated to exciting action as these cricketers showcase their skills in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

    Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars are slated to play in season three, including Australian powerhouse, David Warner and Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka. They will be joined by West Indian legends like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Rovman Powell, who will bring their dynamic all-round abilities to the tournament. The league will also feature some more talents from the previous seasons, including Sikandar Raza, Chris Jordan, James Vince, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran. Other key retained players include, Kusal Mendis and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

    Commenting on the announcement, Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd chief growth officer – digital & broadcast revenue – Ashish Sehgal said, “Zee is delighted to unveil the impressive line-up for Season 3, featuring some of the world’s finest players. With iconic locations like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, world – class infrastructure and six powerhouse franchises, our aim is to build on the success of the last two seasons and solidify the league as one of the most-widely followed global cricket events. As it continues to attract international interest, we are excited to present this thrilling cricketing spectacle to fans across the world.”

    Other season three signings include New Zealand quick Adam Milne, seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert (New Zealand), Australia left-arm spinner Ashton Agar (Australia squad member – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024), Afghanistan all-rounder Karim Janat (Afghanistan squad member – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Gulf Giants season two) West Indies all-rounder Keemo Paul, Sri Lanka duo of Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksha (Dubai Capitals Season 1, MI Emirates season two), Australia all-rounder Daniel Sams (rehired for season three), USA left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh and Malaysian all-rounder Virandeep Singh.

    Meanwhile the teams can add more players or replacements to their squads upon clearance from the ILT20 Technical Committee. Teams can also add additional UAE players to their squads via a Draft which will take place after the conclusion of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament next month. Details of the tournament will be shared in the coming days.

    Cricket fans and sports enthusiasts in India and around the world can watch the live action exclusively on ZEE’s 15 linear TV channels, OTT platform ZEE5 and its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks across the world. Aiming to capture a viewership of 230-million for the upcoming season, ZEE will expand its reach by including South Indian channels, offering a month-long cricket carnival experience.

    Earlier this year, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) reported that the league’s second season reached 221 million viewers. The channel’s extensive distribution strategy ensured widespread accessibility in India and across the globe.

    The six DP World ILT20 season three squads as of 19 September 2024:

    Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

    New signees: Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Gudakesh Motie, Hassan Khan, Roston Chase and Terrance Hinds.

    Retentions: Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Micheal Pepper and Sunil Narine.

    Desert Vipers

    New signees: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Fakhar Zaman, Lockie Ferguson and Max Holden

    Retentions: Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Luke Wood, Micheal Jones, Muhammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri and Wanindu Hasaranga.

    Dubai Capitals

    New signees: Adam Rossington, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh, Gulbadin Naib, Jeffery Vandersay, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherly, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijin, Sharafuddin Ashraf and  Shai Hope.

    Retentions: Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser McGurk and Oliver Stone.

    Gulf Giants

    New signees:  Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall, Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills and Wahidullah Zadran.

    Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zohaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson and Shimron Hetmyer.

    MI Emirates

    New signees: Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Farid Malik, Thomas Jack Draca, Ben Charlesworth.

    Retentions: Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.

    Sharjah Warriors

    New signees: Adam Milne, Adil Rashid (played for Warriors in season two as a Wildcard pick), Ashton Agar, Banuka Rajapaksha, Gus Atkinson, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Jason Roy, Matthew Wade and Tim Seifert.

    Retentions: Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhamad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.