Connect with us

Movie Channels

Cinema Scope Channels have started using theatres as a vehicle to spread the message

Published

on

It‘s sweet revenge time for cinema theatres across the country.

For long at the receiving end of cable piracy that weaned away the avid movie buff from the 70 mm screen, theatres suddenly find themselves wooed ardently by several television channels that are attempting to attract what they feel is their ‘niche audience‘. This time round, though, it seems the channels are not trying to entice the viewer out of the cinema hall and into the living room.

The effort, say executives of English language satellite channels like Hallmark, Star and Zee MGM is to reach out to the SEC A, B movie goer and make him aware of the delectable fare available on the channels. Outdoor, radio, print and Net – the media exhausted by the channels thus far have been unable to pin down the cream and the upper crust of society that niche channels like these are trying to woo.


Channels hope to garner a wider audience with promos on the silver screen. 

Hence, it is now the turn of the cinema theatre to air before and during the shows as well as in the foyers, advertisements for fare available for free in the home. Star Movies has been busy touting its blockbuster delights like the Oscar nominated The Sixth Sense which premiered last Friday. The channel also has plans up its sleeve to tie up with theatres for contests.

Not to be left behind, arch rival HBO is aggressively pushing its blockbuster for the year Gladiator which aired last Tuesday and the Home to Rome contest associated with the Russell Crowe starrer through ads. With Ten Sports‘ entry into the broadcasting scene earlier this year, things have started hotting up in this sector. In a bid to ensure channel loyalty among the upmarket sophisticated urbane viewer, ESS has been pushing its Legends of Cricket special as well as shows its brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar hosts on the channel not only through innovative spots but also through in-theatre hoardings which patrons of a particular cinema will not fail to miss as soon as they enter.

Hallmark, previously off the radar, has started to make major attempts at promoting its series, particularly those screened in the night. The channel in fact has been advertising in theatres since March this year. Screenings are taking place in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, mainly in cinemas screening English movies and Hindi movies which do well in metro cities (like Dil Chahta Hai). An estimated Rs 10 million have been set aside by the channel for the current year for promotions in theatres alone, a figure that most other channels too have earmarked for the newly discovered medium of cinema theatres.

Advertisement

Another broadcaster which so far maintained a low profile on this front is all set to get cracking. Zee recently appointed Cutting Edge Media to handle ad sales for its two English channels Zee English and Zee MGM. Says Cutting Edge‘s Rohinton Maloo: “We will start advertising in theatres some time in November-December. Screenings will take place in large and small theatres mainly airing English movies or at hip and happening multiplexes in the top eight metros.” This initiative no doubt is in line with with Zee English‘s plans to acquire new properties before the year is through.

Ten Sports, which early on took to theatres in May this year when it launched with a World Cup splash by airing select matches live in certain theatres in the country, seems to have thought better of it now. The channel has no current plans of airing its promos in theatres, says the channel.
 

Movie Channels

Laughs meet chills as ‘Jhamkudi’ hits TV screens

Published

on

MUMBAI: Get ready for a hauntingly good time as Jhamkudi, the Gujarati blockbuster that cast a spell on cinema-goers, makes its world television premiere on Shemaroo Josh this 14 November at 7 PM.

Directed by Umang Vyas, the film takes viewers to the eerie village of Raniwada, where Navratri celebrations are overshadowed by the curse of a vengeful witch. Enter Bablo, a quirky real estate agent, and Kumud, a royal heir, whose fates collide in a hilarious and spooky chain of events that’s equal parts chaos and charm.

The film stars national award-winning actress Manasi Parekh, who shines once again with her trademark depth and grace, alongside Viraj Ghelani, the digital sensation whose comic timing is as sharp as ever. The stellar ensemble also includes Ojas Rawal, Sanjay Goradia, Jayesh More, Krunal Pandit, Chetan Daiya, and Bhavini Jani.

Blending goosebumps with giggles, Jhamkudi proves that even horror can have heart. With its sharp writing, witty dialogues, and a dash of desi masala, the film promises an evening of family fun that’s both thrilling and thoroughly entertaining.

So mark your calendars, grab some popcorn, and tune in to Shemaroo Josh on 14 November at 7 PM for the perfect mix of fright and delight, because this witch tale is all about wicked fun!
 

Advertisement
 
 
Continue Reading

Movie Channels

Zee reels in record highs with a blockbuster show of movie magic

Published

on

MUMBAI: In a cinematic twist worthy of its own premiere, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has pulled off a blockbuster of its own recording a three-year high share of 28.7 per cent in the Hindi movie cluster in Q2FY26. Proving that great storytelling never goes out of style, the content and technology powerhouse has reaffirmed its dominance in India’s ever-competitive movie broadcast landscape.

Leading the charge is Zee Cinema, which reclaimed its position as the No. 1 Hindi movie channel (15 plus HSM Urban) this quarter. Its line-up of premieres from the rural rumbler Jaat to the slick actioner Game Changer pulled in massive audiences. But it was Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 that truly stole the show, delivering the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 so far. The last film to achieve a similar feat? Gadar 2, also a Zee Cinema triumph from November 2023.

Meanwhile, Zee’s Free-to-Air dynamos Anmol Cinema and Zee Action flexed their reach muscle, becoming the most-watched channels across all languages and genres. Each channel drew in more than 116 million viewers, proving that free TV still holds unbeatable sway in Indian households.

The story doesn’t end in Hindi. Zee’s regional clusters continue to script their own success stories. In Marathi, Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva, and Zee Chitramandir maintained their near-50 per cent market share, with the world television premiere of Phullwanti delivering the highest ratings of the quarter. Down south, Zee Thirai (Tamil) and Zee Cinemalu (Telugu) kept their leadership intact, while Zee Biskope in the Bhojpuri belt ranked among the top three in its market, a cinematic sweep across regions.

“The growth of our movies cluster across languages is a strong reflection of our content strategy focusing on new super-hit premieres, classic titles from our library and data-driven curation,” said a company spokesperson. “The genre’s unmatched reach and strong resonance amongst male viewers and the youth also enable it to deliver scale and strategic value to advertisers across markets.”

Advertisement

And those advertisers are clearly tuning in. The genre’s steady viewership and distinct audience base make Hindi movie channels a mainstay in media mixes for India’s top ten advertisers. In September 2025 alone, Zee’s 22 movie channels across six languages reached over 550 million viewers, a testament to the scale and staying power of its cinematic empire.

From Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Karan Arjun to RRR and Bobby, Zee’s vast film library continues to bridge nostalgia and novelty. Some titles have reached iconic status Hum Aapke Hain Koun, for instance, has been watched by a staggering 250 million people over the past five years, roughly equal to the population of the world’s fifth most populous country.

As Zee continues to blend data with drama and strategy with storytelling, it’s clear the brand isn’t just broadcasting films, it’s curating a cultural phenomenon. For millions of viewers across India, the show must go on and with Zee, it most certainly will

Continue Reading

Movie Channels

Lights, camera, boo! &pictures turns full on spooky

Published

on

MUMBAI: Trick or treat, but make it filmi! This Halloween, &pictures is turning up the spook-o-meter with ‘Full On Halloween’, a fun-horror movie marathon airing all day on 31 October 2025. Promising goosebumps, giggles and ghostly surprises, the channel is set to deliver a perfect mix of fright and fun.

From eerie small-town tales to supernatural showdowns, the line-up packs in something for everyone. The chills kick off at 8:45 am with Kakuda, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Riteish Deshmukh, followed by the mischievous The Bhootni at 3:15 pm, featuring Sanjay Dutt, Palak Tiwari and Mouni Roy. At 5:30 pm, Phone Bhoot dials up laughs and scares with Katrina Kaif, Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi, before the visually rich folklore fantasy Tumbbad closes the night at 10:40 pm.

Adding to the fun are K3 Kaali Ka Karishma, Om Bheem Bush, and Bhaagmathi, keeping the thrills fresh and spooky spirits high. With a blend of humour, horror, and high-energy storytelling, Full On Halloween promises a day where jump scares meet joyrides.

So this 31 October, grab your popcorn and your courage, because Halloween on &pictures isn’t just on… it’s Full On! 

Continue Reading
Advertisement CNN News18
Advertisement whatsapp
Advertisement ALL 3 Media
Advertisement Year Enders

Trending

Copyright © 2026 Indian Television Dot Com PVT LTD

This will close in 10 seconds

×