MxMIndia

Category: MEDIA

  • Season 4 of Demon Slayer launched

    JioCinema targets youth with Anime Hub

    JioCinema has bolstered its content offerings with an all-new Anime slate for its Premium subscribers. Starting yesterday, May 12, JioCinema will be home to top Anime shows having cult fandom and the launch will be headlined by the global simulcast of Season 4 of Demon Slayer. JioCinema Premium members will have unlimited access to the Anime Hub, a communique adds.

    With an aim of growing the Otaku (anime fan) community in India, the offering will be home to a curated selection of hits and hidden gems, all available in an ultimate ad-free experience with offline viewing options. Animayhem will continue to thrill its fans with new content everyday across the month with hits like ‘Bofuri: I Hate Getting Hurt, So I Put All My Skill Points Into Defense,’ dark comedy  ‘My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!,’ magic driven ‘The Familiar of Zero,’ goblin-hunting action ‘Goblin Slayer,’ and supernatural mystery with ‘In/Spectre’, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

    If you aren’t familiar with the above names, then you are obviously much older and not in sync with the GenZ is watching. And some millennials and Gen Alpha folks as well.

    Speaking on the introduction of a dedicated hub for Anime, a JioCinema spokesperson said: “JioCinema Premium’s consumer-first approach has opened access to high-quality and diverse content for audiences across India. Our latest offering, Anime Hub offers a world of content that will keep anime fans entertained. From simulcast real-time global releases to hundreds of hours of top Anime titles, we are confident that JioCinema’s Anime Hub will grow to become a destination of choice for anime fans in India.”

  • To accelerate growth strategies

    Tredence appoints Munjay Singh as COO

    Munjay Singh
    Munjay Singh

    Tredence, a data science and AI solutions company, has appointed Munjay Singh as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

    Said Shub Bhowmick, CEO and co-founder of Tredence. “Tredence collaborates with more than forty Fortune 500 companies to help them uncover opportunities in marketing, customer experience, supply chain, and other functions. We have developed verticalised collections of AI and data accelerators that our clients have implemented to achieve tangible business improvements within weeks. Under Munjay’s leadership and strategic guidance, we aim to propel this vision forward, driving innovation and operational excellence across our business functions and practices, and achieving new levels of success.”

  • The media cannot be excused for the current condition we find ourselves in, writes Ranjona Banerji

    Ranjona Banerji: Pussyfooting from the traditional Indian media

    Ranjona BanerjiMadhavi Latha, the BJP candidate for Hyderabad, “found herself in the midst of a controversy” says a Times of India article. The controversy was one which Latha appears to have caused herself by going to a polling booth and asking Muslim women in burkhas to lift their veils so that Latha could check their identity cards. Or perhaps TOI meant that the controversy part was because someone released a video clip of Latha doing this. Had the video not been made public, there would have been no controversy to be in the midst of?

     

    I write this on May 13, as India votes in Phase 4, and there are reports all over social media that voting is being stopped by election officials, especially in UP, because large numbers of Muslims have turned up to vote. These are unverified accounts but they point to the general pattern of “controversy” which the rank Islamophobia and undemocratic behaviour of the BJP and its supporters engenders.

     

    Does this also qualify as being in the midst of a controversy for the BJP’s second chief campaigner Amit Shah, also part-time Union Home Minister? That Raghav Trivedi, a TV reporter with moliticsindia, was beaten up at Shah’s Rae Bareli rally? Perhaps according to the venerable media, Trivedi caused a controversy by asking questions of people at the rally? Questions, as we know, cannot venture further too far from the “how do you eat mangoes, stay fit” mould when it comes to BJP politicians. Especially important ones.

     

    Interestingly, the Indian Express article on the same event has updated itself faster than TOI, to include the cases filed by the Hyderabad Collector against Latha for “undue influence at an election” and “obstructing public servant”. The article also mentions Latha’s earlier act of firing mock arrows at a mosque, while campaigning.

     

    I even saw a headline in the Express which said that a low voter turnout in Madhya Pradesh was bad for the BJP. However I think this may be compensation for esteemed Express columnists like Surjit Bhalla and Tavleen Singh telling us that the Indian economy is doing better than ever although there is no evidence of this or that Narendra Modi’s not mentioning his own achievements is the fault of a long election season.

     

    This sort of pussyfooting from the traditional Indian media explains why Youtubers like Dhruv Rathee can get over 7198528 views on a video within a few hours of release, and 11 lakh likes. The video is one more in a series where Rathee explains to his viewers how Modi’s entire past, from being a tea-seller to being poverty-stricken was a cleverly constructed lie.

     

    It may seem amazing to someone who gets into the story late that there was no consistent debunking of these lies about Modi when they first appeared. Because Rathee has done nothing more than use long-available material as evidence. Instead, the media just amplified the lies put out by the massive PR campaign built up around Modi. Knowing very well that they were lies.

     

     

    Rathee’s videos get their views. Other Youtubers who debunk political waffle, have been taken down on official request by the government when their focus has been on the BJP.

     

    I once again expect to hear spurious explanations of how scared the media is, especially from people whose vast media experience comes from having one friend/ niece/ nephew/ uncle/ aunt in a newsroom. And I once again refuse to accept them.

     

    The media cannot be excused for the current condition we find ourselves in. This election and after.

     

    Ranjona Banerji is a senior jouralist and commentator. She writes on MxMIndia on Tuesdays and Fridays. Her views here are personal.

  • To offer Prime Benefits to viewers across TV and OTT

    Tata Play & Amazon Prime collaborate

    Content distribution platform Tata Play has joined hands with Amazon Prime to offer Tata Play DTH and Tata Play Binge customers multiple ways to access Prime Video’s content. Tata Play DTH subscribers can now choose from multiple packs starting from INR 199 per month, that offer a variety of their TV channels along with Prime Lite with Tata Play. In addition, Binge subscribers can get Prime Lite with Tata Play along with 30+ other popular apps at various price points. At INR 199 per month, users can subscribe to 6 OTT apps, including Prime Video, from a list of 33 apps, or can subscribe to all 33, including Prime Video at INR 349 per month.

    Said Harit Nagpal, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Play, on the partnership. “While on the one hand, Tata Play’s robust content distribution network will help in expanding Amazon Prime’s outreach to newer audience segments, on the other, addition of Prime Lite Membership with Tata Play will make Binge a more compelling proposition.”

    Added Gaurav Gandhi, vice president, APAC & MENA, Prime Video: “At Prime Video, our mission is to super-serve our customers with the best of entertainment, and we are constantly looking at ways to strengthen our distribution to ensure wider availability of our much-loved movies and series. The collaboration with Tata Play provides its DTH and digital customers seamless access to Prime Video’s full selection of content, as well as Prime Lite benefits like unlimited free shopping & shipping of ‘Same-day/Next-Day’ delivery, Prime exclusive deals and much more. We look forward to working with Tata Play to make premium entertainment even more accessible to customers in India.”

  • To support in strategizing and planning

    Waaree appoints Carat as media partner

    Carat India has bagged the television media mandate for Waaree Energies Limited, manufacturer of solar PV modules. As per the mandate, Carat will oversee the brand’s television media across India exclusively. They will also support in strategizing and planning other traditional media and buying for print, radio, and digital.

    Said Nilesh Malani, Chief Marketing Officer, Waaree Energies Limited: “Selection of Carat as our media partner is a choice intended to amplify our brand’s impact and to contribute towards promotion of sustainable advancements in India. We have confidence in Carat India’s ability to create imaginative and visually appealing campaigns that will help us connect with our target audience, thereby reinforcing our commitment to expediting the clean energy transition in India and facilitating positive transformations for a more environmentally friendly future.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Anita Kotwani, CEO, Media, South Asia, Dentsu, added: “It is an absolute privilege and honour to join hands with Waaree Energies Limited and contribute to their growth journey in India. This partnership marks a pivotal moment, where our expertise and dedication merge with Waaree Energies Limited’s vision and ambition. Together, we believe that we are poised to achieve milestones and drive growth, emphasizing our commitment to delivering quality in every aspect of our collaboration.”

    Said Sanchayeeta Verma, CEO, Carat India: “Waaree Energies Limited is one of India’s largest manufacturer of solar PV modules and a global player. We believe that it has an important role towards India’s net zero goals. At Carat, we are deeply committed to this as it is a vital priority in Dentsu’s Business to Business to Society B2B2S goals. Moreover, we believe that our expertise will be pivotal in realizing Waaree Energies Limited’s vision: delivering cost-effective sustainable energy solutions across the market. We are extremely delighted to come on board as ‘Partners on Record’ of Waaree Energies Limited.”

  • Delivers Investment Strategy, Analysis, and Portfolio Tips for Financial Success

    BTTV launches another market show

    Business Today TV, the digital news channel from the Business Today stable, has launched  its market show titled ‘Daily Calls’. The show is hosted by Sakshi Batra.

    Notes a communique: “The show gives viewers insights and clarity on their market queries through live sessions featuring expert analysts,” adding: “A helpline number – 73030 80488, has also been floated where viewers send their queries in both written and video formats.”

  • Live on TV & OTT platform ZEE5

    Zee to broadcast DP World ILT20 Season 3

    Zee Entertainment is getting set to broadcast DP World ILT20 Season 3. Season 3 of the DP World International League T20 that is scheduled to begin from Saturday, January 11, 2025.

    The 34-match event will be played at the three UAE cricket venues – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – starting from January 11, 2025 to February 9, 2025. It will be aired on Zee TV channels and on Zee5.

    The franchise-style tournament will see six teams playing 34 matches. The league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).

    Said Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Ad Sales, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL): “Zee is delighted to present DP World ILT20 third season and promises an electrifying experience to cricket fans in India and around the world. With the world’s finest players, iconic stadiums, and infrastructure and six leading sporting franchises, our goal is to build upon the previous year’s success, further solidifying the league’s stature as one of the most-widely followed cricket events in the world. In our pursuit to grow the market, we are continuously exploring innovative ways to enhance the fan experience, making it more interactive, immersive, and engaging. We are collaborating with cutting-edge technologies and creating new avenues for cricket enthusiasts to connect with the sport. As we embark on this exciting new season, our goal is to ensure that this truly-global league becomes more accessible to viewers worldwide.”

    Added CEO DP World ILT20 David White: “We are delighted to confirm the window for DP World International League T20 Season 3. The window has been finalised after discussions with our stakeholders. We have begun our preparations for Season 3 with an aim of making the league even bigger and better.”

  • To leverage its vast expanse of fibre and direct broadband customers

    OneOtt Intertainment & Triple Play Broadband enter partnership

    OneOTT Intertainment Ltd (OIL), a private Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Triple Play Broadband, a Class A regional ISP with a strong presence in Delhi and the national capital region have announced a strategic alliance. OIL, a part of NxtDigital Media Group and a subsidiary of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), will work with Triple Play to leverage its vast expanse of fibre and direct broadband customers across the predominantly commercial regions of the national capital region, especially Gurugram. The alliance comes close on the heels of entering into an agreement with leading Mumbai-base ISP Seven Star – for acquiring a majority stake.

    Said Vynsley Fernandes, Whole-time Director at HGS and MD and CEO of OIL: “Triple Play is an exceptional ISP in terms of market reach and quality of service and we’re delighted to welcome them into the Hinduja fold. We’re committed to working together to deliver value to our customers; a commitment which is also solidly reflected in us acquiring a majority stake in Seven Star’s broadband business, with whom we entered into an alliance earlier this year.”

    Added Triple Play Broadband Chairman and Managing Director, Navneet Sethi: “We have established a very strong business in Triple Play across Delhi and the NCR, built on significant investments in infrastructure. We believe it is the right time to align with what is easily one of India’s most agile ISPs, viz. OIL – where together we will not only expand the customer base but also offer a wider portfolio of solutions”.

  • For ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign

    Kartik Aaryan becomes the face of Disney+ Hotstar

    Disney+ Hotstar has collaborated onceagain with Kartik Aaryan for the latest campaign ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The ad film for the campaign emphasises on Disney+ Hotstar’s ‘Free on mobile’ offering for the tournament enabling all the cricket fans across the country to never miss any cricketing action.

    Said a Disney+ Hotstar spokesperson: “Cricket holds a special place in the heart of every Indian, and our mission is to ensure its accessibility to all. Through this campaign, we aim to extend the reach of the sport to every corner of the nation, ensuring that our users can experience every thrilling moment of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for free on their mobile devices. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Kartik Aaryan once again; his passion for cricket and entertainment perfectly aligns with the spirit of this campaign.”

  • In association with India Signing Hands (ISH)

    Disney Star announces Indian Sign Language feed for T20 WC

    On the occasion of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (May 16), Disney Star in association with India Signing Hands (ISH), announces the availability of an Indian Sign Language (ISL) feed for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, starting June 2.

    This will be applicable for 10 matches including the India matches, semi-finals and finals. The company will also support an audio descriptive feed, along with the ISL feed on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports Network.

    Said Sajith Sivanandan, Head, Disney+ Hotstar India: “We are thrilled to embrace accessibility features making the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup available to more fans of the sport. This underscores our commitment to promote inclusivity and serve all users. With these enhancements, we aim to ensure that the excitement of cricket knows no bounds.”

    Added Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star: “The descriptive and Indian sign language feeds on Star Sports during Tata IPL 2024 were met with an overwhelming response. Disney Star is extending this endeavour to make cricket fandom and experiences more inclusive by introducing, for the first time ever, these feeds on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Our mission of serving sports fans is powered by such pioneering initiatives which seek to remove barriers of access and engagement for fans from all walks of life. The initiative also serves to present a more inclusive picture of India’s favourite sport and is of immense pride for the sporting fraternity.”

    Said Alok Kejriwal, Founder and CEO, India Signing Hands (ISH News): “This feed has fostered the love of cricket into so many differently abled individuals during IPL. With Disney Star continuing this initiative for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at a larger scale with both Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar supporting this feed, I am confident that it will open doors to the exciting world of cricket to many more people from the Deaf and Visually Impaired communities. This collaboration is really close to my heart since it makes the sport truly accessible and inclusive.”

  • The humanness of artificial intelligence intrigues me and I for one have never been afraid of it, writes Prabhakar Mundkur

    Chatting with ChatGPT

    Photo : Tara Winstead on pexels.com

     

     

     

    Prabhakar MundkurIf you are an artificial intelligence fan like me, you have no doubt watched all the seasons of Westworld.  Or you might have been an avid watcher of Stanley Kubricks 2001 Space Odessey and HAL’s famous words from that movie when he says: ‘I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.’ That was as human as human can get.

     

    When I first heard about ChatGPT, I was intrigued. I had played around with IBM Watson many years ago and even used it to make some revealing business analyses and business decisions.  So what was ChatGPT going to be like?  The humanness of artificial intelligence intrigues me and I for one have never been afraid of it.

     

    Humanity’s biggest threat has always been itself. ~Engerraund Serac in Westworld

    In fact ChatGPT interacts with you in a very human way.  You could have a conversation or you could ask it questions.  What I found was that the interactions are certainly very human, I wouldn’t know the difference.

     

    What is ChatGPT?

    ChatGPT is an open chatbot system released just three months ago by OpenAI, a for-profit research lab.  You can almost ask it any question. And it will go thru swaths of data from the internet to deliver a dialogue with you. ChatGPT, according to its inventors, is still not perfect and it is still ‘learning.’ The biggest challenge for AI researcher to tackle is the Turing Test. You would have heard of that in the movie ‘The Imitation Game’ that portrayed the life of English mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing. Turing proposed the following test to gauge intelligence. Can a human conversing with a human and with a computer tell which is which?

     

    UBS Analyst Lloyd Walmsley estimated that 100 million users had used ChatGPT in January 2023 in two months after launch what took Instagram two and half years.

     

    What kind of questions can you ask ChatGPT?  Mostly everything from asking it questions in quantum physics to asking it to write a poem.  Here are some of the questions I asked.

     

    PM: What is Schroedinger’s Cat?

    Chat GPT:  Schrödinger’s Cat is a thought experiment in quantum mechanics, proposed by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1935. The experiment describes a scenario in which a cat is placed in a sealed box with a radioactive substance and a poison, such that the radioactive decay of the substance has a 50-50 chance of killing the cat. The idea is to demonstrate the concept of superposition in quantum mechanics, where a particle can exist in multiple states at the same time, and the act of observation collapses the wave function and determines its state. In the case of Schrödinger’s cat, the cat is both alive and dead at the same time until the box is opened and the state is observed.

     

    Or I asked it to write a love poem and this is what I got.

     

    Love is a rose, with petals soft and bright,

    A flame that dances, illuminating the night.

    A treasure to hold, a gift to share,

    A feeling that warms, a bond that’s rare.

     

    It’s the twinkle in your eye, the skip of your heart,

    The laughter that echoes, when we’re worlds apart.

    It’s the comfort you bring, the peace you bring to my soul,

    The place I call home, the place I call home.

     

    With you, I am whole, I am free, I am me,

    Together we soar, through the highs and the lows.

    And though the winds may howl, and the skies may turn gray,

    Our love will endure, with you, come what may.

     

    So here’s to the laughter, the tears and the joy,

    To a love that is true, a bond we’ll enjoy.

    With you, my dear, my heart overflows,

    With love and with life, with love that glows.

     

    Interesting isn’t it? Chatbots are based on Natural Language Processing or NLP. Chatbots are being used for internal business communication, enhancing customer service and to boost online commerce.

     

    What is the future of AI?  I think so far all of what we thought was science fiction has pretty much turned out to be reality.  I wouldn’t be surprised if our future world was a lot like Westworld.

     

    Prabhakar Mundkur is a veteran adperson, a prolific writer and musician. He writes for MxMIndia on and off. His views are personal

     

  • On CTV channel News9 Live

    ‘Duologue with Barun Das’ Season 2 premieres

    The second season of ‘Duologue with Barun Das’, premiers on CTV channel, News9 Live featuring an impressive line-up of  guests.

    Commenting on the second season, Barun Das said: “Duologue Season 2 is a testament to the power of conversations that may change lives. Where Season 1 was more about the people, Season 2 is more about ideas – an exchange of philosophies and worldviews. I am thrilled to continue this journey of enlightenment and inspiration, inviting viewers to join us on News9 Live for an unforgettable experience.”

    According to a communique, some of the guests invited on Season 2 include actor Allu Arjun (airing scheduled on May 18),  goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, golfer Jeev Milkha Singh and film-maker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

    Added Amar Sinha, the Chief Operating Officer of the presenting sponsor Radico Khaitan.”The thought-provoking conversations on Duologue with Barun Das offer Radico Khaitan a valuable opportunity to connect with a diverse audience. Engaging in meaningful discussions enhances our brand visibility and exemplifies our values, creating a positive brand association. This exposure contributes to increased brand recognition, loyalty, and consumer trust, fortifying Radico Khaitan’s reputation and market presence. We are honoured to collaborate with the insightful Barun Das, whose dynamic style adds an extra layer of charm to this meaningful partnership.”