MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • To participate, fans need to share their stories on why they want to be with their families this year either by text, audio or video message

    Sony Sab announces ‘Khushiyon Wala New Year’ contest

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Sab is giving 100 fans an opportunity to get closer to their families through the ‘Khushiyon Wala New Year’ contest starting December 25, 2019.

     

    To participate, fans need to share their stories on why they want to be with their families this year.

     

    Said Neeraj Vyas, Business Head – Sony Sab: “At Sony Sab we proudly call ourselves ‘happiness enablers’ as our philosophy from the simple insight that when people are happy, it makes the world a better place. We are extremely overwhelmed with the response from fans for our shows and we believe they have been one of the key factors behind our success this year. This initiative will help us connect with our audiences on a much deeper level and spread more Khushiyon Wali Feeling this New Year.”

     

     

  • Gurdas Mann to mentor Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sara Gurpal to play the title character in Heer Ranjha

    Zee Punjabi to go live on Jan 13, Lohri Day

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Punjabi, the newly announced Punjabi GEC by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, is scheduled to go on air on Lohri Day next year, that’s January 13.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Amit Shah, Cluster Head – North, West and Premium Channels, ZEEL said: “Zee invests in understanding the pulse of middle class India and what drives people across different regions. We have had very successful regional channel launches across the country. With our consumer understanding and the innate ability of creating magic with our stories, we are now looking at the launch of Zee Punjabi. Despite the highest TV penetration (88 per cent) in the country, Punjab has a significantly low ‘time spent’ and that is a factor of not having dedicated Punjabi content that does justice to the region and the culture. Zee Punjabi is being launched by understanding the viewer’s need gap; for a culture that is so powerful, Punjab definitely needs its own authentic Punjabi channel. Intensive consumer work in the market has helped us understand the potential and craft the strategy for our content and brand. We are certain the audiences will resonate with the stories and fall in love with the characters.”

     

    Speaking of the launch, Rahul Rao, Business Head Zee Punjabi added: “We look forward to bring shows that are inspired from the region and its culture. Punjabis have a jazba and junoon which is very unique to them and our content is a reflection of that spirit. We have a strong line up of stories with themes familiar to Punjab, characters that people will fall in love with and faces like Gurdas Mann, Jazzy B, Jaidev Kumar, Sonu Kakkar and Sara Gurpal who are respected here! With over 20 hours of original content every week and a strong line up of World TV Premieres every month, we are certain of being wholeheartedly accepted by the Punjabi audiences.”

     

     

  • The kids have voiced their choices with a whopping 5 lakh votes

    Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards today

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nickelodeon India has announced the fifth edition of the Kids Choice Awards 2019 to be held in Mumbai today (Dec 20).

     

    The Kids Choice Awards recognises and honors talents by empowering kids to vote for their favorites across various categories. The voting started on Children’s Day, November 14.

     

    Said Nina Elavia Jaipuria – Hindi Mass Entertainment & Kids TV Network at Viacom18: “We at Nickelodeon, always believe in empowering children and giving them an opportunity to voice their opinions and choices. With each passing year, we have strengthened the bond with our young audiences and their parents by creating new benchmarks in the kids’ entertainment space. So, once again it’s time to roll out the orange carpet and witness high decibel fun and entertainment at the marquee kids’ event for the kids, by the kids!”

     

     

  • Zee Biskope (Bhojpuri), Zee Thirai (Tamil) and Zee Picchar (Kannada) are the three channels announced

    Zee announces 3 regional movie channels

    By A Correspondent

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has announced today that it will further strengthen its regional portfolio to serve the many Bharats within our country with four new channels – Punjabi GEC Channel – Zee Punjabi (which we wrote about earlier) and three movie channels – Zee Biskope (Bhojpuri), Zee Thirai (Tamil) & Zee Picchar (Kannada)

    Said Punit Misra, CEO – Domestic Broadcast Business, ZEEL” “ZEEL has completed 27 illustrious years, now entertaining over 800mn people across India, 650mn of which comes through our non-Hindi offerings. We at ZEEL have always believed that deep understanding of cultures across the many Bharats, and then serving people entertainment rooted in each culture is what wins hearts, be it through original shows, or through curation of content like movies. As India’s leading broadcaster with successful channel offerings across states, we have consistently showcased our capability to understand the cultural pulse of our extraordinary country. This is at the core of our differentiated strategy at ZEEL. Our newest offerings are designed to add to our growth trajectory, further cementing our belief in winning hearts across many Bharats.”

    Added Prathyusha Agarwal, Chief Marketing Officer, ZEEL: “At Zee, we have always believed that at the heart of storytelling lies culture, and for successful and endearing stories, one needs to obsess about getting deep inside this cultural core of each of our regions. This “soul to screen” approach is what helps us bring alive the spirit of that region through unique stories, relatable charming characters and boli that drives love for our brands and helps us belong to our audiences. From a highly TV penetrated but hugely under consumed latent Punjabi GEC opportunity to insatiable, thriving demand for movies in the Bhojpuri, Tamil and Kannada markets, the regional need gaps present the perfect opening to further deepen these bonds. We crafted and curated these four new offerings powered by deep viewer understanding, loads of passion and hoping that our viewers enjoy them as much as we did creating them!”,

     

     

  • Every participant was presented with a certificate and medal to boost their morale

    Sony Pic organises run for visually challenged athletes

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) in association with their CSR partner, Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM), hosted the first edition of the SPN Vision Run 2020 for visually challenged athletes. The run was flagged off by Rajkumar Bidawatka, Head of CSR, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) and Ramakant Satam, secretary, Cricket Association for the Blind of Maharashtra (CABM) along with television actors from Sony Pictures Networks India, at the Worli Police Camp ground. The SPN Vision Run 2020 saw over 200 visually challenged athletes accomplish a guided five km run along the Worli Sea Face route in Mumbai.

     

    Every participant was presented with a certificate and medal to boost their morale and encourage them to further themselves competitively.

     

    Said Rajkumar Bidawatka, Head of CSR, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN): “Sony Pictures Networks (SPN) is proud to support CABM in their endeavour to encourage the spirit of true sportsmanship. Empowerment through sports has been a key focus area for us. This opportunity helps us provide every athlete, a fair chance to achieve their dreams.  It gives us immense pride to play our role as catalysts in their individual journey by honing their skills and providing them an avenue to go #BeyondBoundaries.”

     

     

  • Viacom18 and MTV Staying Alive Foundation partner with CIFF, UNICEF, BMGF, Ashoka University, Packard Foundation and Johnson & Johnson as funders for the campaign

    Viacom18 to roll out ‘MTV Nishedh’

    By A Correspondent

     

    The MTV Staying Alive Foundation has partnered with Viacom18 to launch a new campaign titled ‘MTV Nishedh’ that will focus on fostering healthier attitudes and behaviours and removing the stigma surrounding several health-related issues, including sexual reproductive health and wellbeing, contraceptive care, tuberculosis (TB) and nutrition. Other funded partners include: Through the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and The Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, Ashoka University, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and Johnson & Johnson.

     

    MTV Nishedh, produced by Mumbai-based production company Victor Tango, will premiere on MTV India starting January 25 every Saturday and Sunday at 8pm and on Colors Rishtey starting February 1, every Saturday and Sunday at 10:30pm. MTV Nishedh will also be available on Voot.

     

    Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO and MD, Viacom18: “I’ve always believed that doing good is good for business. We have, since inception, created content on social causes and built a successful broadcast business around it – from Balika Vadhu to Shakti to Laado – we have covered a gamut of socially sensitive issues through our TV content. Furthermore, through our youth brand MTV, we continue to create multimedia campaigns, over and above our TV shows, that highlight various social themes. We have explored issues as diverse as women’s empowerment to sanitation through our films like Queen and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. This business philosophy of doing good was underscored last year when BMGF worked with us to bring forth a behaviour change content series called Navrangi Re! on the issue of Fecal Sludge Management. The sheer number of social organisations and like-minded corporate who are partnering us to launch MTV Nishedh bears testimony to its scale.”

     

    Added Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of The MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Executive Producer of MTV Nishedh: “MTV Nishedh marks an exciting point in The MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s journey. Bringing the highly successful MTV Shuga model to India facilitates young Indians to take up more space on issues affecting their everyday lives. The power of MTV Nishedh is in its reflection of real life – we engage young people in all stages of its development to ensure the stories are relatable, entertaining, and highly engaging. Crucially, all of our content drives the audience to health services where they can receive valuable help. We believe MTV Nishedh has the potential to be a genuinely relevant cultural asset, as well as a successful public health campaign.”

     

    Said Sonia Huria, Head – Corporate Marketing, Communications & Sustainability, Viacom18: “Well, more than a conscious strategy, I think it is an ingrained thought process at Viacom18. Allow me to explain in some more detail. Our mission is to connect every story to its audience and every audience to its story. And over the last 12 years, we have created stories that resonate with our audience across platforms. Interestingly, some of our biggest successes have been stories that speak of societal issues or regressive societal norms – be it Balika Vadhu, Its Not That Simple, Angels of Rock, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha…the list goes on. Projects like Navrangi Re! and MTV Nishedh are natural extensions of this philosophy of using content to amplify social change. What encourages me is how more partners are recognising the relevance of this approach and reaching out to us to use entertainment to bring forth such stories of social impact.”

     

     

  • Pradhanmantri Season 2 to be aired every Saturday from January 25

    ABP News unveils Season 2 of ‘Pradhanmantri’

    By A Correspondent

     

    ABP News has unveiled the second season of its show, Pradhanmantri. The show delves into the stories and intricacies of contemporary India and the season will premiere on January 25, 2020. The show will be hosted by producer and actor, Shekhar Kapur.

     

    Said Avinash Pandey, CEO, ABP News Network on the show: “We are extremely excited to present this show to the audience owing to its highly unique concept. Pradhanmantri Season II is sure to transcend all expectations of the viewers through comprehensive and compelling storytelling, backed by long, painstaking research. We at ABP want to go beyond the common perception of TV news as a speed news churner and create content that connects to the audience on a much more deeper and profound level. Pradhanmantri Season II is the epitome of such viewer-driven content.”

     

    Added Kapur: “Ever since its inception, Pradhanmantri has held a special place in the heart of the viewers. The new season has been brought to the fore after identifying the pulse of the audience, with newer concepts and intriguing topics. Through the fresh season, we want to take the viewers through an entrancing journey of the Indian history and share with them– the old, the new and the unexplored.”

     

     

  • Kousalya Kharthika from Madurai wins the Rs 1 crore jackpot

    Kodeeswari finds it first crorepati on Colors Tamil

    By A Correspondent

     

    Thirty-one-year-old Kousalya Kharthika from Madurai has won the jackpot prize money of Rs 1 crore on Colors Tamil’s Kodeeswari.  Said Ravish Kumar, Head – Regional Entertainment Cluster, Viacom18: “My heartfelt congratulations to Kousalya for creating such a historical moment for herself, Kodeeswari and broadcast television in entirety. Kodeeswari is a first of its kind platform as a show exclusively for women where they are empowered and encouraged to pursue their dreams no matter how small, no matter what circumstances they come from. Kousalya’s winning moment is therefore a moment of inspiration for so many others who are struggling to fulfil their dreams.”

     

    Added Anup Chandrasekharan, Business Head – Colors Tamil: “Kousalya’s victory on Kodeeswari opens up newer avenues for women like her. This is a moment of pride for us. Kousalya’s win will go on to empower, engage, influence and motivate generations of women to come. What makes it even more special is that Kousalya has created history by being the first female differently-abled winner of the format in the world.”

     

     

  • The programme to reach out to more than 1 lakh students across 250 schools from four cities

    Sony Sab’s ‘Baalveer’ rolls out school outreach programme

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sony Sab’s ‘Baalveer Returns’ is reaching out to the Gen Z of India to come forward and join Baalveer in his endeavour to protect the planet. With ‘Baalveer Ke Prithvi Rakshak’, it attempts to reach out to over 250 schools across four cities – Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

     

    Said Vaishali Sharma, Head, Marketing and Communications, Sony Sab: “We are extremely happy to see this activity taking shape. This initiative is in line with our philosophy of spreading ‘Khushiyon Wali Feeling’ something that is consistently reflected through our programming as well. We have always believed that Baalveer is not just a show – it is a legend. As happiness enablers, we intend to take this fan favorite character even closer to the fans and instill the spirit of Baalveer within all the youth of the country in a fun way.”

     

     

  • A massive hunt for ‘Bedhadak Bharat’ stories in 10 cities across the length and breadth of India

    Zee Katha Caravan goes story hunting across India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee’s latest initiative, ‘Zee Katha Caravan – Come tell us an extraordinary story’, will see it travel across 10 cities looking for storytellers with the ‘Bedhadak Bharat’ spirit at the core of their narratives. The best stories will be brought to life on the television screen.

     

    Said Prathyusha Agarwal, CMO, ZEEL: “In a country as vibrant and diverse as India, there are uniquely charming characters every 100 kms with a story to tell. As a storyteller fuelling culture, we strive to bring this viewer’s soul to screen. Most stories at the core are driven by innate human truths but the cultural context of that truth really dictates the connect a story and its characters make with that culture. Zee Katha Caravan is a step ahead in looking for culturally rich stories, stories of a ‘Bedhadak Bharat’ that is vibrant, spirited and taking charge of its destiny like never before. We at Zee, recognise there is an abundance of talent across the many Bharats who have a strong story that is waiting to be told. Zee Katha Caravan shouts out to all storytellers to come tell us an extraordinary story that we can together bring to life.”

     

    Zee Katha Caravan is being conducted in partnership with Roshan Abbas’ Kommune, a performing arts-based startup.

     

     

  • The study draws insights from over 25,000 + youngsters across 400+ towns, continuing to dish out the latest youth trends for over a decade

    MTV Insights Studio unveils youth insights study

    By A Correspondent

     

    MTV Insights Studio has released its youth insights study titled ‘MTV Mera Bharat Amazeballs’. The study focuses on the changing mindsets of Indian youth who are resolute to make India great again.

     

    Speaking about the need of an in-depth study on youth behaviour, Ferzad Palia, Head – Voot Select, Youth, Music & English Entertainment Viacom18 said: “For over two decades, MTV has led the way in understanding the pulse of its young audience and has been a pop culture icon. Deep consumer insights and continuous engagement with our audience is at the heart of how we‘ve managed to lead trends over decades. We’re proud to share our learnings with the world.”

     

    The study reflects unique choices and preferences that define young India. Going by its title, the study explores the multi-dimensional and conscientious facets of the youth – highlighting their belief in a new India, that is replete with opportunities and progress and in alignment with their world view. Going local and thinking global is now the emergent code of new-age cool. The study covers insights from 25,000 + youngsters across 400+ cities between the age of 15 – 25 years. The five key themes of the study are – ‘Make India Great Again’, ‘Bharat = India’, ‘Girl on Top’, ‘Thank God Its Family’ and ‘I am Who I am’.

     

    Navin Shenoy

    Commenting on the change in youth’s mindsets, Navin Shenoy, Head of Marketing -Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18 added: “Mera Bharat Amazeballs is an inward look into the changing demographic of young India and brings to light what makes them tick and what ticks them off. Despite being a generation high on social media, the youth today is passionate, positive and action oriented committed to create a society, where everyone matters. These insights are relevant to the entire ecosystem that caters to the ever-evolving consumption cycle of youth.”

  • The first network to bring the successful multiplex strategy to the small screen

    Star Gold 2 set to launch on Feb 1, 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    Entertainment is a critical component for any broadcast business and despite the growth of OTT platforms (its own Hotstar included), Star India has announced the launch of Star Gold 2, its newest offering in the Hindi movie channel category. One can now expect various premieres of newly acquired Bollywood movies on both Star Gold and Star Gold 2.

     

    Star Gold has acquired 25 recently released blockbusters and upcoming Bollywood movies of 2020, further strengthening its library of over 1500 titles including Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, Baaghi 3, ’83, Angrezi Medium, Panga, War, Chhapaak, Bala, Housefull 4, Mardaani 2, among others

     

    Said Hemal Jhaveri, Executive Vice President & GM, Hindi Movies Business, Star India who has helmed the movies cluster for Star for many years: “Consumers are at the front and center of everything we do. Having acquired the latest top quality Bollywood content of 2020, it made perfect business sense to launch a second screen to be able to showcase the best of Hindi cinema to our viewers.”