MxMIndia

Tag: BBC Studios

  • As EP on kid’s mystery series ‘Anisha Accidental Detective’

    Archie Panjabi joins BBC Studios

    Emmy award-winning actor Archie Panjabi has teamed up with BBC Studios Kids & Family to develop the new comedic mystery series, Anisha Accidental Detective.

    Based on the successful book series of the same name, written by Serena Patel and illustrated by Emma McCann, the 10-part live-action series follows strong-willed ten-year-old, Anisha Mistry, whose life is upended when her auntie’s fiancé disappears a few days before their big Bollywood-style wedding.

    Said Stanley Fernandes, BBC Studios Vice President, Distribution South Asia: “This announcement is really exciting news for our audiences in India who can already catch a fantastic variety of our BBC Kids and Family content on BBC Kids and BBC Player on Amazon Prime Video Channel. We’re really looking forward to seeing more detail on this show as it develops.”

    Added Serena Patel, author of the Anisha Accidental Detective books: “I was thrilled when I heard that Archie Panjabi was coming on board as Executive Producer for the series. I have huge admiration for her career as an actor and for her to be involved in bringing my books to the screen feels like a dream come true.”

  • Production companies are invited to pitch ideas for factual and entertainment brands

    BBC Studios Social searching new talent globally

    In the first event of its kind, the commissioning team from BBC Studios Social is inviting indies of all scales and backgrounds to pitch fresh, short form concepts that extend and enrich existing IP, engage loyal fans, and reach new audiences on digital platforms.

    Said Chris Allen, Director, Digital Content Development: “In an increasingly competitive and fast maturing digital-first market, BBC Studios Social are committed to finding, developing, and partnering with the best independent producers and new talent globally. We love our world-class brands, and we’re super excited to share them with you to deliver new formats, new talent, and new ideas that are critical and commercial successes. Whether silly comedy sketches, or a mind-bending science documentary, we hope this will be the start of some beautiful creative partnerships.”

  • A play-based learning brand on BBC Player and BBC Kids

    BBC Studios launch CBeebies on Prime Video

    By Our Staff

     

    Prime Video and BBC Studios have launched a live feed of CBeebies, a play-based learning brand, on BBC Player and BBC Kids, two recently launched channels on Prime Video Channels.

     

    Talking about the launch, Stanley Fernandes, Vice President, Distribution, BBC Studios, South Asia, said: “We are delighted to add CBeebies as a live feed on BBC Player and BBC Kids via Prime Video Channels for our Indian audience. With its exceptional reputation for delivering safe and enriching viewing content through engaging and entertaining programming, the channel aims to keep its commitment to fostering early childhood development through content designed specifically for children.”

     

    Added Vivek Srivastava, Head – Prime Video Channels, Prime Video, India: “CBeebies joins the existing content we offer through BBC Kids and BBC Play, which have received a phenomenal response since their launch a few months ago. The addition of CBeebies’ live feed to BBC Player and BBC Kids strengthens our commitment to enhancing the viewing experience particularly for children and families, and we are certain that subscribers will love the convenience of watching their favourite British content on a single destination, at no additional cost. Our aim with Prime Video Channels is to offer our customers an incredible diversity and variety in programming by enabling convenient access to content from other streaming services. We now offer over 28,000 hours of global and local programming across genres and languages through our channel partners, with more to come.”

     

  • To launch BBC Player and BBC Kids in India

    Prime Video and BBC Studios collaborate

    By Our Staff

     

    Prime Video and BBC Studios have launched BBC Player and BBC Kids on Prime Video Channels in India. The subscription-based service will provide Indian viewers a curated line-up of popular British content spanning from world-class original British dramas, comedy, documentaries, factual shows, entertainment to lifestyle programming and children’s shows – all on a single destination, for the first time in India. Prime members can now purchase an annual add-on subscription to BBC Player for Rs 599 and enjoy full access to BBC Kids as well. Alternatively, members can also subscribe to BBC Kids only for Rs 199 annually.

     

    On announcing the launch, Stanley Fernandes, Vice President, Distribution BBC Studios, South Asia, said: “We are excited to bring BBC Player and BBC Kids for the very first time to audiences in India. We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Prime Video to launch these subscription-based video on demand services. These brands will offer a curated, multi-genre content line-up, offering the best of British entertainment to the discerning Indian audience.  Subscribed members will gain access to some of BBC Studios’ latest hits as well as our classics shows, including our well acclaimed wealth of kids’ entertainment, all under one roof.  We have seen the success of these brands in other markets globally and we can’t wait to see the excitement in India with this launch on Prime Video Channels.”

     

    Added Vivek Srivastava, Head – Prime Video Channels, Prime Video, India: “Since its launch in India, Prime Video Channels has seen exponential growth in India with people subscribing to Channels of their choice from the length and breadth of the country. Our customers also have the convenience to access a significantly wider selection of Indian and international content through the 20 Channels. In fact, multiple global streaming services have chosen to launch and expand their reach in India with Prime Video Channels. In sync with our philosophy of super-serving our customers with even greater choice and accessibility, we are thrilled to collaborate with BBC Studios. Their wide range of programming is highly renowned and enjoyed by audiences world over. With the launch of BBC Player and BBC Kids, Prime members in India too, will be able to enjoy their favourite British content on a single destination for the first time.”

     

  • To create premium dramas

    All3Media & BBC Studios collaborate

    By Our Staff

     

    BBC Studios India Production and All3Media International announced that BBC Studios will produce two popular All3Media-scripted dramas for the Indian audience.

     

    Said Sameer Gogate, General Manager, BBC Studios India Production: “We are excited to partner with All3Media to bring the popular Shameless and Strangers to Indian audiences.  They are two brilliant dramas, very different in tone but both equally suited to the local market, who enjoy clever, captivating storylines. With viewers’ preferences evolving and their desire for compelling content growing, we are confident that these unique shows will be a hit with Indian audiences.”

     

    Added Sabrina Duguet, Executive Vice President for APAC, All3Media International: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with BBC Studios which will further establish our footprint in India. BBC Studios India Production shares our production values and our love for top quality drama, and we know they will adapt these two dramas brilliantly for the Indian market. Our business has been going from strength to strength, with seven scripted formats already commissioned in India. We are very proud to see the tense, closed series thriller Strangers aka White Dragon become the third title from Two Brothers Pictures to be adapted in the region following the success of Marzi (Liar) and Mithya (Cheat). Additionally, Company Pictures’ Shameless arrives in India having attained legendary status for its long award -winning run in the UK and via it’s acclaimed adaption in the USA – we are sure that India’s own Gallagher family antics will enthrall local audiences.”

     

  • To adapt British mystery drama series 'Guilt' for India

    Applause Entertainment joins hands with BBC Studios

    By Our Staff

     

    Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India will produce the British mystery thriller ‘Guilt’. The Indian version of Guilt, which is yet to be titled, will be directed by Shaad Ali with Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub playing the lead roles.

     

    Sameer-Nair
    Sameer-Nair

    Said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “Guilt is a wonderful addition to the prolific partnership we have with BBC Studios. Backed by our common intent to deliver the most clutter breaking and sought-after stories to the Indian audiences, we have successfully experimented with global formats, interpreting them to suit the Indian cultural context. As an account of altering moralities in the face of adversity, Guilt cements itself as yet another splendid thriller that is sure to find resonance amongst viewers. The show is being directed by Shaad Ali and stars a fantastic ensemble of actors who will raise the stakes of an already delightfully twisted tale.”

     

    Sameer Gogate,
    Sameer Gogate

    Added Sameer Gogate, General Manager – BBC Studios India: “This series is a leap ahead in our steady and growing partnership with Applause and our shared vision of bringing genre-bending premium content to Indian audiences. We are looking forward to another exciting journey of mounting a show that brings in the essence of realism in fiction, coupled with a stellar star cast and director who will light up the screens with their performances.”

     

  • Both to scale greater heights and reach wider audience

    ITV & BBC Studios ink deal to create premium dramas

    By Our Staff

     

    ITV Studios hit, Gold Digger. Credit: ITV Studios/ Mainstreet Pictures 2019

    ITV Studios and BBC Studios India have signed a production partnership deal to adapt popular ITV Studios scripted-dramas in India.

     

    BBC Studios India will bring to life the popular ITV Studios hits Gold Digger, Sticks and Stones, Trauma and 35 Days. The deal will allow both entities to reach wider audiences in India with their rich slate of premium dramas. BBC Studios will also look at taking these dramas to the ever-growing popular regional markets of Tamil and Telugu.

     

    ITV Studios represents a rich catalogue of programming from producers within the ITV Studios group, 55 production labels across 13 countries, as well as selected independents ITV Studios have already adapted some of their hit dramas for new audiences, including Cold Feet which was recently remade in France, Poland and The Czech Republic.

     

    ITV plc and BBC Studios have an established relationship and a shared ambition to take British content to the world, via their joint venture streaming platform BritBox, which is available internationally in the US, Canaca and Australia with South Africa soon to launch.

     

    Said Augustus Dulgaro, Executive Vice President Distribution, Asia Pacific at ITV Studios: “Working with BBC Studios India will only strengthen what we can both achieve in the region. These are really powerful stories, full of themes that matter to all of us betrayal, love, family intrigue and less. I’m very much looking forward to seeing our IP repurposed for South Asian audiences.”

     

  • Ryan Shiotani to lead content direction

    BBC Studios appoints Phil Hardman as SVP & GM – Asia

    By Our Staff

    BBC Studios will align the key markets of India, South East Asia, Japan and Korea, in a group to be led by Phil Hardman as the new SVP & GM – Asia, BBC Studios. The appointment was announced by Jon Penn, EVP, APAC, BBC Studios, as he outlined a simpler, more agile APAC structure to help drive future growth in the region.

    In this new role, Hardman will lead the Global Distribution teams working in Singapore, Mumbai and Seoul, as well as hold responsibility for developing the Asia growth strategy across the region, in territories including India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.

    Leading the region’s new content direction as it explores new partnerships and platforms, Ryan Shiotani will move from his current role as SVP & GM of South and South East Asia into a key new role as SVP Content, Asia & Greater China. He will be the regional editorial lead across existing and new branded services, as well as advising on brand and content strategy in Asia and Greater China.

    Said Penn: “Phil has demonstrated through his contribution over recent years that he is a strategic thinker and leader who will help turbo-charge our growth in the region. Along with Fiona and Ding Ke, I have three formidable commercial leaders in APAC who will help us identify and build on the opportunities in this rapidly evolving market. The key to our success lies in our premium offering and I am pleased that Ryan, who is a consummate content expert, will be our editorial lead, working across our services and brands in Asia and Greater China.”

     

     

  • This marks BBC Studios’ entry into the Indian regional scripted market

    BBC Studios’ One of Us to have a Telugu version

    By A Correspondent

     

    BBC Studios has announced that it will be producing a new Indian adaptation of the drama series One of Us.

     

    The 2017 thriller is set to be adapted as a Hotstar Telugu special by BBC Studios India – marking the organisation’s debut into the regional scripted market in India.

     

    Said Sameer Gogate, Business Head of Production, India, BBC Studios: “Hotstar is known for its focus on premium dramas and we are delighted to work with them again to deliver another high-end thriller. The great thing about adaptations are their world-wide appeal that transverse everything from cultures, to boundaries, and languages – and yet stay true to the essence of the story.   We are very proud to be able to present One of Us to the Telugu audience. This marks our debut into the regional scripted market and what better way to launch than with this premium drama as a Hotstar Telugu special.”

     

     

  • The pre-school channel from BBC Studios returns to India

    CBeebies plays peekaboo. Is back in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    BBC Studios has announced the re-launch of its popular children’s channel, CBeebies, in India. The channel is available across leading multi-system operators in the country including Tata Sky (DTH & Mobile) Sun DTH, IMCL, Fastway, and Kal Cables amongst others.

     

    CBeebies is a dedicated pre-school channel (for kids age six years and under) offering 100% ad-free content (C is for children and BBC is popular called Beeb, hence CBeebies). The programme schedule for India will include popular like Hey Duggee, Go Jetters, Sarah and Duck, Thomas & Friends and Teletubbies.

     

    Said Ryan Shiotani, SVP and GM, South and South East Asia, BBC Studios: “CBeebies is trusted by parents internationally and we are thrilled to bring this dedicated pre-school channel back to India. We are passionate about nourishing little minds and having a positive impact on their intellectual, social and emotional development. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive nature of CBeebies content, and our young audience love being able to see themselves reflected in our content, and engage with their favourite award-winning characters.”

     

    BBC Global News in India will be marketing and distributing the CBeebies channel. Added Rahul Sood, Managing Director, India, BBC Global News: “We are extremely pleased to have relaunched CBeebies in India, especially at a time when there has been a massive increase in viewership in the genre and in overall screen time by kids. We’re sure that CBeebies will provide kids and their parents a safe environment that offers a unique combination of learning with entertainment. At BBC audiences are always at the heart of everything we do and we are committed to bring quality content to our viewers no matter what the challenges are.

     

    Our only concern: Other than the OTT boom, how has the business environment changed for the channel from November 2012 when it was pulled out? And second, we do hope that there were thousands of tinytots – if not lakhs or crores – who were mighty upset when they didn’t find their favourite channel on the tube. So, this time, no peekaboo and hide-and-seek, puhleez!

     

     

  • Voot Kids will offer diverse and multi-genre content offering across Watch, Read, Listen and Learn segments

    Voot Kids partners BBC Studios on content

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 Digital Ventures has gone live with featuring content from BBC Studios’ CBeebies.

     

    Speaking about Voot Kids and the content from BBC Studios, Saugato Bhowmik – Business Head, Voot Kids said: “With Voot Kids, our endeavour is to create a superior curated platform that brings together a prudent mix of fun and learning… Kids love positive stories and adorable toons and the addition of CBeebies shows is sure to add significant diversity and value to our vast content slate.”

     

    Commenting on the content licensing agreement with Viacom18 Media, Stanley Fernandes, Sales Director, South and South East Asia, BBC Studios added: “We are pleased to be partnering with Voot Kids to bring some of CBeebies’ favourite programmes back to Indian audiences. CBeebies is known worldwide for its impressive content line up, with programmes specially designed by developmental experts to promote imaginative play, social interaction, language skills, and educational values. Along with Voot Kids, we are aiming to make screen time meaningful for kids, so that it is entertaining, engaging and enriching.”

     

     

  • Award winning shows from BBC Studios include Happy Valley, Top of the Lake, Almost Royal, Fleming: The Man Who Would be Bond and Yes, Prime Minister

    Hungama Play expands library with new TV shows from BBC Studios

    By A Correspondent

     

    Hungama Play has premiered a slate of TV shows from BBC Studios. Available as a result of a long-standing partnership with BBC Studios, these shows include Happy Valley, Yes, Prime Minister, Top of the Lake, Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond and Almost Royal.

     

    Hungama will leverage its distribution strengths to give the shows a wide release. Besides Hungama Play, the shows will be available to stream through Hungama Play on Vodafone Play, Idea Movies & TV, Airtel TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Tata Sky Binge, SHAREit and Android TVs. Additionally, Hungama’s strategic association with Xiaomi will also enable users to watch the shows via Hungama Play on Mi TV.

     

    Speaking about the new BBC content, Siddhartha Roy, COO, Hungama Digital Media, said: “Hungama Play offers a diverse, multi-lingual and multi-genre library of content. Our partnership with BBC has helped us strengthen our library further by adding award-winning and critically acclaimed TV shows to our content offerings. We are certain that the new shows will offer our audiences a chance to explore content that is enriching, distinct and unique.”

     

    Added Stanley Fernandes, Sales Director, South Asia at BBC Studios: “BBC’s content is well-appreciated by viewers and critics alike, around the world. Our shows are known to be path-breaking and driven by strong stories and characters. We are glad to premiere five of our most-watched shows on Hungama Play. We are certain that Hungama Play’s strong distribution network will make the content available to the viewers readily and easily.”