MxMIndia

Tag: Eros Now

  • The media stalwart gets set to launch Azaad, a GEC targeted at rural audiences. An interview with Pradyuman Maheshwari

    MxM Live with Bharat Ranga

     

    Media stalwart Bharat Kumar Ranga’s venture Beginnen Media is putting the finishing touches on an all-new general entertainment channel targeted at rural audiences. Ranga, who moved out of Zee Entertainment in late 2014, has had first-hand experience with Zee Anmol, Zee’s FTA channel, as well as heading the international and new domestic businesses at entertainment conglomerate. After leaving Zee, Ranga set up regional channels, an ad sales outfit and film production firm as an entrepreneur.

     

    In this interview with MxMIndia founder and editor-in-chief Pradyuman Maheshwari, Bharat Kumar Ranga speaks at length about why he is looking at the rural landscape, the opportunities therein, and his plans for Azaad and Beginnen Media.

     

    Watch. Enjoy. Like

     

     

    (References in the interview to Usha, is Usha Thomas, the senior PR professional, who is heading the comms function at Beginnen. The reference to Rachin is Rachin Khanijo, who led team in marketing at Zee and Eros Now in the recent past)

     

  • … for Live Streaming and Title Sponsorship of Team Abu Dhabi

    Eros Now partners with 2020 Abu Dhabi T10

    By Our Staff

     

    There is never a week when our inbox doesn’t have missives from Eros Now, the streaming service owned from Eros STX Global Corporation. It has now announced a streaming and branding partnership with 2020 Abu Dhabi T10 Tournament, the fourth edition of the tournament and the second held in Abu Dhabi.

     

    Eros Now is also the official team sponsor of Team Abu Dhabi. As part of the multi-year deal, Eros Now will livestream the popular cricket tournament in significant international markets, such as Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, USA and Canada.

     

    Said Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now: “The content available on streaming platforms is evolving with the continuous change in audiences’ demand for preferred content. Live cricket streaming is another avenue for Eros Now to deliver the best of content to sports lovers in international markets. Thus, the Abu Dhabi T10 is the perfect association for us to enter into the sports live streaming category and take a step further to drive growth momentum.”

     

     

  • The countries: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan

    Eros Now Select on Apple TV in 11 new countries

    By A Correspondent

     

    OTT platform Eros Now is now available through Eros Now Select for Apple TV channels on the Apple TV app on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, iPod touch, Mac, and other platforms in 11 new countries. After its successful launch in the US, Canada and India, Eros Now Select is now available to customers in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Cambodia, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tajikistan.

     

    Ali Hussein

    Said Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now: “The rise in OTT consumption worldwide opens up immense opportunities for Eros Now Select – widely known for its extensive Bollywood and Indian originals – to expand reach and ramp up distribution in 11 new territories on the Apple TV app.”

     

     

  • To add 46 titles in 2021, including 13 original series and 33 film premieres across 8 languages

    Eros Now goes aggressive with content slate

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now, the streaming entertainment service owned by Eros STX, has announced its content slate for 2021, with 46 new titles including 33 film premieres and 13 original series. existing global audience and cater to the growing consumer demand for fresh and entertaining online video content.

     

    The content slate, promoted through the campaign – #KahaaniHarRangKi, is based on insights derived from Eros Now’s proprietary user data, notes a communique.  A promo features Ayushmann Khurrana and Kartik Aaryan showcasing Eros Now content. At a presser held last week Eros Now said it has increased its paid subscriber base by 6.9 million in the six-month period ended September 30, 2020, to a total of 36.2 million.

     

    Commenting on the development, Ridhima Lulla, Chief Content Officer, Eros Group, said: “We are committed to investing in quality programming that will appeal to the Indian and global diaspora, and this huge content slate adds to Eros Now’s massive entertainment catalogue. India is witnessing significant demand growth driven by the digital shift and the consumer’s desire to watch programming in different formats and in their preferred language. This amazing slate will deepen our connection with the audience and offers entertainment like never before.”

     

  • Eros Now has a vast movie catalogue that features cult classics to modern, new-age films

    Eros Now partners Dish TV

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now has announced a partnership with Dish TV whereby Dish TV and D2H users can access Eros Now’s content library including 12,000 plus movie titles, original shows, short-format content Quickie, music through their android set-top boxes – Dish SMRT Hub and D2H Stream, respectively.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now said: “Eros Now has a vast movie catalogue that features cult classics to modern, new-age films. The massive content library offers high-quality experience to the consumers who can consume the content from their homes on smart TVs, at their convenience. This transformation of OTT consumption moving from personal, private devices to television sets in the living room, is a growing trend with movies and other long-format content being consumed on large screens. Eros Now’s endeavour has always been to present the best of online streaming content and provide seamless access to consumers across markets as well as different mediums. The association with Dish TV’s innovative services keeps its vast consumer base glued to the television sets with the inclusion of Eros Now’s content that offers premium OTT experience.”

     

    Added Anil Dua, Executive Director & Group CEO, Dish TV India: “In our endeavour to provide the best of both the linear and online entertainment options, we have recently introduced a whole range of connected devices including Android STB’s and streaming sticks. We are happy to partner with Eros Now and this partnership will enable our customers to have access to their vast online content library across both our Dish and D2H platforms. Dish TV India is committed to delivering the best TV viewing experience while offering unique content options to its customers and this partnership is another step in the same direction.”

     

     

  • Eros Now subscription plans will be available through Vayamtech Network's service centres across Uttar Pradesh

    Eros Now inks partnership with Vayam Tech

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now has announced its agreement with Vayam Technologies Limited to distribute the OTT platform across districts of Uttar Pradesh through its Common Service Centres (also known as Jan Seva Kendra).

     

    Commenting on the deal, Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now said: “The alliance between Eros Now and Vayamtech is a result of our common belief in using the power of the internet to offer the best services to customers across India. The people of rural India are increasingly using the internet for their daily needs, and it has now become imperative for businesses to offer rural audiences with seamless access to services. Eros Now’s distribution through Vayamtech network of common service centres will offer the massive audience base the best of online video streaming service.”

     

    Added Jitendra Tiwari, Executive Director, Vayamtech: “OTT platform’s across India are witnessing huge demand and adding Eros Now in Vayamtech’s services will result in revenue yielding for the brand by benefiting the customers with easy access to online entertainment. Uttar Pradesh is a massive market and our common service centres across 21 districts in the state is an ideal model for the delivery of the entertainment platform.”

     

     

  • Samsung Galaxy users can access content on the ‘My Galaxy’ app

    Samsung Galaxy users can now access content from Eros Now

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now has announced its partnership with Samsung Mobiles. As part of the collaboration, Samsung Galaxy users based in India can access movies, original shows, music, short-format content and more from Eros Now on the ‘My Galaxy’ app.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now said: “We consider at this alliance as a befitting one, considering the insatiable demand for online entertainment on mobile screens. As we continue to offer seamless access to Eros Now’s massive and compelling content library to India’s large OTT consumer base, the partnership enables us to tap into potential consumers using Samsung Galaxy smart phones.”

     

     

  • Enabling effortless access to Indian entertainment content for fans across GCC countries

    Eros Now partners with Eurostar Group

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now has announced its partnership with UAE-based digital retail player, Eurostar Group. The association enables the large diaspora from the Indian sub-continent and locals across GCC countries to access Eros Now’s vast content library of 12,000 plus movies, music videos, original shows and more.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Ali Hussein, CEO, Eros Now said: “We at Eros Now believe in constantly enhancing consumer experience and expand reach by partnering with relevant leading brands globally. The partnership with Eurostar is a testament to our endeavour in offering easy accessibility and unparalleled entertainment to the massive consumer base across GCC countries. We are confident that with a plethora of choices as well as regional languages to choose from, audiences in the GCC will find there is no better place to go.”

     

    Added Shaan Jethwani, Executive Director of Eurostar: “We are happy to partner with Eros Now to offer their bouquet of content to our audience. The increasing demand for Indian entertainment content in GCC markets is the driving force behind this decision. With Eurostar’s legacy on Pay TV distribution, we envisage to deliver its vast entertainment content to a massive consumer base across GCC countries.”

     

     

  • This is a unique association for Microsoft in India in the online video space

    Eros Now collaborates with Microsoft to develop online video platform

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now announced a collaboration with Microsoft  to build a next generation online video platform on Microsoft Azure targeted at its consumers across the globe.

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Rishika Lulla Singh, CEO- Eros Digital, said: “The Online Video market has brought a paradigm shift in the way technology is used and will be used to enhance the customer journey and user experience. We at Eros Now have been the earliest movers in the adoption of technology which is a core strength of the brand. The objective and the goal of this collaboration is to ensure we become the primary innovators for the video business and a gold standard for the others to follow. We have immense respect for Microsoft as a company to help us innovate and pave the path for the next generation of online video.”

     

    Added Peggy Johnson, Executive Vice President, Microsoft, Corp: “As an innovator in on-demand video, Eros Now has been transforming the way millions of people access and consume content. By using our combined expertise across technology and media, we have an opportunity to build on that foundation and re-imagine entertainment for the rapidly growing audience of digitally-connected consumers in India.”

     

    Said Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India: “India is one of the fastest-growing digital entertainment and media markets worldwide, driven by the growth in online video content.  AI and intelligent cloud tools will be the next drivers of the media business and will impact everything from content creation to consumer experience.  We are very excited to work with Eros Now to redefine the online video watching experience for consumers.”

     

     

  • It analyses their content preferences, across 16 Indian cities

    KPMG-Eros Now OTT report maps consumption habits of Indian viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    KPMG India and Eros Now launched the report, ‘Unravelling the digital video consumer: Looking through the viewer lens’, to check the consumption habits of Indian OTT viewers and their content preferences, across 16 Indian cities.

     

    Said Girish Menon, Partner and Head Media & Entertainment, KPMG in India,: “The online video consumer in India has evolved in a significant way in the last couple of years. With consumption now going mass and viewers spending close to 8.5 hours a week on online video, we see a homogenous pattern of consumption emerging cutting across age groups, income levels and professions. Our report also touches upon the future of this consumption evolution, and how online video could potentially disrupt traditional distribution in the coming years. This represents a large opportunity for platforms to tap into the ever expanding universe of digitally connected Indians.”

     

    Added Rishika Lulla Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Eros Digital: “India is one of the fastest growing entertainment and media market globally and is expected to keep that momentum. As data and digital infrastructure has become exceedingly accessible even in small cities of India, the market for OTT has widened enormously. At Eros Now, we strive to constantly engage the existing consumers and expand our reach by offering new and innovative services.”

     

    Key insights from the Indian online video consumer-survey include:

    :: The Indian OTT viewer spends more approximately 70 mins/day on online video platforms, with a consumption frequency of 12.5 times a week i.e. more than once a day. Viewers are also accessing ~2.5 platforms at a given time. While the customer sets are fairly heterogeneous, there is a trend of homogeneity that was observed in terms of consumption frequency and duration across age groups, income levels and genders.

    :: Indians continue to love their movies and movie related content; 30% of the respondents prefer watching movies on OTT platforms.

    :: Original content is fast emerging as an important category, with close to 10 per cent respondents alluding to preference for the same. This is significant given the limited supply on original content on platforms at present, as compared to library content.

    :: Long-form content is gaining traction, while short form content continues to remain relevant, especially to cater to the millennial audience.

    :: 30 per cent of the respondents prefer watching content in languages other than Hindi and English. The preference for content consumption is significant in the native languages across large parts of the country, with south India observed to be the most loyal to their native tongue.

    :: 87 per cent of the respondents consumed content on their mobile phones, with nearly 28 per cent of the respondents consuming content during the traditional office hours of 10 – 6pm. Online video in India is truly an ‘Anywhere Anytime’ phenomenon.

    :: Three out of 10 users are watching online video on telco platforms, outlining the importance of the medium in terms of distribution. Integrated telco billing is one of the factors that is likely to help drive VOD subscriptions in the future

    :: Freshness and uniqueness of content the key determining factors for installation and uninstallation of apps, as well as respondents subscribing to platforms; 87 per cent of the respondents install an app considering the quality of content

     

  • Eros Now is streaming five episodes and will release more two episodes in five languages on the 23rd of this month

    Eros Now to stream ‘Modi: Journey of a common man’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now announced that it is streaming five episodes of ‘Modi: Journey of a Common Man’. The original web series will release the episodes in five languages including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Gujarati on the Eros now app.

     

    The 10-part original web series is based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s life. Commencing at the age of 12, the original series traverses through his youth to becoming the Prime Minister of India. The series was taken down considering the sensitivity of time and situation then. The remaining episodes of the 10-part series will be streaming soon.

     

     

  • The initiative will cut the air pollution and expense for fuel to generate electricity

    Eros Now partners Veriown Global to bring digital entertainment to rural India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Eros Now has announced a partnership with Veriown. Through this alliance, Eros Now powers Films, Originals and other content on ‘The Connect’, a product designed and conceptualised by Veriown.

     

    Commenting on the announcement, Rishika Lulla Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Eros Digital, said: “Eros Now has always been a pioneer in carving new dimensions to enhance its audiences’ lifestyle. ‘The Connect’ aims to improve lives by not only providing electricity but also a wide range of digital content for entertainment. This technological advancement and innovative solution is a market first. It will also help in building a digital ecosystem by fulfilling the demand for entertainment in remote villages of rural India in line with our promise of penetrating deeper in Tier 3 and 4 markets. The service acts as a sense of safety and security during the night and works towards enhancing social status by giving consumers access to entertainment and educational content.”

     

    Added Wael Aburida, CEO, Veriown Global Inc: “Since its inception, Veriown has focused on improving the lives of those with the least access by bringing them into the digital economy through our Connect. By partnering with Eros Now, we expand on our mission to bring the 4Es, Energy, Education, Entertainment and E-Commerce to rural India. We believe the partnership will bring substantial engagement with our customers and open new markets for both our companies.”