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Tag: Gourav Rakshit

  • The league will air on Voot, the network’s broadcast channels as well as on Jio

    Viacom18 bags TV & digital rights for Italian Serie A

    By Our Staff

     

    Viacom18 has announced that it has acquired the broadcast and digital rights for Italian Serie A for the Indian sub-continent region for the next three seasons. The latest edition of Italian Serie A will kick off tomorrow, that’s August 21 at 10pm IST. Matches will be available live across Voot, Viacom18’s TV channels and Jio. This is close on the heels of multi-year partnerships for Spanish La Liga (football) and Abu Dhabi T10 League (cricket).

     

    Said Gourav Rakshit, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “One of the core propositions of our network is the promise of variety in content. Sports is a whitespace that we have been consciously experimenting with for some time now. The response to our initiatives, thus far, has been very encouraging. Italian Serie A is one of the most exciting & competitive leagues in Europe and we are excited to bring it to our viewers across digital and broadcast platforms.”

     

    Added Ferzad Palia, Head – SVOD and International Business, Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “We are delighted to host the Italian Serie A across our network. The league enjoys great affinity with football lovers in India. Some of the world’s top clubs, coaches and players make the Serie A stand out as one of the best leagues in the football world. We are confident of growing the fan base through a slew of initiatives that are lined up.”

     

    Viacom18 has entered into a partnership with Infront, whom Italian Serie A has appointed to manage its international media rights for all platforms across many geographies. Added Amikam Kranz, Vice President Media Sales and Operations, Infront said: “This is the start of what we hope will be a positive relationship between Infront and Viacom18. Serie A already has a significant resonance with Indian football fans and this will help us further grow the audience in the country. We believe this is the beginning of what we hope will be a promising future.”

     

  • Appoints Chanpreet Arora as Business Head – AVOD and Vineet Govil as Chief Technology Officer, Digital Ventures

    Viacom18 strengthens Digital Ventures with senior hires

    By Our Staff

    Viacom18 has announced the appointment Chanpreet Arora as Business Head – AVOD (Voot), and of Vineet Govil as Chief Technology Officer at Viacom18 Digital Ventures. In her new role. Arora will drive the AVOD business – VOOT and will be responsible for leading AVOD-led partnerships that are key to VOOT’s overall growth. Vineet will be responsible for strengthening the product’s tech play by offering a more seamless and immersive experience for consumers.

    Said Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “We are delighted to welcome Chanpreet  and Vineet to our team as we accelerate our growth to transform the digital streaming space for our users. While Chanpreet is a recognized expert in the Indian media industry with an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the entire digital ecosystem, Vineet is a domain expert and is recognized for building world class products through continuous technological innovations. Together with their, exemplary leadership and ability to innovate, we are certain of taking Viacom18 Digital Ventures to greater heights. We are confident that we will further consolidate our position through a more digital-first focused approach.”

    Added Arora: “It’s a pleasure to join the Viacom18 Digital Ventures Team to lead the AVOD Business. My journey in the digital ecosystem has been enriching so far. I look forward to working with the team at Viacom18 to grow the business further and deliver significant value to our partners.”

    Said Govil: “I am excited to be a part of a business that is young and successful with 3 distinct offerings. I look forward to working with the digital team on enhancing the platforms and hope to bring in some excitement from a viewers’ perspective. Streaming is all about experience and this is something we will work closely on to accelerate growth”

     

     

  • New roles for Ferzad Palia and Anshul Ailawadi

    Viacom18 restructures its leadership team

    By Our Staff

    Ferzad Palia
    Ferzad Palia
    Anshul Ailawadi
    Anshul Ailawadi

    Viacom18 has announced changes in its leadership team to bolster its digital and broadcast businesses. Driving the agenda of growing its digital subscription businesses, in his new role, Ferzad Palia will head all subscriber-driven pay services (SVOD – Voot Select and Voot Kids) and International expansion for Voot and will report to Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures.

    The network’s Youth, Music and English Entertainment business will now be led by Anshul Ailawadi, erstwhile strategy and project management lead at the Group CEO’s office. Ailawadi will report to Rahul Joshi, Managing Director, Network18, in his new role.

    Notes a communique: “In its endeavour to become a future-proof organisation, identifying opportunities to drive synergies is crucial. Ferzad has led the growth of the network’s Youth, Music and English Entertainment business for the past 16 years. More recently he launched Voot Select that has already raced to add 1mn+ subscribers within a year. He will now look to cohesively grow Viacom18’s SVoD and International digital businesses. Anshul has played a key role in the growth of Viacom18 over the last 6 years and is a strong proponent of the tremendous fandom, and the potential business opportunity that the YME brands of Viacom18 command. In a young country like India, these brands have a long runway for growth, especially given the proliferation of digital platforms.

     

     

  • To bring bigger and better entertainment extravaganza to the screens in 2021

    Voot Select hits one million subscribers

    By Our Staff

    Voot Select completes a year of launch. And it has reported the crossing of the one million active direct paying subscribers in this period.

    Voot Select, notes a communique, will be exclusive destination for upcoming Paramount+ shows in the country. The titles coming up include Dexter (Limited Series), Ray Donavan Feature-Length Film,  The First Lady from showtime and Frasier (Reboot) & Why Women Kill S2 from Paramount+ amongst others.

    Gourav Rakshit
    Gourav Rakshit

    Said Gourav Rakshit, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “We launched VOOT Select to engage and entertain audiences in India, with the most compelling stories from across the world. Despite being a recent entrant in a in the crowded subscription industry, we’re thrilled to have made a mark, being the fastest to a million subscribers and delighting audiences on the back of our unique and innovative approach.  Now that we have gotten a better sense of what they loved (and some of the stuff they didn’t), we’re excited to bring an even bigger and better entertainment extravaganza to their screens in 2021.”

    Ferzad Palia
    Ferzad Palia

    Added Ferzad Palia, Head – Voot Select & International Business, Viacom18, “It has been a phenomenal year for Voot Select. We have, ahead of our estimates, made the fastest run to a million active paying direct to consumer subscribers in the category in less than a year of launch. Our success story through the year has been scripted on the back of a digital first strategy that keeps consumers at its core as well as a multi genre slate of originals and international content experiences. With our upcoming slate of content and partnerships, we aim to build our leadership position as we continue to entertain our members. We have had a fantastic start to this journey and will continue to invest in quality content and enhanced product experience driving Select towards new echelons of growth.”

     

     

  • There will be 24-hour live feeds and digital first before-TV access on Voot Select

    Bigg Boss Season 14 to also air on Voot Select

    By A Correspondent

     

    As Season 14 of Bigg Boss 2020 is getting set to be back on Colors, there is news that Voot Select subscribers will get unlimited access from the ‘BB House’ and the episode will be streamed on Voot Select ahead of the TV airing. To coincide with this the subscription offer of Rs 99 per month has also been announced with an introductory price of Rs 499 per annum. The date of the launch of the reality show has not yet been disclosed.

     

    Said Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head- Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18: “Bigg Boss today has grown to become a phenomenon in the country. The following and viewership the show receives continues to grow each year and it is truly the fans that make it happen. The last season was a tremendous success, trending on social timelines while also creating new viewership records in the category. While this year has been tough on everyone, we believe that it is only fair to the shows fan’s and our viewers that we return with a brand-new season 14 that will heighten spirits and delivers on an unmatched and thrilling entertainment experience. We look forward to launching yet another milestone season thus keeping our viewers engaged and happy as always.”

     

    Added Manisha Sharma, Chief Content Officer, Hindi Mass Entertainment, Viacom18: “Bigg Boss is not just a show but an extravaganza that drives pop culture and conversations in this country.  The show has every year garnered unparalleled patronage from our viewers and partners, each seeking to be a part of the category-defining show.  This year we know that our audience had to face many challenges.  But the new season of Bigg Boss will serve as a perfect antidote and give a fitting retort to 2020 – Ab Paltega Scene, Kyunki BB dega 2020 ko Jawaab being the intent. Like every year we intent on bringing to life a winning mix of concepts, celebrities, and stress buster entertainment – A sensational show that each of our true blue Bigg Boss fans will not want to miss any moment of.”

     

    Speaking on the digital for proposition of the iconic show Gourav Rakshit, Chief Operating Officer, Viacom18 Digital Ventures, said, “ At Voot Select, we have ensured that our viewers are engaged and entertained with content that is a premium, exclusive, and diverse. Bigg Boss is one of India’s most-watched shows and commands a following and fandom that is unmatched. Taking our digital-first strategy a step forward and keeping in sync with our viewers growing demands, viewers and Bigg Boss’ Asli Fans will have access to daily episodes before it airs on television. With a watch first, watch non-stop & watch super-exclusive proposition, we look forward to showcasing yet another exciting and larger than life season of Bigg Boss for all our premium subscribers.”

     

     

  • Tata Sky Binge is a streaming platform that aggregates various OTT apps under a single interface and single subscription

    Tata Sky Binge strengthens OTT play with Voot Select and Voot Kids

    By A Correspondent

     

    Strengthening its content catalogue to meet the growing entertainment requirements across age groups, Tata Sky Binge – Tata Sky’s OTT aggregator service — has now partnered with Viacom18 Digital Ventures to bring onboard their premium content streaming service Voot Select, and kids-focussed Voot Kids for its subscriber base.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Pallavi Puri, Chief Commercial and Content Officer, Tata Sky, said: “Keeping customer requirements at the forefront, we have continued to expand the library for Tata Sky Binge with OTT apps that offer the most popular and relatable content for the entire family. In the current environment when children are facing a dearth of entertainment options, adding Voot Kids will enhance the entertainment experience for kids with a balanced library of fun and learning content. Further, with Voot Select, we will open the doors to Viacom18’s exciting library of movies and top Indian TV shows – all available 24 hours before TV.”

     

    Added Gourav Rakshit, COO at Viacom18 Digital Ventures said, “At Voot, we believe in building a versatile and immersive digital ecosystem that will add value to our users with path-breaking and diverse content experiences. With an increase in demand for content consumption, be it entertainment through Voot Select or fun learning through Voot Kids, this promising collaboration with Tata Sky Binge will help us cater and reach out to a larger audience base. We are delighted to partner with a like-minded brand who resonates with our ideologies and will help us make content viewing an enriching and engaging experience for all our viewers.”

     

     

  • Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting

    Tarun Katial to chair IAMAI’s Digital Entertainment Committee

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee5 India CEO Tarun Katial has been appointed chairman of Digital Entertainment Committee of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). He takes over from Ajit Mohan, Managing Director, Facebook India. Viacom 18 Digital Ventures COO Gourav Rakshit has been named Vice Chairman, succeeding Uday Sodhi, Senior Partner, Kurate Digital Consulting.

     

    The Digital Entertainment Committee at IAMAI represents all prominent members of the video on demand and audio-on-demand companies such as Netflix, Zee5, Prime Video, Hotstar, Sony Liv, Viacom18, RJio Studios, MX Player, Hungama, Discovery, Hoichoi, Arre, Hooq, Gaana, Saavn, Flickstree among others.

     

    On his appointment, Katial said: “The Digital Entertainment sector, similar to the rest of the economy, is going through challenging times due to COVID-19. At IAMAI, our immediate task at hand would be to seek support from the Government, policymakers, local authorities to resume production activities at the earliest. This would go a long way in supporting various supply chain linkages, citizen’s livelihood, and contribution to the national exchequer.”

     

  • Thirty Originals are part of the introductory offer as also global partnerships and 1500+ movies

    Viacom18 unveils Voot Select content

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    When it announced Voot in October 2015, Viacom18 was the last of the broadcast networks to embark on an OTT play. But since then it hasn’t looked. Last year, after announcing 100 million monthly active users, it announced its first subscription-driven service called Voot Kids. And then in January, it announced Voot Select, its second subscriber-only service.

     

    On Tuesday, leadership of Viacom18 unveiled the initial offerings of Voot Select with much fanfare, as also the subscription tariff. Voot Select will present 30+ Originals in the first year, international content through partnerships with global studios, 1500+ movies and stream over 35+ live TV channels.  Voot Select is downloadable from the Voot app and is available on the internet. The subscription fee is Rs 99 per month and Rs 999 for an annual subscription. The annual subscription has an introductory offer of Rs 499.

     

    In an industry-first initiative, Voot Select will bring top fiction content from Viacom18’s extensive portfolio of channels on the digital platform 24 hours before the episodes air on regular television. All non-fiction content can be accessed on the platform 15 – 30 minutes before its TV airing.

     

    Speaking about the network’s platform agnostic, content first strategy, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & MD, Viacom18, said: “In a short span, VOOT has already emerged as one of India’s largest OTT platforms with 100 Mn MAUs and 100 Bn watch minutes. It is India’s most engaged platform with an average TSV of 50 mins. With projections of aggressive growth in Fibre to Home, Viacom18 is ready to go Digital First. VOOT Select is our premium SVoD offering developed to cater to this growing connected TV audience,” adding: “We’ve put together a very compelling proposition and even pushed the envelope with publishing content 24 hours before TV, clutter-breaking originals and international content. The launch of VOOT Select marks a key milestone in our journey to become a future-ready, pipe-agnostic storyteller.”

     

    Speaking about Voot’s business strategy, Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said: “Voot is the outcome of Viacom18’s vison to create a future ready digital business catering to the evolving digital entertainment needs of every Indian. It is with this focus and a content first approach that we have built Voot Select as a premium platform providing an enhanced viewing experience for our users. Voot Select is “made for stories” that are differentiated and compelling and with them we are determined to be the most sought-after content destination for every Indian.”

     

    Added Ferzad Palia, Head – Voot Select, Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18 said: “Voot Select has been carefully crafted and designed for today’s ‘on-demand’ generation. We’re proud to give to India a destination that has the country’s largest showcase of stories ranging from Hindi & Regional Originals, Live Television channels from across the world, the widest variety of top-drawer international content to ‘24 hour-before-TV’ premieres of our TV network content. Adfree, Multi-screen access and a solid recommendation engine will further add to a great entertainment experience for our subscribers.”

     

    Voot Select will house global content from CBS, CBS All Access, Showtime, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Chelsea TV, Arsenal TV, Real Madrid TV, BBC and Sony Pictures, among others.

     

     

    At the unveiling to the media five Originals were showcased starring Arshad Warsi, Rajeev Khandelwal, Barun Sobti, Ahana Kumra, Atul Kulkarni, Saqib Salem, Piyush Mishra and Shriya Pilgaonkar amongst others. Directors and storytellers like  Vikram Bhatt, Apoorva Lakhia and Oni Sen amongst others will be associated with some of the original content.

     

    The international content includes the following: Murder in the Bayou, 48 Hours, Crimes Of The Century, Whistleblower, Enemies: FBI vs The President; brand new exclusive global premieres like Why Women Kill, The Twilight Zone, Interrogation, BH 90210, Nancy Drew & critically acclaimed shows like Dexter, Californication, Elementary, Madam Secretary and Nurse JackieI addition, reality shows like Masterchef USA, Masterchef Junior, Shark Tank, America’s Got Talent, X Factor, Project Runway, Fear Factor, My Kitchen Rules will also be on offer. Celebrity Chefs like Martha Stewart, Nigella Lawson and the late Anthony Bourdain are also part of the offering. As also are daily talk shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Daily Mail TV and The Graham Norton Show amongst others.

     

    There is also a partnership with international channels such as Fashion One, Clubbing TV and Real Madrid TV which will lead Voot Select  to present 24-hour live streams with access from these fchanels. In addition, there is leading 24/7 LGBTQ channel, Revry TV will also be part of Voot Select as will gaming events like World Poker Tour

     

  • The new business vertical under Viacom18 Digital Ventures will be helmed by Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music & English. Voot Select will be in addition to his existing responsibilities

    Viacom18 unveils Voot Select with Ferzad Palia at helm

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 will launch its second subscription-based streaming offering called Voot Select. The new business vertical under Viacom18 Digital Ventures will be helmed by Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music & English. Voot Select will be in addition to his existing responsibilities.

     

    Sudhanshu Vats

    Speaking about adding further scale to the digital business, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & MD, Viacom18 said: “The video-on-demand market is the fastest growing segment in the media and entertainment sector today.  Subscription led business models are going to be the next big growth drivers in the years to come. Having established Voot as India’s second largest premium AVoD platform, we think the time is apt for us to unveil our premium subscription offering, Voot Select.  The new premium offering will bring more bespoke content to our always-on viewers.”

     

    Gourav Rakshit

    Added Gourav Rakshit, COO at Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “With Voot, the successful launch of Voot Kids and now Voot Select, our aim is to build a versatile and immersive digital ecosystem that will add value to our users. The new offering will provide them with differentiated content experiences across genres and segments. Currently in its final leg of testing, the all new Voot Select once live will see many untapped genres being made available for our users to experience and enjoy.”

     

     

  • VOOT Kids boasts of the largest content library of over 20,000 content pieces across segments

    Viacom18 offers first SVOD OTT platform with Voot Kids

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 launched of its first subscription-based service VOOT Kids on Tuesday. Certified by Early Childhood Association (ECA), Voot Kids is built as a multi-format app for children offering some 20,000 videos, e-books, stories and quizzes amongst other things. Priced at Rs 799 for a year and Rs 99 per month with a seven-day free trial in both packages, the app is available to download on iOS and Google Playstore.

     

    Said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & MD, Viacom18: “Viacom18 has grown over the years by focussing on white spaces that are challenging and yet have tremendous potential. As a network, we have been the undisputed leader in kids’ entertainment content since the past five years. Our digital play VOOT is the second largest video-on-demand platform in the country today. VOOT Kids is a synergy of these two growth stories from the house of Viacom18. Marking our sharper segmented foray into the world of subscription-based VoD, VOOT Kids is India’s first and only multi-format Kids app offering Fun & Learning. No other kids app offers Watch, Read, Listen & Learn all at one place”

     

    Added Gourav Rakshit, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures: “The foray into the subscription space with VOOT Kids is the first step in our journey towards building an entire digital ecosystem under brand VOOT. VOOT Kids has been built on the 3 pillars of Product Experience, Content and Safety. In VOOT Kids, we are bringing an offering that is child-friendly, yet parent focussed and gives them an opportunity to bond with an immersive co-consumption experience. Our brand philosophy of ‘Masti Mein Acchai’ reflects our mission to make screen time meaningful.”

     

    Said Saugato Bhowmik, Business Head, VOOT Kids: “VOOT Kids is a category creating product in the space of digital fun learning that caters to needs of discerning Indian parents who seek meaningful screen-time that aids in holistic development of the child’s mental, emotional and social faculties. The app has the largest and most versatile offerings in the space of toon videos, e-books, audio stories and fun quizzes that provides children with a parent-controlled, safe and entertaining content destination.” He further added, “We believe masti should never be served up without acchai and the same holds true the other way around. And this is our guiding philosophy at VOOT Kids”

     

     

  • Over 1200 hours of content on offer

    Viacom18 goes OTT-first with Colors Telugu

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18’s OTT platform Voot is all set for its Telugu market foray with the launch of Colors Telugu. Leveraging the 80 million plus  Telugu speaking audience opportunity, Colors Telugu on Voot marks Viacom18’s increasing focus on its strategic “digital first” approach. The platform’s new language play will introduce Telugu audiences from AP/ Telangana and rest of India to 1200 + hours of Telugu entertainment.  The content line-up will include Voot Originals, popular Hindi and regional Viacom18 IPs and a library of 150+ Telugu movies for its viewers to begin with.  Colors  Telugu on Voot is set to go live starting September 23, 2019.

     

    Speaking about Voot’s regional strategy and Telugu launch, Gourav Rakshit – COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said: “Regional has been an important play for Voot as well as Viacom18 and we continue to identify whitespaces in the category and pursue the regional growth opportunity.  We have been seeing significant offtake of network regional consumption on Voot. The latest success of Bigg Boss Marathi with over 100 Million views establishes the scale of the regional content opportunity,” adding: “The market propensity of the Telugu market towards digital content as well the significant internet penetration in the 2 states of AP / Telangana make them a high value opportunity to be harnessed. We are sure that the diverse and expansive content slate curated after substantial audience mapping and market research will help us get love and support from the viewers.”

     

  • A University of Rochester and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Rakshit is currently serving as the President and CEO of People Group that owns and operates Shaadi.com

    Viacom18 appoints Gourav Rakshit as COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures

    By A Correspondent

     

    Gourav Rakshit

    Viacom18 has announced the appointment of Gourav Rakshit as COO – Viacom18 Digital Ventures. He will be joining the organization this month (May 2019), and will report to Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO & MD, Viacom18.

     

    Said Vats on the appointment: “Our digital foray has grown exponentially since its inception 3 years back, with the sharply segmented businesses – the ad led model, the international business and the soon-to-be-launched subscription-based VOOT Kids service,” adding: “As we unlock business value, Gourav, with an in-depth understanding of digital disruption and a proven track-record of envisioning subscription growth, is the right person to lead our talented teams across the Digital Ventures portfolio.”

     

    A University of Rochester and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Rakshit is currently serving as the President and CEO of People Group that owns and operates Shaadi.com where he has been working for the last 11 years. Before joining the People group, Rakshit worked with Nestle, Planetasia (of the Microland group) and Infosys.