MxMIndia

Tag: Star India

  • The 10-episode, multi-season series will showcase the revolution of television industry in India seen through a fictional lens

    ‘The Making of Star India’ to be now adapted on screen

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Story Ink along with Locomotive Global Inc have announced their acquisition of the exclusive screen adaptation rights for ‘The Making of Star India’ written by journalist and author Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.

     

    Sidharth Jain, Founder & Producer, The Story Ink and Sunder Aaron, Co-founder and Principal, Locomotive Global Inc will produce a 10-episode, multi-season scripted drama series that utilises Kohli-Khandekar’s book for source material. The on-screen adaptation will carry the audience on a journey through the meteoric rise and revolution of the Indian television industry.

     

    Said Kohli-Khandekar: “I am delighted that my book ‘The Making of Star India’ has inspired this series. The book is not just about Star, but also  about the growth of television in India over three decades. The stories behind the making of the world’s second largest TV market will make you laugh, cry and gasp at the audacity and sheer bull-headedness of the men and women who created it. This series aims to take that journey to another fictional dimension. I am so looking forward to working as a consulting writer with Sid and Sunder on this project.”

     

    Sharing thoughts on the acquisition of the book and production of the series, Jain added: “Our aim is to create a global quality scripted series. A ground-breaking new show that will be akin to Mad Men meets Succession, and set in the roaring rah-rah early days of the Indian television industry of late 1990s and early 2000s.  Said Aaron: “We aim to pull the curtains back, and present the story of Indian television in an unconventional and ground-breaking way that people around the world will find compelling to watch. Today more than ever before, viewers of premium drama series want to lose themselves in an authentic world they find fascinating and yet never knew existed.”

     

     

  • Three distinct offerings – Disney+ Hotstar VIP, Disney+ Hotstar Premium and an ad-supported basic tier will be available for consumers

    Hotstar will be Disney+ Hotstar set from April 3

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has announced the upgrade of Hotstar to Disney+ Hotstar from April 3, 2020. With a fresh new look and enhanced user interface, Disney+ Hotstar will offer content from Disney and technological expertise of Hotstar, giving users an unparalleled video streaming experience.

     

    Three distinct offerings – Disney+ Hotstar VIP, Disney+ Hotstar Premium and an ad-supported basic tier will be available for consumers.

     

    Said Uday Shankar – President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star & Disney India: “With the success of Hotstar, we ushered in a new era for premium video streaming in India. Today, as we unveil Disney+ Hotstar, we take yet another momentous step in staying committed to our promise of delivering high-quality impactful stories for India that have not only entertained but also made a difference in people’s lives, a promise that is even more meaningful in challenging times such as this. We hope the power of Disney’s storytelling, delivered through Hotstar’s technology, will help our viewers find moments of comfort, happiness and inspiration during these difficult times.”

     

     

  • The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment

    IBF members to offer four pay channels for free to viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    Given the impact on advertising revenue for the industry due to the Covid-19 outbreak, IBF sent us a communique saying it stands together to support the government’s effort to help people in these difficult times. Thus, four major broadcasting networks have come forward and decided to waive off all tariffs and charges for four channels for a period of two months.

     

    Added the communique: “The Sony Pictures-run Sony Pal, Star India run Star Utsav, Zee TV operated Zee Anmol and Viacom18’s Colors bouquet channel Colors Rishtey will be available to all viewers across the country for a period of two months free of charge on all DTH and cable networks. The broadcasting fraternity feels that this will provide people who are restricted to their homes, wholesome entertainment and will help provide relief during the period of lockdown.”

     

     

  • Given that VIVO IPL 2020 is scheduled to be held between March 23 and May 12, 2020 and Hotstar is a critical part of the live coverage gambit for Star India, one can expect the Disney+Hotstar launch to happen as part of the IPL 2020 blitz

    Disney+ to launch in India on March 29. Hotstar Premium to be renamed Disney+Hotstar

    By A Correspondent

    Disney+, the OTT service from the Walt Disney Company will launch in India on March 29, Bob Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bog Iger said on Tuesday in his quarterly earnings call.

    Disney, which owns, Star India, already owns and runs Hotstar in India, is likely to rechristen Hotstar VIP and premium service as Disney+Hotstar.

    Given that VIVO IPL 2020 is scheduled to be held between March 23 and May 12, 2020 and Hotstar is a critical part of the live coverage gambit for Star India, one can expect the Disney+Hotstar launch to happen as part of the IPL 2020 blitz.

    Hotstar’s VIP/Premium service which is the subscription based video on demand service from the platform, is likely to be rebranded and called Disney+Hotstar.

    Disney+ has reported 28.6 million subscribers as on Monday.

  • 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.”

     

     

  • Madhavan  will take charge from January 1

    K Madhavan to replace Sanjay Gupta as Country Head, Disney-Star India. Uday Shankar to also steer Hotstar

    By A Correspondent

     

    Veteran mediaperson and Managing Director (South) of Disney Star India K Madhavan has been appointed Country Head of Star and Disney India. Also, Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star and Disney India will directly oversee Hotstar. Madhavan  will take charge from January 1. As is known, Sanjay Gupta, Country Manager of Star and Disney India has resigned from the leading broadcaster and is joining Google as Country Manager for India.

     

    Madhavan who is part of the Star India fold since 2008 oversees the business ventures of Star in the five southern states and a portfolio of regional channels in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.

     

     

  • These channels are now available for Rs. 12 month for this festive season

    SPN too unveils festive ad campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    After Star India, Zee and Viacom18 Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) too brings cheer to its viewers through its ‘Ab India aur bhi Happy’ offer. SPN has announced a special offer, allowing consumers to avail of a festive à-la-carte pricing of Rs.12 month on its premier entertainment channels, SET, Sony Sab and Sony Max.

     

    Said NP Singh, Managing Director & CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN) said: “We are grateful to the viewers that our premier entertainment channels are leaders in their respective genres. It is our constant endeavour to provide quality entertainment at great value. This festive offer includes our highly rated marquee prime time content. Our intent through this initiative is to contribute towards and complement the festive spirit.”

     

     

  • All existing employee benefits around maternity and paternity, IVF, surrogacy and adoption is applicable to the LGBT+ employees

    Star India extends health insurance cover to LGBT+ employees

    By A Correspondent

     

    Effective July 1, Star India has extended health insurance cover to the partners of LGBT+ employees. All existing employee benefits around maternity and paternity, IVF, surrogacy and adoption is applicable to the LGBT+ employees.

     

    Said Amita Maheshwari, Head of Human Resources, APAC, DTCI, The Walt Disney Company: “At Star, we believe that our people are happiest when they can bring their authentic self to work. Since our inception, diversity and inclusion have been our biggest strengths. It helps us build enduring characters, rich stories and imagine more possibilities… We respect each individual’s diverse perspectives to foster a truly inclusive culture.”

     

     

  • Yadav will continue at Star till end-September 2019 after which, as per sources, she is mulling turning independent and starting her own business

    Gayatri Yadav quits Star, to turn independent from Q4/2019

    By A Correspondent

     

    Gayatri Yadav

    Gayatri Yadav, the high profile President & Head-Consumer Strategy and Innovation, Star India has quit. According to information we have received, Yadav will continue at Star till end-September 2019 after which, as per sources, she is mulling turning independent and starting her own business

     

    An MBA from IIM Calcutta, Yadav started out with a four-year stint at Procter & Gamble and then worked for a little over 14 years at General Mills where she was Marketing Director. She joined Star India in April 2011 as Exec President – Marketing and Communications until she assumed the new role in 2016.

     

  • The film accentuates the need of skilled labour for a prosperous economy in India

    NGC’s upcoming film to showcase needs of skilled workforce

    By A Correspondent

     

    National Geographic will premiere India’s Mega Workforce, a documentary, which accentuates the need of skilled labour for a prosperous economy in India.

     

    Commenting on the film, Gayatri Yadav, President & Head-Consumer Strategy and Innovation, Star India said: “National Geographic is synonymous with delivering impactful and compelling stories across all consumer touch points. In line with our philosophy, we aim to educate the world about the dire need of required skillsets amongst youngsters for a flourishing economy. Through this film, the viewers will be provided with a balanced view on the topic – presenting all possible facets of the subject, the impact of technological advancements and the need to prepare our workforce for the new technology age.”

     

     

  • Shot over 37 locations the documentary will encapsulate the incredible India story as the world’s largest democracy goes to poll

    National Geographic to chronicle Indian general elections

    By A Correspondent

     

    National Geographic has announced a special documentary to cover the 2019 Indian general elections.

     

    Notes a communique: “The epic six-month, multi crew production shot in 37 locations across the length and breadth of the country tells the tale of the largest democratic exercise in the world. From the highest echelons of the Election Commission of India to the booth level officers (BLOs), from the topmost political leaders to ground level party workers, from first-time voters to 100-year-old voters, there is absolutely nothing that National Geographic’s cameras have not covered to bring the story of the world’s largest elections that has the entire world enthralled.”

     

    Commenting on the documentary, Sunil Arora, Chief Election Commissioner of India said: “Keeping voter convenience and simplicity at the helm of the electoral process is not only a challenging task logistically, but also an effective outreach programme to each voter. This is a testament to making the world’s largest election a success. It’s great to see a brand like National Geographic capturing the enormity of this exercise and showcasing this challenging journey to the viewers with an unbiased eye.”

     

    Added Gayatri Yadav, President & Head-Consumer Strategy and Innovation, Star India: “National Geographic is excited to tell a story of democracy that is relevant to the world over. For the first time, viewers will get to understand the complexities and vastness of the largest democratic exercise in the world and every Indian will feel proud of being a part of this incredible journey. This mammoth exercise in logistics and planning involves implementing the model code of conduct, voter awareness activities, the largest peacetime deployment of security forces and managing mind boggling numbers which makes for a very captivating story that National Geographic is proud to bring to the world.”

  • Panel includes Dave Trott, Piyush Pandey, R Balki, Rama Bijapurkar and Swati Bhattacharya

    2019 edition of Star Re.Imagine Awards announced

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has announced the second edition of the Star Re.Imagine Awards for the best advertising on its television network and Hotstar during IPL2019.

     

    The jury list is impressive: Dave Trott, who has won the D&AD President’s Award, London for Lifetime Achievement in Advertising; R Balki, film-maker, Rama Bijapurkar,  market strategy expert; Swati Bhattacharya – CCO, FCB India and Piyush Pandey, Ogilvy Worldwide creative boss.

     

    Speaking on the announcement, Gautam Thakar, CEO, Star Sports said: “Sports is a great unifier and VIVO IPL’s massive reach and engagement provide the perfect platform for every brand to reach their audience. We are excited to announce the 2nd edition of the Star Re.Imagine Awards to celebrate the creativity of the top marketers in the country.  We have an additional award category this year and have witnessed some amazing storytelling from brands so far. I am excited to welcome our world class jury and look forward to the results.”