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Tag: Voot Select

  • The political satire features actor, host, comedian, Danish Sait

    Voot Select goes original for Kannada

    By Our Staff

     

    Voot Select, the Viacom18 OTT plaform, is set to launch its maiden Kannada-language series ‘Humble Politiciann Nograj’. The 10-episode web series is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Firstaction Studios and Danish Sait. The show is written and directed by Saad Khan.

     

    Speaking on the launch of its first Kannada Original, Ferzad Palia, Head – SVOD & International Business at Viacom18 said: “At Voot Select, we have been constantly growing our content offering. The release of our first Kannada original, reinforces our commitment to cater to audiences across the country and serve them entertainment in a language of their choice. Humble Politiciann Nograj is the first in a robust list of Regional originals that will drop over 2022. Over the next 12 months, we will significantly dial up our regional language roster, while we continue to strengthen our Hindi, international, sports and kids offering.”

     

  • 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.”

     

     

  • Ex-contestants Siddharth Shukla, Hina Khan and Gauahar Khan will also be seen playing a crucial role in the season

    Bigg Boss to take off on October 3

    By A Correspondent

     

    The fourteenth season of Bigg Boss will premiere on October 3 at 9pm only on Colors and stream on Voot Select.

     

    Talking about the show, Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Head, Hindi Mass Entertainment and Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said: “Our endeavour at Colors has always been to provide our viewers with uninterrupted entertainment – refreshing and exciting content and Bigg Boss has been a testament to this objective year after year. The last 6 months have been unprecedented and it brought along with it unexpected challenges and changes. With ‘Ab Paltega Scene, Kyunki Bigg Boss Dega 2020 Ko Jawab’ as the theme for this season, our aim is to amp up the excitement and ensure viewers forget their worries and are reminded of their normal lives. Adding to the experience, the Bigg Boss fans will get to watch the episodes before television on our premium video-on-demand service Voot Select along with 24 hours exclusive access into the house. I would also like to thank our partners- presenting sponsor Mobile Premier League, powered by sponsors- Dabur Dant Rakshak Ayurvedic Paste & TRESemmé and Associate sponsor- Ching’s for their support and trust in brand Bigg Boss.”

     

    Added Manisha Sharma, Chief Content Officer, Hindi Mass Entertainment, Viacom18: “This is a unique season of Bigg Boss – the pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and with Bigg Boss we attempt to bring back some sense of normalcy into our consumers’ lives, to try and truly cater to ‘ab scene paltega/’. With each season of Bigg Boss, we have introduced new and fresh elements and themes to make it more engaging and entertaining for our audiences and this year is no exception. The Bigg Boss house will reimagine a normal scenario that we all have been missing out on with the inclusion of a salon & spa, movie theatre, and shopping mall facilities for the contestants. We broke all viewership records the previous season. So there’s a lot to look forward to. This year too we plan to take our viewers along on a roller coaster ride and the show will have a big twist in the first 14 days and something super exciting will follow. The thrill will multiply as the lineup of contestants and the different characteristics they bring with them will surely become a great family and friend circle conversation. Salman Khan, who has been the most gracious host is back again and we can’t wait for the excitement to unfold.”

     

    Speaking about associating with Bigg Boss, Abhishek Madhavan, Senior Vice President, Growth and Marketing, Mobile Premier League (MPL), said: “Over the years, Bigg Boss has established an outstanding connect with the audiences and has earned itself a massive base of dedicated fans. Our association with the property gives us a great opportunity to reach out to those viewers and engage with them through the show. Just like Bigg Boss, our app also caters to a vast audience base which makes it a perfect fit. As one of India’s biggest skill-based gaming applications in India, it’s an honor for MPL to be associated with one of the biggest reality properties, Bigg Boss and we look forward to a great association.”

     

    Added Abhishek Rege, CEO, Endemol Shine India: “Endemol Shine India has over the years broken multiple records with Bigg Boss! The show has established itself as India’s biggest reality program, one we are extremely proud of. Given the challenges that we have faced this year, we have taken every precaution possible when it comes to the health, safety, and sanitization of the cast and the crew. This season’s contestants will be required to be under quarantine for a period and will be tested before going inside the house. The theme of the show will also reflect in the elements of the house to give the contestants a feeling of normalcy. We look forward to furthering our long partnership with COLORS and to yet another exciting new season.”

     

     

  • Bigg Boss 2020 is scheduled to premiere soon on Colors and Voot Select

    Mobile Premier League is Presenting Sponsor for Bigg Boss 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    Mobile Premier League will be sponsor of Bigg Boss 2020, Season 14 of the reality show. Hosted by Salman Khan, for the new season, Colors has got leading e-sports and mobile gaming platform Mobile Premier League (MPL) as the presenting sponsor. According to industry sources, Bigg Boss 2020 is scheduled to premiere on Colors and Voot Select early next month.

     

    Speaking about the partnership, Mahesh Shetty, Head, Network Sales, Viacom18, said: “Bigg Boss is the biggest reality show in the entertainment space, and it appeals to demographics across geographies. Given its strong fanbase makes it one of the sought-after marketing platform for sponsors. Over the years, several brands have come forward to explore innovative customisations and partnerships to deliver their business ambitions. Mobile Premier League (MPL) is one of India’s leading esports and mobile gaming platforms that provide unparalleled gaming experience to the users and we are glad to welcome them as the presenting sponsor for the new season of Bigg Boss.”

     

    Talking about the collaboration, Abhishek Madhavan, VP, Growth and Marketing, Mobile Premier League (MPL) added: “Bigg Boss is one of the most watched reality shows in India and easily the most popular and most talked-about reality TV show across the country. With a superstar like Salman Khan hosting it, every season is eagerly awaited by millions and promises something new. With MPL expanding into areas like entertainment via its live-streaming and a bunch of video-first features, Bigg Boss was the most obvious choice for us to associate with. We eagerly look forward to this season and hope to cement MPL’s position as a household name through the partnership.”

     

    Elaborating on the partnership, Navin Khemka, CEO, India & South Asia from Mediacom said: “We are delighted with this partnership of MPL and Bigg Boss. This is one show that has shown consistent performance over the years. We are confident that we will be able to leverage a strong association with the loyal Bigg Boss audience through some innovative associations that we have in store for our exponentially increasing gaming audience. India loves to play and this time it’s going to be inside the Bigg Boss house with MPL.”

     

     

  • 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.”

     

     

  • 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 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.”