MxMIndia

Tag: VOOT

  • 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.”

     

     

  • The #PauseForACause. Cheer and Applause campaign recognised the ongoing efforts of those extending support towards COVID-19

    Viacom18’s network-wide roadblock with 310-sec PSA

    By A Correspondent

     

    Supporting and amplifying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal towards social distancing and call for a Jantaa Curfew on Sunday, March 22, media and entertainment conglomerate Viacom18, launched the #PauseForACause. Cheer and Applause. campaign across all its media assets. The campaign was frontlined by a 310-second ad that aired once on all Viacom18 channels simultaneously  at 4:59:50pm on March 22. Viacom18 further used its reach on its social media channels as well as on its OTT platform VOOT thus amplifying the message in the digital ecosystem.

     

     

    Sudhanshu Vats

    Speaking on the initiative, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO and MD, Viacom18 said: “At Viacom18, we are deeply invested towards using our presence to create awareness around issues however large or small. We have always leveraged the power of storytelling to ensure that our viewers become more socially responsible while being entertained. The current health and social crisis has created unprecedented disruption at the national and global level. While constant efforts are being made by the Government to keep it in control, we would like to play a small role to amplify the message. Keeping this in mind, we would like to pay our tribute to medical, paramedical and all other professionals who have been providing round the clock support during this pandemic with our campaign #PauseForACause – Cheer and Applause. We are deeply grateful for all their efforts. We urge citizens to practice social distancing, avoid travel and social gatherings at a personal level to help the Government flatten the curve for the greater good of the society.”

     

     

  • 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.”

     

     

  • Emerges as the most engaged premium AVOD platform with 100 billion minutes of watch time in the year

    Voot scales 100 million monthly active users

    By A Correspondent

     

    Voot has achieved a key milestone reporting about 100 million monthly active users, according to a communique issued on Tuesday. Said Akash Banerji, Business Head – VOOT, Advertising Video Platform (AVoD): “Achieving 100 mn MAUs in just three years is not a mean feat.  We have been able to achieve this new viewership benchmark through our focus on driving constant engagement and reach through impact partnerships, product and tech innovations and versatile content strategy.  Our constant pursuit of building a digital business using a user first strategy and basing all decisions that drives higher engagement is the only reason that has made us achieve a quality 100 mn user base leading to 2x increase in monetisation.”

     

    Editor’s Note: Since there is no third-party measurement available in the digital sector, MxMIndia typically doesn’t carry reports based on viewership of digital entities. However, given that OTT is an emerging sector and OTT properties like Voot in this case, Hotstar, Zee5, Alt-Balaji, Sony Liv et al are run by well-known broadcast organisations which one can trust, until further notice, we are making an exception to our own rule. Readers are advised that MxMIndia has made no independent verification of the data provided.

     

     

  • A mega Comedy Talent Hunt Show to discover India’s Comedy Capital

    Vigo Video and Voot launch ‘Vigo Comedy Mahasabha’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vigo Video has announced the launch of a comedy talent show called Vigo Comedy Mahasabha. The show will feature 12 Vigo comedy creators on Voot who will be pitted against each other to win the title for the State they represent. The four-episode show beginning Jan 2020 will be hosted by popular comedian Paritosh Tripathi.

     

    Speaking about the show and partnering with Vigo, Akash Banerji, Head-AVOD business, Voot said, “We are happy to partner with Vigo to bring to life this new show. Our focus at Voot Studio is to curate interesting brand solutions for advertisers that allow them to connect with their right audience effectively and seamlessly, delivering on their brand story. We are sure that the new show crafted by the Voot Studio team for Vigo will ensure that the brand continues to scale new highs of popularity and reach.”

     

     

  • The all-women version will air from December 23 onwards, Monday to Friday at 8 pm

    Colors Tamil to air all-women KBC

    By A Correspondent

     

    Colors Tamil will air a Tamil all-women Kaun Banega Crorepati titled ‘Kodeeswari’ . To be hosted by Tamil film and TV actor and producer Radikaa Sarathkumar,  ‘Kodeeswari’ will premiere on December 23r at 8 pm on Colors Tamil and Voot.

     

    Said Ravish Kumar – Head, Regional Entertainment Cluster, Viacom18: “The Tamil market is an incubator for path breaking content, be it in films, art, print or television. Colors Tamil has, since its inception, pushed the boundary in terms of innovative content – through the stories we tell and through the way we tell them, How apt a homage to the culture and ethos of this market that one of the world’s most successful format shows ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ will go in for a global first with an all-women version on Coors Tamil.”

     

    Added Anup Chandrasekharan, Business Head – Colors Tamil: “It gives us great pleasure to put together this experiential stage that will empower women who are smart, aware and knowledgeable. We have had an overwhelming participation from the Tamil speaking women across the nation whose life stories are heroic in their own unique way. While the format of the game remains unchanged, our endeavour is to encourage strong willed women to challenge stereotypes and emerge victorious. We are happy to have onboarded the indomitable superstar Radikaa Sarathkumar in this journey who will multitask as a host, a friend and a guide.”

     

     

  • 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”

     

     

  • The league is managed and marketed by Professional Management Group

    Road Safety World Series to be held in February 2020

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, Bret Lee, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jonty Rhodes, will lock horns for the Road Safety World Series scheduled to be held in India early next year.

     

    The Road Safety World Series will be an annual T20 cricket tournament between legends of five cricket playing nations—Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and host India. Along with rivalry on the field, the cricketers will also spread the message of road safety during tournamenet. The tournament will be played from February 4 to 16, 2020, and will be hosted across premier venues in India.

     

    Viacom18’s Colors Cineplex is the broadcast partner while Voot and Jio are digital partners. Tik Tok is Online Community Partner of the League.

     

    Said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO and MD, Viacom18: “We have always believed that entertainment has the potential to bring about meaningful change and what better way of practising this philosophy than to bring cricketing legends in the popular T20 format to spread the message of road safety. An annual tourney spread over two weeks, I believe this league has the right balance of fandom, brevity and consumer connect to make this a viable long-term proposition – both in terms of sporting and business value. We are happy to partner with PMG and Road Safety Cell of Maharashtra Govt. to bring forth this cricketing tournament to viewers across the world.”

     

     

  • The Viacom18 OTT platform has collaborate with TikTok for a celeb chat show

    Voot works it up with TikTok

    By A Correspondent

     

    OTT platform Voot has collaborated with short video service TikTok to make B-town favorites sweat out secrets as they ditch the usual couch and ‘Work It Up” in a new celebrity chat show – TikTok India presents “Work It Up”. Hosted by Sophie Choudry, the show will go live starting October 13 on Voot.

     

    ‘Work it Up’ is produced by Voot Studio which offers advertisers and brands creative, production expertise and interactivity offerings.

     

    Said Akash Banerj, Head – AVOD Business, Voot: “Voot has continuously created content that is immersive and provides an ideal opportunity for brands to integrate and effectively deliver their brand proposition. The recently launched Voot Studio is focused on leveraging this story telling capability by providing high engagement, innovative and relevant brand solutions for advertisers beyond the conventional 30-seconder format. Work it Up created in association with TikTok India is one such initiative that will entertain while educating viewers.”

     

    Added Sachin Sharma, Director-Sales and Partnerships, TikTok India: “#EduTok was conceptualised with an aim to ensure that learning becomes fun and engaging. Fitness is a popular and prominent category among on TikTok’s #EduTok. We are thrilled about our collaboration with VOOT as it’s the perfect platform to encourage people to adopt fitness as a lifestyle and inspire them through some of their favourite celebrities. We are excited to see the reaction of our users for the show and look forward to being a part of something that is entertaining and trendy yet inspirational.”

     

     

  • Launches rap battle show MTV Hustle, MTV Splitsvilla 12 and MTV Ace of Space Season 2

    MTV announces new content line-up for the quarter

    By A Correspondent

     

    MTV has announced its content calendar for the next quarter. The new programming line-up includes: MTV Hustle showcasing 15 rap talents from across India, Splitsvilla Season 12 – with the theme of ‘Your Best Shot at Love’ and Ace of Space Season 2, which premieres on August 24, 2019 and will air daily at 6pm.

     

    Speaking about MTV’s performance in the first half of 2019, Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18, said: “MTV is the definitive leader for youth content in India with 700 mn views and 3.67 bn minutes of viewership in H1 2019, cumulatively on TV and VOOT.” Further elaborating on MTV’s new content line up, he added: “Incorporating the learnings from our Youth Insights report, we are introducing unique concepts such as Hustle and imbibing novelties in successful properties like Splitsvilla and Ace of Space. Experimenting with the time-slot, it’s also the first time that a marquee property like Hustle will be aired bi-weekly instead of once over the weekend.”

     

     

  • The ‘MTV Ka #TVKahaanGaya’ campaign is a showcase of how the youth is attracted to consuming relevant content

    We’re hot on TV & OTT, says MTV campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    MTV has launched its ‘MTV Ka #TVKahaanGaya’ campaign, showcasing the channel’s strength on Viacom18’s digital platform Voot. The campaign notes how the youth is attracted to consuming relevant content at their own pace and time.

     

    Commenting on the campaign, Ferzad Palia, Head – Youth, Music and English Entertainment, Viacom18 said: “The perception today is that the Indian youth spends lesser time-consuming content on TV, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Time spent on TV content and online video has gone up amongst youth. The MTV ka #TVKahaanGaya campaign is conceptualised from that thought and lands the creative rendition in the quirky MTV style. Over the last year, our TV ratings have doubled and consumption on Voot has grown 3-fold, a testament to our belief that content is the king. Comparing to the previous season, shows such as Roadies Real Heroes have accounted for 42 per cent viewership growth on Voot and MTV Unplugged has seen an increase of 52 per cent, respectively.”

     

    Speaking about youth content on Voot, Akash Banerji, Head- Advertising Video On Demand Business, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said: “Fandom is a phenomenon that transcends platforms and can help brands grow in both linear and OTT. MTV content works very well on Voot and has engaged 30 per cent of Voot viewers till date.”