iWorld
ZEE’s Technology and Innovation Centre conducts first-of-its-kind Codathon event – #JustCode
Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), a leading content and entertainment powerhouse, recently concluded a first-of-its-kind Codathon event – #JustCode. The 60-hour non-stop coding marathon, held from May 3rd to May 5th witnessed over 400 participants divided across 30+ groups. The unique engagement activity was an exciting opportunity for the Company’s Technology and Innovation Centre’s coding enthusiasts to showcase their programming skills, brainstorm new ideas, and take on new challenges.
At the Centre, the Codathon offered participants the chance to unleash their coding potential while working alongside like-minded individuals. The event centred on leveraging cutting-edge technology to develop innovative features for the digital platform. The challenges presented were advanced and aligned with the company’s business goals and objectives. Participants created solutions that added value to the company’s offerings, making them more user-friendly, accessible, and engaging. The winning team received a trophy, while the top three initiatives were awarded cash prizes.
In reference to the undertaking, ZEE5 chief technology officer Kishore A K expressed, “Our commitment is to maintain our position at the forefront of technological advancements in this rapidly-changing world. We have been trailblazers in the industry for over three decades, producing groundbreaking content that reaches over 1.3 billion viewers worldwide. Our Technology and Innovation Centre is dedicated to enhancing ZEE’s capabilities by utilizing the latest AI & ML technologies to deliver exceptional experiences to our consumers. With an impressive 70% participation rate from our staff, the Codathon has successfully fostered a disruptive mindset that has paved the way for new frontiers and redefined entertainment by delivering robust experiences across all platforms.”
The Codathon event featured several innovative initiatives that promise to revolutionize the entertainment industry, including advancements in VR, AR, and content delivery. Additionally, the event showcased Fast Channels – a free ad-supported linear format on the television layered with a guide. This feature is expected to enhance the user experience by providing an uninterrupted viewing experience while also generating revenue through ads. The event also showcased the introduction of the ‘Immersive Content Discovery’ experience to ZEE5 users in the form of reels, which provides an easy sampling of content to improve viewership and Ads revenue.
A new watch party feature for Zee5 was successfully implemented on a few select platforms during this event. With this new feature, users can now enjoy movies and TV shows with friends and family, even when they’re not in the same location.
The company announced its association with partners such as Amazon and Conviva for this successful event. The participants leveraged the Technology and Innovation Centre’s state-of-the-art infrastructure. The event aims to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation to empower employees to become early adopters of various new-age technologies, aiming to enrich the consumer experience on the company’s digital platforms.
iWorld
Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
