MAM
Sharp ties up with NBC Universal for AQUOS
MUMBAI: Sharp Electronics, the U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, has entered into a five-year partnership with NBC Universal that will make the Sharp AQUOS the official high-definition television of the NBC Experience Store.
More than 150 Sharp AQUOS LC-TVs have been installed throughout the store and selected areas of the NBC Studio Tour, providing a high-definition (HD) upgrade to the popular visitor destination. Sharp’s stunning 65-inch AQUOS, the world’s largest available LCD, will serve as the centerpiece, displayed in a dedicated Sharp window on 49th Street and in the main Rockefeller Plaza entrance, states an official release.
“NBC is a pioneer in bringing HD content to broadcast, and Sharp is a pioneer in bringing high-definition LCD TVs into consumers’ homes,” Sharp Electronics Corporation senior director of retail & consumer marketing Judah Zeigler. “This collaboration will bring the excitement of HDTV to even more consumers, and allow them to see firsthand the amazing clarity of HD content as well as the superior picture quality of the AQUOS LCD TV.”
“We’re excited to team up with Sharp to make the NBC Experience Store truly state-of-the-art with high-definition AQUOS televisions,” NBC Universal VP Retail Operations & Consumer Marketing Judith Dutch said. “This upgrade provides added value to customers in the store, enabling them to watch our HD content up close, and to interact with it while on the NBC Studio Tour.”
The partnership is part of the second phase of Sharp’s “More to See” brand campaign, which focuses on expanding the brand’s recognition to a wider and influential audience. Many of the AQUOS sets displayed in the NBC Experience will show content from the high-profile campaign, including the acclaimed broadcast commercial.
The partnership extends beyond the NBC retail store, placing AQUOS units in the windows outside the “TODAY” studios that face Rockefeller Center as well as throughout the famed Studio 8H, where “Saturday Night Live” is produced in HD, and selected areas of the NBC Studio Tour, the release adds. AQUOS sets inside the Experience Store will also play a variety of NBC Universal’s HD programming. NBC is a pioneer in the high-definition revolution.
The AQUOS collection offers consumers the widest selection of screen sizes and stylish designs of LCD TVs available today. All products in the AQUOS line feature Sharp’s Emmy(R) award-winning LCD technology, offer a long-life backlight (60,000 hours), 170-degree viewing angles, multiple video signal inputs, one or more built-in cable TV tuners, remote control, V-Chip and high brightness for more vibrant colors in darker environments. AQUOS LC-TVs are currently available in 13- to 65-inch screen sizes, in traditional 4:3 and widescreen 16:9 aspect ratios.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
