iWorld
Chunghwa Telecom associates with Broadpeak for live sports monetisation
MUMBAI: Taiwan’s leading telecommunications operator Chunghwa Telecom has struck a deal with Broadpeak to turbocharge advertising revenue for its Hami Video streaming service.
The partnership sees Chunghwa harnessing Broadpeak’s server-side-ad-insertion (SSAI) solution via the broadpeak.io SaaS platform, marking the operator’s first foray into advanced dynamic ad insertion technology.
With over three million video streaming subscribers, Chunghwa sought to elevate its monetisation capabilities amidst significant investments in premium live sports rights. The telco’s always-on premium sports streaming channel—featuring live basketball matches and related content—now benefits from enhanced ad insertion capabilities designed to drive revenue while maintaining viewer engagement.
The cloud-based solution went live within weeks, offering Chunghwa a flexible, easy-to-use system that seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure. Key benefits include effortless third-party integration via API-driven architecture and AI-driven tools that automatically detect ad breaks and insert relevant SCTE-35 markers within video streams.
Broadpeak’s first-class SSAI solution stitches ads directly into video content on the server side, enabling intelligent live ad replacement for greater ad value and personalisation. This approach circumvents ad blockers, ensures smooth playback transitions, and allows for dynamic, targeted advertising in real-time.
Broadpeak president and chief executive Jacques Le Mancq said: “Chunghwa Telecom is innovation-led and champions exceptional subscriber experiences. Market leaders like Chunghwa set a pioneering example of how operators can elevate their monetisation toolkit while bringing the best live sports and entertainment to rapidly-growing audiences.”
He added: “We’re proud to support Chunghwa as it embarks on new periods of growth as the ultimate streaming platform for Taiwanese viewers.”
The partnership underscores the growing importance of advanced ad technologies in the competitive streaming landscape, particularly as operators seek to maximise returns on costly sports rights investments.
iWorld
Prime Video drops trailer for Lukkhe, a rap crime drama starring KING in his acting debut
Eight episodes of revenge, redemption and hard-hitting rap arrive on the streaming platform on 8th May
MUMBAI: Prime Video has unveiled the trailer for Lukkhe, an eight-episode musical action drama built around the world of rap, crime and bruised relationships — and it has done so in suitably loud fashion, launching it at a live concert in Mumbai featuring electrifying performances by KING, Amira Gill, Akshath, Raashii Khanna, Ruaa Kayy and RUTVXK. As if that were not enough, the show’s music album was also dropped at the event, in collaboration with exclusive music streaming partner Amazon Music and music label Warner Music India.
The series is directed by Himank Gaur and produced by Vipul D. Shah and Rajesh Bahl under the banners of Optimystix Entertainment and White Guerrilla LLP. It is created and executive produced by Agrim Joshi and Debojit Das Purkayastha.
The cast is the talking point. KING, the acclaimed Indian rapper and songwriter, makes his acting debut as MC Badnaam, a performer consumed by rivalry and hunger for recognition. Raashii Khanna, returning to Prime Video after Farzi, plays Gurbani. Palak Tiwari, making her streaming debut, plays Sanober. Lakshvir Singh Saran plays Lucky. The ensemble also includes Nakul Roshan Sahdev, Kritika Bharadwaj, Shivankit Parihar, Yograj Singh and Ayesha Raza Mishra in pivotal roles.
The trailer plants its flag squarely in the tension between MC Badnaam and his rival MC OG, played by Parihar, while threading in the love story between Lucky and Sanober. The soundtrack, which spans hard-hitting rap anthems to emotionally charged melodies, is as much a character in the show as any of its leads.
Gaur was candid about what drew him to the project. “Lukkhe gave me a chance to dive into a world that’s loud, emotional, and constantly on edge,” he said. “What stayed with me was how every character is chasing something personal, and music becomes their way of expressing it. Working with this cast, especially KING in his debut, along with Raashii, Lakshvir, and Palak, was incredibly rewarding because they brought honesty that elevated every moment.”
Khanna reflected on her character with evident relish. “Playing Gurbani in Lukkhe was a really intense and fulfilling experience,” she said. “What I found most interesting was how her strength comes from something deeply personal, which shapes every decision she makes. It was about finding that balance between vulnerability and grit.”
KING, stepping in front of the camera for the first time, was characteristically direct. “Stepping into Lukkhe as MC Badnaam has been a defining moment for me,” he said. “What drew me in was how real his hunger and need to be heard felt. It’s something I connect with as an artist. Bringing music into his journey made the experience even more personal.”
Tiwari described the role as a first on multiple fronts. “It was my first time working with Prime Video, and the whole experience felt new and creatively satisfying,” she said. “Being part of a story that has both intense and heartfelt moments, along with a team that brought so much honesty to it, made this journey truly memorable.”
Saran, for his part, zeroed in on what made Lucky tick. “Lucky is someone who’s trying to move forward while still carrying the weight of his past, and that push-pull made him really interesting to explore,” he said. “There’s a sincerity to his journey that I hope people connect with.”
Lukkhe premieres on Prime Video in Hindi on 8th May, across India and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. In a streaming landscape drowning in crime dramas, this one is betting that putting a rapper at its centre – and meaning it – is enough to cut through the noise. On the evidence of the trailer, it might just be right.
