Movie Channels
Fox partners with DirecTV for on demand content
MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox and US pay TV platform DirecTV have announced an agreement to bring viewers content on demand through the new DirecTV Plus digital video recorder (DVR).
The innovative deal will provide DirecTV subscribers the ability to choose between pre-air and post-air television programming options for the first time ever.
From March 2006 viewers will get a ‘first look’ at prime time hits from FX a full 24 to 48 hours prior to their initial broadcasts for $2.99 and, later in the year, DirecTV subscribers will have post-air access to Fox’s series for just 99 cents for six to seven days following their broadcast.
In addition, DirecTV viewers will have free, on demand access to a weekly showcase of exclusive highlights from Fox Entertainment, including the promotional presentation of limited, full-length television episodes, extended footage from Fox programmes, and behind the scenes features on Fox films and TV shows.
News Corp president and COO Peter Chernin says, “We are committed to finding new ways to bring our content to consumers and we think this deal is a huge step forward in giving them greater choice and control over their entertainment experience. For the very first time, viewers will be able to watch their favorite shows before the rest of the world.”
“And we now have the ability to create different cuts of our programmes for the pre-air audience – versions with additional scenes and materials not included in the network broadcast – something entirely new. It’s an exciting opportunity for the television consumer and for us. Moreover, this new partnership will also enrich the viewing experience by providing access to DirecTV’s enhanced services, features and interactive functionality.”
DirecTV president and CEO Chase Carey says, “Growing our interactive/On Demand service is a top priority for DirecTV and our partnership with Fox is further testament to the commitment DirecTV is making to delivering the very best in television and entertainment programming. By continually offering our subscribers new and exclusive programming choices at their convenience, we not only enhance the viewing experience but broaden the depth of our services and offerings.”
Under terms of the agreement, viewers will have on demand access to some of television’s most acclaimed dramas, comedies and documentaries including FX’s The Shield, Rescue Me, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and 30 Days and Fox’s 24 and Prison Break.
DirecTV claims that its Plus DVR brings the viewing experience to new levels with an array of network programming on demand, one-touch pause, rewind and fast-forward functionality and 100 hours of recording capacity and interactive functionality.
Movie Channels
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Premieres 14 Feb on Zee
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat world TV premiere 14 Feb at 8pm passion meets politics.
MUMBAI: Cupid’s arrow just got a plot twist and it’s heading straight for your TV screen. This Valentine’s Day, Zee Cinema is turning up the heat with the world television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a raw, rule-breaking romantic drama that proves love doesn’t always come wrapped in roses.
Set to air on Saturday, 14 February at 8pm, the film stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, directed by Milap Zaveri. It dives headfirst into obsession, heartbreak, and the kind of unconditional love that leaves scorch marks. Rane plays Vikramaditya, a powerful politician whose all-consuming passion for actress Adaa spirals into chaos when his feelings go unreturned unleashing a storm of emotion, misunderstanding, and life-altering consequences.
The timing couldn’t be sharper. Audiences are clearly craving intense love stories over sugar-coated ones, and this film taps straight into that vein. Harshvardhan Rane already has a loyal fanbase from his cult hit Sanam Teri Kasam, which cemented his status as the go-to guy for heart-wrenching romance especially among younger viewers who keep the film on repeat.
Milap Zaveri captured the film’s beating heart, “This film is about love that doesn’t follow rules. With Valentine’s Day being a time when audiences gravitate towards romantic narratives, the television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat on Zee Cinema felt like the perfect fit. The continued love for intense romances shows there is a strong emotional appetite for such stories.”
Rane himself called it a story rooted in messy, honest emotion, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat explores love in its most intense and vulnerable form where emotions are messy and deeply human. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from passion or pain on Valentine’s Day making it even more special as it reflects the many shades of love people experience.”
Sonam Bajwa added her take, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is not a conventional love story, it’s raw, intense and emotional. Valentine’s Day is usually associated with happy romance but this film explores love in its most vulnerable form.”
So if your Valentine’s plans include more than chocolates and clichés, tune in to Zee Cinema at 8pm on 14 February. Because sometimes the most unforgettable love stories aren’t the ones that end neatly, they’re the ones that leave you questioning just how far passion can push before everything changes.
