Factual
Max to be seen in neighbouring countries during World Cup
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI: Max is spreading its wings. At least for the duration of the World Cup that is. Max will be available to cable viewers in Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives from the tournament’s kick-off on 8 February till it concludes.
“We think cricket is a nice property with which we can launch Max in other countries,” Rajat Jain, Max business head, said at a press conference in the capital today, after announcing a new NDTV-produced programme (first reported by indiantelevision on Monday under the headline Max to herald World Cup with Jung World Cup Ki).
In three other territories – Pakistan, Singapore and Malaysia – the Max signal has been sub-licenced to local broadcasting / media companies, Jain said.
While Jain provided no details, what this means is that SET Satellite (Singapore) Pvt Ltd. which is the satellite, pay TV and DTH television rights holder of ICC-organised cricket not only for India, but for the neighbouring region too, has worked out two packages for the cricket telecast outside India.
In Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, what will be on air is the Max branded feed.
For Pakistan, Singapore and Malaysia, the arrangement is quite different though. In Singapore, the sub-licencee would be Singapore Cable Vision, in Malaysia it would be Measat-promoted Astro and in Pakistan it would be Taj Sports which also owns the Ten Sports channel.
According to Jain, cricket could help the channel establish in other countries in the initial phase. “Cricket and (Hindi) movies are great properties and we expect this combination would work nicely for us as Max will be presenting cricket with an element of entertainment around the actual game,” Jain said.
As things stand though, information available with indiantelevision.com indicates that this present deal will not apply beyond the World Cup. There are reportedly still some issues regarding telecast rights of the movies that Max will eventually get back to beaming that have to be sorted out first. Unless this is resolved, viewers in countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will not have access to the Max feed once the tournament ends.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
