iWorld
News9 Plus launches ‘The Diplomat’
New Delhi: News9 has announced the launch of its groundbreaking series, The Diplomat, in association with VFS Global as the presenting partner. This exclusive 12-part series is set to explore the intricate world of international diplomacy, offering viewers a unique window into India’s evolving global relationships, strategic trade ties, and its prominent role on the world stage.
Each episode of The Diplomat will feature distinguished ambassadors and diplomats from key global players, engaging in candid discussions on pressing issues such as geopolitical strategies, trade partnerships, and cultural exchanges. The series will delve into how India is shaping and responding to the global diplomatic landscape, with insights on topics ranging from policy alignments to the softer aspects of diplomacy like sports and entertainment.
Anchored by News9’s national security expert Aditya Raj Kaul, The Diplomat promises to be both informative and engaging. With its fresh perspective on serious global issues, presented in an approachable format, the series aims to resonate with younger audiences as well as policy enthusiasts. Viewers can expect a seamless blend of formal diplomatic discourse with lighter, more relatable themes such as cultural diplomacy and culinary experiences of diplomats living in India.
Highlighting the strategic vision behind this initiative, TV9 Network chief growth officer Raktim Das said, “At News9, we are committed to redefining how news is consumed by the discerning English audience. The Diplomat is a unique offering that decodes the complexities of global diplomacy, making it accessible and relevant for today’s audiences. Through this series, we hope to engage viewers in thought-provoking conversations, showcasing India’s expanding role in shaping global narratives.”
The Diplomat will debut on News9 OTT and will be streaming across major Connected TV platforms. With special visibility at key airports in Delhi and Mumbai, the series is set to engage high-profile travellers and global influencers, ensuring maximum reach among India’s most discerning audience.
“Diplomacy is not just about foreign policies and trade agreements; it’s also about the cultural narratives and the human stories that define nations. With The Diplomat, we are bringing these stories to the forefront, giving our audience a 360-degree view of how diplomacy operates behind closed doors and how it impacts everyday lives,” said Aditya Raj Kaul,
VFS Global COO, South Asia, Yummi Talwar said, “We are excited to collaborate with News9 on The Diplomat series, a significant initiative that will provide audiences with deep insights into cross-border relationships. Through candid conversations with ambassadors, we will explore each nation’s growing relationship with India, India’s rising influence globally, and the expanding opportunities in travel and trade. At VFS Global, our mission is to simplify cross-border mobility, and these discussions will contribute to fostering greater understanding between nations, promoting stronger ties and cooperation.”
iWorld
Anirudh Ravichander and Universal Music India join forces to take South India’s sound to the world
The composer behind 13 billion streams launches Albuquerque Records with UMI as its exclusive global partner
MUMBAI: Universal Music India has struck an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the freshly minted independent label of singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, in a deal that bets big on South India’s booming pop and hip-hop scene going global.
The arrangement, announced on 17 March, will see Universal Music India handle future pop and hip-hop releases by Anirudh himself, as well as artists signed to the new label. A first release is already in the pipeline for April, featuring Anirudh.
The numbers behind the man are hard to ignore. Debuting in 2012 with the viral sensation “Why This Kolaveri Di”, Anirudh has since clocked over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, cementing his position as the No.1 South Indian artist on Spotify by total streams. His fingerprints are all over some of the Tamil film industry’s biggest musical moments, from Hukum and Vaathi Coming to Arabic Kuthu and the A23 Theme.
But Albuquerque Records is a different beast. Built for the non-film space, it is designed to nurture independent talent and champion the next wave of Indian pop voices. “Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner,” said Anirudh. “I’m excited to take independent voices to audiences around the world.”
Universal Music India’s chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal was equally effusive. “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music, bold, original, and with enormous potential,” he said. “Identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director of Universal Music India, framed the deal as more than a distribution play. “Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hip-hop,” he said. “True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space, this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond.”
For Universal Music India, the deal deepens a long-running push into South India’s four key language markets: Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. The label already has regional imprints, film partnerships with Maddock Films and Excel Entertainment, and a growing non-film roster. Landing Anirudh, arguably the south’s most bankable music brand, is a statement of intent. South Indian music has the streams. Now it is coming for the world.
