News Broadcasting
Orion acquires exclusive US license for Hugo
MUMBAI: US Kids may now interact with their favourite animated character Hugo through SMA on Live TV, courtesy Orion. The company has announced that it will work closely with Interactive Television Entertainment (ITE) to introduce the very successful Hugo character into the US.
Hugo has already proven very popular with children in 22 countries in Latin America, Europe and China. Hugo enjoys fame in more than 40 countries and is one of the strongest global brands in children’s entertainment. Orion now has the exclusive license to distribute Hugo in the US.
The company has already started negotiations with potential Web portals and media networks to handle the distribution of this property in the US.
The Hugo property includes a complete wireless component enabling young viewers to interact with their favorite troll using text messaging (SMS) safely. The Hugo property includes downloads of Java games, Hugo ringtones and Hugo wallpapers. Hugo may be broadcast live or from pre-recorded TV shows. The complete Hugo package includes DVDs, PC games, tapes, books, Hugo ringtones, and Hugo wallpapers.
Orion Information Services CEO Kristian Gjerding was quoted in an official release saying, “The Hugo property fits perfectly with our framework of fully interactive wireless entertainment. Its style, technology infrastructure, and business model is compatible with our current properties, SmartFlirts, GossipGirls and our Mobile Entertainment Portal. We can see that both wireless and media companies we will work with in the coming years to introduce Hugo in the US will find it lucrative.”
Orion Information Services develops, markets and delivers profitable, engaging, Web-centric mobile content and properties to consumers through partnerships with established traditional media groups, wireless companies, and Internet commerce companies. Orion provides its partners with content, supporting technology, delivery of properties to consumers, and the accounting infrastructure
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
