GECs
Star launches 5 Indian, 2 international channels in Japan
MUMBAI: Star is setting its sights on the Land of the Rising Sun. But it is not the Japanese populace but expatriate Indians the News Corp network is principally targeting with the launch there of seven of its channels on new IPTV and community platform “World on Demand” (WoD).
Star today announced it had entered into a deal with Tokyo based The New Media Group (TNMG), which owns and operates WoD, to provide five Indian channels and two international channels in Japan.
On WoD, Star has launched Star Plus, Star One, Star News, Star Utsav and Vijay, along with Sky News and Fox News.
According to an official release, through the launch of WoD (www.worldondemand.net), TNMG will provide popular media offerings to targeted user communities, offering them more choice and the freedom to access what they want to see and the opportunity to interact with other WoD users.
WoD users can watch the Star channels and communicate in real-time with others on the IPTV and community platform.
Commenting on the launch, Star vice president advertising sales and distribution Japan Deane Sadler said, “We are excited to expand our channel offering to viewers in Japan through TNMG’s World on Demand IPTV platform. By partnering with TNMG, East Asian communities in Japan can now enjoy Star’s innovative and record-breaking Indian programming that their fellow countrymen see everyday back home. They can also catch top-rated news programming from the US and the UK on Fox News and Sky News respectively.”
“The right formula is to be multiplatform in delivery, and to be community-oriented in marketing,” said TNMG president Randy McGraw. “By delivering recognized brands to users while offering the best interactive tools and most convenient billing options available, users have both flexibility and a true community platform. At World On Demand, users can watch Star News, for example, and chat or IM their groups in real-time while they watch the latest breaking news from India, or send valuable information back to Star about the award-winning dramas on Star Plus. How powerful is that?”
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
