GECs
Star Utsav to go pay from 16 August
MUMBAI: More than a decade after its launch, Star Plus’ sibling free-to-air (FTA) channel, Star Utsav, is set to go pay from midnight of 16 August, 2015, on all cable and direct-to-home (DTH) platforms.
“The channel’s FTA contract is about to end on 15 August, 2015 and it does not plan to re-new or extend it further,” sources close to the development told Indiantelevision.com.
The channel will be priced at Rs 5 on Tata Sky, at Rs 6 on Videocon d2h and at Rs 3 on Hathway Cable and Datacom. Through this development, the channel now aims to earn revenues from both ad and subscription based route.
It can be recalled that the channel witnessed a new logo and packaging in the month of January this year to tap and engage with the rural consumers, while keeping at pace with the urban audience. Moreover, it had changed its programming from six days a week to the entire week designed to mirror the daily routines of its viewers.
According to a media expert, the purpose of launching Star Utsav was to reach out to its desired TG in smaller cities and towns where audiences were not exposed to Star Plus. However with the channel going pay, the expert doubts whether the channel will get the desired visibility. “The logic to me is unclear, why would consumers want to pay for a repeat content? The move makes sense when the channel experiments by bringing in original content for the same audiences,” he said.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
