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Viacom18 drives digital first strategy by launching COLORS Telugu on VOOT
MUMBAI: India’s second largest advertising led Video on Demand platform VOOT is all set for its Telugu market foray with the launch of COLORS Telugu on VOOT. Leveraging the 80 million plus Telugu speaking audience opportunity, Colors Telugu on VOOT marks Viacom18’s continued focus on its strategic “digital first” approach. The platform’s new language play will introduce the discerning Telugu audiences from AP/ Telangana and rest of India to 1200 + hours of limitless Telugu entertainment. The diverse content line-up will include VOOT Originals, Popular Hindi and regional Viacom18 IPs and a massive library of 150+ Telugu movies for its viewers to begin with. COLORS Telugu on VOOT is set to go live starting 23rd September 2019.
Speaking about VOOT’s regional strategy and Telugu launch, Gourav Rakshit – COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said, “Regional has been an important play for VOOT as well as Viacom18 and we continue to identify whitespaces in the category and pursue the regional growth opportunity. We have been seeing significant offtake of network regional consumption on VOOT. The latest success of Bigg Boss Marathi with over 100 Million views establishes the scale of the regional content opportunity.”
He further added “The market propensity of the Telugu market towards digital content as well the significant internet penetration in the 2 states of AP / Telangana make them a high value opportunity to be harnessed. We are sure that the diverse and expansive content slate curated after substantial audience mapping and market research will help us get love and support from the viewers.”
Speaking about the launch of COLORS Telugu on VOOT, Akash Banerji – Head, AVOD Business, Viacom18 Digital Ventures said “Regional continues to be a key revenue driver for VOOT and with the new COLORS Telugu on VOOT slate we will have added further depth to our very dynamic regional content proposition. Regional has also become the new national and plays a decisive role in the outreach strategy of many brands. Our presence in the segment hence allows us to serve our existing advertisers better while also tapping into new region-specific advertisers, thereby broad basing our base. We are already seeing significant response and going forward our innovative brand solutions will help us deliver substantial value to our advertisers and thereby garner their patronage.”
COLORS Telugu on VOOT will go live with blockbuster Telugu movies, a slew of network syndicated shows and the Telugu version of the popular VOOT Original IP “ace2three presents Feet Up with the Stars Telugu Co-Powered by Asian Paints” to start with. Bidding goodbye to the quintessential celebrity interviews, the chat show that sports a cozy and intimate setting with Tollywood Town celebrities kicking off their heels, putting their feet up and getting comfortable will be hosted by the popular Telugu movie actress and diva Lakshmi Manchu. Her sass and inquisitive questions are sure to get the audience excited to know more about their favorite Telugu stars.
With the latest language edition, Viacom18’s regional content footprint now comprises of Colors Kannada, Colors Super (Kannada), Colors Bangla, Colors Marathi, Colors Odia, Colors Tamil, Colors Gujarati and now COLORS Telugu on VOOT.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
