iWorld
Viacom18 to be the new home of ultimate sports quiz
Mumbai: Viacom18 has announced exclusive media rights to Ultimate Sports Quiz, a national inter-school sports quiz show. The exciting competition will see renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle in his much-loved avatar of a quizmaster. The 19-episode season will drop on JioCinema and the Sports18 network from 29 November to 17 December.
The acquisition of Ultimate Sports Quiz reiterates Viacom18’s commitment to build on the growing preference of viewers to consume sports content on digital. The show will enhance engagement, extend viewership and build a community among sports fans. The 2023 edition of Ultimate Sports Quiz has seen participation from more than 1,200 schools spanning 350 cities across India.
The Finalists will win prizes collectively worth Rs 1 Cr., part of which would be a cash prize specifically to improve the sporting infrastructure at their schools. The Winners will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch a Live sporting event of their choice anywhere in the world.
“Through the Ultimate Sports Quiz, we are offering our viewers a winning combination of education, entertainment, and engagement. Coupled with Harsha’s affable personality and inimitable knack of sports storytelling, it makes an exceptional package overall for viewers,” said a Viacom18 spokesperson. “Presenting this contest first on JioCinema is our conscious, long-term effort to build on consumers’ preference of watching sports content on digital.”
“We are delighted to bring to the audience the Ultimate Sports Quiz for a second year in a row. This property is very close to our hearts as it rekindles memories of watching quizzes in the ‘90s, said Ultimate Sports Quiz founder & CEO Pratik Gosar. “It gives me immense pride to have India’s leading sports broadcaster, Viacom18 onboard as partners on this journey. Their expertise in broadcasting and reach will definitely take USQ to greater heights and inspire kids to learn more about sports. We acknowledge the growing preference of viewers to consume content on digital and totally believe in the idea of going digital-first with USQ.”
“The journey of hosting Ultimate Sports Quiz 2023 was incredible. It was joyful and enlightening to witness the enthusiasm and extensive knowledge of sports among the bright minds of the country. It took me back to my own days of participating in quizzes and later hosting them,” said Bhogle. “There’s something beautiful about the spirit of curiosity and the quest for knowledge, and to see it so robustly alive in these youngsters gives me great hope for the future of sports in our country.”
Watch Ultimate Sports Quiz daily from 29 November 2023, on JioCinema and the Sports18 network.
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
