KOCHI: Samsung TV Plus, India’s leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, has partnered with a slate of top global Creators to stream their exclusive FAST channels on the biggest screen at home.

Six curated channels launched in India, including the worldwide premiere of Mark Rober’s first-ever dedicated free ad-supported streaming TV channel. Samsung TV Plus now offers over 160 channels, available on more than 14 million Samsung Smart TVs across India.

With more than 71M subscribers, Mark Rober – a former NASA engineer, inventor, educator, and one of the most influential Creators on the planet – brings his signature mix of science, creativity, and joy to television audiences around the world.

“I’ve always believed science and engineering are just fancy words for curiosity and creativity,” said Mark Rober. “This channel is a way to spread that spirit to even more people around the world. It’s a way to make learning feel fun – something you want to do, not something you have to do.”

This latest slate of Creator channels brings a new wave of genre-defying voices to the streaming service, including Michelle Khare’s Challenge Accepted, Epic Gardening TV, The Try Guys, Brave Wilderness, and The SorryGirlsTV.

This first-of-its-kind content deal is part of a broader, global expansion by Samsung TV Plus to shape the next era of television as a premium destination for world-class Creators and redefine what entertainment looks like on the biggest screen at home.

“Mark Rober’s blend of science, creativity, and curiosity has inspired millions around the world,” said Salek Brodsky, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Samsung TV Plus. “As part of our growing Creator roster, Mark Rober TV captures a shared sense of wonder that brings generations together. We’re thrilled to welcome Mark and our expansive slate of Creators to even more audiences around the world through Samsung TV Plus.”

The post Samsung TV Plus Partners with Leading Creators for Innovative Content Deal appeared first on NRI News.

INDIA: Vi, India’s leading telecom operator, announced a strategic partnership with premium streaming service, Lionsgate Play, unlocking an exclusive library of top-tier content. Featuring action blockbusters, iconic franchises, acclaimed films and series, global awards, exclusive premieres, and a range of dubbed content, Lionsgate Play promises an unmatched entertainment experience. This collaboration further expands Vi’s OTT portfolio, providing a premium, diverse library of Hollywood movies, original series, international titles, and more at an affordable price.

Vi Movies & TV is designed to cater to the diverse entertainment needs of consumers, via aggregation of the top OTTs through a single app and single subscription offering consumers the convenience to enjoy content from a wide range of OTTs. Users can explore a rich selection of content, ranging from Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, and ZEE5 to Fancode for Sports as well as regional content from Sun NXT, ManoramaMax, Nammaflix, Klikk, and Chaupal, and now the best of Hollywood with its latest addition – Lionsgate Play. It also offers 300+ Live TV Channels including 30+ Live News Channels. All this is available through the Vi Movies & TV app available for viewing on Smartphones, Smart TVs as well as Laptops & Tablets.

With Lionsgate Play, Vi Movies & TV users can now enjoy its extensive library of global hits, featuring blockbuster franchises like John Wick, The Hunger Games, and Saw, alongside standout titles such as Past Lives, Tokyo Vice, Paris Has Fallen, Normal People, Operation Fortune, Plane, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, The Iron Claw, The Beekeeper, Arcadian, and more. Additionally, users will have access to prestigious award shows like the Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice, and BAFTA Awards, bringing the best of premium, world-class entertainment for Vi Movies & TV subscribers.

The partnership with Lionsgate Play is a testament to Vi’s continuing pursuit of innovation and commitment to delivering best-in-class entertainment. By continuously adding renowned platforms like Lionsgate Play to its offerings, Vi reaffirms its dedication to curating a rich and diverse content ecosystem tailored to the evolving tastes and preferences of Indian viewers.

The post Vi and Lionsgate Play Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Premium Content on Vi Movies & TV appeared first on NRI News.

BENGALURU: Amazon.in today announced the launch of Creator University and Creator Connect. Creator University is an education program designed to equip content creators with the tools and knowledge necessary to prosper within the dynamic creator economy. The program will cater to a broad spectrum of content creators, encompassing both established and aspiring influencers. Through a curated selection of resources, the program provides participants with the foundational knowledge and practical strategies to cultivate a sustainable business in the Amazon marketplace.

Creator Connect is a series of in-person events designed to foster connections, learning, and growth for creators within the Amazon ecosystem. These events are strategically timed around major sales and Amazon initiatives to achieve two goals: generate excitement for upcoming promotions and attract new creators to the Amazon Influencer Program. Creator Connect offers a variety of interactive experiences, including workshops led by influencers, opportunities to meet with Amazon leaders and established creators, product showcases, trend discussions, and more. The first Creator Connect event, “A Summer Escape,” kicks off on June 3rd, 2024 in Mumbai and will focus on building a community of fashion and lifestyle creators coinciding with Amazon Fashion’s Wardrobe Refresh Sale.

“At Amazon, we recognize the immense influence content creators have on today’s consumers. Creator University and Creator Connect is our way of empowering these creators, both established and aspiring, with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive within the Amazon ecosystem. Through these programs, creators will gain valuable resources, connect with industry leaders, and build a sustainable business on our platform. We are committed to fostering a collaborative community where creators can learn from each other and drive informed purchase decisions for our customers,” said Kishore Thota, Director, of Shopping Experience, India & Emerging Markets, Amazon.

Some of the key benefits of Creator University include:

• Expansive Educational Curriculum: Creator University offers a treasure trove of informative content, meticulously designed to address the multifaceted needs of content creators. This comprehensive curriculum incorporates in-depth video tutorials, informative articles, and interactive workshops, encompassing a wide range of topics – from cultivating a robust audience to optimizing content for optimal performance within the Amazon ecosystem.
• Insights from Industry Leaders: Gain invaluable knowledge gleaned from the experiences of established Amazon creators and industry veterans. Creator University offers insightful case studies and testimonials, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from the successes and challenges of others.
• Actionable Strategies for Success: Creator University empowers participants with practical guidance on every facet of content creation on Amazon. Learn how to identify the perfect products to recommend, craft compelling and engaging content, and effectively drive targeted traffic to Amazon.
• Fostering a Collaborative Community: Creator University fosters a vibrant community of creators, providing a platform for connection and collaboration. Engage in insightful discussions and forge valuable connections through dedicated forums designed to encourage knowledge exchange and peer support.

In recent years, Amazon has introduced several programs for Content Creators. In 2022, Amazon.in introduced Amazon Live – a unique live shopping program on Amazon.in where customers can directly interact with content creators who showcase products, answer customer questions in real time, run polls, and offer limited duration deals. Amazon.in also has Amazon Influencer Program is a vital resource for influencers to monetize their content. Through this program, influencers gain access to tools that enable them to select and recommend Amazon’s products and services to their followers while earning commissions on qualifying purchases. Influencers can monetize their content by sharing their storefront URL or affiliate links, expanding their reach, and attracting new customers with their posted content. These initiatives underscore Amazon’s commitment to creating an enriched shopping ecosystem while empowering creators, influencers, and small businesses in the process.

The post Amazon.in Launches Creator University & Creator Connect In India appeared first on NRI News.

PUNE: Sancheti Hospital today announced the launch of unique OrthoAI, a generative AI tool that will help orthopedic experts get access to the vast and rich medical literature. This groundbreaking and world’s first initiative powered by artificial intelligence for orthopedics will help doctors keep updated with the latest content through thousands of published articles and videos under one roof and help make better decisions. 

OrthoAI was launched at the hands of Chief Guest and Eminent Scientist Dr.Raghunath Mashelkar in the presence of veteran orthopedic surgeon Dr.K.H Sancheti, Dr . Parag Sancheti Chairman Sancheti Hospital, Dr.Ashok Shyam, consultant orthopedic surgeon and head of academics and research at Sancheti Hospital,  Dr.Neeraj Bijlani, consultant orthopedic surgeon and  Rohan Lunawat, and Amit Yerudkar managing partners Script Lanes.

The initiative is a result of extensive work by a team of doctors from Sancheti Hospital and IT professionals from Pune-based Script Lanes for the last year. It is modeled to be an evidence-based Generative AI for Orthopaedics built on LLM and a Cognitive search model that provides answers to queries with citations to recent literature and related videos.

Hailing the initiative of Sancheti Hospital, eminent scientist Dr.R.A Mashelkar said that insights are important but foresight is more important to take advantage of technology. Technology has come to stay and we are using it. India has created digital public infrastructure and tops data consumption and polevaulted with digital payments too. We have to take advantage of this leadership that we have created. There are challenges and addressing these challenges will require a multidimensional approach. 

Healthcare professionals, data scientists, and policymakers should come together to address all challenges. 

Explaining the concept, Dr.Ashok Shyam said that decision-making is generally based on three aspects viz. clinical experience of the surgeon, current literature, and requirements of the patient. It is challenging to keep up with the current literature which is dynamic, vast, and ever-expanding. Even the experience of individual surgeons varies. So it will help if we have shared experiences. So OrthoAI takes into account both these aspects and searches the literature through PubMed and experience-based knowledge from OrthoTV. So it is like a copilot for orthopedic surgeons in making decisions. Since these decisions are optimized by literature and shared experiences, they can help in using resources in a better way. AI is an evolving concept and we will keep evolving with a tab on ethics and safety. 

Dr. Neeraj Bijlani said that the concept will be useful, especially in complex cases in older patients with commodities like diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, etc, and pediatric age group with congenital abnormalities or in any complex cases. Different surgeons use different methods to handle complications and therefore this literature and shared experiences will help in knowing how other experts are managing those cases.  

Dr.Parag Sancheti said that this initiative is aimed at helping orthopedics deliver the best outcomes for the patient. We are happy to be a part of this first-of-its-kind initiative.

The post Sancheti Hospital launches OrthoAI -the world’s first tool based on AI for orthopedics appeared first on NRI News.

Through the partnership, Samsung aims to make the experience of getting sports updates quicker and easier for fans across India. Users can simply ask Bixby “What’s the score?”, “Show the World Cup points table”, or “Show me upcoming matches” to get an instant response with relevant information. These features are available to existing Bixby users who do not need to install or download anything additionally.

Cricket is more than just a sport in India, and with major cricket tournaments either ongoing at the moment or lined up shortly, Samsung believes that Bixby Cricket would be an interesting value addition to cricket lovers’ passion for the game. This would enable them to stay updated with the latest scores of the ongoing tournament by just asking Bixby.

Bixby has evolved from an intelligent voice assistant for users to an open, scalable AI platform that is available anywhere, anytime across Samsung devices, wearables, and digital appliances. The user experience was made more meaningful and contextual for Indian consumers by the introduction of Indian English as part of the Bixby 2.0 update in May 2021. This has supported Bixby users in India with several information pieces such as Indian names, places, relationships, content, and recipes amongst others. These feature upgrades are meant to provide the users with a more personalized experience along with quick updates.

Balaji Hariharan, Senior Director and Head of Product Management, at Samsung Research Institute, Bangalore, said, “Cricket is more than just a sport in India. With major cricket tournaments either in progress or lined up soon, Samsung believes that Bixby Cricket would be a great solution for cricket lovers to stay updated with the latest scores and tournaments just through their voices. Users can get updates even while driving, working, cooking, or doing any other activity that requires their attention. Another goal of Samsung India is to continuously nurture the Indian start-up ecosystem, and this launch helps in that as well.“

Ajay Pratap Singh, Chief Executive Officer, of Sportskeeda, said, “We are excited to join forces with Samsung Bixby to bring unparalleled sports coverage to Samsung users across India. This integration showcases our commitment to delivering accurate and prompt sports information to fans, right at their fingertips. Whether it is cricket matches from international arenas or local league showdowns, Bixby users can now revel in the excitement, through voice commands like never before.“

Samsung’s Bixby Cricket is a great addition for cricket fans in India, providing them with instant updates about the score, points table, and routine of upcoming matches in the Cricket World Cup and other tournaments. The feature is powered by Sportskeeda, a global sports content platform, and is available to existing Bixby users who do not need to install or download anything additionally.

The post Samsung’s Bixby Introduces New Feature for Cricket Fans in India appeared first on NRI News.

• Assertion of veteran theatre artist and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; Rajeev Naik
• This year’s ‘Tanveer Sanman’ presented to Lucky Gupta

PUNE: “In today’s times, we need a democratic theatre wherein all types of plays are permitted to be staged in any space, unrestricted by location and where there is freedom to express our thoughts as well as present the content in diverse forms,” asserted veteran theatre artist and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee; Rajeev Naik.

This year, the prestigious ‘Tanveer Sanman’ which is jointly established by Dr. Shriram Lagoo’s Rupvedh Pratishthan and Maharashtra Cultural Centre, was conferred upon Lucky Gupta at the hands of Rajeev Naik; in an event that took place at the Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha, Tilak Road yesterday. The ‘Tanveer Sanman’ was presented in the form of Rs 75,000/- in cash and a memento.

Dignitaries like Dr Mohan Agashe, S P Kulkarni; President and Chairman of Maharashtra Cultural Centre, Deepa Lagoo, Dr Anand Lagoo, Shubhangi Damle, Rajesh Deshmukh and others were also present on the occasion.

Lucky Gupta has toured across India, performing various solo plays in more than 800 different places under the concept of ‘Theatre on Wheels.’ He presented the 1306th show of the play ‘Maa Mujhe Tagore Bana De’ while concluding yesterday’s event.

Expressing his views about democratic theatre, Naik said, “In this type of theatre, it is important to understand other’s thoughts without any kind of hatred. This theatre will make the audience aware that they have the responsibility to introspect as much as they have the right to criticize. The different forms along with the content are of importance here. With the experimentation of democratic theatre, all other types of theatres will reach the audience.”

“A democratic theatre shouldn’t only be for the majority, but the few people with different thoughts and opinions should also be respected here. One should have the right to express one’s opinion as well as defend one’s point on this kind of platform, but only while considering democracy too. If an ideology is not acceptable, at least the readiness to listen to those ideas should be there,” Naik added.

Lucky Gupta expressed that this award has motivated him to go ahead and take bigger steps in life. Dr Mohan Agashe introduced the program and Rajesh Deshmukh presented the Vote of Thanks. Gauri Lagoo welcomed, Dr Anand Lagoo and explained the concept of the program, while Shubhangi Damle moderated the event.

The post Tanveer Sanman Presented Lucky Gupta appeared first on NRI News.

Reely.ai has gained industry recognition for its cutting-edge AI technology tailored to gamers and streamers which streamlines video content creation, automates the editing process, and aids in crafting more engaging content. Reely’s platform can automatically identify highlights and key moments within a game, simplifying the creation of highlight videos and sharing them across various social media channels. At the backdrop of a rising global online gaming market that is projected to reach $431.87 billion by 2030 as per Meticulous Research®, VideoVerse is optimistic that its AI prowess and experience with leading global broadcasters and top Sporting fraternities alongside merged capabilities of Reely will help companies in the Esports segment alongside individual streamers enhance audience engagement on their streams and explore better revenue opportunities.

“We are delighted to welcome Reely.ai to the VideoVerse family,” said Vinayak Shrivastav, VideoVerse CEO and Co-Founder. “This acquisition is a strategic step towards expanding our offerings and delivering enhanced solutions to our customers in the gaming industry. We are confident that the Reely team’s expertise and technology will be instrumental in our continued innovation within the video creation and distribution landscape. Our team is always on the lookout for innovative companies like Reely to help our customers leverage cutting-edge technologies to create engaging content and grow their audiences.“

Siddhant Bhandari, Strategy Lead at VideoVerse, added, “Innovation has always been the driving force at VideoVerse, and we are actively seeking out pioneering companies like Reely.ai to ensure we are at the forefront of AI-driven innovation in content creation. The VideoVerse team is excited about the prospect of continuing to enhance our offerings through future acquisitions.“

VideoVerse has already started integrating Reely.ai’s technology into its existing suite of solutions to expand and improve its capabilities in the gaming market. The company will provide advanced tools to players, streamers, and content creators looking to develop, share, and extend the reach of high-quality video content.

“Joining forces with VideoVerse was an obvious choice,” said Daniel Evans, CEO of Reely.ai. “VideoVerse’s comprehensive expertise in short-form video creation and distribution, combined with the latest AI and ML technology, pairs perfectly with our real-time gaming solutions. This collaboration will generate immense value for teams and content creators. AI is experiencing a significant moment, and we are eager to merge our advanced video solutions to fuel innovation in the industry.“

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The post VideoVerse Acquires Reely.ai to Enhance AI-Powered Content Creation and Social Media Reach for Esports and Gaming appeared first on NRI News.