Connect with us

Buzz

aha 2.0 launches today powered by Firstlight Media

Firstlight Media’s cloud-native approach has built a world-class experience for aha’s audience globally
HYDERABAD, India and TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The aha streaming service is using Firstlight Media’s industry-first end-to-end cloud-native OTT platform as the technology foundation to power its next phases of growth in India and beyond, the two companies announced today.
aha has launched a first-to-market “glocal” strategy that harnesses a 100% cloud-based infrastructure to deliver localized services in discrete markets, all powered by a single, common backend. Running on Google Cloud, the award-winning Firstlight Media technology allows aha to create local storefronts using local languages and local currency, accelerating time to market and significantly reducing costs.
The turbocharged aha 2.0 is a Telugu-language offering that reaches 1.5 million paid subscribers and more than 75 million Telugu speaking users not only in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but also throughout India and in more than 190+ countries across the globe. The service features a fast, smooth, smart user experience across multiple devices including mobiles, tablets, browsers, SmartTVs (miTV, AndroidTV, Samsung, LG, ROKU), and connected devices (AppleTV, FireTV, ROKU); multi language capabilities; and enhanced personalization and customized recommendations that are designed to enhance subscribers’ engagement with aha’s unparalleled lineup of exclusive Telugu content.
aha’s lineup of content for the 2.0 service includes digital premieres of highly anticipated Telugu films as well as 10 original shows that are being produced specifically for the aha 2.0 platform. Shows include Unstoppable with NBK, a talk show hosted by Tollywood actor Nandamuri Balakrishna as well as Telugu Idol, modeled on American Idol & Indian Idol, blockbuster movies like Love Story and Most Eligible Bachelor (MEB), and many more premium Telugu movies and originals.
“Our content and technology decisions both have been made with a single purpose: to establish aha 2.0 as the premiere destination in our viewing markets,” said Allu Bobby, Promoter & Chief Advisor for aha. “The Firstlight Media Gen5 platform provides the high-quality, high-performance delivery to our subscribers’ demand, as well as the enhancements that will convert our viewers into dedicated fans.”
“Here’s what’s going to be behind aha’s spectacular growth in the coming months: differentiated content that subscribers’ value and the technology that creates the best possible viewing experiences for subscribers,” said Andre Christensen, CEO and co-founder of Firstlight Media. “We’re pleased to implement the Firstlight Media OTT platform built on our Gen5 architecture so that it dramatically expands aha’s ability to scale and create strong connections with viewers, positioning aha 2.0 for continued success” said Goutham Vinjamuri, COO and co-founder of Firstlight Media.
“As we laid out our roadmap for aha 2.0, we knew we would need a technology foundation that could adapt to rapid changes in the OTT landscape,” said Ajit Thakur, CEO for aha. “Using Firstlight Media’s Gen5 architecture, we’ve brought aha 2.0 to market in an incredibly short time; as we see new opportunities to delight our viewers, Firstlight Media will help us bring those features and capabilities to every device in days and weeks, rather than months and years.”
Firstlight Media’s Gen5 OTT architecture uses a sophisticated, cloud-native technology stack to power aha platform from end-to-end – delivering step changes in performance, flexibility, agility, and scale, and offering best-in-class user engagement and monetization. The Gen5 architecture from Firstlight Media will enable rapid time-to-market; will reduce cost and effort by more than 40%; and will future proof aha to enable capitalization on new trends and markets. The aha 2.0 platform powered by Firstlight Media’s Gen5 OTT architecture runs on Google Cloud and is integrated with Evergent, the leading provider of customer journey management for media and entertainment.
About ahaLaunched in 2020, aha is an Indian video-on-demand streaming service based out of Hyderabad offering premium digital content for Telugu-speaking audiences across the world in more than 190 countries. Owned by Arha Media & Broadcasting Private Limited, a joint venture by Geetha Arts and My Home Group, aha in the last 20 months of its journey has successfully added more than 45 million unique users with 13+ million downloads and 1.5million active subscriptions. Aha offers its 6 million active users original Telugu content across various formats that include movies, web-series, and non-fiction shows. Available at ₹399 annually, aha offers affordable viewing experience to all.
About Firstlight MediaFirstlight Media is expediting OTT’s transformation to ultra-scalable, cloud-based platforms that use artificial intelligence to drive true engagement and monetization for Tier 1 operators. Founded by a team with deep OTT video expertise and a strong track record of building successful B2B businesses, Firstlight Media is poised to capture the next wave of growth in premium OTT entertainment services. The company is headquartered in Toronto and has additional locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and Chennai, India. For more information, visit firstlight.ai.
CONTACTS: Paul Schneider, PSPR, Inc. for Firstlight Media, paul@paulschneiderpr.com, +1.215.817.4384; RIdhi Shah, Asst. Manager, Marketing for Arha Media, riddhi.shah@arhamedia.com, +91 81790 93406
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1689997/Firstlight_Media_aha_2_0_launches_today_powered_by_Firstlight_Me.jpg

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Buzz

Reliance Digital Launches ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day Campaign Celebrating the Many Expressions of Fatherhood

MUMBAI, India, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital has launched ‘Baaptaa’, a Father’s Day campaign to celebrate the many expressions of fatherhood. Built around a simple cultural observation, while “Maa ki Mamta” has long been a part of India’s collective vocabulary, there has never been a word that captures the distinct ways fathers express love, the campaign introduces ‘Baaptaa’ as a tribute to the many shades of fatherhood.

Conceptualised as an original music-led campaign, Baaptaa celebrates fathers not as idealised figures, but as they are experienced in everyday life, protective, dependable, emotional, quirky, practical, occasionally embarrassing, and always present. Through a relatable narrative, the campaign acknowledges the countless ways fathers care for their families, often through actions rather than words.Watch Video: https://youtu.be/9XyUsJB33Ds?si=PM67vhxrzth1JEkz At the heart of the campaign is an original music video told from a father’s perspective, capturing the different roles he plays across life’s moments and milestones. The film brings to life the humour, warmth and unspoken affection that characterise father-child relationships, while giving a name to a form of love that many recognise but few have articulated.The campaign stems from a simple insight: while motherhood has often found expression through familiar phrases and popular references, the unique language of fatherhood has remained largely undefined. Baaptaa seeks to fill that gap by creating a term that reflects the everyday gestures, practical wisdom and quiet sacrifices that fathers make.Father’s Day communication often leans into familiar emotional territory, but Reliance Digital’s campaign celebrates fathers in a way that feels more culturally authentic and relatable. The idea for ‘Baaptaa’ came from a simple observation — mother’s love has been immortalised in a number of heartfelt, emotional songs, there needed to be an anthem dedicated to dad’s love. And thus was born Baaptaa – a love language that is often awkward, practical, protective, humorous and deeply felt, even if rarely verbalised. It’s a celebration of fatherhood in all its wonderfully imperfect forms immortalized by a song that you won’t be able to stop humming.Shop for the widest range of electronics at Reliance Digital and thank your father for his Baaptaa.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/reliance-digital-launches-baaptaa-a-fathers-day-campaign-celebrating-the-many-expressions-of-fatherhood-302805505.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Celebrates Father’s Day with a Heartwarming Tribute to Dad Jokes

The digital film highlights how fathers express love through humour, turning everyday moments into lifelong memoriesNEW DELHI, June 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (“Canara HSBC Life Insurance”) today announced the launch of its Father’s Day digital film, a light-hearted and heartfelt tribute to fathers and their unique way of expressing love through humour. Celebrating the universally relatable phenomenon of ‘Dad Jokes’, the campaign shines a spotlight on the small yet meaningful moments that often become some of the most cherished family memories.

Presented in the style of a mock documentary, the film follows a sibling duo as they recount some of their father’s most memorable jokes—ranging from playful puns to classic one-liners. While the film begins with humour and nostalgia, it gradually reveals a deeper truth: behind every seemingly cringe-worthy dad joke lies a father’s sincere effort to connect, bring joy, and remind his family that he is always there for them.The campaign is rooted in the insight that fathers often express their emotions differently. Rather than through words alone, they communicate their care through everyday actions, practical guidance, shared experiences, and sometimes, through humour. Dad jokes may not always receive the loudest laughs, but they often become lasting reminders of a father’s presence, warmth, and unwavering support.Through relatable storytelling and candid family moments, the film celebrates fathers who may not always wear their emotions on their sleeves but consistently show up for their loved ones in their own unique ways. It captures how these seemingly ordinary interactions become treasured memories that families carry forward for years.Reflecting the campaign’s central message, Canara HSBC Life Insurance reiterates its belief in standing by every promise that matters. Just as fathers quietly support and protect their families through every stage of life, the company remains committed to helping customers secure their loved ones’ future and fulfil their financial commitments, truly embodying its promise of being a ‘Promises Ka Partner’.The campaign is now live across Canara HSBC Life Insurance’s X (twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram channels.IG- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZwH5IKhCzG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== FB- https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1cSkxsFWNY/X- https://x.com/CanaraHSBCLI/status/2067808467205918962?s=20Li- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7473574831364468737Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997652/Canara_HSBC.jpgLogo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2739906/6008480/Canara_HSBC_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/canara-hsbc-life-insurance-celebrates-fathers-day-with-a-heartwarming-tribute-to-dad-jokes-302805642.html

Continue Reading

Buzz

Harper Collins Publishers India is Delighted to Announce the Recent Publication of ‘People We Love’ by Preeti Shenoy

NEW DELHI, June 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HarperCollins Publishers India is delighted to share the recent publication of People We Love by bestselling author Preeti Shenoy. At once tender and sharp, this collection of stories offers intimate, truthful and relatable portraits of the people we cherish, the ones we lose, and the people we become.

ABOUT THE BOOKThe people we love never truly leave our story…In these tender yet piercing stories, Preeti Shenoy returns to some of her most beloved characters to reveal who they were before they appeared in her bestselling novels It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have.Aniket, a coder, carries the weight of a longing for Trisha that he cannot bring himself to act on. Nidhi abandons her corporate life to teach pottery, only to discover that clay is far more forgiving than the people she loves. A quiz competition sparks an unlikely romance between Aman and Shruti, one that must withstand parental disapproval and class divides. And Anjali, a journalist, is so busy chasing stories that she almost misses the one unfolding in her own life.Set against the pulse of contemporary India, People We Love explores the tug-of-war between duty and desire, family and freedom, who we are and who we dare to be. Intimate and deeply felt, these are stories about love that stays, leaves and almost slips away … love that quietly and irrevocably shapes the people we become.Preeti Shenoy, author, says, “People We Love is a collection of three long stories, prequels to my bestsellers It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have. If you have read those books, you already know how these characters’ stories unfold. But what you don’t know yet is where it all began, the loves they carried, the choices they made, and the people they were before life shaped them into who you met on those pages. Writing these prequels felt like returning to a home I hadn’t realised I missed, and discovering rooms I had never been in before.”Rashmi Menon, Associate Publisher – HarperCollins India, adds, “Preeti Shenoy has an extraordinary gift for finding the heartbeat of ordinary lives. People We Love is a warm, wise and deeply humane collection of short stories that reunites readers with favourite characters from her bestselling novels It’s All in the Planets and The One You Cannot Have, weaving them into fresh, deeply satisfying narratives. These characters feel like people you know, and their journeys will move, comfort and surprise you. This uplifting, thought–provoking collection reminds us why we turn to stories in the first place. We couldn’t be more excited to share it with our readers.”ABOUT THE AUTHOR Preeti Shenoy is among the highest-selling authors in India. She was featured on the Forbes longlist of the most influential celebrities in India. Her books include When Love Came Calling, Wake Up Life, Is Calling, Life Is What You Make It, The Rule Breakers, A Hundred Little Flames, It’s All in the Planets, Why We Love the Way We Do, The Secret Wish List, The One You Cannot Have and many others. Her work has been translated into many Indian languages. Preeti is also a motivational speaker, an avid fitness enthusiast, and an artist specializing in portraiture and illustrated journalling. Preeti lives in Bengaluru, Karnataka.ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS INDIAAt HarperCollins Publishers India, we believe in telling the best stories and ensuring they reach the widest readership. We publish around 250 new books every year across 10 imprints, adding to a diverse catalogue of more than 3,000 titles in print and digital formats, with an array of genres and voices that ensure there is a book for every reader. Our authors have won some of the most prestigious literary awards, and we are proud to publish many acclaimed writers, alongside new and emerging voices shaping contemporary literature. We are also the publishers of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, winner of the Booker Prize 2008, and Girl in White Cotton by Avni Doshi, shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2020, and HarperCollins India itself has been awarded “Publisher of the Year” several times. In addition, we represent some of the finest global publishers such as Harvard University Press, Lonely Planet, Oneworld, Nosy Crow, Usborne, and National Geographic Children, bringing Indian readers access to world-class books and ideas. We are also proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for two consecutive years, a recognition of our culture, people, and values that make HarperCollins India a truly inspiring workplace. PRESS CONTACT:Nandini Tripathi, Manager – Marketing (Commercial)Email: nandini.tripathi@harpercollins.co.in | Mobile: +91 9718928839Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2997583/HarperCollins_People_We_Love.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/4665143/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/harper-collins-publishers-india-is-delighted-to-announce-the-recent-publication-of-people-we-love-by-preeti-shenoy-302805348.html

Continue Reading

Trending