News & Gossip

Pro Kabaddi League media rights talks involve JioStar seeking a fee reduction and franchises protecting the previous benchmark. Franchise owners are divided on open bidding, fearing a collapse like the Indian Super League. JioStar incurred losses and viewership has stagnated, prompting discussions for league growth. Discussions also include reducing franchise fees while increasing revenue share for teams.

YouTube’s new Partner Programme eligibility norms are set to reshape India’s creator economy, raising the bar for monetisation and rewarding serious creators. The shift could boost original and long-form content, deepen audience engagement, professionalise creator careers and push brands towards niche influencers. With non-YPP income already dominating creator earnings, brand deals could become increasingly crucial.

Zee TV will launch a new Sa Re Ga Ma Pa season on September 19. The show features a 360-degree stage and over one hundred musicians. This season celebrates India's diverse musical traditions and talent. Shreyas Talpade hosts while Shankar Mahadevan and others serve as gurus. The program aims to be a grand concert celebrating Indian music.

FanCode will become the sole platform for F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium subscriptions in India, giving Formula 1 fans access to live races, multi-camera streams, team radio, telemetry, documentaries and archive content. The move comes as Formula 1’s Indian fan base crosses nine crore. FanCode has broadcast F1 in India since 2024, with its agreement running through 2028.

Veteran actor Anant Nag has been honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He will receive this prestigious award at the National Film Awards ceremony. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the distinguished artist for his contributions. Nag has appeared in over 300 films across multiple Indian languages. His extensive career includes notable television work and state film awards.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionising the landscape of entertainment production, offering creators remarkable cost savings. Smaller production companies can now bring projects to life while maintaining their intellectual property rights. With generative AI at the forefront, content creation in areas like audio and microdramas is already gaining momentum. This shift is predicted to ripple across film and high-quality scripted series, leading to significant growth in innovation and content output.

DTH operators have provisioned over eleven thousand crore rupees against disputed licence fee liabilities. This industry awaits a government decision on reducing the current eight percent licence fee. Operators face significant subscriber losses and declining revenues due to market shifts. They are now expanding into IPTV, broadband, and OTT aggregation services. The licence fee dispute remains sub judice before various legal tribunals and courts.

Google India and JioStar have partnered to bring Google Search’s AI Mode into popular Hindi TV shows Anupama and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. The campaign will use show characters and storylines to demonstrate how conversational AI can help with everyday tasks such as managing household budgets, career decisions and children’s education.

Mirzapur: The Movie has achieved over Rs 200 crore at the domestic box office. This film marks the first big-screen venture for the popular Mirzapur streaming series. It brings back the lawless world of Mirzapur with ongoing power struggles and rivalries. Several original cast members reprise their roles in this new cinematic chapter. The movie is presented by Amazon MGM Studios and Excel Entertainment.

Dish TV is launching new initiatives like VZY smart TV and ShopZop e-commerce to address subscription losses. The company's Watcho content platform shows early signs of traction and growth. Dish TV aims to recover and grow by integrating DTH and OTT services. This repositioning is a response to declining pay-DTH subscribers and rising OTT platforms. The company seeks to lead the industry's shift from set-top boxes to smart screens.

Poetry now travels beyond books, reaching audiences through social media platforms. Younger generations discover poetry through short-form video content and online communities. Poets adapt their craft for digital platforms, balancing art and content creation. This shift increases poetry's visibility and accessibility for a wider audience. Social media fosters a sense of belonging and cultural curiosity around poetry.

Danish film 'Woman Unknown' secured the Golden Lion at Venice. Mathilde Arcel also won best actress for her role in the drama. John Malkovich received the best actor award for his CIA agent portrayal. A documentary on Gaza's civilian deaths also garnered significant attention. The festival highlighted global politics and social issues this year.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing India's microdrama content creation landscape. AI-assisted production will likely reach eighty percent within eighteen months. This shift significantly reduces both production time and costs for creators. Improved AI language models also enhance audience experience and content diversity. The microdrama market is projected for substantial revenue growth in coming years.

Pocket Entertainment has achieved a $500 million revenue run rate, showing significant growth. Pocket FM, its audio drama platform, drives this expansion and improved retention. The company utilizes AI extensively for content creation and market launches. Over 550,000 creators contribute to Pocket FM's vast library. This growth enables stories to reach listeners across many countries and languages.

The inaugural International Film Festival of Jammu and Kashmir concluded with calls for more local participation. Organizers and attendees emphasized the need for training programs and infrastructure development. The festival screened over 130 films and featured master classes and celebrity appearances. Government officials acknowledged the success while planning future initiatives for filmmaking in the region. The aim is to foster a vibrant film culture and discover local talent.

Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Amit Mehta as Chief Human Resources Officer. He will lead the People & Organisation function and Administration & Facilities. Mehta joins from upGrad, where he previously served as CHRO. He brings extensive experience from Hindustan Unilever and a high-growth company. Mehta succeeds Manu Wadhwa, who will now serve as Strategy Advisor.

Stage plans to raise $25 million to expand into eight new language markets and invest in AI-driven content production. The OTT platform aims to reach 14 markets by March 2027, betting that AI can sharply reduce production and dubbing costs while helping it create localised content faster. Revenue has already grown from $2.5 million in FY24 to $16 million in FY26.

Arka Media Works has appointed Dream Theatre as the exclusive licensing and merchandising partner for Baahubali in India, as the franchise expands into animation.

Zee5 has launched a revamped streaming experience with AI-led discovery. The platform now organizes content into five distinct sections for easier navigation. Personalization plays a central role, surfacing relevant content based on audience preferences. Zee5 also secured rights to the FIFA World Cup and expanded its English entertainment slate. The revamped free service, Free 5, will offer diverse content without a subscription.

Orenda Group has joined Manasi Parekh, Parthiv Gohil and Rashaana Shah to announce a ₹100-crore Alternative Investment Fund focused on India’s media and entertainment sector. The four-year Orenda Media Growth Fund plans to invest across films, media start-ups, original IP and media-tech ventures.

The revised draft rules for television, radio and associated services address some industry concerns but leave questions over OTT, FAST and open-internet services unresolved, media executives said. Broadcasters are also examining penalties, authorisation renewal provisions and requirements for temporary live sports uplinking. The ministry has invited comments by October 2.

Star Sports and FanCode will broadcast the India-Japan T20I match. This historic encounter is scheduled for September twenty-second in Japan. ITW Universe holds global rights for this unique cricket fixture. The match celebrates seventy-five years of diplomatic ties between both nations. Japan Cricket Association is expanding venue capacity for this event.

GTPL Hathway has unexpectedly outperformed Tata Play in revenue in India's television distribution sector, even though it maintains a smaller active cable subscriber base. Both segments, cable and DTH, are facing challenges due to the growing popularity of streaming platforms. GTPL's expansion efforts include launching a new HITS service and making strategic acquisitions, while the DTH market continues to decline in active pay-TV subscriptions.

India's online video audience reached 664.9 million in 2026, showing strong growth. Paid OTT subscriptions also increased by sixteen percent to 172.6 million users. Connected TV viewing surged sixty percent, indicating a shift to larger screens. Micro-dramas and K-dramas saw significant audience increases, becoming popular formats.

Bennett, Coleman & Co Ltd has partnered with OpenAI to improve content discovery. ChatGPT will now attribute BCCL journalism with direct links to original articles. This collaboration aims to connect users with reliable information from BCCL publications. Both companies will explore AI applications for new products and services. Editorial independence remains a core principle for BCCL's journalism.

PVR Inox said its promoters received anonymous communications in April alleging impropriety by certain employees, but a preliminary examination found no evidence of kickbacks. The multiplex operator also denied that senior executive Pramod Arora was asked to leave, saying he resigned for personal reasons after the allegations surfaced.

PVR INOX on Monday said a preliminary assessment into anonymous allegations of employee impropriety found no evidence of kickbacks, countering reports of an alleged ₹200-crore scandal. The company also clarified that former senior executive Pramod Arora resigned for personal reasons on May 4 and was not asked to leave.

Indian content creators are building and monetizing their own intellectual property. YouTube is emerging as a key destination for premium, long-form original shows. Balaji Telefilms partnered with YouTube for five fiction shows, retaining IP ownership. This shift addresses a gap between linear television and premium subscription platforms. Connected TV viewing is creating new opportunities for diverse content across verticals.

A senior PVR INOX executive was asked to leave in April after an internal probe. Allegations suggest kickbacks from developers involved in building cinema properties. These alleged payments reportedly occurred over several years and could total ₹200 crore. The investigation also aims to determine the full extent of the wrongdoing. The company's board has discussed these serious matters in recent meetings.

Reliance-owned JioStar’s Bigg Boss has attracted more than 95 advertisers across six language editions, spanning Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. National and regional advertisers feature across the franchise, with first-time advertisers accounting for over half of participation in southern markets and 70% in Hindi, as brands increase spending on regional-language programming during the festive season.

Balaji Telefilms has partnered with YouTube to launch five premium original shows spanning 200 episodes. Ekta Kapoor will lead the creative vision and retain intellectual property ownership, while YouTube will provide global distribution and monetisation through advertising and brand partnerships.

The Indian entertainment industry is witnessing a surge in celebrities curating non-fiction series that revolve around their public identities. This trend smartly tackles the challenge of fleeting audience attention and the saturation of content. By teaming up with creators, these stars develop compelling intellectual properties that attract advertisers looking for budget-friendly brand partnerships.

India's micro-drama sector is on track to hit Rs 23,500 to 25,500 crore by FY32 and advertising video-on-demand is set to become a primary revenue stream next to subscriptions, Redseer Strategy Consultants said. The anticipated growth in AVOD could see active daily users skyrocketing to around 140-150 million, it added.

Netflix introduces 'Into the Southverse' to simplify discovering southern Indian films and series. This new collection gathers content across languages, genres, moods, and stars for viewers. The streaming giant is increasing its investment in southern film industries and expects new titles weekly. Southern Indian films have consistently appeared on Netflix's India Top 10 lists.

The devotional film Hanuman Ansh is experiencing sustained audience interest in its fourth week. PVR INOX is increasing showtimes across its network due to strong word-of-mouth. The film attracts a wider demographic, including younger audiences and senior citizens. Its momentum is driven by viewer recommendations and social media conversations. This sustained response highlights cinemas' role in organic film discovery.

Faith-infused cinema is experiencing remarkable success in theaters, even with limited financial resources. These films resonate with viewers by integrating spirituality into relatable narratives, addressing deep existential questions and showcasing how faith can provide solace and fortitude. With increasing audience engagement, producers view this genre as a robust investment, driven by culturally significant tales and shared community experiences.

Mohit Jain is set to take the helm of the Audit Bureau of Circulations for the term 2026-27. His vision revolves around captivating the interest of younger, urban demographics in newspaper readership. Publishers are targeting innovations in content and digital platforms to draw in fresh readers, emphasizing the importance of daily newspapers for broader insights and perspectives.

During a recent hearing on a repayment plan challenge, Subhash Chandra, chairman of Essel Group, contested the constitution of the NCLT bench, asserting that it does not possess the power to create such a bench. This critical argument was made as the appellate tribunal is scheduled to address the issues again soon, particularly after the NCLT bench had put a hold on the approval of the repayment plan.

Tata Play Binge Shots has integrated Klip, a micro-drama platform, into its content offerings. This new addition features over sixty shows and three thousand episodes of diverse Hindi content. Klip, founded by Vicky Bahri and Harman Baweja, adds approximately fifteen new shows monthly. It joins other platforms like STAGE and Pocket Films on Tata Play Binge Shots. Klip will also be accessible through the Tata Play Mobile App.

Indian artists saw a 29% rise in Spotify royalties during 2025. Telugu music experienced over 120% growth, with other regional languages also growing. More Indian artists are earning significant income, with a 21% increase in those earning over one crore rupees. International listeners discovered Indian artists more, contributing significantly to their earnings.

India’s television broadcasting industry is undergoing a structural reset as 114 channel licences were surrendered between 2022 and 2026 amid weakening advertising, declining pay-TV homes and audiences shifting to OTT, connected TV and short-form video. Broadcasters including JioStar, Zee Entertainment, NDTV and B4U Networks are rationalising portfolios as industry economics come under pressure.

NCLAT has deferred the insolvency proceedings against Zee founder Subhash Chandra to October 7 after his counsel challenged the constitution of a five-member NCLT bench.

In a sweeping operation, the Income-tax Department has searched Dentsu Media Group's offices throughout India. The focus primarily lies on several entities connected to this Japanese advertising giant's operations. Following an investigation into transactions within an Indian subsidiary, Dentsu has contested claims of ₹522.8 crore concerning purported goods and services. As the investigations proceed, the group remains resolute in defending its actions and is collaborating with authorities.

Meghalaya is developing a creative economy focused on film production and digital content. The state's Film Tourism Policy 2025 offers incentives for productions and local talent. Its OTT platform 'Hello Meghalaya' supports regional content creators and their monetization. Bollywood professionals expressed interest in Meghalaya's locations and emerging creative pool. This strategy aims to create a comprehensive creative value chain for economic growth.

A wave of Income Tax searches is currently sweeping through Dentsu Media Group offices in multiple cities amid a suspected tax evasion inquiry. Officials are meticulously reviewing locations linked to the media and advertising conglomerate. While the investigation progresses, nuanced details on the potential evasion have yet to emerge, leaving stakeholders eagerly awaiting additional information.

BookMyShow Live has invested in Belgian company Stageco's staging equipment. This move expands their production infrastructure for large-scale concerts and festivals. The new equipment will be deployed across Indian cities in the coming months. This investment supports India's growing live events market and global touring productions. BookMyShow Live aims to own reusable production assets for future events.

The landscape of India's microdrama industry is evolving, shifting from an emphasis on acquiring users to nurturing and monetizing them. Currently, active paying users represent a small fraction of the total users. Analysts predict that the market will converge around a few dominant firms as they navigate global competition and find ways to lower production expenses. To thrive, platforms must prioritize user engagement and sustainable revenue streams.

Bigg Boss Bangla has returned after nearly a decade with its third season on Star Jalsha and JioHotstar. Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly hosts the Bengali reality show, which features 15 contestants including Monami Ghosh, Bharat Kaul, Durnibar Saha, Dipendu Biswas, Alexandra Taylor, Srijla Guha and Sonamoni Saha, alongside influencers, entrepreneurs and social media personalities.

The share of international films in India's total box-office collections will likely reach 20-25% this year, surpassing the historical high of 15% in 2019. A key aspect in the success of Hollywood films is its appeal across genres. While biopics and epics such as Michael, The Odyssey and original IPs such as Project Hail Mary and Obsession found strong appeal among cinegoers, franchises such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Evil Dead Burn proved the power of loyal audience following.

Comedian Samay Raina is facing criticism for remarks made about people from Bihar and Kashmiri Pandits. Clips of the exchange from India's Got Latent, Season 2, circulated widely on social media. BJP MLA Ram Kadam condemned the statements, calling them attention-seeking and disrespectful. Reactions from the Kashmiri Pandit community were mixed regarding the comedian's jokes. The episode also featured an exchange about vlogging with Archana Puran Singh.