News & Gossip

Amid rising concerns, India's media industry is highlighting the risks of unregulated AI training exploiting copyrighted works. In response, the government is crafting a strategic framework to harmonise AI advancements with intellectual property rights.

The ICC and JioStar have jointly refuted reports suggesting JioStar's withdrawal from their India media-rights agreement. Both organizations affirmed the contract remains valid and in full force, with JioStar committed to its obligations for upcoming ICC events. This statement counters claims of financial losses and a new bidding process for future rights.

Pocket FM and Arka Mediaworks are expanding the Baahubali universe with a new 250-episode audio story. Set in Maahishmathi, the series aims to captivate both existing fans and new listeners with high-quality production. This collaboration marks a significant step in reimagining iconic Indian IPs for audio-first audiences.

MediaKind is acquiring Harmonic Inc.'s Video Business for approximately $145 million, aiming to establish itself as a leading independent SaaS streaming-infrastructure provider. This strategic move, expected to close in the first half of 2026, will combine complementary strengths to serve a global customer base and accelerate innovation in video solutions.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella developed an AI app to analyze cricket. He used it to pick a team of Indian test cricket legends. Nadella, a cricket enthusiast, also invests in cricket teams. He is currently in India, where Microsoft plans significant AI and cloud investments. Cricket has shaped Nadella's leadership skills.

Dharma Cornerstone Agency has been restructured as Karan Johar's Dharma Productions buys out Bunty Sajdeh's Cornerstone's 45% stake. The amicable split allows both entities to pursue independent strategies, with Dharma assuming full control of the talent management LLP. This move aims to integrate talent management with Dharma's content pipeline.

Private DTH companies anticipate a slower revenue decline of 3-4% in FY26, supported by IPTV bundles and higher marketing income. Despite subscriber churn to OTT and DD Free Dish, DTH operators are expanding into IPTV, offering bundled services. Cost controls and reduced discounts are expected to stabilize margins.

Regional languages are now leading India's paid OTT subscriptions. South India, along with growing Marathi and Bangla markets, are driving this shift. ZEE5 sees language-first viewing changing the streaming landscape. Affordable pricing and culturally rooted content are key factors. Films remain crucial for acquiring new subscribers. Horror is also emerging as a popular genre.

Rock legends Def Leppard are set to electrify India with their first full-scale headliner tour in 2026. Tickets go on sale December 13, 2025, exclusively via BookMyShow. This landmark event promises an unforgettable experience for Indian rock fans, celebrating the band's enduring legacy and the vibrant growth of live music in the country.

In a recent interaction, Danish Khan, head of Sony LIV, said the company is applying the same core content philosophy used in Hindi-speaking markets but adapting it to a far more competitive environment. As part of a broader content push, SonyLIV is gearing up to launch 11 originals in the South.

Indians are travelling for entertainment, boosting music tourism and live events. Premium experiences are growing, with state governments supporting the sector. Cinema remains popular, with regional films and re-releases drawing crowds.

India is rapidly transforming into a global hub for live entertainment, attracting major international festivals like Rolling Loud and Lollapalooza. This shift is driven by a young, engaged, and increasingly affluent demographic, with live events now a significant economic engine and a source of national pride.

The global cricket economy faces a significant correction in 2027 as major media rights deals expire amid a tougher market. Reduced advertising, lower TV profits and streaming losses are forcing broadcasters to cut spending. Industry consolidation, particularly the JioStar merger, has also lessened competition, signaling an end to the era of broadcasters absorbing losses for rights owners.

JioHotstar announced a ₹4,000 crore investment over five years to boost South India's media and entertainment sector. The platform unveiled 25 new South titles, including originals and returning franchises, and partnered with the Tamil Nadu government to expand its production ecosystem, aiming to create thousands of jobs and champion regional storytelling.

The announcement was made during a star-studded event here attended by leading figures from the region's film and television industries.

Delhi may have been an early stop on AP Dhillon’s explosive One of One India Tour, but it set a benchmark that will be hard to top. And with six more cities still on the lineup, fans across the country have plenty of chances to experience the energy, the music, and the surprises that lit up the capital.

Dhurandhar continues its strong box office run, earning Rs 24.30 crore on Monday to reach a total of Rs 130.80 crore. The film's success is driven by steady turnout, positive word-of-mouth, and significant online engagement with its characters and content. Early indicators suggest a stable performance in the coming week.

Warner Music India has joined forces with Rhythms.Life. This collaboration aims to boost Indian music and artists on the world stage. Emerging talent will gain wider global exposure. Rhythms.Life is a creator-focused platform. It empowers artists with control over their careers.

News broadcasters have urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to withdraw proposed landing page amendments, arguing it administratively regulates a sub judice matter. They contend the proposal revives a rejected technical methodology and unfairly penalizes broadcasters by excluding legitimate first exposure viewership.

Southern film industries are experiencing a significant correction in acquisition prices, with streaming platforms cutting rates for mid-budget films by 50-60%. This shift is attributed to producers overquoting budgets and the poor box office performance of regional films, leading platforms to reduce buying quotas and prioritize original content.

In a surprising turn of events, JioStar has communicated to the ICC that it must retract from its media rights contract for cricket events, primarily due to major financial challenges. This development has prompted the ICC to scout for alternative partners to secure rights for future tournaments.

Project Worldwide has launched its India/South Asia Project Hub in Bangalore, establishing a unified gateway for clients in a rapidly expanding market. This integrated hub brings together multiple specialist agencies under its "Hyperconnected Creativity" model, offering seamless access to cross-functional expertise through a single point of contact.

Prime Video has expanded its Indian marketplace with Moviesphere+, a Lionsgate service offering Hollywood films and TV shows. Subscribers gain access to titles like 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' and 'Mad Men' at an introductory annual price. This addition enhances Prime Video's role as a distribution hub for global streamers in India.

Publicis Groupe India has expanded Himanshu Saxena’s role, naming the BBH India managing director as president for the North and East regions across Saatchi & Saatchi India and Propagate. He will operate from Gurugram while continuing to lead BBH India, reporting to Paritosh Srivastava.

The Multiplex Association of India is worried about Netflix buying Warner Bros Discovery. They fear this deal will hurt movie theaters. Indian cinemas need many films to survive. A streaming giant buying a studio that favors online releases poses a threat. This could mean fewer movies for theaters and shorter release times. The association will raise these concerns with regulators.

There are more questions than answers about how ownership from a streaming giant would change things for Warner Bros. It's not even clear if it will pass antitrust scrutiny, or, if it does, what the details will look like.

The agreement - announced on Friday - follows a weeks-long bidding war where Netflix seized the lead with a nearly $28-a-share offer that eclipsed Paramount Skydance's nearly $24 bid for the whole of Warner Bros Discovery, including the cable TV assets slated for a spinoff.

India's media and entertainment sector is booming, outpacing global trends. Both digital and traditional media are expanding significantly. Digital media is the fastest growing segment, driven by internet advertising and OTT streaming. Traditional media, including television and print, also shows robust growth. The gaming industry is adapting to new formats.

Eros International Media Ltd has secured an injunction from the Madras High Court blocking the release of Akhanda–II. The order, issued by a Division Bench, comes as Eros seeks to enforce a ₹28-crore arbitral award against 14 Reels Entertainment. Eros argued that a related group entity, 14 Reels Plus LLP, was trying to release the film to sidestep the award.

Spotify's 2025 Wrapped reveals Arijit Singh as India's top artist for the seventh year, though his songs didn't top the charts. "Raanjhan" by Sachet-Parampara claimed the top song title, highlighting romance's continued popularity. The data showcases a blend of enduring voices and current trends in Indian music.

Seagram’s 100 Pipers hosted a Ben Böhmer concert at Leisure Valley, Gurugram, integrating sustainability into the event. The 'Play for a Cause' initiative featured waste segregation, recycling, composting, and meal redistribution. An art installation made from discarded materials symbolized the cause, demonstrating how music and environmental responsibility can coexist.

India must embrace Artificial Intelligence to avoid falling behind in the global content economy. The media and entertainment sector faces major changes with AI creating content rapidly. Experts believe India can build a substantial industry by investing in talent and specialised institutions. This presents an extraordinary opportunity for India to expand its global reach and economic contribution.

Indian content is experiencing unprecedented global reach through streaming platforms, with nearly 25% of viewership now originating overseas. This surge, fueled by subtitles and dubbing, marks a significant turning point for India's media and entertainment economy, expanding its cultural influence worldwide. Industry leaders emphasize the need for regulatory reforms to sustain this momentum and protect intellectual property.

Green Gold Animation, the studio behind Chhota Bheem, plans a significant expansion. They are seeking ₹250 crore funding at an ₹800 crore valuation. This investment will fuel the creation of new intellectual properties and boost animation production capacity. The company is also open to a change in ownership to support long-term growth.

The rise of micro-drama content in India is nothing short of astounding, captivating over 73 million viewers in just under a year. This explosive growth is fueled by an audience that prioritizes mobile viewing—spanning housewives, busy commuters, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha.

Omnicom Media has formalised its India leadership post-merger with IPG Mediabrands, appointing Kartik Sharma as CEO. This integration strengthens Omnicom's regional footprint, positioning it more competitively against Publicis in India's media market. The combined entity aims to simplify complexity and convert ambition into action for clients.

Reliance Industries has completed the merger of its subsidiary Star Television Productions Ltd (STPL)—which owns and licenses the ‘STAR’ brand—with Jiostar, formerly Star India. Jiostar informed Reliance that the merger became effective on November 30, 2025.

Box-office volatility, high star fees, and shrinking streaming budgets have stalled consolidation among film production houses. Investors now prioritize stability and data-driven scalability, a shift that has impacted capital flow into Bollywood. The industry needs to showcase its potential and recognize IP as an asset to attract investment.

Sources said the latest round of downsizing is a continuation of the rationalisation programme initiated in April 2024 to streamline operations and align the organisation with updated business priorities following the collapse of the merger deal with Sony Pictures Networks India.

India's Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with Netflix to showcase the nation's diverse travel spots worldwide. This partnership aims to highlight natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and historical sites through captivating visual narratives. The initiative also supports rural homestays, boosting local economies. A revamped digital platform offers personalized travel experiences and seamless booking options for visitors.

India's Media and Entertainment sector is poised for significant growth, projected to contribute over $100 billion to GDP and create five million jobs by 2030. A new CII report urges an integrated policy framework, unified regulations, and infrastructure investment to transform India into a global creative hub.

Netflix India's VP of Content, Monika Shergill, highlights the significant rise of South Indian storytelling as a key creative shift. The region has become a central focus for Netflix due to its talent, narratives, and audience demand, with viewership of South content increasing by 50% year-on-year.

Prime Video is significantly expanding its South Indian content, with 26 Tamil and Telugu originals in development. The platform aims to build depth in these markets, recognizing the strong audience engagement and the pan-India appeal of South Indian stories. This increased focus includes dedicated creative and production teams, with a slate heavily skewed towards movies, especially in Telugu.

Dharmendra, a discovered talent, navigated Hindi cinema with quiet dignity, avoiding the spotlight. His career, marked by romances, multi-starrers, and collaborations with Hrishikesh Mukherjee, showcased a unique blend of handsomeness, athleticism, and accessible charm. His grounded wisdom and confidence led to an exceptional success ratio, proving that quiet contribution can yield enduring appreciation.

French content producer Banijay has increased its stake in key Indian subsidiaries, including Endemol India, as part of a consolidation strategy in a rapidly growing market. The company also boosted its shareholding in the joint venture Seventaurus Entertainment Studio, signaling a move towards greater control over its Indian operations.

Warner Music India has partnered with Ultra Music for exclusive worldwide distribution of its extensive catalogue, including over 14,000 tracks spanning Bollywood, regional, folk, and devotional music. This strategic deal aims to expand Ultra Music's global reach and strengthen its presence on digital platforms, while also bolstering Warner Music India's engagement with Indian repertoire.

India's streaming universe is evolving like never before. As Connected TV usage surges, we may witness a welcome variety in storytelling. While male-lead narratives currently reign supreme, the trend of watching together on CTVs suggests an impending change. With platforms keenly analyzing viewer habits, we can expect an enriching assortment of programming that caters to a broader audience spectrum.

India's media and entertainment sector, valued at $30 billion, is poised to significantly boost the nation's soft power, according to Anand Mahindra. He emphasized that global influence now hinges on storytelling prowess, citing Hollywood's impact. While India shows promise, it must create globally appealing narratives beyond its diaspora to secure a prominent global position.

Established Indian brands are making a strong comeback in cricket sponsorships. This shift follows the withdrawal of fantasy gaming and tech companies. Brands like Asian Paints and Apollo Tyres are signing significant deals. This trend indicates a market correction and a return to stability. Cricket remains a powerful platform for reaching a wide audience.

The Women's Premier League is set for a significant commercial boost. New partner agreements for the 2026 and 2027 seasons are valued at Rs 48 crore. ChatGPT and Kingfisher join as Premier Partners. CEAT renews its association, and Bisleri comes on board as Beverage Partner. These developments highlight the league's growing commercial strength and global appeal.