News & Gossip

Comscore has appointed Vivek Jaiswal as Country Manager for the APAC region. Jaiswal will lead strategic initiatives focusing on cross-platform audience measurement. He brings over 12 years of experience in SaaS and enterprise sales. His appointment underscores Comscore's commitment to the APAC market. The company aims to provide trusted data and insights for informed decision-making.

The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal has ruled in favor of Netflix India, rejecting the tax department's attempt to classify it as a full-fledged content provider. The tribunal deleted a ₹444.93 crore transfer pricing adjustment, affirming Netflix India's role as a limited-risk distributor of streaming access.

Swastik Stories has launched India's first cultural storytelling FAST channel, aiming for a reach of over 50 million users. The service offers free, ad-supported content, extending the company's focus on Indian history and mythology. Their first original series, 'Hamara Vinayak,' premieres October 31, with short-format episodes designed for digital audiences.

Mumbai is experiencing a microdrama revolution, with over 550 titles rolling out, each offering a narrative experience in concise, auto-scrolling episodes. This innovative format is not just entertaining but lucrative, raking in an impressive $500 million annually.

Major Hindi film distributors are reportedly employing aggressive tactics, including threats, to secure prime screen and show allocations, squeezing out smaller rivals. This intense competition for theatrical releases highlights growing nervousness within the industry about film performance. However, experts note these strategies are short-lived, as audience preference ultimately dictates show schedules post-opening weekend.

PVR Inox is gearing up for an exceptional surge in moviegoers as the fiscal year unfolds. Driven by enticing promotional deals, lowered federal taxes, and an exciting slate of both Hollywood and Bollywood releases, the company is on track to shatter previous attendance records.

Uttar Pradesh Tourism is seeking market research proposals. Institutions can apply to study travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The goal is to boost visitor experiences and attract investment. Financial aid up to Rs 10 lakh is available for approved studies. Applications are open from October 15 to November 15, 2025, on the UP Tourism portal.

Vikram Malhotra's Abundantia Entertainment has launched Abundantia aiON, a new division dedicated to using AI to enhance storytelling. This initiative aims to empower creators by integrating AI tools across ideation, visual development, and production, fostering emotionally richer and visually bolder narratives. The company emphasizes a 'Human First. AI Empowered.' philosophy, positioning AI as a collaborator to amplify human imagination.

Recent viral videos of frenzied audience reactions to films like Ravanaprabhu are sparking debate about their effectiveness as a marketing tool. Experts suggest these displays, while capturing fan passion, don't consistently translate into long-term business or incremental footfalls beyond dedicated fan bases.

Netflix India's net profit surged 63% to ₹85 crore in FY25, with revenue from operations growing 32% to ₹3,769 crore. This growth was fueled by strong subscriber additions and bundling partnerships. The company's investments in India have generated a significant economic impact, with Indian content achieving global traction.

NBA League Pass is now available in India as a Prime Video add-on, offering over 1,000 games per season, including the playoffs and Finals. Subscribers can choose from various plans, with Prime members also gaining access to select marquee games during the 2025-26 season. The NBA on Prime season begins October 25th.

Global sports bodies FIFA and IOC face challenges in India. Broadcaster consolidation and a ban on real-money gaming have reduced advertising revenue. Upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics have unfavorable time zones for Indian viewers.

Bollywood's Diwali releases, 'Thamma' and 'Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat', have experienced a significant drop in collections after a promising opening. Industry experts attribute the underwhelming performance to genres that failed to resonate with the festive spirit and unappealing content, indicating a more discerning audience.

Microsoft and Collective Artists Network are joining forces. They will use Microsoft Azure AI to create new kinds of films and content. This partnership aims to bring advanced AI tools to India's entertainment industry. Projects like 'Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal' and AI-enabled micro-dramas are planned. This collaboration will reshape storytelling and creative expression.

IMDb's study on 25 years of Indian cinema reveals significant shifts. Mass cinema enjoys wide acceptance. Creative collaborations are increasing across industries. Star-fan relationships are changing. Content and genre now matter more than film language. Mid-sized films are finding new audiences through the platform. Indian users show a preference for video-rich experiences and curated rankings.

The winds of change in Indian cinema are blowing strong as Hollywood resurfaces with renewed vigor. Major studios are diving into local film ventures, forming alliances that go beyond mere distribution to co-owning the creative assets. This evolution taps into the burgeoning audience in India’s box office and streaming scene. Behemoths like Amazon MGM Studios and Warner Bros.

India is launching a new digital portal to simplify permissions for live shows and cultural festivals, aiming for approvals within 15 days. This move by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, developed by the Live Events Development Cell, seeks to boost the rapidly growing ₹20,800 crore live entertainment market and create millions of jobs.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has partnered with Baseball United to broadcast the league's inaugural season live in India. The deal brings 21 games, featuring India's first professional baseball franchise, the Mumbai Cobras, to Indian audiences this November and December. Matches will stream on Zee5 and air on Zee Café SD, &Flix SD, and &Pictures HD in English and Hindi.

JioStar and Collective Media Network are launching 'Mahabharat: Ek Dharmayudh,' India's first AI-powered premium entertainment series. This 100-episode show, streaming on JioHotstar from October 25 and airing on Star Plus from October 26, reimagines the epic with advanced AI for an immersive visual experience, blending tradition and technology.

Industry execs project incremental ad spend of around ₹5,400 cr as festive season revives consumer demand in FMCG, durables and auto sectors

Zee Entertainment's promoters are enthusiastic about boosting their investment in the company. They are currently exploring various strategies for this move, keeping in mind that any formal transactions will need the nod from shareholders. Surprisingly, they haven't yet thought of acquiring shares through the open market.

PVR Inox will host a Birthday Film Festival for Shah Rukh Khan. The event starts October 31, ahead of his 60th birthday. Over two weeks, 75 cinemas across 30 cities will screen his biggest hits. Films like Chennai Express, Devdas, Dil Se, Main Hoon Na, and Jawan will be shown. This celebrates the actor's 33-year journey in cinema.

PVR Inox reported a significant profit surge to Rs 127 crore, fueled by strong film content and increased audience turnout. Revenue climbed 12% to Rs 1,843 crore, with advertising revenue hitting a post-pandemic high. Despite no mega-blockbusters, mid-range films drove growth, indicating a content-led industry shift. The company is also actively reducing debt and plans screen expansion.

Sports and media company LegaXy has signed fast bowler Harshit Rana. LegaXy will manage his endorsements, branding, and career. Rana is a rising star for Kolkata Knight Riders. He has represented India in all formats. LegaXy aims to build his brand off the field. Rana expressed excitement for the partnership.

JioStar reported a net profit of ₹1,322 crore for the September quarter, driven by strong performance across sports and entertainment. The media giant reached over 830 million viewers, with JioHotstar averaging 400 million monthly active users. Key content like IPL monetisation and popular shows contributed to significant revenue and viewership growth.

Reliance Industries' Jio Star platform shows early signs of recovery in Q2FY26, with linear TV entertainment ad revenue posting double-digit growth despite FMCG spending cuts. The platform's entertainment viewership share increased, and digital ad sales maintained a solid trajectory, contributing to record EBITDA performance and robust subscription revenue.

Rishab Shetty's "Kantara: Chapter 1" has achieved a remarkable box office success, grossing over Rs 717.50 crore worldwide in just two weeks. The prequel to the 2022 hit, set in pre-colonial Karnataka, has garnered widespread acclaim for its compelling narrative, performances, and visual grandeur.

Sony Pictures Networks India experienced a significant profit drop and revenue dip in FY25, despite strengthening its cash reserves. Falling ad revenues and a stagnant pay-TV base impacted performance, though the company maintains a strong position across television, sports, and digital platforms, with its flagship channel ranking among top global YouTube channels.

Streaming platforms are now releasing films in Indian theatres. This marks a significant shift in the entertainment industry. Platforms like Amazon MGM Studios are moving beyond content creation and acquisition to distribution and exhibition. This strategy aims to unlock new revenue streams. The industry's power balance is changing as streamers are gaining more influence.

The Supreme Court is reviewing a copyright dispute. Sony Entertainment wants a case filed by Ilaiyaraaja's firm moved to the Bombay High Court. This follows a previous dismissal of a similar plea. Sony claims it purchased the rights to Ilaiyaraaja's music. The new lawsuit involves different films. The court has issued a notice for a response.

The Gujarati film industry is experiencing a boom. Universal stories and modern themes are attracting audiences. Strong community groups and digital promotion are driving word-of-mouth success. Box office collections have more than doubled. Mid-budget films are performing well, with good returns from streamers and state subsidies supporting growth. New genres are also being explored.

India's information and broadcasting sector saw a significant 84% year-on-year drop in FDI inflows to Rs 552.45 crore in the June 2025 quarter. This decline reflects a slowdown in cross-border deals, despite several greenfield and brownfield investments in digital media, advertising, and entertainment segments.

Superstar Hrithik Roshan ventures into streaming as a producer with Prime Video's upcoming thriller series, 'Storm' (working title). Produced under his banner HRX Films, the Mumbai-set series explores ambition and secrets, marking Roshan's debut in long-form digital storytelling with a strong ensemble cast.

New draft accessibility guidelines from the information and broadcasting ministry could significantly increase compliance costs for OTT platforms. While new content will require accessibility features within six months, retrofitting older and licensed titles presents complex rights and technical challenges for platforms.

The I&B ministry has urged BARC to integrate Connected TV (CTV) viewership into its measurement framework to enhance the system as consumers increasingly adopt CTV. This comes as BARC's registration renewal is pending, with the ministry seeking clarifications and proposing amendments to rating guidelines.

India's non-cricket sports leagues are striving for success after the IPL's model. Many face challenges like broadcaster exits and fan engagement issues. Pro Kabaddi League shows promise but needs sustained momentum. Football's Indian Super League has had a difficult financial journey. Other leagues are exploring leaner approaches and long-term investment.

India's telecom regulator Trai is considering allowing distributors like Tata Play to create their own channel bouquets, a move that could lower consumer bills. Broadcasters oppose this, fearing reduced control, while distributors argue it's fairer and beneficial for consumers facing annual price hikes.

New government guidelines mandate OTT platforms to offer at least one accessibility feature, such as Indian Sign Language interpretation, closed captions, or audio descriptions, for all new programming. These measures aim to ensure content access for individuals with hearing and visual impairments, with phased implementation over two years.

PVR INOX has launched India's first 'dine-in cinema' at Bengaluru's M5 ECity Mall, transforming the movie-going experience into a lifestyle destination. Patrons can now enjoy chef-curated meals in-seat, alongside blockbuster films, with a diverse range of food and beverage options available. The multiplex also boasts state-of-the-art projection and sound technology for an immersive cinematic journey.

Hollywood and Bollywood groups are urging an Indian panel to strengthen copyright laws, preventing AI firms from using their intellectual property for model training. Content owners advocate for a licensing regime, arguing blanket exceptions would undermine creative incentives and business sustainability. The government panel is finalizing recommendations on this critical issue.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited Yash Raj Films in Mumbai to strengthen cultural ties and promote collaboration between the British and Indian film industries. His visit, amid heavy security, is seen as a step towards fostering creative partnerships and cultural exchange programs. Starmer will also attend an English Premier League football showcase event later today.

Amazon MGM Studios is enhancing its film strategy by prioritizing theatrical releases for three to four Indian films annually starting in 2026. This move underscores a belief in the cinema experience, aiming to reach a global audience with authentic Indian storytelling. The company emphasizes originality and localization to ensure its content resonates both domestically and internationally.

The Delhi High Court has summoned Red Chillies Entertainment. This action follows a defamation plea filed by former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. The plea concerns the film Baads of Bollywood. Red Chillies Entertainment and other defendants must submit a reply within seven days. The court also directed the petitioner to provide a copy of the petition to all defendants.

India is aiming to become a global content production hub. The government is working to create a supportive environment for the media and entertainment sector. Focus is on animation, gaming, content exports, and live events. Efforts are underway to combat piracy and boost the concert economy. This initiative seeks to enhance India's global influence through its stories.

India's creative sector must move to the forefront of economic growth. Gaurav Banerjee of Sony Pictures Networks India emphasized the need for investment and robust institutions. He highlighted successful models like the Indian Premier League and the Malayalam film industry. Building creative centers of excellence is crucial for nurturing talent and achieving global success in media and entertainment.

Kevin Vaz, FICCI's Media & Entertainment Committee Chairman, advocates for reduced regulations in India's broadcasting sector. He believes this will foster innovation and competitiveness. Vaz highlighted the industry's significant growth and its pivotal role in India becoming a global content hub. He emphasized the need for collaboration between policymakers and businesses to sustain this momentum.

Netflix is joining hands with IICT and FICCI. This partnership aims to build the next generation of creative-technology talent in India. Scholarships will be offered to students. Netflix will also contribute to national councils shaping India's AVGC-XR sector. This collaboration will empower youth and enhance the nation's creative capabilities. It will equip aspiring creators with tools for innovation in entertainment.

Balaji Telefilms is pivoting its digital strategy with a multi-platform approach, launching the Kutingg app for family-oriented content and expanding its YouTube network. The company is also venturing into microdramas and collaborating with independent creators through Balaji Studios, aiming for a diversified, sustainable digital model.

FanCode has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the UEFA Women's Champions League, bringing the revamped 18-team League Phase to Indian fans. The platform will offer free access to one match per matchweek, making elite women's club football more accessible. The season kicks off on October 7, featuring top European clubs and global stars.

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has ordered the immediate closure of the Bigg Boss Kannada studio in Bidadi, Bengaluru South, citing violations of environmental laws. The studio, run by Vels Studios and Entertainment, lacked required consents under the Water and Air Pollution Acts. Authorities warned of penalties for non-compliance and have sought local administrative support to enforce the order.