News & Gossip

India's entertainment giants JioStar and Zee are locked in a legal battle. JioStar accuses Zee of broadcasting movies it holds rights to. This follows an earlier lawsuit by Zee against JioStar. The disputes involve hundreds of millions of dollars. Both companies reach vast audiences across India. Legal notices have been exchanged. Zee claims some broadcasts were accidental.

Dhurandhar 2 OTT release date: The Ranveer Singh starrer will stream on JioHotstar from June 4, 2026. A special 30-minute pre-show will offer behind-the-scenes content. The film will be available in its original, unfiltered form. This spy-action thriller is directed by Aditya Dhar and features R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal. JioHotstar aims for an immersive digital premiere experience.

Tencent is investing significantly in India's creative industries. The company will fund skill development and training programs for animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics. This initiative aims to boost India's 'Orange Economy' and create jobs. Partnerships will focus on talent development and global collaboration. India plans to train millions in this sector by 2030.

TATA IPL 2026 has achieved a record 1.1 billion viewers across TV and digital platforms. Audience engagement is growing steadily. Digital reach is up 15% and watch-time increased by 7%. Connected TV consumption also saw significant growth. Regional language viewership jumped 42%. New advertisers have joined, boosting sponsorship.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) saw its net surplus jump to $543.3 million in 2025. This increase came as event costs significantly decreased. Total revenue saw a slight fall. ICC members' funds nearly doubled, showing strong financial health. The governing body is preparing for its next media rights cycle.

India's emerging microdrama market is set for growth. Experts predict business models focusing on viewer engagement and repeat viewing will lead. The sector is currently experimenting with various approaches. Significant growth is expected in the coming years. India's large smartphone user base and data ecosystem are key drivers. This format offers a strong opportunity for content creators and platforms.

Indian cinema is back to prioritizing movie theaters. Films now stream much later after their big screen debut. This shift is driven by studios seeking box-office success. Streaming platforms are spending less on movie rights. This change benefits all involved in the industry. Box-office collections reached a record high in 2025.

The Delhi High Court has sent a commercial dispute between JioStar India and Absolute Legends Sports to arbitration. The case involves media and commercial rights for the Legends League Cricket Masters T20 tournament. Key revenues from franchise fees and ticket sales are protected pending the arbitrator's decision.

Indian cinema is returning to a theatrical-first release model. Streaming platforms are reducing spending, and studios are focusing on box office success. Films now arrive on OTT services about eight weeks after their cinema debut. This shift marks a departure from direct-to-digital premieres. Box office collections are rising, while digital licensing demand has weakened.

WPP Media India declared brands face "permanent disruption" due to AI, quick commerce, and evolving consumer behavior, reshaping marketing and storytelling. At its BREW 2026 event, leaders discussed AI-led innovation and the need to rethink engagement in a rapidly changing media landscape.

HYBE India and Snap India are joining forces. They are launching an augmented reality audition process on Snapchat. Aspiring artists can now audition for a new global girl group. This initiative aims to reach talent across India and the diaspora. Educational content will also be available. This partnership expands access for young performers.

Netflix reveals massive global investments in films and series. Over the last decade, the company poured more than $135 billion into content. This has boosted the world economy by over $325 billion. It also created more than 425,000 jobs. Netflix is committed to continued investment in creators and production worldwide.

In an inspiring financial turnaround, PVR INOX reported a net profit of ₹186 crore for the March quarter, bouncing back decisively from last year's losses. Their annual performance also dazzled, ending with a robust profit of ₹333 crore.

The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation has joined a legal battle concerning Prasar Bharati's WAVES platform. The dispute centers on whether OTT services can stream live TV channels. The All India Digital Cable Federation argues against this, citing distribution rules. Prasar Bharati contends TRAI lacks jurisdiction over OTT content. This revives earlier debates on internet-delivered television services.

India's online gaming sector is approaching the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for guidance on new gaming rules. Companies need operational clarity on classification, compliance and approval processes. The absence of phased implementation creates uncertainty for user safety and compliance measures, they say.

Major production houses are exploring micro-drama format as a test bed for IP and branded content opportunities.

Lionsgate Play is set to invest heavily in creating intellectual property worth Rs 1,000 crore. The company is shifting towards becoming a full-stack entertainment firm. It will focus on premium content, AI-led production and diverse monetization strategies. This move aims to accelerate growth and build franchises.

Cricket in India is becoming more than just a sport. Broadcasters and streaming services are creating new shows and content around cricketers with an aim to keep fans engaged throughout the year. Platforms are partnering with teams and players for original programming. This shift creates new opportunities for brands to connect with audiences.

Cricket captain Rohit Sharma is entering the entertainment world. He will appear on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. This marks his first major move into entertainment programming. Sony Pictures Networks India is launching a teaser campaign. This association aims to offer advertisers a cross-platform brand opportunity.

The National Company Law Tribunal has admitted an insolvency petition against Prime Focus Ltd. Reliance Alpha Services Pvt Ltd filed the petition. Prime Focus is disputing the claim. The company has approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal for relief. Prime Focus's business operations continue as usual. The company is involved in global VFX and post-production services.

Zee Entertainment and JioStar India are heading to mediation to resolve a music copyright dispute. Zee sued JioStar for alleged unauthorized use of its music. The Delhi High Court has ordered both companies to attempt an amicable settlement. JioStar must not use Zee's licensed works while the mediation is ongoing. The next hearing is scheduled for July 23.

Amazon's integration of MX Player with Prime Video signals a trend towards unified streaming platforms in India. This move aims to reduce churn, enhance content discovery, and boost monetization by combining subscription, ad-supported, and transactional offerings. The strategy addresses slowing subscriber growth and rising content costs in the price-sensitive Indian market.

Bigg Boss Marathi Season 6 concluded successfully. The grand finale became the highest-rated Marathi reality show of the year. Hosted by Riteish Deshmukh, the season reached millions of viewers. Tanvi Kolte emerged as the winner. The show generated substantial online conversation and remained a popular talking point across platforms.

Amazon Prime Video is integrating Amazon MX Player to create India's largest streaming destination, combining free and paid content. This move unifies SVOD, AVOD, and TVOD offerings under one platform, aiming to provide a comprehensive entertainment experience for all users and a significant opportunity for advertisers.

The government has extended its order to withhold Television Rating Points for TV news channels. This measure aims to curb sensational and speculative content. The extension is for four more weeks. Officials stated the move is in the public interest. It is intended to prevent panic among the public regarding the West Asia conflict.

Zee Entertainment has sued the Reliance-Disney joint venture. Zee alleges the company used its copyrighted music without permission after license agreements ended. Zee is seeking $3 million in damages. The lawsuit highlights growing disputes over content rights in India's media market.

Smart TV use is growing fast in India. Southern regions lead in smart TV ownership. This is due to better internet and more people wanting big screens for streaming. India's internet use is becoming more advanced. Many Indians are online, mostly on phones. Video watching and social media are very popular.

Foreign direct investment in India's information and broadcasting sector saw a sharp quarterly decline in Q3 FY26, yet cumulative inflows for the first nine months rose significantly. This overall increase was propelled by substantial investments in major players like Prime Focus, alongside several smaller but notable transactions across the industry.

Zee Entertainment has sued Nykaa's parent company, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, for using its songs in Instagram promotions without permission. Nykaa's lawyers argue that Instagram's music licensing covers such usage. The company has removed the disputed reels. This case highlights ongoing challenges in music copyright compliance within India's commercial landscape.

Zee Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Nykaa. The company alleges Nykaa used its copyrighted songs in Instagram reels to promote products. Zee is seeking damages of $210,000. Nykaa's lawyer informed the court that the disputed links have been removed. The case will be heard again on May 26.

The NCLT has permitted filmmaker Aanand L Rai to pursue arbitration in a dispute with Eros International Media. The tribunal deemed Eros's petition a 'dressed-up petition' intended to bypass their arbitration agreement. This ruling favors Rai, directing the matter to arbitration as originally agreed. The NCLT's decision highlights the importance of contractual arbitration clauses.

Bollywood production houses are increasingly entering the film distribution space over the past two years as a structural shift driven by rising production costs and changing revenue models.

Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Harsh Deep Chhabra as Head of Strategy and New Business, with the executive joining from Godrej Consumer Products Limited.

The Delhi High Court has stayed an order directing Tata Play to deposit ₹450 crore for alleged profiteering under GST, pending further hearing. The tribunal had held that the company did not pass on the benefit of reduced tax incidence to consumers after GST, despite additional input tax credit, but Tata Play challenged the findings, arguing no such benefit was due.

Times Music has acquired Catrack Entertainment, a significant move to boost its regional music collection. This deal brings a valuable Punjabi music catalogue from the 1990s into Times Music's ownership. The company aims to monetize this legacy content through various channels. This acquisition highlights Times Music's strategy to consolidate important regional music assets in India.

Manu Wadhwa will move from Chief Human Resources Officer to Strategy Advisor at Sony Pictures Networks India starting July 1, 2026. She will advise the leadership team on key strategic priorities. The company will search for a new CHRO. Wadhwa has been instrumental in strengthening the company's people and organizational agenda over seven years.

Roblox has appointed former Amazon Web Services executive Sunil Rao as Managing Director for its India operations. Rao will lead the company's strategy, foster partnerships, and support the creator ecosystem in India. His role will focus on empowering local developers and ensuring child safety and regulatory alignment.

India's gaming incubator LVL Zero has revealed its ecosystem partners for its first 100-day sprint. Ten startups were chosen from over 240 applications. These partners will offer hands-on support in areas like analytics, monetisation, and publishing. LVL Zero aims to bridge gaps in India's gaming sector. The incubator plans to back over 100 startups in the next five years.

Integral Ad Science has launched a new solution called IAS Total TV. This aims to bring much-needed transparency to connected TV advertising. It offers marketers detailed insights into where their ads appear across major streaming platforms. This development addresses a key challenge as advertisers invest more in streaming. The platform provides a unified view of campaign performance and brand safety.

A new wave of faith-based filmmaking is emerging in India. Religious leaders from various traditions are supporting an eight-film series on Hindu gods. This initiative draws inspiration from successful models like Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' and 'Chaar Sahibzaade'. The first film, 'The Chronicles of Devi: Chapter 1 - Mahishasura', has been announced.

The passing of Asha Bhosle at the age of 92 marks the end of an era for Indian music. She was part of an iconic group alongside Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh, creating an unparalleled legacy. Their enchanting melodies still resonate deeply with fans today.

Indian cinema anticipates a slowdown in box office earnings for 2026. Major film releases are being pushed back, creating a content gap. This shift impacts projected growth, with revised estimates now showing a 10-15% increase instead of the earlier 25-30%. Producers are rethinking strategies after recent franchise successes, leading to reshoots and a focus on mid-budget films.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has advised ZEE5 against releasing the docu-series 'Lawrence of Punjab' due to concerns raised by Punjab Police about public order risks. The Punjab Congress chief had also petitioned the High Court, fearing glorification of gangster culture. The ministry's advisory cited potential negative influence on youth and undermining law enforcement efforts.

The Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation is requesting an extension to implement new television rating rules. Key provisions regarding board restructuring, panel expansion, and cross-screen measurement require more time. The industry body also raised concerns about the role of distribution platforms and tech firms in audience measurement. These changes impact significant ad spends.

Makers of popular video game PUBG looks to double down on investments and IP creation. Will invest both from its balance sheet as well as a new tech focussed fund.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has rolled out a new directive for IPTV operators, reinforcing the importance of the 2008 policy guidelines. It emphasizes that telecom licensees and cable providers must file a self-attested declaration prior to launching their services. This user-friendly approach eliminates unnecessary third-party involvement, while also advising caution against any unauthorized representatives.

TIPS Music Limited (formerly Tips Industries Limited), one of India's leading publicly listed music labels, announced its audited financial results for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026, delivering strong growth across key financial metrics.

Microdrama platforms are partnering with telecom operators to combat market fragmentation and boost subscriptions. With over 20 apps and significant growth, the sector faces challenges in monetizing through advertising. Telcos aim to replicate successful OTT bundling models to increase ARPU and retention by offering combined data and content packages.

The ET Women Conclave 2026 celebrated inspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers with dialogues on authenticity, wellness, and impact. The event featured discussions on women scripting their success, staying true to themselves, and leading with confidence. It also highlighted advancements in women's health and the future of Indian craft-based fashion.

While most Indian streaming platforms have adopted hybrid ad-supported and subscription models due to high churn, Netflix remains an ad-free outlier. Despite global ad revenue growth and a successful ad-supported tier elsewhere, India's unique market dynamics and Netflix's premium positioning are key factors. Experts predict Netflix will eventually introduce advertising to expand its reach and revenue.