News & Gossip

WPP has launched WPP Media, replacing GroupM, to provide integrated, AI-driven solutions for marketers. Managing over $60 billion in media investment, WPP Media aims to unify media, data, and production strategies through WPP Open, its AI-enabled marketing system. This strategic shift focuses on personalization at scale and future-focused learning to equip employees for the AI era.

JioHotstar dominated India's OTT landscape in March 2025, capturing a significant share of viewership, according to Nielsen. Netflix secured the second position, while other platforms had a smaller presence. The report highlights viewer preferences across films, original series, and non-original shows, with JioHotstar leading in films and MX Player topping the original series category.

Hollywood has revitalized the Indian box office after a slow period, with films like Mission Impossible, Final Destination, and Lilo & Stitch collectively earning Rs 124.79 crore. While the success of these blockbusters is being attributed to loyal fan bases, compelling scripts, and the appeal of final chapters; Bollywood's performance continues to remain disappointing.

Intelsat, a US-based satellite operator, has secured Indian government approval to directly provide satellite coverage to domestic media organizations. This authorization from IN-SPACe allows Intelsat to operate four geostationary satellites, enhancing content delivery within India and internationally. The move has already led to new business from three major Indian media companies, expanding Intelsat's presence in the region.

TDSAT has blocked SPNI from disconnecting Tata Play, ordering the DTH operator to pay Rs 40 crore as part payment against SPNI's claimed dues of Rs 128 crore. The tribunal urged both parties to reconcile their disputes, addressing commercial disagreements over subscription renewal amid declining viewership and financial losses reported by Tata Play.

Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal intervened in the Tata Play and Sony Pictures Networks India case. Tribunal directed Sony not to disconnect Tata Play services. Tata Play has been instructed to pay Rupees 40 crore to Sony as part payment. This payment addresses Sony's claimed dues of Rupees 128 crore.

JioStar and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have partnered to broadcast India's 2025-26 cricket tours of England. JioStar secures exclusive digital streaming rights for JioHotstar, while SPNI retains TV rights via Sony Entertainment Television. This collaboration aims to broaden cricket coverage accessibility, reflecting a growing trend of shared distribution strategies in sports broadcasting.

Great news for cricket lovers. JioStar and Sony will broadcast India's England tours. The partnership covers both digital and television platforms. JioStar will stream matches on JioHotstar. Sony will broadcast on Sony Sports Network. The highlight is the five-match Test series in June 2025. A white-ball tour in 2026 is also included.

Indian music labels are experiencing slower revenue growth due to a structural shift in the audio streaming ecosystem. Several platforms have shut down or moved to subscription models, impacting ad-supported revenue. While this transition causes short-term disruptions, industry executives view the shift towards paid subscriptions as a positive sign for long-term, sustainable growth, mirroring global trends.

The Hindi film industry faces a crisis as actors' high non-film income leads to complacency and a lack of creative collaboration. Producers struggle to fund films due to actors' reluctance to reduce fees, impacting film quality. Industry observers suggest actors should align their financial interests with film success, like Shahrukh Khan, to ensure commitment and improve the industry's overall health.

Bollywood's influence on Indian travel is evolving, with 'set-jetting' now a major trend, especially among younger generations. Fueled by streaming platforms, destinations featured in shows like 'The White Lotus' and 'Emily in Paris' are seeing a surge in bookings.

The Supreme Court has put a hold on a Rs 5,712-crore GST notice issued to First Games, a real money gaming platform owned by One97 Communications. This decision follows a writ petition filed by First Games challenging the notice.

Cignal Super, powered by Tata Play Binge, has officially launched in the Philippines, integrating eight entertainment platforms under one subscription. This collaboration provides Filipino viewers with seamless access to content from MAX, VIU, and others through a unified interface. Tata Play Binge's PaaS model enables Cignal to revolutionize entertainment experiences, marking a significant step in Cignal's evolution.

Tata Play's net loss widened to Rs 510 crore in 2024-25, accompanied by a revenue decline due to a shrinking subscriber base facing competition from DD Free Dish and OTT platforms. Merger talks with Bharti Airtel collapsed, while the company invests in broadband and OTT services to offset DTH losses.

The Supreme Court affirmed that broadcasters are responsible for paying both service tax and entertainment tax on broadcasting activities. This ruling clarifies that both Parliament and state legislatures possess the authority to impose these taxes. The court emphasised that these taxes represent distinct aspects of the same activity, enabling different legislatures to levy taxes under separate entries in different lists.

Banijay Asia and Nodwin Gaming have partnered to expand their presence in India's gaming and youth entertainment sector. The collaboration will involve Banijay Asia producing Nodwin Gaming's Playground, a gaming reality show.

French Open: FanCode and Sony LIV are partnering to broadcast Roland Garros 2025 in India, offering comprehensive coverage of every match. This collaboration marks FanCode's entry into tennis, providing Indian audiences with flexible viewing options, including pay-per-view for individual matches or the entire tournament.

Several high-profile Hindi films, including Sikandar and Raid 2, have been leaked online before their official release, severely impacting their box office performance. This emerging trend of pre-release piracy, suspected to involve insiders, undermines theatrical potential and digital deals.

Tata Play and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) are facing renewed tensions as Tata Play removes SPNI channels from its packs due to SPNI's demand for a 10-15% subscription fee increase. Tata Play resists this increase amid subscriber churn and stagnant ARPU, offering affected customers price reductions and à la carte options.

Hindi films like Sikandar and Raid 2 are increasingly leaked online before release, severely impacting box office performance. Insiders are suspected, with post-production, content delivery, and exhibition companies identified as potential sources. Piracy, fueled by illegal streaming, mobile apps, and social media, caused significant losses to the film industry in 2023, necessitating multi-layered anti-piracy strategies.

Indian television news viewership surged between May 3rd and 9th. This rise coincided with Operation Sindoor. 507 million viewers tuned in, marking the highest weekly total since 2022. News viewership accounted for 16% of all television viewing. Hindi news channels recorded 254 GRPs. Average viewing time increased to 60 minutes.

Broadcasters anticipate a recovery in FY26, driven by easing churn, new pay-TV subscribers, and industry consolidation. The resurgence of FTA channels on DD Free Dish is expected to boost advertising revenue, particularly in rural areas. While linear TV shows signs of strength, advertising revenue remains under pressure due to macroeconomic factors, posing a challenge for the industry.

Cannes Film Festival expands beyond movies. It explores immersive storytelling. Technology like AI and VR creates new experiences. 'tAxI' turns a cab into a confessional. 'Lili' adapts Macbeth as a game set in Iran. 'In the Current of Being' shares a conversion therapy survivor's story. These installations blur reality and art. They offer new perspectives.

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited is transitioning into a content and technology-driven company, aiming for high-quality content and immersive experiences. As part of its growth strategy, ZEE is improving performance by integrating technology across content creation and distribution.

Sapphire Media Limited has successfully acquired the debt-ridden Reliance Broadcast Network, owner of Big FM 92.7, through the insolvency process. The acquisition, approved by NCLT and NCLAT, includes all statutory approvals from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Sony Group Corporation is strategically expanding its music business in high-potential markets like India and Latin America, aiming to bolster revenue streams and asset value. Entertainment now constitutes a significant 61% of Sony's consolidated sales. The company is exploring strategic investments in content, music catalogues, and growth areas such as anime, while also focusing on expanding its IP portfolio.

Kuku, an Indian storytelling platform, is poised for global expansion, targeting the US and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines, and South Korea. With a vast library of audio stories and microdramas, Kuku aims to connect with the Indian diaspora and tap into the growing interest in Indian content abroad.

Content production houses are facing challenges due to a backlog of unreleased films and streaming content, resulting in significant unsold inventory. With broadcasters and OTT platforms reducing budgets, the industry is grappling with falling acquisition prices and consolidation. Several studios, including Applause Entertainment and Jio Studios, are affected by this slowdown, impacting both film and TV show productions.

Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) has partnered with JioStar for three years, becoming the league's official broadcast and streaming partner until 2027. JioStar will offer exclusive live, multilingual coverage on TV and digital platforms, aiming to broaden the sport's reach in India. UTT Season 6 will feature a blend of Indian and international players, with promotional programming starting May 12.

Neela Mediatech, backed by 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah' producer Asit Kumarr Modi, is planning a significant funding round of Rs 100–150 crore in the next 18–24 months to fuel expansion in gaming, animation, and edtech. Initially, the company is raising Rs 25–40 crore, supplemented by Modi's Rs 25 crore investment, while maintaining consistent production of the popular TV show.

Amazon Prime Video in India will introduce limited advertisements starting June 17, 2025, while offering an ad-free option for ₹699 annually or ₹129 monthly. This shift aims to sustain content investment without impacting existing Prime benefits like free delivery, access to originals, and other Prime perks.

Gameskraft, a leading Indian skill-based online gaming company, has announced a strategic pause in its Poker platform, Pocket52, to revamp its offering for sustainable growth. The platform will cease gameplay by May 30, 2025, and the 'Add Cash' feature will be disabled from May 22, 2025. Despite this, the app will remain accessible for withdrawals until July 2025.

Geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have significantly impacted the Hindi film industry, leading to delayed promotions, postponed releases, and potential losses of ₹150-200 crore. Uncertainty in theatrical performance and low producer confidence further contribute to the industry's woes, with some films opting for direct streaming releases. While some believe the impact will be minimal, others fear substantial financial repercussions.

The Indian Influencer Governing Council (IIGC) has launched a Code of Standards for consumers to promote ethical engagement and informed decision-making in influencer marketing. This code addresses recognizing paid promotions, identifying manipulation tactics, understanding AI influencers, and avoiding scams. The IIGC plans awareness workshops to equip users with tools to identify red flags, fostering a safer, more transparent digital ecosystem.

Zee Entertainment will invest 40% of its FCF in growth areas like regional content, music, and digital, and 25–30% of net profit as dividends. With FY25 profit at ₹679 crore, it targets stronger ZEE5 monetisation, D2C expansion, and M&A. FY26 goals include 17.5% TV viewership and 8–10% ad revenue growth, supported by a platform-agnostic content strategy.

FanCode has secured a five-year deal to exclusively broadcast LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion in India, starting from the 2025/26 season. The platform will also stream the remaining matches of the current season, including the highly anticipated ELCLÁSICO. This partnership aims to enhance fan engagement through comprehensive marketing campaigns and broaden LaLiga's reach to new audiences in India.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises is exploring all options, including legal and out-of-court settlements, in its dispute with Reliance-Disney's JioStar over a terminated $1.5 billion cricket broadcast rights deal. The case, currently in the London Court of International Arbitration, is expected to be resolved by early next year. Zee maintains it doesn't foresee any significant negative impact from the proceedings.

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. has appointed Rohit Suri as its new Chief Human Resources Officer, effective May 12th, 2025. Suri will report to CEO Punit Goenka and will be responsible for strengthening the company's human capital and enhancing workforce capabilities. With over 25 years of experience, Suri's expertise will drive innovation and collaboration within ZEE.

JioStar affirmed its commitment to national interest following the IPL's suspension due to escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan. The company pledged support to the government and armed forces, expressing intentions to collaborate with the BCCI to reschedule the tournament when appropriate. Industry experts anticipate minimal financial impact, emphasizing national unity and security as paramount.

Indian OTT platforms are changing their content. They are adding short microdramas for mobile users. Korean dramas are also becoming popular. Platforms like MX Player and Netflix are investing in these formats. This helps them keep viewers interested. The goal is to offer diverse entertainment. Platforms are adapting to changing audience tastes. They are also expanding their content libraries.

Zee Entertainment and Star India are embroiled in arbitration over a terminated sub-licensing agreement for ICC broadcast rights, with Star seeking $940 million in damages. Zee is contesting the claims, asserting no default and demanding a refund of $8 million.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has directed all OTT platforms and digital streaming services in India to immediately remove any media content originating from Pakistan. This advisory, issued on Thursday, is based on national security concerns. It encompasses web series, films, songs, podcasts, and all other streaming media, regardless of whether they are subscription-based or free.

Tata Play Binge has partnered with BBC Player, bringing a wide array of British entertainment to Indian viewers. The collaboration enhances Tata Play Binge's content library with dramas, comedies, documentaries, and family-friendly shows. This addition strengthens Tata Play Binge's position as a leading platform for accessing multiple OTT services through a single subscription.

Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Board of AI Ethics & Creative Stewardship at Studio Blo. He will guide the studio's work at the intersection of AI, storytelling, and ethical content creation. Kapur's experience will help Studio Blo use AI responsibly and explore new approaches to filmmaking, potentially creating a new genre of AI films.

Online gaming companies challenge the retrospective application of 28% GST, arguing that games of skill shouldn't be equated with gambling. They contest the tax levy on actionable claims, citing established legal precedents. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions against show-cause notices totaling ₹1.12 lakh crore issued to online gaming firms and casinos for alleged tax evasion.

Disney reported a $103 million equity loss in Q2 FY25 from its India JV, JioStar, with Reliance and Bodhi Tree Systems, contributing to a $300 million loss over six months due to accounting adjustments.

Dish TV's Watcho introduces Fliqs, an OTT platform designed to empower professional content creators with tools for production, distribution, and monetization. Fliqs offers resources from concept development to diverse monetization models, enabling creators to retain content ownership and access transparent revenue sharing.

JioStar introduces JioStarverse, a data-driven platform designed to enhance influencer marketing with over 500 talents. It offers brands and agencies valuable insights, audience engagement data, and content performance analysis for targeted collaborations. The platform, powered by Qoruz, aims to provide smarter, scalable, and accountable influencer solutions through AI-driven insights and precise targeting.