News & Gossip

JioStar, which has over 34% TV network share, had challenged the high court’s decision upholding the CCI’s order to probe allegations of abuse of dominant position by the broadcaster against Asianet Digital Network (ADN). The Kerala High Court bench comprised Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Syam Kumar VM.

Collective Artists Network welcomes Janahavi Rawal, Sanjana Jain, and Rahul Regulapati as new partners. This strategic move signals the company's focus on expansion and leadership development. Rawal will lead talent management, Jain will head marketing and creative services, and Regulapati will oversee technology and AI initiatives. These appointments are crucial for Collective's evolution into a comprehensive media and entertainment network.

Actor Suriya has joined forces with Exceed Group. This collaboration aims to grow Suriya's business ventures. Exceed World will guide strategy, brand building, and new projects. The partnership focuses on creating lasting value beyond endorsements. It will explore opportunities in entertainment, business, and social impact. This move signifies a strategic expansion for Suriya's entrepreneurial vision.

Marico is acquiring a majority stake in Zea Maize, the company behind the 4700BC snacking brand. The deal with PVR Inox is valued at up to ₹226.83 crore. 4700BC founder Chirag Gupta will continue to lead the business. This move expands Marico's presence in the premium snacking market. PVR Inox is monetizing a non-core asset through this transaction.

Several Hindi films are being banned from theatrical release in the UAE, a significant market for Bollywood box office revenue. Producers cite divisive geopolitical elements in these films as the reason for the bans, impacting potential earnings and the overall overseas performance of affected movies.

Hindi general entertainment channels are shifting towards reality programming to attract male viewers and advertisers, moving beyond traditional female-dominated daily soaps. This strategic change aims to capitalize on changing viewing habits and the growing popularity of non-fiction genres across platforms, offering better engagement and monetization opportunities.

Sunny Deol's 'Border 2' has made a strong debut at the box office. The film collected Rs 32.10 crore net on its opening day. This sequel to the 1997 hit saw massive footfalls in cinemas. The movie is set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It reportedly did not release in six Gulf nations due to its narrative.

India's television audience is projected to reach nearly 1 billion viewers by 2029, driven by rising incomes, literacy, and internet penetration. A new IIMA study indicates growth will be led by rural areas and lower-income states, with internet access complementing TV's expansion. The report highlights television's continued relevance and socio-economic impact.

Hindi films drew more audiences to cinemas in 2025. Ticket sales for Hindi movies increased, bucking a general decline in all film footfalls. This growth highlights the importance of content. Producers believe good films will continue to attract viewers to theaters. The industry sees a co-existence of theatrical and home entertainment experiences. Word-of-mouth remains a key driver for successful films.

Tata Play Binge is launching a new content category called Shots. This features short, vertical micro-dramas designed for mobile viewing. The move aims to attract viewers with evolving habits and address the ongoing decline in DTH subscribers. Shots offers content from multiple creators and partners at no extra cost. This initiative reflects a broader industry trend towards short-form, mobile-first content.

TV ad spending dropped in 2025. A ban on real money gaming and budget cuts by major sectors caused this decline. Many advertisers moved to digital platforms like CTV and OTT. Despite this, TV advertising remains relevant for broad reach. Food and beverages led ad volumes. Overall TV ad revenue is projected to fall before growing again.

After surviving gruelling physical challenges and intense pitch rounds, cloud automation platform Toystack AI emerged as the season winner. Tim Draper awarded the $1 million prize in a dramatic finale that also saw other finalists receive unexpected investment offers.

Esports is becoming a lucrative career in India. Top players earn up to Rs 1 crore annually. Many players see it as a viable profession. Opportunities are growing for coaches and managers too. The market is projected for significant growth. Regulatory changes are expected to boost investment and user base. This evolving field offers new professional avenues.

JioHotstar introduces Shop the Look, a new feature for instant shopping directly from your mobile. Viewers can now buy products seen on screen without leaving the app. This innovation, starting with fashion and NEWME on MTV Splitsvilla, aims to make shopping effortless. The platform plans to expand this feature to other categories, tapping into India's growing creator-commerce market.

The World Pickleball League announced Sony LIV as its official digital streaming partner for Season 2. All 120 matches will be available live and on demand. This partnership expands the league's digital reach for its upcoming season. Season 2 features more teams, matches, and international players. Celebrity owners are also part of the league.

AI audio firm ElevenLabs has appointed Karthik Rajaram as its India head. Rajaram will lead strategy and revenue growth. He brings extensive experience in scaling tech businesses. India is a key market for AI voice technology. ElevenLabs is investing in local teams and partnerships. The company aims to deploy AI voice solutions at scale across India's diverse sectors.

Google-owned Gemini has secured a three-year sponsorship deal with the Indian Premier League (IPL) worth an estimated Rs 270 crore. This significant partnership highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence platforms in Indian cricket, following ChatGPT's sponsorship of the Women's Premier League.

Southern films across India are struggling at the box office, particularly as their share of Hindi film revenues sees a sharp decline. Analysts suggest that the root cause lies in a shortage of universal themes and repetitive storytelling. Relying solely on star power from various regions is no longer enough.

Silicon Valley startup FaiBLE Media Inc. has launched with a mission to decode the science of storytelling using AI. Co-founded by Sharad Devarajan and Dr. Mark Sagar, the company aims to develop new media experiences, including 'Quantum Stories' that offer non-linear narrative paths. FaiBLE seeks to identify scientific patterns behind emotional resonance in stories, inspired by scientific breakthroughs like AlphaFold.

JioHotstar will launch new monthly subscription plans on January 28, 2026. Prices will start at ₹79 for the Mobile tier. This offers more flexible payment options for viewers. New monthly, quarterly, and annual plans will be available for Mobile, Super, and Premium tiers. Hollywood content will be included in Super and Premium plans for new users.

ET NOW is set to broadcast a week-long special show, 'Davos Diaries,' nightly at 9 pm, featuring exclusive interviews with global leaders and offering daily insights into discussions shaping the economic agenda and their impact on India.

JioStar's net profit fell 33% quarter-on-quarter to ₹888 crore, despite a 12% rise in revenue to ₹6,896 crore, driven by growth in sports and entertainment. The company noted healthy subscription revenue across digital and TV, with digital entertainment hitting record highs. However, the TV advertising market remains challenging.

The company operates 28 linear television channels across Hindi, English, Marathi, and Bangla, spanning general entertainment, movies, kids and sports. While SPNI has a presence in select regional markets such as Marathi and Bangla, its scale in these markets remains limited, while South India remains a major vacuum in its portfolio.

The company has realigned its leadership team to support the transition from a linear-first model to an integrated linear and digital content strategy, with sharper ownership across content and a consolidated revenue structure.

Dhurandhar's massive success challenges the notion that Bollywood fails to reach its audience. By considering India's economic realities and limited screens, the true addressable market is revealed. This blockbuster achieved significant penetration within this smaller, yet dominant, segment, showcasing a sophisticated new Bollywood strategy where theatrical releases act as powerful marketing funnels for long-term ancillary profits.

Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have inked a landmark global Pay-1 licensing deal, granting Netflix exclusive worldwide streaming rights to SPE's feature films after their theatrical and home entertainment runs. This multi-year agreement, rolling out globally by early 2029, will also include select library titles, expanding Netflix's offerings with popular franchises and upcoming anticipated films.

Big Tree Entertainment, operating BookMyShow, saw its net profit surge to '192 crore in FY25. This growth stems from a robust performance in its ticketing and live events segments. The company's total income also increased significantly. Live events, including music festivals and concerts, played a key role in this expansion. BookMyShow's online ticketing business remained its largest revenue source.

Film studios are now acting more like moneylenders than co-producers. They are imposing tougher terms in film deals. This shift comes as many movies struggle to recover costs at the box office. Studios are focusing on safeguarding their capital. Producers now bear more risk, while studios maintain significant control over films and their intellectual property.

Netflix is preparing an all-cash offer for Warner Bros Discovery’s studios and streaming businesses, Reuters reported, intensifying a high-stakes takeover battle also involving Paramount. Warner Bros has so far leaned toward Netflix’s bid, citing lower financing risk, despite Paramount’s higher all-cash offer for the entire company.

Lionsgate has invested an estimated $100 million in its streaming business in the region over the years, sources familiar with the business said. The platform has around 5 million paid subscribers.

Netflix is adapting to Indian audience tastes, emphasizing clean entertainment. This was evident at an event where eight short films showcasing Indian start-ups were unveiled. These films, a collaboration between the government and Netflix, highlight social impact innovations. The initiative also provided skilling opportunities to students, offering them hands-on experience in animation and voiceovers.

The move comes as the global influencer marketing industry continues to grow rapidly and is projected to reach $90 billion by 2030. One has been created to meet increasing demand from brands for integrated creative solutions with global execution capabilities.

Indian film and entertainment production houses are changing how they get money. They now raise funds against confirmed deals with streaming services and TV channels. This new approach helps producers get working capital faster. It also offers investors a less risky way to fund content. Structured credit platforms are making financing quicker and cheaper for producers across India.

Doubling India's cinema screens in five years could create 1.25 lakh jobs and add Rs 950 crore in taxes. A report suggests increasing screens to 20,000 with measures like tax holidays. Deregulation of ticket pricing and granting industry status for electricity tariffs are recommended. Alternate theatre uses and 24x7 operations can boost revenue.

Sony Pictures Networks India is embarking on a significant transformation, with potential layoffs affecting more than 100 staff members as cost-saving measures take center stage. The outsourcing of post-production tasks is on the horizon, reflecting the organization's need to navigate tough market landscapes more effectively.

Prasar Bharati is launching 'Creator's Corner' on DD News and digital platforms. Content creators will get a 30-minute prime time slot five days a week. This initiative operates on a revenue-sharing model, with creators receiving 90 percent of the revenue. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is also undergoing restructuring to align with new technology and creators.

The Bombay High Court has ruled for IMAX Corporation in its arbitration case against Subhash Chandra's E-City Entertainment. This decision allows for the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards against the company. The court rejected E-City's objections. E-City Entertainment is restrained from dealing with its properties and assets. The court imposed costs on E-City Entertainment.

Indian cinema is set for a massive year. Big stars like Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Rajnikanth have major releases planned. This strong lineup of Hindi, regional, and Hollywood films is expected to boost box office collections significantly. Industry experts predict a record haul, with growth anticipated due to diverse content and increased Gen Z attendance.

Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' has shattered box office records, becoming the highest-earning Hindi film of all time with a net collection of Rs 831.40 crore. The spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, surpassed the previous record held by 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' (Hindi version). The film's success is attributed to its strong week-on-week performance and gripping narrative.

Indian cinema has reached a significant milestone. The film 'Homebound' has moved to the next voting stage for the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. This marks a rare achievement for Indian cinema. The film follows childhood friends and their aspirations. Final nominations will be announced soon. This recognition brings global attention to Indian filmmaking.

Universal Music Group's acquisition of a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment for ₹2,400 crore signals a potential surge in foreign M&A interest in India's media sector. The Maharashtra government is actively promoting Mumbai as a global creative hub, attracting sustained global interest across various entertainment verticals.

Universal Music Group has acquired a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment. This deal values the Bollywood production house at ₹2,400 crore. Excel Entertainment will retain creative control. UMG gains a strategic foothold in the video business. This partnership aims to take culturally rooted stories globally. It highlights a renewed wave of consolidation in the media industry.

Network18 has renewed its decade-long partnership with CNN International for its English news channel, CNN-News18, extending the agreement through December 31, 2035. This renewed collaboration will significantly enhance the channel's digital presence, expanding its reach on platforms like YouTube and Connected TV to a global audience.

Foreign investment surged in India's media sector. The information and broadcasting industry attracted ₹5,586 crore in the September quarter of FY26. Films and advertising led this growth. Overseas investors focused on content and production assets. Prime Focus was a major recipient of these funds. This marks a significant increase from previous quarters.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to foster structured growth in the live entertainment sector. This initiative aims to streamline processes, boost the concert economy, and position India as a leading global destination by 2030, supporting millions of jobs and significant economic expansion.

India's booming podcast industry faces a transparency crisis as paid interviews are increasingly disguised as organic content. For fees up to ₹30 lakh, individuals gain visibility, but audiences are often unaware, blurring the lines between genuine conversation and paid promotion. This practice raises concerns about consumer trust and the integrity of independent media.

Indians are travelling abroad for music festivals and concerts. This trend is growing and expected to continue in 2026. Popular destinations include Singapore, Bangkok, and Paris. Younger travellers and professionals are combining these events with short holidays. Many plan trips around global touring schedules and festival calendars. India's own music events also attract travellers.

Many Indian television channels are shutting down. Broadcasters are surrendering licenses as viewers move to digital platforms. This trend is driven by changing market conditions and financial challenges. Advertising revenue is also falling. This signals a major shift in India's media landscape.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor has declared the Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar' tax-free. The movie was filmed extensively in Ladakh, showcasing its scenic beauty. This move signals strong support for filmmakers. The administration is also developing a new film policy. 'Dhurandhar' has achieved significant box office success, becoming the first Hindi film to cross Rs 100 crore in its fourth week.

Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has achieved a historic box office milestone. It is the first Hindi film to cross Rs 100 crore in its fourth week. The movie has maintained strong collections for 28 consecutive days. Dhurandhar's performance highlights renewed audience interest in large-scale cinema. The film's total India net collection has reached Rs 784.50 crore.