News & Gossip

Mastercard is collaborating with EVA Live to host over 20 music events across India. The events will take place between October and December 2025. Global stars like Enrique Iglesias, A.R. Rahman, and DJ Tiesto are scheduled to perform. Mastercard cardholders will get early ticket access and exclusive discounts. This partnership marks Mastercard's entry into performing arts sponsorship in South Asia.

Zee Entertainment's Ashish Sehgal argues that complete transparency in audience measurement could devalue content and shift power to advertisers. He highlights the importance of balancing transparency with the need to sustain a broad content ecosystem, contrasting algorithm-driven platforms with those investing in original storytelling. Zee is adopting an omnichannel approach, focusing on intellectual property and expanding beyond traditional broadcasting.

The Bombay High Court has directed Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) regarding its dispute with Tata Play over the renewal of their annual agreement. SPNI had challenged a TDSAT directive to remove social media posts referencing Tata Play.

Indian agencies continued their success at the Cannes Festival of Creativity, securing two Silver Lions and one Bronze on Day 2, adding to their previous nine wins. Talented won Silver for 'Avani's Gold,' while VML India earned Silver for Coke Studio Bharat's 'The Girl Who Played the Tutari.' Ogilvy India secured a Bronze for its 'Eye Test Menu' campaign.

Kantar's Media Compass 2025 reveals that while linear TV remains popular with 58% viewership, connected TV is gaining traction with 35 million new viewers, especially among younger, male, and rural audiences. A significant 23% of Indians are now digital-only, highlighting a shift in content consumption patterns and the need for nuanced media strategies across platforms to effectively reach diverse demographics.

Pocket Entertainment has promoted Umesh Bude to Chief Technology Officer, recognizing his pivotal role in shaping the company's technological vision. Bude will spearhead AI-driven storytelling and enhance user engagement across platforms like Pocket FM and Pocket Toons. His focus includes advancing generative AI capabilities and ensuring cutting-edge tech solutions, solidifying Pocket Entertainment's position in AI-powered entertainment.

Tata Play is expanding its addressable advertising by partnering with ZEE Entertainment, enabling targeted campaigns on Zee Cinema SD in India's top eight metro cities. This initiative allows brands to deliver customized ads to premium households, combining TV's broad reach with digital precision. Reaching 8.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is increasing its investment in the Indian media and entertainment sector, driven by economic and population growth. Following a failed merger with Zee Entertainment, SPNI is focusing on strengthening content production, digital platforms like SonyLIV, and distribution partnerships under new leadership. Recent investments include cricket rights and a revamp of Sony Entertainment Television's programming to boost viewership.

Ravi Krishnan launches Abler Sports & Entertainment. The company focuses on sports and entertainment. It emphasizes intellectual property and data. The goal is to enhance fan engagement. Abler Sports aims to boost revenue for rights holders. It also supports brands expanding globally. The company sees growth in women's sports. It blends sports with culture for broader appeal.

India opened strong at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity 2025, securing one Gold, four Silver, and three Bronze Lions on Day 1. FCB India led the tally with a Gold and Bronze for its 'Lucky Yatra' campaign for Indian Railways, along with a Silver for Too Yumm! in the Outdoor category. The 'Lucky Yatra' is also India's only entry shortlisted for the prestigious Titanium Lions.

Warner Bros. Pictures, Bhanushali Studios Limited, and JOAT Films collaborate. They will develop Indian adaptations of iconic Warner Bros. movies. The partnership aims to blend global storytelling with Indian culture. Warner Bros. Pictures will handle global distribution. Vinod Bhanushali and Jack Nguyen express excitement about the collaboration. The first title is currently under development.

Hindi film producers are increasingly hesitant to invest in debut filmmakers due to box-office unpredictability and a preference for proven formulas. The number of first-time directors has declined, even as the total number of film releases has increased.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru versus Punjab Kings IPL final broke viewership records. 169 million Indians watched on TV. This surpassed the India versus Pakistan 2021 T20 World Cup match. RCB won their first title in 18 years. The match recorded high TV ratings. The tournament faced a brief suspension due to the India-Pakistan conflict.

Airtel Digital TV is removing Zee Entertainment channels from its packages due to a recent price hike, mirroring a similar dispute between Sony and Tata Play. Airtel will adjust pack prices and offer Zee channels on an a la carte basis. This move comes as DTH operators resist price increases amid declining pay-TV subscribers and rising competition from OTT platforms.

India’s OTT platforms—including Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, and ZEE5—are adopting cost benchmarking practices to manage rising content production expenses and improve profitability. Consultancy firms like EY, PwC, and Deloitte are helping these platforms establish cost reference points across projects.

The NCLAT has upheld a CCI order penalizing UFO Moviez India and Qube Cinema Technologies for anti-competitive practices related to digital cinema equipment supply. The tribunal dismissed their plea for a stay, citing the CCI's findings and directing them to deposit 25% of the penalty.

PVR Inox is strategically expanding its reach into international cinema, aiming to cater to India's diverse film tastes. Starting with "Ballerina," the company plans to distribute major Hollywood titles and indie films from studios like Lionsgate and A24.

ZEE5, aiming for profitability, plans to slash operating losses by 50-60% in FY26, according to Amit Goenka. After reducing losses significantly in FY25, ZEE5 will focus on cost control and quality content, launching 100 titles with regional language focus. Despite competition from streaming giants, ZEE5's revenue grew by 6% in FY25.

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has challenged a TDSAT order in the Bombay High Court, which restrained SPNI from disconnecting Tata Play over a subscription fee dispute. The court has issued notices to TDSAT and Tata Play, scheduling further hearings. SPNI seeks a fee hike, while Tata Play resists, citing declining viewership and already substantial payments made.

upGrad has appointed media and tech veteran Ferzad Palia to lead its newly launched Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) business, marking a strategic expansion into mass-market, on-demand digital learning. Palia, formerly of JioCinema and Viacom18, will focus on building a scalable, AI-powered micro-learning ecosystem to cater to India’s next-gen learners.

India's cable television industry is facing a significant downturn, with an estimated 577,000 job losses projected between 2018 and 2025. This decline is attributed to a shrinking pay-TV subscriber base, dropping from 151 million in 2018 to a projected 71-81 million by 2030, fueled by rising channel costs, OTT competition, and free services.

Mihir Rale, former Disney and Star India General Counsel, has joined Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas as a Partner and Co-Head of the Digital | TMT practice. Based in Mumbai, he brings over two decades of expertise in technology, data, and media.

Hindi dubbed southern films are not performing well. 'Thug Life' and other films failed to impress Hindi audiences. Experts cite poor marketing and short theatrical windows. They also mention a lack of universal stories. 'Pushpa 2' is an exception due to its entertainment value. The earlier euphoria around southern cinema has waned. Only Malayalam cinema remains relatively stable.

Sony Music India and The Hello Group (THG) have partnered to launch THG India, aiming to elevate Indian artists in the global live music arena. This joint venture combines Sony Music India's local expertise with THG's international network, offering comprehensive services like artist management, event booking, and publishing support.

Netflix and Balaji Telefilms are joining forces. They will develop diverse projects across various formats. This collaboration includes an untitled series already in progress. Balaji Telefilms will handle the production. They have previously collaborated on titles like Kathal and Jaane Jaan. This partnership aims to deliver unique, culturally rich stories to a global audience.

IPL 18 reaffirmed its global popularity, drawing massive viewership despite a week-long suspension. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden victory marked a shift in the league's landscape, while JioStar reported substantial viewership across TV and digital platforms.

Thinkink Picturez has appointed Chetan Chauhan as its new CEO to spearhead its expansion into regional cinema. Chauhan brings nearly three decades of media and entertainment experience from prominent groups like The Times of India and Reliance.

Mrunal Panchal is the top woman influencer-founder in India. The 2025 Candere Hurun India Women Leaders List reveals this. Diipa Khosla is second, followed by Diksha Arora and Dolly Jain. Neha Nagar, Richa Gangani, and Ishita Saluja also feature. Masoom Minawala, Rachana Ranade, and Himani Chowdhary are also on the list. The list celebrates Indian women transforming industries.

Comedian Zakir Khan is set to launch India’s largest-ever stand-up comedy tour, covering over 60 cities and reaching more than 160,000 fans, in partnership with TribeVibe Entertainment (a BookMyShow company) and Only Much Louder (OML).

The Information and Broadcasting sector in India saw fluctuating Foreign Direct Investment. It almost doubled in the fourth quarter of fiscal year twenty-five. However, overall FDI decreased by fourteen percent for the entire year. Inshorts India Advertising received a significant fund infusion. Balaji Telefilms also got FDI from various investors. Mumbai City FC received investment from City Football Group.

FanCode has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 and the U21 Men’s Championship 2025 in India. Starting this summer, Indian fans can stream both tournaments live on FanCode. The Women’s EURO, featuring stars like Alexia Putellas, runs from July 2-27.

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi’s Bhool Chuk Maaf has quietly become a box office success, crossing ₹54 crore nett in India. The romantic time-loop drama, set in Banaras, has gained strong word-of-mouth after an initially modest start. Directed by Karan Sharma and produced by Maddock Films, the film earned praise for its unique storyline and engaging second half. With growing occupancy and a sharp rise in collections over the second weekend, the film's theatrical gamble after an OTT plan has clearly paid off.

India's music royalty collections surged to over ₹700 crore in 2024, marking a 42% year-on-year increase and a fourfold growth in five years, primarily fueled by streaming revenue. This growth elevated India's global ranking in creators' collections to 23rd in 2023.

A Supreme Court ruling on dual taxation for TV broadcasters may extend to OTT platforms and gaming apps, potentially increasing their tax burden. The judgment allows both the Centre and states to tax different aspects of broadcasting, creating uncertainty and potentially decentralizing tax collection. Experts fear this could lead to states reintroducing entertainment taxes, challenging the GST framework.

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.