News & Gossip

The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology recommends stronger regulations for films and content that glorify alcohol, drugs, and violence. They propose comprehensive policies, better coordination with authorities, and public awareness initiatives to protect vulnerable audiences, particularly children and young adults. Compliance with court directives and industry engagement are emphasized.

Anora (2024) has achieved significant commercial success globally, earning over $52 million on a $6 million budget. Despite the lack of emotional depth compared to Pretty Woman (1990), its audience appealed more to the intellectual portrayal of sex workers' plight, highlighting a shift in audience preferences towards understanding films.

KRAFTON, the South Korean gaming giant behind Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is actively seeking investment and acquisition opportunities in India, a key market. The company has already invested $200 million, citing India’s mobile-first gaming culture, rapid smartphone adoption, and young, tech-savvy population.

Digital creators are evolving from mere brand endorsers to crucial advisors in narrative building and engagement strategies for brands. Both mainstream and niche influencers are securing lucrative consulting roles, reflecting a shift in recognizing the comprehensive value creators bring to brand storytelling and strategy.

Cinema exhibitor PVR Inox has teamed up with BCCI to screen IPL matches live in over 30 cities, starting with the opening ceremony. This initiative aims to provide fans with a stadium-like experience, featuring high-quality visuals and sound during the screenings.

The Indian Premier League 2025, starting Saturday, aims to set a new record in advertising revenue and increase paid subscriptions. JioStar, the broadcaster, has already secured 32 sponsorship deals and plans to engage 100 million subscribers, targeting SMEs and aiming for one billion viewers across TV and digital platforms.

STAGE, a regional OTT platform, has secured $12.5 million in Series B funding led by Goodwater Capital and Blume Ventures. The platform, focused on underserved languages, has recorded significant growth in revenue and subscribers, driven by its unique content for Haryanvi, Rajasthani, and now Bhojpuri audiences.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved seven media and entertainment sector M&A deals in the last five years, ensuring competition safeguards. Key transactions include the Disney-Reliance media merger, Comcast's investment in Viacom18, and Tata Sons' increased stake in Tata Play.

JioStar is launching the second edition of Brand Spotlight, focusing on advertising during the first six overs of IPL to maximize visibility. This year, the initiative extends to linear TV, providing unmatched viewership, and includes a dedicated content tray on JioHotstar for insights into brand strategies.

Dish TV's OTT platform Watcho has partnered with Cloud Walker's Cloud TV OS to provide its content library on smart TVs, reaching over 18 million users. This integration simplifies access with a single login and offers exclusive entertainment bundles, allowing users to enjoy a variety of premium content across multiple screens instantly.

Forensic experts from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) are examining digital data and documents collected during raids on advertising agencies' offices. These raids were part of an investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices related to commercial arrangements with broadcasters. The CCI's Director General is responsible for probing these suspected violations.

Amit Sadh has launched Gully Gladiators Productions LLP to focus on impactful storytelling. The company's first project, 'Motorcycles Saved My Life,' is in its second season, highlighting transformative journeys. The series on YouTube explores adventure, resilience, and self-discovery through unique narratives.

Indian antitrust officers conducted extensive raids and interrogations at media agencies, including GroupM, Interpublic, Publicis, and Dentsu, for alleged price fixing in the advertising sector. The Competition Commission of India executed these actions just ahead of the IPL cricket tournament, targeting key locations and major broadcasters.

With Mirchi's radio network, listeners will enjoy match updates, expert analysis, and interviews with RR players, creating a connection with their team, Rajashtan Royals said in a statement.

The Competition Commission of India conducted searches at top media agencies such as GroupM, Madison, IPG Mediabrands, and Dentsu over alleged anti-competitive pricing. The investigation aims to check for collusion on ad rates and discounts. Documents and data were seized, and further analysis will follow to ensure fair pricing and a level playing field in media buying.

Spotify's report shows that in 2024, 90% of songs on India's top 50 playlist were by local artists. Royalties for Indian artists singing in regional languages have doubled since 2021. There's a rise in both Indian and global listeners. Popular genres include Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. Royalties have reached over Rs 5 crore for many artists.

Hindi film studios are shifting focus to regional language films to counter the industry’s downturn. They are leveraging faster turnaround times and lower costs of production and promotion in regional cinema. This strategy addresses the audience's increasing preference for culturally resonant, original stories.

Torrent Group has acquired a 67% stake in Indian Premier League franchise Gujarat Titans from CVC Capital Partners, gaining majority ownership. The acquisition, valued at approximately ₹5,025 crore, is expected to enhance team operations, fan engagement, and commercial growth. Torrent Group aims to expand its sports strategy across various regions.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved Tata Sons' acquisition of a 10% stake in Tata Play from Baytree Investments, increasing its stake to 70%. Tata Play is also in discussions with Bharti Airtel to merge their DTH businesses. The merger could value the combined entity at approximately ?6,000-7,000 crore, with Airtel projecting a majority stake.

Tata Sons' acquisition of an additional 10% stake in Tata Play from Temasek Holdings has been approved by the Competition Commission of India. This increases Tata Sons' share to 70%, with Walt Disney owning the remaining 30%. Tata Play and Airtel Digital TV are planning a merger to create a $1.6 billion entity amidst the shift towards digital streaming.

TV broadcasters' operating margins are set to rise by 300 basis points to 15% by fiscal 2027, driven by increased digital offerings. Digital revenue is expected to grow at double digits, enhancing profitability and boosting advertisement revenues. However, broadcasters must adapt to compete with digital platforms while leveraging economies of scale to stabilize profitability.

Telecom companies are integrating esports into their mobile apps, partnering with platforms like Gamerji to offer rewards for gaming. Gamerji collaborates with 34 telecom firms worldwide, drawing millions of users. Players earn virtual currency, redeemable for data and discounts. The firm plans to expand in India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, aiming at major tournaments.

India's creator economy is booming, fueled by easier internet access. The government has introduced a $1 billion fund and Rs 391 crore for the Indian Institute of Creative Technology to boost the industry. The WAVES 2025 summit will further support content creators. This growth is vital for India's aspirations to be a prominent global content exporter.

JioStar's integration of Sports18 channels into the Star Sports Network boosts its total to 24 channels, enhancing reach for live sports in India. With inclusive programming and regional content, Star Sports aims to make live sports accessible and engaging for all TV households across the country.

JioStar has successfully integrated Sports18 channels into the Star Sports Network, expanding to 24 channels. This strategic move, which took effect on March 15, 2025, aims to enhance Star Sports' reach and engagement with sports fans across India, while offering a wider array of live sports content.

Tata Play and FanCode have unveiled Tata Play FanCode Sports, a new platform granting viewers access to a range of live sports including cricket, football, kabaddi, and Formula 1. The service will broadcast over 100 hours of live sports monthly, featuring major tournaments like the Carabao Cup and Formula 1 Grand Prix, for ?75 per month.

A-list actors in the Indian film industry are incorporating clauses in contracts to prevent misuse of their voices, body scans, and likenesses by producers. This move aims to protect their unique identities and creative contributions amid rising concerns over AI exploitation. Contracts now mandate producer transparency and data sharing with actors.

The information and broadcasting sector in India received ₹4,786 crore in FDI during the first nine months of 2024-25, driven by significant investments like Walt Disney's ₹1,008 crore into Star India. Other major inflows included investments from IVY Entertainment, Prime Focus Technologies, and Pocket FM.

JioStar plans to remove its entertainment content from YouTube by May 1 to curb subscriber migration from pay-TV to free digital streaming. This follows their strategy of placing content behind a paywall on JioHotstar, aiming to reduce churn and grow the paid subscriber base in the broadcasting industry.

The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to establish a deadline for the Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill. Following consultation with stakeholders, the ministry plans to introduce a fresh draft for inter-ministerial review and Cabinet consideration, expecting a detailed process timeline.

JioHotstar set new records with the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, drawing over 540 crore views and 11,000 crore minutes of watch time. The India vs. New Zealand final achieved 124.2 crore views, with significant contributions from Hindi-speaking regions and a surge in CTV household viewership.

Manisha Rai, Shobhit Sujay, Siddharth Banerjee, Deepak Wadhwa, Akhlaq Azad and Pradeep Kabra round off the cast of "Baida".

JioStar plans to captivate cricket fans and brands with a list of 20 sponsors for Tata IPL 2025. The season, running from March 22 to May 25, promises high brand visibility and innovative advertising. Expected to generate significant revenue, the event will feature cutting-edge ad solutions and multilingual broadcasts to engage audiences across TV and digital platforms.

JioStar is gearing up for IPL 2025 with 20 sponsors, including My11Circle, Google Search, and Amul. The tournament runs from March 22 to May 25, showcasing cricketing talent. It will be broadcast on JioStar’s sports network and JioHotstar. This offers brands a chance to engage with cricket fans across TV and digital platforms.

Snap Camera India, part of Snapchat's US-based parent company Snap Inc, has crossed the 100-crore revenue mark for the first time since its launch in India. The company's revenue rose by 28% to 101 crore in FY24. Snapchat is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in India, with over 200 million users.

FanCode, Formula 1's official broadcaster in India, will stream all F1 races in Hindi and regional languages for the first time, providing Sky Sports' coverage and additional shows. The service aims to attract more Indian viewers. Motorsports viewership in India has grown by nearly 30%, with 60 million Formula 1 followers.

The All India Gaming Federation, Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports, and E-Gaming Federation have signed a 'Code of Ethics' to establish responsible gaming standards. This includes age-gating, KYC requirements, and spending limits. The initiative involves third-party audits and aims to boost transparency and user safety, impacting over 50 crore gamers in India.

New Delhi industry bodies AIGF, EGF, and FIFS sign a Code of Ethics for online real money gaming companies to ensure user safety and responsible gaming. The measures include KYC verification, spending limits, age gating, and unbiased gameplay. This initiative aims to protect 50 crore Indian gamers as the Ministry of Electronics and IT prepares to execute new gaming rules.

WWE announces its debut on Netflix in India starting April 1, 2025, following a $5 billion deal. Indian fans will access major WWE programming, including Raw, SmackDown, and WrestleMania, with Hindi commentary. This partnership introduces a new era of wrestling entertainment in India, offering live and on-demand content.

Indian actor Ajay Devgn has launched Prismix, a new generative AI company aimed at revolutionising storytelling. Leading a talented team, Devgn aims to blend AI technology with creativity to produce high-quality, scalable media content. Prismix will cater to filmmakers, brands, and creators, driving innovation in various media formats including films, series, and social media.

Despite the decline in pay-TV subscriptions in the Hindi speaking market due to the rise of OTT platforms and DD Free Dish, the south Indian pay-TV market remains resilient. Key factors include affordability, strong regional content, and low competition from alternative platforms.

JioStar’s live broadcast of the India vs Pakistan match in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 attracted 20.6 crore TV viewers, the second highest in BARC history. Virat Kohli’s milestone of 14,000 ODI runs and appearances by MS Dhoni and Sunny Deol added to the spectacle. Star Sports’ engaging content further boosted viewership and fan enthusiasm.

South Indian actresses are making waves with their massive paychecks, thanks to their immense popularity and box-office pull. Here’s a look at the highest-paid South actresses and their recent earnings:

JioStar, a venture between Reliance Industries and Disney, is implementing workforce restructuring post the Star India-Viacom18 merger. This move includes layoffs and reallocation of staff, potentially affecting over 500 employees, with compensation packages in place. Redundancies mainly occur in sales, marketing, programming, and distribution sectors.

During the recent market downturn, digital-centric entertainment companies like Saregama India saw less decline in share prices. Traditional media companies such as PVR Inox faced sharper stock price drops. Shifts in content consumption and rising digital advertising revenues led investors to favour companies with stronger digital presence.

JioStar seeks up to Rs 35 lakh per 10-second ad spot on TV for the ICC Champions Trophy final, bolstered by India's success. The India vs Pakistan match attracted substantial viewership, driving advertiser interest. JioStar targets around Rs 850 crore in ad revenue from the tournament.

Diljit Dosanjh, Indian musician, actor, and producer, is transforming the landscape of the Indian music industry, moving away from Bollywood-centric soundtracks. His blend of hip-hop and rap with collaborations featuring international stars like Ed Sheeran has cemented his global success, evidenced by his record-breaking 2024 Dil-Luminati tour.

Indian musicians express concerns over potential new regulatory requirements that could disrupt output and delay releases, with 72% worried about the impact. A report by The Dialogue suggests that additional compliance layers, financial strains, and operational complexities threaten the industry's growth despite its booming digital market and rising regional talent.

Indian pay-TV industry revenue is expected to decrease by 1-3% in FY2026. This is due to subscribers moving to OTT platforms and DD Free Dish services. Subscriber base decline will be partially offset by higher ARPU through bundled and premium content. Increased content costs and network investment will reduce margins.