News & Gossip

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of Reliance Industries-promoted Viacom18 and Walt Disney-owned Star India, which will create India's largest media and entertainment firm. To comply with CCI stipulations, seven TV channels, including Hungama and Super Hungama, will be sold. The merger will not allow bundling of TV ad slots for cricket rights until current agreements expire.

Bhaane Group, owned by Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja, is purchasing iconic Mumbai music store Rhythm House. The store, closed in 2018 after its previous owner defaulted on loans, is being bought for 478.4 million rupees. Bhaane plans to expand its retail presence. Rhythm House was known for hosting legendary musicians.

Paytm posted a profit of Rs 930 crore in Q2 FY 2025, driven by a one-time gain from selling its entertainment ticketing business to Zomato for Rs 2,048 crore. However, Paytm's marketing services revenue dipped, while credit card distribution and travel services showed strong performance.

This adaptation marks the first Asian version of the iconic detective series, which originally aired on the USA Network in the U.S. and centers on Adrian Monk, a detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) working with the San Francisco Police Department to solve unusual cases while grappling with his wife's unsolved murder.

Here are five star kids expected to make their Bollywood debut, along with details of their debut projects:

Celebrities like Katrina Kaif, Rakul Preet Singh, and Mouni Roy shared heartfelt moments celebrating Karwa Chauth, showcasing love, tradition, and beautiful outfits in their festive photos.

Billionaire Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, is set to invest Rs 1000 crore for a 50% stake in Karan Johar's Dharma Production and Dharmatic Entertainment. The partnership aims to leverage Poonawalla's financial muscle to cater to digitally savvy consumers and expand content for global platforms.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has sought a settlement with SEBI to resolve investigations into alleged corporate governance lapses and financial irregularities. The company aims to close the probe by paying a fine or taking corrective actions, while maintaining investor confidence without admitting or denying the allegations.

Reliance Industries is set to retain Disney+ Hotstar as its primary streaming platform post-merger with Star India and Viacom18, consolidating JioCinema into Disney+ Hotstar due to its superior tech infrastructure. The merged entity will control a media giant with over 100 channels and two major streaming services.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises has reappointed Punit Goenka as MD and CEO for five years starting January 2025. Goenka has vast experience and has led the company's significant global growth. He remains a key figure in the entertainment industry and holds various positions influencing its future direction.

These security measures reflect the government's commitment to protecting these high-profile individuals from various threats, allowing them to continue their work in the public eye while ensuring their safety and well-being.

ZEE5 aims to grow its business by focusing on family-friendly content, better technology, and cost efficiency. It has reduced operating losses and increased revenue. The platform is expanding its regional content offering and improving user experience. ZEE5 is also partnering with telecom companies to boost subscriptions and exploring trends like Connected TV and 4K streaming.

Reliance Jio expands its JioTV+ OTT service support to more smart TVs, enabling JioFiber and Jio AirFiber users to access it across multiple smart TVs. This move eliminates the need for additional Set-Top Boxes and broadens JioTV+'s reach by offering a unified content discovery experience.

Disney Star partners with eight sponsors, including Dream11 and Shriram Finance, for PKL Season 11, boosting its reach across various platforms. Generating over Rs 100 crore in ad revenue, this season aims to captivate audiences with a unique mix of sports and entertainment starting October 18, 2024.

Amazon Prime Video will add ads to its shows and films for Indian users in 2025. Users can choose an ad-free tier for a higher price. The current Prime membership fee remains the same for the ad-supported version. Prime Lite subscribers will continue to see ads. Changes aim to invest in engaging content.

JetSynthesys has ventured into Hollywood with 'Please Don’t Feed the Children,' directed by Destry Allyn Spielberg. Executives Rajan Navani and Medha Jaishankar serve as executive producers on the post-apocalyptic thriller, highlighting the company's commitment to innovative storytelling and cross-cultural collaboration.

PVR Inox reports a net loss of ₹12 crore for Q2 FY25, primarily due to lower profit compared to last year. Despite this, significant gains from films like Stree 2 and Kalki, alongside successful re-releases and upcoming blockbusters, improve box office collections and audience turnout.

Viacom18 and Star India, owned by Reliance Industries and Walt Disney respectively, are set to finalize their merger by the third quarter of this financial year, pending further approvals. The merger has already received conditional approval from the Competition Commission of India and the National Company Law Tribunal. Completion of the transaction is anticipated in Q3 FY 25.

The merger of Reliance Industries' media assets with Disney India is set to complete in the third quarter of FY25. The Competition Commission of India has approved the transaction, and the National Company Law Tribunal has sanctioned the merger scheme. The combined entity will be valued at over ₹70,000 crore, with Reliance holding 63.16% and Disney 36.84%.

Network18 Media & Investments reported a 28% YoY increase in net loss for the quarter ending 30th September, reaching Rs 152 crore. Losses rose due to sustained investments in digital and sports by its entertainment subsidiary Viacom18. Additionally, Network18 has completed its merger with TV18 and E18, creating India's leading platform-agnostic news media network.

Cinema owners across India facing pressure from distributors of Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, as both films release on Diwali. Single-screen theatres are struggling to allocate shows, risking divided box-office collections. Multiplexes have managed better, but audience preferences will ultimately determine screen allocation.

ZEE Entertainment's Independent Investigation Committee, led by Justice Dr. Satish Chandra, found no material irregularities after a thorough review of Sebi's allegations against ZEE promoters. The committee deemed the transactions part of normal business activities, requiring no further action.

Warner Bros. Discovery will invest heavily in India's factual entertainment, planning over 3,000 hours of programming for 2024. This includes both global and local intellectual properties. Popular shows and new series on Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and TLC will be featured. WBD aims to support each release with strong marketing campaigns.

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and Delhi government to respond to a PIL regarding ticket scalping for events like Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh concerts. It alleges scalpers manipulate ticket prices, harming fans and fostering black markets. The plea calls for clear guidelines and a committee to address this issue.

Warner Bros. Discovery will provide over 3,000 hours of new content in India by year-end. This includes programming on discovery+, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and TLC. A mix of local originals and global titles is planned. The DTamil channel will feature global entertainment content in Tamil. Warner Bros. Discovery aims to enhance viewer engagement and expand their content offering.

PVR-INOX and Khushi Advertising have solidified a five-year partnership for FY25, appointing Khushi as the exclusive ad-sales affiliate for the South Indian market. This alliance aims to bolster PVR-INOX’s market share and revive ad-sales revenues post-Covid by leveraging the growing prominence of South Indian cinema.

Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation plans to approach the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal regarding new broadcast tariff regulations after facing a setback in the Kerala High Court. The regulation mandates broadcasters to offer free channels on DD Free Dish to private distribution platforms without charging subscription fees, affecting their revenue model.

Culver Max Entertainment, previously Sony Pictures Networks India, saw a 19.43% dip in net profit to Rs 839.6 crore for FY24. Operational revenue fell by 2.6% to Rs 6,510.66 crore. The decline was mainly due to a drop in advertisement income by 12%. Subscription income rose by 7.25% to Rs 3,206.27 crore.

Bharti Airtel is in advanced talks to acquire Tata Play, India’s largest DTH business. This move aims to bolster Airtel’s position in the digital TV segment. If successful, it will be the second major deal between Airtel and Tata Group. This acquisition would help Airtel compete with Jio’s aggressive market strategies.

The Income Tax Department is probing over a dozen event management companies for suspected tax evasion and underreporting of income from overseas performances. Celebrities linked to these companies are also under scrutiny, with 11 companies already receiving notices. The scope of the investigation is expanding.

These athletes brought a unique blend of sportsmanship and entertainment to the Bigg Boss house, making them memorable contestants across different seasons.

Amazon merges MX Player with miniTV to launch Amazon MX Player, creating one of India's largest free streaming platforms with over 250 million users. The service, featuring a diverse range of content, facilitates targeted advertising, aiding brands in reaching a large, engaged audience.

Sony Pictures Networks India reports a 19% decline in net profit to ₹839 crore for FY24, accompanied by a 3% decrease in revenue to ₹6,510 crore. Despite a 7% rise in subscription revenue to ₹3,346 crore, advertising revenue fell by 11% to ₹2,912 crore. The planned merger with Zee Entertainment was terminated.

A-list actors are cutting their fees by up to 30% and taking a large part of remuneration from profits. This new trend helps get films off the ground in a challenging funding environment. Producers find it easier to raise funds as actors take smaller upfront fees, easing the burden on the production houses.

Indian OTT platforms are now focusing on profitability over subscriber growth and content expansion. Competition and resource constraints prompt this shift. Entities like Hoichoi, ZEE5, and ALTT showcase reduced losses and increased revenue through diversification and strategic cost management. The premium VOD sector saw significant revenue growth, driven by local content and live sports.

Bigg Boss 18 house takes inspiration from caves and forts, with hidden entrances and earthy tones. The kitchen mimics a cave, while the bedroom feels like a regal fort. A Turkish hammam-style bathroom and secret doors add intrigue to this visually stunning, layered space.

YRF Talent has named Kanupriya the Head of Talent Film Strategy. Kanupriya, with over 15 years of industry experience, will lead film strategy and partnerships. Akanksha Malhotra is appointed as AVP of Talent. With 13 years of experience, she will support the film division and foster collaborations for YRF Talent’s actors.

Yash Raj Films announces its first female-led spy film, Alpha, starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, set to release in theaters on December 25, 2025. Directed by Shiv Rawail and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film aims to provide an action-packed holiday experience.

JioCinema has appointed Ishan Chatterjee as the new Chief Business Officer to enhance its tech-driven digital experience and boost revenue generation in sports and entertainment. With a robust background from YouTube India, Google, McKinsey, and Hindustan Unilever, Ishan will lead monetisation and growth strategies.

BookMyShow has filed a complaint at the Vile Parle Police Station in Mumbai. They report an individual black marketing tickets for Coldplay's January 2025 concert in Navi Mumbai. The company began ticket sales on September 22 and warned against third-party purchases. Some customers tried to buy the maximum number of tickets and collected money from others.

The museum offers an immersive experience through optical illusions, featuring 55 paradox-themed exhibits and 15 immersive rooms. The company has already launched its first centre in Mumbai and is planning to expand to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and the Delhi-NCR region within the next few years. Before launching in Mumbai, the company opened a centre in London.

Media companies are set to achieve 8% annual revenue growth, reaching Rs 60,000 crore by FY27, driven by digital segment expansion. This includes increased focus on OTT services, social media, and apps, alongside traditional ad revenue growth, improving operating margins to 18% by FY27.

Zee Entertainment is in discussions with the Censor Board regarding the certification of 'Emergency', a film directed by Kangana Ranaut. The movie's release faced delays due to objections raised by Sikh organizations. Both parties are working towards a resolution. The court is set to hear the matter again on Friday.

ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd aims to enhance profitability by focusing on frugality, quality content, and optimising performance across its businesses, according to MD & CEO Punit Goenka. The company has proposed workforce reduction and leadership salary cuts, while settling a dispute with Sony Pictures Networks India.

The CBI filed a closure report against former NDTV promoters Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy in a 2009 ICICI Bank loan case, citing lack of legally tenable evidence. The case involved allegations of non-disclosure of pledged shares. NDTV had maintained all loans were repaid and rules followed.

Publicis Groupe India has unveiled a study focusing on Gen Z's preferences in media, finance, fashion, health, food, and beverages. The research has highlighted their values as experience seekers, purpose-driven explorers, and health-conscious individuals, emphasising authenticity, quick financial returns, sustainability and holistic well-being.

Mukta A2 Cinemas has capped all food and beverage prices at ₹99 for the festive season to make cinema outings more affordable. COO Satwik Lele aims to enhance the overall experience for cinemagoers. This move comes amid industry discussions on high pricing, with average expenditure statistics provided by the Multiplex Association of India.

Sony Group Corporation has announced that Tony Vinciquerra will step down as SPE CEO. Ravi Ahuja will take over as the new CEO on January 2, 2025. Vinciquerra will remain as a non-executive Chairman until December 2025. Ahuja looks forward to leading SPE and working with talented colleagues worldwide.

Tony Vinciquerra will step down as Sony Pictures Entertainment's Chairman and CEO in January 2025. Ravi Ahuja, the current Chairman of Global Television Studios, will take over the role. Vinciquerra will stay in an advisory role until the end of December 2025 while Ahuja will report to Sony Group Corporation's leading executives.

Anil Makhija, COO of BookMyShow parent Big Tree Entertainment, appeared before Mumbai Police’s EOW regarding a complaint. The complaint alleges irregularities in ticket sales for Coldplay's India tour, accusing BookMyShow and Live Nation of using ticket bots. BookMyShow denies involvement, emphasizing their measures to ensure fairness.