Media
Media, entertainment sector likely to see better growth in Q3FY27 on festive spending, content pipeline: Nuvama
he media and entertainment sector is likely to see an improvement in spending and growth momentum in the December quarter, supported by a late Diwali, a stronger content pipeline and improving monetisation across digital, subscription and sports segments, Nuvama Research said in its October 1 sector preview.
As India and China repair ties, a Tibet film tells the story of a forgotten resistance
A new Tibetan historical drama, Four Rivers Six Ranges, is bringing renewed attention to Tibet’s resistance movement and the exile community’s efforts to preserve its history. The film, shot partly in Nepal’s Mustang region, follows fighters who aided the Dalai Lama’s 1959 escape and arrives as Tibet’s political future faces uncertainty over the Dalai Lama’s succession and evolving India-China ties.
Bigger picture: Media industry shifts focus to attention, data & tech
Speaking in a panel discussion at Ficci Frames, India's leading media and entertainment conclave, Zee Entertainment CEO Punit Goenka said the industry has transformed and is no longer simply about investing in and focusing on either television or digital.
India’s media industry needs to move from scale to value: Prabhat
Prabhat emphasized the need for India's media and entertainment industry to create enduring economic value. He noted that overwhelming scale of content production is insufficient for sustainability and growth in creative enterprises. Greater investment in original intellectual property and improved protection against piracy were highlighted as essential.
Reliance's JioStar bets India’s sports fans will do more than just watch the game
JioStar is betting that India’s next phase of sports viewing will combine live matches with AI, commerce, regional languages and interactive features. With Indian-language viewing accounting for 90% of watch time and integrations such as Swiggy driving transactions, the broadcaster is looking beyond eyeballs to turn its growing sports audience into a broader digital commerce opportunity.
Human touch in AI era & 'original' Indian piece in reels & movie puzzle
Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat sees a human comeback in an AI-heavy content world, predicting audiences will gravitate towards more authentic, less AI-driven storytelling. He also wants India to move from being a massive content consumer to a global creator of original IP, using its stories to power tourism and creative economy.
India's media moment is about TV and mobile convergence, not replacement
Indian viewers are increasingly using various screens for content consumption as the industry adapts. Traditional pay-TV is facing competition from streaming services and connected television options. New app-based delivery for linear channels has been introduced by multiple traditional distributors. Linear television maintains its relevance, especially as a shared viewing medium for families. Live sports events like TATA IPL demonstrate the merging of traditional and digital viewing experiences.
JioStar seeks immediate restoration of BARC ratings, regulatory roadmap for linear TV
JioStar CEO Kevin Vaz emphasized the urgent need for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to restore BARC audience ratings. This absence of credible audience data is creating uncertainty for broadcasters and advertisers during the festive season. Vaz noted that reliable audience measurement is crucial for brands to effectively plan campaigns. He also expressed the need for regulatory reforms to support the evolution of linear broadcasting.
India's TV industry urges I&B Ministry to restore BARC ratings immediately, Kevin Vaz says
Kevin Vaz emphasized the importance of restoring BARC audience ratings to ensure stability in the broadcasting sector. He noted the vital role of reliable measurement during the festive season for campaign planning. Vaz highlighted the growth of India's media and entertainment industry, particularly in the digital segment and live events. He pointed out emerging opportunities in content commerce and new formats like micro-dramas.
Zee escalates copyright fight against Reliance-Disney's JioStar
India's Zee Entertainment has initiated contempt proceedings against JioStar for violations of a court injunction. The injunction prohibits JioStar from using Zee's copyrighted music and content in its programming. Despite the court order, Zee claims JioStar continued to exploit this content after the injunction was issued. JioStar previously argued that any violations were unintentional and residual. The conflict reflects the growing competition for content rights in India's media landscape.
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JioStar secures 15 brands across eight categories for West Indies tour of India
JioStar has confirmed 15 sponsorships for the upcoming West Indies tour of India in 2026. The sponsors represent various categories including banking, wellness, and automotive. This series will consist of three ODIs and five T20Is starting in late September. The broadcaster aims to engage audiences through targeted advertising during the festive season. JioStar plans a six-month cricket calendar featuring multiple series with various touring teams.
Print media holds ground as advertisers back reach, credibility and premium audiences
Print media in India has shown resilience amid global downturns with increased advertising revenue and volumes. As brands continue to invest in print, the festive season is expected to boost spending significantly. Data indicates that English dailies experienced a rise in advertising revenue from accredited agencies, marking a growing trend. This year's festive season is anticipated to drive higher advertising volumes in various sectors.
Brahma AI raises $150m at $2b valuation in Multiples-led round
Brahma AI has successfully raised $150 million through preferred share issuance led by Multiples. This funding values the company at $2 billion post-money and aims to support product development and research initiatives. The company has been awarded a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for its innovative AI-based technology. It is also preparing to launch interactive digital human applications across various sectors.
TV distributors switch to apps to keep the show going
India's television distribution industry is moving towards app-based delivery amid changing consumer preferences and connected TV growth. Several companies are launching linear TV streaming services through apps on connected devices, which could reduce costs. Linear pay TV is losing subscribers while free TV and connected TV are gaining significantly. This shift is seen as an opportunity to reach urban consumers and combine live television with streaming content.
TV ratings blackout gets longer: Broadcasters worried as pressure to restore audience measurement & provide advertisers greater visibility rises ahead of festive season
The prolonged suspension of TV ratings has intensified pressure on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to restore audience measurement, with broadcasters seeking greater revenue visibility and advertiser confidence ahead of the festive season. BARC is working to meet the government’s TV rating guidelines, including expanding its panel to 80,000 and increasing independent representation on its board, while TAM India and Chrome DM have also applied to offer measurement services. Industry bodies have raised concerns over the financial viability of multiple rating agencies and potential discrepancies in viewership data.
Homegrown talent, MCC footprint to make India a global content production hub
India could emerge as a global content production hub by combining its growing AI capabilities, creative talent and expanding media global capability centres, industry experts said. The opportunity goes beyond traditional strengths such as VFX and outsourcing, with AI potentially enabling large-scale content production for global studios, streaming platforms and brands. Government initiatives including WAVES, WAVES Bazaar and Create in India Challenges are seeking to connect Indian creators with global markets, while investments in animation, VFX, gaming and comics are expanding the talent base beyond major cities.
