Rohan Tyagi

🚀 Big News: The Merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into JioHotstar! 🚀 Reliance Industries Limited has announced a game-changing merger that’s set to transform India’s OTT landscape. JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar are merging to create JioHotstar, a super-streaming platform! Here’s everything you need to know: 1. 💰 $8.5 Billion Deal Announced in February 2024, this major merger brings together two powerful platforms, aligning them to dominate India’s growing digital content market. 2. 🏗️ Better Tech, Bigger Impact It seems JioCinema will merge into Disney+ Hotstar, likely due to Hotstar’s superior tech, especially in live sports streaming. Hotstar’s robust infrastructure will enable a smoother and more dynamic user experience. 3. 🎬 Unified Sports Hub Starting January 2025, all sports content, including the IPL, will be hosted on JioHotstar. This makes the platform the go-to destination for sports enthusiasts across India! 4. 💸 Pricing Changes? While no changes in pricing have been announced yet, currently Hotstar plans start at ₹149 and JioCinema at ₹29. Why this merger matters: Jio's Vision for Digital Content Since its launch in 2016, Reliance Jio has been revolutionizing India’s telecom industry by offering affordable data, leading to a boom in online video consumption. This merger helps Jio strengthen its position by offering a seamless content experience to its vast user base. Hotstar’s Key Role: Hotstar, owned by Disney, is already a leader in the OTT space, known for its live sports streaming (like IPL) and diverse content library. This merger allows Hotstar to leverage Jio’s vast network reach, giving it access to an even larger audience. Strategic Synergy: By combining Jio’s telecom services with Hotstar’s content, this deal will provide Jio customers even more value. It also strengthens their competition against Netflix and AMAZON PRIME Video in India. The future looks exciting as JioHotstar emerges as a powerful player in India's digital streaming space, offering high-quality content and affordable pricing. #JioHotstar #OTT #Streaming #DigitalTransformation #SportsStreaming #Entertainment #Media Mukesh Ambani Sajith Sivanandan Reed Hastings Andy Jassy NMIMS Indore

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Paytm In Talks With Zomato To Sell Ticketing Biz For INR 1,500 Cr Advanced Talks : Paytm and Zomato are in advanced discussions for Zomato to acquire Paytm's movie ticketing and events business, potentially valued at INR 1,500 Cr. Strategic Focus : The deal would help Zomato scale its “going out” business while allowing Paytm to focus on its core digital payments segment. RBI Crackdown : Paytm is restructuring amid regulatory challenges, including RBI's restrictions on its payments bank arm and declining revenues. Financial Impact : Paytm’s movie and events ticketing business contributed 13% of its total revenue in FY23. The sale would streamline Paytm’s operations towards its primary business areas. Market Context : This move comes as Paytm's competitor, BookMyShow, is reportedly closing a significant funding round. Paytm’s stock has also seen a substantial decline due to regulatory issues and falling revenues. Read the full article here - https://lnkd.in/gRE6viPQ #paytm #zomato #startupnews #startupnewsfyi

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Durga Puja in Kolkata is always a bit crazy. This year, GTPL KCBPL sponsored 40 pujas, and we printed over 2,500 VIP passes for our partners and friends. We thought we had it all under control... until we ran out of passes days before the festivities began! Panic set in. I needed 200 more passes, fast, especially for some important stakeholders we really wanted to accommodate. With the holidays in full swing, finding a printer was a challenge. Finally, I found someone, but there was a catch: the passes were printed as individual sheets, not booklets. I was staring at 6,000 loose pages that needed to be sorted and bound. Overwhelmed, I was about to give up when my incredible family stepped in. My aunt, always the empathetic one, saw my predicament and said, "We can solve this together." Soon, it was an all-hands-on-deck situation. My mom, sister, cousins, even my niece and nephew – everyone formed an assembly line, each taking on a specific task in the sorting and bundling process. What started as a crisis turned into a fun, chaotic family bonding experience. We laughed, we strategized, and we got the job done! This activity became a beautiful bonding exercise for the family, reminding me that sometimes working with family can be more than just work. This experience taught me a few valuable lessons: -The Power of Family: In a crisis, my family didn't hesitate to step up. They saw my problem as their own, and together, we turned a stressful situation into a memorable one. -Asking for Help: It's okay to lean on those around you. Sometimes, all it takes is reaching out, and you'll be surprised by the support you receive. I never expected this kind of help from my aunt, who may not have had the solution straight up but was there to help me find it. -Appreciating the Everyday: It's easy to take the efforts of others for granted. But in moments of crisis, we truly see the value of those who support us, day in and day out. This Durga Puja will always hold a special place in my heart. It was a reminder of the incredible strength and love that lies within my family, and a lesson in the importance of gratitude and collaboration. #DurgaPuja #Family #Teamwork #Gratitude #Kolkata #Support #Community

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₹22,400 Crore ($2.7 Billion) Lost to Piracy in India’s Entertainment Industry 1. Rising Piracy: A Growing Concern for Content Creators 51% of Indian consumers access content through pirated sources, posing a significant challenge to the entertainment industry’s revenue streams. 2. Streaming Dominates Piracy Landscape 63% of pirated content comes from streaming platforms, with mobile apps following closely behind as a major channel for illicit content distribution. 3. Massive GST Revenue Losses Up to INR 43 billion in GST revenues may have been lost due to piracy in India, underscoring the financial impact of unauthorised content consumption on the economy. 4. Post-Pandemic Surge in Subscription Revenue Subscription revenue has surged by 150% since the pandemic, signalling a strong rebound for OTT services, but piracy continues to hinder further growth. 5. Filmed Entertainment Industry Poised for Growth. India’s filmed entertainment sector is projected to reach INR 146 billion by 2026, signalling significant opportunity—but piracy remains a critical hurdle. 6. Pirates Don’t Want Paid Subscriptions 70% of pirated content consumers report no interest in purchasing OTT subscriptions, highlighting a major gap in monetisation strategies for streaming services. 7. Young Demographics Driving Piracy A significant 6% of pirated content users are aged between 19-34 years, suggesting that younger audiences are more likely to engage with unauthorized content. 8. Language Preferences in Pirated Content 40% of pirated content is consumed in Hindi, with 31% opting for English content, reflecting language preferences and potential areas for localisation. 9. Consumer Willingness to Switch to Legal Platforms 64% of pirated content users would prefer accessing content via authorized channels, even with ads, if offered for free—indicating potential for ad-supported business models. 10. Resistance to Paying for Movie Tickets A strong 84% of pirated content consumers report that they have no intention of purchasing movie tickets, pointing to the need for more affordable or flexible viewing options.

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Viraj Sheth, Co-Founder & CEO of Monk Entertainment shares how Gen Z can turn their doom-scrolling into productive habits. He also shares that instead of mindlessly scrolling, everyone can use it to research what brands are missing and pitch their insights to agencies!🚀 Hosted by Karan Shah, Founder & CEO at IIDE, this Supersession was a great learning experience for all our PG students. Check out the full supersession video on our YouTube channel! - - - #digitalmarketing #influencermarketing #business #marketing

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Sports Tech is the fastest growing vertical amongst Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Adtech and Sports Tech in India 👇🏻 While collating data on the growth rates of different components of the "eyeball economy" the Mehtta Ventures Dubai team observed that Sports Tech is growing at 24%, followed by Ad tech (Digital) at 23%, Gaming at 16% followed by Media & Entertainment at 9%. Variety of credible data sources and it's clear that sports tech in India is the underrated hero offering various investment opps: - Athlete Performance & Wellness: Cutting-edge tools in training, wellness tracking, and recovery are increasingly in demand, offering scalable, tech-driven platforms for both professional and amateur athletes. - OTT Sports Platforms: Live streaming platforms dedicated to sports content are becoming essential for fan engagement. These platforms deliver a richer, immersive viewing experience and connect regional sports with global audiences. - Real-Money Gaming & Sports Betting (OK, Game of Skill!): With evolving regulatory landscapes, there is a significant opportunity to develop sports betting and real-money gaming platforms tailored to regional preferences and compliance requirements. - Sports Data Analytics: The rise of data analytics in sports has created opportunities to enhance team performance, fan insights, and match analysis. Platforms using AI-driven data analytics are essential for teams, leagues, and broadcasters seeking a competitive edge. - Sports Coaching Tools & Platforms: Streaming technology has revolutionized coaching by enabling real-time feedback and remote training. Investment opportunities lie in platforms that provide athletes with coaching insights, skills training, and performance analysis, catering to individual athletes and teams.

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Here are the latest top stories for today: 📰 RIL, Viacom18 & Disney Merge to Create Rs 70,352 Cr JV: The media giants unite, forming a powerhouse with three CEOs: Kevin Vaz (entertainment), Kiran Mani (digital), and Sanjog Gupta (sports). Big moves ahead! #Reliance #Disney #MediaNews 💹 JPMorgan Sets Up in GIFT City: JPMorgan launches a unit in Gujarat's GIFT City to develop derivatives for clients across Asia-Pacific & Europe, expanding its financial reach in India. #Finance #JPMorgan #GIFTcity 💳 RBI Data: Deposit Growth Catches Up: In November, deposit growth equaled credit growth for the first time since March 2022, closing a gap that had grown as wide as 700 basis points. #RBI #Banking 📈 India’s Exports Surge by 17% in October: India's merchandise exports saw their fastest rise in 28 months! Trade deficit widens to $27B as imports also hit record levels. #IndiaTrade #Exports 🔥 Bluesky Gains Millions Fleeing X: Following election-related misinformation concerns, Bluesky attracts users moving away from Musk's X, marking a shift in social media dynamics. #Bluesky #Twitter #Misinformation 🚗 Uber India Introduces Female-Only Rides: Women Uber drivers in India can now opt to accept only female riders, a feature aimed at prioritizing safety. #UberIndia #WomenSafety 📊 China Tops India’s Import List; Exports Dip: From April to October, China remains India’s top import source, while exports to China fall by 9%. The US is the top export destination for India. #IndiaTrade #China #US 🚨 EU Fines Meta €800M Over Marketplace Practices: Meta faces a massive €800M fine for linking its Marketplace with Facebook, affecting competition in the ad market. #Meta #EU #Marketplace 🌈 Thailand’s Same-Sex Marriage Law Expected to Boost GDP by $2B: A new law, effective Jan 2024, is anticipated to bring $2B in "Rainbow Tourism" and 150,000 jobs to Thailand’s economy. #Thailand #LGBTQ+ #RainbowTourism 👗 India Set to Become a Global Fashion Hub by 2025: India’s luxury retail market is projected to grow 15-20% by 2025, making it a top destination for global fashion brands. #Fashion #LuxuryRetail #India This thread covers recent developments across business, finance, and social sectors, showcasing India’s growing influence on the global stage. https://lnkd.in/gax8zsY4

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In today's Streaming in India newsletter we cover Loco and the rise and rise of e-sports and gaming. Link to the newsletter in the first comment of this post! The Integral Role of Gaming and Esports in the OTT Landscape In today's rapidly evolving entertainment ecosystem, gaming and esports have emerged as crucial elements that OTT platforms can no longer afford to overlook. Here are some key takeaways from our analysis: > "Gaming and esports introduce a new dimension to the OTT model, catering to an audience that seeks engagement, interaction, and community." > "Unlike passive content consumption, gaming and esports offer an active and immersive experience, particularly appealing to younger demographics who are digital natives." > The integration of gaming and esports into the OTT world broadens the scope of entertainment, attracting a wider audience base and increasing user engagement and retention." > 📈 "The inclusion of gaming and esports presents new monetization opportunities, such as direct transactions, subscriptions, and exclusive content, supporting sustainable financial models." > 🔮 "Embracing gaming and esports is a strategic move that future-proofs the OTT industry, meeting current audience demands and preparing for the changing tides of content consumption." Incorporating gaming and esports into the OTT landscape is not just an option but a necessity. These forms of entertainment are key to engaging younger audiences, diversifying content offerings, and building robust, sustainable business models. As platforms like Loco continue to innovate and integrate these elements, they set the stage for a more interactive, engaging, and future-ready entertainment ecosystem. What are your thoughts on the future of OTT platforms and gaming? 🎮📺 #OTT #Streaming #Gaming #Esports #DigitalMarketing #EntertainmentIndustry #Innovation #FutureReady

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JioCinema has successfully merged with Walt Disney’s Hotstar platform, creating a new entity, JioStar. The new joint venture has introduced new subscription plans at Jiostar.com, offering SD and HD video options. The packages offer 22 pricing variations, depending on what consumers choose for content and video quality. https://lnkd.in/eCDW6VfX - #streamingmedia #jiostar #disneyhotstar #SVOD #AVOD

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Ads were made inspirational to help people belong to something big "using something that SRK does too" and getting inspired releases dopamine, which activates our approach behaviour, positive affect, and sensitivity to rewards. Not anymore?!? Empathy is the new inspiration! https://lnkd.in/gfmeQtk6 #BrandDEIStrategy #ConsumerInsights #Marketing #DigitalMarketing Mad Over Marketing (M.O.M) Insights by Kantar

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Coldplay Concert Scandal: Are Fans Being Cheated by Ticketing Giants? The much-awaited Coldplay concert in Mumbai has taken a controversial turn. Ashish Hemrajani, CEO of BookMyShow, has reportedly missed the first summons from the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) regarding complaints of ticketing irregularities. A second notice has now been issued. Reports suggest that ticket prices, originally sold at ₹5,000 to ₹50,000, were being resold in the black market at exorbitant rates, with some tickets fetching as high as ₹3 lakhs! This highlights a pressing issue within the live entertainment industry—ticket scalping and the challenges of maintaining transparency. As we await further updates, this incident is a reminder for businesses in the event and ticketing industry to prioritize fair practices and customer trust, especially in high-profile events where demand surges. #Coldplay #BookMyShow #TicketScalping #EthicsInBusiness #Transparency #EntertainmentIndustry #EventManagement #LeadershipInFocus #Concerts News Source: https://lnkd.in/gs7X3bPi Image Source: India Today Digital

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JioCinema's price point is technically unsuitable for our primarily AVOD-funded media industry. SVOD revenue has always been no to low-margin game in the Indian market; except by Disney+ Hotstar under Uday Shankar's reign. Our dear Motabhai always has a gameplan fuelled by a theory of economy of scale. Added to that are the consistently increasing Jio telecom subscribers and a steady increase in the ARPUs ensure RJIL makes good on the promises to its shareholders. Jio Cinema needs to greatly improve the content quality for Tier I & II. The views above are mine. Aditi Gupta has penned the following writeup very succinctly for exchange4media, do read. https://lnkd.in/ddB5hGMJ #jiocinema #ottindia #media

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USD 40,000 in revenue from the sale of 3,333 Geet Avatars from the iconic Bollywood movie 'Jab We Met' on The Sandbox / BharatBox marks a strong start for Web3-powered entertainment. This milestone proves that the Web3 business is real and growing. Enterprises still on the fence should take note: this is about reimagining IPs and connecting with global audiences in immersive, impactful ways. At Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. , we’re proud to lead this shift. With Geet Avatars selling out in just 45 days on The SandBox metaverse , the upcoming launch of the ShemarooVerse app on the PWR Labs , and a host of new initiatives, we’re set to make 2025 even more exciting and transformative for a digital-first world. The future is here, and it’s immersive #Shemaroo #Bollywood #immersive #ShemarooVerse #Web3 #Metaverse #Innovation #FutureOfEntertainment https://lnkd.in/gkx6nCgf

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The Coldplay ticket debacle left Indian fans fuming. While the situation is complex, I'm curious about the lack of display ads on the queue page. Were there technical or contractual reasons for the lack of ads? Could it have been a lucrative venture for those with the right tech and targeting? Imagine the potential of display ads on the queue page. I think, quality organic India traffic got wasted in the queue page. What are your thoughts on this? #Coldplay #IndiaConcert #ColdplayIndia #AdTech #LostOpportunity #DisplayAds

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🚀 Former Unacademy CMO Karan Shroff Launches Gaming Studio ‘LightFury Games’. 📰 SUMMARY: Karan Shroff, former Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Partner of Unacademy, ventures into the gaming industry with LightFury Games. Shroff collaborates with gaming industry veteran Anurag Banerjee, serving as co-founder and CPTO, and former Unacademy executive Tina Balachandran. The startup aims to develop high-quality AAA game titles initially for mobile platforms, with plans to expand to other gaming platforms gradually. 🔍 KEY DETAILS: - Karan Shroff announced the launch of LightFury Games, focusing on developing cutting-edge AAA game titles, on LinkedIn. - Anurag Banerjee, with over two decades of experience in game development, joins as co-founder and CPTO, bringing expertise from studios like Ubisoft and Rocksteady Studios. - LightFury Games aims to showcase India's talent globally by developing AAA titles, starting with mobile phone games and later expanding to consoles. - Shroff brings over 15 years of experience in event management and brand marketing, having previously worked with Xiaomi India before Unacademy. 💡 INSIGHTS: - LightFury Games' entry into the gaming industry signals the growing potential of Indian studios to develop AAA titles, addressing the gap in the market for high-budget games. - The collaboration between industry veterans like Shroff and Banerjee underscores the ambition to elevate India's gaming ecosystem on the global stage. 🚀 IMPACT: - With the launch of LightFury Games, India's gaming scene is poised for further expansion, tapping into the expertise of seasoned professionals to create world-class gaming experiences. - The startup's focus on AAA titles aligns with the evolving preferences of gamers and the increasing demand for immersive gaming content. 🔮 OUTLOOK: - As LightFury Games prepares to unveil its offerings, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the arrival of high-quality AAA titles from India, potentially reshaping the global gaming landscape. - With India's gaming market poised for continued growth, initiatives like LightFury Games contribute to positioning the country as a prominent player in the global gaming industry. LightFury Games #LightFuryGames #Gaming #AAA #Startups #KaranShroff #StartUpNews #BusinessNews #MicroShots #NewsUpdates

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This T20 World Cup is a broadcaster’s nightmare First the timing. June and Same quarter as IPL. Advertisers have quarterly budgets and many big cricket advertisers already did IPL Second the time of matches. Half of the matches are at 6 AM which will have negligible viewership. Yes ICC events advertising is sold basis the India matches only, but still non India matches viewership will be even lower Third, the pitches. Unpredictable bounce, swing etc have made 100 a competitive score. Not the best pitches for T20 Disney paid a mind boggling 3 billion dollars for ICC TV and digital rights for 2024-2027. There is absolutely no way they can even get close to that number from ads and subscription revenue. Cricket( India home cricket, IPL, ICC) has always been a loss leader for broadcasters, but the increase in the rights prices in last 5-6 years have been insane. In my opinion, we will see a correction in this from the next cycle to make it more sustainable for broadcasters. Because unless it is win-win for all stakeholders ( advertisers, broadcasters and cricket boards), it will be difficult to sustain this in long run

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As South Indian cinema enthusiasts celebrate the release of Allu Arjun's film Pushpa 2, I have observed how brands are seizing the opportunity to enhance their visibility through co-branded advertisements across television, radio, and outdoor platforms. While the intent is commendable, I believe that the film itself garners more recognition from audiences than the associated brands. Consumers are exposed to numerous brands engaging in similar promotions, yet Pushpa 2 stands out prominently in these advertisements. To all marketers and brand custodians: Are we merely following the crowd like bees seeking nectar, or should we strive to be the honey that offers a delightful experience? The market often gravitates towards leaders. Should our core strategy focus on exclusivity and seizing the right opportunities to shape perception? I invite you to share your insights. #BrandCollabration #Pushpa2 #MovieMarketing #BrandAssociation #BrandMarketing

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