Govt Opens OTT Financial Bids to Formalise Digital Ad Partnerships
The Indian government has opened financial bids for the empanelment of over‑the‑top (OTT) platforms, aiming to integrate streaming services into a formal advertising ecosystem. Led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Central Bureau of Communication, the bids were launched on April 8, 2026. The new framework introduces a rate‑discovery mechanism that will set benchmark prices and imposes strict performance standards, including view‑through and third‑party measurement. This step extends the 2023 Digital Advertisement Policy to cover high‑engagement digital channels.
Hyundai Motor India Rolls Out Nationwide AC Check-Up Camp From April 10
Hyundai Motor India is launching a nationwide AC check‑up camp from April 10‑18, offering free 30‑point inspections, a complimentary dry wash and up to 15% off AC servicing, plus discounts on wheel alignment and AC parts. The initiative targets heat‑stricken drivers...
SITI Networks Reports Rs 435.69 Million Loss Amid Insolvency Process
India’s public broadcaster Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform WAVES posted a Rs 435.69 million (≈ $5.3 million) loss in FY 24‑25, with revenue of only Rs 2.90 crore (≈ $350 k). The service boasts 13,608 titles, 10 lakh users and extensive live‑event coverage, but its subscription flow requires an external website, creating...
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment Team up for Whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Zee5 has teamed with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to launch the darkly comic whodunnit Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, written and directed by Rajat Kapoor. The film, featuring an ensemble cast led by Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey and Waluscha De Sousa, will...
Kalyan Jewellers Launches Nimah Collection Campaign
Kalyan Jewellers unveiled its Nimah Collection with a cinematic campaign directed by Priyadarshan, featuring ambassadors Sreeleela and Kalyani Priyadarshan and promoting the theme “A Legacy You Wear.” The collection draws on South Indian temple jewellery, offering a 4‑Level Assurance Certificate...
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite Launches Sugar Free Cookies Range
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite introduced a Sugar Free Cookies range, offering Choco Nut and Hazelnut & Oats variants that are protein‑rich, trans‑fat‑free and priced at ₹100 (≈$1.20) per 100‑gram single‑serve pack. The launch aligns with growing demand for healthier snacking in India. Meanwhile,...
India’s Financial Sector Spent Less on TV Ads in 2025 but Flooded the Internet
India’s banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector cut TV ad spend by 16% in 2025, ending two years of growth, while print ad space surged 64% over the 2021 baseline. Radio advertising rose 45% year‑over‑year, and digital impressions exploded...
Samsung Certifies 1,000 Maharashtra Students in AI and Coding
Samsung’s Innovation Campus certified 1,000 students from four Maharashtra institutions in artificial intelligence and coding, marking the company’s largest skilling drive in the state. The cohort, drawn from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pimpri Chinchwad University, D.Y. Patil University’s Ramrao Adik...
TRAI Moves to Regulate Free Streaming TV Apps
India’s telecom regulator TRAI has issued a consultation paper to create a formal framework for application‑based linear TV (ALTD) services, commonly known as FAST (free ad‑supported streaming TV). The paper, prompted by a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting request, focuses...
Apple iOS 26.4: Every Change Worth Knowing About
Apple’s iOS 26.4 rolls out quietly, focusing on practical refinements rather than headline‑grabbing redesigns. The update introduces AI‑powered, mood‑based playlist generation in Apple Music and adds offline song identification to Shazam. CarPlay receives deeper voice‑assistant integration aimed at reducing driver distraction, while...
Tessolve Lands a Semiconductor Veteran to Drive Its Next Big Push
Tessolve, the Bengaluru‑based engineering services firm serving 18 of the world’s top 20 chip makers, announced the appointment of veteran Ravi Kumar Chirugudu as President and Chief Operating Officer. Chirugudu brings a three‑decade track record that spans ISRO satellite payloads,...
GUEST COLUMN: Beyond Layoffs, India Emerges as Creative-Tech Hub
Despite widespread headlines about layoffs in media and tech, the industry is undergoing a structural shift toward integrated, agile creative‑tech workflows. Companies are redistributing talent globally, positioning India as a central hub for strategy, production, and performance optimisation. Accelerated hiring...
Sahara One Reports Financial Results, Notes Director Exit and Business Realignment
Sahara One Media and Entertainment reported a dismal September quarter, with revenue of roughly $160 and a net loss of about $29,000, widening its FY25 loss to $73,000. Expenses totalled $29,300, driven by employee benefits and other costs, while cash...
GUEST COLUMN: How AI Is Restructuring Distributor and Retailer Motivation Models
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how brands motivate distributors, retailers and last‑mile influencers, moving away from static, transaction‑based incentive schemes toward behavior‑driven, data‑intelligent ecosystems. AI tools now capture engagement signals such as training participation, platform usage and reward redemption, enabling brands...
Devyani International Names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in Key Roles
Devyani International announced two senior appointments: Sandeep Anand will become chief marketing officer and business head of Pizza Hut, while Robinder Singh will lead Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations, both effective April 6, 2026. The moves are intended to sharpen marketing and...
IPL 2026 Ad Volumes Rise 10 per Cent Despite Fewer Brands
Google’s ad inventory for the first four IPL 2026 matches rose 9.94% year‑over‑year, reaching an index of 109.94. Yet the advertiser pool contracted sharply, with categories dropping from 47 to 40 and active brands falling from 58 to 43. Google...
Meta Warns 200 Users After Fake Whatsapp Spyware Attack
Meta warned that about 200 users, primarily in Italy, fell victim to a fake WhatsApp app that embedded surveillance spyware, prompting the company to log them out and prepare legal action against the developers. The malicious clone was distributed through...
Spykar Launches Ikemen Denim Line with Vidyut Jammwal
Spykar unveiled its Ikemen denim line, a loose‑fit collection promoted by action star Vidyut Jammwal, to capture Gen Z’s appetite for comfortable, gender‑neutral clothing. The launch coincides with a broader industry swing back to 90s‑inspired baggy silhouettes. Meanwhile, Lego rolled out...
Dunkin’ Donuts to Exit India as Jubilant FoodWorks Ends 15-Year Franchise Deal
Jubilant FoodWorks announced it will not renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin' Donuts, planning to wind down all Indian Dunkin' outlets by Dec 31 2026. The decision follows a FY24‑25 performance of roughly $4.4 million revenue against a $2.3 million loss, stark against its...
Apple Removes VPN and Proxy Apps From Russian App Store
Apple has removed several advanced VPN and proxy apps—including Streisand, V2Box, v2RayTun and Happ Proxy—from its Russian App Store, citing compliance with local regulations. Existing users can keep the apps but will no longer receive updates or security patches. The...
JK Cement Promotes Nitish Chopra to Group President Role
JK Cement promoted Nitish Chopra to Group President of its white cement and paints division. The appointment follows mixed Q3 FY26 results: consolidated net profit fell 8.6% to ₹173.61 crore (≈ $21 million), while revenue rose 18.2% to ₹3,463.07 crore (≈ $417 million). Chopra, who joined the...
New Car, Hidden Faults: How Much Does Skipping a PDI Car Service Actually Cost Buyers in India?
A pre‑delivery inspection (PDI) is a comprehensive check of a new car’s paint, panels, interior, mechanical and electrical systems before handover. In India, missed PDI issues can cost buyers between ₹5,000 and ₹80,000 (approximately $60‑$1,000). Dealerships often skimp on PDI...
Goafest 2026 Registrations Now Open at Early Bird Rates
Goafest 2026, South Asia’s premier advertising festival, has opened delegate registrations with early‑bird pricing until April 30, and will run May 20‑22 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, featuring keynotes, panels, workshops and networking. The event, co‑hosted by the Advertising Agencies...
Youtube Rolls Out Major Creator and Monetisation Upgrades
YouTube announced a sweeping set of creator‑focused upgrades, boosting visual tools, monetisation options, and safety features. Thumbnail file limits jump from 2 MB to 50 MB and localized thumbnails become widely available. The platform expands its Shopping Affiliate programme, launches a unified...
JioStar Cracks IPTV Piracy Network as TATA IPL 2026 Gets Underway
On the opening day of TATA IPL 2026, JioStar dismantled the BOS IPTV piracy network, which streamed over 10,000 live channels and 25,000 on‑demand titles to roughly 64,000 users. The broadcaster filed a criminal complaint, leading to an FIR under the IT...
Livguard Joins Punjab Kings as Exclusive Power Partner for IPL 2026
Livguard has signed an exclusive power partnership with Punjab Kings for IPL 2026, securing jersey placement and a suite of fan‑engagement activations. The deal positions Livguard’s portfolio—ranging from inverters and batteries to rooftop solar—before the league’s massive Indian audience. With...
Government Rolls Out TV Ratings Policy 2026 to Boost Transparency
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting introduced the TV Ratings Policy 2026, overhauling audience measurement by dropping landing‑page views from ratings and slashing the net‑worth entry bar for rating agencies from roughly $2.4 million to $0.6 million. The rules mandate expanding the metered‑home...
Russia-India Cinematic Spectacle Persimmon of My Love Set for Grand Moscow Debut
Moscow Film Cluster and Mumbai’s Film City have signed a cooperation agreement to boost film production between Russia and India. The memorandum, signed at the India International Film Tourism Conclave, highlights Moscow’s 45% rebate program and a $255,000 Image Grant...
Emami Names Dhruv Aggarwal as Chief Growth Officer
Emami Limited appointed former Bain partner Dhruv Aggarwal as chief growth officer, effective 25 March 2026, to sharpen its FMCG growth strategy. Aggarwal brings two decades of consulting, turnaround and global experience across India, the US, UK and Germany. In parallel, Sunfeast...
Keventers Names Shaurya Prabhat as CEO to Drive Next Growth Phase
Heritage milk‑shake chain Keventers appointed long‑time executive Shaurya Prabhat as CEO, targeting rapid expansion with 70 new outlets this year and a plan to triple its footprint in three years while courting Gen Z through a refreshed menu. Prabhat, who...
ZEEL Overhauls Sales Structure to Chase Growth Across TV and Digital Platforms
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) is overhauling its sales organization to create an integrated, data‑driven monetisation engine that serves both traditional TV and fast‑growing digital platforms. The restructuring, led by COO Sandeep Mehrotra, appoints new chief sales officers for regional...
OpenAI Drops Sora AI Video Tool, Ends Planned $1 Billion Disney Deal
OpenAI announced it is shutting down Sora, its AI‑powered video generation tool, effectively terminating a planned three‑year, $1 billion partnership with The Walt Disney Company. The deal, which would have given Disney access to Sora and allowed OpenAI to tap Disney’s...
Govt Extends Suspension of BARC Ratings for News Channels by Four Weeks
India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the suspension of BARC television rating points for news channels by four weeks, citing concerns that sensational coverage of the US‑Iran conflict could fuel public anxiety. The pause, now entering a second...
Gaurav Dewani Returns to Times Network as EVP
Gaurav Dewani has rejoined Times Network as executive vice president, bringing more than two decades of experience across television, digital and live media. His prior stint at the network and recent role as revenue head at NDTV position him to...
US Tech Entrepreneur Kal Somani Buys Rajasthan Royals for $1.63bn
Bundesliga International has signed a three‑year partnership with Thailand’s leading telecom provider AIS, beginning in the 2026‑27 season. The deal will stream all nine Bundesliga matches per matchday, plus marquee events, on AIS PLAY, integrating the league into the platform’s premium...
Indigo Appoints Aloke Singh as Chief Strategy Officer
Indigo appointed Aloke Singh, former MD and CEO of Air India Express, as its new Chief Strategy Officer to drive strategic planning, operational efficiency, and international expansion. Singh brings over three decades of aviation experience and will report to Managing...
MIB Cancels Registrations of 114 MSOs in Compliance Crackdown
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cancelled the registrations of 114 multi‑system operators, bringing the total number of active cable operators in India down to 756 after 1,159 exits since early 2025. The move is part of a year‑long crackdown...
Asia’s Sports Media Confab Pitches Its Tent in Singapore
Sportel Asia 2026 convened in Singapore, gathering rights‑holders, broadcasters, streaming platforms and tech vendors for two days of deal‑making. Sessions highlighted soaring rights fees, the surge of streaming services, and the fragmentation of Asian audiences. The agenda also tackled piracy’s...
India’s Summer Is No Longer a Season, It’s a Business Event: Anindya Ghosh on Summer Marketing
Anindya Ghosh, co‑founder of Sam and Andy, argues that India’s summer is no longer a three‑month season but a rapid, climate‑driven consumption event. He outlines the HEAT framework—Hyperlocal demand, Elastic consumption, Aspirational Bharat, and Time compression—to help brands adapt to...
OpenAI to Roll Out Ads for Free ChatGPT Users in the US
The Content India 2026 summit in Mumbai brought together creators, broadcasters and investors for a three‑day showcase of Indian television concepts, awarding £10,000 each to the winning projects Djinn Patrol and The Masala Quest. The event also released a Content India Trends Report...
Apollo Tyres Names Neha Agarwalla as Divisional Head – Marketing Comms & Sponsorships
Apollo Tyres has appointed Neha Agarwalla as divisional head of marketing communications and sponsorships for its Indian and Asian commercial business. Agarwalla, a former Paytm associate vice‑president with nearly two decades of media, marketing and strategy experience, will steer brand...
The Sleep Company Signs MS Dhoni as Brand Ambassador
The Sleep Company has appointed cricket legend MS Dhoni as its brand ambassador, launching the "India Vs Peaceful Sleep" campaign to spotlight chronic sleep deprivation and promote eight hours of quality rest, backed by its patented Smartgrid mattress technology. In parallel,...
Prime Video Unveils Biggest India Originals Slate Yet
Prime Video announced its largest‑ever Indian Originals slate, featuring close to 55 series and films across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The lineup introduces diverse formats, including India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series and new seasons of hit franchises like Farzi...
Maharashtra Panel Orders Lodha to Refund Rs 5 Crore to Homebuyers
The Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered Macrotech Developers (Lodha) to refund more than Rs 5 crore to a senior‑citizen couple after finding the developer guilty of deficient service and unfair trade practices. The ruling mandates repayment of Rs 2.83 crore plus 10%...
Brands Lag as Women Drive up to 85 per Cent of Buying Decisions
A HerKey‑Havas Creative India study finds women influence 70‑85% of purchase decisions in India, yet most brands lag behind. Only 14% of marketers consider themselves leaders in women‑centric marketing, and consistent women‑focused campaigns appear in just half to two‑thirds of...
Council of Europe to Unveil New TV and Streaming Co-Production Convention
The article argues that multilingual actors remain irreplaceable as artificial intelligence still fails to capture the cultural nuance, idioms, and emotional subtext essential to authentic performance. While AI can translate words, it cannot convey the layered meanings that actors embed...
Kamlesh Singh Receives Haldi Ghati Award From MMCF
India Today Group senior editor Kamlesh Singh was honoured with the MMCF Haldi Ghati Award in Udaipur, recognizing three decades of journalism, digital innovation and mentorship. The award, one of four national honours from the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation,...
Mana Projects Names Ranbir Kapoor Brand Ambassador Amid Rebranding
Mana Projects, a Bengaluru‑based developer, has appointed Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador while unveiling a refreshed brand identity. The rebrand spotlights design‑led living, sustainability and community‑centric spaces aimed at millennial homebuyers. Mana plans to roll out an...
Karnataka Clears Rs 4,824 Crore Investment Projects Across 13 Districts
Karnataka's State Level Single Window Approval Committee cleared industrial projects worth Rs 4,824.31 crore across 13 districts, creating an estimated 14,525 jobs. The approvals cover 37 new proposals and two additional investments spanning IT infrastructure, aerospace, textiles, biogas, and hospitality. Large...
Namita Jadhav Steps Down as VP of Corporate Communications at JioStar
Namita Jadhav has stepped down as vice‑president of corporate communications at JioStar after a 1.5‑year stint, ending a career that includes nearly two decades at Disney and senior roles at Weber Shandwick. Her departure marks the loss of a seasoned media‑industry...
