Entertainment
WWE and Netflix team up for Indian fans: Paul 'Triple H' Levesque confirms April 2025 premiere; Check details
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.
South India stays loyal to Pay-TV in times of OTT
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.
Highest-paid south actresses: From Nayanthara to Rashmika Mandanna
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:Nayanthara: Nayanthara is one of the most bankable actresses in South Indian cinema, known for her powerful performances. She made her Bollywood debut with Jawan, for which she charged Rs 10 crore. Additionally, she sold the rights of her wedding documentary to Netflix for a massive Rs 25 crore.
Diljit Dosanjh, India's rising global music star, is breaking the Bollywood mold
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.
Sony Music Publishing renews exclusive global deal with Tips Music
Tips Music and Sony Music Publishing have strengthened their global publishing partnership, extending to YouTube worldwide, excluding India. This collaboration aims to boost the international presence of Indian music, particularly Bollywood soundtracks. With an impressive catalogue of over 32,000 tracks, Tips Music plans to release numerous film albums annually and promote independent music through Tips Originals.
Namit Malhotra’s DNEG wins its eighth Oscar for Dune: Part Two in the VFX category
DNEG won its eighth Visual Effects Oscar for its work on Dune: Part Two at the 97th Academy Awards. CEO Namit Malhotra thanked the team and collaborators, highlighting the creative and technical leadership. VFX Supervisors Rhys Salcombe and Stephen James praised the passion and skill of the artists and technicians involved.
Mahashivratri livestream on JioHotstar draws 3.9 crore views
JioHotstar's livestream of Mahashivratri attracted 3.9 crore views and recorded 21.8 crore minutes of watch time, blending spirituality with technology. The 15-hour event featured live feeds from Jyotirlingas, spiritual discourses, and performances, creating an immersive celebration attended by millions.
JioStar eyes strong ad revenue growth from IPL 2025 with multiple deals in place
JioStar targets 1 billion viewers for IPL 2025, planning to break previous ad sales records with multiple sponsors and expanded advertiser categories. The company conducted roadshows to attract SMBs and expects ad inventory to be nearly sold out before the season starts.
Bollywood's shift to streaming giants raises concerns over content diversity & market control
Bollywood is seeing a shift where a few major streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and JioHotStar dominate the content market. This has turned the industry into a buyers' market, limiting variety and slowing content production. Streamers are negotiating hard, and costs have been cut by 40%, impacting content and actor fees.
Karnataka HC rules against inclusion of service tax in entertainment tax calculation on DTH
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that service tax should not be included in calculating entertainment tax on TV broadcast subscription fees under the Karnataka Entertainment Tax Act. The court set aside the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal's order and remanded the case for reconsideration, directing a fresh decision within three months.
Must Watch
ICC Champions Trophy 2025: 110 million TV viewers in first three matches, digital viewership soars
The first three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy drew 110 million TV viewers, with significant male audiences. TV ratings were decent, reflecting shifting viewing habits towards digital platforms. JioStar aims to reach 450 million viewers, securing multiple sponsors. The India-Pakistan match set a record with 602 million digital views on JioHotstar.
JioHotstar to livestream 97th Academy Awards in India
The 97th Academy Awards will be streamed live in India on JioHotstar and air on Star Movies on March 3, 2025. Conan O'Brien will host the event at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Jacques Audiard's 'Emilia Perez' leads with 13 nominations, followed by 'Wicked' and 'The Brutalist' with 10 each.
Vicky Kaushal’s ‘Chhaava’ nears Rs 400 cr in India, marching into the elite league of SRK’s Pathaan and Sunny Deol's Gadar 2
Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar, has broken records with its Rs. 31 crore opening day and continues to thrive, nearing Rs. 400 crores in collections. The film is set to release in Telugu on March 7 and has garnered praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Airtel says in talks with Tatas to combine Tata Play with Bharti Telemedia
Bharti Airtel is in talks with the Tata Group to merge Tata Play’s direct-to-home business with Airtel’s Bharti Telemedia. The merger aims to enhance Airtel’s non-mobile revenues through convergence, with Airtel expected to hold a majority stake. The potential deal would mark a significant transaction in India’s DTH space.
Did you know these 8 Bollywood stars changed their real names?
On an astrologer’s advice, she changed "Ashwini" to "Shilpa" before entering modeling. The name was believed to bring her fame and success, and it worked. She later became one of Bollywood’s most successful actresses and a fitness and wellness icon.
Connekkt Media acquires Hollywood marketing agency Mob Scene
Connekkt Media has acquired Mob Scene, a premier Hollywood marketing agency, marking a strategic expansion into the US and North America. This partnership combines Mob Scene's creative marketing expertise with Connekkt's technology to deliver targeted and measurable impact globally, enhancing their presence in the media and entertainment industry.
