Media Entertainment & Art Community

In a bold move to rival Elon Musk’s Twitter, Meta’s Instagram has introduced Threads, a text-based conversation application that is now available in approximately 100 countries. Previously undergoing closed beta testing, the app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, greeted users with enthusiasm in his inaugural post on Threads. Threads is designed as a platform for communities to engage in discussions about various subjects, connect with their favourite creators, and cultivate a following to share their ideas, opinions, and creative works. What sets Threads apart from other Twitter alternatives is its integration with Instagram, allowing users to retain their existing usernames and follow the same accounts. Officially known as “Threads, an Instagram app,” it seamlessly bridges the gap between the two platforms. The app permits users to share text posts of up to 500 characters, as well as photos and videos with a maximum duration of five minutes. However, it currently lacks a direct messaging feature. Meta representatives have announced their plans to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, an open social networking protocol supported by platforms like Mastodon and WordPress, with the intention of fostering interoperability with other social networks. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, envisions Threads as an open and welcoming platform for conversations. While Instagram boasts over 2 billion monthly active users, it remains uncertain how many users will embrace Threads, given its emphasis on text-based content rather than the image and video-centric nature of Instagram. To ensure privacy and accessibility, Threads automatically sets profiles as private by default for users under the age of 16 (or 18 in certain countries). Additionally, Meta has implemented core accessibility features such as screen-reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, which are already available on Instagram, for a seamless user experience on Threads. The launch of Threads coincides with recent technical difficulties faced by Elon Musk’s Twitter. Musk claimed that temporary restrictions on post reading were implemented on Twitter to address concerns about data scraping and system manipulation. Meta previously expressed its interest in developing a separate decentralized social network for sharing text updates, specifically targeting creators and public figures to share timely updates about their interests. While both Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have engaged in playful banter regarding a potential physical confrontation, it remains unclear whether the two billionaires will ever actually face off in such a manner.

Sylvester daCunha, the visionary behind the iconic Amul Girl campaign, has passed away. DaCunha, along with his art director Eustace Fernandes, created the famous campaign in 1966 when he was the Managing Director of advertising agency ASP. He transformed the image of the Amul butter brand by introducing the lively and relatable Amul Girl, aiming to capture the hearts of Indian housewives. The Amul campaign, known for its witty and timely advertisements, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. The news of daCunha’s demise has deeply saddened the advertising industry, as he was highly respected and regarded as a legend in Indian advertising. Tributes poured in from various personalities, including Pavan Singh, General Manager-Marketing at Amul India, who expressed his condolences in a social media post. Jayen Mehta, MD of Amul, shared the news of daCunha’s passing and highlighted his significant contributions to the company since the 1960s. Very sorry to inform about the sad demise of Shri Sylvester daCunha, Chairman of daCunha Communications last night at Mumbai A doyen of Indian advertising industry who was associated with Amul since 1960s. The Amul family joins in mourning this sad loss @RahuldaCunha ॐ Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/cuac1K6FSo — Jayen Mehta (@Jayen_Mehta) June 21, 2023 RS Sodhi, former Chief of Amul, expressed grief on Twitter with a heartfelt picture. pic.twitter.com/79khUtFWI5 — R S Sodhi (@Rssamul) June 21, 2023 Air India, in a tweet, paid tribute to daCunha’s visionary mind that brought the charming Amul Girl to life, inspiring generations with creativity and storytelling. We pay a tribute to Sylvester daCunha, the visionary mind who brought the charming Amul Girl to life. Capturing the hearts of millions, his brilliance will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding us of the power of creativity and storytelling. May his soul rest in… — Air India (@airindia) June 22, 2023 Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group, recognized daCunha’s influence on Indian households, referring to the Amul Girl as a beloved part of childhood memories. in almost every indian household you will find our beloved amul girl..a big part of our utterly butterly delicious childhood memories sad to hear about the demise of sylvester dacunha – the man who gave India her favorite cartoon 👧🏻 om shanti 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/hB5GFVYd93 — Anil Agarwal (@AnilAgarwal_Ved) June 22, 2023 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also mourned the loss, recalling his father’s association with daCunha on the Advertising Club’s magazine. Saddened by the passing of Amul’s ‘UtterlyButterly’ campaign creator Sylvester daCunha. He was a good friend of my father & they worked together on the Advertising Club’s magazine “Solus”, for which Dad wrote a pseudonymous column. An era has passed. RIP https://t.co/NvuMPyiLzJ — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 21, 2023 The passing of Sylvester daCunha marks the end of an era, but his legacy and the enduring charm of the Amul Girl will continue to resonate with people across generations.  

Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the role of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms in breaking geographical barriers. He noted that OTT platforms, which gained significant popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, have eliminated boundaries and allowed content from around the world to be embraced by global audiences. Thakur specifically mentioned the success of Korean content as an example of this phenomenon. Speaking at an awards program, Thakur emphasized that “soft power” knows no boundaries. He credited the COVID-induced lockdown for the substantial growth of OTT platforms. He expressed optimism about the potential for Bengal, known for visionaries like Rabindranath Tagore, iconic filmmaker Satyajit Ray, and talented artists like Arijit Singh, to captivate OTT audiences worldwide with fresh content in the near future. Regarding the regulation of OTT content, Thakur posed the question to the stakeholders, considering that families consume the content. He pointed out that the viewership of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches on mobile phones surpassed that of television, underscoring the increasing preference for streaming content. Thakur also celebrated the recognition of Indian content in the entertainment industry, citing the song “Naatu Naatu” and the documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” receiving accolades at the Academy Awards 2023. He congratulated the award recipients for their contributions to the fields of art and entertainment.

Spotify, the music streaming giant, has been fined 58 million kronor ($5.4 million) by the Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection for failing to sufficiently inform users about the utilization of their collected data. In response, Spotify has announced its intention to appeal the decision. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) conducted a review focused on how Spotify handled users’ rights to access their personal data. The IMY concluded that the company exhibited deficiencies in this area and thus imposed a fine of 58 million kronor. As per the regulations outlined in the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), users possess the right to be aware of the data held by a company pertaining to them and how that data is being utilized. The Swedish authority emphasized that Spotify’s provided information lacked clarity, making it challenging for individuals to comprehend how their personal data was being processed and determine the legality of such processing. IMY acknowledged that the identified shortcomings were relatively minor overall, but the fine was determined based on Spotify’s user base and revenue. Recently, Spotify revealed its negotiations to make popular podcasts, including Armchair Expert and Anything Goes, available on other streaming platforms. The company stated that it has experienced success through experimentation with show windowing, a strategy it intends to continue in order to strengthen partnerships with leading podcasters worldwide. Additionally, Spotify announced a reduction of approximately 200 jobs, constituting 2% of its workforce, as part of ongoing restructuring efforts. This follows a previous workforce reduction of 6% (approximately 600 jobs) announced in January. (With inputs from Agencies)

Disney+ Hotstar and Viacom18 are adopting a new strategy by offering popular cricket tournaments, such as the Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, for free to mobile users in India. However, experts in the media and entertainment industry are concerned about the long-term consequences of removing the paywall on premium sports content. They believe that this move may negatively impact the subscription market for sports and reduce the value of broadcasting rights in the future. In response to these concerns, Disney Star, the local unit of Walt Disney Co, stated that the decision to lift the paywall for mobile viewers is aimed at democratizing the game of cricket and making it accessible to a wider audience in India. They believe that this move will contribute to the growth of the overall ecosystem. It’s important to note that only the two sporting events mentioned will be available for free, while other premium content, including English language content from Marvel, Pixar, LucasFilms, Disney Animation, and Indian originals, will remain behind the paywall. The free access to the tournaments is limited to mobile users, while connected TV users will still need to pay. According to a FICCI EY report, India has 540 million mobile internet users. As of May, Disney+ Hotstar had the largest paid subscriber base in the country, with 52.9 million subscribers. However, the loss of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and non-renewal of HBO Originals may significantly impact the subscriber base, which has already seen a decline of 8.4 million in the past six months.

According to a statement by Viacom18, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans broke records by becoming the most-watched digital event globally on JioCinema, with 12 Crore unique viewers. Viacom18 revealed that the final match achieved a peak concurrency of 3.21 Crore viewers, setting a new world record. Throughout the 16th edition, JioCinema garnered over 1700 crore video views. Impressively, the platform saw a record-breaking 2.5 Crore downloads in a single day, making it the most installed app. On average, viewers spent over 60 minutes per match on the platform. Viacom18 Sports CEO Anil Jayaraj stated, “Record-breaking scale on JioCinema combined with targeting, the flexibility of cost, measurement, interactivity, reach, and integration offered significant advantages to its sponsors and advertisers.” The remarkable engagement and participation on the digital platform indicate a turning point in the industry, shaping the future of viewership and advertising deployment. JioCinema attracted 26 sponsors and over 800 advertisers for the IPL, with more than 40 advertisers on Connected TV. Among the sponsors were Dream11, JioMart, PhonePe, Tiago EV, Jio, Appy Fizz, ET Money, Castrol, TVS, Oreo, Bingo, Sting, AJIO, Haier, RuPay, Louis Philippe Jeans, Amazon, Rapido, Ultra Tech Cement, Puma, Kamla Pasand, Kingfisher Power Soda, Jindal Panther TMT Rebar, Saudi Tourism, Spotify, and AMFI. To enhance customer engagement, JioCinema offered 17 simultaneous feeds in 12 languages, including 4K resolution, multi-camera views, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences, providing viewers with a stadium-like atmosphere and unprecedented autonomy

JioCinema, a streaming platform owned by Viacom18, and NBCUniversal (NBCU) on Monday jointly announced a multi-year agreement to distribute a number of NBCU TV series and films in India. A month ago, JioCinema announced that starting in May, it would be the new home for HBO and Warner Bros. content in the nation. According to the agreement, users will be able to watch shows from NBCU’s renowned content library, which is supported by companies and production bodies like Universal Television, Universal International Studios, Sky Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, and Focus Features. Starting in June, JioCinema’s newly announced “JioCinema Premium” SVOD (subscription video on demand) tier will feature NBCU programmes through a Peacock-branded hub. Through this service, Indian subscribers will have access to Peacock Originals like “The Calling,” an investigative drama series from Emmy winner David E. Kelley, directed and executive produced by Oscar winner Barry Levinson, and “Bel-Air,” a dramatic remake of the Will Smith-starring comedy series from the 1990s. Future releases of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which features Chris Pratt as Mario, “The Despicable Me/Minions” and “Fast” franchise films, including the recently released “Fast X,” as well as the eagerly anticipated epic thriller “Oppenheimer,” which Christopher Nolan will shoot in IMAX, will also be available on the service. NBCU offers unscripted series like “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Vanderpump Rules” for viewers of reality television to stream. The DreamWorks Animation slate will include the Oscar-nominated “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” and the sci-fi horror movie “M3GAN” from James Wan and Blumhouse. NBCU’s extensive library of critically acclaimed and popular series, including “Downton Abbey,” “Suits,” “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “The Mindy Project,” are also included in this agreement.

Viacom18 has been named the exclusive media partner for Season 4 of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), which has been promoted by Niraj Bajaj and Vita Dani under the aegis of the Table Tennis Federation of India. The competition, which starts on July 13 and ends on July 30, will be televised on Sports18 and live streamed on JioCinema as a result of the arrangement. The UTT expands Viacom18 Sports’ diverse lineup of top sporting events, which already includes the TATA IPL, TATA WPL, Diamond League, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, MotoGP, NBA, LaLiga, Serie A, Ligue 1, and some BWF events. “The partnership with Viacom18 signifies a notable milestone for the growth of UTT and will offer the supporters unprecedented access to high-quality action from the upcoming season. We will work together to amplify the league’s prominence and thrill, to highlight the exceptional abilities of our players,” said co-promoter Niraj Bajaj. With their outstanding results in prior editions, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, Manav Thakkar, Sutirtha Mukherjee, and Manika Batra have helped to establish themselves as talents in UTT. Numerous other world-famous athletes have also taken part, including the current European champion from Austria, Sofia Polcanova (World No. 12), the bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, Cheng I-Ching (World No. 9), the two-time World Championship medalist from Hong Kong, Wong Chun Ting, and World No. 11 Doo Hoi Kem.

KT Rama Rao, the Telangana minister of industries and information technology, met with Alexandra Carter, senior vice president of finance at Warner Bros. Discovery, on May 16, 2023 as part of his trip to the US. The conversations stressed a joint goal of both parties to promote development and innovation in the media and entertainment sector. An impressive portfolio of well-known brands is housed by Warner Bros. Discovery, a well-known international media and entertainment giant, including HBO, HBO Max, CNN, TLC, Discovery, Discovery Plus, WB, Eurosport, Animal Planet, Cinemax, Pogo, HGTV, Cartoon Network, and Quest. It is clear from Warner Bros. Discovery’s plan to open an office there that the company wants to take advantage of the enormous prospects the Indian market offers. Warner Bros. Discovery’s operations in India will have a strategic hub at the Information Development Centre (IDC) in Hyderabad. The IDC intends to hire 1,200 people in its first year, with plans to increase that number as the company grows. This decision reflects the company’s trust in Hyderabad as a booming centre for the media and entertainment industry as well as its commitment to building a footprint in India. The entry of Warner Bros. Discovery into Hyderabad is anticipated to result in a number of exciting opportunities and advantages. The opening of their office will help the local economy grow and thrive while also opening up employment opportunities for skilled professionals.

Leading movie theatre operator PVR INOX aims to close over 50 screens that are losing money and are depreciating quickly. According to PVR INOX’s investor update for the fourth quarter and financial year ending March 31, 2023, “The company plans to shut down approximately 50 cinema screens over the next 6 months.” These properties are either loss-making or located in malls that are nearing the end of their usefulness and have limited potential for future growth. “The company has taken an accelerated charge of the depreciation in its books and written off the WDV of assets,” it stated. After the merger of two well-known movie theatre brands, PVR Ltd and INOX Leisure, PVR-INOX Ltd was formed. Beginning on February 6, 2023, the merger took effect. By the conclusion of FY23, the combined company would be running 361 theatres with 1,689 screens over 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka. “There will be Rs 100 million of EBITDA impact (savings) by closing down of 50 screens,” said Karan Taurani, SVP of Elara Capital. He said that the majority of these screens are in Tier I and II markets. In addition to PVR, INOX plans to open 150–175 screens in FY24 as part of its ongoing expansion. “Of these, 9 screens have been opened till date, 15 screens are awaiting license for commercial opening and 152 screens are currently under various stages of fit out,” the statement read. All upcoming handovers of new sites for fit-outs have been rescheduled till the time that business has completely recovered. “The company has a robust pipeline of screens signed up for development over the next 5 years,” it added. PVR INOX announced on Monday that its consolidated net loss for the fourth quarter that ended on March 31, 2023, was Rs 333.99 crore and its operating revenue was Rs 1,143.17 crore. As SPH (Spend per Head)/ATP (Average Ticket Price) are 16%/30% higher than pre-COVID level, Taurani stated, “We believe increased footfall growth is the only key driver of revenue growth in FY24.” Given the enormous possibilities, management is not worried about losing some of the screens in the pipeline.