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Broadcasters Gear Up for Legal Battle Against TRAI’s Ad Cap Notice

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TV broadcasters are preparing to challenge the recent show cause notices issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over alleged violations of the 12-minute-per-hour advertising cap. Broadcasters, along with industry bodies such as the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation and the News Broadcasters and Digital Association, are evaluating legal strategies, with a final decision expected next week. Executives across the sector said the notices caught them off guard, especially as the matter is still pending before the Delhi High Court. They argued that enforcing the cap now could worsen the financial stress on broadcasters, who are already grappling with rising operational costs, weak advertising demand, and audience migration to OTT streaming platforms and DD Free Dish. The notices, issued on November 18, have given broadcasters 15 days to explain why action should not be taken for allegedly exceeding the advertising time limit. Industry leaders say many free-to-air channels currently rely heavily on ad-heavy prime-time slots for revenue, and cutting inventory now would strain them further. They added that despite reduced inventory theoretically pushing up ad rates, the current muted advertiser sentiment makes price hikes unrealistic. Executives also questioned the regulatory imbalance, pointing out that digital video platforms face no similar restrictions on ad volumes. They argued that the TV sector is over-regulated at a time when it is already losing market share. According to TAM AdEx, TV ad volumes fell 10% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025. The FICCI EY media report showed that TV advertising revenues dropped 6% to ₹29,400 crore in 2024 due to reduced ad volumes and a decline of over 10% in the number of advertisers. Legal experts said TRAI may push for an expedited hearing on the ad cap case, which has been pending for more than a decade. The Delhi High Court had granted interim protection in 2013, barring coercive action against broadcasters. The case is now scheduled for its next hearing on January 27, 2026, with the interim order remaining in force until then. Source: Economic Times

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ICC Unveils Full Schedule for U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the complete fixture list for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6, 2026. The event will feature 16 teams competing in 41 matches, culminating in the final at the Harare Sports Club on February 6. The tournament will open with three exciting clashes: India vs USA, Zimbabwe vs Scotland, and a landmark moment as Tanzania makes its maiden U19 World Cup appearance against the West Indies. Matches will be staged across five venues — Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Sports Club, Queens Sports Club (Zimbabwe), and Namibia Cricket Ground along with HP Oval (Namibia). Adopting the familiar structure, the competition will begin with four groups of four teams, progressing to the Super Six, followed by the semi-finals and the title match. Reigning champions Australia will commence their title defence against Ireland on January 16 in Windhoek. A highly anticipated face-off between traditional rivals India and Bangladesh is scheduled for January 17 in Bulawayo. Automatic qualification was granted to ten teams based on their 2024 World Cup showing, while hosts Zimbabwe and five regional qualifiers completed the lineup — a strong reflection of cricket’s expanding global footprint. Teams are expected to arrive on January 8, with warm-up games set between January 9 and 14. Group allocations are as follows: Group A: India, Bangladesh, USA, New Zealand Group B: Zimbabwe, Pakistan, England, Scotland Group C: Australia, Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka Group D: Tanzania, West Indies, Afghanistan, South Africa Sharing his enthusiasm for the upcoming edition, ICC Chairman Jay Shah highlighted the tournament’s legacy in nurturing cricket’s biggest names — from Brian Lara and Sanath Jayasuriya to Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Shubman Gill. He noted that the 2026 tournament promises to provide young talents with a platform that mirrors the pressures of top-tier international cricket. Shah also celebrated Tanzania’s debut, calling it a sign of the sport’s increasing global reach, and extended his best wishes to all participating teams. Key schedule highlights include: January 15: USA vs India (Bulawayo), Zimbabwe vs Scotland (Harare), Tanzania vs West Indies (Windhoek) January 16: Pakistan vs England (Harare), Australia vs Ireland (Windhoek), Afghanistan vs South Africa (Windhoek) January 17: India vs Bangladesh (Bulawayo), Japan vs Sri Lanka (Windhoek) February 6: Final (Harare Sports Club) The complete schedule spans from January 15 to February 6, featuring the group stage, Super Six matches, semi-finals, and the championship finale. Source: IANS

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Government raises print media advertisement rates by 26%

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The government on Monday announced a 26% hike in advertisement rates for print media, a move expected to bring notable benefits to both the media sector and government communication efforts, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Under the revised structure, the black-and-white advertisement rate for daily newspapers with a circulation of 1 lakh copies has increased from ₹47.40 to ₹59.68 per sq cm. The government has also accepted the Rate Structure Committee’s (RSC) recommendations on premium charges for colour ads and preferential ad placements. The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) last updated its print advertisement rates in January 2019 based on the eighth RSC’s recommendations, which were valid for three years. The ninth RSC, formed on November 11, 2021, was tasked with reviewing and proposing new rates—leading to the latest upward revision. Source: PTI

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Sony Pictures Begins Development on Film Based on Popular Labubu Doll Brand

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Sony Pictures has secured the screen rights to the widely popular Chinese collectible doll brand Labubu, with a feature film now in early development, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The project is in its initial stages, with no producer or director attached yet, and it remains unclear whether the movie will be live-action or animated. Labubu was created in 2015 by Hong Kong–born, Europe-based artist Kasing Lung. The brand features a lineup of quirky monster characters, including the main figure Labubu, along with leader Zimomo, companion Mokoko, and boyfriend Tycoco. The global Labubu craze took off in 2019 when Pop Mart introduced the dolls as “blind box” collectibles. Their popularity skyrocketed in April 2024 after BLACKPINK star Lisa was spotted carrying a Labubu keychain, sparking massive social media buzz. Pop Mart reportedly saw a 350% surge in profits earlier this year due to the trend’s explosive growth. Hollywood has enjoyed notable success in adapting toys into films, from The Lego Movie to the blockbuster live-action Barbie. In a similar move, Sony and Mattel Films also announced development on a View-Master feature this week. Source: PTI

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JioHotstar Surpasses 1 Billion Downloads, Redefines India’s Streaming Landscape

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JioHotstar, the entertainment platform under JioStar, has officially crossed 1 billion downloads on Google Play, marking its entry into an exclusive group of global apps to reach this milestone. With over 300 million paid subscribers and more than 500 million monthly active users, it now stands as India’s largest streaming service by scale and reach. Formed through the merger of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar, the platform attributes its rapid ascent to a blend of localized storytelling, seamless technology, and strategic market integration. “By merging deep local relevance with innovation, JioHotstar is setting new benchmarks for how digital entertainment connects, inspires, and creates value,” the company said in a statement. The achievement follows a wave of technological breakthroughs unveiled by Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm and Director on the JioStar board, during the Reliance Industries AGM on August 29. Ambani introduced four cutting-edge features designed to elevate how users search, personalize, and enjoy content. Among them is RIYA, a voice-enabled AI assistant that helps users instantly locate moments, highlights, or specific clips without scrolling. “RIYA understands natural speech — from your favorite show’s key scenes to highlight reels and in-depth analyses,” Ambani explained. Another innovation, Voice Print, uses AI-powered voice cloning and lip-syncing to let viewers watch dubbed content while retaining the original actor’s voice. “Now, your favorite stars won’t just be dubbed — they’ll actually speak your language, in their own voice, synced perfectly to screen,” Ambani said. Also introduced was JioLenZ, allowing users to tailor their viewing experience in real-time, and MaxView 3.0, an upgraded, mobile-first cricket interface offering multi-camera angles, instant highlights, and live scorecards — all optimized for vertical viewing. Ambani emphasized that these developments reflect JioStar’s vision of merging content, software, and AI to deliver a uniquely immersive entertainment experience. Currently, JioHotstar hosts over 3.2 lakh hours of content — six times more than its closest competitors — and added 30,000 new hours in the past year. Within just three months of its launch, the platform attracted over 600 million users, including 75 million connected TV households. “With these innovations, we are steadily moving toward our goal of serving a billion screens — across mobile, TV, and connected devices,” Ambani affirmed. Source: Economic Times

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Jio Studios Crosses ₹1,000 Crore Box Office Milestone in FY25

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Jio Studios, the content and media arm of Reliance Industries, achieved a major milestone in FY25 by surpassing the ₹1,000 crore mark in Net Box Office Collection (NBOC) across India, according to Reliance Industries’ latest annual report. This marks a sharp rise from the previous fiscal year, when Jio Studios’ film slate earned around ₹700 crore at the box office. Calling FY25 a “landmark year,” the studio cemented its leadership in Indian entertainment with a powerful line-up of over 40 films and web originals across multiple languages and digital platforms. Dominating the Hindi box office, three Jio Studios blockbusters — Stree 2, Singham Again, and Sky Force — ranked among the year’s top five hits and together contributed over 40% of the industry’s total domestic NBOC. Notably, Stree 2 emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time. Beyond theatres, Jio Studios also saw massive success on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, and JioHotstar. Laapataa Ladies featured among the top three most-watched Hindi films globally on Netflix, while Mrs set a new record on ZEE5 with more than 500 million viewing minutes in its first three weeks, also becoming Google’s most-searched film of the year. The Stree 2 soundtrack, led by the viral hit “Aaj Ki Raat,” crossed 2 billion streams and views on YouTube and Spotify, underscoring its pop culture dominance. In terms of critical acclaim, Jio Studios secured 65+ major awards, including 15 IIFA wins and recognition from the Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation. Four of its titles were also listed among IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Movies of 2024. Expanding its footprint in regional cinema, the studio has made notable inroads into Marathi films, with upcoming high-profile projects like Raja Shivaji and a biopic on Olympic wrestler Khashaba Jadhav. With an impressive track record and a strong pipeline ahead, Jio Studios continues to solidify its position as a trailblazer and global force in Indian entertainment. Source: PTI

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Zee cements dominance in Hindi movie broadcasting with 28.7% market share in Q2FY26

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Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has achieved a three-year high in the Hindi movie broadcasting space, capturing a 28.7% market share in Q2FY26. The surge was powered by Zee Cinema, which reclaimed its position as the No. 1 Hindi movie channel in the 15+ HSM Urban category. The success was driven by blockbuster premieres such as Jaat, Game Changer, and Pushpa: The Rule Part 2—the latter emerging as the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 to date. Zee’s Free-to-Air channels, Anmol Cinema and Zee Action, also led the charts in Q2FY26, each reaching over 116 million viewers across all genres in the 15+ HSM Urban market. Beyond Hindi, Zee sustained its leadership in regional movie clusters. In Maharashtra, Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva, and Zee Chitramandir together commanded nearly 50% market share, supported by the hit premiere of Phullwanti. In southern and eastern markets, Zee Thirai (Tamil), Zee Cinemalu (Telugu), and Zee Biskope (Bhojpuri) ranked among the top three regional movie channels. A company spokesperson attributed the strong performance to Zee’s robust content strategy, which blends fresh premieres, evergreen classics, and data-driven programming. With 22 movie channels across six languages, Zee’s movie network reached over 550 million viewers in September 2025 alone. The movie genre continues to attract major advertisers, given its massive scale and consistent ratings. Zee’s extensive movie library features timeless hits like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Karan Arjun, and Bobby — with Hum Aapke Hain Koun alone garnering over 250 million viewers in the past five years. Source: Economic Times

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Netflix Partners with Yash Raj Films to Stream Iconic Bollywood Classics Worldwide

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Netflix has announced a landmark collaboration with Yash Raj Films (YRF) to bring some of the studio’s most beloved movies to global audiences, celebrating the legacy of Indian cinema. The partnership will see a phased rollout of YRF’s celebrated titles, coinciding with key festivals, film milestones, and star birthdays — allowing viewers in over 190 countries to rediscover the magic of Bollywood. To mark Shah Rukh Khan’s 60th birthday, nine of his iconic films — including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Mohabbatein, Dil To Pagal Hai, Veer-Zaara, and Chak De! India — begin streaming this weekend. Following this, Salman Khan’s hit films Ek Tha Tiger, Sultan, and Tiger Zinda Hai will debut on December 27, celebrating his birthday. Audiences can also revisit evergreen YRF classics such as Chandni, Kabhi Kabhie, Vijay, Lamhe, and Silsila starting November 14. On December 5, Netflix will add a special Ranveer Singh collection featuring Band Baaja Baaraat, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Kill Dil, Befikre, and Gunday. Adding to the festive cheer, 34 more YRF titles — including Bunty Aur Babli, Hum Tum, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, and Ta Ra Rum Pum — will stream between December 12 and 28, with two new releases dropping daily. The celebration extends into 2026, beginning with the Dhoom trilogy on November 28 and the Mardaani series from January 22. A special Valentine’s Week collection featuring romantic hits like Saathiya, Ishaqzaade, Bachna Ae Haseeno, and Salaam Namaste will premiere on February 7. Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, said the collaboration will allow audiences worldwide to “experience the colour, the music, and the magic of India and Indian cinema that YRF has always celebrated.” Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, called it “a milestone for Indian cinema on Netflix,” emphasizing that the partnership deepens Netflix’s commitment to showcasing the diversity and emotion of Indian storytelling. Source: PTI

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Swastik Stories Unveils India’s First Cultural Storytelling FAST Channel

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Swastik Stories has announced the launch of India’s first cultural storytelling FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channel, now available on JioTV, LG, Xiaomi TV, and RunnTV. The platform will stream ad-supported, free-to-watch content, aiming for an initial reach of over 50 million viewers across digital and connected TV networks. Famous for television hits like Mahabharat, RadhaKrishn, and Porus, Swastik Stories is expanding its legacy into the digital space with a focus on Indian history, culture, and mythology. The FAST model allows audiences to enjoy curated programming on smart TVs and devices without any subscription. The company expects to reach 90% of connected TV households by March 2026. The first original title on the channel, Hamara Vinayak, will premiere on October 31, with new 10–12-minute episodes releasing every Friday on both YouTube and the FAST channel. The short-format series is tailored for digital audiences who prefer concise storytelling. Founder and Chief Storyteller Siddharth Kumar Tewary said, “Swastik Stories is reimagining Indian culture for the digital age — bringing the wisdom of our past to every screen and every home. This launch marks not just a channel, but a movement in cultural storytelling.” The show’s presenting sponsor, 1Finance, has partnered with the series for its premiere. Drashti Thaker, AVP–Marketing at 1Finance, said the collaboration aligns with their philosophy of providing guidance and clarity, much like the show’s protagonist helps others navigate life’s challenges. Swastik Stories also announced upcoming originals such as Ride to Roots, Vikram Vetal, and Krishna Within, signaling a broader push to create a digital-first destination for Indian cultural entertainment. Source: Economic Times

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Abundantia Entertainment Launches AI Division to Revolutionize Storytelling

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Vikram Malhotra-led Abundantia Entertainment has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-focused division named ‘Abundantia aiON’, aimed at fusing technology with human creativity to redefine storytelling. The initiative will integrate AI across stages like ideation, visual design, and production to craft innovative films, series, and characters. Built on the philosophy of “Human First. AI Empowered.”, aiON seeks to position AI as a creative catalyst rather than a replacement for human imagination. The division will collaborate with global tech leaders to develop creative infrastructure and train writers, artists, and filmmakers to use emerging technologies in storytelling. The move follows Abundantia’s partnership with Collective Artists Network for Chiranjeevi Hanuman – The Eternal, touted as a “Made-in-AI” feature film set for release in 2026. Commenting on the launch, Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, said, “At Abundantia, we believe technology should amplify imagination, not replace it. AI isn’t here to take over creativity—it’s here to magnify it. We see AI as a collaborator, a force multiplier for human imagination.” The company plans to announce its first slate of AI-driven projects soon. Meanwhile, Abundantia continues to expand its lineup with upcoming releases including Subedaar (starring Anil Kapoor), Daldal (featuring Bhumi Pednekar), an untitled comedy with Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Dharna Durga, and Ravi Kishan, and a business drama series directed by Hansal Mehta. Source: Economic Times

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