ArdorComm Media Group

Friday, July 17, 2026 5:06 AM

digital entertainment

IAMAI Appoints JioStar Sports CEO Ishan Chatterjee as New Digital Entertainment Committee Chairman

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has announced the appointment of Ishan Chatterjee, CEO of JioStar Sports, as the new Chairman of its Digital Entertainment Committee (DEC), succeeding Kiran Mani. Kiran Mani, who recently stepped down from his role as CEO – Digital at JioStar, is preparing to join OpenAI as Managing Director for Asia Pacific. Before stepping down, Mani had been leading IAMAI’s Digital Entertainment Committee and played a key role in shaping discussions around India’s growing digital media ecosystem. Commenting on his appointment, Ishan Chatterjee said India’s digital entertainment sector is entering a period of rapid expansion, driven by the intersection of technology, evolving consumer habits, and creative innovation. He highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between content platforms, creators, brands, and policymakers to accelerate innovation, build consumer trust, and effectively leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. He emphasized that consumers remain central to this transformation, continuously influencing how entertainment is created, distributed, and consumed. Chatterjee added that he looks forward to working closely with the industry to drive the next phase of growth and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in digital entertainment. Meanwhile, Deepit Purkayastha, co-founder and CEO of Inshorts, will continue serving as co-chair of the committee. IAMAI stated that its Digital Entertainment Committee plays a critical role in bringing together industry stakeholders to discuss policy, regulatory, and business issues impacting India’s streaming and digital media sector, while also promoting innovation and long-term industry development. Source: Economic Times

IAMAI Appoints JioStar Sports CEO Ishan Chatterjee as New Digital Entertainment Committee Chairman Read More »

ZEEL Strengthens Zee5 Infrastructure and Anti-Piracy Measures Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) has significantly enhanced the technology capabilities of its OTT platform Zee5 while stepping up anti-piracy measures to ensure a smooth and secure viewing experience for football fans across India. As the official broadcaster and digital streaming partner for the tournament in India, ZEEL has upgraded Zee5’s streaming infrastructure to efficiently handle a surge in viewership and support millions of concurrent users during live matches. The company has implemented advanced monitoring systems, backup mechanisms, and platform resilience measures to maintain uninterrupted service throughout the tournament. To combat illegal streaming and content theft, ZEEL has also secured a dynamic injunction from the Delhi High Court. The legal order enables swift action against unauthorized streaming platforms by allowing the real-time blocking of mirror and proxy websites, helping protect the value of its broadcast rights. The company said these technological and legal initiatives are designed to deliver a seamless viewing experience while safeguarding premium sports content. The FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to attract record-breaking digital audiences, making platform reliability and content security critical priorities for broadcasters. Source: Economic Times

ZEEL Strengthens Zee5 Infrastructure and Anti-Piracy Measures Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 Read More »

JioHotstar Revises Super & Premium Subscription Prices, Introduces Monthly Plans

JioHotstar has announced a revision in its subscription pricing, increasing rates for its Super and Premium tiers while rolling out monthly plans across all categories. The new pricing framework will come into effect from January 28, 2026. Under the updated structure, quarterly and annual plans for Super and Premium users will cost more, reflecting changing viewing habits. According to the platform, a growing number of users are shifting towards connected TVs and multi-device viewing, leading to a sharp rise in large-screen consumption over the past year. While Mobile plan users will see no change in their quarterly and annual prices, higher-tier subscribers will pay more for longer-term packs. The Premium annual plan has been increased from ₹1,499 to ₹2,199, and the Super annual plan has gone up from ₹899 to ₹1,099. Quarterly prices for both tiers have also been revised upward. At the same time, JioHotstar has introduced monthly entry-level plans, starting at ₹79 for Mobile users, aimed at first-time and short-term viewers seeking flexibility. Additionally, Hollywood content will now be included for new Super and Premium subscribers, while Mobile users can access international titles through a paid add-on. Existing subscribers will continue at their current rates as long as auto-renewal remains enabled. JioHotstar currently boasts over one billion downloads on Google Play and reaches more than 450 million monthly active users across India. Commenting on the change, Sushant Sreeram, Head – SVOD Business & CMO, JioStar, said the revised pricing aligns with evolving audience preferences. He noted that the update is designed to offer greater choice and flexibility, while supporting continued investment in premium content, live sports, and a high-quality streaming experience at scale. Source: Economic Times

JioHotstar Revises Super & Premium Subscription Prices, Introduces Monthly Plans Read More »

Swastik Stories Unveils India’s First Cultural Storytelling FAST Channel

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

Swastik Stories Unveils India’s First Cultural Storytelling FAST Channel Read More »

JioHotstar Dominates March 2025 Mobile OTT Viewership Charts: Nielsen Report

Ardorcomm news

JioHotstar—the unified streaming platform born from the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema—has emerged as the top performer in mobile OTT viewership for March 2025, as per Nielsen’s latest Mobile Audience Measurement report. In the movie category, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, a high-octane pan-India action film streaming on JioHotstar, claimed the top spot among mobile viewers in India. It was trailed by Dragon, a Tamil comedy-drama available on Netflix. The report, based on user engagement across six leading platforms—Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, MX Player, Netflix, Sony LIV, and Zee5—provides an overview of mobile OTT consumption trends for the month. JioHotstar dominated the film section, with six titles making it to the top 10. These included Disney’s animated feature Mufasa: The Lion King and three Malayalam hits: Premalu, Ponman, and Aavesham. Also on the list was the Hindi romantic comedy Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, starring Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan. The platform also led the original series rankings, securing six out of the top 10 spots. MX Player’s Aashram and JioHotstar’s Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar topped the chart, underlining strong audience engagement with homegrown stories. In the non-original content category—comprising syndicated and catch-up TV content—JioHotstar continued its strong run. It placed among the top three platforms, with long-running Hindi TV dramas like Anupamaa and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, along with reality series MTV Roadies, driving viewership. Eight of the top 10 titles in this category were hosted on JioHotstar. The report also noted a surge in interest for international content, especially Korean dramas. Titles like When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix are gaining traction among Indian viewers, pointing to the growing demand for K-content. Western shows like Game of Thrones and Stranger Things also maintained their popularity, reaffirming India’s appetite for global entertainment. Overall, the March 2025 data highlights JioHotstar’s growing dominance in India’s mobile OTT landscape, with a strong foothold across films, original series, and non-original content categories. Source: Business Standard

JioHotstar Dominates March 2025 Mobile OTT Viewership Charts: Nielsen Report Read More »