Category: Over The Top Services

Zee5 Manoranjan Festival returns a month of free blockbusters and fun

MUMBAI: Zee5 is bringing back the much-celebrated Zee5 Manoranjan Festival this March, offering a vast selection of films free of charge. Running from 1 to 30 March 2025, this special initiative aims to delight audiences across India and global markets with an exciting lineup of blockbuster hits, acclaimed dramas, action thrillers, and comedies all without any subscription fee.

This month-long festival marks Zee5’s most significant expansion in the ad-supported streaming space, reinforcing its commitment to making premium entertainment accessible to millions. The initiative enhances Zee5’s position as a pioneer in democratising digital content while strengthening its advertising-driven model.

The Manoranjan Festival will showcase an impressive range of films, including Raksha Bandhan, Haddi, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Uunchai, Kadak Singh, and Khichdi 2 in Hindi, Vikram and Yanai in Tamil, Super Sharanya and Queen Elizabeth in Malayalam, Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne in Punjabi, and Ghost in Kannada, among others.

A Zee5 spokesperson expressed, “We strive to make high-quality entertainment more accessible to audiences everywhere. The Zee5 Manoranjan Festival reflects our mission to provide premium content at no cost, allowing viewers to enjoy a vibrant mix of films throughout March. This Holi, we invite families to celebrate with unlimited entertainment on Zee5.”

March 11, 2025
Championship Trophy final on JioHotstar clocks 90.2 crore views

MUMBAI: The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand rewrote the record books, amassing a staggering peak of 90.2 crore views on JioHotstar. The match, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was a bit of a cliff hanger, with the Kiwi spinners putting the brakes on India’s batters’ initial lofty hitting. It was an absorbing battle on the green between the bat and the ball as India lost half their side with 49 runs to get India over the line with 54 balls to be bowled. But K. L. Rahul steadied the ship, even as Hardik Pandya struck some nasty blows to the fence to get India closer to the win.

On 9 March 2025, the men in blue chased down the black caps score of 251, finishing at 254 for six in 49 overs, securing a commanding four-wicket victory. Rohit Sharma with a explosive 76 partnered Shubham Gill 31 in a century stand, the first one for the opening wicket in the tournament. Shreyas Iyer accumulated a workman like 48, even as Rahul ended up unbeaten on 34. Jadeja hit the winning runs.

The New Zealand squad lost wickets at regular intervals. Batsmen who contributed included Rachin Ravindra with 37, Daryl Mitchell with a slowly crafted 63, Glenn Phillips with 34 and Michale Bracewell with 53. The Indian spinning quartet had the Kiwi batsman in knots and they could only score easier when the quickies came on.

This match didn’t just break records—it steamrolled them. Blasting past all previous viewership highs, it showcased the unstoppable dominance of digital sports streaming. The previous record-holding Tata IPL final on JioCinema with 62 crore views now has a fierce challenger, as this 90.2 crore views milestone has reaffirmed cricket’s popularity amongst the Indian populace.

With JioHotstar leading the digital streaming revolution, fans are consuming the game like never before—anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

March 9, 2025
Waves and Eros Now stream into a new era with blockbuster partnership

MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform is making a splash in the digital entertainment space by joining forces with Eros Now, bringing a treasure trove of Indian films, original series, and more to audiences worldwide. This partnership not only enhances Waves’ content library with Eros Now’s extensive 12,000 plus title collection but also introduces AI-driven personalisation powered by Immerso AI, ensuring an engaging and seamless viewing experience.

With hit films like Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu, and English Vinglish joining the platform, Waves is set to redefine entertainment accessibility, making high-quality content available for free, even in remote regions of India. Additionally, the collaboration will see Prasar Bharati’s sports and entertainment programming extend to Eros Now, enriching its global offerings.

Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said, “Partnering with Eros Now marks an exciting milestone in our efforts to keep the nation entertained. This collaboration supports our commitment to offering diverse, high-quality programming, powered by cutting-edge technology and exceptional content. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks in digital entertainment and connect with viewers in more meaningful ways.”

Eros Now CEO Vikram Tanna commented, “This partnership with Prasar Bharati represents a significant step in expanding our reach and delivering premium content to a broader audience. By combining our strengths, we aim to redefine the digital entertainment landscape and provide unparalleled experiences to viewers worldwide.”

With Waves embracing blockchain-backed innovation and AI-driven recommendations, this alliance ensures that users get not just content, but a hyper-personalised entertainment journey.

March 7, 2025
Atrangii shakes hands with Dubai’s GDRFA to expand global entertainment

MUMBAI: The world just got a little more ‘Atrangii’! In a bold move that cements its global ambitions, Atrangii has announced a strategic partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. This milestone collaboration marks Atrangii’s grand entry into the middle eastern entertainment market, blending world-class storytelling with cultural innovation.

As content consumption skyrockets across the middle east, Atrangii is stepping up to deliver diverse, high-quality, and engaging narratives tailored to an ever-expanding audience. With this move, the Indian entertainment powerhouse isn’t just exporting content—it’s weaving an entertainment revolution that transcends borders.

“We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our journey—Atrangii’s association with the Government of Dubai (GDRFA) as we expand our footprint in the middle east. This collaboration is a testament to our vision of delivering world-class entertainment experiences that resonate beyond borders”, said Atrangii founder Vibhu Agarwal via Linkedin.

The partnership aims to create an entertainment ecosystem unlike any other, fusing cutting-edge technology with compelling storytelling. Atrangii is set to captivate audiences with content that not only entertains but also bridges cultural narratives between India and the middle east.

“This is more than just an expansion; it’s a movement towards globalising Indian entertainment and crafting stories that connect with audiences worldwide. As we step into this new era, our focus remains on excellence, innovation, and delivering content that leaves a lasting impact”, added Agarwal.

The middle east is a rapidly growing entertainment hub, and Atrangii’s presence in the region signals a significant shift in global content dynamics. By joining forces with Dubai’s GDRFA, the brand is poised to redefine how audiences consume entertainment on a global scale.

The future of entertainment isn’t just coming-it’s already here, and Atrangii is leading the charge. Stay tuned as the brand continues to break new ground and reshape the industry.

March 6, 2025
Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) returns, live on Waves OTT

MUMBAI: Cricket. Influencers. A digital audience of 900 million. Welcome to the Entertainers Cricket League (ECL) 2025, where content creators swap ring lights for floodlights and step onto the pitch for an electrifying showdown. After a phenomenal debut season, ECL is back bigger, better, and bolder, running from 5-16 March 2025, with live broadcasts on Prasar Bharati’s Waves OTT platform.

The tournament launches today with a grand opening ceremony at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, led by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta. The action officially kicks off at 6 pm, with a thrilling opening clash between Haryanvi Hunters and Rajasthan Rangers, setting the tone for two weeks of intense competition.

ECL isn’t just expanding its viewership—it’s expanding its battlefield. This year’s edition welcomes three new teams into the fray:

– Rajasthan Rangers – Led by Youtube sensation Zayn Saifi.

– Kolkata Superstars – Headed by digital entrepreneur Pushkar Raj Thakur.

– Chennai Smashers – Commanded by social media star Mahesh Keshwala

They join returning fan-favourites like Munawar Faruqui, Abhishek Malhan, Elvish Yadav, Sonu Sharma, and Anurag Dwivedi, all of whom are set to mesmerise their massive fan bases both on the field and across social media.

ECL’s partnership with Waves OTT is a game-changer, ensuring that every six, wicket, and nail-biting moment reaches cricket and content fans alike.

“We are thrilled to bring the Entertainers Cricket League live to our viewers on Waves OTT! This season is set to ignite an electrifying showcase of talent, fierce competition, and unparalleled fan energy. With record participation and an unstoppable wave of enthusiasm, we are gearing up for a tournament like never before, and we can’t wait for the action to unfold”, etched Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi.

“We’re thrilled to have Waves, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, as our sponsor for ECL Season 2. Their commitment to bringing diverse and engaging content aligns perfectly with our vision for the league”, elated Entertainers Cricket League founder Himanshu Chandnani.

“Having Waves as a sponsor for ECL Season 2 is a great addition. Their support strengthens the league, and we’re looking forward to an exciting season ahead”, added Entertainers Cricket League founder Anil Kumar.

The ECL 2025 final is set for 16 March at 9 pm, promising a blockbuster climax to a tournament that blends the best of cricket, content creation, and fan engagement.

March 5, 2025
Netradio Network expands global reach with five new music channels

MUMBAI: Netradio Network is set to amplify its global presence with the launch of five new music channels on its international feed. The expansion promises nonstop beats, diverse vibes, and 24/7 music entertainment for audiences worldwide.

Announcing the move, Sandeep Singh expressed excitement about bringing more variety to listeners and credited Christophe Marcy and the Netradio Network team for their efforts.

With this launch, Netradio Network continues to solidify its position as a major global music platform, delivering an unmatched auditory experience to fans across borders.

March 4, 2025
Netflix boasts eye-watering viewing figures

MUMBAI: Netflix, the streaming behemoth that enjoys reminding us all that it was first to the party, has revealed its subscribers collectively frittered away a staggering 94 billion hours watching content between July and December 2024. One can only imagine how many unwritten novels, unlearned languages, and unvisited gymnasiums those hours represent.

The company, displaying its customary selective transparency, proudly announced that the comedy caper Carry On topped its film charts with 137 million views. Curiously, Netflix neglected to convert this figure into actual viewing hours—perhaps calculating the true extent of global procrastination proved too depressing even for its data analysts.

Union (131 million views) and Rebel Ridge (129 million) followed closely behind, with Beverly Hills Cop (97 million) and Our Little Secret (81 million) rounding out the top five films that kept humanity from more productive pursuits.

On the series front, to absolutely nobody’s surprise, Squid Game continued its cultural stranglehold with its second season amassing 87 million views. The Perfect Couple (which, ironically, describes Netflix’s relationship with its audience’s leisure time) secured 75 million views, while Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story drew in 70 million viewers with its cheery subject matter.

Meanwhile, Emily in Paris continues to defy both critics and cultural cringe in its fourth season, with 58 million views suggesting that viewers simply cannot get enough of watching an implausibly employed American navigate the treacherous waters of croissants and couture. Nobody Wants This completed the top five with 57 million views—a title that clearly doesn’t apply to the show itself.

The streaming giant’s announcement serves as both a flex of its market dominance and a gentle reminder that we’re all spending far too much time staring at screens. Nonetheless, with numbers like these, Netflix executives are likely too busy counting their subscribers to worry about counting sheep at night.

(While like millions of others globally, we too are fans of Netflix and probably contributed a few thousand hours to Netflix’s 94 billion hours, we decided to write this piece in a fun, almost irreverent manner, just like the content Netflix offers. Cheers!)

March 2, 2025
TGM brings Swift TV to Big Screens, Partners with Android TV,Amazon Fire Stick, DorTV and Cloud OS to Transform Free Live TV Streaming

Swift TV, a prominent name in the Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) market, has officially launched on Android TV and Amazon Firestick. This strategic move is set to reshape the Indian streaming scene by offering over 125+ live TV channels completely free of charge. The platform caters to a wide range of preferences with content spanning movies, news, music, lifestyle, and regional entertainment, ensuring there’s something for every viewer.

Expanding Reach: Swift TV Now on Android TV and Amazon Firestick
By launching on Android TV and Amazon Firestick, Swift TV becomes accessible to a larger audience, delivering smooth entertainment experiences across devices. It features an easy-to-use interface and optimized streaming quality tailored to the needs of today’s digital-savvy viewers. This expansion lets users enjoy high-quality content on their preferred devices, changing how Indians engage with entertainment.

Strategic Collaborations: Enhancing Content and Technology
To strengthen its content lineup and technological framework, Swift TV has joined forces with prominent players like DorTV and Cloud OS.

DorTV: This partnership brings an exclusive mix of regional and international content, enriching Swift TV’s diverse channel selection. Viewers can now explore a wider variety of shows, from local favorites to global hits, all curated to resonate with Indian audiences.

Cloud OS: To provide a seamless streaming experience, Swift TV uses Cloud OS’s advanced technology. This collaboration ensures fast, secure streaming without interruptions, even during peak hours, showcasing Swift TV’s dedication to delivering top-notch service.

A New Chapter in Free Entertainment
The growth of Connected TV (CTV) viewership in India is reshaping the way audiences consume content, and Swift TV is perfectly positioned to lead this change. With the Indian CTV user base expected to reach 80 million by 2025, the demand for premium, on-demand entertainment on large screens is at an all-time high. The FAST model is uniquely suited to serve this audience, delivering a high-quality TV experience without subscription fees.

Advertisers are also recognizing the power of CTV and FAST platforms, with ad spend on CTV in India projected to grow by over 40% annually. This surge reflects a shift in consumer behavior, as viewers increasingly prefer the flexibility and premium feel of streaming on larger screens. Swift TV capitalizes on this trend, offering a vast range of live TV channels for free, perfectly catering to the evolving entertainment needs of Indian households.

By embracing the FAST model and leveraging the rapid growth of CTV in India, Swift TV is not just providing free entertainment—it’s revolutionizing the viewing experience, making premium content accessible to all while creating valuable opportunities for advertisers.

Why Swift TV Stands Out
100+ Live Channels: Covering entertainment, news, lifestyle, and regional programming, Swift TV provides a comprehensive lineup suitable for all age groups.

User-Friendly Design: The platform is crafted for an intuitive viewing experience, ensuring easy navigation across devices.

Exclusive Programming: Thanks to its partnership with unique channel partners like History connect, Filetcopy, Raaj Jones etc. features unique regional and international shows, bringing fresh and exciting content to Indian viewers.

Advanced Streaming Technology: Powered by Cloud OS, the platform offers fast, secure streaming with minimal buffering, ensuring a superior viewing experience.

Redefining Digital Entertainment
Swift TV’s debut on Android and Amazon Firestick isn’t just about expanding its reach; it’s about revolutionizing how Indian audiences consume content. As a Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television platform, Swift TV bridges the gap between traditional TV and digital streaming, meeting the growing demand for flexible, on-demand entertainment.

About Swift TV
Swift TV is a trailblazing Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) platform featuring an eclectic mix of live TV channels. With a rapidly growing user base and strategic partnerships, Swift TV leads the digital entertainment wave in India. Its commitment to quality programming and seamless streaming makes it one of the most promising entertainment platforms in the country.

Looking Forward
Swift TV is set to launch the app on Tizen, Web OS, Roku and Vidaa etc. followed by a web app. By delivering premium content and always expanding content Library for free and ensuring a high-quality streaming experience, Swift TV is raising the bar for digital entertainment.

Discover the Future of Entertainment Today! Swift TV is now available on Android and Amazon Firestick. Download it today and start a new entertainment journey.

February 28, 2025
JioHotstar SvoD has unmatched local and global content – Ampere Analysis research

MUMBAI: Now, it’s got an endorsement from leading research and data anslysis firm Ampere Analysis. JioHotstar formed through the merger of Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema, has been given the stamp of the largest subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) services in the market, boasting over 14,000 movies and TV seasons at launch.

JioHotstar has a significant advantage in the Indian SVoD market by combining extensive local content with premium Hollywood titles, says the research and data analysis firm in an insight post released on its portal yesterday. Over 60 per cent of its library consists of locally-produced content, including hit TV shows from Star and Colors TV networks.

This aligns with Indian viewers’ strong preference for domestic entertainment, with 62 per cent of surveyed audiences reporting they watch locally-produced movies “very often.” Notable titles in its library include Hanu-Man, the Baahubali films, and reality TV favorite Bigg Boss.

However, JioHotstar also addresses India’s growing demand for Hollywood movies, a key battleground against Netflix, says Ampere.

While 41 per cent of surveyed Indian viewers watch Hollywood films “very often,” JioHotstar delivers a vast selection, leveraging Disney’s franchises such as Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, alongside exclusive content from Universal (Oppenheimer, Despicable Me 4), Warner Bros. (Harry Potter, The Dark Knight), and Paramount (Mission: Impossible, Transformers). Additionally, the platform offers popular US TV shows from HBO, Showtime, and Nickelodeon.

Beyond movies and TV, JioHotstar is set to dominate India’s sports streaming space. The platform holds exclusive rights to three of the country’s most-followed sports events: the Indian Premier League (IPL), Premier League soccer, and Wimbledon.

Cricket, India’s most popular sport, is a crucial driver for subscriptions—43 per cent of surveyed respondents follow it avidly. The IPL, in particular, was pivotal to Disney+ Hotstar’s previous subscriber growth, and its loss in 2023 led to a significant decline in subscriptions.

With a well-balanced mix of local productions, Hollywood blockbusters, and top-tier sports content, JioHotstar emerges as a formidable force in India’s competitive SVoD market.

February 25, 2025
Airtel appoints new director of marketing & connected homes CEO

MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has appointed Siddharth Sharma as director of marketing and CEO of connected homes. Sharma, who assumed the dual role in December 2024, brings nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications and aviation sectors.

In his role as director of marketing (CMO), he will spearhead customer-led growth strategy, marketing initiatives, product innovation, brand management, and corporate communications across Airtel’s diverse portfolio. His remit encompasses mobile, broadband, TV, enterprise, and digital services for both B2C and B2B segments.

Simultaneously, as CEO of connected homes, Sharma will lead what is currently the fastest-growing category in the telecom sector, with full profit and loss accountability. He will oversee strategy development and execution, operational excellence, and innovation to scale the business, whilst managing cross-functional teams across technology, product, and go-to-market initiatives.

Prior to his current appointment, Sharma served as CEO of Airtel’s DTH Business from October 2023 to December 2024, where he led Airtel Digital TV with full P&L responsibility. He previously held the position of chief marketing officer at Airtel from November 2022 to October 2023.

His international experience includes a three-year stint at Singtel in Singapore, where he served as head of mobile marketing & analytics from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure, he managed a P&L exceeding £1.2 billion and led a team of over 75 professionals, including nine directors.

His achievements at Singtel included launching GOMO, a digital-only brand, and establishing a world-class data and intelligence practice.

His career history also includes various leadership positions at Airtel between 2008 and 2016, including senior vice president of marketing and head of post-paid Business. Sharma began his career in the aviation sector with Jet Airways, before moving to BPL Mobile, where he served as manager of corporate sales.

The appointment comes as Airtel continues to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving telecommunications market, with a particular focus on connected homes and digital services. Industry analysts view this dual appointment as a strategic move to integrate marketing excellence with operational leadership in one of the company’s fastest-growing segments.

February 24, 2025