ITV

Category: iWorld

  • Dialling into deeper losses as MTNL posts weak first quarter numbers

    Dialling into deeper losses as MTNL posts weak first quarter numbers

    MUMBAI: MTNL’s first quarter call sheet for FY26 is anything but music to investors’ ears. The state-run telecom player rang up a consolidated net loss for the three months ended 30 June 2025, as falling revenues and swelling expenses continued to choke its balance sheet. The company’s unaudited results, approved by its board on 13 August, showed total income at Rs 334.11 crore, down sharply from Rs 455.29 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations slipped to Rs 329.36 crore, a 27.6 per cent drop year-on-year, with other income contributing Rs 4.75 crore.

    Expenses told an even starker story total outgo rose to Rs 425.92 crore, including operating costs of Rs 142.10 crore, employee benefits at Rs 42.16 crore, finance costs of Rs 64.12 crore, and depreciation and amortisation of Rs 105.28 crore.

    The red ink has left MTNL’s net worth in the negative, with accumulated losses outstripping its equity share capital. A long-running license fee battle with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting continues to loom large, the PSU has a provision of Rs 4,680.24 crore against the MIB’s April demand of Rs 8,735.67 crore (including interest) for fees since inception, a claim it is contesting in court.

    The bonds issued by MTNL remain unsecured, making certain SEBI disclosure norms inapplicable, but the financial stress remains very much on record and in the spotlight for shareholders watching every rupee spent.

  • Ormax launches sports tracker to measure marketing punch

    Ormax launches sports tracker to measure marketing punch

    MUMBAI: Ormax Media has unveiled Ormax Sports Track, a syndicated research tool that measures how well sports tournaments perform among India’s digital audience. The Mumbai-based media research firm already tracks theatrical films, streaming originals and television launches—now it is turning its attention to the lucrative world of sports content.

    The timing is shrewd. Streaming platforms are splashing serious cash on sports rights, treating them as tentpole content to drive subscriptions and advertising revenue. With 678.2m sports fans in India, the prize is substantial. At any given moment, 25-30 sports properties are either live or preparing to launch across various over-the-top (OTT) platforms, spanning cricket, football, kabaddi, tennis and wrestling.

    Ormax Sports Track measures four key parameters on a 0-100 scale. “Buzz” captures unaided recall—how many viewers spontaneously remember a tournament when asked about current or upcoming sports events. “Reach” tracks aided awareness—the percentage who recognise a tournament’s name when prompted. “Appeal” measures definite viewing intent among those aware of the property. “Potency” gauges how many would subscribe to a paid platform specifically to watch the tournament.

    The tool is powered by weekly online surveys of 600-plus regular OTT sports viewers. The sample mirrors demographics from Ormax’s Sports Audience Report 2024, split equally between metros (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, southern metros and Kolkata) and non-metros (west-central, north and south regions).

    Subscribers receive reports twice weekly: a mid-week update every Tuesday and an end-of-week summary every Friday, complete with target group trends for properties on their platforms. Each tournament is tracked from launch announcement through to the final whistle.

    For sports marketers and streaming executives, the service promises to decode which campaigns cut through the noise in India’s crowded digital sports arena. With millions riding on rights deals, knowing what resonates with audiences could prove invaluable.

  • Indian police crack cross-border TV piracy ring run via WhatsApp

    Indian police crack cross-border TV piracy ring run via WhatsApp

    MUMBAI: Indian authorities have dismantled an international television piracy network that streamed over 10,000 channels—including banned Pakistani networks—to customers via WhatsApp groups, in what investigators describe as the first fully exposed cross-border content theft operation.

    Police in Ghaziabad registered a case against a 35-year-old businessman accused of running the illicit internet protocol television (IPTV) service in collaboration with handlers across the border, according to StoryBoard18, which first reported the investigation.

    The probe began when officers from Tilamod Police Station traced a suspicious WhatsApp group facilitating illegal access to premium television channels. The investigation led to the blocking of 53 domains distributing pirated content under the “IPTV World” brand name.

    According to the First Information Report filed on 27 July, the accused illegally streamed copyrighted content from JioStar India Pvt Ltd and its OTT platform JioHotstar without authorisation. The pirated catalogue included popular Indian channels such as Star Plus HD, Star Bharat HD and Colors HD, alongside Pakistani networks Hadi TV and Noor TV—the latter raising national security concerns.

    Investigators discovered the accused coordinated with a Pakistan-based pirate, paying in cryptocurrency to obtain copyrighted material. The service reached customers primarily through WhatsApp groups, with payments processed via UPI accounts.

    “The modus operandi of the accused was to provide services through WhatsApp groups, which became the key lead in our investigation,” said a senior officer involved in the probe.

    The complaint filed by JioStar accused IPTV World of bypassing technical protection measures and hosting pirated content on servers linked to providers including Hostinger and GoDaddy, violating copyright, information technology and criminal laws.

    The case represents a breakthrough in understanding digital piracy’s mechanics. JioStar’s John Doe lawsuit before the Delhi high court led to the voluntary appearance of the service provider’s owner, who agreed to a permanent injunction and disclosed the network’s complete operations, including business associates, 300 infringing URLs, and distribution platforms.

    These disclosures revealed coordinated cross-border collaboration, cryptocurrency payments, and systematic circumvention of content protection measures. The entire operation—from content sourcing to distribution via WhatsApp and Facebook—was organised from Pakistan.

    The investigation marks the first time authorities have fully mapped premium content piracy’s complete lifecycle, from origin to delivery. It exposes how digital platforms initially designed for communication have become conduits for large-scale intellectual property theft.

    The case highlights broader challenges facing India’s digital entertainment industry as streaming services proliferate. Content owners face sophisticated piracy networks that exploit encrypted messaging platforms and cryptocurrency payments to evade traditional enforcement mechanisms.

    In a related development, police in Rajasthan have registered a separate case against cable operator Hazi Ali for allegedly broadcasting JioStar channels without proper licensing. The ministry of information and broadcasting had cancelled his broadcasting licence in 2024 for regulatory violations, yet he reportedly continued transmitting copyrighted content.

    The crackdown reflects heightened enforcement efforts as India’s entertainment industry pushes authorities to tackle digital piracy more aggressively. With streaming revenues at stake and national security concerns over unauthorised Pakistani content, expect more coordinated action against cross-border piracy networks.

    Whether these enforcement successes can meaningfully dent the broader piracy ecosystem remains uncertain. As investigators shut down established networks, new operators typically emerge using evolved techniques to evade detection.

    The cat-and-mouse game between content owners and pirates continues, now with WhatsApp groups as the unlikely battlefield.

  • Media veteran Sudhir Syal swaps storytelling for cheque-writing at Orios Venture Partners

    Media veteran Sudhir Syal swaps storytelling for cheque-writing at Orios Venture Partners

    DUBAI: Sudhir Syal, the creator of arguably India’s first startup television programme, has crossed to the other side of the table. The media entrepreneur has joined Orios Venture Partners as president, where he will spearhead the fund’s expansion across the UAE-India corridor whilst hunting for consumer and media investment opportunities.

    Syal’s appointment marks a neat full circle. Over a decade ago, he chronicled India’s fledgling venture capital story as host of Starting Up, profiling more than 500 startups across 150 episodes—many of which later achieved unicorn status. Now he joins the very ecosystem he helped popularise, partnering with Orios’s team including Rehan Yar Khan, Madhav Tandan and Sukhmani Bedi.

    The move caps a peripatetic career that has seen  Syal launch and scale businesses across three continents. Most recently, he founded Startify, a Dubai-based growth consultancy that helped scale five brands across beauty, fashion and fintech, building revenues to over $200,000 with a lean five-person team.

    Before that, he served as chief business officer for Lenskart’s Middle East operations, scaling the eyewear giant from zero to over $500,000 in monthly recurring revenue within 18 months. He opened 13 retail stores across major UAE malls and built a 100-member team, earning the company “New Market Entrant of the Year” honours in 2022.

    His entertainment industry credentials run deep. As chief executive of BookMyShow’s UAE operations, he established the platform as the region’s leading Indian-origin live entertainment promoter, brokering deals with Coca-Cola Arena and promoting acts including Westlife and Alan Walker. The business achieved over $7 million in gross merchandise value (GMV) within 18 months.

    Earlier still, Syal led BookMyShow’s first international expansion into Indonesia, building a 60-person team and establishing the platform as the country’s second-largest ticketing service with over $10 million in GMV.

    The trajectory reflects India’s startup ecosystem maturation—from a cottage industry requiring television evangelism to a sophisticated market generating billion-dollar exits. Syal’s transition from storyteller to capital allocator suggests the Indian venture landscape has finally come of age.

    At Orios, he will focus on three mandates: building strategic capital partnerships with family offices and institutions, identifying high-growth consumer and media opportunities, and amplifying the fund’s thought leadership across both markets.

    “After years as an ecosystem builder, operator, and entrepreneur, it’s energising to be on the other side of the table,”  Syal posted on LinkedIn, announcing his appointment.

    The hire signals Orios’s ambitions to capture cross-border investment flows between India’s mature startup ecosystem and the Gulf’s expanding venture appetite. With Dubai positioning itself as a bridge between East and West, funds are increasingly seeking operators who understand both markets intimately.

    For Syal, who holds an MBA from Insead and has worked across 10 countries, the role represents a homecoming of sorts—returning to the venture capital story he first helped narrate, but now with the power to write its next chapter.

  • Dave & Buster’s opens 22,000 sq ft dining and gaming hub in Mumbai

    Dave & Buster’s opens 22,000 sq ft dining and gaming hub in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Mumbai, get ready to eat, drink, play, and win all in one go. Dave & Buster’s, the iconic American dining-and-gaming powerhouse, has made its grand Mumbai debut at Infiniti Mall, Andheri West, in partnership with Malpani Group. After a hit first innings in Bangalore, the brand is now levelling up the city’s entertainment game with its trademark “Eat. Drink. Play. Watch.” promise.

    Sprawling over a mammoth 22,000 sq. ft., this is Mumbai’s biggest entertainment hub yet packing more than 60 arcade games, Nitro Bowling, Hi-Tech Darts, and a food-and-drink line-up that swings from indulgent bites to Instagram-worthy cocktails. The vibe is part carnival, part sports bar, part social lounge shifting gears from laid-back afternoons to high-energy nights.

    “Bringing Dave & Buster’s to Mumbai is not just a launch, it’s the next chapter in redefining how Indians experience entertainment,” said Malpani Group director Shreya Malpani. The group, which holds the exclusive India franchise, is no stranger to big-ticket leisure, it also helms Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd.

    Designed as more than just a venue, Dave & Buster’s Mumbai aims to be the go-to for everything from post-work de-stressing and weekend gaming marathons to corporate outings and family dinners that end with a fistful of prize tickets. With curated zones, evolving music, and tech-driven fun, it’s pitched to blend global standards with local flavour and keep Mumbai playing long after the first game ends.

  • Yash Soni starrer Mithada Maheman to premiere on ShemarooMe

    Yash Soni starrer Mithada Maheman to premiere on ShemarooMe

    MUMBAI: Some journeys aren’t defined by the destination—they’re shaped by the people you meet along the way, and how they quietly help you rediscover parts of yourself. That’s the kind of journey Mithada Maheman takes you on. It’s an emotionally layered Gujarati film filled with drama, twists, and moments of laughter. The movie is now set to reach audiences across the globe with its world digital premiere on ShemarooMe from 14 August 2025, perfectly timed for the Independence Day weekend.

    Directed by Chinmay Parmar, Mithada Maheman follows the lives of four individuals whose paths cross by chance, but whose lives are transformed through kindness, empathy, and acceptance of one another.  At its center is Aditya (played by Yash Soni), a young man fighting his own emotional battles. Just when he is on the verge of giving up, he meets Hari (Mihir Nishith Rajda), a warm-hearted taxi driver who takes him on an unplanned road trip, one that slowly becomes a path to healing.

    Their path soon brings two others into their circle—Komal (Aarohi Patel), whose grounded presence provides emotional clarity, and Jay (Mitra Gadhavi), whose humour masks a quieter pain. As these strangers travel through hill stations, highways, and tea stalls, what unfolds is a story of unexpected bonds, vulnerability, and slow but steady emotional transformation.

    Sharing his thoughts on the role, Yash Soni said, “Aditya isn’t a loud or dramatic character, his pain is internal and hard to explain. That’s what made him feel so real to me. Playing this role reminded me that sometimes we don’t need to fix people, we just need to sit with them, without judgment. ‘Mithada Maheman’ is about those silent moments of understanding and small acts of care. I’m grateful to be part of a film that approaches such a delicate subject with honesty and warmth. I believe a lot of people will see themselves in Aditya, or in the people who walk beside him on this journey.”

  • India’s ad watchdog cracks down on stealth marketing by media companies

    India’s ad watchdog cracks down on stealth marketing by media companies

    MUMBAI: India’s advertising watchdog has tightened the screws on media companies that blur the lines between editorial content and paid promotions on social media. The Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci) has introduced tough new disclosure rules aimed at stopping advertisements masquerading as news.

    Under the updated code, media outlets must now slap clear labels on any sponsored content right at the top of social media posts. Acceptable tags include “advertisement,” “partnership,” “ad,” “sponsored,” and “collaboration”—no hiding behind fine print or vague disclaimers.

    The crackdown follows a surge in consumer complaints about misleading promotions on platforms where editorial credibility runs high. With digital media increasingly serving as Indians’ primary news source, regulators are worried that undisclosed advertising is eroding public trust.

    “Several media outlets regularly post editorial content on their social media handles,” said Asci  chief executive & secretary general Manisha Kapoor. “Increasingly, we see advertisements with no or poorly visible disclosures making their way to such posts.”

    The new Clause 1.8, tucked into the “Truthful and Honest Representation” chapter of Asci’s self-regulation code, reflects growing global concern about native advertising and influencer marketing. Consumer protection authorities worldwide are grappling with how to police content that deliberately mimics editorial material.

    For media companies, the rules represent both a burden and an opportunity. Clearer labelling may initially dent engagement rates, but could ultimately protect valuable editorial brands from advertiser influence. The regulations also level the playing field with international platforms, which already require similar disclosures under local laws.

    Asci, established in 1985, monitors advertising across all media and has worked closely with government bodies including the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. The council’s updated code can be found at ascionline.in.

  • Fintech upstart Pay10 recruits GoKwik marketing chief

    Fintech upstart Pay10 recruits GoKwik marketing chief

    MUMBAI: Pay10 India has roped in Joyeeta Ghosal from e-commerce enabler GoKwik to lead its marketing charge as the fintech outfit seeks to muscle into India’s crowded payments landscape. Ghosal, who spent over three years as head of marketing at GoKwik, has been appointed senior vice-president and head of marketing and communications at the alternative payments specialist.

    The hire marks a homecoming of sorts for Ghosal, who previously cut her teeth in financial services during a near four-year stint at Home Credit India, where she rose from senior manager to head of marketing communications. Her track record spans traditional media, telecommunications, and consumer finance—experience that could prove crucial as Pay10 attempts to differentiate itself in a market dominated by heavyweight rivals.

    Before her GoKwik tenure, Ghosal honed her brand-building credentials across diverse sectors. She managed marketing communications for Czech lender Home Credit during its aggressive Indian expansion, crafted customer insights at telecom giant Vodafone, and helped launch Bengali daily Ebela at media house ABP Group—a project later showcased at the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok.

    Her appointment comes as India’s payments sector faces increasing fragmentation, with niche players attempting to carve out specialised niches amid the dominance of established giants. Pay10’s focus on “open finance solutions and alternate payment methods” suggests an attempt to exploit gaps left by mainstream providers.

    The move also highlights the ongoing talent shuffle in India’s fintech ecosystem, where experienced marketing professionals command premium valuations as companies vie for consumer mindshare. For Pay10, landing a veteran who has navigated both traditional financial services and cutting-edge e-commerce represents a strategic coup.

    Whether Ghosal can translate her diverse experience into market traction for Pay10 remains the acid test. In a sector where regulatory headwinds and competitive pressures have claimed numerous casualties, her cross-industry expertise may prove the difference between breakthrough and bust.

  • Music licensing firm Broma 16 taps Indian veteran to crack subcontinent gold rush

    Music licensing firm Broma 16 taps Indian veteran to crack subcontinent gold rush

    MUMBAI: Broma 16, a Dutch music licensing outfit, has hired Sunnyy Vyas from India’s streaming wars to spearhead its assault on the subcontinent’s booming digital music market. The Amsterdam-based firm, which specialises in maximising royalty collections online, appointed Vyas as head of India as it seeks to capitalise on the country’s explosive streaming growth.

    Vyas arrives with battle scars from 19 years in India’s cutthroat music and broadcasting industry. Most recently, he served as head of Wynk Studio at Airtel Digital, where he shepherded community engagement and podcast distribution for the telecom giant’s music platform. Before that, he led music promotions for ByteDance’s original content push and founded Music Plus, billed as India’s first dedicated music business portal.

    The appointment comes as international music companies scramble for a slice of India’s digital pie. With smartphone penetration soaring and data costs plummeting, the country has become a critical battleground for streaming supremacy.

    Vyas cut his teeth in traditional radio, working his way up from radio jockey at Radio City to cluster manager at Radio One, where he managed celebrity campaigns across four cities. His early career included stints as programming head at 94.3 MY FM in Nagpur, where he helmed an eight-strong team and chased ratings gold.
    The new hire will debut Broma 16’s Indian ambitions at All About Music in Mumbai later this month, where the company’s team will court potential partners and clients. For a firm with just 11 to 50 employees, landing a market veteran of Vyas’s calibre signals serious intent in a region where rights management remains fragmented and undermonetised.

    Whether Broma 16 can navigate India’s labyrinthine music licensing landscape remains to be seen, but with Vyas at the helm, it has secured a guide who knows where the bodies are buried.

  • Instamart expands the Home & Lifestyle category with the debut launch of Home Stop by Shoppers Stop

    Instamart expands the Home & Lifestyle category with the debut launch of Home Stop by Shoppers Stop

    MUMBAI: Strengthening its growing household and lifestyle portfolio, Instamart, India’s pioneering quick commerce platform, has partnered with Home Stop by Shoppers Stop, offering premium crockery, serveware, home décor, and furnishings. With this collaboration, Instamart becomes the first quick commerce platform to offer over 100 curated Home Stop products for discerning online shoppers. The platform will enable 10-minute delivery of a wide range of products across stores in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon.

    The launch features a curated range of products spanning linen and furnishings, home décor, dinnerware, serveware, and kitchen storage. Offerings include artisanal candle holders, modern serveware, Buddha figurines, jharokha t-light holders, and other items designed to enhance everyday living.

    Sharing insights on quick commerce’s expanding role beyond groceries and essentials, Instamart  AVP & category head, Manender Kaushik shared, “Since the launch of the Home & Lifestyle category on Instamart, we’ve witnessed robust growth in the segment. This signals that quick commerce has evolved from a simple grocery delivery service into a more sophisticated marketplace encompassing larger and diverse categories. Traditionally, home and furnishings were planned purchases; however, today, the needs of Indian online shoppers are rapidly evolving. By closely understanding consumer preferences, we have prioritized expanding our assortment of lifestyle products. Our partnership with Home Stop marks a significant step towards making curated home décor and furnishings accessible to shoppers within minutes.”

    Speaking on the collaboration, Shoppers Stop MD & CEO Kavindra Mishra said, “Home Stop offers a curated selection of contemporary, classic, and innovative home solutions that blend quality, style, and value. It’s a one-stop destination for everything from bed and bath to living, dining, and kitchen, thoughtfully curated to help our customers build homes that truly reflect their personality. This partnership with Instamart marks a significant step in making the Home Stop experience instantly accessible through the power of quick commerce, allowing us to meet our customers at their doorstep, quickly and effortlessly. Together, we’re reimagining how modern India discovers and shops for premium home living.”