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  • Nazara goes full throttle, bags Curve Games in Rs 247 crore console conquest

    Nazara goes full throttle, bags Curve Games in Rs 247 crore console conquest

    MUMBAI: Nazara Technologies has fired its latest acquisition shot — and this time, it’s hit the UK. The homegrown gaming giant has snapped up 100 per cent of Curve Games, a renowned UK-based publisher of PC and console titles, in a Rs 247 crore (GBP 21.7 million) all-cash deal.

    The move turbocharges Nazara’s foray into the $100 billion global PC and console market, unlocking fresh access to new platforms, geographies, and genres. Curve, best known for indie blockbusters like Human Fall Flat, Bomber Crew, and The Ascent, has racked up more than 100 million downloads globally — and a tidy revenue of Rs 263.5 crore in calendar 2024.

    “This acquisition strengthens our ability to work with developers globally — and over time, also creates a pathway for Indian game developers to bring their games to global audiences across PC and console platforms. It aligns with our broader vision to contribute to India’s growing role in the global gaming ecosystem, echoing the emphasis from India’s leadership on making the country a hub for digital and creative industries.,” said Nazara chief executive Nitish Mittersain. 

    Curve posted an EBITDA of Rs 114.4 crore and a PBT of Rs 49.6 crore last year, making it a lucrative addition to Nazara’s already eclectic portfolio, which includes Kiddopia, Animal Jam, Sportskeeda, and World Cricket Championship.

    Curve’s executive chairman Stuart Dinsey was equally upbeat: “”Joining the Nazara family is an exciting new chapter for Curve. Nazara’s ecosystem, access to emerging markets and long-term orientation make them a strong strategic partner. We are aligned in our vision of building a leading global indie publishing platform, and we look forward to the next phase of growth together.”

    For Nazara, this isn’t just another acquisition — it’s a checkpoint cleared in its quest to become a truly global gaming force, one IP at a time. Game on.

  • Pranav Bakshi gets promoted to pilot Network18’s Connected growth engine

    Pranav Bakshi gets promoted to pilot Network18’s Connected growth engine

    MUMBAI: Network18’s digital dynamo Pranav Bakshi has just bagged a bold new title — chief growth officer, Network18 Connected — as he takes charge of accelerating content, audience, and revenue across connected TV, social platforms, and strategic partnerships.

    But this isn’t just a new nameplate on the desk. With his finger on the pulse of where audiences are headed (and not where they’ve lingered), Bakshi is gearing up to rewire how content is created, consumed and commercialised across the media conglomerate’s vast portfolio.

    “This role is about leading the charge, not catching up,” said Bakshi. “It’s about scaling platforms, monetising content smartly, and building future-proof digital ecosystems.”

    Having previously helmed digital video strategy for over 45 Network18 brands — from CNN-News18 and CNBC-TV18 to Firstpost, Moneycontrol and History TV18 — Bakshi’s remit covered everything from CTV to creators, from off-platform growth to platform partnerships.

    Before his Network18 innings, Bakshi brought the firepower at Times network, heading digital video, strategy, partnerships, and social media for a bouquet of brands with a collective follower base of 60 million. He’s also worn hats at NDTV, TOI, Taj Hotels and even Maersk, with a track record of marrying content with commerce and strategy with scale.

    With his elevation, expect Bakshi to keep the content taps flowing — but this time, through smarter pipes, faster funnels, and next-gen platforms. The build, as he says, continues.

  • Does Cricket Give New Zealand and India a Diplomatic Tool to Improve Bilateral Relations?

    Does Cricket Give New Zealand and India a Diplomatic Tool to Improve Bilateral Relations?

    Cricket is already recognised as one of the biggest sports in India and New Zealand, so it’s hard to believe it’s still growing. However, that is exactly what’s happening right now, and both countries have a lot to gain.

    Just two years ago, the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup set new benchmarks, amassing 422 billion viewing minutes on the Disney Star Network in India alone, representing a 54% increase from the 2011 World Cup and a 9% rise from 2019. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the recent 2024/25 series between the Black Caps and England attracted a huge viewership, with full houses reported across venues like Christchurch’s Hagley Oval and Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

    In the sports betting world, betting on cricket has increased dramatically, with recent reports claiming that cricket is now one of the most bet-on sports in the country. Whether they’re in the stands or the online casino NZ, cricket lovers are engaging more with the sport every day, and India is right there with them.

    As cricket continues to grow, so does the connection between these two nations. Over the last decade, the Black Caps have played the Indian cricket team many times, and although this is a fierce rivalry that generates intense competition and passion on the field, it has also offered a chance to improve bilateral relations.

    The Relationship Between New Zealand and India

    In 2025, New Zealand and India are expected to have a strong economic relationship, with trade between the two nations growing steadily. India is New Zealand’s fifth-largest trading partner and an important market for agricultural exports, dairy products, and wine. In turn, New Zealand exports a broad range of goods to India, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.

    Over the last few years, both countries have been in discussions to establish a comprehensive free trade agreement, which is expected to boost investment and economic cooperation even further and allow for better market access, especially in sectors such as AI technology and education.  
    Outside of trade, India and New Zealand have also been strengthening their strategic partnership, with both countries working to improve their defence cooperation with discussions on joint training programs and expertise exchanges. In short, both countries are interlinked, and any diplomatic tool to nurture and improve the relationship will be incredibly important for securing a healthy, successful future.

    Cricket: More Than Just a Sport

    Cricket appears to be one of those tools. This sport has become one of the strongest cultural and diplomatic ties between India and New Zealand, with both countries regularly playing in bilateral series and ICC tournaments.

    India has a larger cricket market, but New Zealand has earned respect for its skill, sportsmanship, and competitiveness on the field. The regular exchange of players, tours, and events has helped build a strong bond over the last few decades.

    It has also helped boost tourism. Whether it’s the Cricket World Cup or the regular series match-ups between the two teams, more and more New Zealand and Indian tourists have been visiting each other’s countries, working to drive both economies. In fact, Indian tourists visiting New Zealand will often extendtheir stay beyond the season to explore and spend time throughout more of the country, and vice versa – and, once again, improve the respect and appreciation they have for one another.

    Cricket has proven to be more than just a game between bat and ball for India and New Zealand. Instead, it has become a powerful catalyst for cultural, economic, and diplomatic collaboration. As the sport continues to captivate millions of fans in both nations, it’s likely to continue serving as a vital tool for shaping their shared future.

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  • Cyberpowerpc India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ to reboot gamer trust in custom PC market

    Cyberpowerpc India launches ‘Play Guarantee’ to reboot gamer trust in custom PC market

    MUMBAI: Buying a gaming rig shouldn’t feel like rolling the dice. Cyberpowerpc India has unveiled its new ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign, a consumer-first initiative aimed at putting an end to performance guesswork in India’s custom PC market. Launched on 20 May 2025, the campaign sets a new benchmark by offering a 30-day satisfaction assurance across its Play Ready systems.

    In a market flooded with high-ticket machines and variable specs, Cyberpowerpc is flipping the script by backing its products with transparency, testing, and on-ground support. Every Play Ready PC will be built with 100 per cent brand-new parts sourced from authorised manufacturers, and pre-installed with a genuine, BIOS-activated version of Microsoft Windows — ensuring no hidden licensing fees or grey market surprises.

    “As more Indian gamers upgrade to high-performance PCs, trust becomes a critical factor. Gamers shouldn’t have to take a leap of faith when buying a PC. They should know what they’re getting and know it works right out of the box. We at Cyberpowerpc India always believed in transparency, may it be sharing FPS benchmarks before purchase or building with only brand-new components. The ‘Play Guarantee’ campaign aligns perfectly with our commitment to building a credible, consumer-first ecosystem in Indian PC gaming, especially as the community becomes more competitive and discerning”, said Cyberpowerpc India COO Vishal Parekh.

    Each unit under the campaign undergoes rigorous stress testing using global benchmarks to validate GPU, CPU, thermal and memory stability before shipping. Buyers also get one year of on-site support, with certified technicians available for repairs or replacements — eliminating the usual post-purchase logistical hassles.

    A Neogrowth study cited by the brand revealed that 54 per cent of Indian consumers still prefer offline purchases due to trust in authenticity. Cyberpowerpc India aims to bridge this trust gap in online PC buying through guaranteed clarity and post-sales assurance.

    The Play Guarantee follows Cyberpowerpc India’s recent collaboration with esports organisation Orangutan to power ApeCity, a competitive gaming arena in Navi Mumbai. The company is actively investing in India’s gaming ecosystem while democratising access to high-performance systems.

    More information is available at: https://www.Cyberpowerpc.in/page/play-guarantee/

  • Vi boosts global travel plans in 145+ countries with double data and free calls this summer

    Vi boosts global travel plans in 145+ countries with double data and free calls this summer

    MUMBAI: As outbound travel heats up for the summer, telecom major Vi has stepped up its international roaming (IR) offerings with a seasonally upgraded suite of postpaid plans. The refreshed plans now deliver double data, unlimited incoming calls, and added travel protection for Indian users heading abroad during peak vacation months.

    India recorded a surge in international flyers with 64.5 million passengers between January and November 2024—an 11.4 per cent rise over the previous year, as per data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Tapping into this growing wanderlust, Vi has revised three IR postpaid plans starting at Rs 649, offering greater convenience, connectivity, and value for Indian travellers across over 145 countries.

    Vi’s upgraded IR plans now include a limited-period double data offer:

    ●    Rs 649 (1 day): 1 GB data (up from 500 MB), 50 outgoing minutes, 10 SMS, unlimited free incoming calls

    ●    Rs 2999 (10 days): 10 GB data (up from 5 GB), 300 outgoing minutes, 50 SMS, unlimited free incoming calls

    ●    Rs 3999 (30 days): 30 GB data (up from 12 GB), 1500 outgoing minutes, 100 SMS, unlimited free incoming calls

    This upgrade ensures users can do more on-the-go-whether navigating city maps, making video calls, streaming shows, or handling work emails-with reduced data anxiety.

    Adding to the hassle-free experience, Vi lets customers schedule roaming pack activations up to 60 days in advance. Travellers can activate their plans any time through the Vi app or website, selecting their destination, duration, and pack in just a few clicks.

    To safeguard baggage blues, Vi continues its tie-up with Blue Ribbon Bags. For a nominal Rs 99, users receive up to Rs 19,800 compensation per bag if their checked luggage is delayed or lost beyond 96 hours of complaint registration.

    Vi has also ensured that help is always on hand with 24×7 international roaming customer support-available for any network or service issue, wherever users may be.

    With robust data packs, always-on assistance, and baggage protection, Vi’s new IR proposition turns global travel into a smoother ride-just in time for the school break exodus.

     

  • Sesame Street’s new global playground: Netflix

    Sesame Street’s new global playground: Netflix

    MUMBAI: Netflix has tossed a lifeline to Sesame Street, bringing the beloved children’s show to its 300 million subscribers while keeping it on PBS in the US. The 56-year-old kids’ favourite will now stream new episodes on both Netflix and PBS on the same day, a rescue move after HBO dropped its funding.

    The deal is a double delight for Sesame Street fans—new episodes will be available worldwide on Netflix, while PBS viewers in the US will continue to get free access. But behind the cheerful puppets, it’s a story of survival.

    Sesame Workshop, the non-profit behind the iconic show, has been struggling financially after losing its lucrative HBO deal, which paid $30 million to $35 million a year. Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO’s parent, decided to drop the series as it shifts away from children’s content.

    To cope with the financial blow, Sesame Workshop laid off 20 per cent of its staff this year and warned that the Netflix deal will bring in significantly less revenue. But it’s not all doom and gloom. With Netflix’s global reach and PBS’s trusted brand, Sesame Street is now set to reach more kids than ever.

    In Season 56, the show will focus on character-driven stories, with each episode featuring an 11-minute tale packed with humour and heart. Classic characters like Elmo, Big Bird, and Cookie Monster will return, along with a peek inside the iconic 123 Sesame Street building.

    “This unique public-private partnership allows us to continue our mission of educating kids, now with Netflix’s global reach and PBS’s community trust,” said Sesame Workshop CEO Sherrie Rollins Westin.

    Sesame Street’s Netflix run will also include 90 hours of classic episodes, bringing the joy of learning to a new generation.

     For kids and parents, the message is clear: the street is still where the fun and learning meet.

  • Stream snatchers busted in Rs 700 crore IPTV piracy crackdown

    Stream snatchers busted in Rs 700 crore IPTV piracy crackdown

    MUMBAI: The pirates of the stream just hit rough waters. In a bold strike against content theft, JioStar has spearheaded a sweeping crackdown on a sprawling digital piracy racket worth an estimated Rs 700 crore, targeting the illegal IPTV service BOS IPTV. Acting on a criminal complaint filed by JioStar, the Cyber Crime Police Station in Gandhinagar, Gujarat has initiated legal action that’s shaken the foundations of underground streaming operations.

    At the heart of the case is BOS IPTV’s illicit distribution of premium content, including from JioHotstar, Star India pay TV channels, and even banned Pakistani networks all bundled at the eye-popping price of Rs 400 for three months. The catch? Every frame was pirated.

    Investigators found the pirated streams were being pulled using hacked set-top boxes sourced from legitimate DTH providers, a chilling reminder of how piracy is now entangled with mainstream distribution systems.

    Following JioStar’s formal complaint, FIR No. 11201018250 was registered on 14 May 2025, invoking a string of charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Indian Copyright Act, and Information Technology Act.

    Law enforcement acted swiftly making an arrest in Jalandhar, Punjab, and seizing three laptops and two mobile phones used in operating the pirated service. But the plot appears thicker than a set-top box manual, with authorities suspecting international links and a wider piracy syndicate behind the scenes.

    “This crackdown is a critical milestone in our ongoing fight against piracy,” said a spokesperson at JioStar. “We commend the swift and impactful action by the Cyber Police in Gandhinagar and other agencies involved. At JioStar, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our content, partners, and the interests of millions of lawful subscribers. We will not hesitate to take the strongest possible legal action against anyone found engaging in such unlawful activities.”

    The operation signals JioStar’s zero-tolerance stance on content theft and sends a warning shot to illegal streamers everywhere: stealing signals might land you behind bars, not behind screens. With more raids expected, this takedown isn’t the end, it’s only the buffer before the next play.

  • Jojo Movies rolls out Gujarati hits for rent on Prime Video across India

    Jojo Movies rolls out Gujarati hits for rent on Prime Video across India

    MUMBAI: Regional cinema just turned a corner, and Gujarati films are leading the way. Jojo Movies, a rising force in vernacular content, has partnered with Prime Video to make its acclaimed film library available on the platform’s movie rentals offering starting May 2025. The rollout marks a landmark moment for Gujarati cinema, which now finds itself accessible to a pan-Indian audience on demand.

    Films such as 3 Ekka, Veer Esha Nu Seemant and other recent crowd-pullers will now stream as paid rentals, adding a fresh layer of visibility and viability to the regional film industry. The model lets viewers across India rent these films without subscription barriers, opening a direct monetisation channel for creators while broadening exposure for Gujarat’s cultural narratives.

    “We are at a turning point in the evolution of regional cinema, and our collaboration with Prime Video is a game-changer for both Gujarati cinema and regional content as a whole”, said Jojo Movies founder & CEO Dhruvin Shah. “This isn’t just about distribution—it’s about redefining how regional stories are shared, valued, and experienced nationally. The availability of Gujarati films via Movie Rentals on Prime Video underscores the rising demand for culturally rooted storytelling. Our vision has always been to take powerful regional narratives to wider audiences, and this launch is a significant step in making Gujarati cinema a cultural force”.

    The move is part of a larger strategic pivot by OTT platforms to tap regional growth engines. As internet penetration deepens and linguistic audiences seek relatable content, vernacular storytelling is no longer a side note—it’s a mainstage act. Jojo’s catalogue hitting Prime Video isn’t just about renting films; it’s about renting pride, culture and a slice of the state to the rest of India.

    The digital release also sets the stage for new business models, giving filmmakers a chance to earn directly from pay-per-view audiences instead of relying solely on theatrical or subscription-led returns. For regional storytellers, that could be a ticket to creative independence.

  • Zepto names Rachit Ranjan its chief public policy officer in a bid to power responsible growth

    Zepto names Rachit Ranjan its chief public policy officer in a bid to power responsible growth

    MUMBAI: The delivery race isn’t just about speed anymore; it’s about strategy. India’s breakout quick commerce unicorn, Zepto has appointed Rachit Ranjan as its chief public policy officer, effective May 2025. The move signals the startup’s intent to double down on responsible innovation as it scales across India’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape.

    Ranjan will lead Zepto’s policy, regulatory and government affairs, helping shape frameworks that align the company’s rapid expansion with national priorities like digital inclusion, job creation, and ethical growth. He brings with him more than 15 years of policy and regulatory experience, with a CV that spans Dream11, Whatsapp, Juul Labs and Uber.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Rachit to Zepto. As we scale rapidly across India, having a sharp, mission-driven leader in public policy is more important than ever. Rachit brings a deep understanding of the policy landscape and a proven ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders—qualities that are crucial to navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment and building long-term value”, said Zepto co-founder & CEO Aadit Palicha.

    An alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and NUJS Kolkata, Ranjan has operated at the intersection of governance and tech for over a decade. On his appointment, he noted, “Zepto’s incredible growth story has captured the imagination of the entire country. I’m thrilled to join Zepto at such a transformative time for both the company and the quick commerce space. I look forward to working with the amazing team at Zepto to deliver innovation that is responsible and aligned with the broader vision of inclusive growth. In doing so, I also look forward to working in partnership with the Government and stakeholders to ensure Zepto plays a crucial role in realising India’s techade”.

    His appointment reaffirms Zepto’s commitment to shaping a transparent, sustainable and compliant growth path in a sector where policy uncertainty and scale are often at odds. With Ranjan at the helm of public policy, Zepto appears ready to zip past that contradiction.

  • RunnTV Fast channels make a dash to Airtel

    RunnTV Fast channels make a dash to Airtel

    MUMBAI: RunnTV has hit the fast lane, launching its premium free ad-supported streaming (Fast) channels on Airtel Xstream Play, one of India’s top content aggregation platforms.

    From Hindi cinema  blockbusters to foot-tapping music, breezy short films, and kid-friendly content, RunnTV’s bouquet of channels promises something for every taste — all delivered without a subscription fee.

    “Expanding our distribution with Airtel Xstream Play is a major milestone,” said Runn TV founder Manish Sinha. “As India’s first independent Fast-based platform, we are defining this space with our curated, ad-supported content.”

    With this partnership, RunnTV further has solidified its presence across mobile and connected TV environments, offering millions of Airtel users instant access to its entertainment buffet.