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  • Howzat for history India lifts Cup as JioHotstar breaks viewership record

    Howzat for history India lifts Cup as JioHotstar breaks viewership record

    MUMBAI: India didn’t just lift the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, they lifted the nation’s spirits and the ceiling on women’s sport viewership. As the Women in Blue scripted history on home soil on Sunday, JioHotstar’s screens lit up with record-breaking numbers that signalled a golden age for women’s cricket, one finally standing shoulder to shoulder with the men’s game.

    The World Cup final saw a staggering 185 million users tune in on JioHotstar, matching the viewership of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final and surpassing even the average daily reach of the TATA IPL. Across the tournament, the platform recorded an unprecedented 446 million total reach, higher than the combined viewership of the last three Women’s World Cups.

    When Harmanpreet Kaur’s team lifted the trophy, it wasn’t just the crowd at the stadium that roared, a record 21 million concurrent viewers tuned in for the climactic moment. The emotional resonance of India’s win transformed the final into a national event, watched, cheered, and lived across homes and screens.

    The victory was also mirrored by a historic leap in Connected TV (CTV) engagement 92 million viewers watched the final on large screens, equalling the CTV viewership of both the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Final and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final. The data reflects a major shift in how India consumes live sport, as fans embrace digital platforms for high-quality, big-screen viewing experiences.

    “The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup India 2025 has reaffirmed the growing stature of women’s cricket in India,” said JioStar CEO of sports Ishan Chatterjee. “The exceptional quality of cricket and the Indian team’s incredible performance have driven record-breaking viewership and inspired a new generation of fans, athletes, and brands to stand behind the sport.”

    The tournament’s success is being hailed as a watershed moment proof that women’s cricket has moved beyond token attention to mainstream celebration. It’s not just being watched anymore; it’s being witnessed by millions, in real time, with equal passion.

    As the dust settles on this historic win, attention turns to the TATA WPL 2026, where viewership expectations are already soaring. For India’s women cricketers and their ever-growing army of fans, this is just the beginning of a new innings.

     

  • Soorma scores big with new Belgian coach and Argentine game brain

    Soorma scores big with new Belgian coach and Argentine game brain

    MUMBAI: When it comes to hockey, Soorma’s making sure its next move is pure precision with a Belgian mind and an Argentine heart behind the stick. Soorma Hockey Club has appointed Olympian Philippe Goldberg of Belgium as the new head coach of its Men’s Team ahead of the upcoming Hero Hockey India League Season 2, signalling a bold shift in strategy and style. Joining him in the dugout is Argentina’s Olympian Ignacio Ricardo Bergner, who takes on the role of Analytical Coach, bringing with him the flair and data of South American hockey.

    In a well-balanced reshuffle, current coach Jeroen Baart will transition to an advisor role, continuing to lend his tactical vision and technical guidance. The club, owned by JSW Sports, clearly isn’t leaving anything to chance in its quest for the title.

    After finishing third in the league in its debut season, Soorma has managed to retain the core of its high-performing squad while adding new firepower. Jeetpal, a promising young recruit, and seasoned forward Akashdeep Singh, whose attacking instincts have thrilled fans for years, are set to bolster the team’s arsenal.

    JSW Sports CEO Divyanshu Singh said the appointments mark an exciting new chapter: “Philippe’s tactical sharpness and international leadership experience are exactly what this team needs to take the next leap. Ignacio’s analytical insights will make our preparation smarter and our play more consistent. Together with Jeroen’s advisory role, we’ve built a coaching setup that balances creativity with structure.”

    Arjun Halappa, the club’s technical director, echoed the sentiment: “The combination of Philippe’s disciplined European approach and Ignacio’s data-driven analysis aligns beautifully with Soorma’s philosophy structured yet expressive. We’re ready to take our game to the next level.”

    Both Goldberg and Bergner arrive with sterling credentials. Goldberg, a European medallist and former Belgium U21 and senior team coach, was instrumental in shaping Belgium’s meteoric rise in world hockey. Known for building cohesive, attack-minded teams during his tenure with Braxgata Hockey Club, he brings a playbook steeped in precision and discipline.

    Bergner, meanwhile, adds the flair and science of Argentine hockey. An Olympian and former Argentina international, he was part of Belgium’s support team during their 2016 World Cup runner-up and 2017 European Championship campaigns, before coaching Argentina’s senior and women’s national sides (Las Leonas). His mastery of analytics and performance tracking brings a cutting-edge, scientific dimension to Soorma’s preparation.

    Expressing his excitement, Philippe Goldberg said, “Joining Soorma Hockey Club is an exciting opportunity to contribute to India’s evolving hockey landscape. The foundation here is strong my aim is to build a strategic framework that balances discipline, creativity, and sustained performance. Together, we’ll craft a brand of hockey that’s bold, intelligent, and unmistakably Soorma.”

    The team’s leadership for Season 2025–26 now reflects a rare fusion of global hockey philosophies European precision, South American flair, and Indian grit. With Sardar Singh serving as Indian Coach and Mentor and Harmanpreet Singh leading on the field, the club’s coaching lineup promises both experience and innovation.

    Soorma’s full coaching roster reads like a dream team of hockey intellects:

    1. Philippe Goldberg – Men’s head coach

    2. Sardar Singh – Indian coach and mentor

    3. Ignacio Ricardo Bergner – Analytical coach

    4. Arjun Halappa – Technical director

    5. Jeroen Baart – Advisor

    The team will open its 2026 campaign against defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers on 4 January in Chennai, a fixture already tipped as a clash of tactics and temperament.

    If last season was about potential, this one’s about polish. With brains from Belgium, data from Argentina, and heart from India, Soorma’s playbook looks ready to turn precision into poetry and maybe, a championship.

     

  • TV9’s Manish Kumar Jha wins big as honest voice of global journalism

    TV9’s Manish Kumar Jha wins big as honest voice of global journalism

    MUMBAI: In a world where headlines often blur the line between noise and news, TV9 Bharatvarsh’s executive editor Manish Kumar Jha has made India’s voice ring clear and credible on the global stage. Jha was honoured with the ‘Honest View 2025’ International Media Award in Moscow on 29 October 2025, a distinction that celebrates truth-driven journalism in an era of polarised narratives.

    The award part of the Honest View International Competition of Information Projects for Foreign Media, now in its fourth edition recognises excellence in global journalism that champions objectivity, factual integrity, and balanced storytelling. Each year, it spotlights journalists and media projects that illuminate international affairs with nuance and honesty, particularly in their coverage of the Russian Federation’s humanitarian and global engagements.

    Jha received the award in the ‘Best Journalism & Documentary’ category for his gripping reportage on the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ shelling of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a story that demanded both courage and clarity. His coverage combined on-ground observation with deep geopolitical insight, presenting an unflinching account of one of the world’s most sensitive conflict zones.

    With a career spanning over two decades and 25 countries, Jha has become one of India’s most seasoned and respected voices in international relations, defence, and conflict reporting. From exclusive interviews with world leaders to ground reports from war zones, his work embodies journalism that informs, contextualises, and connects.

    Congratulating Jha on the honour, the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India extended its appreciation on X (formerly Twitter), commending his contribution to “cross-cultural understanding through truthful storytelling” and wishing him continued success in advancing ethical journalism across borders.

    TV9 Bharatvarsh, managing editor Paritosh Chaturvedi lauded the recognition, calling it “a proud moment not just for the network, but for Indian journalism at large.” He added, “Manish’s work exemplifies our newsroom ethos fearless, factual, and global in perspective. His achievement reinforces TV9 Bharatvarsh’s commitment to telling stories that matter, beyond borders and biases.”

    The accolade also reflects the growing global footprint of TV9 Network, which has steadily redefined India’s Hindi news landscape through its editorial depth, credible storytelling, and focus on international relevance. In recent years, TV9 Bharatvarsh has distinguished itself as the Hindi channel with a global outlook, delving into how geopolitics, diplomacy, and global economics shape India’s strategic position in the world.

    Its consistent emphasis on explaining, not sensationalising the news has positioned TV9 Bharatvarsh as a new-age leader in Hindi journalism, a channel that bridges the local and the global, giving audiences both context and clarity.

    For Jha, the ‘Honest View’ award is not just a personal milestone but a validation of his two-decade pursuit of stories that hold power to account while connecting humanity across borders. And for Indian journalism, it’s another reminder that integrity travels and sometimes, it brings home the world’s applause.

     

  • Indian TV advertising takes a beating as FMCG brands tighten purse strings

    Indian TV advertising takes a beating as FMCG brands tighten purse strings

    MUMBAI: India’s television advertising market has hit the skids. The Economic Times reported that ad volumes plummeted 10 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, according to TAM AdEx data, as fast-moving consumer goods companies—the industry’s biggest spenders—slashed budgets in response to anaemic consumer demand. Of course, the ban on real money gaming platforms in end-August added to the shrinkage in ad spends too . 
    The carnage shows up in broadcaster balance sheets. Zee Entertainment’s advertising income tumbled 11 per cent to Rs 3,591 crore. Sony Pictures Networks India posted a nine per cent drop to Rs 2,606 crore. Sun TV Network’s advertising and broadcast slot sales fell four per cent to Rs 1,440 crore. Star India, now merged with the erstwhile Viacom18, kept mum on the split between advertising and subscription revenue.
    The culprit is clear: viewers are ditching appointment viewing for on-demand convenience, leaving linear television scrambling for relevance.
    Food and beverages dominated advertising between January and September, claiming 21 per cent of total ad volume. Personal care, services, household products and retail rounded out the top categories. The top ten sectors hoovered up 88 per cent of all TV advertising—proof that consumer brands still see television as the mass-reach medium par excellence.
    TAM Media chief executive LV Krishnan explained that the “drop is largely led by softening of market conditions, whereby consumption had dipped, resulting in a cut in ad budgets. This is a pre-GST reduction period.
    Among individual advertisers, Hindustan Unilever remained the heavyweight champion, followed by Reckitt Benckiser India and Godrej Consumer Products. The top ten advertisers accounted for 42 per cent of total ad volume.
    General entertainment channels and news outlets continued to attract the lion’s share of advertising, together accounting for 57 per cent of total volume. News, movies and music saw a marginal drop compared with 2024, whilst general entertainment gained slightly—a sign that high-reach programming still packs a punch.

    Krishnan reckons the final quarter of 2025 will see year-on-year growth, thanks to GST rate cuts that kicked in on 22 September. He estimates the reforms will spur consumption and inject Rs 5,400 crore into overall advertising during the festive season, on top of organic festive growth. 

    If the green shoots turn into a proper recovery, television may yet claw back some swagger. For now, though, it’s licking its wounds.

  • Zee reels in record highs with a blockbuster show of movie magic

    Zee reels in record highs with a blockbuster show of movie magic

    MUMBAI: In a cinematic twist worthy of its own premiere, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z’) has pulled off a blockbuster of its own recording a three-year high share of 28.7 per cent in the Hindi movie cluster in Q2FY26. Proving that great storytelling never goes out of style, the content and technology powerhouse has reaffirmed its dominance in India’s ever-competitive movie broadcast landscape.

    Leading the charge is Zee Cinema, which reclaimed its position as the No. 1 Hindi movie channel (15 plus HSM Urban) this quarter. Its line-up of premieres from the rural rumbler Jaat to the slick actioner Game Changer pulled in massive audiences. But it was Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 that truly stole the show, delivering the highest-rated movie premiere of FY26 so far. The last film to achieve a similar feat? Gadar 2, also a Zee Cinema triumph from November 2023.

    Meanwhile, Zee’s Free-to-Air dynamos Anmol Cinema and Zee Action flexed their reach muscle, becoming the most-watched channels across all languages and genres. Each channel drew in more than 116 million viewers, proving that free TV still holds unbeatable sway in Indian households.

    The story doesn’t end in Hindi. Zee’s regional clusters continue to script their own success stories. In Marathi, Zee Talkies, Zee Yuva, and Zee Chitramandir maintained their near-50 per cent market share, with the world television premiere of Phullwanti delivering the highest ratings of the quarter. Down south, Zee Thirai (Tamil) and Zee Cinemalu (Telugu) kept their leadership intact, while Zee Biskope in the Bhojpuri belt ranked among the top three in its market, a cinematic sweep across regions.

    “The growth of our movies cluster across languages is a strong reflection of our content strategy focusing on new super-hit premieres, classic titles from our library and data-driven curation,” said a company spokesperson. “The genre’s unmatched reach and strong resonance amongst male viewers and the youth also enable it to deliver scale and strategic value to advertisers across markets.”

    And those advertisers are clearly tuning in. The genre’s steady viewership and distinct audience base make Hindi movie channels a mainstay in media mixes for India’s top ten advertisers. In September 2025 alone, Zee’s 22 movie channels across six languages reached over 550 million viewers, a testament to the scale and staying power of its cinematic empire.

    From Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Karan Arjun to RRR and Bobby, Zee’s vast film library continues to bridge nostalgia and novelty. Some titles have reached iconic status Hum Aapke Hain Koun, for instance, has been watched by a staggering 250 million people over the past five years, roughly equal to the population of the world’s fifth most populous country.

    As Zee continues to blend data with drama and strategy with storytelling, it’s clear the brand isn’t just broadcasting films, it’s curating a cultural phenomenon. For millions of viewers across India, the show must go on and with Zee, it most certainly will

  • Big moves, bigger money as UP Kabaddi heats up

    Big moves, bigger money as UP Kabaddi heats up

    MUMBAI: It wasn’t just tackles flying at the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 player auction, wallets were too. Held in Noida, the high-voltage event saw 12 franchises flex their financial muscle, with bids totalling Rs 1.70 crore for a pool of 500 players.

    The newest entrant, Gazab Ghaziabad, made a “gazab” debut as the 12th team, joining heavyweights like Lucknow Lions, Kanpur Warriors, and Purvanchal Panthers. But the real drama unfolded at the bidding table. Vinay Tevathia topped the charts, bagging Rs 5.90 lakh from Aligarh Tigers, followed by Nitin Panwar at Rs 4.45 lakh for Ganga Kings of Mirzapur and Ashu Singh, snapped up by Noida Ninjas for Rs 4.35 lakh.

    The defending champions, Lucknow Lions, kept faith in their winning pride by retaining key players Arjun Deshwal, Vivek Chaudhary, Arpit Saroha, and Mohd Amaan.

    “UPKL has become a powerful platform for grassroots kabaddi talent and franchise value creation,” said SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain. “This season’s auction showcased strategic, disciplined bidding that has built balanced, competitive teams across the board.”

    The event also saw former IAS Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, unveil the league’s broadcast partner for the next three seasons. Kabaddi star Rahul Chaudhary, UPKL’s brand ambassador, and senior officials from the state federation were among those present.

    Season 2 kicks off on 25 December 2025 in Noida, featuring 71 matches under the tagline “Apna bharat, apna khel – khel raha hai mera pradesh.” Matches will be broadcast live on Zee Sports and ZEE5, ensuring the spirit of kabaddi reaches every corner of the country.

    From blockbuster signings to fresh rivalries, UPKL’s latest season promises plenty of action, proving once again that in Uttar Pradesh, kabaddi isn’t just a game, it’s a full-contact celebration.

     

  • Nat Geo digs deep as Explorer Film Festival returns with fresh stories

    Nat Geo digs deep as Explorer Film Festival returns with fresh stories

    MUMBAI: Adventure calls again and this time, it’s cinematic. National Geographic is rolling out the yellow carpet for the return of its Explorer Film Festival, a celebration of bold ideas, breathtaking quests, and the indomitable human spirit. The much-loved festival premieres on Sunday, 9 November at 10 pm, promising an evening of storytelling that travels from the ocean floor to volcanic peaks.

    Continuing National Geographic’s legacy of inspiring curiosity, the 2025 edition spotlights Explorers scientists, conservationists, and adventurers whose work blurs the line between passion and peril. Whether it’s uncovering ancient secrets, saving species, or pushing the limits of human endurance, each film captures the thrill of discovery in its purest form.

    The global lineup reads like a love letter to exploration.

    . Love + War follows Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario, who has risked her life on frontlines from Afghanistan to Ukraine to reveal the human cost of conflict.

    . The Last Rhinos: A New Hope chronicles a daring scientific mission to save the Northern White Rhino from extinction through the world’s first surrogate rhino pregnancy.

    . Secrets of the Penguins dives into the icy lives of these resilient creatures, their courage, bonds, and surprising intelligence.

    . Titanic: The Digital Resurrection resurfaces the world’s most famous shipwreck using cutting-edge 3D scanning to create a digital twin of the Titanic for a hauntingly immersive exploration.

    . Explorer: Lake of Fire takes viewers into the molten heart of an uncharted volcano as scientists seek answers to one of nature’s most explosive mysteries.

    . Explorer: The Deepest Cave journeys into the Earth’s underbelly, where cavers navigate perilous underground mazes to reach the planet’s lowest known depths.

    Each film in the Explorer series isn’t just about discovery, it’s about reflection. It questions how far we’ve come, what we’ve lost, and what remains to be found.

    To drum up anticipation, National Geographic will launch a nationwide promo campaign two weeks ahead of the premiere. The teaser already hints at breathtaking visuals, edge-of-seat drama, and heart-stirring human stories, an ode to the restless spirit of exploration.

    With themes spanning love, loss, courage, and curiosity, this year’s Explorer Film Festival invites audiences to look beyond borders, dive beneath the surface, and climb into the unknown, one frame at a time.

    So, mark your calendars. On 9 November at 10 PM, switch on National Geographic and prepare to journey from the deepest caves to the coldest ice caps proof that the world’s greatest stories aren’t just out there; they’re waiting to be explored.

  • Madrid meets Mumbai as Tata Communications kicks off Real connection

    Madrid meets Mumbai as Tata Communications kicks off Real connection

    MUMBAI: When the Bernabéu meets Bharat, football fever finds a new field to play on. Tata Communications has teamed up with Real Madrid CF and Footballerista Mobile (Suisse) AG to bring the iconic club’s Madridista Premium loyalty programme to India, a digital goal aimed straight at the hearts of over 22 million fans and 11 official fan clubs across the country.

    The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind fusion of sport, technology, and fandom turning passion into participation. With this launch, Indian fans can now enjoy an exclusive peek into the Real Madrid universe through premium access to content, merchandise, and experiences designed to make every supporter feel closer to the club than ever before.

    For Real Madrid, one of the most followed football teams globally, India represents not just an audience but an untapped fan movement. Through Madridista Premium, the club is extending its digital ecosystem to Indian shores, deepening its connection with fans and nurturing football culture in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

    Tata Communications will power this connection through its cutting-edge digital infrastructure and MOVETM platform ensuring seamless connectivity, personalised engagement, and a 24/7 bridge between fans and the club. Footballerista, the customer-facing arm of Tata Communications’ MOVETM, will take the lead on fan experiences and digital onboarding campaigns to drive engagement.

    “This partnership isn’t just about digital innovation, it’s connecting Real Madrid to its Indian fanbase that goes beyond traditional fandom,” said Real Madrid CF institutional relations director Emilio Butrageño and one of the club’s most celebrated legends.

    Echoing the sentiment, Tata Communications MOVETM vice president and global head Marco Bijvelds added, “Our technology is designed to break down barriers and create connections. With Footballerista and Real Madrid, we’re not just providing a service, we’re building a stage for Real Madrid’s fan experience in India.”

    For Indian supporters who have long cheered from afar, Madridista Premium offers more than a membership, it’s a front-row ticket to the real experience. From exclusive emotional content and curated merchandise to local engagement events, the initiative turns every fan moment into a celebration.

    As Tata Communications, Footballerista and Real Madrid join forces, one thing’s certain the beautiful game just found a new home crowd. The Bernabéu might be miles away, but the Madridista spirit is now firmly kicking in India.
     

  • Howzat for Glory as Eden Gardens Lights Up for Women in Blue

    Howzat for Glory as Eden Gardens Lights Up for Women in Blue

    MUMBAI: Kolkata’s night sky had a new scoreboard, one lit in blue, blazing with pride. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) turned the Eden Gardens into a glowing canvas to celebrate Team India’s historic ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 victory, creating a spectacle that had fans stopping, staring and cheering long after the final whistle.

    The iconic stadium’s façade shimmered in shades of electric blue, adorned with giant visuals of the triumphant team lifting the trophy, a sight that felt every bit as grand as the moment it commemorated. For three days, the hallowed grounds of Eden weren’t just a cricketing landmark; they became a glowing love letter to the women who brought India the cup, pride and goosebumps.

    “This was our way of saying thank you,” said former India captain and president of CAB Sourav Ganguly. “Twenty years ago, women’s cricket had few believers and fewer facilities. Today, their win lights up the country quite literally. When I became BCCI president, I made it my mission to strengthen women’s cricket. Winning the 50-over World Cup is just the beginning, it will only get bigger from here.”

    The CAB’s tribute was more than a visual delight; it was a reflection of how far women’s cricket has come. What once played to sparse crowds now fills stadiums and headlines. Eden’s brilliant glow symbolised that shift from underdogs to icons, from overlooked to celebrated.

    Cricket lovers thronged the area, phones in hand, capturing the moment that married nostalgia and new-age pride. The installation featured vibrant lights, dynamic projections and a specially designed backdrop, a reminder that victory looks even brighter when the whole nation stands behind it.

    The CAB, long known for championing both men’s and women’s cricket, used this celebration to reaffirm its commitment to the game’s future. The association has consistently nurtured talent across formats, and this event underscored its intent to keep the women’s game in full focus not as a supporting act, but as the main event.

    As the lights danced on Eden’s storied walls and the chants of “India, India!” echoed once more, it was clear cricket’s most sacred turf had just found a new set of legends to worship.

    After all, when the Women in Blue bring home the cup, the city of joy knows exactly how to say “well played” with fireworks, flair, and a flood of blue that can be seen from miles away.

     

  • Word Play Returns as Sahitya Aaj Tak Turns Delhi into a Lit Fest

    Word Play Returns as Sahitya Aaj Tak Turns Delhi into a Lit Fest

    MUMBAI: Delhi’s about to get a serious case of literary fever and no one’s complaining. The India Today Group organized and much-loved Sahitya Aaj Tak is back from 21 to 23 November 2025, transforming the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium into a buzzing playground of poetry, prose and performance.

    Now in its latest edition, the three-day fiesta promises to be a heady mix of words, wisdom and rhythm, with over 30 celebrated voices from literature, music and performance coming together to make language sing again.

    This year’s line-up reads like a who’s who of India’s creative scene Piyush Mishra, Kumar Vishwas, Imran Pratapgarhi, Varsha Singh Dhanoa, Malini Awasthi, Neha Kakkar, Namita Dubey, Manoj Muntashir, and Jasbir Jassi each bringing their unique flavour of expression to Delhi’s cultural calendar.

    From soulful shayari to pop beats, Sahitya Aaj Tak 2025 is where a verse meets a voice and rhythm meets reason. Whether you’re there for Kumar Vishwas’s philosophical masterpiece Apne Apne Ram (which will feature across all three days), or Neha Kakkar’s chart-topping energy, the event promises moments that move the heart as much as they make you hum.

    Adding a contemplative layer are thematic sessions like Jeewan Ki Jagrukta: Kitni Zaruri…, delving into mindfulness and awareness in today’s whirlwind life. Another highlight, Rahgeer Live…, brings together poetic voices like Marham, Deveshi Sahgal, and Rahgir, blending verse and melody into one mesmerising flow.

    As always, the festival’s magic lies in its ability to make literature feel alive not confined to dusty pages or late-night screens, but performed, sung, debated and celebrated. With folk icon Malini Awasthi, Punjabi powerhouse Jasbir Jassi, and Hargun Kaur adding melody to the mix, it’s a feast for the senses as much as the soul.

    Registration for the festival is now open on sahitya.aajtak.in.

    So mark your calendars and charge your creative batteries because for three days this November, Delhi won’t just speak, it’ll rhyme, sing and soar.