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  • Korea’s VoD market tops $1.1 bn as Netflix stays ahead, TVING–Wavve plot fightback

    Korea’s VoD market tops $1.1 bn as Netflix stays ahead, TVING–Wavve plot fightback

    SEOUL: South Korea’s premium video-on-demand market hit $1.1 billion (€0.94 billion) in the first half of 2025, with paid SVoD subscriptions climbing to 24.5 million after 1.5 million net additions, according to data from ampd, the measurement arm of Media Partners Asia (MPA).

    Growth was led by scale players and turbocharged by connected TV measurement, introduced in the second quarter. This added roughly 35 per cent more monthly active users per platform and nearly doubled measured viewing hours to 1.2 billion.

    Netflix retained the crown with 8.2 million subscribers and 47 per cent of premium VoD viewership, fuelled by Squid Game season three, a steady pipeline of licensed films, and its Naver Plus tie-up offering the ad-supported standard plan free to members. TVing posted the biggest net gains thanks to a low-priced ad tier, drama and variety hits, and live sport. Coupang Play grew with a free ad-supported tier and its Sports Pass, while June’s TVING–Wavve merger sets up a 9.2 million-subscriber challenger to Netflix by year-end.
     

    Premium VoD viewership by content type“Korea’s premium VoD sector is consolidating around a handful of scaled leaders,” said MPA executive director Vivek Couto. “Local storytelling remains the foundation of engagement and monetisation, while CTV is unlocking new audiences and advertising opportunities.”

    Local content dominated, accounting for 86 per cent of all viewing hours in Q2, led by dramas (48 per cent) and variety/reality shows (27 per cent). US films were the largest foreign category at just six per cent.

    “K-dramas, comedy and variety shows drive cross-platform reach,” said MPA and ampd  lead analyst Dhivya T. “Ad tiers are now central to subscriber growth, especially in urban and price-sensitive segments.”

  • NDTV India gets its Suhail signal as prime-time champ joins the network

    NDTV India gets its Suhail signal as prime-time champ joins the network

    MUMBAI: The 9 pm battlefield has a new warrior, and he’s carrying numbers sharper than any sword. Syed Suhail, Hindi television’s undisputed prime-time champion for over 100 weeks, has joined NDTV India as senior executive editor and prime-time anchor. In a fiercely fought time band where star anchors jostle for dominance, Suhail carved his legacy with sheer consistency and clarity. His previous show not only ruled the 9 pm slot week after week but also became Hindi prime time’s most-watched broadcast, drawing nearly 19 million viewers on average. Even more telling audiences stuck with him longer than with any other face on screen at that hour, turning his dominance into a ritual for three straight years.

    Suhail’s rise is no overnight story. From his early days at Jain TV and a regional channel where he learnt humility, to P7 News and News Nation where he sharpened his storytelling, each stop added grit and finesse. At News24, he mastered viewer connect, and by the time he reached Republic Bharat, he had rewritten the rules of the 9 pm battleground. His 100-day trek across 45 districts of Uttar Pradesh meeting everyone from ministers to security guards and children in orphanages cemented his India-first philosophy of journalism.

    What separates him from the pack is not just ratings. Suhail personally reviews every show, swears by the power of visuals, and insists the story itself should be the star. For him, journalism is less about noise and more about keeping the ordinary citizen at the centre while putting the nation’s interests above all.

    On his move to NDTV India, Suhail said, “From the start of my career, I have admired NDTV for its credibility and ‘viewer-first’ approach. To be part of this network is not just a professional honour, it is a responsibility to remain true to the common man and to tell their stories simply, honestly, and with commitment.”

    Welcoming him, NDTV CEO & editor-in-chief Rahul Kanwal, said: “Suhail is one of Hindi television’s most trusted prime-time voices. He brings not just ratings leadership but also credibility and an instinctive connection with viewers. We are delighted to welcome him to NDTV India as we strengthen our promise of meaningful, people-first journalism for a new India.”

    For viewers, the message is clear: at 9 pm, Suhail will now set the tone for NDTV India. For rivals, the battle just got that much harder.

  • Global appetite for K-content surges as TV commissions slump

    Global appetite for K-content surges as TV commissions slump

    MUMBAI: Audiences worldwide are consuming more South Korean content than ever, but the number of new TV commissions is shrinking, according to research from Ampere Analysis.

    Volume of skorean titles available on SVodThe share of international viewers who say they watch Korean series or films “sometimes” or “very often” rose from 22 per cent in early 2020 to 35 per cent in the first quarter of 2025. The supply of K-content on global streaming platforms grew 55 per cent between 2021 and 2024.

    Yet commissions are falling fast. Ampere reports that overall South Korean TV commissions dropped 20 per cent between the first halves of 2023 and 2025. Global streamers slashed their orders by 43 per cent, while local players cut back 20 per cent as they struggle with rising production costs. Scripted projects—the crown jewel of Korea’s global success—took the biggest hit, with commissions down 39 per cent.

    Volume of SKOrean titles commissionedNetflix is the outlier. It has kept commissioning volumes steady and accounts for 88 per cent of global SVoD announcements in South Korea this year. But even it has shifted emphasis from scripted to unscripted originals, part of a broader industry pivot towards acquisitions and cheaper formats.

    “Despite continued demand for K-content, TV show commissions from local and global players have declined,” said Mariana Enriquez Denton Bustinza, analyst at Ampere. “This leaves the export market open for South Korean commissioners, especially as Netflix considers introducing caps on actors’ fees.”

    For Korea’s content makers, the paradox is clear: global demand is booming, but the economics of production and shifting streamer strategies risk leaving fewer shows for audiences hungry for more.

  • Miracle PR gets a makeover as it marks five years with fresh identity

    Miracle PR gets a makeover as it marks five years with fresh identity

    MUMBAI: Reputation, it seems, now comes with a refresh. Miracle Public Relation, the Indore-headquartered regional PR agency, has celebrated its five-year milestone by rolling out a brand-new logo, a redesigned website, and an identity that mirrors its evolution beyond traditional press releases. Founded in 2019, Miracle PR has grown from a small-city outfit into a pan-India network of associates, managing clients across CSR, health, retail, and hospitality. The agency’s portfolio now stretches well past conventional media outreach, with influencer marketing and media monitoring rounding out its offering.

    “This transformation marks a defining moment in our journey,” said Miracle PR founder Akbar Ali. “Our new identity reflects our evolution into a broader role combining PR, digital outreach, and other media solutions into a seamless whole.”

    The rebrand also signals how far PR itself has come. Miracle PR PR lead Gaurav Jain, at the agen summed it up: “Gone are the days when PR was all about just sending the news to the media. The future is dynamic, and we’re positioned to lead this transition with agility and strategic impact.”

    From a standing start in Indore to a client base that spans industries and geographies, Miracle PR’s fifth-year milestone isn’t just about a new logo. It’s about keeping pace with a communications industry that’s evolving at lightning speed  and making sure its clients shine just as brightly.

  • Disney hires Netflix executive to turbocharge Asia streaming push

    Disney hires Netflix executive to turbocharge Asia streaming push

    MUMBAI: His is a familiar face to Indian music and streaming industry professionals. We are talking about Tony Zameczkowski who used to jet his way to India often first as the executive in charge of YouTube’s music vertical and then as Netflix vice-president and co-head Asia Pacific. 

    Now Zameczkowski  has hopped aboard Disney to spearhead its streaming ambitions across Asia-Pacific, as the entertainment giant seeks to capitalise on the region’s enormous growth potential. His designation: senior vice-president and general manager for direct-to-consumer operations across the region. The appointment signals Disney’s determination to accelerate Disney+ growth in markets where streaming adoption continues to surge.

    Reporting to APAC president Luke Kang and Disney Entertainment’s direct-to-consumer president Joe Earley, Zameczkowski will oversee the expansion of Disney+ across a region that company executives describe as brimming with “immense growth opportunities.”

    His arrival comes as Disney+ builds momentum following ESPN’s successful launch in Australia and New Zealand, alongside a growing slate of local originals from Korea, Japan and Australia. The second series of Japanese live-action thriller Gannibal became the platform’s most-viewed premiere in the second quarter and its fastest title to reach one million streaming hours.

    The streaming wars in Asia-Pacific show no signs of cooling, with local players and global giants alike vying for market share in countries where mobile-first consumption and rising disposable incomes are reshaping entertainment habits.

    Zameczkowski, who previously held roles at Victorious and Warner Bros International Television before his Netflix and YouTube stint, says he has “always admired Disney’s unmatched leadership in the entertainment space and its ability to remain modern and relevant to consumers.”

    New APAC originals including Tempest, Disney Twisted Wonderland: The Animation” and Cat’s Eye are set to debut on Disney+ in coming months as the company doubles down on local content production—a strategy that has proven crucial for streaming success across diverse Asian markets.

  • Advertising veteran Srinivasan Swamy returns for fourth stint as industry chief

    Advertising veteran Srinivasan Swamy returns for fourth stint as industry chief

    MUMBAI: India’s advertising industry loves a comeback story—and Srinivasan K Swamy is giving it one. The executive group chairman of R K Swamy has been elected president of the Advertising Agencies Association of India for 2025-26, marking his fourth term in the role after an 18-year hiatus.

    Swamy, also known as Sundar Swamy, previously ran the 80-year-old trade body from 2004 to 2007, when India’s advertising market was a fraction of its current size. His return suggests the industry wants experienced hands to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of digital disruption, regulatory scrutiny and changing consumer behaviour.

    “I am deeply humbled that this marks my fourth term in this role,” said Swamy, whose lengthy CV reads like a who’s who of industry bodies. He has chaired everything from the International Advertising Association to the Audit Bureau of Circulation, earning a lifetime achievement award from AAAI along the way.

    Jaideep Gandhi was elected vice-president, while the 15-member board includes heavyweights from agencies spanning Leo Burnett to Grey Worldwide. The roster reflects the fragmented nature of India’s advertising market, where global networks jostle with homegrown shops for a slice of the action.

    Outgoing president Prasanth Kumar, who served three years during the turbulent post-pandemic period, handed over the reins with typical corporate grace. “I am confident that, with his vast experience and vision, he will steer AAAI to even greater achievements,” he said.

    Whether Swamy can repeat his earlier success remains to be seen. The advertising world he inherits is vastly different from the one he left in 2007—social media has upended traditional media planning, privacy regulations are reshaping data collection, and artificial intelligence threatens to automate creative work.

    Still, at an age when most executives are eyeing retirement, Swamy clearly believes there’s more work to be done. For an industry built on selling dreams, that kind of optimism is probably just what the doctor ordered.

    Other elected members of the Board in alphabetical order and the companies they represent on AAAI are: 
    * Anupriya Acharya,  Leo Burnett (TLG India Pvt Ltd) 
    * Sam Balsara, Madison Communications Pvt Ltd 
    * Tanya Goyal, Everest Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd 
    * Tapas Gupta, BEI Confluence Communication Ltd. 
    * Vishandas Hardasani, Matrix Publicities and Media India Pvt Ltd 
    * Mohit Joshi, Havas Media India Pvt Ltd 
    * Santosh Kumar, Innocean Worldwide Communication Pvt Ltd 
    * Kunal Lalani, Crayons Advertising Ltd 
    * Chandramouli Muthu, Maitri Advertising Works Pvt Ltd  
    * Vikram Sakhuja, Platinum Advertising Pvt Ltd 
    * Kartik Sharma,  Omnicom Media Group India Pvt Ltd 
    * Anusha ShettY,  Grey Worldwide (India) Pvt Ltd 
    * Shashi Sinha, Initiative Media (India) Pvt Ltd 
    * K Srinivas, Sloka Advertising Pvt Ltd  
    * Paritosh Srivastava, Law & Kenneth Saatchi & Saatchi Pvt Ltd 

  • Reliance gets high on health drinks with ayurvedic beverage bet

    Reliance gets high on health drinks with ayurvedic beverage bet

    MUMBAI: Reliance Industries is betting big on India’s growing thirst for healthy drinks, snapping up a majority stake in Naturedge Beverages, maker of the herbal functional drink Shunya. The deal marks the latest move by Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate to build a beverage empire that can rival Coca-Cola and PepsiCo in the world’s most populous country.

    The acquisition brings Shunya—a zero-sugar, zero-calorie drink packed with ayurvedic herbs like ashwagandha and brahmi—into Reliance Consumer Products’ expanding stable. The brand has caught on with health-conscious Indians seeking alternatives to sugary sodas, tapping into ancient wellness traditions that promise stress relief and mental clarity.

    Founder of Naturedge and scion of the century-old Baidyanath Group ayurvedic empire Siddhesh Sharma launched Shunya in 2018 with the aim of making traditional herbs palatable to modern consumers. “Super-herbs like ashwagandha and brahmi not only act as natural stress-relievers but also boost strength, stamina and focus,” he said.

    For Reliance, the deal is part of a broader push to dominate India’s beverages market. Since launching its consumer products arm in 2022, it has gobbled up the nostalgic Campa Cola brand and rolled out energy drinks and flavoured waters. The company is chasing what it calls a “total beverage portfolio” to capture Indian wallets from morning chai to evening refreshers.

    Reliance Consumer Products  executive director Ketan Mody said the partnership would help promote “India’s legacy” while offering quality products at affordable prices. With Reliance’s vast distribution network, Shunya could soon be available in corner shops from Mumbai to Chennai.

    The move reflects a broader trend as Indian consumers increasingly embrace functional foods and beverages that promise health benefits beyond basic nutrition. As lifestyles become more stressful and wellness awareness grows, traditional remedies repackaged in modern formats are finding eager buyers.

    Whether Reliance can crack the code on healthy drinks remains to be seen. But with deep pockets and distribution muscle, it’s certainly willing to pay for the privilege of trying.

  • Hansgrohe taps Abdulkader Bengali to make a splash in India growth plans

    Hansgrohe taps Abdulkader Bengali to make a splash in India growth plans

    MUMBAI: Hansgrohe is turning on the growth taps in India and Abdulkader Bengali is the man holding the handle. The premium German bathroom and kitchen solutions giant has appointed Bengali as managing director for India operations, effective 18 August 2025, signalling a fresh push in one of the world’s fastest-growing bath fittings markets.

    Bengali brings over 26 years of leadership experience across construction and building materials, with a flair for business turnarounds. At Sintex BAPL, he spearheaded the Water Management Solutions division, while at ALP Aeroflex he engineered a full-fledged transformation as COO. His earlier stint leading Owens Corning’s India and SAARC operations adds global heft. A gold medallist engineer from NIT Surat and an Executive MBA from SP Jain, Bengali has built a career turning underperformers into high-growth stories.

    The timing is no accident. India’s bath fittings market is pegged at 11.49 billion dollars in 2025, and set to surge to 16.67 billion dollars by 2030 at a 7.74 per cent CAGR. The luxury segment alone, worth 5.27 billion dollars in 2024, is forecast to nearly double to 10.93 billion dollars by 2032 with a robust 9.5 per cent CAGR. Hansgrohe, founded in 1901 in Germany and now present in over 190 countries, sees India as a key strategic play.

    “Bengali’s track record in transforming businesses makes him the ideal leader,” said Hansgrohe Group vice president Asia Thomas Stopper. With expertise in P&L management, sales excellence, and operational optimisation, Bengali is expected to scale Hansgrohe’s Indian footprint, bringing its famed Black Forest design and sustainable water technologies to a wider base of consumers.

    From Black Forest to Bengaluru, Hansgrohe’s bet is clear: India’s rising disposable incomes and urban aspirations make it the perfect market to flow into the future.
     

  • India’s tourism bonanza continues as foreign arrivals hit record high

    India’s tourism bonanza continues as foreign arrivals hit record high

    MUMBAI: India’s tourism sector is roaring back to life, with foreign tourist arrivals surging to nearly 100 million last year—the highest on record. The ministry of tourism announced that 99.5 million foreigners visited India in 2024, up from just 15.3 million during the pandemic-ravaged year of 2021.

    The recovery has been spectacular. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism more than quadrupled from Rs 64,000 crore in 2021 to Rs 293,000 crore in 2024. Tourism’s share of GDP has jumped from a measly 1.5 per cent in 2020-21 to 5.2 per cent in 2023-24, making it a significant economic driver.

    Americans lead the charge, with 1.8 million visitors in 2024, followed closely by Bangladeshis at 1.75million. The British, Australians and Canadians round up the top five source markets. Notably, Australia saw its visitor numbers soar from just 34,000 in 2021 to over 518,000 in 2024.

    The boom has created jobs too. Employment in tourism rose from 68 million  positions in 2020-21 to 84.6 million in 2023-24, providing livelihoods for millions across the country.

    Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared these figures in parliament, highlighting how India has bounced back from the travel restrictions that decimated global tourism. International tourist arrivals, including non-resident Indians, reached 206 million in 2024.

    The numbers suggest India is capitalising on pent-up demand for travel as the world emerges from the pandemic’s shadow. With its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and competitive costs, India appears well-positioned to maintain this momentum.

  • Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    Rana Daggubati leads JioStar campaign for PKL Season 12 Ghus Kar Maarenge

    MUMBAI: When Rana Daggubati says Ghus Kar Maarenge, even the toughest villains step back. JioStar has kicked off its Season 12 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) campaign with a high-octane film starring the Telugu star, setting the tone for what promises to be the most aggressive and competitive season yet. Released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, the film opens with Daggubati confronting a hostile group outside a mansion. With a snap of his fingers, he flips the script summoning carpets, drums, and grandeur before marching forward to face them down, echoing kabaddi’s signature blend of poise and power. He seals the film with a line every Titan fan will remember: “Ghuss ke marne ki baatein toh sab karte hai, but hum Telugu Titans wale karke dikhaate hai.”

    Season 12 arrives with new rules designed to guarantee results in every match, upping the stakes for fans and players alike. “The campaign reflects this shift in intensity,” a JioStar spokesperson explained, noting that Daggubati’s screen presence, composure, and authority made him the natural choice.

    For Daggubati, the association is personal. “Kabaddi is not just a sport, it’s a battle of will, power, and fearless spirit. The Pro Kabaddi League has redefined how we look at home-grown sports in India. There’s something electrifying about the raw aggression on the mat every single match,” he said.

    The action begins on 29 August, with a southern showdown between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas in the season opener. Every tackle, raid, and block will stream live and exclusive on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, as kabaddi prepares to deliver yet another adrenaline-charged spectacle.