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  • India’s telecom scene rings in mixed signals in 2024-25

    India’s telecom scene rings in mixed signals in 2024-25

    MUMBAI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its annual performance indicators report for 2024-25 and the numbers show a curious mix of gains, drops and digital twists in India’s ever-buzzing telecom space.

    India added 14.7 million internet users over the year, nudging the total base to a hefty 969.1 million by March 2025, a modest growth of 1.54 per cent. Of these, a dominant 944.12 million are broadband surfers, up 2.17 per cent, while the slow-lane narrowband crowd shrank 17.66 per cent to just 24.98 million.

    Wireless users are spending more. Average revenue per user (arpu) for wireless shot up 16.89 per cent to Rs174.46 a month. Prepaid arpu jumped sharply from Rs 146.37 to Rs 173.84. Postpaid users, though, spent less, their arpu dipped to Rs180.86 from Rs 184.63.

    Talk time also climbed. The average subscriber chatted for 1,000 minutes a month, up from 963 the previous year. But again, the prepaid crowd did the heavy lifting, their usage rose to 1,047 minutes, while postpaid users spoke less, clocking just 503 minutes.

    The total number of telephone subscribers in India edged up marginally to 1,200.80 million, a limp 0.13 per cent rise. But while wireline made a surprising comeback with a 9.62 per cent jump (now at 37.04 million users), mobile telephony lost ground. Wireless subscribers fell by 1.74 million, a 0.15 per cent dip with a sharper 8.5 million drop for mobile-only users (excluding 5G FWA). Overall wireless teledensity slipped to 82.42 per cent.

    Interestingly, rural areas clung on rural subscriptions rose 0.15 per cent to 534.69 million. But rural teledensity inched down from 59.19 to 59.06 per cent. Urban teledensity, meanwhile, dropped more steeply from 133.72 to 131.45 per cent.

    India’s mobile data addiction shows no signs of slowing. Wireless data users grew 2.87 per cent to 939.51 million, and total data consumed soared to 2,28,779 petabytes, a 17.46 per cent rise. Revenues from this data deluge? A cool Rs 2.15 lakh crore up 15.49 per cent from last year.

    Telecom’s gross revenue hit Rs 3.72 lakh crore, up 10.72 per cent. while adjusted gross revenue (agr) rose 12.02 per cent to Rs 3.03 lakh crore. Pass-through charges, however, slid 1.31 per cent to Rs52,879 crore.

    Spectrum usage charges (suc) and licence fees went up too by 13.02 and 12.02 per cent, respectively. Access services, basically what we all use made up a commanding 83.65 per cent of agr.

    It’s not just telecom that got a review. The broadcasting scene had its own drama. India had 918 satellite TV channels licensed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as of March 2025, with 908 available for downlinking. But pay DTH is losing fans, subscribers dropped to 56.92 million from 61.97 million a year ago, while Doordarshan’s free DTH carried on as usual.

    In radio, the number of operational private FM stations stayed flat at 388 across 113 cities. But a shuffle at the top saw six channels from Digital Radio (Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata) merge into South Asia FM Ltd. The number of private radio operators is now 33, down from 36.

    Meanwhile, community radio keeps spreading its voice. The grassroots network now boasts 531 stations up from 494 the year before.

    The Indian telecom space is talking, streaming, and spending more, but it’s also shifting gears. Data is king, mobile’s golden days might be levelling off, wireline’s having a mini-renaissance, and DTH seems to be heading the way of the landline.

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  • A+E Global Media joins cable fire sale as Disney and Hearst weigh exit

    A+E Global Media joins cable fire sale as Disney and Hearst weigh exit

    MUMBAI: A+E Global Media, home to A&E, History and Lifetime, is up for grabs as Disney and Hearst are exploring a potential sale of their 50-50 joint venture, adding to the growing list of cable assets being spun off or dumped in a rapidly fragmenting media landscape.

    The duo have roped in Wells Fargo to explore strategic options for the privately held firm, which rebranded earlier this year from A+E Networks. International media reports quote sources saying that  a full or partial sale is on the cards, though no deal is guaranteed. The move comes amid a broader industry pivot, with NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery already planning to cleave off large chunks of their legacy cable businesses.

    NBCU’s new entity Versant will house MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network and others, while WBD is prepping a 2026 split of its linear networks, including CNN, TNT, TBS, Discovery and HGTV. A+E’s roster—spanning Lifetime Movie Network, FYI, Vice TV, and a fleet of Fast and AVOD services—could make for a tasty bolt-on to either portfolio.

    While A+E continues to throw off cash, it’s not immune to cable’s cord-cutting crisis. Subscriber counts are down to around 58 million per brand, well off their peak, and Disney’s reported equity income from the venture plunged to $207 million in FY24 from $575 million the year prior. That said, the company’s content firepower remains formidable—with deep libraries, active Fast rollouts, and global syndication in nearly 200 markets.
    Under president Paul Buccieri, A+E has bucked some trends by doubling down on original movies for Lifetime and blockbuster docs for History. But the shift is unmistakable: legacy players are slimming down, linear is losing lustre, and media conglomerates are reshuffling the deck for a streaming-first world.

    Disney boss Bob Iger has flirted with calling linear TV “non-core” in the past but ultimately decided to hold on to ESPN, ABC and FX as content engines for Disney+ and Hulu. A+E, however, has long remained outside the mouse house’s main orbit—making it a prime candidate for offloading.

    No price tag has been floated, and reps for Disney, Hearst, A+E and Wells Fargo have declined to comment. But the timing is telling. With Versant aiming to close by end-2025, and WBD’s split targeted for mid-2026, A+E could be the next tile to shift in a fast-moving game of cable consolidation.

    Indian media observers may recollect that the Reliance group has a 51 per cent majority-owned joint venture AETN18 , now called A+E Networks India. The company operates the infotainment channel History TV18 and had, until 2020 , run the lifestyle channels of FYI TV18. How the potential sale of the global media company will affect the Indian joint venture is not known at the time of writing.  So keep watching this space.

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  • Bharath C.S. takes the helm as content director at Kuku TV

    Bharath C.S. takes the helm as content director at Kuku TV

    BENGALURU: Bharath C.S.., a seasoned creative director with over two decades of experience in content creation and digital production, has been appointed as the new content director for micro drama at Kuku TV. The move, effective June 2025, sees Bharath bringing his extensive background from industry giants like Amazon and various top television networks to the burgeoning micro-drama segment.

    With a career spanning leadership roles at Amazon, Culture Machine, Udaya TV, Zee TV, ETV, and UTV, Bharath has consistently delivered high-impact content across television, digital, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms.

    During his tenure at Amazon, he was instrumental in spearheading the MPAM automation tool, which significantly enhanced content delivery speed and precision. His impressive portfolio includes producing over 500 television shows (both fiction and non-fiction), more than 1,000 television commercials, and over 100,000 digital assets.

    At Culture Machine, he successfully established regional digital channels, tapping into the unique cultural landscape of south India and boosting engagement for Tamil and Telugu audiences.

    Bharath’s appointment is expected to bolster Kuku TV’s strategic and creative output in the rapidly evolving digital content space, particularly in the creation of concise, impactful narratives

  • Z shareholders back new board appointments

    Z shareholders back new board appointments

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (Z) today announced that its shareholders have decisively approved the appointments of advertising professional  Divya Karani as an independent director and Saurav Adhikari as a non-executive director to the company’s board. The endorsement, secured through a remote e-voting postal ballot that concluded today, reflects strong shareholder confidence in the board’s ability to drive value creation and foster robust growth.

    The company’s strategic vision includes enhancing board guidance and strengthening its governance framework. The inclusion of highly experienced individuals from diverse sectors is central to this approach, a company press release states. Karani and adhikari are expected to provide comprehensive guidance to the management team, ensuring effective execution of the strategic growth plan.

    Karani brings over three decades of experience in the advertising and media sectors, notably as the chief executive of dentsu media, south Asia. Her insights are anticipated to be invaluable for advertising revenue. Adhikari, with more than 30 years of expertise in global technology, fast-moving consumer goods, and consumer durables, will contribute significantly from an operations and investment perspective. He is the founder and senior partner at Indus Tech Edge Fund I.

    Z chairman R. Gopalan expressed gratitude to shareholders, highlighting the “sharp business acumen” and “creative expertise” that the two directors will bring to the board. He reiterated  that they  will only strengthen “the  board’s directional guidance to the management team as the company progresses towards the targeted aspirations. We remain committed towards fortifying Z and maximizing shareholder value, through all our decisions.”

  • RCB crowned kings as IPL brand value hits $18.5bn in record-breaking 2025 season

    RCB crowned kings as IPL brand value hits $18.5bn in record-breaking 2025 season

    MUMBAI: The Indian Premier League (IPL) juggernaut stormed into 2025 with record-breaking viewership, blockbuster auctions, and soaring brand valuations—cementing its status as one of the world’s most valuable sporting properties.

    According to Houlihan Lokey’s latest IPL Valuation Study, the business value of the league has surged to a staggering $18.5 billion—up 12.9 per cent year on year: in rupee terms that tots up to Rs 156,568 crore -a 16.1 per cent growth. Its brand value alone clocked in at $3.9 billion, a 13.8 per cent jump while in rupee terms it grew 16.1 per cent again to Rs 32,721 crore.  The numbers reflect not only the league’s financial firepower but also its bulletproof commercial appeal amid global uncertainty.

    Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally shed their “chokers” tag after 17 seasons to lift their maiden IPL trophy, catapulting them to the No. 1 brand spot with a valuation of $269 million. Virat Kohli’s on-field heroics and Rajat Patidar’s captaincy delivered a fairytale finish that sent digital viewership through the roof—JioHotstar recorded a peak of 678 million views during the final, eclipsing even the India–Pakistan ICC clash earlier this year.

    Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained their spots in the top three, with brand values of $242 million and $235 million, respectively. While MI impressed with eight wins and Hardik Pandya’s smooth takeover as captain, CSK’s season was defined by MS Dhoni’s calm return to the helm amid injuries and a rebuilding phase.

    The 2025 season also saw record media rights revenues, a $300 million extension of Tata Group’s title sponsorship till 2028, and mega-bucks player signings—Rishabh Pant fetched a record $3.19 million at the auction.  The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition. The BCCI sold four associate sponsor slots for Rs 1,485 crore, up 25 per cent from the previous cycle, while advertising revenues soared to an estimated $600 million—up 50 per cent YoY. The franchises spent a record 76 million (Rs 639.15 crore) on player acquisition. 

    Franchisees continued to ride high on asset-light models and predictable revenue streams. Top teams clocked Rs 6,500–7,000 million in annual revenue with over 80 per cent visibility secured pre-season, aided by front-loaded sponsorships and tight salary caps. The league’s capital-light structure and OTT-driven audience growth make it a poster child for high-yield sports investments.

    Meanwhile, Punjab Kings emerged as the fastest-growing brand in 2025, leaping to $141 million in value. With Shreyas Iyer as captain, and bold marketing campaigns like “Sarpanch Sahab” driving regional fandom, the franchise not only made it to the finals but also dominated digital chatter.

    As cricket’s footprint grows beyond its traditional bastions—with the ICC Champions Trophy breaking global viewership records and the US hosting marquee events—the IPL remains the sport’s commercial and cultural vanguard. It’s no longer just a league; it’s a billion-dollar blueprint for the future of cricket.

  • Bajaj revs up the streetfighter game with 2025 Pulsar NS400Z upgrade

    Bajaj revs up the streetfighter game with 2025 Pulsar NS400Z upgrade

    MUMBAI: Bajaj Auto has dropped the clutch — literally — with the all-new 2025 Pulsar NS400Z, a fire-breathing upgrade to its flagship streetfighter, now packing 43 PS of pure punch, a segment-first quick-shifter, and plenty of new muscle to burn rubber and expectations.

    Priced at Rs 1,92,328 (ex-showroom Delhi), the refreshed NS400Z builds on the momentum of 20,000 units sold since its debut last year, evolving into a leaner, meaner ride sculpted by user feedback and track-inspired engineering.

    What’s new under the hood?

    . Power bumped from 40 PS to 43 PS, thanks to reworked cam timings, intake ducts, and a new forged piston that improves thermal stability and durability.

    .  Acceleration amped up — 0-60 kmph in just 2.7 seconds (down from 3.2), and 0-100 in 6.4 seconds, with a top speed of 157 kmph.

    .   Heat management is sorted via redesigned radiator cowls that blow hot air away from your legs.

    .   Radial tyres front and rear, including a beefier 150-section at the back for better grip and feedback.

    .   Sintered front brake pads for sharper stopping power.

    The bike continues to flaunt its premium street creds with:

    .  43 mm USD forks in Champagne Gold,

    .  LED projector headlamps,

    .   A fully digital LCD console with Bluetooth, music controls, turn-by-turn nav, lap timer, and traction control,

    .  Plus, four ride modes: rain, road, off-road, and sports.

    With this update, Bajaj Auto isn’t just selling a motorcycle — it’s selling a mood. And that mood is fast, fierce, and futuristic.

  • Pickleball fever returns as Global Sports serves up Monsoon Championship 3.0 with $60,000 prize pot

    Pickleball fever returns as Global Sports serves up Monsoon Championship 3.0 with $60,000 prize pot

    MUMBAI: Global Sports is bringing the thunder (and a lot of paddle) back to Navi Mumbai with the return of the Monsoon Pickleball Championship 3.0—India’s largest indoor pickleball tournament is set to smash into action from 29 July to 3 August at the Cidco Exhibition Centre, Vashi.

    Now in its third edition, MPC 3.0 promises an upgraded experience, featuring 17 air-conditioned indoor courts, a record $60,000 prize pool, and more than 800 top-tier athletes from across India and the world.

    Open to players across all skill levels and age groups from Pro and Advanced, to 30+, 40+, Juniors, Seniors, and Women’s team events, the tournament is positioned to be a mega-monsoon blockbuster for the fast-growing pickleball community.

    Speaking about the upcoming edition, Global Sports founder Hemal Jain said, “Our vision with the Monsoon Pickleball Championship has always been to give Indian athletes a global platform and redefine the scale of racquet sports in India. With MPC 3.0, we’re not just raising the bar, we’re setting a new benchmark for international pickleball events in Asia.”

    Last year’s edition saw competitors clash in over 40 categories, drawing massive attention from fans and sports enthusiasts alike. MPC 3.0 now aims to up the ante with more adrenaline, tighter rallies, and a chance to witness rising stars stake their claim on the global stage.

    Registrations are now open, and with that prize money and prestige on the line, it’s game on. Rain or shine, Navi Mumbai’s about to get loud.

  • Adgcraft turns four, unveils ‘Adgcraft AI’ to power PR for India’s next-gen tech titans

    Adgcraft turns four, unveils ‘Adgcraft AI’ to power PR for India’s next-gen tech titans

    MUMBAI: On its fourth birthday, communications agency Adgcraft is gifting itself a future-forward facelift with the launch of Adgcraft AI—a new PR vertical dedicated to AI-first brands, deep-tech disruptors, and digital pioneers shaping India’s innovation economy.

    The announcement was made in Noida, with Surya Kant, CEO of AIC-BIMTECH, as chief guest, who shared insights on the ‘Digital India Revolution: Innovating Viksit Bharat’.

    The move is well-timed: with the Union Cabinet greenlighting the ₹10,300 crore IndiaAI Mission, the country is surging toward global AI dominance. Government programmes like FutureSkills Prime and YuvAI are pushing AI literacy to the grassroots, while India has already muscled its way into the world’s top four AI ecosystems.

    Aic-Bimtech CEO Surya Kant said, “We are living in a time where AI is changing the way we work, communicate, and solve problems. From education to healthcare to governance, AI has the potential to make systems faster, smarter, and more inclusive. But for this to happen, we need to make sure the work being done in this space is seen and understood by the wider public. That’s why I think the launch of Adgcraft AI is a timely and important move. It can help bring forward the stories of Indian innovators who are building practical, home-grown AI solutions. These stories can inspire many others and show the world that India is not just a consumer of technology, but a creator too.”

    “We’re launching ‘Adgcraft AI’ to give a voice to the changemakers in AI. There are so many startups and companies doing great work in the AI space, but they often don’t have the support to make their stories reach the right audience. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your reputation, Adgcraft AI is here to help you tell your story effectively,” said Adgcraft founder and managing director Abhinay Kumar Singh.

    To kick off the launch, the agency also released a meaty whitepaper titled ‘The Age of AI: Industry Trends, PR Implications, and Adgcraft’s Vision’, unpacking how AI is disrupting traditional industries and why communications must evolve with it. From sector trends to strategic storytelling for tech-first founders, the report outlines how PR is no longer a nice-to-have but a necessity in India’s booming AI economy.

    The campaign is being celebrated under the hashtag #4wdwithAdgcraft—a nod to four years of navigating the high-speed lanes of new-age comms, and now, veering straight into the AI autobahn.
     

  • Grapes Worldwide sends Pokochan on an AI-powered birthday adventure for MamyPoko Pants

    Grapes Worldwide sends Pokochan on an AI-powered birthday adventure for MamyPoko Pants

    MUMBAI: What happens when you mix a beloved baby mascot with AI and real-time storytelling? You get Poko’s Day Out—a high-engagement, tech-savvy birthday campaign crafted by Grapes Worldwide for MamyPoko Pants, the flagship diaper brand from Unicharm.

    Celebrating the birthday of Pokochan, the brand’s much-loved mascot, Grapes didn’t settle for the usual cake-and-confetti approach. Instead, it brought Pokochan to life on Instagram, letting audiences dictate his birthday adventures in real time. From sipping coconuts in Goa and trekking the Himalayas to photo ops at the Taj Mahal and wildlife safaris, Pokochan went everywhere—powered by user prompts and AI magic.

    The campaign was supercharged by Three Zinc, Grapes’ proprietary AI engine that turned audience suggestions into crisp, platform-ready visuals across both static and video. With blazing-fast turnaround and over 20 unique experiences rolled out live, the campaign had followers glued to their screens and stories.

     

     

     

  • Oakley launches ‘Artifacts from the Future’ campaign

    Oakley launches ‘Artifacts from the Future’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Oakley has announced the launch of its new campaign, ‘Artifacts from the Future’, featuring India’s Test Captain and rising icon, Shubman Gill. The campaign marks a new chapter for Oakley, introducing the next generation of performance-driven Products, designed for 2075 and delivered to 2025, all within the signature language that has defined Oakley for five decades.

    As a brand rooted in legacy that goes beyond sports to influence culture and push boundaries, Oakley continues to accelerate what’s next. With Shubman Gill leading the way, the campaign embodies Oakley’s bold spirit – celebrating innovation, confidence, and a vision for the future.

    The film features Gill wearing two key products, Plantaris and Lateralis. Plantaris is a high-wrap piece of future-facing art created to become an artifact in years to come. Engineering the eyewear was a process of natural selection, shaped by the creature-inspired aesthetics that form a visual code for Oakley. Its flexible silicone rear stem channels the raw power of a frog mid-leap, mimicking the muscle that drives its motion. Complementing it is high-wrap eyewear, Lateralis, a heritage-inspired, future-ready silhouette.

    Talking about the association, Oakley India senior brand business manager Sahil Jandial shared, “2025 is our 50-year anniversary. Fifty years into a legacy of transforming innovation into cultural icons, Oakley® is writing a new chapter. Artifacts from the Future represents how Oakley pushes the boundaries on design, while staying true to its roots. With Shubham Gill now spearheading Oakley’s philosophy, he embodies the spirit of performance at the highest level, with style and precision – not just as a remarkable athlete, but as a powerful force across social culture and sports.”

    Commenting on the campaign, Gill shared, “Through this campaign and with Oakley, we want to show that the future isn’t a far-off idea but something that we’re working towards. These designs feel like they’re made for a future set in 2075, but in fact they’re here with us today – combining Oakley’s legendary innovation with a bold, fresh look. I’m really excited to be part of this incredible journey that’s all about pushing limits and inspiring people to keep growing, whether on the field or in life”

    Behind this creative vision is Brandmovers India, who captured the essence of a futuristic world in stunning visuals and motion graphics. Suvajyoti Ghosh, founder and chief creative officer at Brandmovers India shared their thought process behind the campaign saying, “The brief this year fascinated us from the get-go with its possibilities. With a range that’s called ‘Artifacts from the Future’ we knew we had to build a whole world around the product itself and it was very exciting to dive into the process. It’s not everyday that you get an opportunity to explore futurism in Indian advertising, so much credit to the Oakley team to make this leap and taking us along in the journey.”