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  • News18 India tops charts with 96.5 per cent viewership jump during India-Pakistan conflict

    News18 India tops charts with 96.5 per cent viewership jump during India-Pakistan conflict

    MUMBAI: As tensions flared during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, viewers across the country turned to News18 India in record numbers. The Hindi news channel soared to the top of the charts, notching a 96.5 per cent spike in Average Minute Audience (AMA000’s), according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) data.

    From 7-9 May, News18 India clocked 39,341 AMA000’s, establishing itself as the most-watched Hindi news channel during the period. Its Cumulative Reach’00 also saw a substantial rise, touching 45,438—a 49.9 per cent increase. (Source: BARC, Market: HSM, TG: 2+, Period: Wk 18’25)

    In a volatile media environment flooded with misinformation about India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, News18 India focused on accurate, responsible, and timely reportage. The channel broke key developments, including the pivotal DGMO calls that halted further escalation.

    Network18’s broader general news portfolio also registered a sharp rise in performance. With an AMA000’s count of 81,155, the network saw an 82.8 per cent boost. Its Cumulative Reach’00 reached 1,02,485, marking a 38.6 per cent week-on-week surge. (Source: BARC, Market: India, TG: 2+)

    The network’s editorial strength stems from its top-tier anchors and an extensive on-ground network that enabled comprehensive, ground-up coverage. Network18’s portfolio includes News18 India and CNN-News18 on the national front, and a robust regional slate including News18 Uttar Pradesh/Uttarakhand, News18 Bihar/Jharkhand, News18 Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, and News18 Bangla, among others.

    Network18 has consistently held its position as the country’s number one news network for over two years, with its mix of rigorous journalism and regionally rooted storytelling continuing to win the trust of Indian audiences.

  • Billboards Behaving Badly as Prime Twists Fan Favourites for The Traitors

    Billboards Behaving Badly as Prime Twists Fan Favourites for The Traitors

    MUMBAI: If you’ve done a double take at a Mirzapur quote on a billboard lately, you’re not alone. Across Indian cities, something strange is afoot famous lines from hit Prime Video shows like Paatal Lok, Farzi, Panchayat, and The Boys are popping up on massive hoardings… but with a twist.

    What at first glance feels like a nostalgic nod to your binge-watch favourites quickly unravels into something more sinister. The quotes look right, but they aren’t quite right and that subtle off-ness is precisely the point. This isn’t just a trip down memory lane. It’s a breadcrumb trail. And the destination? Deception.

    Welcome to the world of The Traitors.

    Set to launch soon on Prime Video, The Traitors is the Indian adaptation of the globally acclaimed reality format where trust is fragile, alliances are fleeting, and betrayal is always just around the corner. With a gameplay that rewards strategy, subterfuge and social smarts, The Traitors is poised to flip the reality TV genre on its head.

    The billboard campaign is the first move in this psychological chess match. Disruptive, cheeky, and slightly unsettling, it plants a single thought in viewers’ minds: can you trust what you see?

    In a climate of reboots and reunions, this fresh format brings something more intriguing to the table unpredictability. And as the quotes from familiar shows start to behave badly, it’s clear the game has already begun.

    Keep your eyes peeled. The signs are everywhere. The Traitors is coming soon only on Prime Video. But in this game, nothing is what it seems.
     

  • Edstead premieres ‘Molecules of Hope’ to spotlight India’s healthcare changemakers

    Edstead premieres ‘Molecules of Hope’ to spotlight India’s healthcare changemakers

    MUMBAI: In an evocative blend of insight and emotion, Edstead, the research-first documentary studio, has launched Molecules of Hope, a three-part series that uncovers the beating heart of India’s healthcare transformation. The series, which premiered today, journeys through the stories of Entod Pharmaceuticals, UE Lifesciences, and Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services—three organisations pushing boundaries across medicine, technology, and accessibility.

    From research labs to rural clinics, the series captures real-world impact with unvarnished intimacy. Each episode offers a deep dive into the work of companies breaking barriers—whether it’s driving cutting-edge ophthalmic research, delivering early breast cancer detection in underserved areas, or building hospital networks for the Bharat hinterland. Through authentic storytelling and carefully curated narratives, Edstead showcases the layered realities behind the headlines—where innovation, human intent, and systemic change meet.

    “India’s healthcare sector stands at a critical inflection point, and we saw a powerful opportunity to document this transformation through purposeful, human-centered storytelling”, said Edstead founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee. “This series is not just about science or systems; it’s about the people at the heart of progress. By collaborating with organisations driving real change, we’ve been able to craft narratives that resonate deeply and reflect the tangible impact unfolding across the country.”

    Molecules of Hope emerges at a time when India’s healthcare ecosystem is being rewritten—not just by large hospitals or pharma giants, but by lean startups, community health pioneers, and tech-led disruptors. Edstead’s production not only elevates these voices but also bridges storytelling with purpose, turning brand impact into cultural narrative.

    Through a mix of moving imagery, lived testimonials, and context-rich reporting, the series positions Edstead at the forefront of meaningful branded content. As healthcare becomes more decentralised, inclusive, and technologically driven, Molecules of Hope captures the unsung moments and unlikely heroes shaping this new era.

    The series is now streaming across Edstead’s digital platforms and partner channels.

  • Instamart teams up with Home Centre to deliver décor and kitchenware in just 10 minutes

    Instamart teams up with Home Centre to deliver décor and kitchenware in just 10 minutes

    MUMBAI: Instant gratification just got a stylish upgrade. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Instamart has onboarded Home Centre, bringing premium home décor and kitchenware products to India’s quick commerce circuit—with delivery promised in under 10 minutes.

    Starting this week, users in Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Gurgaon can browse and order over 120 curated products from Home Centre via the Instamart app. The offering includes a wide array of everyday and aspirational items—from serveware, dining sets, and organisers to table lamps, clocks, and kitchen essentials.

    The move marks a significant shift in quick commerce strategy, as Instamart expands beyond daily necessities into lifestyle retail. With over 35,000 products already spanning groceries and electronics, the company is now catering to urban consumers who expect instant access to products that enhance not just their routines but also their homes.

    “At Home Centre, we have always placed consumer needs at the core of our product offering”, said Home Centre India CEO Sitaram Kumar. “Our partnership with Instamart represents an important step forward in meeting the demands of today’s fast-moving consumers, delivering faster, smarter service to match their evolving lifestyles”.

    Echoing the sentiment, Instamart CEO Amitesh Jha said, “Instamart is committed to expanding the boundaries of quick commerce. This partnership with Home Centre is a step towards delivering not just essentials, but high-quality lifestyle products on demand—instantly enhancing the homes and lives of our users”.

    This isn’t Instamart’s first foray into the lifestyle category. Two years ago, it began offering soft furnishings and décor items, with blankets becoming one of the platform’s most searched products in 2023. Since then, its lifestyle catalogue has grown into the thousands.

    The Home Centre partnership represents a new chapter—one where design meets delivery speed, and where your next living room upgrade is only 10 minutes away.

  • Old box new tricks as OneTV reboots legacy set tops with a smart spin

    Old box new tricks as OneTV reboots legacy set tops with a smart spin

    MUMBAI: Who says you can’t teach an old box new tricks? In a bold leap that’s both tech-savvy and eco-conscious, Hungary’s leading TV provider One Hungary has rolled out a major upgrade to its OneTV service without replacing a single set-top box. That’s right: legacy devices, some over ten years old, have been brought back to life with an all-new next-gen interface, delivering a streaming experience that rivals the flashiest new gear.

    The revamp, delivered in partnership with 3 Screen Solutions (3SS), brings the award-winning 3Ready platform to more than 400,000 households across Hungary. The result? A sleek, intuitive UI, seamless content discovery, personalised recommendations, and access to big-league apps like Netflix, Prime Video and Youtube all from the comfort of those trusty old black boxes gathering dust under TV stands.

    3SS  managing director Kai-Christian Borchers said, “We are delighted with the achievement to migrate One Hungary’s customers onto the new One TV service platform. We offer huge congratulations to One Hungary for accomplishing this project that demonstrates commitment to innovation, and to providing the best possible service to customers, new and old.”

    Sagemcom senior executive VP for audio video Solutions Business Unit Olivier Taravel said, “We are extremely proud that One Hungary selected the Sagemcom platform to deliver its next-generation OneTV service to Hungarian subscribers. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with 3SS to help One Hungary enable consumers to enjoy a truly world-class entertainment service.”

    One Hungary, part of the telecom giant 4iG Group, is in the final stages of consolidating four major service providers under one umbrella. The move marks a massive infrastructure evolution and positions the group as Hungary’s second-largest full-service telecom player. The OneTV upgrade is a centrepiece of that transformation, proving that good tech can be good for the planet too.

    Technical wizardry aside, the platform also taps into NAGRA’s OpenTV Video Platform and security stack, enabling OneTV to act as a super-aggregator blending live TV, OTT, catch-up, and SVOD into one unified playground. Throw in support for regional favourites like RTL+ and HBO Max, and you’ve got a service that speaks fluently to local and global tastes alike.

    The magic behind the scenes includes LightningJS, a lean, responsive UI framework optimised for low-spec devices and a Sagemcom hybrid STB built around Broadcom’s 72604 chip. It’s fast, flexible, and fully future-ready.

    So next time your telly feels a little dated, don’t bin the box just reboot it. As OneTV proves, the future of television doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, it’s just about thinking inside the box.

  • Sara and Sachin Tendulkar drive home a heartfelt message in Spinny’s latest ‘God Promise’ campaign

    Sara and Sachin Tendulkar drive home a heartfelt message in Spinny’s latest ‘God Promise’ campaign

    MUMBAI: Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar and daughter Sara Tendulkar have come together in Spinny’s newest campaign, ‘God Promise’, blending familial warmth with an enduring brand message. The campaign, which plays out across Instagram and other digital platforms, showcases the duo’s love for their indie dogs, Spike and Max, while championing Spinny’s promise of trust and assurance.

    The centrepiece is a tender film starring Sachin alongside a soulful indie dog, charting a journey that encapsulates memories, reliability, and the spirit of long-lasting relationships. It symbolically anchors Spinny’s industry-first three year warranty on its Assured+ used cars—a commitment framed as more than a feature, but a lasting promise.

    Sara added her own emotional depth to the campaign by sharing unseen family photographs with Sachin and their beloved pets. Her caption on Instagram read:

    “A really, really long relationship and a promise for the ages. This @myspinny ad brought back memories—of drives, laughs and Spike & Max. This one’s incredibly close to my heart. #godpromise”

    With a mix of nostalgia and simplicity, the film leans into moments that reflect Spinny’s ethos of dependable, people-first service. The involvement of the Tendulkars—and the visible affection for their adopted pets—grounds the message in everyday relatability.

    ‘God Promise’ positions Spinny not just as a car retail platform, but as a brand that recognises the emotional journeys tied to car ownership. By inviting India’s most beloved sporting family to tell a story of trust, the campaign aims to strike a chord with millions of middle-class Indian families who view cars as more than transport—but as memory machines.

    With this campaign, Spinny continues to elevate its storytelling, championing emotion and authenticity over gimmicks.

  • Gems that keep on giving as Maharashtra shines bright

    Gems that keep on giving as Maharashtra shines bright

    MUMBAI: They say diamonds are forever and at ET Now Swadesh’s first-ever ‘Gems of Maharashtra’ event, it wasn’t just jewels that dazzled. From green steel to gourmet kitchens, education to EVs, the event lit up Mumbai with stories of grit, growth and game-changing ideas.

    Held in Mumbai and graced by chief guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha, minister of skills, employment, entrepreneurship and innovation, the event celebrated Maharashtra’s meteoric rise across sectors like real estate, technology, wellness, hospitality, and manufacturing. But beyond the applause and awards, it delivered a powerful message Maharashtra is not just moving forward, it’s charging ahead with purpose.

    Speaking at ET Now Swadesh’s ‘Gems of Maharashtra’ event government of Maharashtra minister of skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation chief guest Mangal Prabhat Lodha,  said, “India was once known as the ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’ the Golden Bird not because of external wealth, but because of the unstoppable spirit of our people. Today, with over a billion citizens, having just around one lakh people engaged in startups is not enough to reclaim that title. Every Indian must embrace entrepreneurship, it’s not optional, it’s essential. Maharashtra is standing at the edge of a transformation. In the next 15 days, we will unveil a revolutionary Innovation Policy. Alongside it, a 100-acre Innovation City is being developed with 14 buildings, each dedicated to a key sector like AI, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles.”

    He further added, “We are also launching a startup education programme to train 1 lakh students by March 2026. Our goal is not just to talk about startups we want them to thrive. We will be providing 1,000 days of handholding, low interest working capital loans, and strong support from industry leaders. Our mission is to foster 27,000 startups not just in cities, but in every corner of Maharashtra, right down to the villages. For women entrepreneurs, we’ve introduced the Ahilyabai Holkar Yojana and are building dedicated Industrial Training Institutes. Additionally, our New Innovation Policy which is yet to be launched, will definitely include focused support for women in startups.”

    He also outlined a comprehensive startup support roadmap including 1,000 days of government-backed handholding, low-interest loans, and a new education programme to train one lakh students by March 2026. Special provisions for women founders under the Ahilyabai Holkar Yojana added further weight to his vision of inclusive progress.

    The evening spotlighted 31 stellar achievers the real ‘gems’ whose work is reshaping the state’s socioeconomic fabric. From Manoj and Poonam Jha (Kamakhya Jewels) for jewellery manufacturing to Yashraj Peety (SRJ Peety Steels) for green steel innovation, the awards cut across domains and demographics. Notable honourees also included Gopal Dash Baghel for sports leadership, Bhaskar Tare and Parag Dhurke for digital PR, and Annamrita Foundation for nutrition-based social impact.

    The event concluded with Lodha unveiling a commemorative coffee table book, capping off an evening where inspiration sparkled as brightly as the trophies.

    With this, ET Now Swadesh has firmly planted its flag as not just a chronicler of economic change but a celebrator of the changemakers who fuel it.

  • Parag Milk Foods appoints Subhodeep Roy as chief business officer to steer next phase of growth

    Parag Milk Foods appoints Subhodeep Roy as chief business officer to steer next phase of growth

    MUMBAI: Parag Milk Foods Ltd., one of India’s leading dairy and nutrition brands, has named Subhodeep Roy as its new chief business officer, signalling a strategic leadership shift to sharpen revenue focus and accelerate growth.

    Roy brings over 18 years of experience across India’s FMCG ecosystem, having worked with stalwarts such as Britannia, Cadbury, Godrej Consumer Products, Tata Consumer Products, and most recently, Dabur India Ltd. Known for his ability to integrate trade strategy with customer-first execution, he is expected to play a pivotal role in deepening Parag’s market reach.

    In his new role, Roy will spearhead business growth initiatives, drive execution excellence, and focus on expanding key categories. His leadership mantra-People, Process, Profit-is in line with Parag’s culture of innovation and impact-led scale.

    “We are delighted to welcome Subhodeep to the Parag family”, said Parag Milk Foods ED Akshali Shah. “His entrepreneurial mindset and deep understanding of trade and business dynamics will play a pivotal role as we scale up and deepen our market reach”.

    Aligned with Parag’s vision to deliver quality nutrition to every Indian household, Roy’s coaching-led approach empowers frontline teams to lead innovation at the ground level—a move expected to bolster agility in a fast-changing retail landscape.

    Roy’s appointment comes at a time when Parag Milk Foods is actively looking to solidify its positioning in the premium nutrition segment, scale distribution networks, and explore adjacencies in health and wellness through its core dairy portfolio.

    With him at the helm of business strategy, the company looks poised to navigate the evolving FMCG terrain with renewed focus and sharper execution.

  • R Venkatasubramanian steps down as COO of Havas Play amid ongoing restructuring

    R Venkatasubramanian steps down as COO of Havas Play amid ongoing restructuring

    MUMBAI: In a significant development within the Indian media and entertainment ecosystem, R Venkatasubramanian has stepped down as the chief operating officer of Havas Play. His departure comes amid an ongoing internal restructuring at the agency, as confirmed by Havas Media Network India CEO Mohit Joshi.

    “We are currently in the middle of a restructuring, but Venkat has decided to move on. I wish him all the best”, said Joshi in an official statement responding to the exit.

    Venkatasubramanian’s association with Havas Media spanned over six years, during which he held multiple leadership roles including president – investments and Havas Play MD, and later elevated to COO of Havas Play in May 2024. Prior to this, he played key roles across Initiative Media, MPG, and Lintas Media Group, with a two-decade-long track record of building media investment strategies and driving business transformation.

    His leadership tenure coincided with a period of rapid evolution at Havas Play, where the agency expanded its experiential, content, and sponsorship-led offerings. While the company has not named a successor, sources indicate that the restructuring may lead to a redefined leadership structure.

    Venkatasubramanian’s departure adds to a string of high-level exits across India’s media-buying industry, as agencies increasingly reorient operations toward tech-first and performance-driven models.

  • Godrej’s AI smart fridge rolls out the red velvet carpet for cooling

    Godrej’s AI smart fridge rolls out the red velvet carpet for cooling

    MUMBAI: If your fridge knew your midnight munchies were coming, would you still call it an appliance or a companion? Godrej & Boyce, the flagship of the Godrej Enterprises Group, is turning up the cool factor with the launch of its AI-powered Side-by-Side Eon Velvet refrigerators, a premium offering that’s as intuitive as it is stunning. The campaign, crafted by Creativeland Asia, isn’t just showing off another fridge, it’s showcasing a smart sidekick for your snacks, leftovers and late-night cravings.

    Running across TV, digital, social media, OOH and retail, the campaign taps into the modern Indian’s holy trinity of consumer expectations: convenience, technology, and sleek design. At the heart of the narrative is the fridge’s AI tech, which learns how often the doors are opened, adapts cooling based on what you stuff inside, and even saves energy while doing it.

    Speaking on this campaign Godrej Enterprises Group head of marketing at appliances business Swati Rathi said, “The modern Indian consumers evaluate all their purchases through the lens of convenience, technology and aesthetics and our new launch more than meets the consumer expectations on each of these fronts. With outstanding looks, inbuilt intelligence and convenience, the new Eon Velvet series is already winning consumer hearts at the stores and with the new video campaign, we are unveiling it to a wider audience.”

    The premium series is available in three eye-catching shades Opera Rose, Opera Black and Opera Blue and promises to double as both kitchen showstopper and silent workhorse. A digital touch panel, inverter compressor, and whisper-quiet cooling round out the list of features.

    From eye-level hoardings in top metros to influencer-led peeks inside these luxury coolers, the campaign aims to make a household appliance feel like a lifestyle upgrade.

    So if your fridge can now outsmart your snack habits and still match your kitchen aesthetics maybe it’s time to stop calling it “just a refrigerator.” The Eon Velvet is here, and it’s cool in every sense.