Tag: music

  • Music licensing firm Broma 16 taps Indian veteran to crack subcontinent gold rush

    Music licensing firm Broma 16 taps Indian veteran to crack subcontinent gold rush

    MUMBAI: Broma 16, a Dutch music licensing outfit, has hired Sunnyy Vyas from India’s streaming wars to spearhead its assault on the subcontinent’s booming digital music market. The Amsterdam-based firm, which specialises in maximising royalty collections online, appointed Vyas as head of India as it seeks to capitalise on the country’s explosive streaming growth.

    Vyas arrives with battle scars from 19 years in India’s cutthroat music and broadcasting industry. Most recently, he served as head of Wynk Studio at Airtel Digital, where he shepherded community engagement and podcast distribution for the telecom giant’s music platform. Before that, he led music promotions for ByteDance’s original content push and founded Music Plus, billed as India’s first dedicated music business portal.

    The appointment comes as international music companies scramble for a slice of India’s digital pie. With smartphone penetration soaring and data costs plummeting, the country has become a critical battleground for streaming supremacy.

    Vyas cut his teeth in traditional radio, working his way up from radio jockey at Radio City to cluster manager at Radio One, where he managed celebrity campaigns across four cities. His early career included stints as programming head at 94.3 MY FM in Nagpur, where he helmed an eight-strong team and chased ratings gold.
    The new hire will debut Broma 16’s Indian ambitions at All About Music in Mumbai later this month, where the company’s team will court potential partners and clients. For a firm with just 11 to 50 employees, landing a market veteran of Vyas’s calibre signals serious intent in a region where rights management remains fragmented and undermonetised.

    Whether Broma 16 can navigate India’s labyrinthine music licensing landscape remains to be seen, but with Vyas at the helm, it has secured a guide who knows where the bodies are buried.

  • India’s music royalties hit the high notes with Rs 700 crore windfall

    India’s music royalties hit the high notes with Rs 700 crore windfall

    MUMBAI: India’s  music scene is singing a very different tune these days—one that sounds suspiciously like cash registers ringing. Music royalty collections in India have struck a crescendo at Rs 700 crore in 2024, surging 42 per cent year-on-year and quadrupling over five years in a performance that would make even Indian cinema proud.

    The star of this financial symphony? Streaming platforms, which have transformed from industry pariahs into the golden goose laying digital eggs. India’s global ranking for creators’ collections has leapt from a modest thirty seventh position in 2019 to twenty third in 2023, according to the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) in its latest annual report.
    Royalty collectionsBut before the champagne corks start popping in recording studios across the subcontinent, there’s a sobering reality check. Despite the impressive crescendo, India’s royalty collections remain woefully below potential for a market of this magnitude—a case of having the orchestra but missing half the instruments.

    The culprit? Indians’ stubborn reluctance to pay for premium music streaming services. While platforms like Spotify, JioSaavn and Gaana are desperately trying to wean users off their freebie addiction with subscription models—backed by music labels like Saregama—the conversion rate remains sluggish.

    Adding to creators’ woes is the dismal performance of non-digital revenue streams, which continue to hit bum notes. CISAC has been working overtime with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) to bring global standards to governance, licensing and royalty distribution—essentially teaching old dogs new digital tricks.

    The organisations have crafted a fresh action plan for FY25, designed to explore untapped market potential and identify business opportunities. The blueprint targets improved collections from local digital services whilst diversifying revenue streams beyond the usual suspects.

    With India’s creative economy finally finding its rhythm, the question isn’t whether the music will stop—it’s how loud the next movement will be.

  • Hungama Music pulls plug, India’s streaming scene shrinks

    Hungama Music pulls plug, India’s streaming scene shrinks

    MUMBAI: Another one bites the dust in India’s cut-throat music streaming scene. Hungama Music is throwing in the towel, announcing its service will be switched off from 15 April, leaving users’ downloaded tunes and libraries gathering digital dust. This follows the premature demise of Resso and Wynk Music, making it a proper hat-trick of Indian streaming services hitting the skids in just over a year.

    “Downloaded music and library content will no longer be available,” Hungama Music informed its users.

    Resso, owned by ByteDance, blamed “local market conditions” for its January 2024 exit, while Wynk Music, owned by Bharti Airtel, effectively rolled its users into Apple Music after a strategic partnership. 

    Despite India’s booming streaming appetite – second only to the US in terms of sheer volume – local players are finding it a right pickle to compete with the global giants. YouTube, with its 462 million users, remains the undisputed king, while Spotify’s global clout and Apple Music’s strategic tie-ups are proving too much for many to handle.

    Hungama Music, which ditched its freemium model for a subscription-only approach last year, clearly couldn’t keep up. Even a recent partnership with Virgin Music Group, aimed at boosting Indian regional music, wasn’t enough to save it from the digital graveyard.

    “It’s a proper David versus Goliath situation,” a source close to the Indian music scene quipped. “These global behemoths have the cash and the clout to snap up users, leaving local players struggling to get a look-in.”

    With only Gaana and JioSaavn left standing, the question now is whether they can survive the onslaught. Can they whip up subscription packages that are both tempting and wallet-friendly enough to keep punters from straying? Or will they too end up singing the blues? One thing is for certain, the Indian music streaming scene is proving to be a proper dogfight.

  • India Today group unveils AI pop stars in groundbreaking musical initiative

    India Today group unveils AI pop stars in groundbreaking musical initiative

    MUMBAI: The India Today Group (ITG) has orchestrated another technological crescendo in its innovation symphony, launching a revolutionary new music genre called A-Pop featuring two virtual vocalists who promise to hit all the right algorithmic notes.

    Just two years after introducing Sana, reportedly India’s first AI news anchor who has since evolved from digital debutante to virtual veteran, the media powerhouse is now harmonising human creativity with artificial intelligence in the musical realm.

    “A-Pop is more than a genre — it is a fluid, evolving, and collaborative creative process,” explains ITG vice chairperson & managing director Kalli Purie. “It merges human imagination with AI capabilities, producing music that is unrestricted by conventional limitations.”

    The virtual virtuosos making their melodic debut are Aishan and Ruh, each with carefully crafted personalities that blend the authenticity of human backstories with the boundless potential of digital existence.

    AISHANAishan, a 22-year-old musical wunderkind with roots in Bareilly and Jodhpur, has been fine-tuning his craft since 17. This digital dream weaver blends indie acoustic, pop and R&B into a sonic tapestry that reflects his fabricated yet relatable life experiences. When not composing computer-generated compositions, this binary Bieber can be found embracing mountain scenery, sporting designer trainers, and maintaining his “old-money” aesthetic.

    Inspired by new people and sounds, his lyrics reflect his thoughts and experiences. An ambivert, he connects with fans but values his quiet moments. A Nainital soul, he’s drawn to the mountains, while also being a dog lover, bike enthusiast, sneakerhead, and food explorer, all with a classy, old-money style. 

    His virtual counterpart Ruh, a 24-year-old Delhi native, embodies the spirit of freedom in both personality and performance. This pixelated pop princess brings vibrant energy to new-age music while ostensibly travelling the world, absorbing diverse cultural influences that inform her distinctive sound. Her programming prioritises authenticity and self-expression, values designed to resonate with the group’s younger audience demographic. 
     

    RUHWith an extroverted, vibrant personality, she embraces adventure and travel, exploring new cultures to create new-age pop music. A passionate music lover, she uses it to express herself boldly and authentically. Driven by personal freedom, self-expression, and individuality, she inspires others to live authentically and pursue their passions without fear of judgment. 

    “Our latest foray into music is a sterling example of what the fusion of human creativity and AI can produce,” notes Purie. “A team of music professionals spent relentless hours over several weeks working with AI-led technology to create this pioneering work.”

    The virtual vocalists represent a new movement where the boundaries between human and machine creativity become increasingly blurred. Their songs may feature human-written lyrics with AI composition, or machine-generated verses with human musical arrangements, all delivered through synthesised voices that never tire or demand royalties.

    Unlike their flesh-and-blood counterparts, these digital divas can produce multilingual music, engage with fans around the clock, and personalise content based on audience preferences—offering a performance that’s literally inhuman in its consistency and availability.

    For listeners keen to tune into this binary balladeering, Aishan and Ruh’s musical offerings are available across all major streaming platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Saavn. Fans can also follow their carefully curated digital lives on social media, where these virtual performers will be hitting high notes and high engagement metrics for the foreseeable future.

  • Vivek Mohan Sharma appointed business head of youth, music, and English cluster at Jio Star

    Vivek Mohan Sharma appointed business head of youth, music, and English cluster at Jio Star

    Mumbai: Jio Star has appointed Vivek Mohan Sharma as business head of its youth, music, and English cluster, following the departure of Anshul Ailawadi. The announcement was made through an internal communication by the company.

    Sharma, who joined Viacom18 in 2021, brings nearly two decades of experience spanning media, telecom, and banking sectors. He has led cross-functional teams in revenue generation, marketing, and content creation. At Viacom18, he built the network sales branded content team from scratch, delivering notable campaigns such as Cricket Ka Ticket, Royal Stag Boom Box, and Imperial Blue.

    Ailawadi, who spent 11 years with the organisation, played a pivotal role in expanding the youth, music, and English cluster’s digital footprint and spearheading major tentpole properties. He began his journey as strategy and project lead in the group CEO’s office and is stepping down to pursue new opportunities.

    Sharma’s appointment is expected to further strengthen Jio Star’s content strategy and drive innovation across its youth-focused channels.

  • Badshah unleashes a catchy gaming-music mashup with Imma Be Your Pokémon!

    Badshah unleashes a catchy gaming-music mashup with Imma Be Your Pokémon!

    MUMBAI: Big man Badshah is back with a bang! The Indian rapper and singer has just dropped his brand-new single –  Imma Be Your Pokémon – and it’s already generating buzz. The official music video, featuring Sharvi Yadav and Sahher Bambba, is out now.

    The song, is an upbeat and energetic track that combines Badshah’s signature style with the iconic world of Pokémon. The catchy lyrics and infectious beat make it impossible to sit still.

    “I’m a huge fan of Pokémon, and I wanted to create a song that would bring together the worlds of music and gaming,” said Badshah in a statement. “I’m thrilled with how ‘Imma Be Your Pokémon’ has turned out, and I hope my fans enjoy it as much as I do!”

    This unique collaboration brings together the worlds of music and gaming, with Badshah’s signature style and Pokémon’s iconic characters. The song’s upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics are sure to get you grooving. It’s on course to become one of his biggest hits every thanks to its Pokémon references and the fact it’s one of Badshah’s most catchy beat songs in a long time now. 

    Known for his hits like Sanak, Jugnu and She Move It Like, he has once again proven his versatility as an artist. His ability to blend different styles and create something fresh and exciting has earned him a massive following.

    Imma Be Your Pokémon is now available on music streaming platforms, and the official music video can be watched on YouTube. Don’t miss out on this electrifying new track! Here’s where you can watch it for now: 
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjorcDCkQkc

     

  • Coldplay live streaming recalibrates  concert culture in India

    Coldplay live streaming recalibrates concert culture in India

    Mumbai: The live-streaming of Coldplay’s electrifying concert on Disney+ Hotstar has not only brought a surreal experience to millions of fans but has also marked a transformative moment for live concerts in India. Held at the sprawling Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat, the event captured the grandeur of a packed audience of 1,34,000, their glowing wristbands creating a mesmerising spectacle.

    Narndra Modi stadium

    Promoted initially by BookMyShow and later live-streamed by Disney+ Hotstar, the concert’s live streaming was a masterstroke. The move catapulted Disney+ Hotstar into the spotlight, positioning it as a digital hub for India’s aspirational youth. For fans across the country, the live stream was a cultural shift akin to Netflix’s game-changing Tyson-Paul fight broadcast.
     

    Chrismartin

    From the 28-year-old yelling in delight at his favourite song to the nine-year-old dancing in a darkened room to Chris Martin’s vocals, the event resonated deeply with fans of all ages. While production values weren’t on a par with Taylor Swift or Madonna concerts, Martin’s Hindi and Gujarati phrases, banter with cricket star Jasprit Bumrah and tribute to India’s greatest fast bowler ever, singing of Vande  Mataram  and heartfelt fan interactions made the concert unforgettable. And even more so for folks at home who could not make it to the venue because they could not get a ticket. The broadcast made it feel like you were there – immersive as it was. 
     

    lit stadiumlights

    The scale and success of the event underscore India’s emergence as a global concert destination. While iconic performers like Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and Boney M once graced India’s stages, Coldplay’s tour sends a message to the world: India is ready for more.

     

    Jaspreet Bindra

    Streaming platforms and sponsors are taking note of the opportunities. Reports suggest the Disney+ Hotstar live stream was a revenue-sharing model, with the concert’s title sponsorship fetching around Rs 10 crore and total streaming revenues touching Rs 18 crore. 

    With 300,000 tickets sold at an average price of Rs 6,000, the Coldplay India Tour generated nearly Rs 250 crore (including sponsorship), demonstrating the immense potential of the live concert economy. (The above figures might well be an underestimate. Disney+ Hotstar revealed that the concert attracted 83 lakh views and 165 million minutes of watch time after this comment piece was written. The livestream’s success was particularly pronounced in seven key regions – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, NCR Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal – which accounted for 85 per cent of the total viewership.)

    As India steps into the spotlight, the onus now lies on talent and tour managers to capitalise on this momentum. With better planning, sponsorships, and a robust annual schedule featuring both global and Indian artists, the live concert scene in India is poised for a vibrant future. Coldplay and Disney+Hotstar may have just opened the floodgates for what promises to be a new era for music lovers and performers alike.

    We also asked ChatGpt to comment on our comment and write a comment piece on the Coldplay performance and this what it came up with. click here. 

  • Republic Bharat unveils the logo of ‘Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti’

    Republic Bharat unveils the logo of ‘Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti’

    MUMBAI: Republic Bharat, the Hindi news channel of Republic Media Network, announced the launch of Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti, a cultural initiative that highlights and showcases the essence of India’s artistic and cultural heritage.

    As per the press release, Republic Bharat mentioned reaching over 49 crore people annually and is watched by every second viewer in India’s TV universe, Republic Bharat is taking a bold step beyond the news to establish Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti as a beacon of India’s rich traditions in literature, music, spirituality, and women empowerment.

    With Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti, Republic Bharat promises an unparalleled energy of musical performances, inspiring storytelling, meaningful discussions, and vibrant cultural expressions. The initiative will feature a stellar lineup of India’s most revered speakers, musicians, writers, artists, and novelists, each contributing their unique voices to celebrate the nation’s legacy.

    Republic Media Network CEO Hersh Bhandari remarked: “As a network rooted in the principle of ‘Nation First,’ we firmly believe that culture lies at the heart of our national identity. With Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti, we are launching a cultural IP that embodies this belief, showcasing India’s unmatched artistic brilliance to the world. This is more than an event; it’s a movement – a commitment to celebrating our traditions, creativity, and diversity.”

    Republic Media Network’s Sangam – Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti is poised to become a powerful platform for cultural dialogue and creative exchange, bringing together audiences from all walks of life. By weaving together music, literature, and art, the IP aspires to inspire a deeper appreciation for India’s timeless traditions while offering a fresh perspective on the cultural narratives that unite the nation.

  • Pocket FM’s Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone: Growth soars 500 per cent YoY

    Pocket FM’s Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone: Growth soars 500 per cent YoY

    Mumbai: Imagine a world where your favorite stories come alive—not on screens, but in your ears, whispering adventures and drama as you multitask through life. When binge-watching wasn’t an option, Pocket FM became your storytelling savior, transforming mundane chores and long commutes into thrilling escapades. Today, the platform that brought you gripping audio series at the tap of a finger is basking in the spotlight, shattering records with its meteoric rise.

    In an extraordinary leap, Pocket FM has surged past the Rs 1,000 crore revenue milestone in FY 2024, marking an awe-inspiring 496 per cent year-on-year growth from Rs 176.36 crore in FY 2023. This groundbreaking success cements the company’s status as a trailblazer, combining innovative storytelling, microtransactions, and global ambition to rewrite the rules of entertainment. As it inches closer to profitability, Pocket FM’s journey serves as an inspiring masterclass in turning sound waves into success stories.

    Pocket FM reported a global revenue of Rs 1,051.97 crore, bolstered by significant growth in subscription and advertising revenue. This rapid expansion comes alongside a 21 per cent reduction in global losses, from Rs 208 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 165 crore in FY 2024, highlighting its strategic push towards operational efficiency.

    Financial highlights: A year of remarkable transformation

    Subscription Revenue Growth:
    The platform’s subscription revenue skyrocketed, increasing nearly sixfold from Rs 160.05 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 934.73 crore in FY 2024. This growth reflects the platform’s ability to build a thriving community of paid users, largely driven by its innovative microtransaction model.

    Advertising Revenue Expansion:
    Advertising revenue increased over seven times, from Rs 12.5 crore to Rs 89.34 crore, underscoring the platform’s growing attractiveness for advertisers.

    Enhanced Operational Efficiency:
    Pocket FM’s expense-to-earnings ratio improved significantly, from 2.18 in FY 2023 to 1.16 in FY 2024, illustrating the company’s disciplined approach to cost optimisation.

    Loss Reduction:
    Losses decreased by Rs 43 crore, down from Rs 208 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 165 crore in FY 2024, reinforcing the company’s commitment to profitability.

    Pocket FM

    Pocket FM has reshaped entertainment through its serialised audio storytelling model. Over 30 audio series have each surpassed the Rs 10 crore revenue milestone, with seven series crossing Rs 100 crore—a testament to the platform’s robust content pipeline. Additionally, the platform leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to produce over 40,000 audio series, contributing Rs 25 crore to its revenue.

    With over 100 billion minutes of streaming powered by its 200-million-strong listener community, the platform has also recorded 45 million transactions through its microtransactions model.

    While India remains a core market, Pocket FM is making aggressive strides in global markets like the United States, Europe, and Latin America. The company’s investments in localised content, advanced technology, and strategic user acquisition have bolstered its international footprint, positioning it as a global leader in entertainment innovation.

    “This growth reflects our relentless efforts to redefine the entertainment landscape. With a sharp focus on leveraging AI, we are not only enhancing operational efficiency but also creating smarter processes that optimise content delivery and monetisation. Our vision remains clear: to establish Pocket FM as a global entertainment platform that consistently pushes the boundaries of content experiences.” said Pocket FM, CFO, Anurag Sharma.

    Anurag sharma

    Pocket FM’s success is an inspiring example of a tech-driven company prioritising scalability while staying on the path to profitability. As it continues to redefine the entertainment landscape, the company’s disciplined growth strategy, innovative storytelling approach, and global ambitions place it on an upward trajectory in the ever-evolving world of digital content.

  • Kanika Kapoor to drop global track ‘Matak Matak’ with Timi Boi

    Kanika Kapoor to drop global track ‘Matak Matak’ with Timi Boi

    Mumbai: Kanika Kapoor, known for her powerful vocals and Bollywood hits, is set to release her international collaboration with Afro artist Timi Boi. This project marks a significant milestone in her career, blending Indian vocals with global influences like afrobeats and modern pop.

    The track, ‘Matak Matak,’ is an upbeat, dance-driven fusion of Afro-pop and Indian styles, celebrating cultural diversity. Shot in Lagos, Nigeria, it highlights movement, joy, and cultural unity.

    “Music knows no boundaries, and with Matak Matak, we’ve created a vibrant fusion that brings the best of India and Nigeria together. This cross-cultural collaboration is uniting two musical worlds in an energetic, fresh way. The song is full of life, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience this exciting blend, along with the catchy hook step that brings it all to life,” Kanika expressed.

    This collaboration showcases her originality and commitment to exploring new musical ideas, with more Afro collaborations in the pipeline. As the owner of her record label, Bajao, Kanika continues to break barriers, proving her versatility as an artist, entrepreneur, and mother. Her new single marks another chapter in her journey, blending afrobeats, pop, and Indian sounds for a truly global experience.