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  • Trump to slap 100 per cent tariff on foreign films?

    Trump to slap 100 per cent tariff on foreign films?

    WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has declared war on foreign-made movies. The American president announced on Monday that he would impose a 100 per cent tariff on all films produced outside the United States, threatening to blow up Hollywood’s international operations. As well as possible revenues that Indian films make in Uncle Sam. 

    The move, posted on Trump’s Truth Social platform, marks an audacious expansion of his protectionist trade agenda into cultural industries. “Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing candy from a baby,” he wrote, taking a swipe at California’s “weak and incompetent” governor Gavin Newsom.

    Yet the announcement left crucial questions unanswered. The White House offered no details on the legal authority Trump would invoke or how such tariffs would work in practice. Studio executives are baffled: modern filmmaking splices together production, financing, post-production and visual effects from multiple countries. How would a film shot in New Zealand with British money and American stars be classified?

    Legal experts are equally sceptical. Films are intellectual property traded as services—a category where America typically runs a surplus. That raises doubts about whether tariffs can even be applied. Co-productions with foreign studios have become routine, further muddying the waters.

    Trump first floated the idea in May, calling foreign productions a “national security threat” that imports “messaging and propaganda.” Entertainment executives were flummoxed then and remain so now.

    The industry has increasingly decamped from Hollywood to chase tax breaks in Britain, Australia and New Zealand. California is scrambling to compete: Newsom has pushed to expand the state’s film tax credits. But some productions film abroad simply because their stories demand it. Directors like Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan favour shooting on location rather than on soundstages.

    The major American studios declined to comment to Reuters. Netflix shares, however,  slipped 1.5 per cent in early trading.

    The silence from studios suggests an industry still trying to parse whether Trump’s threat is bluster or genuine policy. Either way, it signals fresh uncertainty for an entertainment business already grappling with streaming upheaval and rising costs.

  • NZ cricket live in India: Every ball on Prime Video this summer

    NZ cricket live in India: Every ball on Prime Video this summer

    MUMBAI: Prime Video is serving a non-stop season of boundaries and bouncers. The streamer has announced it will bring every ball of New Zealand’s 2025-26 home season live to India, giving fans front-row seats to a packed calendar of Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

    Starting 1st October with a fiery three-match T20I showdown against Australia, the Black Caps’ home summer promises wall-to-wall drama. England follows with six white-ball games through October, before the West Indies arrive for a full tour of five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests across November and December. South Africa then rounds things off in March 2026 with a high-octane five-match T20I series, while the White Ferns take on Zimbabwe Women for the very first time, alongside fixtures with South Africa.

    Across nine iconic venues, the season will feature cricket’s biggest names, from Rachin Ravindra, Pat Cummins and Travis Head to Sophie Devine, Laura Wolvaardt and Sikandar Raza.

    For Indian fans, it means free access to a feast of cricketing rivalries and historic firsts, streamed directly on Prime Video. With the entire season running till March 2026, one thing is clear, New Zealand’s summer just became India’s too.

     

  • Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

    Try time for India as GMR backs Rugby Premier League debut

     MUMBAI: Rugby’s big break in India just got a power-packed boost courtesy GMR Group. One of India’s largest conglomerates has scrummed down with Rugby India to become the title partner of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), a first-of-its-kind franchise-based Rugby 7s tournament set to kick off in Mumbai on June 15, with the final scheduled for 29 June 2025.

    Organised in collaboration with GMR Sports, the league promises to be a landmark moment for Indian rugby. The action will unfold at Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex), featuring six founding franchises and a mix of global and homegrown talent.

    The GMR Rugby Premier League (GMR RPL) will welcome players from rugby powerhouses like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, USA, and Spain, along with 18 international athletes from Canada, Hong Kong, and Germany. On the home front, 30 Indian players were picked from a competitive auction pool of 71, putting the spotlight on the country’s emerging talent.

    GMR’s entry as title sponsor is no token gesture. With a strong track record in nurturing sport be it cricket with the Delhi Capitals, kabaddi, or grassroots initiatives the group’s involvement signals a serious intent to grow rugby’s footprint in India.

    Calling it a “very important opening season,” Rugby India president Rahul Bose hailed the partnership as one rooted in “mutual belief and optimism.” He added, “We are confident this partnership will stand the test of time.”

    For Indian rugby, this isn’t just a league, it’s a leap. And with GMR’s backing, the sport finally looks set to convert potential into points. Let the rucks and tries begin.

  • Does Cricket Give New Zealand and India a Diplomatic Tool to Improve Bilateral Relations?

    Does Cricket Give New Zealand and India a Diplomatic Tool to Improve Bilateral Relations?

    Cricket is already recognised as one of the biggest sports in India and New Zealand, so it’s hard to believe it’s still growing. However, that is exactly what’s happening right now, and both countries have a lot to gain.

    Just two years ago, the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup set new benchmarks, amassing 422 billion viewing minutes on the Disney Star Network in India alone, representing a 54% increase from the 2011 World Cup and a 9% rise from 2019. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the recent 2024/25 series between the Black Caps and England attracted a huge viewership, with full houses reported across venues like Christchurch’s Hagley Oval and Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

    In the sports betting world, betting on cricket has increased dramatically, with recent reports claiming that cricket is now one of the most bet-on sports in the country. Whether they’re in the stands or the online casino NZ, cricket lovers are engaging more with the sport every day, and India is right there with them.

    As cricket continues to grow, so does the connection between these two nations. Over the last decade, the Black Caps have played the Indian cricket team many times, and although this is a fierce rivalry that generates intense competition and passion on the field, it has also offered a chance to improve bilateral relations.

    The Relationship Between New Zealand and India

    In 2025, New Zealand and India are expected to have a strong economic relationship, with trade between the two nations growing steadily. India is New Zealand’s fifth-largest trading partner and an important market for agricultural exports, dairy products, and wine. In turn, New Zealand exports a broad range of goods to India, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, and machinery.

    Over the last few years, both countries have been in discussions to establish a comprehensive free trade agreement, which is expected to boost investment and economic cooperation even further and allow for better market access, especially in sectors such as AI technology and education.  
    Outside of trade, India and New Zealand have also been strengthening their strategic partnership, with both countries working to improve their defence cooperation with discussions on joint training programs and expertise exchanges. In short, both countries are interlinked, and any diplomatic tool to nurture and improve the relationship will be incredibly important for securing a healthy, successful future.

    Cricket: More Than Just a Sport

    Cricket appears to be one of those tools. This sport has become one of the strongest cultural and diplomatic ties between India and New Zealand, with both countries regularly playing in bilateral series and ICC tournaments.

    India has a larger cricket market, but New Zealand has earned respect for its skill, sportsmanship, and competitiveness on the field. The regular exchange of players, tours, and events has helped build a strong bond over the last few decades.

    It has also helped boost tourism. Whether it’s the Cricket World Cup or the regular series match-ups between the two teams, more and more New Zealand and Indian tourists have been visiting each other’s countries, working to drive both economies. In fact, Indian tourists visiting New Zealand will often extendtheir stay beyond the season to explore and spend time throughout more of the country, and vice versa – and, once again, improve the respect and appreciation they have for one another.

    Cricket has proven to be more than just a game between bat and ball for India and New Zealand. Instead, it has become a powerful catalyst for cultural, economic, and diplomatic collaboration. As the sport continues to captivate millions of fans in both nations, it’s likely to continue serving as a vital tool for shaping their shared future.

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  • JioHotstar bowls over digital world with Champions Trophy final streaming record

    JioHotstar bowls over digital world with Champions Trophy final streaming record

    MUMBAI: JioHotstar has smashed the cricket ball clean out of the stadium with eye-popping viewership figures during India’s Champions Trophy final victory against New Zealand, giving Netflix’s boxing blockbuster a run for its money.

    The streaming giant registered a colossal 61 million concurrent viewers at its peak as cricket-obsessed fans piled onto the platform to witness India’s crowning moment. Total reach rocketed to a mind-boggling 182 million, with an astronomical 900.2 million views altogether.

    These staggering statistics narrowly trail Netflix’s boxing extravaganza featuring Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, which drew 65 million peak concurrent viewers globally and 38 million in the US. However, cricket enthusiasts certainly weren’t on the back foot with their passionate support.

    JioHotstar’s record-breaking performance demolishes the previous high of 59 million concurrent viewers set during the 2023 Cricket World Cup final by predecessor Hotstar, showing just how far the digital heavyweight has come.

    “The subcontinent was absolutely stumped by Team India’s magnificent display,” remarked an OTT technology expert. “JioHotstar’s platform faced a tsunami of viewers but never dropped a catch.”

    The India-Pakistan group stage clash proved particularly lucrative, notching up a whopping 602 million streaming views on JioHotstar. Meanwhile, on traditional television, Star Sports registered 206 million viewers tuning in – amassing over 26.1 billion total viewing minutes, an 11 percent jump from their 2023 World Cup encounter.

    The #CTonJioHotstar campaign delivered a perfect yorker, connecting millions of fervent supporters to every boundary and wicket as India’s cricketing heroes lifted the trophy.

    This viewership milestone cements JioHotstar’s position as the undisputed champion of India’s streaming landscape – the team there is not merely participating in digital entertainment’s premier league, it is writing the record books.

  • Championship Trophy final on JioHotstar clocks 90.2 crore views

    Championship Trophy final on JioHotstar clocks 90.2 crore views

    MUMBAI: The final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between India and New Zealand rewrote the record books, amassing a staggering peak of 90.2 crore views on JioHotstar. The match, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, was a bit of a cliff hanger, with the Kiwi spinners putting the brakes on India’s batters’ initial lofty hitting. It was an absorbing battle on the green between the bat and the ball as India lost half their side with 49 runs to get India over the line with 54 balls to be bowled. But K. L. Rahul steadied the ship, even as Hardik Pandya struck some nasty blows to the fence to get India closer to the win.  

    On 9 March 2025,  the men in blue chased down the black caps score of 251, finishing at  254 for six in 49 overs, securing a commanding four-wicket victory. Rohit Sharma with a explosive 76 partnered Shubham Gill 31 in a century stand, the first one for the opening wicket in the tournament. Shreyas Iyer accumulated a workman like 48, even as Rahul ended up  unbeaten on 34. Jadeja hit the winning runs. 

    The New Zealand squad lost wickets at regular intervals. Batsmen who contributed included Rachin Ravindra with 37, Daryl Mitchell with a slowly crafted 63, Glenn Phillips with 34 and Michale Bracewell with 53. The Indian spinning quartet had the Kiwi batsman in knots and they could only score easier when the quickies came on.

    This match didn’t just break records—it steamrolled them. Blasting past all previous viewership highs, it showcased the unstoppable dominance of digital sports streaming. The previous record-holding Tata IPL final on JioCinema with 62 crore views now has a fierce challenger, as this 90.2 crore views  milestone  has reaffirmed cricket’s popularity amongst the Indian populace. 

    With JioHotstar leading the digital streaming revolution, fans are consuming the game like never before—anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

  • Punjabi OTT Chaupal is Kiwi borne with Prime

    Punjabi OTT Chaupal is Kiwi borne with Prime

    MUMBAI: Chaupal OTT, the Punjabi streaming service, has expanded its reach by launching on Amazon Prime Video Channels in New Zealand. Prime members in New Zealand can now access Chaupal’s content library, including Punjabi movies, web series, and short films, as an add-on subscription through Prime Video.The price: NZ $5.99 a month. 

    The launch marks Chaupal’s continued international expansion and strengthens its partnership with Amazon’s streaming platform. The service offers viewers access to its original content alongside a curated selection of Punjabi entertainment.

    This development follows collaboration between the Chaupal and Amazon teams to bring the regional streaming service to New Zealand audiences, further expanding the availability of Punjabi content in international markets.

     

  • Why India and New Zealand Have Strengthened Bilateral Relationships with Exports

    Why India and New Zealand Have Strengthened Bilateral Relationships with Exports

    How India and New Zealand have strengthened bilateral relationships with Exports

    India and New Zealand have diplomatic links that date as far back as 1950, but they have recently made efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship with exports.

    With India being one of the largest and fastest-growing economiesin the world, it makes sense that New Zealand is making its relationship with them a priority.

    New Zealand’s Growing Exports to India

    A trade relationship has developed between New Zealand and India for agriculture, food products, and other in-demand goods and services such as tech, supporting everything from AI and industrial machinery to online casino gaming. It really is a broad spectrum of industries.

    India’s target market for New Zealand includes wool, protein products, and apples. Right now, agricultural exports account for roughly NZ$520 million of New Zealand’s annual exports to India.

    With this increase in trade, they’re hoping to enhance New Zealand’s economy and satisfy the growing need for high-quality agricultural imports. Top-level contacts and exchanges, along with the Joint Trade Committee (JTC) economic forums, are some of the ways they are trying to strengthen trade relations.

    Collaborative Opportunities in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

    The partnership between India and New Zealand under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is working well and improving their trade relations.

    IPEF’s specific purpose is to promote regional economic integration through global supply chains, trade, investment, and other core areas of interest. Both countries’ involvement with IPEF is strengthening science and technology cooperation related to climate technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and economic development.

    Initiatives like the Clean Economy Agreement see New Zealand supporting India’s environmental and climate-related objectives, while India matches New Zealand with a big market for its climate-related technological advancements.

    Education and Cultural Exchange Creating Economic Growth

    On top of the goods and services trades, education has become the third pillar of relations between India and New Zealand.

    The Indian diaspora in New Zealand is rapidly expanding thanks to the nation’s reputable courses geared toward business, technology, and engineering. They’re having a positive economic impact by creating job opportunities with payments of school fees and creating deep bonds in both nations.   
    Cultural exchange is equally important in promoting these bonds.

    It’s also worth mentioning the excitement the Indian community in New Zealand has for their culture, bringing to life festivals like Diwali and uniting Indians in New Zealand with locals.

    Addressing Trade Barriers and Exploring New Agreements

    Trade barriers like tariffs and specific non-tariff barriers (NTBs), along with sanitary and phytosanitary regulations that apply to agricultural products, are just a few of the trade impediments faced by India and New Zealand.

    In negotiations and discussions at high levels, both countries have been looking to remove these hurdles and make bilateral trade easier. One of the notable developments was the Mutual Recognition Agreement for organic products, which will facilitate trade by easing procedures on certifications.

    India and New Zealand have also undertaken measures to overcome the logistical and quality control problems that are often present with exports such as kiwifruit, cow’s milk, dairy products and cut flowers. These measures will improve trade between the countries and create a better business environment for firms on both sides.

    The growing trade relationship between India and New Zealand will positively impact both countries. It signals an increased level of shared economic aspirations and appreciation of each other’s economic capabilities. Now that they are better positioned to deal with trade barriers and invest in developing contacts, there is a great opportunity for India and New Zealand to grow their collaboration even more in a changing world economy.  

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  • Disney-Star India’s ICC World Cup telecast sets new records

    Disney-Star India’s ICC World Cup telecast sets new records

    Mumbai: India’s main strike bowler Mohammed Shami was breathing fire as he charged in and bowled an unplayable delivery to New Zealand tailender Lockie Ferguson which the latter edged to KL Rahul behind the stumps. In the process, he set a record by capturing seven wickets for 57 runs, the most by any Indian bowler. And a roar went up in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium where the semi-final of the ICC One Day World Cup was being played out. The Indian cricket side led by Rohit Sharma had got through to the finals of the championship, which many a pundit had predicted it would, by bowling out a fighting New Zealand side for 327 runs against their total of 397 for four.

    Even as Shami was running amock on the field of play, executives at Disney Star India’s offices were also celebrating. Its streaming service Disney+Hotstar had a notched up a record by registering  53 million concurrent viewers at peak. A world record, it beat the earlier 44 million concurrent viewership record that Disney + Hotstar had set during the match between India and South Africa.  

    The peak concurrency for the India-New Zealand semi-final fluctuated between 50 million and 53 million as Bumrah scalped Glenn Phillis, Kuldeep outfoxed Mark Chapman, Mohammed Siraj snapped up Mitchell Santner, and Shami got the better of the centurion Daryl Mitchell, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson to take India into the finals.

    Thankfully, for India’s leading broadcast and streaming network the match ran its course which more than allowed it to fulfill its obligations to its on-air advertising and sponsor partners. Some of the earlier fixtures that the very dominating Indian side had played had ended early and Disney Star India had then reportedly chosen to make good some of the air time to its advertiser partners.

    For Disney Star India, the ICC World Cup should prove a matchwinner in terms of revenues. With India now in the finals, which is to be held on 19 November in Ahmedabad, new viewership records are likely to be set. Programming around the finals and India’s chances on lifting the trophy is likely to be pumped up, advertising inventory created – which could sell at a premium. It’s quite possible that more advertisers could snap up FCT on the channel which again will sell at a premium.

    Speaking at an ICC conference Cricket Matters on 14 November in Mumbai’s St Regis Hotel, its sports head Sanjog Gupta was pleased as punch.

    “We have had 450 million viewers on TV in just the first 34 matches, of the ICC one Day World Cup” he said. “That’s more viewers than the top three entertainment channels combined on the sports event.  We had a peak concurrency of 80 million  on our TV channels  in the 12 languages we telecast and 44 million on our streaming service. We have generated a buoyancy in the festive season with advertising spending up 40 per cent. 45-50 new category advertisers have come on to the World Cup. We have had a 20 per cent growth in terms of time spent viewing by viewers over 2019. ”

    Not just Gupta, but even Disney Star country manager and president K Madhavan had a beaming wide smile on his face at the semi-final’s post-match presentation. Madhavan presented the man of the match award to Shami.

    The success of the ICC World Cup event should result in some soul searching in Burbank, the Walt Disney Co’s hq.  The company has been looking for a partner for its India business ever since CEO Bob Iger earlier this year expressed that the low ARPUs, weak advertising, heavy subscriber churn and skyrocketing sports rights costs were eroding the company’s bottom line. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio has been reported to be among the front runners for the partnership.

    Iger apparently seemed to have softened his stance – compared to earlier in the year – during the mouse house’s fourth-quarter earnings call for FY2023 on 8 November 2023 when questioned about what he intended to do with the India business.

    “…in India, our linear business actually does quite well. Yes, it’s making money. But we know that other parts of that business are challenged for us and for others. And we are looking, I’ll call it, extensively,” Iger had responded.  “I know I’ve said this before, it always gets me in trouble. But we’re considering our options there. We have an opportunity to strengthen our hand. It is now maybe the most populous country in the world or maybe just still second to China and about to pass them. We’d like to stay in that market. But we’re also looking to see whether we can strengthen our hand obviously, improve the bottom line.”

    With the World Cup shaping up the way it has for Disney Star India in terms of viewership and new advertisers, some of that may hopefully end up showing up in the shape of a much better bottom line. And hopefully keep Iger and investors in a better frame of mind.

  • Prime Video launches ‘Taking Guard: India’s Quest for Kiwi Glory’

    Prime Video launches ‘Taking Guard: India’s Quest for Kiwi Glory’

    Mumbai: Prime Video is all set to broadcast India men’s tour of New Zealand beginning from 18 to 30 November. Ahead of the tournament in New Zealand, the OTT platform has also launched a 6-part mini-series Taking Guard: India’s Quest for Kiwi Glory.

    This mini-series is part of Prime Video’s special programming initiative around the upcoming series that starts on 18 November with the first T20I and concludes with the last ODI on 30 November.

    The series explores India’s fabled rivalry with the Kiwis, going back to 1967, through archival match footage, sound bytes and graphics. The documentary moves seamlessly through varied themes chronicling India’s tour to New Zealand over the years. Former greats of the game, who lend their voice in telling this riveting story include Ravi Shastri, Ajit Agarkar, Danny Morrison, Simon Doull and Ian Smith. Harsha Bhogle, who has not only witnessed this rivalry from close quarters but has been the voice narrating the highs and lows from some of these matches from the commentary box, also talks about his experience.

    “At Prime Video we are committed to super-serving our customers in India, providing on-demand access to the best in entertainment across formats, genres and language,” said Prime Video India head of sports Chaitanya Divan.

    He added, “We are now excited to bring them the best in live sports and provide a new viewing experience of the much anticipated bi-lateral tour this November, between the two titans of the cricketing world – India and New Zealand.” 

    “Indians have a huge appetite for cricket and we are excited to present the new exclusive mini-series Taking Guard before India’s highly-anticipated tour to New Zealand in a few weeks. Featuring insights and analysis from cricketing legends, Taking Guard casts the spotlight on the rivalry between the two countries, which barely sees any baring of the teeth, snarling or heated moments on the field but is full of intense competition and peppered with mutual respect. We are excited and look forward to this contest between two terrific and evenly-matched sides and will announce a few more initiatives for cricket fans in the coming weeks as the action moves from Australia to New Zealand.” Divan added further.