ITV

Tag: Star Maa

  • Q1 FY26: JioStar smashes profit records as IPL juggernaut drives Rs 11,222 crore revenue surge

    Q1 FY26: JioStar smashes profit records as IPL juggernaut drives Rs 11,222 crore revenue surge

    MUMBAI: JioStar has delivered a blockbuster first quarter, posting record revenues of Rs 11,222 crore and profits that soared 154 per cent to Rs 581 crore, powered by what the company calls the “biggest ever IPL in terms of viewership and monetisation.”

    The media behemoth’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation jumped to Rs 1,017 crore from Rs 774 crore in the previous period, whilst EBITDA margins expanded to 10.6 per cent from 8.1 per cent.
    The stellar performance was underpinned by IPL 2025, which shattered viewing records with 1.19 billion viewers across television and the JioHotstar platform. The tournament’s final match became the biggest T20 match ever on digital, reaching 237 million viewers with a peak concurrency of 55.2 million—obliterating the previous IPL record of 35.9 million.

    JioHotstar’s dominance was on full display during the quarter, with the app hitting 1.04 billion downloads on Android and averaging 460 million monthly active users. The platform reached 652 million viewers during IPL—a staggering 28 per cent year-on-year growth—whilst television delivered 514 billion minutes of watch-time.
    Beyond cricket, JioStar consolidated its entertainment stranglehold with a commanding 35.5 per cent share of TV entertainment viewership. Star Plus retained its Hindi general entertainment channel leadership with six of the top 10 shows, whilst regional powerhouses Star Pravah, Star Jalsha, Star Maa and Asianet maintained their number one positions in respective markets.

    The quarter also saw strategic moves in the free-to-air space, with Star Utsav and Colors Rishtey relaunching on DD Free Dish. Star Utsav became the number one channel from day one, reshaping the FTA Hindi GEC landscape.

    JioHotstar’s content strategy bore fruit beyond sports, posting its highest-ever monthly entertainment watch-time in June 2025. The latest season of Criminal Justice scored the strongest opening for any OTT original in 2025, according to Ormax Media, whilst Kesari 2 emerged as the year’s biggest movie across all languages on the platform.

    International content remained a key differentiator, with Captain America: Brave New World debuting as the quarter’s second most-watched film and Mufasa: The Lion King becoming the most-watched international movie ever on JioHotstar.

    The company’s subscriber base swelled to 287 million during IPL on JioHotstar, whilst reaching over 800 million people on television during the quarter—cementing its position as India’s undisputed entertainment colossus.

  • Fix it like Pushpa as Dr. Fixit breaks through with a screen seepage stunt

    Fix it like Pushpa as Dr. Fixit breaks through with a screen seepage stunt

    MUMBAI: Just when you thought the drama in Pushpa 2 couldn’t get any more intense, a mysterious damp patch crept across the screen and no, it wasn’t part of the plot. It was Dr. Fixit, Pidilite’s waterproofing ace, gatecrashing the action with a bold ‘Pause & Play’ move that had viewers doing a double take.

    During the World TV Premiere of Pushpa 2 on JioStar’s South network channels including Star Maa, Star Vijay, Colors Kannada and Asianet audiences were momentarily “interrupted” by an on-screen seepage effect. Right as viewers braced for a twist in the film, the screen bled dampness… only to seamlessly transition into a Dr. Fixit ad reminding us all that when seepage strikes, only one fixer gets the job done.

    The creative disruption wasn’t just a gimmick, it was a scene-stealing stunt timed to perfection. The idea: hijack the height of audience attention and turn a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment into a brand memory that sticks. And let’s be honest nothing says “waterproofing” like messing with your beloved Pushpa mid-punch.

    Speaking about the campaign, Pidilite Industries chief marketing officer Sandeep Tanwani said, “The Pause & Play integration during the World TV Premiere of Pushpa 2 on JioStarnetwork is a bold step in contextual storytelling. By simulating seepage on screen before transitioning to our Dr. Fixit advertisement, we delivered our brand messaging with high impact, at a time when viewer engagement was at its peak.”

    JioStar head of revenue for entertainment & international Ajit Varghese said, “Pushpa 2’s premiere presented a unique cultural flashpoint—and with it, a chance to reframe the rules of brand storytelling on linear TV. The ‘Pause & Play’ innovation wasn’t just a creative breakthrough; it was a strategic intervention designed to convert passive viewership into active brand engagement. At JioStar, our focus is on building media moments that deliver outsized impact for brands by integrating them meaningfully into high-attention cultural events. This campaign with Dr. Fixit is a blueprint for how entertainment and advertising can converge to drive recall, relevance, and results at scale.”

    In a world where linear TV is often dismissed as static, this activation proved otherwise. It reimagined the medium as a reactive, real-time storytelling canvas and proved that even an old-school screen can deliver next-gen engagement.

    With Pushpa already being a cultural juggernaut, Dr. Fixit cleverly hitched a ride and made its mark without needing to shout. Who knew waterproofing could steal the spotlight during one of India’s most anticipated premieres?

  • Pushpa 2 storms TV: Blockbuster to hit living rooms on JioStar network

    Pushpa 2 storms TV: Blockbuster to hit living rooms on JioStar network

    MUMBAI: After smashing box office records with over Rs 1,800 crore in global earnings, Pushpa 2: The Rule is ready to rule the airwaves. The Allu Arjun starrer makes its grand television debut on JioStar network on 13 and 14 April, airing across Star Maa, Asianet, Colors Kannada and Star Vijay.

    To build up to the mega premiere, JioStar has unleashed The Pushpa 2 Experience—a full-throttle promotional blitz designed to grip audiences until 13 April. Expect an avalanche of behind-the-scenes action, star-studded chats and interactive fan-frenzy events. Plus, a weeklong marathon of Allu Arjun’s greatest hits to keep the adrenaline pumping.

    “We are committed to delivering the biggest and best entertainment experiences to our audiences and look forward to bringing the excitement of Pushpa 2: The Rule to our viewers’ living rooms. The television premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule is more than just an event—it’s a nationwide celebration of a film that has redefined Indian cinema. Our extensive promotional campaign is an opportunity for viewers to not only watch the film but truly immerse themselves in the world of Pushpa,” said JioStar cluster head entertainment (south) Krishnan Kutty.

    JioStar is pulling out all stops. Prime-time favourites like Kiraak Boys Khiladi Girls, Aadivaaram with Star Maa Parivaaram, Maja Talkies and Star Singer will be infused with Pushpa 2 special segments, ensuring the film’s fever grips living rooms across the country.

    Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Pushpa 2: The Rule has redefined Indian cinema with its scale, swagger and sheer box office muscle. Now, it’s coming home—bigger, bolder and louder than ever.

    Brace for the ultimate TV spectacle. Tune in to JioStar network and witness Pushpa 2 in all its glory.

  • EndemolShine India’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 achieves record-breaking viewership

    EndemolShine India’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 achieves record-breaking viewership

    Mumbai: EndemolShine India’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8, which launched on 1 September 2024 on Star Maa and Disney+ Hotstar, has achieved a record-breaking viewership in its launch week. With superstar Nagarjuna returning as the host for the sixth consecutive time, the premiere episode garnered an impressive 18.9 TVR (Hyderabad), solidifying the season’s place as a record-breaking hit. In its first week, the show saw a remarkable 5.9 billion minutes of viewing, setting a new benchmark in the history of Bigg Boss Telugu.

    Commenting on the overwhelming success of the launch,  EndemolShine India EVP and head of content, Telugu and Kannada Tabassum Jalib said: “We are thrilled by the phenomenal response to Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8. The numbers speak for themselves, and it’s a testament to the deep connection the format has with audiences across Telugu-speaking markets. Nag sir’s charisma and the show’s dynamic format, featuring unexpected twists and turns, continue to captivate viewers, making this season’s launch our most successful to date.”

    She further added, “With the continued partnership between EndemolShine India, Star Maa and Disney Hotstar,  we are confident that this season will continue to push boundaries and deliver extraordinary entertainment week after week. We look forward to sustaining this momentum and engaging audiences with fresh & dramatic content as the show progresses.”

    Bigg Boss (an adaptation of Big Brother) remains one of the most successful reality franchises of EndemolShine India. In India, Bigg Boss has established itself as a cultural phenomenon, with multiple regional versions such as Bigg Boss Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu—each with its unique fanbase and regional appeal, achieving milestones year after year.

    As Bigg Boss Telugu Season 8 continues, viewers can expect more surprises, drama, and engaging entertainment that has kept the franchise thriving for years.

  • Star Maa’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 7 launches with a bang; onboards 19 sponsors

    Star Maa’s Bigg Boss Telugu Season 7 launches with a bang; onboards 19 sponsors

    Mumbai: Bigg Boss Telugu, the most popular reality show in the twin states of AP & Telangana has kicked off its seventh edition with much enthusiasm. It has onboarded a whopping 19 sponsors spanning various categories such as FMCG, Construction/Real Estate, Jewellery, Durables, and Automotive, among others. Brands onboard include Dabur, Maruti, Jos Alukkas, Radha TMT, Indulekha, Freedom Edible Oil, Coke, Whisper, Centuary Fiber, Cera, Britannia, Kajaria Cements, Haier, Butterfly, Docilekart, Shastry Balm, Orill & Mondelez.

    “Bigg Boss Telugu over the last 6 years on Star Maa has consistently been the most-watched Reality TV show in Telugu. The magic of Bigg Boss Telugu lies in its ability to bring families together and create unforgettable moments,” said Amrutha Nair, Head – Ad Sales and Strategy, Entertainment Network Channels, Disney Star. “We are thrilled by the response from brands for the seventh season of the show, it is a sign of a great festive season. Bigg Boss Telugu offers an exceptional platform for brands to leave a lasting impact, thanks to its extensive reach, and dedicated audience. It provides brands with an uncluttered media platform and numerous opportunities for sustained visibility, which can be rare during the bustling festive season. We look forward to presenting another engaging and entertaining season of the show to our Telugu viewers,” she added.

    With the launch of the seventh edition of Star Maa’s Bigg Boss Telugu on 3 September 2023, it’s evident that the show has secured a special place in the hearts of Telugu audiences. The show’s ability to maintain relevance among diverse age groups and its unwavering commitment to enhancing entertainment for its loyal viewer base have been key factors contributing to its enduring success season after season.

    The show’s campaign received immense traction this year too. With a central theme of everything being “upside down’ or “उल्टापुल्टा, the hashtag #BiggBossTelugu7 has achieved a remarkable reach of 1.5 billion, accompanied by over 8 million engagements.

    In the prior season, an astonishing 8.4 crore (84 million) individuals were reached, with over 40 billion viewing minutes generated. These remarkable numbers underscore the show’s enormous popularity and influence. In this season, Bigg Boss Telugu has shifted to the coveted prime-time slot of 9:30 PM, enhancing its accessibility to a broader audience. This time adjustment is also a strategic step aimed at guaranteeing that the captivating drama and entertainment of the show reaches an even larger number of households.

    As Bigg Boss Telugu gears up for another sensational season, with 100+ days of non-stop entertainment, it’s clear that its ability to innovate, engage, and captivate audiences across generations remains unwavering, while brands continue to capitalise on its unique association opportunities. 

  • ‘Bigg Boss Telugu’ launches new campaign #BiggBossIsWatchingYou with host Nagarjuna

    ‘Bigg Boss Telugu’ launches new campaign #BiggBossIsWatchingYou with host Nagarjuna

    Mumbai: Star Maa and L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad have come together to create a public safety awareness campaign, “Bigg Boss Is Watching You,” with their marquee property, Bigg Boss Telugu. The campaign aims to encourage people to use caution when travelling on the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR).

    The public safety campaign has been executed in all 57 metro stations, covering areas including concourse, entry-exit, and check-in areas. Customised jingles with caution messages are played in all metro trains. The 100 days campaign period would enable all metro commuters to be aware of safety precautions to be taken during travel and at metro station premises including awareness on safety measures, rules of metro, encouraging more usage of the metro rail as the safest and convenient mode to commute.

    L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Ltd. MD & CEO KVB Reddy said, “As part of our third collaboration with Star Maa, Bigg Boss Telugu, Hyderabad Metro Rail is delighted to be the travel partner for Bigg Boss Telugu Season 6. We have rolled out the “Bigg Boss is Watching You” campaign as part of the partnership, which aims to increase safety awareness and safe travel practises among the general public. This initiative would also encourage smart travel habits among commuters by encouraging them to use metro smart cards and mobile QR tickets for a safe and convenient journey. My best wishes to the superstar Akkineni Nagarjuna and Star Maa Network for the great success of Bigg Boss Season 6.”

    “As a network, Disney and Star India always believe in creating meaningful communications, enriching the lives of millions, and driving relevant communication through our messaging. We are extremely delighted to partner with the Hyderabad Metro Rail for a campaign on public safety awareness in Hyderabad city. Bigg Boss is a global format well accepted by the Telugu audience as part of their daily entertainment dose. Using this vehicle will have a faster reach for public safety,” commented a Star Maa spokesperson.

  • Barc week 34: Sun TV regains pole position in all India market

    Barc week 34: Sun TV regains pole position in all India market

    Mumbai: Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) has released currency data for week 34 i.e. 20 August 2022 – 26 August 2022. Sun TV is number one in the top 10 channels – all India, 2+ with an average minute audience of 2339.22 (000). It was followed by Star Maa 2268.93 (000), Star Plus 2184.8 (000), Goldmines 2100.79 (000) and Dangal 1870.14 (000).

    Average minute audience (AMA) is defined as the number of individuals of a target audience who viewed a televised “event,” averaged across minutes.

    In the Hindi speaking market, Star Plus is in the top spot with with an average minute audience of 2112.24 (000) followed by Goldmines 2074.51 (000), Dangal 1862.07 (000), Sony Sab 1592.74 (000) and Star Pravah 1584.93 (000).

    In the South market, Sun TV is on top with an average minute audience of 2328.41 (000) followed by Star Maa at 2215.65 (000), Star Vijay 1470.12 (000), Zee Telugu 1464.92 (000) and Zee Kannada 1411.31 (000).

    In the megacities, Sun TV was number one with an average minute audience of 418.99 (000) followed by Star Plus 395.23 (000), Colors 343.16 (000), Sony Sab 315.65 (000) and Star Vijay 296.08 (000).

    In West Bengal market, Star Jalsha was number one with an average minute audience of    1105.92 (000) followed by     Zee Bangla 799.43 (000), Jalsha Movies 231.88 (000), Zee Bangla Cinema 155.76 (000) and ABP Ananda 140.45 (000).

    In Maharashtra/Goa market, Star Pravah was number one with an average minute audience of 1568.57 (000) followed by Zee Marathi 538.99 (000), Colors Marathi 430.36 (000), Sony Sab 419.22 (000) and Goldmines 346.87 (000).

  • Disney Star to launch Odia GEC Star Kirano in June

    Disney Star to launch Odia GEC Star Kirano in June

    Mumbai: Disney Star is all set to enter the Odisha market with its new Odia general entertainment channel (GEC) Star Kirano launching in the first week of June. Star Kirano will be the network’s seventh regional foray after Asianet (Malayalam), Star Suvarna (Kannada), Star Maa (Telugu), Star Vijay (Tamil), Star Jalsha (Bangla), Star Pravah (Marathi).

    The channel aims to scale up the TV viewing experience of Odisha through engaging storytelling, enhanced production quality, and star-studded casting. Its content will be deeply entrenched in the values and cultures of the state and showcase stories of inspiration, hope and progress.

    “Viewers are core to us at Disney Star and we have always set high benchmarks in delivering best-in-class entertainment to them in the language of their choice and in a manner they prefer,” said Disney Star head – network entertainment channels Kevin Vaz. “We have seen immense success across our regional portfolio with viewers having a strong affinity for our brands and content. Odisha is a fast-evolving market with a high affinity towards its local language and we look forward to elevating the entertainment experience for the Odia-speaking viewers.”

  • Sun TV becomes most-watched channel in week 14: Barc

    Sun TV becomes most-watched channel in week 14: Barc

    Mumbai: Sun TV displaced Star Utsav to become the most-watched channel with 2462.15 AMA in week 14 (2 April to 8 April) according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc).

    Star Maa and Star Sports 1 Hindi were at second and third spots, with 2436.38 and 2354.46 respectively.

    Star Plus, Dangal, Sony SAB, Star Vijay, Star Pravah, Zee Kannada, and Colors followed.

    The mega cities and South markets were ruled by Sun TV at 434.64 and 2455.56 AMA, respectively.

    It was followed by Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Plus, Sony SAB and Sony Vijay in the mega cities. The South market had Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Kannda and Zee Telugu in the remaining four positions.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1465.01 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1123.02, Odisha by Tarang (465.05), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1349.6), Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Dangal at 159.45 and 456.67 respectively. 

  • Star Utsav retains top slot in week 13: Barc

    Star Utsav retains top slot in week 13: Barc

    Mumbai: Star Utsav was once again the most-watched channel with 2882.4 AMA in week 13 (26 March to 1 April) according to data released by Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc). Tamil GEC Sun TV jumped from No. four in week 12 to number two with weekly ratings of 2448.39. Star Sports 1 Hindi was the new entrant at number three with 2270.12 AMA.

    Star Plus, Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, Sony SAB, Dangal, and Star Pravah followed.

    The mega cities and South markets were ruled by Sun TV at 433.93 and 2441.6 AMA, respectively. It was followed by Star Plus, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Colors, and Sony SAB in the mega cities. The South market had Star Maa, Star Vijay, Zee Telugu, and Zee Kannada in the remaining four positions.

    Among the regional markets, Maharashtra/Goa was led by Star Pravah at 1396.25 (‘000s), West Bengal by Star Jalsha at 1195.05, Odisha by Tarang (450.48), Karnataka by Zee Kannada (1313.33), and Rajasthan and UP/Uttarakhand by Star Utsav at 335.91 and 508.89 respectively.