Netflix Donates £1 Mn to UK’s National Film and Television School Receives to Launch Creativity Hub

Netflix has donated £1 million to the National Film and Television School (NFTS) to establish a new creativity hub at its Beaconsfield campus. The space, called The Netflix Lounge at NFTS, will serve as a central hub for collaboration, creativity, and exchange among students, alumni, and visiting filmmakers.

This initiative is part of Netflix’s broader Generation N commitment, which focuses on supporting UK skills and talent by working with film schools, charities, and industry organizations to open doors, build skills, and help creative careers grow. The hub is also tied to NFTS’s wider campus expansion project, which will increase student capacity by 25%, giving more people access to world-class film and television training.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos emphasized the company’s long-standing relationship with the UK creative community, noting that Netflix has been deeply invested in nurturing the next generation of storytellers for over 12 years.

Founded in 1971, NFTS has consistently ranked among the world’s top film schools, including recognition in The Hollywood Reporter’s list of top international film schools.

Prophecy or Entertainment?: Origins & Historical Evolution of Tarrot Card Reading

Tarot began as a 15th‑century Italian playing‑card tradition and only became a divination system in the 18th–19th centuries; since the 2010s tarot content—especially on YouTube—has transformed readings into mass entertainment, wellness content, and creator‑driven micro‑businesses, including a fast‑growing Indian creator scene.

The word Tarot comes from Italian tarocchi (singular tarocco), adopted into French as tarot in the 16th century; its ultimate origin is uncertain, with scholars proposing possible links to Arabic or other medieval terms.

The cards themselves first appear in northern Italy as a special set of playing cards used for trick‑taking games (early names included trionfi). By the early 1500s the Italian term tarocchi was established for the special cards and the whole pack. In late 18th century, the association of tarot with occultism and fortune‑telling emerges; before that, tarot was primarily a game.

Tarot’s global visibility and commercial footprint rose sharply after 2020, driven mainly by short‑form social video and e‑commerce; key measurable signals are large TikTok hashtag volumes, sustained Google search interest, industry market forecasts (~3% CAGR), and survey evidence that roughly one‑third of U.S. adults engage with astrology/tarot at least occasionally.

Social media signals: the hashtag #tarot and related tags register millions of posts on short‑form platforms, with aggregate view counts in the billions for related content formats such as “pick‑a‑card.”

Platform growth driver: short‑form video virality (TikTok) is the primary amplifier since about 2020–2021, producing rapid follower growth for creators and frequent viral formats.

Origins and historical evolution

15th century — Playing cards

Tarot cards first appear in northern Italy as trick-taking playing cards (tarocchi/trionfi). Early decks were luxury, hand-painted items for nobility.

18th–19th centuries — Occult reinterpretation

Occultists and mystics reinterpreted tarot imagery for cartomancy and esoteric systems, shifting tarot from game to divination.

Early 20th century — Standardization

The Rider–Waite deck (1909) and similar publications standardized much of modern symbolism used by readers today.

Late 20th century onward — Therapeutic & creative uses

Tarot is used in psychological reflection, art, and spiritual coaching, not only fortune-telling.

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Evolution on social media and YouTube

• Early adopters (mid-2000s) — Individual readers posted tutorials and sample readings; video format allowed live interaction and longer narrative readings.
• 2010s–2020s — Format diversification — Pick‑a‑card videos, live readings, deck unboxings/reviews, tutorials, and short‑form clips became common and algorithm-friendly.
• Monetization & community — Creators monetize via ads, memberships, Patreon, paid private readings, and deck affiliate sales.
• Localization (India relevance) — Indian creators blend astrology, local spiritual practices, and bilingual content to expand regional reach.

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Key impacts and trends

• Democratization — Access widened; expertise varies widely.
• Hybrid wellness framing — Tarot often presented as self-help prompts rather than deterministic prophecy.
• Visual culture shapes meaning — Deck art and on-camera persona influence which interpretations go viral.

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Practical next steps

• Academic history — Start with encyclopedias and scholarly works on European card games and occultism.
• Contemporary practice — Use YouTube playlists for pick‑a‑card, deck reviews, and live streams; evaluate creators by transparency and community feedback.

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Risks, limitations, and ethics

• Misinformation & overclaiming — Verify historical claims with reliable sources.
• Commercial exploitation — Paid readings and memberships can exploit vulnerability; check credentials and refund policies.
• Cultural sensitivity — Some decks borrow symbols from living cultures without context.

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Summary table

Topic	Core point	Timeframe
Origins	Started as Italian playing cards; later used for divination.	15th–19th centuries
Standardization	Rider–Waite and similar decks set modern symbolism.	Early 20th century
Social media evolution	YouTube popularized pick‑a‑card, live readings, and short clips.	2000s–2020s
Impact	Democratization, wellness framing, and visual-driven virality.	Contemporary

Most tarot creators by region

Most tarot content creators are concentrated in English‑speaking markets—primarily North America—followed by rapidly growing creator pools in South Asia (India) and Latin America. North America hosts the largest absolute number of creators due to platform maturity and English reach.

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Regional snapshot (why numbers skew this way)

• North America (US/Canada, UK, Australia) — Highest creator count; platform origin, English reach, and monetization infrastructure.
• South Asia (India) — Rapid growth; bilingual creators blend tarot with astrology and local spiritual practices.
• Latin America (Brazil, Spanish‑speaking LATAM) — High regional density; strong Portuguese/Spanish creators focused on witchcraft and tarot.
• Europe (Western EU, UK) — Moderate; active English and local‑language creators with festival/occult community crossover.
• Other regions (Africa, SE Asia) — Smaller but growing; emergence tied to smartphone and short‑form adoption.

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Key reasons North America leads

• Platform maturity and monetization — YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram scale creators into sustainable channels.
• English as lingua franca — English content reaches global audiences, inflating counts for Anglophone creators.

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India and Brazil: notable growth patterns

• India — Bilingual delivery (Hindi/English) and astrology crossovers accelerate reach across South Asia.
• Brazil/LATAM — High engagement around witchcraft and tarot; creators build tight community bonds.

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Risks and caveats

• Data volatility — Follower counts and rankings change rapidly; use live lists for exact numbers.
• Quality vs quantity — High creator numbers in a region don’t guarantee quality or ethical practice.

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Regional overview table

Region	Relative creator count	Why it leads / notes
North America (US/Canada, UK, Australia)	Highest	Platform origin, English reach, monetization infrastructure.
South Asia (India)	Rapidly growing	Bilingual creators; tarot + astrology crossovers.
Latin America (Brazil, LATAM)	High regional density	Strong Portuguese/Spanish creators; high engagement.
Europe (Western EU, UK)	Moderate	Active local‑language creators; festival and occult community crossover.

Representative creators and platforms (quick table)

Region	Representative creators / examples	Top platforms	Why follow
North America	Established teacher‑brands; high‑reach English readers	YouTube; Instagram; TikTok	Long tutorials, deck reviews, paid courses and high production value
South Asia (India)	Munisha Khatwani; Tarot Pooja Verma (examples)	Instagram; YouTube	Bilingual readings, astrology crossovers, culturally contextual content
Latin America (Brazil)	Pri Ferraz / Diario da Bruxa (regional examples)	Instagram; YouTube	Witchcraft + tarot content, strong community engagement
Europe (Western EU, UK)	Local readers and English creators (examples on influencer lists)	YouTube; Instagram	Niche decks, historical/contextual content, festival and occult community crossover

Scientific Evidence & Reports

There is no robust, reproducible scientific evidence that tarot cards provide paranormal predictions; most controlled studies and psychological research treat readings as psychological or entertainment phenomena rather than verified prophecy.

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What the research shows

• Controlled experiments comparing “real” tarot readings with randomized/control readings generally find no reliable ability to distinguish meaningful accuracy beyond chance; results are interpreted within psychological frameworks (suggestion, cold reading, subjective validation).
• Academic investigations place tarot within broader studies of magical thinking, ritual, and meaning‑making; these works treat divination as a cultural and psychological practice rather than a validated predictive technology.
• Recent reviews emphasize psychological effects (comfort, narrative framing, decision support) and call for more rigorous methods if claims of paranormal efficacy are to be tested.

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Quick comparison table

Claim	What evidence exists	Interpretation
Tarot predicts future (paranormal)	No reproducible, peer‑reviewed evidence showing consistent predictive power in controlled tests.	Not supported by current scientific standards.
Tarot offers psychological insight	Empirical and theoretical studies show effects on meaning‑making, reflection, and decision framing.	Supported as a therapeutic/reflective tool (non‑paranormal).
Tarot as entertainment/performance	Ethnographic and media analyses document performative, community, and entertainment roles on social platforms.	Supported — many users treat readings as entertainment or guidance.

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How to evaluate claims yourself

• Ask for testable evidence: documented predictions with timestamps and verifiable outcomes.
• Look for controlled studies (double‑blind, randomized) rather than anecdotes. Anecdotes are not proof.
• Assess intent: many creators frame readings as entertainment, coaching, or spiritual practice rather than scientific forecasting.

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Practical guidance

• Treat readings as reflective prompts: use them to surface options and feelings, not as deterministic forecasts.
• If paying for readings, prefer readers who explain methods, limits, and refund policies and who avoid absolute predictive claims.

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Risks and caveats

• Emotional vulnerability: people seeking certainty can be exploited; verify credentials and avoid high‑pressure upsells.
• Confirmation bias: people remember hits and forget misses; this inflates perceived accuracy.

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Annotated reading list

There is no reproducible scientific evidence that tarot predicts the future; the strongest empirical work treats tarot as psychological, cultural, or performative rather than a validated predictive tool.

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1. Ivtzan, I. & French, C. — “Testing the validity of Tarot cards: Can we distinguish between a real and a control reading?”
   Ivtzan & French — Testing the validity of Tarot cards (ResearchGate)
   Key point: Participants did not reliably rate “real” readings as more relevant than randomized controls; results support non‑paranormal explanations (suggestion, cold reading, subjective validation).
2. Hofer, Gigi — Tarot Cards: An Investigation of their Benefit as a Tool for Self‑Reflection (MA thesis, University of Victoria)
   Hofer — Tarot Cards: Benefit as a Tool for Self‑Reflection (thesis)
   Useful for: qualitative and mixed‑methods exploration of tarot’s role in self‑reflection and meaning‑making rather than paranormal forecasting.
3. Mehta, Kabir — “The Psychological Impact of Tarot Card Readings: A Systematic Review of Empirical Studies” (Indian Journal of Astrology and Occult, 2024)
   Mehta — Psychological Impact of Tarot (IJAO, 2024)
   Note: Synthesizes empirical work showing tarot’s effects on meaning‑making, emotional regulation, and decision framing; check inclusion criteria and journal standards.
4. Richard Wiseman — writings and resources on cold reading and psychic claims
   Richard Wiseman — research and articles
   Useful for: background on cold reading and cognitive techniques that create impressions of paranormal insight.
5. Overview and historical context
   Tarot — Wikipedia
   Useful for: historical origins and how tarot shifted from playing cards to divination practice; good contextual background.

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How to use these sources

• Start with the experimental papers (Ivtzan & French) to see controlled methods and null results.
• Read theses and reviews (Hofer, Mehta) for qualitative nuance and synthesis of smaller studies.
• Use Wiseman’s materials to learn about cold reading and cognitive biases that explain perceived hits.

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Conclusion 

Treat online tarot readings primarily as symbolic prompts, entertainment, or reflective tools rather than literal forecasts. Short‑form platforms amplify dramatic, repeatable formats that feel convincing but often rely on cold‑reading techniques, suggestion, and selective memory; use readings to surface feelings, options, and questions rather than to make irreversible decisions. Look for transparency from readers about methods and limits, sample free content before paying, and prefer those who explain their approach, offer clear refund policies, and avoid absolute predictive claims.

Be mindful of cognitive biases and emotional vulnerability: confirmation bias makes hits memorable and misses easy to forget, and high‑pressure upsells are a common red flag. If you want verifiable claims tested, ask for documented, time‑stamped predictions and independent verification; otherwise treat paid readings as coaching or creative guidance. For practical use, combine short readings with your own judgment, seek professional advice for legal/medical/financial matters, and follow creators whose ethics and methods you can evaluate from their public work.

Hollywood’s Biggest Night Goes Online: Oscars Land on YouTube

In a move that marks one of the most significant shifts in Hollywood’s media history, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube beginning in 2029. The deal, confirmed by NBC News, ends the decades-long broadcast partnership with ABC and ushers the world’s most-watched film awards into a digital-first era.

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End of an Era

Since the 1970s, ABC has been the home of the Academy Awards in the United States. That contract, which runs through 2028, will conclude with the 100th Oscars. Starting with the 101st ceremony in 2029, YouTube will take over as the exclusive global streaming partner.

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Global Reach, Free Access

Unlike the traditional broadcast model, the Oscars will be available live and free worldwide on YouTube, including red carpet coverage and behind-the-scenes programming. In the U.S., viewers will also be able to watch via YouTube TV, bridging the gap for audiences accustomed to cable-style viewing.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor described the deal as a way to “expand access to the Oscars globally” while infusing the ceremony with “innovative opportunities for engagement.”

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Why the Shift Matters

• Declining Ratings: Oscars viewership has fallen sharply since its 1998 peak of 55 million (when Titanic swept the awards). Recent broadcasts hover around 20 million.
• Digital Dominance: Younger audiences increasingly consume content online, making YouTube a natural fit.
• Data & Engagement: Unlike broadcast TV, YouTube offers real-time analytics, interactive ad formats, and global reach — tools that could reshape how the Oscars evolve.

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Strategic Impact

• Advertising: Brands will pivot from prime-time TV slots to YouTube’s dynamic ad ecosystem, leveraging pre-rolls, interactive sponsorships, and influencer collaborations.
• Audience Demographics: Gen Z and Millennials are expected to drive engagement, while YouTube TV provides continuity for older viewers.
• Cultural Positioning: The Oscars transform from a “TV event” into a global digital spectacle, aligning with how cultural moments are increasingly consumed online.

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Industry Reactions

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan hailed the partnership as a chance to inspire “new generations of film lovers and creators.” Industry analysts see the deal as a watershed moment, signaling the growing dominance of streaming platforms in hosting cultural events once monopolized by broadcast television.

The Oscars are coming to @YouTube 🎬

Starting in 2029, YouTube will become the global home for this celebration of cinema, helping to inspire a new generation of film lovers everywhere 🌎

Thank you to @TheAcademy for the partnership! pic.twitter.com/9PviFW5lp2

— Neal Mohan (@nealmohan) December 17, 2025

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Looking Ahead

The Oscars’ leap to YouTube is more than a change of platform — it’s a redefinition of Hollywood’s biggest night. By embracing digital-first distribution, the Academy is betting on accessibility, interactivity, and global reach to restore the ceremony’s relevance in a fragmented media landscape.

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👉 Bottom line: Starting in 2029, the red carpet won’t just roll out in Hollywood — it will roll out across the world’s screens, free and live on YouTube.

BHIM App Partners with Sony TV’s KBC to Promote Digital Payments Through Exclusive Game Show Week

• BHIM Payments App, Bharat Ka Apna Payments App Collaborates with Sony Entertainment Television to launch an exclusive ‘Golden Week’ in Kaun Banega Crorepati

BHIM App, India’s homegrown payment app developed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), has partnered with Sony Entertainment Television to deepen the reach of safe, secure digital payments across the country through the most iconic game show Kaun Banega Crorepati,, Sony Entertainment Television is introducing, for the first time to a digital payment platform, a special one-week edition of the KBC Game Show, curated exclusively for BHIM Payments App users.

This collaboration is designed to enable users of BHIM Payments App across India, to get a Golden Opportunity to play the game with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. The registration window for the ‘Golden Week’ opens from September 1, 2025 till October 10, 2025 exclusively for BHIM Payment App Users. Ten selected users of the BHIM Payments App will receive an exclusive opportunity to appear on the show, and participate in the Fastest Finger First round. A dedicated week of 5 Episodes Game Show will be organized and telecasted on Sony Entertainment Television with these 10 contestants

How to Participate:

Viewers are invited to Download / Update BHIM Payments App and register through a dedicated ‘KBC Golden Week with BHIM’ section within the app. To submit their registration successfully, viewer has to answer simple question, fill their basic details and submit. All successful entries will undergo the standard screening process of KBC. The shortlisted 10 candidates will then come to the KBC set and play Fastest Finger First in the Golden Week with BHIM and get a chance to reach the Hot Seat of KBC to play the game with Amitabh Bachchan. During the ‘Golden Week with BHIM’, only those (10) users who have come through the BHIM payments app will be featured.

This resonates with Brand’s overall purpose of trust and inclusiveness and the initiative will help BHIM to create familiarity (trust) and confidence in using UPI through an experience that is interactive, rewarding, and deeply local. The more BHIM app users experience the app and participate in the registration process, higher are their chances of getting shortlisted.

This first of its kind format on the show encourages citizens to not only test their knowledge but also experience the simplicity and trust of the homegrown BHIM Payment App. This initiative is designed to reach beyond digital-first users encouraging participation from families, first-time digital adopters, and citizens in Tier 2,Tier 3 cities and towns, through a platform they already know and trust.

Lalitha Nataraj, CEO, NBSL, added, “At BHIM, our mission is to become the most trusted payment apps of India and become their choice of app for any digital payments small or big. Partnering with an Iconic platform like KBC allows us to take this message into homes across the country especially in regions where awareness and comfort with digital payments are still evolving. KBC has, over the years, earned the trust of millions of families, and this association helps us build on that trust to encourage every member of the family to use BHIM Payments App for safe and secure payments. We are delighted to collaborate with Kaun Banega Crorepati and extend this golden opportunity to our app users.

For more information, visit https://www.bhimupi.org.in/, follow on [Insta - @bhim_npci, X – NPCI_BHIM, YT - BHIMNPCI]

As BHIM’s official media partner, Madison Media has crafted the high-impact outreach strategy. Abhik Banerjee, COO, Madison Media, said: “We are delighted to welcome the BHIM Payments App as a partner for this landmark collaboration with Kaun Banega Crorepati. For decades, KBC has been a platform that unites the nation, inspires millions, and captures the hearts of viewers from every corner of India. That makes it the perfect stage for BHIM – Bharat Ka Apna Payments App to connect with audiences in a truly meaningful way.

This association marks BHIM’s first-ever integration with KBC, and we wanted to go beyond just brand presence. Working closely with Sony, we have designed an interactive experience that invites viewers, even first-time BHIM users to get a golden opportunity to participate in the iconic KBC and reach to the famous Hot Seat. With BHIM payments app, the user gets easy, safe and instant payment solutions, while being part of one of India’s most-loved and talked about shows.

For us, this partnership is about more than visibility via TV presence. It is about creating opportunities, encouraging participation, and offering every Indian citizen a rewarding reason to engage with BHIM Payments App.”

About NPCI BHIM Services Limited:

NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) was incorporated in 2024, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). NBSL aims to enhance the adoption of digital payments through the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) platform and committed to providing a seamless, secure, and user-friendly payment experience to individuals and businesses across India.

NBSL facilitates quick and efficient digital transactions, offering an accessible and reliable payment solution for all. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, NBSL aims to drive financial inclusion and support India’s journey toward becoming a fully digital economy.

For more information, visit: - https://www.bhimupi.org.in/

Amazon Acquires Creative Control of the James Bond Franchise

Amazon MGM Studios (formerly Amazon Studios), an American film and television production and distribution studio announced, has announced the formation of a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights, and those parties will remain co-owners of the franchise.

Under the terms of the new venture, Amazon MGM Studios will gain creative control of the James Bond franchise following closing of the transaction.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have been the driving forces behind the James Bond film franchise for decades. With this announcement from Amazon, the both are stepping back from their roles as producers, transitioning into advisory positions. Amazon MGM Studios will now take creative control of the James Bond franchise.

Wilson, who has been involved with the 007 series for nearly 60 years, stated that he will focus on art and charitable projects. Broccoli, whose family legacy has shaped Bond’s cinematic journey, expressed her intention to focus on other projects.

Amazon's control over the James Bond franchise is expected to bring several significant changes. With Amazon at the helm, the franchise might branch out beyond traditional films. This could include spin-off films, TV series, and other media formats, similar to what has been done with the Star Wars and Marvel franchises.

Amazon may push for a quicker turnaround for Bond content. Historically, there has been a considerable gap between Bond films, but Amazon might aim to reduce this time to keep the franchise more active and engaging.

With Amazon's resources and innovative approach, we might see new storylines, characters, and possibly even a different tone or style for future Bond films. This could include exploring backstories of supporting characters like Moneypenny, M, and Q.

Amazon's global platform could help the Bond franchise reach a wider audience, potentially increasing its popularity and influence worldwide.

Some fans and critics are concerned that the franchise might suffer from overexposure or a decline in quality due to the increased volume of content. There is also apprehension about whether the unique charm and prestige of the Bond films will be maintained under corporate control.

Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, said, "Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment. . “We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James B ond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, including a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows. Since the MGM acquisition, Amazon has held rights to distribute all of the James Bond films, and as a result of this transaction will have creative control over future productions.

JioStar Launches JioHotstar, Bringing Together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar

JioStar, the recently formed JV with the merger of Viacom18 and Star India, announced the launch of JioHotstar, bringing together JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar – two of India’s leading platforms for premium sports, entertainment and lots more. This coming together of brands, expansive content, cutting-edge features, and a large audience and subscriber base marks a globally unprecedented milestone in the streaming industry. With close to 3 lac hours of entertainment, unparalleled live sports coverage, and more than 50 crore users, JioHotstar is set to redefine entertainment and unlock Infinite Possibilities for audiences.

Speaking on the launch of JioHotstar, Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, JioStar said,

At the core of JioHotstar is a powerful vision—to make premium entertainment truly accessible to all Indians. Our promise of Infinite Possibilities ensures that entertainment is no longer a privilege, but a shared experience for all. By integrating AI-driven recommendations and offering streaming in over 19 languages, we are personalizing content like never before.

In line with its promise of making premium entertainment accessible to all, JioHotstar invites everyone to come and watch all their favourite shows, movies and live sports without the need for a subscription. For those looking for an uninterrupted and enhanced experience, JioHotstar provides compelling subscription plans tailored to diverse audience needs, starting at Rs. 149/quarter. Existing JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar subscribers will be able to seamlessly transition and set up their JioHotstar subscriptions.

An Unparalleled Content Universe

JioHotstar is set to redefine entertainment with an extensive and diverse content slate curated for 1.4 billion Indians across 10 languages. From the widest selection of TV programming anywhere in the world to genre-defining originals to widely loved reality entertainment to blockbuster films, anime, and international premieres, JioHotstar ensures there’s something for every viewer. JioHotstar will offer the best of Hollywood, with Disney, NBCUniversal Peacock, Warner Bros. Discovery HBO, and Paramount – all on the same platform; something almost no other streaming service globally provides.

Bringing together the deepest selection of Hollywood entertainment, the best of Indian shows and movies from all parts of the country, and the widest sports offering – JioHotstar promises no matter what you want to watch, you will find it here.

Additionally, the platform introduces ‘Sparks’, a flagship initiative spotlighting India’s biggest digital creators through innovative and engaging formats.

“JioHotstar is setting a new benchmark for digital-first entertainment. The platform is immersive, inclusive, and audience centric. While we have endless entertainment to offer, we are committed to continually innovate and elevate storytelling, ensuring that every Indian, regardless of language, discovers content they love,” added Kevin Vaz, CEO – Entertainment, JioStar, while elaborating on the entertainment offering.

The Ultimate Sports and Live Events Destination

JioHotstar is transforming how audiences engage with sports with immersive, interactive experiences for every fan, from passionate connoisseurs to big-event viewers.

JioHotstar is the home of premier tournaments like ICC events, IPL, and WPL, while also spotlighting grassroots cricket with the Indian Street Premier League and pathway events from BCCI, ICC, and state associations. Beyond cricket, it brings global sporting excellence with the Premier League and Wimbledon while powering domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL.

What sets JioHotstar apart is its elevated streaming experience — featuring ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time stats overlays, multi-angle viewing and range of 'culture' and 'special interest' feeds — ensuring fans enjoy deeper, more immersive access to the sports they love.

Emphasizing the platform’s transformative role in sports, Sanjog Gupta, CEO – Sports, JioStar, said, “Sports in India is more than just a game—it’s a shared experience that unites millions. JioHotstar is revolutionizing how fans experience live sports, combining the best of technology, access, storytelling, and innovation with the fan at the heart of everything. Whether it’s the pride in India Cricket, the electric atmospherics of Premier League, passion for India's indigenous sports or exposure for grassroot-level competitions, we will deliver a range of experiences, catering to both 'lean in' and 'lean back' behaviours across a billion screens. We are now taking this philosophy beyond sports by bringing culture-defining live experiences to our audiences. The overwhelming response to Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres live-stream has set us off on this exciting new journey towards infinite possibilities.”

A Brand Built on Infinite Possibilities

JioHotstar’s new brand identity embodies its vision for boundless entertainment. The ‘Big Bang’ symbolizes the dawn of a new era, while the ‘Ripples’ radiate outward, representing energy, transformation, and innovation.

Beyond entertainment, JioHotstar presents unprecedented opportunities for brands and advertisers. With its vast audience reach, advanced ad formats, and data-driven personalization, the platform offers unique ways for businesses to engage meaningfully with consumers.

JioHotstar is not just shaping the future of entertainment—it is unlocking limitless possibilities for audiences, creators, and brands alike.

How to Navigate the Vast Online Entertainment Space in India

There’s a whole host of major entertainment brands vying to win over the massive Indian audience. Seeing India as a growing market that already has more than half of its population using smartphones, it makes sense to try to appeal to the country. In recent years, we’ve seen several major brands enter the market and even fund some local entertainment companies. Netflix, for example, has powered up its service by tapping into local productions.

As a direct result, Netflix picked up RRR and it became a global hit. While a superb film in its own right, without Netflix’s reach and the platform pushing it, RRR may not have been as successful as it eventually proved to be. Now, we’ve even got social media companies diving in to feed the market. Meta has announced that its platforms have helped three in four casual and paying gamers find, play, and purchase new games.

Meta does have its toes firmly dipped in the future gaming space. Their work to create their Metaverse and make virtual reality headsets more accessible looks primed to make them an important player down the line. For now, though, the online entertainment market of India is vast enough as it is. Luckily, there are a few standout platforms that can help those seeking a bit of fun to locate exactly what they need.

Homing in on the Most Important Rating

Of all of the different kinds of online entertainment available in India, nowhere is it as important to pick the right app or platform as it is in iGaming. Most other platforms offer free ways to play or are accessible via a fairly low-cost subscription. In iGaming, you pay as you play. So, from the get-go, you need to know that you’re playing at an online casino that offers the best experience possible.

Reviews of these platforms have many things to consider. There’s the number of slots, the quality of the live casino games, the usability of the app, the size of the welcome bonus, if there are other promotions for loyal players, and much more. However, the most important rating is the payout rate. The best paying casinos available in the country offer a strong baseline for the overall experience.

Being with the sites that have the highest payout rates means that you know you’re getting the best shot at landing a win, on average. The return to player (RTP) of a casino site indicates the average overall RTP of all of its games. So, while you’d want to home in on the games with the highest RTP, a high-paying casino means that there are plenty of them to go around. The top sites range from 97.5 percent to 96.3 percent, so there’s a fair difference.

So Many Streaming Platforms to Navigate

Streaming platforms, especially the biggest ones, feature more shows and movies than anyone could possibly scroll through on their smartphone or smart TV in a reasonable timeframe. The counts are simply massive, and while in-app recommendations can help, they rarely know exactly what you want to watch. To much more easily find the shows and movies that are worth watching and ones that you want to watch, turn to Reelgood.

This is the ultimate platform for finding the best films and shows to watch and where to find them. You can use the top filters to add the services that you subscribe to or narrow it to just one. Then, use the second filter option to cut the selection down by the platform’s score of the production, the release year, and its genre. There’s so much to see across the many Indian streaming platforms, but Reelgood makes it easier to find the good ones.

Picking the Hit Games to Grow an Audience

As gaming grows across India, so too does live streaming. Many people like to build up their gaming experience by inviting a live audience to watch their outings. Of course, it’s not easy to generate a live audience. Platforms like Twitch are loaded with entertaining streamers, so competing can be tough. While you should always play the games you like the most, you could take the approach of picking entertaining-but-niche or just popular titles.

For this, you can turn to Githyp. This platform tracks player counts and viewer counts for games being played on Steam or streamed on Twitch. At the time of writing, the most-watched games on Twitch were League of Legends and Grand Theft Auto V. The most-played on the PC launcher were Counter-Strike 2 and DOTA 2. A good way to generate an audience quickly is to put your spin on the games proving to be popular to watch.

With these platforms, it’ll at least be a bit easier to navigate the sprawling, and ever-growing, online entertainment scene of India.

Tech Mahindra and Japanese Broadcaster Fuji TV to Co–Develop/Produce Content for Global Entertainment Industry

Tech Mahindra has entered into a strategic partnership with Japan's Fuji TV. This collaboration is aimed at co-developing and producing content that will cater to the global entertainment industry. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signifies a significant step towards bringing diverse content to international audiences, especially in major markets like India and Japan.

The partnership will leverage Tech Mahindra's expertise in localization and animation services to adapt Fuji TV's original content for Indian viewers in various local languages. This includes dubbing, sub-titling, and animation, which are essential for engaging a broader audience. Moreover, Tech Mahindra will assist Fuji TV in licensing its content to OTT and PayTV platforms within these regions.

This move is particularly exciting as it opens up opportunities for cross-cultural content creation and distribution, potentially introducing new genres and storytelling methods to different audiences. It also reflects the growing importance of the Indian entertainment market on the global stage.

Tech Mahindra and Fuji TV's partnership is set to produce content across a variety of genres for the global entertainment industry. The collaboration will focus on combining Fuji TV's original content with Tech Mahindra's expertise in localization and animation services¹. This means they will be working on adapting Fuji TV's content library to suit Indian audiences in various local languages, which includes dubbing, subtitling, and animation.

The content strategy aims to cater to major content markets like India and Japan, with a particular emphasis on genres that are gaining popularity in these regions, such as Anime and Korean dramas. Additionally, Tech Mahindra will help Fuji TV license Indian content IP and leverage its animation expertise to create fresh and captivating Japanese content for a global audience.

Harshvendra Soin, President – Asia Pacific and Japan Business, Tech Mahindra, said, “We have partnered with Fuji TV to bring their content library in various local languages to Indian audiences. This also marks a significant milestone in Tech Mahindra's growth strategy and strengthens our position in the media and entertainment industry. We see great potential in developing IPs catering to the Indian, Japanese, and other major content markets.”

This partnership is not only about expanding business in the Indian market but also about creating innovative content that has the potential for global reach. The goal is to explore content strategies tailored to the Indian market while introducing a variety of Fuji TV's content to the Indian audience². Through collaboration with creators at Tech Mahindra's subsidiary studios, known for their significant achievements in animation content production and XR & game development, they aim to co-develop unique content.

Toru Ota, Executive Vice President, Fuji Television Network Inc., 大多亮（フジテレビ専務取締役), said, “In the midst of the rapidly growing Indian entertainment market drawing global attention, we are thrilled to announce our partnership with a leading global IT company in India. As part of our initiative to expand into the global content market, we intend to collaboratively explore content strategies that are tailored to the Indian market, leveraging Tech Mahindra's extensive marketing expertise within the region. We are particularly excited about the opportunity to introduce a variety of Fuji TV's content to the Indian audience. Moreover, through collaboration with creators at Tech Mahindra's subsidiary studios, known for their significant achievements in animation content production and XR & game development, we aim to co-develop unique content. Our goal is to not only expand our business in the Indian market but also to create innovative content that has the potential for global reach.”

Fuji TV has produced a wide range of popular content across various genres. This include – First Love: Hatsukoi (2022), a romantic drama, available on Netflix; Silent (2022), A touching drama available on Viki; Mystery to Iunakare (2022), a suspenseful drama available on Viki; Alice in Borderland (2020-2022), an electrifying survival series, available on various platforms including Netflix; and Zettai Kareshi (Absolute Boyfriend), The OG of android romance Japanese dramas, inspiring a Korean remake and other K-dramas.

Reliance and Disney Form $8.5 Bn JV to Merge Respective Digital Streaming and TV Assets in India

Reliance and Disney Announce Strategic Joint Venture to Bring Together the Most Compelling and Engaging Entertainment Brands in India

• Companies to merge respective digital streaming and television assets in India to create a world class leader across entertainment and sports
• Reliance to invest ₹11,500 crore in the Joint Venture Disney to provide Content License to the Joint Venture

Reliance Industries Limited (“RIL”), Viacom 18 Media Private Limited (“Viacom18”) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) (“Disney”), on Wednesday, announced the signing of binding definitive agreements to form a joint venture (“JV”) that will combine the businesses of Viacom18 and Star India. As part of the transaction, the media undertaking of Viacom18 will be merged into Star India Private Limited (“SIPL”) through a court- approved scheme of arrangement.

In addition, RIL has agreed to invest at closing ₹11,500 crore (~US$ 1.4 billion) into the JV for its growth strategy. The post-money basis transaction values the JV at Rs 70,352 crore ($8.5 billion), not including any synergies.

The transaction values the JV at ₹70,352 crore (~US$ 8.5 billion) on a post-money basis, excluding synergies. Post completion of the above steps, the JV will be controlled by RIL and owned 16.34% by RIL, 46.82% by Viacom18 and 36.84% by Disney.

Disney may also contribute certain additional media assets to the JV, subject to regulatory and third-party approvals.

Mrs. Nita M. Ambani will be the Chairperson of the JV, with Mr. Uday Shankar as Vice Chairperson providing strategic guidance to the JV.

The JV will be one of the leading TV and digital streaming platforms for entertainment and sports content in India, bringing together iconic media assets across entertainment (e.g. Colors, StarPlus, StarGOLD) and sports (e.g. Star Sports and Sports18) including access to highly anticipated events across television and digital platforms through JioCinema and Hotstar. The JV will have over 750 million viewers across India and will also cater to the Indian diaspora across the world. 

The JV will seek to lead the digital transformation of the media and entertainment industry in India and offer consumers high-quality and comprehensive content offerings anytime and anywhere. The combination of the media expertise, cutting-edge technology and diverse content libraries of Viacom18 and Star India will allow the JV to offer more appealing domestic and global entertainment content and sports livestreaming services, while delivering an innovative and convenient digital entertainment experience at affordable prices. With the addition of Disney’s acclaimed films and shows to Viacom18’s renowned productions and sports offerings, the JV will offer a compelling, accessible and novel digital-focused entertainment experience to people in India and the Indian diaspora globally.

The JV will also be granted exclusive rights to distribute Disney films and productions in India, with a license to more than 30,000 Disney content assets, providing a full suite of entertainment options for the Indian consumer.

Speaking about the JV, Mr. Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries, said, “This is a landmark agreement that heralds a new era in the Indian entertainment industry. We have always respected Disney as the best media group globally and are very excited at forming this strategic joint venture that will help us pool our extensive resources, creative prowess, and market insights to deliver unparalleled content at affordable prices to audiences across the nation. We welcome Disney as a key partner of Reliance group.”

Mr. Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said, “India is the world’s most populous market, and we are excited for the opportunities that this joint venture will provide to create long- term value for the company. Reliance has a deep understanding of the Indian market and consumer, and together we will create one of the country’s leading media companies, allowing us to better serve consumers with a broad portfolio of digital services and entertainment and sports content.”

Mr. Uday Shankar, Co-founder of Bodhi Tree Systems, said, “We are privileged to be enhancing our relationship with Reliance to now also include Disney, a global leader in media & entertainment. All of us are committed to delivering exceptional value to our audiences, advertisers, and partners. This joint venture is poised to shape the future of entertainment in India and accelerate the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of making Digital India a global exemplar.”

The transaction is subject to regulatory, shareholder and other customary approvals and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of Calendar Year 2024 or first quarter of Calendar Year 2025.

Goldman Sachs is acting as financial and valuation advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Khaitan & Co and Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co are acting as legal counsels to RIL and Viacom18 on the transaction. Ernst & Young has provided an independent valuation to RIL and Viacom18, while HSBC India acting as financial advisor has provided a Fairness Opinion to Viacom18.

The Raine Group is acting as lead financial advisor to Disney on the transaction. Citi is acting as a financial advisor to Disney. Cleary Gottlieb served as lead outside counsel to Disney and Covington & Burling and AZB served as legal counsels to Disney on the transaction. BDO has provided an independent valuation to SIPL. 

About Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance is India’s largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of Rs 9,74,864 crore (US$118.6 billion), cash profit Rs 1,25,951 crore (US$ 15.3 billion) and net profit of Rs 73,670 crore (US$9.0 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2023. Reliance’s activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, advanced materials and composites, renewables (solar and hydrogen), retail and digital services.

Currently ranked 88th, Reliance is the largest private sector company from India to be featured in Fortune’s Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Companies’ for 2023. The company stands 45th in the Forbes Global 2000 rankings of 'World’s Largest Public Companies' for 2023, the highest among Indian companies. Reliance is the top-ranked Indian company and the only one in the top 100 on Forbes' 'World's Best Employers' 2023 list. Additionally, it is featured among LinkedIn’s 'Top Companies 2023: The 25 Best Workplaces To Grow Your Career In India."

About Viacom 18 Media Private Limited

Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India’s fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of iconic brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. Viacom18 defines entertainment in India by touching the lives of people through its properties on air, online, on ground, in cinemas and merchandise. Its portfolio of 40 channels across general entertainment, movies, sports, youth, music and kids genres delights the consumers across the country with its eclectic mix of programming. JioCinema, Viacom18’s OTT platform, is one of India’s leading streaming services and most popular destination for live sports. Viacom18 Studios has successfully produced and distributed iconic Hindi films and clutter-breaking regional films for over 13 years in India.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Entertainment, Sports and Experiences. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $88.89 billion in its Fiscal Year 2023.

About Star India

With a television network that reaches more than 700 million viewers in nine different languages every month and a streaming platform (Disney+ Hotstar) that has transformed the way India consumes entertainment, Disney Star is a leading media & entertainment company in the country. The organization’s entertainment portfolio, which generates more than 20,000 hours of original content every year, cuts across general entertainment, sports, films, infotainment, kids and lifestyle content. With leadership positions in every segment it occupies, Disney Star has been redefining the media landscape for more than 30 years now, anchored on the three pillars of storytelling, innovation and an unwavering focus on delivering to the expectations of our audiences.

About Bodhi Tree Systems

Bodhi Tree Systems is a strategic investor in consumer technology opportunities in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on India. The entity is a platform of James Murdoch's Lupa Systems and Uday Shankar and was established in 2021 to explore and invest in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In addition to media, Bodhi Tree expects to invest in other consumer technology sectors that represent significant opportunities but suffer from a lack of capital and innovation – including healthcare and education. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, is an investor in Bodhi Tree Systems.

India’s 1st Anime Entertainment Channel 'Anime Booth' Launched By Airtel Digital TV and CMEPL

The exclusive VAS-channel presents uninterrupted anime content with a diversified segment for anime enthusiasts.

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), India’s premier communications solutions provider, is set to revolutionise anime viewing in India with the introduction of Anime Booth — a linear service of Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (“CMEPL”) available to Indian viewers in Hindi to begin with. Designed to deliver uninterrupted viewing of anime content, Anime Booth will provide an immersive and ad-free experience catering to the demand of passionate anime fans.

The service will be accessible through Airtel's DTH services, including Airtel Digital TV and Airtel Xstream TV, and, with a subscription cost of only Rs. 1.8 per day, will offer an affordable and accessible platform through which users will be able to enjoy their favourite anime series without interruption.

This exclusive anime channel will have an ever-expanding library with new anime series added on periodically.

On the Airtel Anime Booth you can stream all your favourite anime shows like Naruto, Kochikame, Sergeant Keroro, Naruto Shippuden, Black Clover, and Demon Slayer.

Commenting on the collaboration, Siddharth Sharma, CEO – Airtel Digital TV, said, "We are thrilled to unveil the introduction of Anime Booth, marking a ground-breaking collaboration with Sony and reinforcing our commitment to providing innovative and captivating content to our valued customers. Anime Booth signifies a revolutionary advancement in anime viewing within India, offering an exclusive, ad-free platform that underscores our dedication to enhancing the entertainment experience."

Leena Lele Dutta, Business Head – Sony YAY!, (CMEPL), had this to say, "In a world where creativity is limitless and entertainment rapidly evolves through innovation, Anime has captured a global audience and is witnessing a remarkable surge in popularity in India. To cater to this escalating demand, we are introducing 'Anime Booth' in collaboration with Airtel, with the aim of transforming and elevating the anime viewing experience for India's enthusiastic fan community.”

This collaboration highlights the commitment of both CMEPL and Airtel to offering innovative and varied content experiences to their extensive subscriber base.

Indians Streaming F1 Races in 2023 Witnessed 50% Increase; Pathan, Jailer, Farzi Most Watched Movies: Fire TV Report

Cricket was one of the most streamed content in 2023: Amazon Fire TV Streaming Trends Report

• Pathan, Jailer, Farzi, Drishyam 2, and Rocky Aur Rani were some of the most-watched movies
• Comedy, thriller, and drama were some of the most popular genres of content watched by Fire TV users
• Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma, Big Boss, Anupama, Ramayan, and CID were the most voice-searched Indian titles
• One in every three Fire TV users enjoyed playing music through Amazon Music, Spotify and others music apps on Fire TV
• Indians across 99% of the pin codes have purchased Fire TV Stick devices

Indians spent more hours streaming cricket vs entertainment content during domestic and international cricket tournaments in 2023 as per Amazon Fire TV Streaming Trends Report. Published by Amazon, the annual edition of the report captures aggregated insights on how Indian viewers consumed content on their Fire TV devices in 2023. Data reveals that Maharashtra, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu streamed more hours of cricket than other states on Fire TV.

In 2023, Indian households spent around four hours per day streaming their favorite movies, shows, cricket matches, playing games, and listening to music, through Fire TV. A family in Delhi streamed 5.4 hours every day in 2023, the highest by any Indian household through Fire TV.

Favorites on Fire TV: Sports, Kids’ content, news, and TV shows

• Besides cricket, Fire TV users also enjoyed streaming F1 races. Viewership for F1 races witnessed a 50% increase from last year
• Kids’ related apps saw approximately 31% increase in monthly streaming hours per customer. Some of the popular apps include YouTube Kids, ChuChu TV, HappyKids and others
• Fire TV users also enjoyed playing music on their TV. Last year, one in every three users played music through Amazon Music, Spotify, and other music apps through Fire TV.
• Fire TV users made the most of free (ad-supported) streaming platforms. Apps such as YouTube, miniTV, MX Player, and others saw approximately 23% year-over-year increase in streaming hours

Users enjoy the convenience of Alexa’s universal voice search on Fire TV

• Approximately 80% of Fire TV users took Alexa’s help in searching and navigating through their favorite content across 12,000 apps, controlling their Alexa-enabled smart home appliances, setting reminders, etc.
• Comedy, thriller, and drama were some of the most popular genres of content watched by Fire TV users. Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma was the most voice-searched Indian title, followed by Big Boss, Anupama, Ramayan, and CID to name a few
• Parents of young kids used Alexa to search and play popular kids’ shows namely Cocomelon, Peppa Pig, and Chhota Bheem through Fire TV.

Indians across 99% of the pin codes have purchased Fire TV devices

• With thousands of positive reviews and a 4+ rating on Amazon.in, Fire TV Sticks have been bought by Indians across 99% of the pin codes of the country

From Kavaratti in Lakshadweep, Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar, Kamrup in Assam, Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh, to Purnia in Bihar – families enjoyed the streaming experience offered by Fire TV

Fire TV users enjoyed streaming Prime Video movies and originals

• Some of the most streamed movie on Prime Video were Pathan, Bawaal, Rocky aur Rani, Jailer, Drishyam 2, Pippa, and Mast Mein Rehne Ka
• Popular Prime Video original series streamed by Fire TV users were Farzi, Dahaad, Jubilee, and Made In heaven, to name a few

About Fire TV

Fire TV is the one-stop destination for all the streaming needs and brings together 12,000+ channels, apps, and Alexa skills for a flexible, easy-to-use, and personalized experience. It is built on the Fire OS and it converts your normal TV to a smart TV. It supports all the major OTT apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, JioCinema, ZEE5, Sony Liv, and much more. With Fire TV devices one can keep the whole family entertained. There’s a little something for everyone, be it kids, elders, movie buffs or sports fans. Kids have a whole range of content that can be accessed like Chu Chu TV, YouTube Kids, to name a few. Press and hold the voice/ Alexa button on the Fire TV remote and ask Alexa to find, launch and control content. Easily search and enjoy thousands of movies, TV shows, apps, and games. Alexa can also play music, control compatible- smart home appliances, answer questions, read the news, check the weather, and set alarms. Customers can choose from a range of devices such as Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, and Smart TVs with Fire TV built-in. For more information visit http://Amazon.in/firetv

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalised recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.aboutamazon.in and follow @AmazonNews_IN.

Meet StarClinch, A VC Funded e-Markeplace for Entertainment Industry

There's no doubt that booking live performers can be a daunting task. The media and entertainment industry is highly unstructured which makes it difficult to find the right artist for an event, be it corporate, private or campus.

For years, StarClinch has been seen as a secret weapon of many users, especially when they are short of time and are looking for immediate and trustworthy solutions. StarClinch.com is an easy-to-use online discovery and booking platform which allows users to book any kind of live entertainment in just a few clicks. The most popular entertainment options include singers, live bands, stand-up comedians, anchors/emcees, celebrities, dancers, DJs, etc. 

The platform makes it easier for individuals, event planners, corporations, and many other organizations to select from a range of 13k+ artists across 14 categories for more than 16+ event types.

However, these are not the StarClinch secrets that have made it as successful and popular as it is today. They are, without a doubt, the strengths and USPs of this unique artist booking platform but their secret weapon is something else.

StarClinch has a vast network of contacts personally maintained by the sales ninja team, making the booking process personalized and effective for a user's various special occasions. As a result, inviting your favorite artists has never been easier. 

MD and CEO of StarClinch, Mr. Varun Agrawal says,

Booking entertainment through us is as easy as ordering a smartphone from Amazon. We are the largest marketplace for artists and have earned a solid and trustworthy reputation in the industry.

Another secret of StarClinch is its vision of sustainability, surety and solution oriented approach to the entertainment ecosystem. A lesser-known fact about the PAN India functional startup is that it helps aspiring artists find work by allowing them to create their profiles on the website. As an artist, it can be tough to keep track of all the bookings coming up. They need to be in multiple places at the same time and keep track of the potential work opportunities. They rarely get the time to get it all done in the day.

The website has a separate domain known as the "Artist Cockpit," where artists can post pictures and videos about their gigs and previous work. The platform allows artists to post links to their YouTube channels so that users can view the style of work and way of performing. This attracts users, who will eventually book the artists for their events. The artist's profile gives users insight into the artist's work and gives them confidence and satisfaction in the artist they will be hiring.

The benefits of using StarClinch are numerous. The most important and perhaps the one which leaves an everlasting impression is the fact that this marketplace creates a community of artists who caters to the user's specific needs. As a "one-size-fits-all" solution, StarClinch is a single platform which accommodates all entertainers at one place. With thousands of talented performers at the user's fingertips, it is guaranteed to find the perfect fit for their events.

With the exception of the performance fee set by the artists themselves, StarClinch is an ‘Upwork/Fiverr of the entertainment industry’ helping freelancing artists make their space in the gig economy and simultaneously giving Individuals a platform to book artists ONLINE through the web app for their events. So be sure to check them out if you're looking to hire a celebrity for your next event!

How to Get Started With StarClinch

Step 1 - Head to the website and search the artist/celebrity you're looking to book.

Step 2 - Fill out a simple form with your contact information, event details and the Artist you wish to book and post your requirement.

Step 3 - You would receive a call back from the Sales Ninjas.
They would provide you with a wide range of options to choose from well within your prescribed budget.

Step 4 - Confirm the Artist you want to book and receive the required details like Confirmation and Invoice on your email and whatsapp. Step 5 : Make the payment online and enjoy the convenience of cashless transactions.

Step 6 : Enjoy the show

StarClinch Success Stories

India's work culture is undergoing a significant change. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused rapid digitalization, hybrid working practices, strong startup ecosystem, and dynamic talent landscape that have all changed the labor market. The lines between work and play are becoming more and more hazy in the workplace, and is undergoing a paradigm transition. The pandemic liberated the systematic work structures from the confines of the office and resulted in the unlocking of the gig economy.

To keep up with the interruptions of COVID-19, corporate organizations almost immediately switched to remote working arrangements in order to avoid further delays of project completion, retention of clients and customers, and other significant losses. However, the pandemic left a long lasting impression on the mental health of employees and made it challenging for them to handle social isolation and burnout from increased work stress.

StarClinch undertook a few case studies to avoid stagnation amongst the employees and corporate work culture and pitched them the StarClinch Solution. 

BYJU’s is the world's largest edu-tech company with an intensive salesforce. BYJU’S used to thrive in the work environment that they created before the pandemic. They have a young crowd and a very chilled out atmosphere.

Challenges

The required sales targets were hectic and mind consuming for their employees. Thus, making a fall in the company’s employee headcount by 9% (approx.)

StarClinch observed that the biggest challenge BYJU’s faced, was absence of an effective 'Relaxation Quotient' in their organization.

StarClinch solution

We suggested their HR with certain employee engagement activities. These were:

• Transformational workshops
• About 6 motivational sessions with Kamalini Roy
• Customized workshops to address 'Pain Points'
• Mind readers

Result

The prescribed activities proved to be of great help. BYJU’s gradually recorded a significant downfall of 15.6% in their attrition rate. By 2021, BYJU’s had a steep rise in its employee numbers.

Kalakari Film Festival by Rishi Nikam Became Strong Backbone for Female Filmmakers

With 500+ women films, kalakari film festival is providing an international platform to women indian and international. filmmakers and directors Recognizing the work of women occurs through the kalakari film festival.

Art is a medium through which we can convey important messages. Kalakari Film Fest is a platform that provides this great opportunity for all artists. " Kalakari Film Festival " brings the Artist, Photography Exhibition, and Award Ceremony.all participants will get a chance to showcase their artwork at events around the world.

Submissions from all over the world

UK-US including Italy, Germany, Brazil, France, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt and almost every country in the world got their artwork registered, similarly more than 3000 registrations from the country and the world have joined this competition so far.

Rishi Nikam, Founder of Kalakari Film Fest said that the main objective of this event is to provide a platform to the artists of India who don't have a medium to display their talent and art on a worldwide level. Thus, Kalakari helps to spread Indian art. We want our artists to gain recognition. There is no registration fee for the artisans in this fest.

In a short span of time, Kalakari has gained popularity among the commoners as well as big celebrities. In this fest, celebrities from all over the world will make their presence online due to Corona. Also, congratulatory messages and wishes were sent to Kalakari Film Fest through video, which has increased the enthusiasm among the artists.

This Film Fest and Art Fest is an opportunity for all the artists of India to be part of Kalakari and showcase their talent with their team and directors.

Singer and Performer Purva Mantri Rank Amongst the Finalist At IPML

The wait is over! The Indian Music Pro League is at its last curve and Purva Mantri has yet again dazzled the stage time in again with her performances and made a space for herself in the finals.

Today with her unique voice, her flamboyant looks, and her quirkiness she has definitely created a space in not over a million hearts but also as one of the top finalists on the show. From the very beginning, she has been curating interesting styles and giving a twist to her music for the audience to have a glimpse of her versatility. Her hard work and dedication have paid off with flying colors.

Under the captaincy of Kailash Kher and singing alongside some of the biggest legends of music like Shaan, Mika Singh, Javed Ali, and many others. She has proven to be a star. As the days come closer to the finals, she works even harder and does her practices and riyaz even more.

Purva Mantri

Speaking about winning this milestone, singer, and performer Purva Mantri shares -

I am extremely elated with the response I have received and this victory means a lot to me. It’s the hard work and encouragement of my parents along with my perseverance and passion for music that has got me to where I am. When I sing I give my soul to music and I am sure my audience and my followers see that. I thank each one who has given me all the love and appreciation and I promise to work even harder and motivate myself to give everyone the best of me.

 

Huawei AppGallery & Hungama Music Join Hands to Provide Exceptional Streaming Experience in the Middle East

Unlimited streaming of over 12mn+ popular songs, music videos and podcasts in 20+ languages on Huawei devices, for Huawei AppGallery users in the region

New Delhi, 7th July 2021: Huawei AppGallery, the third largest app marketplace globally today announced that its year-long collaboration with Hungama Music, one of the leading music streaming services in India is now expanding to the Middle-East countries. With an aim to boost their global reach, Huawei has taken an initiative to bridge the gap between Indian apps and global users, starting from the Middle-East.

The association will help Huawei’s Middle-East users to indulge in an enriching streaming experience with Hungama Music and allowing them to access over 12 million songs, music videos and podcasts in 20+ languages from the biggest Indian and international labels on its platform.

The strengthening of the partnership between Huawei and Hungama Music through the AppGallery’s expansion in the Middle-East region, will offer the users a fluid music experience along with the availability of a large local library. Hungama Music has association with Mazzika Group, a leading Arabic music production & distribution company in the region. The partnership will allow Hungama Music to offer more than 10,000 tracks from popular artists like Ahmed Saad, Hisham Abbas, Abu and Ahmed Gamal.

Hungama Music is the first Indian integration with Huawei to go live in international markets, namely, UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and more. To create a holistic mobile ecosystem without geographical barriers, Huawei AppGallery is working with more Indian applications to support them with global exposure. This initiative will further diversify its existing app portfolio of over 2.3 million registered developers and offer a range of cross-border applications to its users. Previously, to attract app developers as well as to benefit them, Huawei AppGallery rolled out various incentives which included up to 90% of ad revenue to go to the app owners.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Lu Geng, Vice President Middle East and Africa, Huawei Global Partnerships & Eco-Development said -

We are excited to take our partnership with Hungama to the international markets. This association will allow an exceptional experience of audio and video streaming to Huawei’s users outside of India. It is a step forward to further strengthen our efforts to build a diverse app experience for our users. Starting from Middle-east, we are looking forward to taking the tie-up to the world’s market. Huawei has been committed to create an ecosystem where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. We will work with more Indian applications and take them to global markets.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Siddhartha Roy, COO, Hungama Digital Media said -

We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Huawei and expand the availability of our platform on Huawei AppGallery in the Middle East region. As a platform, we have always believed in building a robust distribution network that allows us to reach users across geographies and device ecosystems. We are certain that Huawei device users in the region will appreciate Hungama Music for its large and diverse library of Indian and international songs, music videos and podcasts.

Hungama Music is amongst the most popular music streaming platforms in the country, offering content across formats, languages, genres, and categories. Huawei AppGallery is amongst the top three global app marketplaces. It offers a wide variety of global and local apps across 18 categories, including navigation & transport, news, social media, and others. AppGallery is available in more than 170 countries and regions with over 540 million monthly active users.

Emphasizing utmost importance on privacy and cyber security, AppGallery is a trusted platform where every app goes through four major types of tests to ensure they offer 360-degree security to the user.