Netflix to Acquire Ben Affleck’s AI Firm in $600M Deal

Netflix is acquiring Ben Affleck’s AI filmmaking company InterPositive for up to $600 million, marking one of its largest tech-driven bets yet. The cash portion is lower, with additional payouts tied to performance milestones, signaling Hollywood’s growing embrace of AI-powered content creation.

Post acquisition, Netflix will be bringing its 16‑person team into the streaming giant.  

Key Details of the Deal

• Company: InterPositive, founded by Ben Affleck in 2022
• Acquisition Price: Up to $600 million (cash + performance-based earnouts)
• Purpose: Accelerate Netflix’s use of AI in filmmaking
• Capabilities:
  • AI tools to maintain cinematic logic
  • Automated fixes for production issues (e.g., lighting errors)
• Context: Netflix recently lost a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, making this deal a strategic pivot toward proprietary tech

Why This Matters

• Hollywood Shift: The deal underscores how major studios are warming to AI-generated or AI-assisted content.
• Creative Control: InterPositive’s tech is designed to support filmmakers rather than replace them, ensuring artistic integrity while reducing costs.
• Strategic Edge: Netflix gains exclusive access to AI filmmaking tools, potentially lowering production timelines and budgets.

Comparison: Netflix vs. Competitors in AI Adoption

Company	AI Strategy	Recent Moves
Netflix	Proprietary AI filmmaking via InterPositive	$600M acquisition of Affleck’s firm
Disney	AI for VFX and crowd simulations	Internal R&D, no major acquisitions
Warner Bros.	Exploring AI for script analysis	Focused on partnerships, not acquisitions
Amazon Prime	AI-driven recommendation & production planning	Heavy investment in predictive analytics

Risks & Challenges

• Creative Backlash: Filmmakers may resist AI involvement, fearing dilution of artistry.
• Regulatory Scrutiny: AI in media raises copyright and labor concerns.
• Execution Risk: InterPositive must hit performance targets for full payout.

What’s Next

• Expect Netflix to integrate AI into original productions by 2027, starting with mid-budget films.
• This move could reshape Hollywood workflows, making AI a standard tool in editing, continuity, and production design.
• Affleck’s dual role as a filmmaker and tech founder positions him as a bridge between creative and technological communities.

Interpositive Profile 

InterPositive is a Los Angeles‑based AI filmmaking startup founded by Ben Affleck in 2022. It focuses on AI tools that assist filmmakers in post‑production, continuity, and creative support. 

Core AI Capabilities

• Continuity Management: Detects inconsistencies in props, lighting, or wardrobe and suggests fixes before editing.
• Scene Optimization: Models cinematic logic to align camera angles, pacing, and transitions with storytelling conventions.
• Automated Corrections: Digitally adjusts lighting, color grading, or minor background elements to maintain realism.
• Production Efficiency: Flags errors early to reduce costly reshoots and accelerate post-production timelines.

Example in Practice

• Day 1: Actor’s coffee cup is half-full.
• Day 2: Cup is suddenly empty in the same sequence.
• AI Fix: Detects mismatch, alerts editor, and either recommends reshoot or digitally adjusts the cup for continuity.

Why Netflix Wants This

• Cost Savings: Reshoots can cost millions; AI fixes are cheaper.
• Scalability: Netflix produces hundreds of originals annually—AI ensures consistency across massive output.
• Creative Support: Affleck emphasizes AI is assistive, not a replacement, keeping directors in control.

Future Outlook

Netflix will roll out AI-assisted workflows first in mid-budget dramas and thrillers. Expansion into big-budget blockbusters is expected, especially for VFX-heavy productions. Affleck’s involvement positions the tech as a filmmaker’s ally, not a threat to artistry.

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.

Netflix Uses Generative AI for the First Time

Big moment in entertainment tech: Netflix has officially used generative AI to produce final footage in one of its original series for the first time.

The scene appears in The Eternaut, an Argentinian sci-fi show, where a building collapses in Buenos Aires during a toxic snowfall. Instead of traditional VFX, Netflix’s team used AI tools to generate the sequence—completing it 10 times faster and at a fraction of the cost. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the creators were “thrilled with the result,” and emphasized that AI is helping make films “better, not just cheaper”.

"That sequence actually is the very first [generative] AI final footage to appear on screen in a Netflix original series or film. So the creators were thrilled with the result," Sarandos said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call.

The Eternaut is officially a Netflix Original. It’s an Argentinian sci-fi series produced by Netflix in collaboration with K&S Films, and it premiered globally on the platform in April 2025.

What makes it especially notable is that it’s the first Netflix Original to feature generative AI in its final footage—used to create a dramatic building collapse scene in Buenos Aires. That sequence was completed 10 times faster than traditional VFX methods, marking a major shift in how Netflix approaches visual production.

Netflix Originals are films, series, documentaries, and specials that are either produced, co-produced, or exclusively distributed by Netflix. They’re branded as “Netflix Originals” even if Netflix didn’t create them from scratch—sometimes the company picks up shows from other networks or international studios and gives them global exposure.

Beyond visuals, Netflix is exploring AI for natural language search and Ad personalization.

Imagine saying “Show me a dark psychological thriller from the ’80s” and getting spot-on recommendations. For Ad personalization, generative AI

could help brands create tailored, cost-effective content.

However, this AI leap isn’t without controversy. The entertainment industry is still grappling with ethical concerns around AI’s impact on jobs and creative ownership—especially after the 2023 Hollywood strikes.

To recall, this year in April, Kannada film director Narasimha Murthy made waves by creating Love You, which is claimed to be the world's first Al-generated feature film.

Filmmakers exploring next-gen tools often ask how generative AI stacks up against traditional CGI. While both “make images with computers,” their pipelines, controls, costs, and creative roles diverge significantly.

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery), begins with concept art –› 3D modeling –› texturing –› rigging –› lighting –› rendering –› compositing. Each stage demands specialized artists and software (Maya, Houdini, Nuke).

VFX is artist-driven, precision-crafted. Every frame is manually built using tools like Maya, Houdini, or Nuke. It is time-intensive and expensive. Requires large teams and hardware.

While Generative AI, on the other hand, starts with a text or image prompt. It leverages pretrained models (Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, DALL·E) to synthesize visuals in seconds. Gen AI Requires prompt engineering more than manual sculpting.

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.

A Netflix Movie Uncovers the Dangers of Non-Stick Pans in Our Kitchen

Dark Waters on Netflix is a compelling film that unveils the dangers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical initially developed for military tanks but later used in manufacturing 'Teflon' for non-stick cookware. The movie follows the real-life story of attorney Rob Bilott, who takes on the chemical giant DuPont after discovering the harmful effects of PFOA on the environment and public health.

The 2019 Netflix film, directed by Todd Haynes and written by Mario Correa and Matthew Michael Carnahan, highlights the dangers associated with non-stick pans, particularly those coated with Teflon. The film, based on a true story, follows attorney Rob Bilott (played by Mark Ruffalo) as he takes on chemical giant DuPont over the harmful effects of a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), used in the production of Teflon.

PFOA, also known as a "forever chemical," does not break down in the environment and has been linked to serious health issues, including various cancers, birth defects, and other ailments. The movie underscores the importance of being aware of potentially toxic household items and the need for stricter regulations on harmful chemicals.

Key Points Highlighted in the Movie:

• Origin of PFOA: Initially developed for military applications, PFOA was later used in the production of Teflon, bringing it into everyday kitchens.
• Health Risks: PFOA, often referred to as a "forever chemical," does not break down easily in the environment and has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and other chronic illnesses.
• Legal Battle: Rob Bilott's lengthy legal battle against DuPont showcases the challenges of holding corporations accountable for environmental and public health damages.

This movie raises awareness about the potential dangers of common household items and the importance of stringent regulations on hazardous chemicals.

The real life case behind the film

The real-life case behind the film Dark Waters involves attorney Rob Bilott and his legal battle against the chemical giant DuPont. Here's a summary of the key events:

1. Initial Contact: In 1998, a West Virginia farmer named Wilbur Tennant approached Rob Bilott, claiming that his cattle were dying mysteriously and he suspected a nearby DuPont plant was responsible.
2. Investigation: Bilott, who initially specialized in defending chemical companies, decided to investigate Tennant's claims. He discovered that DuPont had been dumping a toxic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) into local water sources for decades.
3. Legal Battle: Bilott filed a federal suit against DuPont in 1999, which eventually expanded into a class-action lawsuit representing thousands of people affected by the contamination.
4. Settlement: In 2017, Bilott won a $671 million settlement on behalf of over 3,500 plaintiffs who claimed they had contracted diseases from the chemicals DuPont allegedly knew were dangerous.
5. Ongoing Efforts: Bilott continues to fight against other companies involved in the production and use of similar chemicals, seeking justice for affected communities.

The film Dark Waters brings to light the environmental and health impacts of PFOA and the importance of corporate accountability.

In 2011, a court-appointed C8 Science Panel concluded that there is a probable link between PFOA and kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, pre-eclampsia and ulcerative colitis.

Safer Alternatives to Non-Stick Cookware

There are several safer alternatives to traditional non-stick cookware that you can consider for your kitchen. Here are some options:

1. Ceramic Non-Stick: Ceramic-coated cookware provides a non-stick surface without the use of harmful chemicals like PTFE (Teflon). However, ceramic coatings can be less durable and may need to be replaced more frequently.
2. Cast Iron: Cast iron pans develop a natural non-stick surface when properly seasoned. They are highly durable, retain heat well, and can be used on the stove, in the oven, and even on the grill. However, they are heavy and require regular maintenance.
3. Enameled Cast Iron: This is similar to cast iron but has a smooth, enamel coating that makes it easier to clean. It retains heat well and is versatile, but it can be more expensive and heats more slowly.
4. Carbon Steel: Carbon steel pans are lighter than cast iron and heat up faster. They also develop a non-stick surface with proper seasoning. However, they can be reactive to acidic foods and require regular maintenance.
5. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel cookware is non-reactive, durable, and requires minimal maintenance. While it doesn't have a natural non-stick surface, it can be used safely with proper cooking techniques.

Each of these alternatives has its own set of pros and cons, so it's important to choose one that best fits your cooking style and preferences.

Besides, similar to the 'Dark Waters', there is a 2018 documentary film on Netflix called “The Devil We Know” which too is about a chemical compound used in the production of Teflon and DuPont’s role in covering up potential negative health impacts.

Reliance Industries' Viacom18 to Create Shows for Netflix in India

American video streaming and production company Netflix is in talks with Viacom18, part of the Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries’ media unit Network18, about a multi-year partnership to source content, said a report of Reuters, citing its three sources.

According to the report, Viacom18 would create shows for Netflix to help the US firm expand offerings in India. Citing its sources, the Reuters report said that "The scale of Netflix's ambition and aspiration in India is quite high and the deal could involve at least 10 shows, mainly in Hindi.

A Netflix spokesman in India however denied that the company was in talks with Network18 or Viacom18, but did not elaborate. A spokeswoman for Viacom18 declined to comment on whether any talks were under way, said the report.

The report, citing two of the sources, further said that Some Reliance executives are involved in the Netflix negotiations.

Launched 4-years ago in India, Netflix competes against the video streaming services of Amazon's Prime Walt Disney Co.'s "Disney+ Hotstar" and others local players.

Speaking about Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries, in recent weeks, the conglomerate has secured nearly $13 billion in investments from Facebook Inc, KKR & Co and other investors into its digital unit Jio Platforms, which houses movie and music apps, and a telecoms venture. In the month of May, Reliance’s Jio Platforms raised $4.6 Billion, which’s 85% of All PE/VC Investment in India, according a report by IVCA-EY.

In April this year, Netflix introduced new parental controls in India, including a PIN protect feature to prevent kids from accessing specific profiles. The new features were introduced at a time when people across the globe are spending more time indoors as part of efforts to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has claimed thousands of lives globally.

The new features are beroduced at a time when people across the globe are spending more time indoors as part of efforts to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has claimed thousands of lives globally.

To recall, Netflix along with Disney's Hotstar announced plans in early 2019 to adopt self-regulation guidelines for content streamed on their platforms within India, in an effort to prevent potential implementation of government censorship laws.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in December the company planned to invest nearly $400 million (Rs 3,000 Crore) during 2019 and 2020 to develop content for Indian viewers. Netflix is looking to develop premium content in India and distribute it globally, Hastings said.

 

Netflix Introduces Improved Parental Controls

Video streaming platform Netflix on Tuesday said it is introducing new parental controls, including a PIN protect feature to prevent kids from accessing specific profiles.

The new features are introduced at a time when people across the globe are spending more time indoors as part of efforts to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has claimed thousands of lives globally.

There are various reports that suggest that people are spending more time, consuming content online across platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hotstar given the lockdown.

"...based on feedback from its members, it (Netflix) has launched new, improved controls on its service to help parents, guardians and elders make the right viewing decisions for their families," Netflix said in a statement.

It added that parents can now PIN protect individual profiles to prevent kids from using them; tailor their kids' Netflix experience by filtering out titles that are not appropriate for their age; and remove individual series or films by title.

Parents will also be able to see what their kids have been watching within the profile created for them and turn off auto-play of episodes in kids profiles, the statement said.

These controls can be added to the Netflix profile by going to account settings on a laptop or a mobile browser, it added.

Netflix said it has been investing in a variety of kids and family films and TV shows, including animated films like Klaus, interactive shows like Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal and kids' series such as Boss Baby.

The Indian kids series Mighty Little Bheem is the most-watched pre-school series on Netflix globally, and the second-most watched kids' series for Netflix worldwide, it added.

Since its launch in April last year, Mighty Little Bheem has been watched by over 27 million households worldwide, including in Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.

Netflix has also announced Ghee Happy, an animated show about Hindu deities who, as children, attend a special daycare and discover their own powers. PTI SR

Delhi HC orders ISPs to Block Websites Allegedly Streaming Netflix, other's Content Unauthorizedly

The Delhi High Court has directed internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to websites like Tamilrockers, EZTV, KatMovie and LimeTorrent which are allegedly engaged in unauthorised streaming and distribution of movies and television series of production houses like Warner Bros, Universal and Netflix.

In his interim order, Justice Sanjeev Narula directed the ISPs to block access to all the URLs and IP addresses of the these websites.

Uniform resource locators (URLs) are address of a resource, like websites, on the internet.

The court also issued directions to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Information Technology to suspend the domain name registration of the websites infringing the copyright of production houses and to issue requisite notifications asking internet and telecom service providers to block such online sites.

The interim directions came on the plea of US-based entertainment company Warner Bros which contended that these sites were hosting, streaming and making available to the public its original content, as well as that of others like UTV, Star, Paramount, Universal and Netflix, without any authorisation.

The court also restrained the websites from "hosting, streaming, reproducing, distributing, making available to the public and/or communicating to the public, or facilitating the same, in any manner, on their websites, through the internet any cinematograph work/content/programme/ show in relation to which plaintiff (Warner Bros) has copyright".

After hearing Warner Bros, the court said a prima facie case was made out that if an interim order was not passed, irreparable harm or injury would be caused to the company. PTI HMP SKV

Netflix Rolls Out Rs 199 Mobile-only Plan to woo Indian Users

Premium video streaming company Netflix on Wednesday announced a Rs 199 mobile-only plan in India as it looks to woo viewers amid intense competition from Amazon Prime Videos and other local players.

The video content platform, which had been testing the mobile-only plan for several months in India, has also restructured its three existing plans.

Indians spend 30 per cent of their time on entertainment, they are consuming content on the go and in their homes. Members in India watch content on their mobile phones more than anywhere else in the world, Netflix Director Product Innovation Ajay Arora told reporters here.

He added that more people sign up for Netflix service on mobile phones in India more than any other country. "The mobile plan for Rs 199 a month is made for India. Users will have access to the same unlimited standard definition (SD), ad-free content under this plan," he said adding that this will help the company expand to smaller cities in the country.

The company has tested similar mobile-only plans in few other markets; but as of now, the offering is being announced in India only, Arora said.In India, Netflix has partners like Hathway, Bharti Airtel and ACT Fibernet to take its services to customers through these networks.

Recently, during an investor call, Netflix had said it believes that growth in the Indian market is a marathon; and that the company is witnessing steady progress here.

With the Rs 199 plan, Netflix hopes to further expand its business in a market where Pay TV average revenue per user (ARPU) is low (below $5).

Netflix, which is witnessing sluggish growth in its home market, is betting on markets like India to drive growth. The company has over 148 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. It doesn't disclose country-specific subscriber numbers.

Online content consumption in India has seen massive growth with data plans becoming more affordable. Data rates in India are among the cheapest globally.While there is a growing trend of consuming these on-demand content on television, a significant number of people watch content on smartphones.

While Netflix plays in the premium content streaming space, it competes with the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar and even YouTube, along with other local players in the Indian market.

Amazon Prime Videos, Hotstar and Zee5 offer services at Rs 999 annually.

The competition in the video-on-demand space has intensified, especially, after the launch of Reliance Jio's services as data tariffs have come down drastically in the country.

Players like ALTBalaji as well as vernacular platforms like Hoichoi are actively expanding their library with original programming to tap into the Indian market.

Netflix's global paid membership grew by 2.7 million in the second quarter, less than the 5.5 million in the year-ago period and its own forecast of five million for the June 2019 quarter.

In the third quarter, Netflix said it expects to grow by 7 million paid memberships (0.8 million in the US and 6.2 million internationally) compared to an addition of 6.1 million subscribers in the year-ago period. PTI

Xender and SONY India Join Hands to Create Indian Version of 'Netflix'

Xender, a leading offline mobile file transfer and sharing app, has taken another giant stride by tying knots with SONY India for its MovieChain project -- A Decentralized Movie Distribution Ecosystem. For the movie industry, this partnership between Xender and SONY India has reached a whole new level in the content business.

After Xender kicked off its MovieChain project, SONY India is the sixth mainstream movie studio that has agreed to join this venture. Earlier, Xender closed deals with several top-notch Bollywood movie studios including PVR, EROS, Yash Raj Film, Shemaroo, Viacom18. These movie studios have agreed to enrich Xender’s movie platform with almost a thousand latest and most popular Bollywood and Hollywood movies.

A senior specialist from SONY Pictures, Mr. Gaurav Nagpal, stated, “Earlier, Chinese companies could only enter the Indian market by importing Indian movies or exporting Chinese movies, but now Xender has created an innovative and revolutionary model based on thousands of millions of Indian Xender users and a decentralized Device to Device offline distribution mechanism. This product is expected to flip the movie industry around starting from mobile terminals.”

He suggested further that all major movie studios, distribution companies and cinema lines should learn to adapt to these new changes in the rapidly evolving internet era.

From zero to jumbo and from online to offline, this change is not only an indication of the change in terms of distribution channels for Bollywood movies, but also an indication that movies, being the best agent to convey arts, education and other values, will be able to cover a huge portion of traditionally neglected audience.

People who get held up by expensive movie tickets and a scarcity of cinema lines before would also have a chance to enjoy the latest movies and at a relatively cheaper price. Everything combined points directly to a new market and a patch of audiences.

Xender movie is focused on micropayments with high frequency. Its users no longer need to get all dressed up and travel through huge traffic to a cinema hall, nor do they have to pay a high subscription fee from now on. Now, they can access tons of Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters on their mobile phones anytime, anywhere at the lowest price (Rs 10-50/movie) one can ever imagine.

Meanwhile, Xender will bring so many incremental sales for copyright holders as it pushes each movie title directly to the hands of the millions of its users.

The founder of Xender and MovieChain project Mr. Peter Jiang believes that as global movie industry develops and expands at such a rapid pace, Xender and its MovieChain project will continue to explore opportunities to work with major movie studios all over the world. Having successfully closed the deal with SONY India further strengthens Xender’s strategic expansion on a global scale.

"This deal with SONY has made Xender a step further towards its goal: an offline version of Netflix. Although to change an industry requires a generation of people’s effort but we firmly believe that movie as a form of art is created for the great mass of people and hence should be enjoyed by the masses as well. Cinemas and online streaming platforms cannot monopolise the industry and more players would emerge as the next stage of the Internet revolution hits all the rising nations over the world," said Mr. Jiang.

As early as 2013, Xender started successfully as a tool application, with its speed and convenience, Xender has won over thousands of million users from more than 200 countries. It also tops the Google Play store and Apple store on tool ranks frequently. In 2017, Xender team initiated MovieChain project by introducing blockchain technology and a series of innovative business concepts: real-time revenue split, decentralised content storage, offline distribution, two-layer incentive mechanism and so on.

It is also expected to be one of the biggest disruptive players in the field from now on. For now, Xender and MovieChain project have planned to penetrate movie distribution, sales, copyright protection and all other lines of the movie industry.

Mr. Jiang is convinced that to most original content creators, copyright protection is the most difficult part. To tackle this problem, MovieChain is also proposing to start a non-profit organisation to jointly protect the interests and rights of the movie and other content creators.
About Xender

Xender is one of the world's leading application for file transfer and sharing. It offers users the convenience to transfer files of different types and sizes between mobile devices, either Android or iOS based, with no need for cables or Wi-Fi or cellular internet connection, and with absolutely no mobile data usage for transfer.

The company was established in 2011 with the vision to provide better connectivity to the world through technology innovation and devotion to users. Powered by a truly global team we are committed to highest quality standards and user experiences of our applications. With high growth rate in the past few years, we have now more than 700 million activated users globally covering all time zones and more than 30 different languages.

- Via BusinessWire India Feed

Increasing Penetration of Smartphones to Drive Indian Music Streaming Market - Research

Government initiatives such as Digital India and Bharat Net coupled with rising youth population, growing smartphone user base and increasing internet penetration in Tier II and Tier III cities to drive India music streaming market through 2023

According to TechSci Research report, “India Music Streaming Market By Type, By Revenue Generation, By Language, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 – 2023’’, music streaming market in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 22% until 2023. Reducing prices of smartphones and increasing data consumption owing to the availability of cheaper data plans are the key factors expected to boost demand for music streaming services during the forecast period. Moreover, rising youth population, growing investments in music streaming platforms, and various initiatives undertaken by the government such as Digital India and Bharat Net are anticipated to positively influence the country’s music streaming market in the coming years.

Launch of standalone platforms by players like Saavn is creating a new market for Indie music and the change in the mindset of consumers from not willing to pay for music subscriptions would help the music streaming market to grow at a robust pace in the coming years. Backed by its ease of use and robust music content availability, streaming services segment dominated the country’s music streaming market in 2017 and is anticipated to maintain its market dominance during the forecast period as well. Saavn, Google Play Music, Wynk and Gaana are among the major companies operating in India music streaming market. North region accounted for largest revenue share in India music streaming market in 2017 due to high purchasing power of people as well as huge and growing youth population.

Also Read - Alibaba to Launch Video Streaming Service in India with Paytm, UCWeb

“With the availability of local language content and free music streaming content on a variety of platforms, entry of global players in the market and improving access speeds, music streaming market in India is anticipated to register strong growth over the coming years. Moreover, tie-ups between music streaming companies and music labels is creating an attractive collection of music library. All the aforementioned factors are anticipated to boost average revenue per user and propel the music streaming market in India during the forecast period.”, said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

“India Music Streaming Market By Type, By Revenue Generation, By Language, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013 – 2023” has evaluated the future growth potential of India music streaming market and provides statistics and information on market size, structure and future market growth. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in India music streaming market.

[Top Image - zeebiz.com]

Now Entertain And Educate Your Kids By Using These 6 Live Mobile Tv Platforms

Gone are the days when people used to find alternatives to entertain themselves. They either used to go out for movies or spend time with family and relatives. But now with the surge in internet and smartphone penetration, people now just switch on their smartphone and entertain themselves. And this all is possible because of the techpreneurs and tech startups that have come up interesting and innovative apps which not only entertain folks but also educate them.

In this tech world when everyone is getting entertained by using live mobile tv platform then why should kids lack behind? Nowadays kids understand that they can watch TV shows “on demand” on a range of devices, from the family tablet to a parent’s smartphone.

There is now a growing collection of apps specially designed and curated for kids, from established broadcasters to internet companies to ensure complete enjoyment for kids. The focus is not only to entertain but also to educate.

At IndianWeb2, we bring you six dedicated video-on-demands apps for kids that took birth to entertain and educate them.

YouTube Kids App

The official YouTube Kids app is designed for curious little minds. This is a delightfully simple (and free!) app, where kids can discover videos, channels, and playlists they love. If you ever find a video you’re concerned about, please flag it. This helps make YouTube Kids better for everyone. Kids can enjoy favorites like Thomas & Friends, DreamworksTV and Talking Tom, online hits like Mother Goose Club, Super Simple Songs and Wonder Quest, plus anything else they’re into -- sports, animals, gaming, crafts and more.

nexGTv Kids App

What is childhood without the moral teachings from the Tales of Panchatantra, the delightful to-and-fro witty conversations between Vikram & Betal, the goofiness, and adventure of DuckTales or the heart-warming stories from Malgudi Days? In a bid to ensure that the upcoming, digital-first generation does not miss out on these entertaining yet educative shows. India’s first kids’ video & infotainment app, young viewers across the globe can now immerse themselves in an eclectic mix of wonderful stories and delightful characters from series both vintage and new that will not only entertain them but will also aid healthy intellectual development in their growth years!

NetflixApp

Netflix is a TV and film-streaming service aimed at all ages. It has a dedicated Kids feature, where any family members on your account who you have designated as children will only be able to see kids’ content. On Netflix’s App, you can specify whether they can see shows “for older kids and below” or just “for little kids only” while adding a PIN to your account to ensure your children don’t try to watch unsuitable content on the sly.

Voot App

Biggest bouquet of Kids content: The most popular series and the most popular characters like Motu Patlu, Chhota Bheem, Pokemon, Kung Fu Panda, Dora, SpongeBob etc. By Voot Kids Pin you can set up a pin to make sure your kids only see what you want them to You can also seamlessly toggle between Voot and Voot Kids through this Security Pin. The Exclusive Shake Feature allows you to instantly swap to episodes of other popular characters by simply shaking your phone.

Nick App

The Nick app for Android puts the best of Nickelodeon at your fingertips… hilarious videos, games, recent full episodes and more! So have fun, play around, watch shows, and prepare to laugh until you snarf milk from your nose.

YuppTv Bazaar

YuppTV, as the largest OTT player for South-Asian content across the globe, announced its association with USP Studios to make its video content available on the Bazaar platform. USP Studios is a native YouTube Content Creator primarily in the Kids & Learning space with over 350+ owned and managed YouTube channels in its network has catapulted itself into a global leadership position in the genre by crossing a landmark 10 billion views on its network in a short span of 3 years. Recognized for creating highly engaging, engrossing and unique content for kids, some of their top channels are Kids TV, Kids Channel and Farmers to name a few.

Facebook To Take on Netflix; Launches A New Platform For TV Shows

One of the most admirable things about Facebook is its effort to keep pace with the changing times and trends. Seeing the current generation's interaction with video content on its platform, Facebook has unveiled Watch, a new platform for shows, which has the potential of giving the likes of Netflix a run for their money.

To be made available in mobile, on desktop and laptop, and in Facebook's TV applications, the shows on the platform will be made of episodes, which will be either live or recorded. Keeping in line with the busy schedule that most people live nowadays, the tech giant has included a Watchlist feature in the Watch that will ensure that a person never misses out an episode of their favourite show.

Explaining his company's decision to embark on the Watch journey, Facebook's Director of Product, Daniel Danker recently wrote a blog on Facebook's newsroom website and explained that over the years the company has observed that watching videos on Facebook has the incredible power of connecting people, starting conversations, and fostering communities. He also acknowledged that even though people enjoy this experience of discovering videos in their News Feed, they have been longing for a dedicated place where they can straightaway go to watch videos. In order to cater to this demand, Facebook had launched the Video tab on its platform in the U.S. last year. However, they wanted to make it even easier for people to catch up with the shows they love and hence, Watch came into existence.

Introducing Watch

Posted by Facebook on Wednesday, 9 August 2017

Facebook's Watch will be personalized to help people discover new, interesting shows, organised according to what their friends and communities are currently binge watching on. The platform will carry tabs such as “What Friends Are Watching,” which will help people connect with friends about shows they too are following, a “Most Talked About" option which lists shows that have sparked a lot of conversations among viewers, and “What’s Making People Laugh" section which highlights shows that have garnered the “Haha” reaction from viewers.

According to Danker, their experience with Facebook Live has taught them that people’s comments and reactions to a video add to the overall experience of the video. That's why they have included a comments section in Watch to encourage conversations and more participation from viewers.

Not only viewers, Facebook's Watch will prove to be a golden opportunity for creators and publishers to cultivate an audience for their content, build a community of passionate fans, and earn reputable money for their work.

Danker is hopeful that Watch will soon become home to a wide range of shows, right from comedy to reality to live sports. In fact, Facebook has itself funded some community-oriented and episodic video series shows so as to encourage creators to create inspiring content and get the whole ecosystem rolling. Mike Rowe's Returning the Favor, where Rowe finds people who are doing something extraordinary for their community and tells the world their story is one such show.

Eros in Preliminary Talks With Netflix, Apple and Others to Sell Content Library

Popular Indian movie production house Eros is currently contemplating selling its entire content library of films and music. The production house is currently engrossed in preliminary talks with Apple and other major content distributors for the same, according to a report in Reuters.

The report also revealed that apart from Apple, other parties that are in the race to nab Eros' film and music library are Amazon and Netflix. The Reuters source revealed that the discussions are private and in very early stages.

The deal is being pegged at a whopping $1 billion, according to a report in the Economic Times. Mumbai-based JM Financial, which is one of India’s prominent financial services groups, specialising in providing a spectrum of businesses to corporations, financial institutions, high net-worth individuals and retail investors, is reportedly advising Eros on the deal.

While Eros Group and Netflix haven't released any official statement on the matter, Apple said it company's policy doesn't allow it to comment on speculations in the market. Amazon also aired the same views and said, "the company does not comment on rumour and speculation".

The flourishing Indian content streaming market has caught the attention of global players in the segment like Amazon and Netflix. Recent years have seen both the players working hard to garner the attention of Indian users by adding Hindi and Bollywood offerings to their content offerings.

According to the ET report, the deal is most likely to include Eros' digital over-the-top (OTT) platform, Eros Now, which is informally considered as the Netflix of Bollywood. For the uninitiated, with OTT platforms, subscribers get an opportunity to view films and TV content via the internet, without having to go through the trouble of signing up with a traditional cable or satellite-TV service provider.

India-listed Eros International Media shares rose as much as 9 per cent in early trading on the NSE to their highest since July 31, 2017. The stock was up 5 per cent at rupees 220.85 at 0600 GMT.

7 Apps You Need for Taking a Refreshing Break from Work

Amid the hectic realities of our everyday life, we often feel tempted by the urge to take breaks from work and do something relaxing and fun. If not because of work, then we are often bumped up by the constant feeling of leading a monotonous life and this makes it more important for us to consider taking breaks in between whatsoever we are doing! In either of the situations, it becomes extremely important for us to take some time away from work for the sole purpose of winding up all the complex thoughts and burdens that we carry around all day, every day.

So what exactly do you think can be done in that half an hour break that you are planning to take from work? If you have not found out anything fun and exciting to do in your free time yet, then this post is especially meant for you. How would you react if you are told that there are utility apps specially designed for the purpose of taking a refreshing break from work? Don’t be surprised, because today we are going to introduce seven such very useful and fun apps which you can use during your break time to feel refreshed just like that!!

7 Apps for a Refreshing Break Time

YouTube TubePlay

There is literally no one out there who has not yet used YouTube for browsing through their favourite videos and music and given to the fact that YouTube is the largest video streaming website on the internet today, it comes across as no big surprise that YouTube TubePlay is also a great entertainment app which you can use during your free time for feeling refreshed. Just like YouTube, you can use the YouTube TubePlay entertainment application on your smartphone from anywhere as well as everywhere. You can search for videos, listen to music, and search for YouTube playlists, channels, and vloggers.

Use these entertainment apps and make the most of your free time by tuning into some interesting media streaming!

Voot

Another interesting app that brings a lot of time pass and fun is the VOOT app. It is a TV series app which comes with lots and lots of TV shows with the best quality print. You get to see your favourite shows whenever you want with the VOOT app. Not only has that it also had some other really interesting TV series of itself that adds furthermore fun to your work.

A break with VOOT is a break worth it that is sure to freshen up your mind and make you well enough to get back to work. So, hurry up and download the VOOT app now as your break is waiting for you to enjoy VOOT.

ShowBox

ShowBox is a must-have app for you, irrespective of which smartphone you are using! Yes, ShowBox is available for both Android and iOS devices and it is a great utility app which you can use in your free time for feeling refreshed instantly. Basically, ShowBox is a highly recommended entertainment application which brings to its users a very wide collection of movies and TV series. This popular entertainment app is available to all users for absolutely free of cost and it enables them to stream their favorite movies and TV shows! With the power of streaming unlimited movies and TV shows, there is hardly any chance that you are going to find it difficult to take your next refreshing break from work. Downloading ShowBox application in Android and iOS is very easy and one of the best features of this app is that it streams all media in high resolution.

Get a chance to stay updated with all that’s going on in the world of entertainment with this extremely useful entertainment app for Android and iOS smartphones. If you are feeling the need to take that much- awaited break from your monotonous day at work, opt for the ShowBox entertainment app and watch movies wherever you are!

Netflix

It would not be wrong to call Netflix the father of all time- killing apps out there! It is hard to find anything that is not available at Netflix, be it old and new movies, TV shows or anything and everything even remotely related to the field of movies and television. Netflix has been around for a while now and it is already being used by millions of people all over the world. For those of you who are not yet aware of it, Netflix is the US- based multinational entertainment company and its sole purpose is to make streaming media available both online and over DVD as well. It is a paid application but there are some free Netflix alternative sites available, Yes, users can opt for Netflix DVDs by mail or go for the online streaming of their favorite movies and videos as well. Since Netflix app is available for your smartphone, you can watch your favorite movies and TV series anytime and anywhere while taking a break from work!

TVF

If in your break you want to watch something really interesting fun shows like short series including fun and entertainment then TVF is the best app for you. It has a huge number of TV series along with so many funny videos that go beyond your imagination and brings you lots and lots of entertainment.
For simple things of life, TVF produces dynamic series that gives you a space from work and makes you enjoy your break completely.

TVF is a complete entertainment package that will give you so many reasons to be happy and to laugh. It will completely utilize your time by teaching you some real aspects of life in a fun manner which is sure to bring you happiness. So, use this wonderful app on your break from work and stay entertained.

Hotstar

Hotstar is another great app that will entertain you and will keep you engaged through nest quality TV series, movies and latest music videos. Apart from this, it also has an amazing option for downloading the desired video so you can watch it whenever you want. Hotstar Go Solo, provides you with:-

High Definition quality videos No buffering and slow loading Downloading your favourite TV show for future purpose
All TV shows that are not available anywhere else Movies in best quality, anytime anywhere Taking a short break from your work and spending time with hotstar is seriously worth it. It will make you watch all that you want with complete freedom and independence. So have a break from your work and go solo with hotstar as it’s time to spare few moments with your own.

Saavn

Music gives peace and relaxation to your heart and mind. You may get badly frustrated from your work and would be in need of something that can make you get back removing all your frustration soon. Saavn is the best source to listen to music and get peace.

At Saavn you get to hear all that you want, like songs from all eras, all singers (new and old), all movies, albums and everything else. All you need to do is to download this app and login into it, and then just go with the beats. No matter if you want to hear Kishore Kumar or Arijit Singh, if you have Saavn you can listen to them all anytime, at any place.

It also provides you with the downloading feature that allows you to download the songs for future reference. So, get connected with Saavn and stay tuned with the music.

All these apps will make your break special and will clear your freaked out mind into a productive one, once again. You will be able to enjoy your break and be happy about going back to work. So, use these entertainment apps and make the most of your free time by tuning into some interesting media streaming!

Author Of This Article

Yash Mehta is CEO of a Internet of Things startup named ‘Esthan’. He is a sole owner of Iotworm blog, a blog concentrated on emerging Internet of Things technology. Yash has contributed on various IoT topics in leading business blogs. He is a IoT and Data Science expert by procession and developer of a commercial data analytics tool named ‘dataworm’. You can follow him on twitter.com/iotworm

Netflix Launches In India Today, With Starting Plan of Rs 500

US-based on-demand Internet streaming media service Netflix Finally arrives in India (https://www.netflix.com/in/) with three different plans starting from Rs 500 per month.

Apart from India, the company also launched its services in more than a hundred new countries, including in Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Chief executive Reed Hastings announced the launch at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, bringing to an end feverish rounds of speculation in the media.

Netflix Users are provided with a first month free trial post which they will have to pay to continue using their services.

In the Standard Plan, Users will get access to HD Prints along with that they would be able to watch shows on two different screens simultaneously. Premium Plan offers its users to watch Ultra HD Prints (4K) and let them watch it on 4 different screens simultaneously.

Netflix's Indian Subscription Prices are almost the same as of the United States. The One Screen Basic Plan in US is priced at $7.99 ( Approx Rs. 533 ) , Two Screens Standard Plan is priced at $9.99 (Rs 666 approx) and 4 screens premium plan is priced at $11.99 ( Approx INR 800 ). Like US, India users also gets first month free when they subscribe.

As of October 2015, Netflix reported 69.17 million subscribers worldwide, including more than 43 million in the U.S.

In India, Netflix will be competing with other on-demand video services like Hooq which was launched for Rs 199 per month, Star’s Hotstar, Ogle, Ditto TV, Big Flix, Spuul and others.

Netflix Launches In India Today, With Starting Plan of Rs 500

US-based on-demand Internet streaming media service Netflix Finally arrives in India (https://www.netflix.com/in/) with three different plans starting from Rs 500 per month.

Apart from India, the company also launched its services in more than a hundred new countries, including in Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines, and Indonesia.

Chief executive Reed Hastings announced the launch at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, bringing to an end feverish rounds of speculation in the media.

Netflix Users are provided with a first month free trial post which they will have to pay to continue using their services.

In the Standard Plan, Users will get access to HD Prints along with that they would be able to watch shows on two different screens simultaneously. Premium Plan offers its users to watch Ultra HD Prints (4K) and let them watch it on 4 different screens simultaneously.

Netflix's Indian Subscription Prices are almost the same as of the United States. The One Screen Basic Plan in US is priced at $7.99 ( Approx Rs. 533 ) , Two Screens Standard Plan is priced at $9.99 (Rs 666 approx) and 4 screens premium plan is priced at $11.99 ( Approx INR 800 ). Like US, India users also gets first month free when they subscribe.

As of October 2015, Netflix reported 69.17 million subscribers worldwide, including more than 43 million in the U.S.

In India, Netflix will be competing with other on-demand video services like Hooq which was launched for Rs 199 per month, Star’s Hotstar, Ogle, Ditto TV, Big Flix, Spuul and others.