Week at a glance: The JioStar behemoth; Leadership team at JioStar; SCREENXX 2024

Dear friends,

The Reliance-Disney merger was finally completed this week, thus heralding a new era in India’s M&E industry. To be christened JioStar, the Rs 70,352 cr juggernaut will have far-reaching impact on both the linear television space and OTT streaming. A fresh team of some old and some new faces has been announced that will be led by Nita M Ambani as Chairperson and Uday Shankar as Vice-Chair, along with a troika of CEOs – Kevin Vaz, Kiran Mani, Sanjog Gupta.

Rs 70,352 cr JioStar behemoth – Heralding a new era in India’s entertainment industry

With over 100 TV channels producing 30,000+ hours of TV entertainment content annually and an aggregate subscription base of over 50 million, the long-in-the-making merger of the media and JioCinema businesses of Viacom18 into Star India Private Limited (SIPL) has become effective, after receiving the approval from the NCLT Mumbai, Competition Commission of India and other regulatory authorities.

JioStar will deliver an even more robust portfolio of entertainment & sports: Bob Iger

We aim to build India’s largest integrated media platform: Uday Shankar

Indian entertainment enters new era with Reliance-Disney JV: Ambani

Post-merger Star India to be spearheaded by CEOs Kevin Vaz, Kiran Mani, Sanjog Gupta

The Reliance-Disney JV will be spearheaded by three CEOs who will lead the company into a new era of ambition and disruption. Kevin Vaz will head the entertainment organisation across platforms. Kiran Mani will take charge of the combined digital organization. Sanjog Gupta will lead the combined sports organisation. Together, they will leverage their unique strengths to cultivate a bold, transformative vision that challenges the status quo and sets new standards in the industry.

SCREENXX Summit & Awards 2024

OTTplay, Amazon Prime, JioCinema, Hoichoi, TVF shine at SCREENXX Awards 2024

Over the last six years, Adgully’s SCREENXX Awards has established itself as a premier platform where creativity meets recognition in the world of OTT and digital entertainment. Breakthrough artists to seasoned creators, SCREENXX Awards has been celebrating the best in the industry.

AG Talk: Abbey Thomas, Volkswagen

Print & OOH remain key channels for building Volkswagen’s brand visibility: Abbey Thomas

In this exclusive Ag Talk interaction with Adgully, Abbey Thomas, Head of Marketing & PR, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India, highlights how the company balances traditional media, such as print, with digital and out-of-home (OOH) advertising in their media mix for their campaigns.

Performance marketing

Precision meets power: The need for performance marketing in a data-driven world

In this feature, Adgully explores the dynamic shifts within performance marketing, the latest trends fueling its rise, and the challenges marketers must overcome to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced digital world.

Combating fake news

Fight against fake news: NBDA, Editors Guild to depose before Parliamentary panel

With the aim to review the mechanisms and strengthen the fight against fake news in the country, the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology is slated to meet on November 21.

Gaming regulation

Navigating the regulatory universe of gaming in India – Some pressing issues persist

The absence of a unified regulatory authority has led to a fragmented gaming landscape, with different states enacting their own rules and regulations. This patchwork approach creates confusion, hinders growth, and undermines the industry’s potential.

OTT & Inclusivity

Inclusive storytelling on OTT platforms: Breaking stereotypes and fostering empathy

The representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Indian media has undergone a profound transformation in recent years, shifting from marginalization to increasing visibility and celebration.

Other headlines:

Star-Viacom18 merger a potential double whammy for Sun TV: Motilal Oswal

Bacardi aims to be world’s top catalyst for unforgettable experiences: Mahesh Kanchan

Diwali 2024 sparked 14% hike in online sales, 42% rise in online traffic: Criteo

It’s tough to understand the commerce behind cinema at the moment: Goldie Behl

RBI Awards Star India Contract for Web Series

Until next week…

Shanta Saikia

Editor

Adgully