The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will not regulate over-the-top (OTT) players, or apps, from the definition of telecommunication services in the Telecom Bill, reported The Economic Times. This will give huge relief to communication service providers such as WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram, and will remain out of telecom regulation. 

 

According to DoT, the current definition of telecom services under the Telegraph Act is good enough and that there’s no need to add OTT in the new bill. The ET report quotes an official, “We (DoT) don’t have any intent to regulate OTT. No revenue share, nothing at all.”

 

The move to remove OTT from the Telecom Bill is expected to be tabled in the winter session of the Parliament.

OTTs, apps will not be regulated as telecom services: DoT

The move to remove OTT from the Telecom Bill is expected to be tabled in the winter session of the Parliament.

Leadership changes at ZEEL: CRO Atul Das steps down, Anil Malhotra to succeed

Tata Digital undergoes organisational restructuring

WinZO to export impact-driven and Indian culture-based gaming tech

Disney announces Q2 results: Streaming hits profit milestone

Sharan Hegde first South Asian finance creator to make red carpet appearance at Cannes

Gupshup appointments Salim Ali as chief marketing officer

Representational image via Unsplash

Zee-Sony merger saga ends: Timeline of the failed merger

Why are Indian brands advertising in NYC's Times Square?

What Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick teaches us about leadership

Advertising is in the position where tobacco was: IPG's Arun Kumar 

Biz Moves: Interactive Avenues, Verve Media, Foxymoron and Grapes

There is an opportunity for building a better agency, not just a different one: Manja's Prajato Guha

BJP's digital ad spending soars to nearly Rs.17 crore in last 7 days amid election season

Pidilite records Rs 11,118 crore as net sales for the year

Amazon Prime Video confirms Aparna Purohit's exit

600 million Indian consumers embrace the open internet: Trade Desk

Piyush Pandey

Adtech regulation a priority for Modi govt in third term: MoS Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Credibility of news and platforms are as important as monetisation challenges: Anurag Thakur

HUL: Meet the leaders who have emerged from "The CEO Factory"

Punit Goenka addresses Zee employees; ensures no layoffs due to failed merger

Disney's strategic sale to Viacom18 set to boost market share to 40 percent

The Leader's Edge: Storyboard18 in conversation with leaders, decision makers and disruptors

Nobody’s Perfect Retro Porsche Ad

In Conversation With Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard

Shahid Kapoor And Varun Ganjoo Speaks On PokerBaazi's Campaign

In conversation with IHCL’s Puneet Chhatwal & GroupM’s Kate Scott-Dawkins

Why are brands including e-sports in their sports marketing itinerary?

Storyboard18 x The English Nut: How to pronounce these 10 brand names

Experts' Take On Reinvention Of Ad Campaigns Through Technology

Experts Speak On Key Emerging Trends In Cannes Lions Entries

Leaders of the future have to be outstanding human beings: Nestle MD

In conversation with VMLY&R’s Hari Ramanathan

JSW Paints, India’s leading environment-friendly paints company and part of the US$23 billion JSW Group has launched a new brand campaign for its iBlok Waterstop product range. In the new “Khoobsurat Soch” campaign, Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana urges every Indian consumer to add new depth to Thinking Beautiful in order to protect their home beyond the surface coating of the walls, highlighted the company. The new campaign will be launched across various television channels as well as digital and social platforms.


Conceptualized by TBWA/India, the film features brand ambassador Khurrana as he navigates conversations and has a solution to block leakage from affecting the ceiling he created in his new home.


According to AS Sundaresan, Joint MD & CEO of JSW Paints, “We urge our consumers to ‘Think Beautiful’ and when they do we are always there. The insight behind the campaign is that when a customer has a ‘Khoosurat Soch’ to have a beautiful ceiling - often affected by leakage, JSW Paints iBlok range is there to ensure it is surely protected. This lets them do more at home and keep it beautiful.”


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nQsB4Pr9814?si=UPFmZZd3PgVgTeTr" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Govind Pandey, CEO, TBWA\India said, "You think beautiful not just when you create something beautiful but also when you protect beautiful creations!"


Russell Barrett, CCExpO, TBWA\India said, "JSW Paints has stood for disrupting the category through thoughtful innovations for years now. With this film, the brand asked the provocative question - wouldn’t it be nice if more irritants in life could be blocked just as easily as iBlok waterproofing range blocks and protect our homes from the elements? The film dramatizes that perfect world with a humorous reminder that iBlok waterproofing range of paints protects our homes from the irritants on the outside, unfortunately not for those found on the inside."


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/amazon-prime-video-embraces-lauki-ahead-of-panchayats-new-season-30942.htm">Amazon Prime Video embraces ‘Lauki’ ahead of Panchayat’s new season</a>

JSW Paints’ rolls out 'Khoobsurat Soch' campaign featuring Ayushmann Khurrana for its waterproofing range iBlok

As per reports, Meta’s social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger have been displaying explicit ads that are promoting ‘AI girlfriends’, which is in violation of the company’s advertising policies.

The ads have caused debate because of their sexually suggestive content and its possible exposure in work places.

Wired conducted a survey which revealed over 29000 instances of ads related to AI girlfriends across Meta’s platforms. The ads feature chatbots who engage in sexually suggestive conversation, often accompanied with AI-generated images of women.

Many ads contain the NSFW (not safe for work) warning but a large proportion of them are devoid of it, which raises concerns.

As per Meta’s advertising policies, adult content including nudity, sexually suggestive and explicit activities are strictly prohibited. As per reports, over half of the ads found were in violation of these policies.

Meta has been actively working towards removing these ads. The company in a statement said that it constantly enhances its systems to help detect and remove such ads which violate its policies. 

Meta to take action against 'AI girlfriend' ads that violate its ad policy

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, an omnichannel travel services provider has launched its Ghar Jao Vote Karo campaign. The Company’s strategy is two pronged: encourage citizens to vote and reward them for their efforts with a holiday discount & a free travel bag once they vote.

Election Commission data revealed that of the eligible population, 67.11 percent cast their vote in the 2019 general elections. A challenge impacting the turnout was the migrating Indian population, moving from Tier II and III cities into urban towns/metros. Thomas Cook India recognising the importance of every vote, has hence conceptualised its campaign to create awareness while gratifying the voter with incentives, stated the company. 


Thomas Cook India’s Ghar Jao Vote Karo campaign will extend till June 1, 2024, to encourage Indians to exercise their right to vote by flying back to their respective hometowns - where they have been registered as voters. 


As part of the campaign, the pre-election offer includes a discount of Rs. 1,000 off on return air tickets (per adult) on providing proof via any official document such as their Voter ID/ Aadhaar Card, etc. The last date of flight departure is June 1, 2024, synchronised with the last date of polling.

 
Several voting dates this year coincide with India’s summer vacation season. Hence, in its initiative to recognise and reward active participation in the electoral process, Thomas Cook India will offer a special post-voting holiday discount- for its domestic and international group tours (Rs. 3000 off on its Domestic Group Tours or Rs. 5000 off on its International Group Tours, per family). The process is simple: customers merely need to display their inked finger at any of Thomas Cook’s extensive retail outlets pan India and avail the offer. The exclusive post-voting holiday discount is valid up to July 31, 2024.

 
With many election dates falling on Mondays, Thomas Cook’s data reveals that with travel high on their consideration, Indians are likely to extend their weekends into ‘smart weekend holidays’ thus accelerating the emerging trend of ‘Election Tourism', added the company.


Abraham Alapatt, president and group head - marketing, service quality, value added services and innovation said, “With our Ghar Jao Vote Karo campaign, we want to inspire Indians to vote – especially if they need to travel to their hometowns to exercise their franchise. Our intent is two-fold - motivate Indians pre-voting to make the effort and to thank them post-voting, with a special holiday offer of a discount and a travel bag. The campaign message of Ghar Jao Vote Karo - also makes for engaging social sharing - that we believe, will not just encourage voters but also serve to amplify this important message to others as well.” 


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/thomas-cook-india-foresees-continued-growth-in-leisure-travel-despite-elevated-costs-28239.htm">Thomas Cook India foresees continued growth in leisure travel despite elevated costs</a>

Thomas Cook India aims to motivate voters with its ‘Ghar Jao Vote Karo’ campaign

Much is being said about Gen Zers and the challenge that youth brands face in reaching out to these groups of original digital natives. The best way to analyse any tough challenge is to decode the issues and get down to the basics. The same approach could help with Gen Z youth.

Gen Z denotes those born between 1995 and 2010. Since this represents the first generation that was at ease in zooming into the Internet, the ‘Z’ refers to ‘zoomer’. Understandably, Gen Zers are tech-savvy, progressive, globally-connected, individualistic and radically inclusive, to mention just a few of their characteristics. That is why brand marketers are usually advised to create alluring social media content in attracting Gen Z consumers. Yet, this is easier said than done. Let’s understand why.

Fluid, Fiercely Independent and More

To begin with, Gen Zers are a difficult-to-define generation. It’s the fluidity and fierce independence that has made Gen Zers so challenging to get through for brands. Research insights from Horizon Media reveal another aspect that makes them a tough nut to crack for marketers – their preference for going niche. Accordingly, brands are advised to follow the niche route and avoid the norm when it comes to courting and connecting with the seemingly contradictory nature of Gen Zers. Protracted periods of social isolation, especially during the pandemic, have created an influential generation that hankers for niche pursuits and like-minded cohorts.
 
Mass Niche and Other Key Insights

Two key findings from this research tell a tale in themselves. First, to find new content connected to their novel passions, 89 percent of Gen Zers bank on social media. Second, 65 percent view themselves as really big fans of something. 

More significantly, compared to older generations, the youth is 30% more inclined to believe that enjoying many ‘small interests’ is a better option than restricting themselves to in-depth subjects that are fewer. In a nutshell, this generation is spearheading the era of mass niche.

Additionally, along this transformative journey, they are creating and redefining their individuality across several subcultures each day. As a result, Gen Zers are no longer passive observers within their groups but have turned into active participants within these communities who are co-creating stories while forming strong bonds across varied subcultures. Gen Zers don’t feel the pressure of conforming to their peers and believe strongly in standing apart. 
 
The Significance of Subcultures

Again, it is imperative to decode the meaning of subcultures. In essence, it signifies groups of people who distance or differentiate themselves from the values and norms of mainstream society. In the case of Gen Z, this is determined by the search for community-oriented experiences that encourage them to connect via their interests and passion.

It is these trends, beliefs and insights of Gen Zers that brands must comprehend and connect with to get their messaging across. Social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels have triggered big-time shifts in how these groups consume and search, boosting the potency of such subcultures. Given this backdrop, brands should appreciate the role of social media in driving Gen Z culture and consumption. Irrespective of the channel, brands need to embrace a social-first approach to connect with the target audiences they influence.

Some of the subcultures cover categories such as Entertainment, Retail, Sports, Music, Gaming and Identity, among others. Consider the Comfort Creators. The self-care enthusiasts grant permission to unwind in the current hustle culture without entirely disconnecting. The Copyconomists crowdsource cost-smart workarounds that make sure they top the latest trends without busting the bank. As for the Country Revivers, they embrace the light-hearted folk sensibility of country music, remixing for a more diverse, broader audience. Then there are the TALE-gaters, who craft narratives in the world of sports that stretch beyond scoreboards and invite wider audiences to enjoy and engage in sports fandom.

A Flashback to Further Understand Gen Zers

In doing a recap, it’s no surprise that the Internet usage of Gen Zers zoomed during the pandemic when the best way to pass time was to download videos and create a few themselves. Some of the most influential trends went viral during this period, forever transforming Gen Z culture.

The soaring Internet consumption meant Gen Zers dived deeper into this online realm and began discovering what interested them the most. A sizeable section of this youthful generation realised they could really be themselves online. It is this feeling of freedom that propelled Gen Z subcultures.
However, some brands may still be wondering why they should focus on Gen Z subcultures. That is necessary since subcultures have emerged as the new demographics for this young generation. If marketers want productive outcomes for their brand campaigns, the way forward lies in targeting relevant community groups that spur higher engagement rates. This is primarily because these audiences are eagerly waiting to consume content that resonates with their niche values. 

For brands seeking to engage with Gen Z subcultures, it is crucial to choose a clear cultural line, not spread the net far and wide for everything. Instead, marketers must choose what best represents their brand while paying attention to the youth in these communities and subcultures. That is the only way brand stories will resonate with these youth who have a mind of their own and prefer to stay away from the social herd.
Ultimately, it is only by connecting with subcultures that brands can win the chance to build authentic connections with Gen Zers. This is the best way to create winning propositions for both brands and Gen Zers.


The article is written by Rahul Arora, National Sales Head, Rusk Media. Views expressed are personal.

Gen Z subcultures: What does it mean for youth brands?

Alphabet paid $20 billion to Apple in 2022 to maintain its status as the default search engine on Safari, Apple’s web browser. As per a report by Bloomberg, the amount Google paid in 2021 was around $15 billion.

The numbers were disclosed through documents which are a part of the US Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Google. One of the main premise of the antitrust case is how Google’s deal with Apple has monopolised online search business.

The amount paid by Google to Apple has increased in the last couple of years. It was $15 billion in 2021 and the recent increase shows the growing importance of maintaining a default position in a world where search engines drive significant advertising revenue — especially for Google, as per rpeorts.

Apple does give users a choice to change the search engine on all of its devices. There are options like Bing, DuckDuckGo available to users. However, by default, Google Search is set as the primary search engine in Safari on iPhones, iPads and Macs. Google does get a readymade vast customer base as Apple has billions of activated devices.

The deal also highlights the competitive landscape of the tech industry, where companies like Microsoft have attempted to negotiate similar agreements with Apple, albeit unsuccessfully. In fact, it was reported that Microsoft wanted to sell Bing to Apple. The DOJ has argued that the deal stifles competition and give an unfair advantage to already dominant players in the market.




Alphabet paid $20 billion to Apple to maintain its status as the default search engine

Shashi Sinha is a true Media Maven of India’s advertising industry and one of the key figures shaping its future, not only in terms of cultivating next-gen talent but also helping define the rules by which media companies play. Sinha is the CEO of leading media investments group IPG Mediabrands which has firms like Lodestar, Initiative and BPN, driving media planning and buying for the country’s biggest advertisers. He is also the current chairman of industry body BARC which is the Broadcast Audience Research Council. In a special candid chat with Storyboard18's editor Delshad Irani, Sinha revealed his succession plan for the first time as he shared his outlook on cultivating and fostering talent. He also shared his take on the sweeping changes disrupting advertising and the media landscape. 

Edited excerpts. 

The advertising industry is witnessing a talent bleed. What is your approach to cultivating and fostering talent? 

There are two parts to talent - quality talent and culture, and they are intertwined. Quality talent is how you compensate and the truth of the matter is that compensation in agencies is under pressure right now. We're competing with ourselves and we're undercutting each other. As a result you're not able to get the right talent and pay them well and retain them. The industry association led by PK (Prasanth Kumar of GroupM) has realised that and we are moving towards asking for what is rightfully ours from clients, and clients will also give, if you explain to them this is what it takes to have quality talent. But that's a long haul. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">In a special episode of Media Dialogues With <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandStoryboard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrandStoryboard</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/delshad_irani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@delshad_irani</a> speaks to a true Media Maven Shashi Sinha, CEO of <a href="https://twitter.com/IPG_Mediabrands?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IPG_Mediabrands</a> &amp; the current chairman of industry body BARC. Sinha shares his outlook while giving his take on the sweeping changes disrupting AdEx… <a href="https://t.co/WxFKjsSEj4">pic.twitter.com/WxFKjsSEj4</a>&mdash; CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNBCTV18News/status/1785655206476128531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What are some of the steps? 

We undercut ourselves. We say, "Listen, I will give it to you cheaper." How do you get cheaper?... So, we are saying that there has to be some table stakes and you don't go below table stakes. We're working on it. But the other important part is culture. 

We have leaders who have been with us for years. The culture fosters it. Given half a chance I will promote a person from inside rather than get someone from outside. 

They play together, they work together, you're building teams, and that's true for the entire organisation. We were in a very large client review and we put up a slide saying in the last five years, 95% of the people on the account have been constant. So the team has gone up on that account from 40 to 80. But the old people are not gone, they're still there. That's a remarkable story to tell in this day and age.

Someone could have said 'but you're not getting fresh thinking'. I say the fresh thinking is there because there are new people coming on, but the leadership has been there, and that provides continuity. So there are two ways of looking at the data. 

Rightly or wrongly, as I said, in my mind, I will always pick up an insider whether they are 80 or 70 percent ready rather than someone from outside. There are some clients who believe that and some who don't. Many clients like Amul see the value in such continuity. They've had changes from their side, we've had changes from our side, but they are all insiders and we're all insiders. To some clients (like startups) it doesn't matter. 

It's a large market. Those who believe in what I am staying will work with us. 

What do you think of succession planning? Have you thought about it? 

Without getting into names, I did speak to our global team and I said, it is for you to decide but this is the way I see it. We have charted out a future and I have said 'there has to be someone from within, you let me know and I am happy to handle the transition'. Hopefully, if all goes well, we will come back to you and talk about it. We have a plan. Whether the plan fructifies or not, depends on how the global environment is. 

Watch the full interview on Media Dialogues with Storyboard18 on CNBC-TV18. 

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<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/interviews/barc-to-launch-new-meters-to-measure-premium-households-exclusive-29269.htm">Read more: BARC to launch new meters to measure premium households: EXCLUSIVE</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/ipg-mediabrands-india-ceo-shashi-sinha-is-considered-a-pillar-of-the-ad-industry-heres-why-18238.htm">Read more: IPG Mediabrands India CEO Shashi Sinha is considered a pillar of the ad industry. Here’s why</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/interviews/d2m-will-be-the-upi-moment-for-content-shashi-sinhas-snap-take-on-me-growth-and-disruptions-26473.htm">Read more: D2M will be the UPI moment for content: Shashi Sinha's snap take on M&E growth and disruptions</a>

IPG Mediabrands chief Shashi Sinha's succession plan revealed; 'It has to be someone from within...'

Girish Mathrubootham, who led Freshworks, a cloud based software-as-a-service company as the chief executive officer, has been transitioned to the position of executive chairman.

Dennis Woodside, who is the president, at Freshworks, succeeds Mathrubootham as the CEO.

Mathrubootham highlighted, "After spending almost 14 years since founding Freshworks as a tiny startup in Chennai to scaling it to be a global SaaS player and the first Indian SaaS company to list on the Nasdaq, I’m excited to announce that I’m stepping into a new role as Executive Chairman of Freshworks. Dennis Woodside, our President, will be our new CEO. Congratulations to Dennis today on his new role as CEO and President of Freshworks."

He added, "Going forward I will be spending more time on product vision and AI strategy, and I look forward to spending additional time with our product teams in India and customers globally."

Woodside stated, "Today I’m honored to step into the role of CEO at Freshworks. What Girish has created is truly special and I’m excited to build on what he started 14 years ago. Thank you, Girish, for your partnership and friendship over the last 18 months. We stand before extraordinary opportunities and have the right foundation to make them possible - a winning combination of our focus on delighting customers and our product innovation."

Mathrubootham started his career at HCL Cisco ODC, and went on to work across eFORCE, AdventNet and Zoho Corporation.


Freshworks appoints its CEO Girish Mathrubootham as executive chairman

Wonderchef has partnered with Unicommerce to power its e-commerce operations. The partnership aims at streamlining Wonderchef’s e-commerce supply chain and enhancing the post-purchase experience for its end customers.

Wonderchef has deployed Unicommerce’s multichannel order management system to automate order processing across its brand website and online marketplaces. This will allow Wonderchef to enable seamless and faster order processing, with increased accuracy. The system will also enable Wonderchef to effectively manage its return orders, thereby reducing its operational costs.

With continuous addition of newer products, the brand has been witnessing higher demand for its products and the integration of Unicommerce’s technology will enhance its post-purchase operations, leading to increased customer satisfaction.

Focusing on enhancing its distribution strategy, Wonderchef has embedded Unicommerce into its technology stack for smoother order processing. Talking about its strategy moving forward, Ravi Saxena, Founder & CEO of Wonderchef said, “We have a clear vision with technology leading our way in our distribution channels. With the help of Unicommerce’s reliable platform, we are confident of being ahead of the competition as our innovative products are already seeing good traction in Indian as well as overseas markets. Our e-commerce supply chain has been strengthened, which will ultimately lead to improved customer loyalty as moving forward.”

Speaking about the partnership, Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO of Unicommerce said, “The e-commerce market in India is witnessing growth across the kitchenware segment and with this partnership, Unicommerce is committed to enhancing the post-purchase experience for Wonderchef’s customers. With their innovative products and a strong distribution strategy, Unicommerce’s platform will work as a catalyst in driving their e-commerce operations.”

Unicommerce is India’s largest e-commerce enablement SaaS platform in the transaction processing layer, in terms of revenue for the financial year concluded March 2022. The company’s suite of SaaS solutions enables end-to-end management of e-commerce operations for brands, retailers, marketplaces and logistics service providers. The company has a consistently growing Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and Revenue. As of quarter ending September 2023, Unicommerce has achieved a 750 million+ Annual Transaction run-rate, serving over 3500 customers, managing 8000+ warehouses, and processing orders from 1900+ stores through its platform.

 

Wonderchef partners with Unicommerce to power its e-commerce operations

Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s leading carmaker, announces the commencement of pre-bookings for the highly anticipated
4th generation Epic New Swift for Rs 11,000/-. In this All new generation, the Epic New Swift builds on its signature sporty design while enhancing its dynamism and fun-to-drive quotient, the company said in a statement. 

Maruti Suzuki’s Swift has been India’s No. 1 premium hatchback with over 29 lakh owners since its launch. Maruti said, "With a cult fan following, this sporty premium hatchback has constantly redefined the segment benchmark for sporty and dynamic driving performance. Now, the Epic New Swift is poised to build on this rich legacy in a truly Epic manner!" 

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/maruti-suzuki-revs-up-for-growth-new-marketing-chief-partho-banerjee-hints-at-soaring-ad-spends-28963.htm">Read more: Maruti Suzuki revs up for growth: New marketing chief Partho Banerjee hints at soaring ad spends</a>

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The Swift has been an iconic brand for Maruti Suzuki, one that has evolved with changing times to redefine customer expectations. Its 29 lakh strong customer base and numerous awards and accolades are a testament to how the iconic Swift has gone from strength to strength. The Epic New Swift stays true to its much loved sporty DNA, while balancing new-ageexpectations of environment friendliness with low emissions. As always, the next-generation Swift is all set to create new benchmarks in the premium hatchback segment and further the concept of the ‘Joy of Mobility’ in its own right.”

Read more: Maruti Suzuki goes beyond mileage focus; new marketing chief Partho Banerjee reveals the auto major's strategy
<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/interviews/maruti-suzuki-ditches-mileage-focus-new-boss-reveals-marketing-for-one-strategy-and-soaring-ad-spends-28985.htm"></a>

Maruti Suzuki starts pre-bookings for new Swift; Marketing head Partho Banerjee says it's an "iconic brand"

With a library of over 8500+ hours of content transcending over 40 genres, discovery+ offers an extensive array of content, catering to a wide range of interests and preferences. From documentaries that delve into nature, science, history, and exploration into immersive reality shows that provide insights into various cultures and lifestyles, to original series that offer compelling storytelling right from the heart of India, discovery+ is a trove of of distinctive content. 

“Bringing discovery+ to Tata Play Binge represents a huge step forward in expanding our content offerings. The partners’ colossal lineup does not only showcase a myriad collection of genres but also promises entertainment in multiple local languages. This collaboration opens doors to an extensive range of riveting narratives, ensuring our viewers have access to the best of what Discovery+ has to offer, all in one place,” said Pallavi Puri, Tata Play’s Chief Commercial and Content Officer on another successful integration.

Adding to it, Ruchir Jain, Head of Distribution & Eurosport, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Tata Play Binge. This partnership will enable their subscribers in India to seamlessly access discovery+ content. With our extensive library of exclusive documentaries, captivating series, and engaging originals, including acclaimed titles such as 'Secrets of the Buddha Relics', 'History Hunter', and 'Star Vs Food: Survival', we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences to Indian households. Now, Tata Play Binge customers can enjoy discovery+ content on all their favorite devices.”

The platform boasts of some popular titles like 90 Day Fiance, Man VS Wild, and Top Gear, #IndiaMyWay, Blue Planet, Secrets of the Koh-i-noor, India’s Ultimate Warrior and many more.

discovery+ will join other popular OTT platforms on Tata Play Binge like Apple TV+, Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, Lionsgate Play, FanCode, Sun Nxt, Aha, Fuse+, Hallmark Movies Now, PTC Play, Animax, VROTT, STAGE, ReelDrama, Chaupal, Namma Flix, Planet Marathi, manoramaMAX, iStream, Tarang Plus, Hungama Play, ShemarooMe, Curiosity Stream, EPIC ON, Travelxp, DocuBay, ShortsTV, Playflix, KliKK, Distro TV, MX Player along with Gaming. Content from all these platforms is available to the viewers of Tata Play Binge through a single subscription and a single user interface. Additionally, Netflix can be availed as a combo pack with DTH channels for all Tata Play DTH subscriber whereas Amazon Prime Video content can be accessed as an add-on by all Tata Play Binge subscribers, who also have the DTH connection. Viewers can enjoy all 30+ apps on smartphones, large screen connected devices through LG, Samsung and Android smart TV’s, Desktop, Laptop, Tablets, Tata Play edition of the Amazon FireTV Stick and www.TataplayBinge.com.



Tata Play Binge expands its entertainment gateway with discovery+

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”) announced that Airtel Xstream Play, the OTT aggregator service with over five million paid subscribers, has partnered with Sun NXT, a leading video streaming platform, owned and operated by the Sun TV Network Limited.

Airtel Xstream customers can now enjoy Sun NXT’s 50,000+ hours of content that include exciting titles across blockbuster movies, exclusive series, TV shows, live TV, kid’s content and more in a whole host of languages from Tamil to Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bangla and Marathi. Users can enjoy content from across 23 content apps on Airtel Xstream making it one of the largest bouquets of OTT content aggregated on a single app in India.

It also offers the features such as single subscription, single sign-in, unified content search and AI driven personalised curation for each user with users being able to access Airtel Xstream Play across devices including mobiles, tablets, laptops through the app or web and on large screens.

Some of the other apps on Airtel Xstream Play include Sony LIV, Lionsgate Play, Chaupal, Hoichoi, FanCode, ManoramaMax, ShemarooMe, Alt Balaji, Ultra, ErosNow, EPICon, Docubay, and Playflix amongst many others.

Airtel Xstream Play strengthens regional content library, partners with Sun NXT

Prime Video has launched MGM+ on Prime Video Channels. MGM+ offers an extensive selection of entertainment including critically acclaimed and popular series, blockbuster movies and timeless classics primarily from the Hollywood studio, MGM. Prime members can purchase an annual add-on subscription to MGM+ at a special price of ₹599 per year.


With an add-on subscription to MGM+ on Prime Video Channels, Prime members can enjoy a vast slate of multi-genre content offerings including classic and cult-favourite movies like Legally Blonde, Hercules, The Prodigy, The Silence of the Lambs, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Robocop, The Vow, Child’s Play, Death Wish, and more, along with much-loved series like Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Teen Wolf, Get Shorty, among others. 


“We're thrilled to launch MGM+ as a Channel for our customers in India, offering an extensive library of blockbuster, much-loved, and premium content at a single destination – Prime Video. Since launch, our objective with Prime Video Channels has been to provide our customers with increased choice, improved accessibility and greater convenience of watching their favourite content all within a single app,” stated Vivek Srivastava, Head – Prime Video Channels, Prime Video, India. “In a short span of time, Prime Video Channels has offered increased reach to both local and global streamers to expand their footprint in India, allowing them to connect with a vast and diverse audience across the country. We are certain that with its vast library of iconic movies and series, MGM+ will entertain and delight Indian customers.” 


“We're excited to partner with Prime Video India to deliver exceptional entertainment to Indian audiences through MGM+” remarked Michael Katzer, head of MGM+ International. “The streaming service brings a huge range of premium quality, successful movies, much-loved series as well as ageless classics, spanning multiple genres including sci-fi, suspense, action-thriller, romance, and much more. The expansion of MGM+ in India further cements Amazon’s commitment to invest in and grow the MGM+ channel internationally, while enhancing the content offering available to subscribers.” 


Prime members in India can subscribe to MGM+ through Prime Video Channels at a price of ₹599 per year.


Prime Video Channels benefits for Prime members include:

● No hassle login & billing: Customers do not have to juggle between multiple usernames, passwords and billing due dates. With Prime Video Channels, all premium content subscriptions are managed within a single destination – Prime Video apps and website.

● More time watching, less time deciding: Customers don’t have to spend time toggling between their favourite services to discover what’s new and popular. With Prime Video Channels they can browse in one place, search across all their premium subscription and get personalized recommendations. All of this without ever having to leave the Prime Video app or website.

● Enjoy your favourite features, no matter which service: Customers can enjoy IMDb’s X-Ray feature and a single consolidated watch list and download library for offline viewing. Subscribers can also manage data consumption and much more across all their premium channel subscriptions.

● More Choice: With Prime Video Channels, Prime members can access thousands of additional titles across 20+ OTT channels, including MGM+.


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Prime Video and MGM International Launch MGM+ on Prime Video Channels

Netflix reported a strong start to 2024, boasting a 15 percent increase in revenue compared to Q12023. They also clocked a a significant jump in operating income, which surged by 54 percent year-over-year. The streaming giant's operating margin touched 28percent in Q1 2024.


Ads membership grew 65 percent quarter on quarter (after rising nearly 70 percent sequentially in each of Q3 2023 and Q4 2023) with over 40 percent of all signups in ads markets coming from ads plan. 


“Our two priorities in ads are to scale our member base and to build out our capabilities for advertisers. We made progress on both fronts in Q1. For advertisers, we continue to focus on measurement solutions, including new partnerships with Kantar and Lucid for brand awareness and recall, and Nielsen Catalina Solutions for sales lift and we’re working to build out our sales capabilities,” they said in a statement. 


The growth in numbers for the quarter, according to the Netflix was primarily driven by membership growth as well as pricing. ARM (average revenue per membership) rose 1 percent year over year, while subscriber count increased by 9.3 million. Same quarter last fiscal, new subscriber count stood at 1.8 million.


However, this is the last year Netflix is going public with subscriber details in their financial results. 

“Starting next year with our Q1 2025 earnings, we will stop reporting quarterly membership numbers and ARM,” they said.


Explaining they move they said, “We’re focused on revenue and operating margin as our primary financial metrics — and engagement as our best proxy for customer satisfaction. In our early days, when we had little revenue or profit, membership growth was a strong indicator of our future potential. But now we’re generating very substantial profit and free cash flow (FCF). We are also developing new revenue streams like advertising and our extra member feature, so memberships are just one component of our growth.”


The projected revenue growth for Q2 2024 is expected to be 16 percent. 


“For the full year 2024, we expect healthy revenue growth of 13 percent to 15 percent, based on F/X rates at the end of Q1 2024. We now expect FY24 operating margin of 25 percent, based on F/X rates as of January 1, 2024, up from our prior forecast of 24 percent,” they said in their financial results.


In a brief outline of plans, the streaming giant said they would  continue to improve the variety and quality entertainment, innovate in product and marketing  and tap into additional revenue and profit pools, in particular scaling ads to become a more meaningful contributor to the business in 2025 and beyond.

Netflix soars in Q1 2024: Revenue up 15 percent, operating income surges by 54 percent

JioCinema logged over 71.5 crore views for the marquee fixture between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on April 14th. The official streaming platform for the TATA IPL amassed 933 crore minutes of watch time and 13 crore viewers, bettering the reach of TATA IPL 2023 final.

 
JioCinema commenced the 2024 season with over 59 crore views that led to 660 crore minutes of watch-time on Day 1. After 29 matches, over 1200 crore views and 14,800 crore minutes of watch time were clocked from 38.3 Crore viewers on the platform, a 42 percent growth in viewers compared to the same period last season. The time spent per viewer per match on Connected TV (CTV) has crossed 80 minutes.

 
JioCinema’s free-to-play predict and win game, Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan has enhanced the overall fan engagement efforts. The opening night contest saw Bhandup-based Antony D’Cruz winning gold worth INR 50 lakhs. Over 25 viewers from lengths and breadths of the country have won an elegant hatchback, motorcycle, and a smart TV, among many other prizes.

 
JioCinema’s list of digital streaming sponsors for the 2024 TATA IPL season includes Dream11 as a co-presenting sponsor, while Tata Motors, PayZapp by HDFC Bank, SBI, Cred, AMFI, Upstox, Charged by Thums Up, Britannia, Pepsi, Parle products, Google Pixel, Haier, Jindal Steel, Vodafone, Dalmia Cements, Kamla Pasand, Rapido, MRF Tyres, RuPay and Jaquar Bath & Light, have joined hands as associate sponsors.

 
Fans can watch the 2024 TATA IPL season in 4K, across 12 languages, including Haryanvi for the first time, with multi-cam options, including the much-loved Hero Cam.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-marketing/tata-ipl-2024-jiocinema-records-a-51-percent-growth-in-number-of-viewers-on-day-1-compared-to-the-2023-season-27244.htm">TATA IPL 2024 sees blockbuster opening day on JioCinema; clocks 51 percent surge in viewers over IPL 2023</a>

JioCinema logs over 71.5 crore views for the MI vs CSK clash

On April 5, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd's MD and CEO Punit Goenka initiated a cost-cutting exercise which would lead to a 15 percent reduction in the workforce. The company announced the measure last Friday. Industry sources indicate that another round of job cuts, as part of the on-going cost-reduction measures announced last week, are likely to take place on April 12. Storyboard18 reached out to ZEEL with queries for comments. The article will be updated after we receive official comments from the company. 

In line with his strategic plan focused towards achieving the targeted goals, ZEE's Goenka proposed the implementation of a lean and streamlined management structure to the Board on April 5. The streamlining process included rationalisation of the workforce by 15 percent.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/zee-layoffs-zee-ceo-punit-goenka-plans-to-slash-workforce-by-15-percent-28334.htm">Read more: ZEE layoffs: Zee CEO Punit Goenka plans to slash workforce by 15 percent</a>

While announcing ZEEL results for the 2023 December quarter, Goenka had outlined his strategy to improve margins in the coming quarters. He had highlighted the three focus areas for the company. They were frugality, optimisation, and a sharp emphasis on high-quality content.

Soon after, the leadership exits and restructuring began. On March 10, Rahul Johri, President Business- South Asia, decided to step down. His exit was followed by Nitin Mittal, President – Technology and Data who resigned on March 15. 


On the day of Mittal’s resignation, strategic changes were announced in the Technology and Data vertical. Several reporting lines were altered, and significant steps were implemented to build a new lateral structure.

Zee also implemented a new program called the Monthly Management Mentorship (3M) Program. This program aimed to identify areas for improvement across the company. One of the first recommendations from the 3M program resulted in significant restructuring. The Technology and Innovation Center (TIC) workforce was reduced by roughly 50 percent.

In the first week of April, Punit Misra, who was President – Content and International Markets at ZEEL, quit. As the President, Misra oversaw content for both the TV network of ZEE as well as its digital offering ZEE5, both domestically and globally. He also managed ZEEL’s international business spanning 190 countries.

Around the same time Misra resigned, on April 2, Goenka announced his decision to take a voluntary 20 percent pay cut in his personal remuneration.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/brand-makers/zee-charts-new-course-after-sony-merger-collapse-restructuring-cost-cuts-and-strategic-focus-28552.htm">Read more: ZEE's restructuring, layoffs, strategic focus; Punit Goenka charts a new course after Sony-merger collapse</a>

ZEE Layoffs: More job cuts at ZEE expected this week as part of on-going cost cutting measures

C-Space, the first state-owned over-the-top (OTT) platform in India, will be launched by the Kerala government this week. C-Space comes at a time when Malayalam cinema is finding resonance in different parts and corners of India and the world thanks to the existing OTT giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.


Forty-two films including six documentaries will be available for streaming in the first phase as CSpace, the country’s first government-owned over-the-top (OTT) platform, goes live on Thursday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch CSpace at the Kairali Theatre in Thiruvananthapuram at 9.30am.


Run by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC), CSpace aims to provide meaningful infotainment and streaming opportunities with the films on the OTT platform chosen by a panel of curators.


“CSpace is a response to the growing imbalances and multifarious challenges in the OTT sector in terms of content selection and propagation,” said KSFDC chairman Shaji N Karun.


The platform, built under the banner of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) using funds from the state government, has been envisaged to provide a fillip to award-winning films, short films and documentaries as well as open possibilities for low-budget independent cinema to reach a wider audience.


An official statement noted, “Set to debut this Thursday, the platform aims to deliver a unique blend of informative and entertaining content tailored for the masses."


The OTT platform will be released on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs of Government of Kerala. KSFDC has constituted a curator panel of 60 members including eminent cultural personalities from the state for selecting and approving the content.


The eminent cultural personalities include Benyamin, OV Usha, Santhosh Sivan, Shyamaprasad, Sunny Joseph, and Jeo Baby. Every content that is submitted to the platform will be evaluated by three curators from the panel for its artistic, cultural and infotainment merit.


The platform, which operates on a pay per view basis, allows viewers to watch a feature film for Rs 75 and shorter contents for a much lesser price. Exactly half of the amount charged goes to the content provider. Viewers can download the CSpace app from the PlayStore and App Store from March 7 onwards, a KSFDC statement said.


K V Abdul Malik, MD, KSFDC, said the launch of the platform will address a major concern of the exhibitors and distributors of the film industry regarding their dwindling profits due to producers releasing their feature films directly on OTT Platforms, PTI reported. "To accommodate their concerns, CSpace has decided to showcase only those feature films that have been released in cinema halls. Besides, short films, documentaries and experimental films recommended by curators will also be made available on the platform," he added.


Read More: <a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/streaming-growth-coming-from-outside-metros-sushant-sreeram-country-director-prime-video-india-25582.htm">Streaming growth coming from outside metros: Sushant Sreeram, Country Director, Prime Video India</a>

Kerala govt set to launch first state-owned OTT platform - CSpace with 42 films

In recent years, India has witnessed an explosion in Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms, with a plethora of streaming services vying for the attention of a burgeoning digital audience, many of these viewers having abandoned traditional broadcast television channels. While this exponential growth in digital audience presents unprecedented opportunities for content creators, it also brings to light a host of challenges, particularly in the realms of content licensing, escalating production costs, and the imperative for rationalization in an increasingly competitive market. Also, writers find themselves at the intersection of creativity and commerce, striving to evolve while gaining recognition and relevance amidst the highly competitive market for content creation.

Challenges Amidst Content Licensing

In India's content production landscape, creators and producers often find themselves without ownership or intellectual property (IP) rights for their work. Unlike in the US and UK where laws like financial interest and syndication (until 1993) and Terms of Trade once ensured creators retained significant ownership and licensing rights, the Indian market lacks such protections. This trend has persisted with the rise of OTT platforms, where creators are typically paid upfront but relinquish all future rights to their content. This powerful dynamic not only limits creators' potential income but also tilts the balance heavily in favour of channels and platforms. While other countries have laws like terms of trade, mandating a portion of IP ownership for creators, India lacks such provisions, further amplify the challenges faced by content producers in an already competitive industry. Implementing such protections for independent producers and creators would lead to a much healthier and expanding content ecosystem. 

In the high-stakes game of content licensing, where exclusive rights command top dollar, writers often find themselves on the sidelines as negotiations unfold between platforms and production houses. While producers and directors wield significant influence in sealing lucrative deals, the contributions of writers—who lay the foundation for captivating storylines and compelling characters—are frequently undervalued. This disparity not only undermines the creative process but also perpetuates a system where writers are relegated to the periphery of the content creation ecosystem. Additionally, OTT platforms are now forced to evolve and better understand their target audience's preferences, leading to improved content curation and audience engagement. In an environment marked by market consolidation and rationalization efforts, writers must assert their rightful place as indispensable collaborators in the content production ecosystem. By advocating for greater visibility, representation, and creative autonomy, writers can drive transformative change and elevate the standards of storytelling on OTT platforms. Additionally, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect among stakeholders—producers, directors, actors, and writers—is essential for fostering a conducive environment where creativity thrives and artistic expression flourishes.

Market Rationalization in India

India's content market is still relatively healthy, but significant market rationalization is currently underway leading to a slowdown in inflated talent, equipment, and production costs due to oversaturation and over expenditure. This trend is compounded by global market changes and domestic market mergers, leading to fewer buyers and reduced demand for content, broadly making it a buyer's market since 2023. Even high-quality projects struggle to secure financing and commissions due to the slowdown and rationalization across the industry. This slowdown prompts a recalibration of audience targeting and content preferences, with companies focusing on gaining better understanding of their target audience and making greater attempts at catering to their viewership more effectively. Despite fewer projects and rationalizing costs, this period of adjustment is expected to one day leading to better results and a healthier overall OTT landscape as companies streamline operations and align with audience demands.
 
Escalating Production Costs and the Writer's Plight

With the emergence of OTT platforms in India, aspiring writers have found new avenues to showcase their talents beyond traditional Bollywood or television scripts. The opportunity to work on long-form premium scripted dramas has allowed writers to improve their skills and adapt to a more global storytelling sensibility, akin to what is seen on OTT platforms. This shift has elevated the quality of storytelling and production standards not only in India but also globally. However, despite the growth of OTT services, there remains a significant portion of the Indian audience that has yet to embrace these platforms fully. To attract a broader subscriber base, OTT platforms may need to adjust their storytelling to appeal to a wider audience, potentially making it more mainstream while still retaining elements of quality and sophistication.

Another pressing issue in India's content industry are the inflated costs we have experienced in the industry over the past few years as demand outran supply for creative and technical talent, production equipment, production services etc., Overall costs are expected to decrease as the market undergoes rationalization and fewer projects means slowdown in opportunities to employ talent and production assets. Additionally, talent, especially writers, are facing challenges as they're forced to spread themselves thin across multiple projects. Due to the lack of lucrative compensation and exclusive engagements, writers often find themselves working speculatively on numerous projects simultaneously, compromising the quality of their work. Unlike executives or managers who are typically exclusive to one company, writers and other talent are forced to work for multiple platforms or projects concurrently, further impacting their dedication and output. This practice stands in stark contrast to markets like the US, where exclusivity is the norm, ensuring writers are fully committed to their projects.

In conclusion, as production budgets soar to unprecedented heights, driven by the relentless pursuit of premium content, writers are faced with mounting pressure to deliver blockbuster-worthy scripts within constrained timelines and resource allocations. Despite being the architects of imaginative worlds and thought-provoking narratives, writers often bear the brunt of cost-cutting measures and creative reductions, compromising the integrity and authenticity of their vision. Moreover, the lack of recognition and remuneration commensurate with their contributions perpetuates a cycle of undervaluation and exploitation within the industry. However, challenges persist, particularly regarding the overextension of talent, especially writers, who often juggle multiple projects due to insufficient pay and lack of exclusivity. This practice compromises the quality of writing, highlighting the need for industry-wide changes to ensure writers are adequately compensated and can focus exclusively on their projects, ultimately enhancing the overall content quality.

 
Sunder Aaron, Co-founder, and Managing Partner, Locomotive Global Media, a production house.

Views expressed are personal.

Navigating the ever-evolving dynamics of content production for OTT


A leaked internal email from Meta surfaced online on Thursday, raising concerns about the potential inclusion of over-the-top (OTT) applications, like WhatsApp or Signal, within the regulatory framework of the Telecommunication Bill 2023. The email from Meta's policy head highlights the lack of clear directives on this matter.

The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, was presented in the Lok Sabha on December 18, following the conclusion of the consultation process for its 2022 counterpart. Stakeholders in the OTT sector are apprehensive about whether the new legislation goes beyond just overhauling of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and The Telegraph Wire (Unlawful Protection) Act, 1950.

So is OTT covered in the Bill?

Ekta Rai, advocate at Delhi High Court said it is important to look at the definition of the Bill before delving into discussions on OTT.

The definition of telecommunication in the Telecommunication Bill, 2023 reads ‘transmission, emission or reception of any messages, by wire, radio, optical or other electro-magnetic systems, whether or not such messages have been subjected to rearrangement, computation or other processes by any means in the course of their transmission, emission or reception.’

The definition of telecommunication also defines a message as ‘any sign, signal, writing, text, image, sound, video, data stream, intelligence or information sent through telecommunication.’

The inclusion of ‘data stream’ in the definition implies that messaging apps or email services and cloud services may fall within the purview of telecom regulation.

“This definition can easily include OTT in its ambit. Therefore unless the Bill categorically excludes the OTT services, the same cannot be considered out of the scope of the application of the provisions of this Bill. This means that if at all OTT is included in the Bill, by implication or otherwise, it will violate net neutrality, because some URLs may be treated differently than other URLs being accessed on the internet, It will considerably change the manner in which data is currently consumed,” said Rai.

According to her, authorisation may also mean payment of regulatory fees. This will also affect the business of the OTT platforms. 

“Additionally, if the OTT is added later, several provisions of the Bill will be required to be tweaked, as the OTT and telecommunication, technically are fundamentally different platforms. One being a telecom infrastructure and other being a service offered through the said infrastructure,” she added.

Kunal Sharma, partner at Singhania & Co breaks down definitions further. 
The Telecommunications Bill 2023  provides broad definitions for expressions like ‘telecommunication service’ and ‘telecommunication network’. 

The former expression is defined as encompassing diverse technologies, including wire, radio, optical, and other electromagnetic systems. This breadth could potentially capture a wide range of online services, including Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms according to Sharma.

Similarly, the expression ‘telecommunication network’ is defined in a technology-neutral manner, encompassing various forms of networks used for service delivery. 
“Again, this definition could potentially extend to internet-based networks utilised by some OTT platforms,” he said.

Overall, according to experts the broad definitions within the Bill can significantly extend its influence and consequences for diverse service providers, notably impacting Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms. 

Sharma cited some examples to explain.

“For instance, issue licenses for the services. Further, the Bill grants the government extensive regulatory powers over telecommunication services, including data security, interception, content blocking, and quality of service. While not explicitly targeting OTTs, these powers could potentially apply to them if classified as telecommunication services under the Bill,” he said.


Should OTT players be worried about The Telecom Bill, 2023?

Led by its chairperson, Justice (Retd.) A.K. Sikri, former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Digital Publisher Content Grievance Council (DPCGC), a self-regulatory body under the IT Rules 2021 and operating under the aegis of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has initiated a year-long all-India campaign to enhance awareness regarding OTT content consumption and the redressal mechanism of related grievances. 

The campaign aims to make law enforcing agencies and consumers of OTT platforms aware of the various tools that the law provides for an enhanced viewing experience, and to foster collaboration between parents, law enforcement agencies, and educational institutions, promoting responsible content consumption practices for all.

As an important part of the campaign, Justice (Retd.) A.K. Sikri, has written to the Education Secretaries of various states across the country highlighting the need for creating awareness among parents of school-going children regarding parental control and age ratings. Taking the initiative forward, DPCGC will conduct awareness programmes in various schools across India to provide them with insights on the consumer tools available on the OTT platforms along with the grievance redressal mechanism.

The focus of the awareness campaign is to create awareness among viewers regarding the grievance redressal mechanism provided under law for content-related complaints. Considering the high number of viewership in India and the regulatory burden on the law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system, self-regulation offers an extremely efficient and unique ecosystem for viewers to address their complaints in an efficient and effective manner. 

The OTT platforms are enabled with parental lock mechanisms and access controls which enables users to restrict access to content curated for audiences based on the age ratings, thus ensuring age-appropriate viewing. The content descriptors empower families to consume content that aligns with their values. The IT Rules 2021 have provisions for a robust three-tier grievance redressal system. The mechanism is thoughtfully designed for efficient and effective grievance resolution.

The campaign began with a virtual workshop involving officers of cyber cells of 22 states and 2 union territories across the nation, on October 25, 2023. Shri Vikram Sahay, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and Justice (Retd) A.K. Sikri, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, and Chairperson, DPCGC, were also present at the workshop. 

Speaking on the goals of the campaign Sikri said, “In their right wisdom, our legislature and our parliament, guided by the MIB, have collaboratively established a robust framework to integrate OTT platforms into the legal landscape. DPCGC formed under the IT Rules aims at efficiently addressing concerns or grievances related to OTTs through self-regulation. It is essential that all stakeholders, particularly viewers and law enforcement agencies, remain well-informed about this mechanism.”


OTTs, apps will not be regulated as telecom services: DoT

The move to remove OTT from the Telecom Bill is expected to be tabled in the winter session of the Parliament.

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