SPORTS
Ban on real money gaming threatens IPL and other sports leagues' sponsorship lifeline
Experts have said that the curbs could eliminate real money as well as fantasy sport platforms as sponsors, jeopardizing advertising inflows essential for state-level leagues and broader sports development.
BUSINESS
Game over: Ban on online gaming may wipe out up to Rs 4,500 crore in ad revenue
Losing gaming category would create an advertising expenditure black hole of nearly Rs 2,000 crore for broadcasters and streaming platforms, said marketers
TRAVEL
Flipkart checks in with Marriott, ties-up to turn loyalty points into travel perks
The new loyalty program partnership aims to expand the user base from 700 million members especially during the ongoing festive season.
BUSINESS
Inside PVR Inox’s popcorn strategy: Driving F&B spends amid weak box office in FY25
In addition to F&B in cinemas, the company went beyond the four walls of the cinema by entering outdoor catering and corporate events.
ENTERTAINMENT
Coolie’s charm, War 2’s wow factor: Rs 300 crore riding on Independence Day clash
Exhibitors, including PVR INOX, are expecting the strong momentum to continue throughout 2025, with a steady release calendar and a potential to match the 2023 box-office business, the best year for the film industry.
ENTERTAINMENT
PVR Inox says Rs 200 movie ticket cap will not stall screen expansion in Karnataka
PVR Inox has 215 screens across 36 cinemas in the state, accounting for 12% of the company's total 1,745 screens. Company says government is yet to issue a formal order.
TRAVEL
Festive takeoff: Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day spur travel boom; fares skyrocket
Domestic airlines are eyeing the Independence Day long weekend to revive travel sentiment and expect daily domestic air traffic to rise by 15-20 percent during August 12-18 when compared to August 5-11.
BUSINESS
Peak XV backed Elivaas bags $10.4 million to scale luxury rentals worldwide
We see a fast growing opportunity to leverage second homes supply to provide premium travel experiences in India via alternate accommodation, said Nikhil Marwaha, Partner, Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India.
BUSINESS
Mahavatar’s divine run, new VFX studio make KGF and Kantara makers go big on animation
The producer is not only planning a Mahavatar universe but is also looking at expanding the KGF and Kantara characters via VFX through his new VFX studio.
BUSINESS
PVR Inox backs Aamir Khan’s YouTube release strategy, pushes for pay per view path
If the pay per view model picks up for movie releases, the multiplex chain expects that it will slowdow the streaming rush.
ENTERTAINMENT
PVR Inox signals at OTT fatigue as cinema footfalls rise; Saiyaara, Mahavatar Narsimha pull crowds
July alone recorded the highest admissions in 18 months, driven by films like Saiyaara, Superman, Jurassic Park: Rebirth, Metro In Dino, and Mahavatar Narsimha.
BUSINESS
Mahesh Bhupathi-backed Hudle swings for growth with fast-rising sport pickleball
One of the biggest sports venue platforms Hudle is seeing highest bookings for pickleball and paddle. According to the platform, the introduction of the easier sports has led to more particiption in sports amid Indians.
TRAVEL
Cricket, concerts fuel Indian tourist rush to Australia with higher spends, longer stay
Indian tourism in Australia is growing faster than India's outbound travel market despite being a long-haul destination, said an official of Australia Tourism.
BUSINESS
Rs 200 movie ticket cap in Karnataka threatens Rs 2,000 crore investment, exhibitors fear shutdown
From stifling cinema's growth in the state to theatres shutting down, the association has shared its concerns with the Karnataka government after the draft notification on capping ticket prices at Rs 200 was issued.
TRENDS
Poster girl of chess, Divya Deshmukh's World Cup win powers brand boom in chess
Chess is gaining massive visibility in India, and athletes like Divya Deshmukh are becoming relatable icons for audiences who value intellect and performance, said marketers.
ENTERTAINMENT
MC Interview: Salman Khan documentary, Gandhi biography: Veteran media executive Sameer Nair outlines upcoming shows amid theatrical push
After a string of successes on streaming platforms, Sameer Nair of Applause Entertainment breaks down what India is watching, the struggle in the OTT and theatrical space and how India's media and entertainment industry is posed to become worth $100 billion.
ENTERTAINMENT
KBC veteran Sameer Nair charts new course for Applause Entertainment with big-screen ambitions
In the first eight years of Applause Entertainment, Nair said the focus has been on series for streaming platforms but now with the big screen push, he expect 50-50 revenues from theatrical movies and OTT
TRENDS
From multilingual food labels to a mass product, Food Pharmer aims to take a bigger bite
The influencer is targeting to expand with mass products like biscuits to raise awareness about product labels.
ENTERTAINMENT
From Aarya to aastha, Ram Madhvani hopes to script a blockbuster in virtual reality with the Gita
I am in the business of feelings, said ad film and movie maker Ram Madhvani, who has directed the serials Neerja and Aarya, and who is now marrying tech and mythology in his new short-films venture.
SPORTS
Reloading the sport: India fires up a shooting league after Olympic high
The Shooting League of India, which will have sportsperson from across the world like in the IPL, the National Rifle Association of India looking to increase visibility of the sport and help players earn better
ENTERTAINMENT
Flat subscriptions, fierce ad market: streamers have task cut out for them, says Ormax's Kapoor
With little movement in paid subscriptions and a cautious ad market, streaming platforms are experimenting with newer content like micro dramas and new genres like family shows.
BUSINESS
Ad woes continue for broadcasters; Zee's new brand, Sun TV's IPL expenses to affect Q1
For Zee, ad revenues could decline by 13% YoY, said Abhishek Kumar, Equity Research Analyst at JM Financial. Ad revenues of Sun TV will not see as sharp a decline as Zee, he said.
ENTERTAINMENT
A phenomenon for PVR Inox, a box office tsunami for others, exhibitors call Saiyaara a bonus
While it has been hits and misses this year with the film industry still figuring out what will click with the audience, exhibitors noted that Saiyaara has reinvented the wheel with old school cinema magic.
TRENDS
Ace the stay: Hospitality firms roll out padel courts to net more bookings, serve up pickleball and more
Several leading hotels have already invested in dedicated sports infrastructure and properties. Taj Fort Aguada and Taj Lands End, for example, have developed facilities for popular sports such as pickleball and padel.
