Authors
Assistant Editor
The public broadcaster's recently updated content sourcing framework for WAVES introduces a streaming-minutes-based monetisation model and tightening of verification and compliance requirements
Imran Fazal Jun 30, 2026 8:39 AM
TRP row also puts the spotlight on news-licensed channels carrying general entertainment and sports programming
Imran Fazal Jun 29, 2026 8:11 AM
The move reflects an increasingly common collaboration model in India's advertising ecosystem, where lead agencies partner with specialist media networks to deliver large, integrated mandates
Imran Fazal Jun 26, 2026 1:46 PM
Tax authorities had sought to levy GST at 28% on the face value of every individual bet placed on gaming platforms
Imran Fazal Jun 26, 2026 9:22 AM
The omission means that the event will no longer automatically qualify for mandatory sharing with Prasar Bharati under the national importance framework
Imran Fazal Jun 25, 2026 11:09 AM
The move is consistent with Hakuhodo's strategy of expanding through acquisitions and strategic partnerships across Asia and India
Imran Fazal Jun 25, 2026 9:17 AM
The June 11 notification superseded the government's previous 2022 framework and laid out an updated list of sporting events deemed to be of national importance
Imran Fazal Jun 24, 2026 12:57 PM
Experts argue that while criminal liability may strengthen deterrence, it should be reserved for egregious cases involving deliberate deception
Imran Fazal Jun 24, 2026 9:01 AM
The original show-cause notices were issued not only to gaming companies but also to their directors, promoters and key managerial personnel. The Supreme Court has not quashed these proceedings
Imran Fazal Jun 22, 2026 9:13 AM
AIDCF has already filed its counter submissions opposing the Centre's plea seeking vacation of the interim order granted by the court
Imran Fazal Jun 19, 2026 3:00 PM
Supporters of D2M argue that the technology can complement existing streaming ecosystems by delivering high-demand content directly to devices
Imran Fazal Jun 19, 2026 9:00 AM
The ED has relied on a spreadsheet allegedly recovered from the mobile phone of Gameskraft co-founder Deepak Singh Ahlawat
Imran Fazal Jun 18, 2026 11:03 AM
Prabhu told the ED that the diverted funds were invested in futures and options trading through his Zerodha account
Imran Fazal Jun 18, 2026 10:33 AM
For broadcasters and media companies, the challenge lies in aligning the interests of multiple industry segments that often operate under different business realities
Imran Fazal Jun 18, 2026 9:05 AM
As industry stakeholders begin examining the draft, the emerging consensus appears to be that while the rules modernise the administrative framework, they stop short of liberalising the sector
Imran Fazal Jun 17, 2026 8:33 AM
The ruling marks a major development in the high-profile money laundering probe involving online gaming platform Gameskraft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Imran Fazal Jun 16, 2026 4:24 PM
The ministry is learnt to have assured broadcasters that no coercive action would be initiated against television channels in the immediate term following the Delhi High Court judgment
Imran Fazal Jun 16, 2026 8:45 AM
People aware of the matter said the final decision is expected in the coming weeks, although the company has not officially communicated a timeline
Imran Fazal Jun 15, 2026 9:20 AM
The latest standoff comes close on the heels of Sony's ongoing distribution dispute with Tata Play, a matter that is currently pending before the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal
Imran Fazal Jun 12, 2026 1:00 PM
Industry experts say the Airtel-Vodafone debate highlights a shift in India's telecom sector, focusing on brand philosophies and consumer values over technical claims
Imran Fazal Jun 12, 2026 9:23 AM
People familiar with the development say Pernod Ricard India has awarded ZeroFifty Mediaworks a three-year creative mandate following a competitive multi-agency pitch process
Imran Fazal Jun 11, 2026 1:28 PM
e4m had first reported the collaboration between IIT Kanpur and BSNL to boost D2M technology in the country
Imran Fazal Jun 11, 2026 9:24 AM
The partnership is expected to focus on knowledge transfer, passive infrastructure sharing and next-generation network deployment
Imran Fazal Jun 10, 2026 8:23 AM
The development comes amid growing momentum within the government to establish a policy framework for D2M broadcasting
Imran Fazal Jun 10, 2026 8:13 AM
Pernod Ricard India’s creative responsibilities are currently shared between Ogilvy and FCB India (now part of Omnicom Advertising India)
Imran Fazal Jun 9, 2026 9:10 AM
Pernod Ricard India's marketing spends stood at nearly Rs 864 crore in FY25
Imran Fazal Jun 8, 2026 1:37 PM
The move also raises questions about the extent of governmental involvement in the operational and commercial functioning of BARC
Imran Fazal Jun 8, 2026 8:25 AM
The creative mandate will be jointly led by Anuraag Khandelwal and Mayur Varma as Joint Chief Creative Officers, while Rohitash Srivastava will be Chief Strategy Officer
Imran Fazal Jun 6, 2026 3:35 PM
MIB has filed an affidavit in response to a petition by AIDCF and DEN Networks challenging the validity of the provision that excludes landing page-generated viewership from TV rating calculations
Imran Fazal Jun 6, 2026 9:58 AM
As part of the new reporting structure, the leadership teams of the consolidated agencies will report into Rajesh VR, Group CEO of Ogilvy India
Imran Fazal Jun 6, 2026 9:18 AM
The order comes nearly 17 years after the MIB terminated the Haryana-based broadcaster's FM radio licence
Imran Fazal Jun 5, 2026 8:49 AM
For cable operators, the potential withdrawal of landing page spending presents a fresh challenge
Imran Fazal Jun 5, 2026 8:43 AM
The Rs 300-crore mandate expansion is not simply an account win for Cheil—it's a test case for how traditional and digital media can be genuinely unified in the age of AI-driven marketing
Imran Fazal Jun 4, 2026 8:49 AM
The directive, communicated by BARC to its subscribers on Monday, comes less than a month of an earlier order issued in May
Imran Fazal Jun 3, 2026 1:19 PM
The verdict is expected to accelerate efforts by broadcasters to charge higher rates from advertisers rather than increase inventory
Imran Fazal Jun 3, 2026 8:32 AM
The complaint alleges that electronic evidence collected during the investigation demonstrated that copyrighted JioStar content was being retransmitted through IPTV channels without authorisation
Imran Fazal Jun 1, 2026 8:30 AM
The distinction could have far-reaching implications for online and offline competitions involving games such as chess, esports, bridge, poker and even certain formats of rummy
Imran Fazal May 30, 2026 10:10 AM
Unlike earlier tax rulings narrowly confined to sector-specific questions, the Supreme Court’s language appears intentionally expansive
Imran Fazal May 29, 2026 7:04 PM
Before GST, online gaming firms had strong incentives to classify their offerings as actionable claims because actionable claims — like lottery tickets — were largely outside the service tax net
Imran Fazal May 29, 2026 6:19 PM
The matter stems from a petition filed by AIDCF, which has challenged Prasar Bharati’s move to onboard linear satellite television channels on its OTT platform WAVES
Imran Fazal May 29, 2026 2:39 PM
The ruling, which ends a 13-year legal battle between broadcasters and the regulator, is expected to disproportionately impact news broadcasters and free-to-air (FTA) channels
Imran Fazal May 29, 2026 1:59 PM
Harsh Deep Chhabra, Global Head – Media at Godrej Consumer Products, discusses how FMCG companies are adjusting media strategies amid supply-side disruptions and geopolitical tensions
Imran Fazal May 28, 2026 9:25 AM
Legal and tax experts said the immediate fallout could shift from courtroom battles to insolvency proceedings before the National Company Law Tribunal
Imran Fazal May 28, 2026 9:21 AM
For months, the Additional Solicitor General became the face of the Union government’s aggressive push against the real money gaming (RMG) industry
Imran Fazal May 28, 2026 8:08 AM
The court rejected the argument advanced by gaming companies that games of skill automatically fall outside the legislative competence of states
Imran Fazal May 27, 2026 4:12 PM
Court held that even where games involve substantial skill, once participation is conditioned upon staking money on uncertain future outcomes, the transaction acquires the character of betting
Imran Fazal May 27, 2026 3:56 PM
The submissions reveal the growing tensions between traditional television economics and rapidly evolving connected television ecosystems
Imran Fazal May 27, 2026 9:48 AM
Moorthy’s additional responsibilities include media buying, influencer marketing, brand building, and oversight linked to Lightbox, the company’s in-house creative agency
Imran Fazal May 26, 2026 9:14 AM
The dispute is whether states can impose blanket prohibitions on online games played for stakes
Imran Fazal May 26, 2026 8:55 AM
The petition contends the blanket exclusion of landing page viewership ignores technological realities & existing safeguards, and said it was neither technically justified nor operationally feasible
Imran Fazal May 26, 2026 8:49 AM
Srinivasan Swamy, president of AAAI, said the association had fully cooperated with investigators but refrained from commenting on specifics as the matter remains sub judice
Imran Fazal May 25, 2026 8:39 AM
The latest development comes close on the heels of BARC's decision to resume publishing news television ratings from June 11, without including landing page data
Imran Fazal May 22, 2026 2:17 PM
The winner of the media mandate will be announced next week, e4m has learnt
Imran Fazal May 22, 2026 9:02 AM
Jitender Dabas, CEO of BBDO Group India, speaks to e4m on the impact of AI-led consolidation on the ad industry, effect of rising fuel prices on the broader economy & consumer spending, and much more
Imran Fazal May 22, 2026 8:42 AM
The Madison World Chairman says agency consolidation is inevitable after years of talent build-up, believes AI investments are now non-negotiable for relevance, and more
Imran Fazal May 21, 2026 10:54 AM
The revised methodology is likely to particularly impact channels that had benefited disproportionately from landing page arrangements with distribution platforms
Imran Fazal May 21, 2026 8:05 AM
Sources said BARC’s renewal application was submitted following the ministry’s decision to extend the compliance window for existing TV audience measurement agencies
Imran Fazal May 20, 2026 1:48 PM
Broadcasters also criticized proposals around cross-holding restrictions, claiming they could force media companies to dilute ownership in their own streaming businesses
Imran Fazal May 19, 2026 8:28 AM
In an interview, Srinivasan Swamy says that the festival’s real purpose has always been equal parts celebration, networking, and learning
Imran Fazal May 18, 2026 12:25 PM
Veteran industry leader Srinivasan Swamy lays out why he believes Goafest still matters — and what must evolve for it to stay relevant in the years ahead
Imran Fazal May 18, 2026 12:13 PM
Webpages on AAAI’s official website was found displaying content linked to a betting and gambling platform, instead of archival material related to the association’s legacy
Imran Fazal May 15, 2026 1:59 PM
The central question is whether online skill gaming platforms should be taxed at 28% on the entire contest entry amount pooled from users or only on the platform fee retained by operators
Imran Fazal May 15, 2026 8:46 AM
The bench also cautioned that enforcement agencies could not invoke arrest powers casually and noted that officers could face consequences if powers were exercised without proper legal basis
Imran Fazal May 14, 2026 11:14 AM
According to the submission, any new framework should focus on platform-level accountability rather than duplicative regulation of broadcasters
Imran Fazal May 14, 2026 11:03 AM
A major plank of the submissions is the argument that bringing FAST platforms under telecom licensing rules would violate constitutional protections relating to freedom of speech and business
Imran Fazal May 14, 2026 10:44 AM
Advertising executives say while India’s domestic economy remains resilient, brands are becoming more selective and strategic with media spending
Imran Fazal May 14, 2026 9:04 AM
Industry estimates from Swift TV suggest connected TV households may rise from 20M to 40M by 2028, with FAST ad revenues potentially reaching $600M in the same period
Imran Fazal May 13, 2026 4:03 PM
The cable TV industry is seeking the classification of ALTD services
Imran Fazal May 13, 2026 3:35 PM
A key demand emerging from the submissions is that ALTD platforms should be treated on par with Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), such as DTH, cable, IPTV and HITS operators
Imran Fazal May 13, 2026 3:28 PM
Industry executives said the regulator’s eventual recommendations may have far-reaching implications for platform licensing, channel carriage economics, digital advertising and competitive dynamics
Imran Fazal May 13, 2026 3:14 PM
Industry estimates suggest the broader AI-in-sports market could approach nearly $50 billion by 2033
Imran Fazal May 13, 2026 8:47 AM
The BCI filed a strongly worded additional affidavit in the Delhi High Court challenging the competition regulator’s authority to frame rules affecting advocates and legal representation
Imran Fazal May 12, 2026 9:05 AM
The govt has also mandated that existing television rating agencies increase their metered homes to 80,000 within nine months from the date of notification of the guidelines
Imran Fazal May 8, 2026 6:56 PM
Bopche’s exit comes on the heels of the departure of Jitender Dabas from Cheil X earlier this year
Imran Fazal May 7, 2026 9:24 AM
Industry conversations suggest that beneath the celebratory veneer of the event lies a growing unease over whether the platform still serves the ecosystem it claims to represent
Imran Fazal May 7, 2026 8:41 AM
Broadcasters and media agencies have expressed divergent views on the new framework
Imran Fazal May 6, 2026 6:31 PM
Iyer's role is expected to support the company’s ongoing efforts to build a creator-led content and distribution ecosystem
Imran Fazal May 6, 2026 2:38 PM
Vempati takes over the charge from Prasoon Joshi, who was recently appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati
Imran Fazal May 6, 2026 1:35 PM
Geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East—another important source of advertising demand—have further contributed to a cautious outlook
Imran Fazal May 6, 2026 9:12 AM
The broadcast segment has seen a year-on-year reduction of ₹39.39 crore
Imran Fazal May 6, 2026 8:47 AM
Tests conducted in presence of officials from Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, Telecom Engineering Centre, Department of Science and Technology, MeitY, MIB, Prasar Bharati, & Tejas Networks
Imran Fazal May 5, 2026 8:40 AM
While the size of the business remains undisclosed, the involvement of top-tier networks suggests a sizeable investment
Imran Fazal May 4, 2026 5:42 PM
Multiple media owners raise concerns that BMC's outdoor policy added complexity to the industry without addressing the root problem of illegal inventory
Imran Fazal May 4, 2026 8:33 AM
The broader industry is now closely watching how global tech platforms interpret and enforce India’s new gaming regulations
Imran Fazal May 2, 2026 12:02 PM
Meanwhile, advertising for gambling and betting platforms continues to flood digital media, celebrity endorsements persist, and user acquisition campaigns show little sign of slowing down
Imran Fazal May 1, 2026 8:02 AM
Mullen Lintas had appointed Ram Jayaraman as its Chief Creative Officer in 2023
Imran Fazal Apr 30, 2026 8:13 PM
Report findings are stark: what began as bootleg DVD rackets two decades ago has metastasised into a multi-billion-dollar transnational criminal infrastructure
Imran Fazal Apr 30, 2026 11:08 AM
JioStar's growth as a revenue peer to Google India and Meta India reflects several structural trends reshaping India's media and advertising economy
Imran Fazal Apr 29, 2026 8:42 AM
Payments were routed domestically via QR codes to designated intermediaries, with no direct international transfers or cryptocurrency involvement
Imran Fazal Apr 29, 2026 7:54 AM
The illegal streaming network was functioning through a mobile application identified as Levyn
Imran Fazal Apr 28, 2026 4:20 PM
Industry executives estimate influencer-led activations linked to IPL could touch Rs 700 crore in 2026, accounting for 16-18% of digital advertising spends around the tournament
Imran Fazal Apr 28, 2026 7:54 AM
Bhatia led Firstpost and Creator18 at Network18, where he was tasked with building a creator-first media proposition amid growing competition among legacy publishers and digital-native platforms
Imran Fazal Apr 27, 2026 10:53 AM
Legal experts say the missing refund safe harbour has left both consumers and companies exposed
Imran Fazal Apr 27, 2026 8:55 AM
As per the official notification, the upgrade introduces enhanced EPG services, including structured genre-based channel categorisation, Logical Channel Numbering & landing page integration
Imran Fazal Apr 24, 2026 12:18 PM
Its findings carry significant implications for Indian regulators and enforcement agencies, particularly as it identifies multiple operators actively servicing Indian users
Imran Fazal Apr 24, 2026 9:10 AM
Of the total ₹83.4 crore spent on Google political advertising in India over the past month, only ₹23 crore or 28% came directly from political parties
Imran Fazal Apr 24, 2026 8:23 AM
The piracy app generated revenue by displaying advertisements within the application, with ad supply facilitated through Unity Ads, an advertising network
Imran Fazal Apr 23, 2026 4:23 PM
Vempati, who joined the BARC board in 2024, has stepped down citing personal reasons
Imran Fazal Apr 23, 2026 12:15 PM
The move has direct implications for state-level regulators such as the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority, which had attempted in recent years to expand its oversight beyond real money gaming
Imran Fazal Apr 23, 2026 11:49 AM
Early reactions from industry leaders suggest broad approval. However, they also underline an important next phase: ensuring predictability, transparency, & institutional robustness in implementation
Imran Fazal Apr 23, 2026 8:18 AM
MeitY Secretary S Krishnan stated that promotions of unregistered platforms will be treated as a key offence alongside their operation and associated financial transactions
Imran Fazal Apr 22, 2026 6:25 PM
Regulatory scrutiny will be triggered in situations such as when the authority initiates action, when a platform seeks classification as an e-sport, or when the Centre notifies certain categories
Imran Fazal Apr 22, 2026 5:57 PM
The revised rules remove the earlier provision for a Grievance Appellate Committee, streamlining the appeal process
Imran Fazal Apr 22, 2026 4:49 PM
Developers have also raised concerns about potential overlaps with widely used international rating frameworks such as ESRB and PEGI
Imran Fazal Apr 22, 2026 8:21 AM
Data from TAM Sports indicate that streaming and broadcast are no longer competing mediums but complementary pillars
Imran Fazal Apr 21, 2026 7:28 PM
Senior representatives from IBDF and BARC recently met Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to raise concerns
Imran Fazal Apr 21, 2026 2:31 PM
Notably, the Advertising Standards Council of India does not track radio advertising, creating a gap in oversight
Imran Fazal Apr 21, 2026 8:33 AM
According to an internal communication, Pathak is expected to lead efforts to elevate brand presence, deepen client relationships, and drive growth
Imran Fazal Apr 20, 2026 10:43 PM
Data from Media Pro Research underlines the trend. Circulation revs have declined steadily—from ₹81.7 billion in 2023 to ₹80.1 billion in 2025—wiping out nearly ₹1 billion in just two years
Imran Fazal Apr 20, 2026 9:41 AM
Contracts reviewed by e4m reveal that influencers, in several cases, command higher fees than celebrities; celeb deals continue to demand broader deliverables, even as pricing is under pressure
Imran Fazal Apr 17, 2026 8:45 AM
The pubcaster has introduced revenue sharing, sponsored and gratis models to boost monetisation opportunities across 50 clusters nationwide
Imran Fazal Apr 15, 2026 8:52 AM
FAST ecosystem players including smart TV manufacturers, OS providers, and content aggregators argue that excessive regulation could stifle innovation in a nascent but consumer-friendly segment
Imran Fazal Apr 15, 2026 8:26 AM
Srinivasan Swamy, AAAI Chief and Executive Group Chairman of RK Swamy, also cautioned against the proliferation of multiple measurement systems
Imran Fazal Apr 14, 2026 10:19 AM
Incumbent agency Dentsu, which has been handling the account for over 10 years, may defend its position in the ongoing review
Imran Fazal Apr 13, 2026 2:33 PM
Srinivasan Swamy, Executive Group Chairman of RK Swamy, talks to e4m on global consolidation, measurement challenges, growing role of tech and a host of other developments in the ad industry
Imran Fazal Apr 13, 2026 9:20 AM
The AAAI Chief's remarks come amid growing scrutiny of PSUs, which industry insiders say continue to increasingly drive the adoption of reverse auctions during agency pitches
Imran Fazal Apr 11, 2026 8:37 AM
The deadline of April 14 has been extended following representations from multiple stakeholders seeking more time to respond to the draft rules
Imran Fazal Apr 10, 2026 8:54 PM
ED questioned the company’s conduct, saying it claimed it could not pay salaries for three months while engaging multiple high-profile senior counsels
Imran Fazal Apr 10, 2026 1:02 PM
The Japanese apparel major had, in January, invited agencies to pitch for its media business
Imran Fazal Apr 10, 2026 9:47 AM
Under the new structure, smaller agencies with revenues of up to ₹5 crore will pay an annual subscription of ₹15,000
Imran Fazal Apr 8, 2026 10:19 AM
While the new policy formally removes TRAI from the TV ratings ecosystem, stakeholders point out that the MIB has historically been the nodal authority in both letter and practice
Imran Fazal Apr 8, 2026 8:08 AM
A division bench of Justice Anil Kshetrapal and Justice Amit Mahajan concluded hearings in the matter, which has been pending for over a decade and is now slated for final disposal
Imran Fazal Apr 7, 2026 3:03 PM
The account is currently with Wavemaker—part of advertising conglomerate WPP
Imran Fazal Apr 7, 2026 1:59 PM
Incumbent agency Madison World is understood to be defending the business, while several leading global and domestic media networks have been invited to participate in the multi-stage pitch process
Imran Fazal Apr 7, 2026 12:27 PM
Agencies are now focusing on identifying key administrators, payment gateways, and digital trails to dismantle these networks
Imran Fazal Apr 7, 2026 8:20 AM
Broadcasters point out that many channels available on such platforms may not adhere to Programme Code and Advertising Code requirements
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 5:56 PM
The MIB had flagged that FAST services are being delivered through preloaded apps on smart TVs and operate on an advertising-led model without any registration or licensing framework
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 5:25 PM
TRAI has identified a fourth emerging model involving websites and apps that aggregate global TV channels, some of which may not have regulatory approval for distribution in India
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 4:54 PM
900 member WhatsApp network busted; Police have frozen ₹20 lakh in a bank account belonging to an accused involved in handling financial transactions
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 3:58 PM
The lawsuit was part of a broader strategy often employed by companies to curb online defamation, particularly when content originates from anonymous or pseudonymous accounts
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 12:44 PM
Franchises are exploring new monetisation layers & experiences to build a sustainable ecosystem that balances fan engagement with long-term commercial returns
Imran Fazal Apr 6, 2026 9:02 AM
The disclosures indicate that while the broadcaster’s financial performance has improved in terms of revenue and surplus generation, it continues to carry significant legacy obligations
Imran Fazal Apr 3, 2026 8:39 AM
Within the commercial revenue mix, DD Free Dish has outpaced traditional income streams such as advertising, sponsored programming and sale of archival content
Imran Fazal Apr 3, 2026 8:28 AM
As per industry estimates, India's mid-tier influencers bag ₹2-3 cr a year in brand deals & subscriptions, a stark contrast to WAVES OTT’s FY25 earnings - as revealed in the pubcaster’s Annual Report
Imran Fazal Apr 3, 2026 8:07 AM
For JioStar, ‘Tadka’ could serve as a testbed for new content-commerce models, especially as competition intensifies across streaming, social media, and short-video platforms
Imran Fazal Apr 2, 2026 1:40 PM
Experts says industry players may move court seeking interim relief and clarity if MIB fails to address concerns
Imran Fazal Apr 2, 2026 9:23 AM
With cash-driven gaming revenues drying up, the industry has pivoted sharply towards free-to-play formats monetised through advertising, brand partnerships and data-driven engagement models
Imran Fazal Apr 2, 2026 9:10 AM
In the absence of a central mega studio plan, the onus of building physical production infrastructure is increasingly shifting to states
Imran Fazal Apr 1, 2026 3:42 PM
D2M technology enables the transmission of video, audio and data directly to mobile handsets using terrestrial broadcast infrastructure—eliminating reliance on SIM cards or mobile data networks
Imran Fazal Apr 1, 2026 1:05 PM
As per the MIB, the sharpest enforcement activity occurred in 2022 and 2023, suggesting a period of heightened scrutiny as concerns around televised content escalated
Imran Fazal Apr 1, 2026 1:04 PM
Notably, the MIB indicated that the directive has received broad acceptance across stakeholders, with no objections reported so far
Imran Fazal Apr 1, 2026 12:38 PM
A top source confirmed to e4m that Havas is still engaged in discussions with Madison, indicating that the conversations remain open-ended and far from closure
Imran Fazal Mar 31, 2026 3:28 PM
Documents related to lawsuits, with copies accessed by e4m, filed in the Delhi High Court show that the battle is intensifying in 2026
Imran Fazal Mar 31, 2026 9:34 AM





