Sonam Saini

Television Revenue Trends: Prasar Bharati, CEO, Gaurav Dwivedi attributed the recent DD FreeDish revenue decline to post-election normalisation, citing a prior surge from intense news channel bidding during elections. He also discussed Waves OTT's growth, emphasising an ad-supported model and expanded content. Dwivedi remained tight-lipped about Doordarshan's news revamp, but confirmed a focus on youth-oriented, globally appealing content.

After years of explosive growth, India's OTT platforms are slowing down, prioritising profitability over sheer content volume.

The inaugural WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai successfully positioned India as a global media and entertainment hub. Prime Minister Modi's address emphasized 'create in India, create for world,' attracting industry giants like Shah Rukh Khan and Ted Sarandos. Despite initial logistical challenges, the summit fostered innovation and collaboration, showcasing India's creative potential on a global stage.

Amazon Prime Video India will introduce limited advertisements in movies and TV shows from June 17, 2025, while also offering an ad-free premium option. This move aligns with the growing AVOD trend in the price-sensitive Indian market, where overall online video consumption is rising, but SVOD is reportedly declining. Experts believe this hybrid approach will allow Amazon to further invest in content and cater to a broader audience.

Artificial Intelligence: At Goafest 2025, Rishad Tobaccowala said that AI is underhyped, urging focus on uniquely human traits—creativity, curiosity, communication. In conversation with Anupriya Acharya, he advised agencies to reimagine storytelling with AI, leaders to inspire, and professionals to embrace long-term growth. To thrive in the age of AI, Tobaccowala emphasised the importance of developing the—6 Cs— core human capabilities that machines can’t replicate.

HUL's Tejas Apte, at Goafest 2025, stressed combating "fakes" in digital media to ensure ad effectiveness and industry health.

Kids TV Genre: The kids' TV genre in India showcases resilience and growth, adapting to the digital landscape while maintaining viewership and advertising revenues. Explore how platforms are evolving and the significance of content strategy in engaging the Gen Alpha audience.