The Economic Times

The landscape of India's microdrama industry is evolving, shifting from an emphasis on acquiring users to nurturing and monetizing them. Currently, active paying users represent a small fraction of the total users. Analysts predict that the market will converge around a few dominant firms as they navigate global competition and find ways to lower production expenses. To thrive, platforms must prioritize user engagement and sustainable revenue streams.

Gaana and Fenix360 have partnered to launch a new artist-fan ecosystem. This integration combines discovery, engagement, and monetization within the Gaana app. Artists can now build digital storefronts and offer merchandise directly to fans. The platform also enables ticket sales and paid live streams for artists. This new ecosystem aims to foster stronger artist-audience connections and revenue streams.

The National Company Law Tribunal approved a repayment plan for Essel Group founder Subhash Chandra. This plan does not signify banks writing off nearly all of Rs 22,000 crore in loans. The Rs 22,006 crore figure represents claims against Chandra as a personal guarantor. Corporate borrowers remain liable for their debts, and creditors retain recovery avenues. This case is an exceptional personal-guarantor resolution, not a corporate debt write-off.

Media baron Subhash Chandra states his personal insolvency claim totals Rs 3,992 crore. He has not borrowed any money directly from any lender. Dissenting creditors claimed Rs 22,000 crore against him in proceedings. A third member of NCLT approved a plan for Chandra to pay Rs 6.5 crore. This decision allows for potential recovery from borrowing entities directly.

Walt Disney's Indian joint venture with Reliance Industries saw losses narrow significantly in the recent quarter. The combined entity, JioStar, reported a sharp turnaround in profitability during the last fiscal year. Revenue from operations for JioStar increased substantially, reflecting strong business growth. This improvement in Disney's investment tracks the venture's enhanced financial performance. JioStar also reduced its provision for onerous sports contracts, indicating better financial

JioStar vice chairman Uday Shankar said sports, particularly cricket, has been a major investment for the company, helping it build a digital audience of 600 million monthly active users. However, he said soaring cricket media rights costs have made the business increasingly difficult.