Kevin Vaz, CEO of Jio Star's entertainment division, has been elected president of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF). Vaz, succeeding K Madhavan, aims to democratize content creation and foster sustainable growth within India's expanding media landscape, emphasising equitable collaborations and progressive regulations.

The report underscores the global appeal of storytelling and immersive audio experiences over the past year. The platform captivated a broad demographic, with 54% of listeners being Gen Z, 37% Millennials, and 5% Gen X. Gender distribution was nearly even, with 53% male and 47% female users.

The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) rejected broadcasters' plea to stay TRAI's new tariff regulation for DD Free Dish. Broadcasters must now publish a revised Reference Interconnect Offer within two weeks. The regulation mandates channels be either free on all platforms if free on DD Free Dish or withdrawn from it to maintain pay channel status.

CEO Gaurav Banerjee, who previously worked with Disney Star, said his appointment as CEO and recent leadership changes aim to provide fresh direction, with India remaining a key market for Japans Sony Pictures Entertainment, SPNI's parent company.

Scheduled for April 1-3, 2025, the three-day summit will lay the groundwork for the comprehensive Content India 2026 event. Modeled on the globally successful formats of C21 Medias Content London and Content Americas, the event will integrate a marketplace, conferences, and networking opportunities to connect creators, producers, distributors, platforms, and channels.

The government has issued an advisory to OTT platforms, cautioning them against portraying drug use without disclaimers. Concerned about the influence on young viewers, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting cited the Code of Ethics, urging platforms to exercise due diligence. Non-compliance could lead to further regulatory action under the IT Act and NDPS Act.

Sinclair Broadcast Group and Asian News International (ANI) expand the US reach of My India, a weekly TV program exploring India's economy, culture and global influence. The 30-minute show, launched in Q2 2024, will air on Sinclair stations across major US markets, strengthening US-India ties and reaching a wider American audience, including the Indian diaspora.

Netflix is bringing Gabriel Garca Mrquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude to the screen for the first time. The 16-episode series, filmed entirely in Colombia, premieres two episodes at the Havana Film Festival. This adaptation, a commitment to Spanish-language storytelling, aims to showcase Latin America's rich culture and history beyond stereotypes.