Author: Akanksha Nagar

Union Budget 2025: M&E sector seeks GST revision on digital services, investment in skill development

Indian media and entertainment industry is looking for favorable policy and tax announcements in the upcoming budget for growth. (Image source: Julius Drost, Unsplash)

The media and entertainment sector anticipates simplified regulatory frameworks, a conducive environment for innovation, and initiatives that enhance the digital and technical skills of the workforce.

Maha Kumbh 2025: Travel platforms up ad spends by 40% as bookings skyrocket

OTC platforms/agencies are investing heavily in advertising during the Maha Kumbh and have increased ad spends approximately 40%-50% year-on-year, this includes targeted promotions for flight bookings, pilgrim tour packages and hotel simultaneously.

As train and flight bookings rise over 200% on the back of Maha Kumbh, the online travel platforms and agencies significantly up advertising spends.

Media Rating Council accredits Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel national TV measurement

Older viewers tend to watch a lot more total TV than their younger counterparts, so the 75% U.S. viewers 65+ spend with linear TV adds up to a lot more hours. There is a similar trend in Thailand with all media types having greater total reach with older audiences than younger generations.

Big Data + Panel national TV measurement combines Nielsen’s representative panel measurement with data from cable, satellite set-top boxes and smart TVs across 45 million households and 75 million devices.

By 2030, digital economy to fuel 20% of India’s national income: MeitY

In 2022-23, the digital economy accounted for 14.67 million workers, or 2.55% of India’s estimated work force, according to MeitY.

India’s digital economy is expected to grow almost twice as fast as the overall economy, and is expected to contribute one-fifth of GDP by 2030, says the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in its latest report.

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Not within Indian court jurisdiction to hear copyright case by ANI: OpenAI

The findings have sparked further conversation around the psychological effects of AI chatbots, particularly those designed with an emphasis on virtual companionship.

The Microsoft-backed AI company has told an Indian court that it was not within the jurisdiction of Indian courts to hear a copyright breach case brought by local news agency ANI as OpenAI had no presence in the country.

Lodha v/s Lodha: Abhishek Lodha files petition against younger brother Abhinandan Lodha over trademark

The HC decision follows the hearing of three petitions against the non-regulation of deepfake technology in the country and the threat of its potential misuse.

Abhishek Lodha’s Macrotech Developers approached Bombay HC to intervene and restrain House of Abhinandan Lodha (helmed by younger brother) from using the brand name ‘Lodha’.

Bombay HC crackdown on Panchayats leads to over 50% reduction in illegal ad hoardings

Both the Maharashtra government and the Bombay High Court have come down heavily on the illegal ad hoardings.

After the Bombay High Court order and government resolution issued to the gram panchayats to refrain from granting illegal permissions to erect ad hoardings, there has been more than a 50% reduction in illegal ad hoardings, according to industry observers.

Pay TV channels to leave DD Free Dish amidst tariff regulation conflict with TRAI

Prasar Bharati has recently revised its e-auction policy for DD Free Dish slots allowing HD channels to participate in the bidding process. But with the latest TRAI tariff regulations, these HD channels too have to convert to FTAs to be on DD Free Dish.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’ tariff regulation mandates pay TV channels convert to free-to-air (FTA) to broadcast via DD Free Dish.