iWorld
IPL & Twitter launch new initiatives to enhance user experience
MUMBAI: Continuing from their partnerships in 2013 and 2014, the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Twitter have come together for the eighth season to bring new products and experiences to enhance the cricket viewing experience for fans around the world.
Cricket enthusiasts and IPL aficionados, who are online or offline, watching on any type of device or screen, those on the Twitter mobile app, desktop web to SMS will all be able to participate in the festival this year.
Speaking about the partnership, IPL governing council chairman Rajiv Shukla said, “IPL has always strived to put fans first. The evolution of our partnership with Twitter means that this season will be even more accessible to fans with real-time, interactive experiences both online and offline.”
Highlights of the initiatives launched are as follows:
IPL Hashflags
Waving the flag for your team has never been easier, as IPL will become the first sports league in the world to use hashflags on Twitter. “Hashflags are a fun and easy way to add some colour to tweets, and IPL fans on Twitter who use their favourite team’s hashtag will see that team’s flag appear after the text. The official hashtags for Hashflags are #IPL, #CSK, #DD, #KKR, #KXIP, #MI, #RCB, #RR and #SRH,” informs BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur.
Missed Call to follow IPL
In another global first, IPL will become the sports league that debuts the opportunity for sports fans to stay connected to their Twitter account via missed calls. Fans, who give a missed call to IPL on 011 3008 2008, will receive up to six tweets per day from @IPL that contain the hashtag #live as SMS. This service is free and will make the IPL even more accessible for fans as they can get Twitter updates from IPL even without an Internet connection.
IPL Timeline
With BCCI having introduced cricket timelines on Twitter, a special IPL Timeline has been created within all of Twitter’s platforms, from iOS to Android and also twitter.com. The two distinct timelines, one each for the tournament and live games, which will give fans all they need to know, from IPL to the fans, experts to the teams. Game timelines can be found by using match specific hashtags like #KKRvMI, #CSKvDD, #KXIPvRR, #CSKvRR. Users will also be to tweet with the tournament and match hashtags from right within this timeline. For mobile, this experience is available to all users who have updated to the latest version of the Twitter app.
IPL tweet-Wall-of-Fame
The IPL tweet Wall of Fame will give fans an opportunity to be seen by viewers watching the IPL around the world. The IPL will select the best tweets from users tweeting with #PepsiIPL and showcase them in the live global TV broadcast of every match. Fans whose tweets are showcased on air will then receive a tweet from @IPL with the screenshot of their tweet going on live TV. These tweets will also be featured on a dedicated IPL tweet-Wall-of-Fame page on iplt20.com
IPL Q&As on Periscope
Innovating with live mobile video broadcast, IPL will also take fans behind-the-scenes like never before with surprise, real-time Q&As. Fans on iOS will be able to watch and type in questions to their favourite players and commentators as they engage with them from the IPL Periscope account.
IPL #OrangeCap and #PurpleCap
In the latest season of the IPL, fans will also have the opportunity to tweet and create their own #PurpleCap and #OrangeCap leaderboards by using #PepsiIPL and #<Player’s last name> or his Twitter handle. The results will be displayed in real-time on a special leaderboard in the IPL on Twitter section of iplt20.com from the end of Week 1 to the end of the season.
Twitter India and Southeast Asia market director Rishi Jaitly said, “The IPL has led the way with cutting edge innovations and we are thrilled that they are giving Twitter users the opportunity to consume and engage with such premium content and content participation experiences again this season. It is a reflection of their commitment to reach and engage a mobile, global fanbase across all screens and devices.”
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
