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Sun to distribute Disney channels
MUMBAI: In a major development, the Walt Disney channels have decided to move out of Star Den‘s distribution network. The bouquet of three channels will be handled by Sun Distribution Services, the recently floated distribution arm of Sun TV Group, from 1 April.
This will be the first time that Sun will get to distribute channels outside its network, creating a bouquet that would have appeal outside the southern language TV audiences.
Indiantelevision.com was the first to report that Sun TV Network would enter into the distribution of television channels business, along the lines of Star Den, Zee Turner and MSM Disocvery.
As part of this plan, Sun has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with The Walt Disney Company to distribute Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama TV across multiple platforms, including cable TV, DTH and IPTV, in India.
Says The Walt Disney Company India MD Mahesh Samat, “We are delighted to partner with Sun Distribution Services, to further strengthen the reach and relevance of Disney in India. Our agreement further consolidates the strong position of Disney Channel, Disney XD and Hungama TV across multiple platforms in the country and provides kids and families increased access to content anywhere and anytime.”
Sun Distribution Services, a division of Sun Network Group‘s Kal Comm Pvt Ltd, will target several independent channels like Sahara One.
Says Sun Distribution Services COO Tony D‘Silva, “The Sun Network commands a strong consumer loyalty from TV viewers across India and this entry of the Disney channel network will help make us a more comprehensive and entertaining package of offerings with content that appeals to kids and families. This is a significant milestone for Sun Distribution Services towards creating an alliance of strong television stations catering to different audiences and geographies.”
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With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
