MAM
America’s tweens, young teens losing interest in TV
MUMBAI: As they get older, American tweens and young teens – the 8-14 year old crowd – become increasingly disinterested in watching television, and more and more distracted when they do watch it.
This information is contained in a report titled The US Market for Tweens and Young Teens from publisher Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com. The TV still reigns supreme — almost 80 per cent of the younger tweens say that they “love” watching television, according to research conducted by Simmons Market Research Bureau. However, this drops to 60 per cent when kids reach their early teen years. And, many tweens and young teens often do something else while the tube is on, such as read, listen to music or use a computer.
Moreover, consumers in this age group are relatively realistic and sophisticated in their perceptions of the place of television in their lives. Few think that television is more exciting than real life, and a significant minority believes that “watching too much TV is bad for you.” The latest Census Bureau report shows that there are 29.3 million young Americans in the 8- to 14-year-old age group. This includes 16.4 million 8-to 11-year-olds and 12.8 million 12- to 14-year-olds. Packaged Facts projects that these consumers command a purchasing power of $40 billion.
Packaged Facts acquisitions editor Don Montuori says, “Tweens and young teens are mastering the adult art of multi-tasking. The Internet, in particular, offers a compelling alternative to TV programming, and this is a significant development for marketers in their efforts to target these consumers.” Now in its 3rd edition, The US Market for Tweens and Young Teens offers industry executives an analysis of US tweens and young teens as consumers. The report explores their social world, analyses how tweens and young teens spend their time and money, and assesses the size and growth of the market.
MAM
JioStar cracks IPTV piracy network as TATA IPL 2026 gets underway
Broadcaster moves swiftly on match day to shut illegal BOS IPTV service
MUMBAI: JioStar has dismantled a major digital piracy syndicate on the opening day of the TATA IPL 2026, targeting an unauthorised IPTV service operating under the name BOS IPTV.
The crackdown followed an internal investigation that flagged the rogue platform, hosted on bostv.org, for illegally streaming premium television content. Acting on its findings, JioStar filed a criminal complaint with the Cyber Police Station Firozabad, triggering a formal police probe.
An FIR registered on 26 March 2026 cites multiple offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the Information Technology Act 2008, and the Copyright Act 1957, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged violations.
Investigators found that BOS IPTV was offering access to more than 10,000 live television channels along with a library of over 25,000 video-on-demand titles through its proprietary streaming player. The platform reportedly had around 64,000 active users and was run by a team of roughly 20 individuals, pointing to a well-organised operation.
Law enforcement authorities have arrested the primary accused, with further detentions expected as the investigation expands across multiple states. Officials believe the network may be part of a broader, coordinated piracy ecosystem operating in India.
The website has since been taken offline by its operators, marking a timely intervention just as the IPL season begins and viewership peaks. For broadcasters, the opening weeks of the tournament are particularly vulnerable to illegal streaming, making swift enforcement crucial.
JioStar’s latest action signals a sharper, more proactive stance against digital piracy, especially around marquee sporting events. As the IPL gathers pace, the broadcaster is expected to maintain close coordination with authorities to protect its content and ensure viewers stay on the right side of the stream.
