iWorld
Amazon MX Player backs Super Founders with big bet
MUMBAI: India’s startup dreams are getting a primetime power boost. Amazon MX Player has pulled the curtain on Bharat Ke Super Founders, a reality series that puts real money, real mentors and real pressure on budding entrepreneurs as they chase the biggest funding pool ever showcased on Indian entertainment.
Set to stream for free, the show brings action, ambition and a touch of boardroom drama as host and mentor Suniel Shetty guides founders pitching to a heavyweight panel of business leaders. Together with Recur Club, the tycoons have committed a landmark Rs 100 crore, making the series a genuine launchpad rather than just a television spectacle.
The format stands out for its insistence on authenticity, verified pitches and transparent investment conversations. Every founder steps in with real data and real intent, reflecting the show’s mission to spotlight Bharat’s diversity, grit and ingenuity. It celebrates the Super Founders, the everyday innovator whose conviction could spark meaningful change.
A power-packed panel fuels this mission. A. Velumani of Thyrocare, Nitish Mittersain of Nazara Technologies, Aarti Gupta of Anikarth Ventures, Shanti Mohan of LVX, Aditya Singh of All In Capital and Ankur Mittal of Physis Capital and Inflection Point Ventures form the core group. A rotating lineup of industry leaders joins through the season, adding fresh perspectives and varied investment philosophies. Recur Club’s Eklavya Gupta plays a key role in the Rs 100 crore commitment, bringing the company’s AI-driven debt infrastructure to the table.
Amazon MX Player director and head of content Amogh Dusad, said the series breaks new ground by presenting real deals and verified business fundamentals. He explained that the platform aims to democratise access to opportunity for founders across the country.
Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani, added that the show champions founders who embody India’s ambition and diversity, describing the investment pledge as a catalyst for scalable, high-impact businesses.
Suniel Shetty shared his excitement about hosting, noting that entrepreneurship is the beating heart of New India. He said that every participant brings a story worth hearing and a determination worth backing.
Investor and tycoon A. Velumani, said the show offers focused and frugal founders the opportunity they have long needed, emphasising that Bharat requires millions of successful entrepreneurs to power its future.
With big ideas, bigger inspiration and the biggest investment pool in Indian reality programming, Bharat Ke Super Founders promises high stakes, heartfelt stories and a front-row seat to the next wave of game-changing ventures. The series will stream free across Amazon MX Player, the Amazon shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV and Airtel Xstream.
iWorld
JioStar revenue hits Rs 9,784 crore as cricket fuels 22 per cent growth
A surge in digital viewership and sports dominance fuels a blockbuster quarter for the media giant
MUMBAI: JioStar is batting on a flat pitch. The media titan’s fourth-quarter results for the financial year 2026 reveal a business scaling new heights, propelled by an unprecedented appetite for premium sports and digital-first storytelling.
Gross revenue for the quarter soared by 22.15 per cent to Rs 9,784 crore, up from Rs 8,010 crore in the third quarter. Operationally, the momentum was equally strong; revenue from operations climbed 21 per cent to Rs 8,372 crore. These figures underscore the firm’s successful integration following the Reliance and Disney merger, creating a dominant force in the Indian market.
The annual performance has been nothing short of a spectacle. Full-year gross revenue reached a massive Rs 36,248 crore, while annual profit after tax hit Rs 3,210 crore. This rapid expansion reflects JioStar’s ability to capture and monetise the massive growth in India’s media consumption.
Cricket proved to be the ultimate growth engine. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and TATA IPL 2026 delivered “record-breaking viewership” across both television and digital screens. The World Cup final alone drew a global peak concurrency of 72.5 million on JioHotstar, cementing its status as the nation’s premier streaming destination. On television, JioStar maintained a commanding 34.2 per cent viewership share, reaching a staggering 810 million viewers nationwide.
The digital numbers were just as impressive. JioHotstar averaged 500 million monthly active users, driven by consistent subscriber growth and innovative AI-led content discovery tools. These advancements are ensuring that JioStar remains at the cutting edge of the global “Race for Attention.”
With a firm grip on the country’s most valuable sporting rights and a rapidly growing digital footprint, JioStar is perfectly positioned for the future. It has built the ultimate content powerhouse—one that is ready to dominate the Indian living room for years to come.
