iWorld
Ashwani Rana appointed as chief public policy officer of Zupee
Mumbai: Mobile gaming platform Zupee on Thursday announced the appointment of Ashwani Rana as the chief public policy officer.
He brings with him an experience of around three decades of senior leadership and his work is widely acknowledged in the area of Internet and telecom policies and regulations.
Prior to his new role, Ashwani was associated with Meta as director of public policy for more than six years. Before Meta he was with Bharti Airtel for more than a decade as their chief regulatory office (operations). He has worked closely with top trade organisations in the country and headed many committees there. Over the years, he has led numerous policy initiatives at company and industry level. He holds Master’s in Business Law, Public Policy and Management.
Congratulating Ashwani Rana on joining the organisation, Zupee founder and CEO Dilsher Singh Malhi said, “We are delighted to have Ashwani on board. With extensive experience of navigating a variety of regulatory challenges, he will be instrumental in steering Zupee through the evolving online gaming regulatory landscape.”
Speaking on his appointment, Ashwini Rana said, “This is an exciting time to be part of the online gaming industry that will have a transformational effect on the digital economy of India. I look forward to playing an active role in the growth of Zupee and working with the government and other stakeholders towards enabling policies for this sector.”
iWorld
JioHotstar brings HBO Max to India in exclusive Warner Bros. tie-up
Hit shows and global franchises arrive as platform sharpens streaming edge
MUMBAI: JioHotstar has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring HBO Max to India, making it the exclusive home for the global streaming platform in the country.
The HBO Max hub, now live on JioHotstar, offers a wide catalogue spanning HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, creating a unified destination for premium international content.
The launch gives Indian audiences access to some of the most anticipated titles of 2026, including new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, alongside an upcoming Harry Potter series. Popular titles already available include The Last of Us, Succession, Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.
In a first for the platform, subscribers can also stream iconic series such as Friends and The Big Bang Theory, along with other fan favourites like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and The Flash.
Commenting on the launch, JioHotstar CEO entertainment Kevin Vaz said, “This marks a defining moment in how premium global content is accessed and experienced in India.” He added that the integration brings together scale, curation and accessibility to deliver a more immersive viewing experience.
Echoing the sentiment, Warner Bros. Discovery president Apac James Gibbons said, “India is one of the most vibrant streaming markets globally, and in JioHotstar, we have a partner with unmatched scale and a deep understanding of local audiences.” He noted that the move strengthens the reach of the company’s global franchises in the country.
The HBO Max hub will sit alongside JioHotstar’s existing content library, with subscription add-on plans starting at Rs 49 per month, offering viewers broader access to international programming.
With streaming competition heating up, this tie-up signals a clear push by JioHotstar to double down on premium global content and cement its position as a one-stop destination for entertainment in India.
