iWorld
Bodhi Tree partners author Amit Khan to create original OTT and TV projects
MUMBAI: Bodhi Tree Multimedia Ltd (BTML) has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with celebrated Hindi novelist Amit Khan’s creative venture, Amit Khan Content Hub (AKCH), to jointly develop premium original content for television and OTT platforms.
The partnership combines BTML’s production scale, operational expertise, and financing capabilities with AKCH’s prolific storytelling and loyal reader base. Together, they aim to deliver narratives that balance mass appeal with creative depth.
A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed, with BTML holding a majority stake. BTML will handle financing, operations, and strategic partnerships, while AKCH will lead creative development and production execution.
Author of over 100 Hindi pulp-fiction novels and founder of AKCH, including the iconic Commander Karan Saxena series (which was later adapted into a Jiocinema series of the same name), Amit Khan said, “I am thrilled to join hands with BTML, a company that has consistently delivered high-quality and impactful content. With our combined strengths, we are confident of creating stories that will resonate with viewers and leave a lasting mark on the Indian entertainment industry.”
BTML, managing director, Mautik Tolia, added, “This partnership is a confluence of creativity and capability. Amit Khan is one of India’s most celebrated novelists and storytellers, and we are excited to bring his distinctive vision to screens nationwide through BTML’s production infrastructure and industry relationships.”
BTML, listed on both NSE and BSE, has produced 100 plus shows and over 3,000 hours of content across languages including Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali. With this collaboration, both BTML and AKCH aim to target domestic and international audiences with fresh, compelling narratives.
The first slate of projects is expected to combine rich storytelling with high production values, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to creating content that engages audiences across platforms.
iWorld
T20 World Cup ’26: India–England semi-final sets global streaming record of 619 million views on JioHotstar
India–England semi-final records 65.2 million peak streams
MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set a new milestone in global sports streaming, as the India–England semi-final drew record digital audiences on JioHotstar.
The match on 5 March registered 65.2 million peak concurrent viewers, the highest ever recorded for a live event on any streaming platform worldwide. The semi-final also generated 619 million views, making it the most streamed T20 international match in history.
The landmark audience numbers were driven largely by viewers in India, setting a record achieved within a single market, rather than through aggregated viewership across multiple countries.
The high-scoring encounter between India national cricket team and England cricket team produced 499 runs across both innings, fuelling widespread fan engagement across platforms.
According to the International Cricket Council, the digital record surpassed the previous global benchmark of 65 million concurrent viewers, set in November 2024 by another international streaming platform.
Across television and digital platforms combined, the semi-final reached more than 320 million viewers, while total watch time exceeded 23 billion minutes, making it the most watched T20 international match ever.
“This World Cup demonstrates the immense passion of cricket fans and the progress made in bringing the game closer to audiences worldwide,” said ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“This moment reflects the scale of cricket fandom in India and the technological capability required to serve hundreds of millions of viewers simultaneously.”
JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, said the audience surge underscored the future of large-scale digital entertainment.
“One in every three Indians tuned in to watch the second semi-final. Delivering such an experience at scale requires the very best of technology,” he said.
The 619 million views during the match also eclipsed the 533 million views recorded during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the final yet to be played, the 2026 tournament has already set multiple benchmarks in audience reach and digital engagement.
India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
