iWorld
ALTBalaji integrates JioMoney as a payments platform
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, a digital platform for original content subscription service, has integrated with JioMoney, the mobile wallet from Reliance Payment Solutions Limited.
The integration will enable easy and hassle-free subscription payments for ALTBalaji’s customers. With over 250 hours of original content, ALTBalaji has become a popular service.
ALTBalaji was launched on 16 April 2017 with five original shows, and adds new shows every fortnight for its viewers to binge-watch. The content is created by some of the best talent of the Indian entertainment industry, including critically acclaimed directors and actors. The long illustrious list of artists comprises of Nagesh Kukunoor, Juhi Chawla, Nimrat Kaur, Rajkumar Rao, Hansal Mehta, Sakshi Tanwar, Ram Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Sameer Soni, Yudhishtar Urs, Dipannita Sharma Atwal, and more.
JioMoney is the PPI wallet offered by Reliance to carry out instant cashless transactions. Jio Money offers a safe and secure platform for making digital transactions at both physical and online stores. JioMoney has been consistently enhancing the digital transaction ecosystem in the country. JioMoney users can do mobile and DTH recharges, make everyday payments at physical stores, send/receive money, pay insurance premiums, manage finances, get great deals, and much more. Simultaneously JioMoney Merchants can also leverage the digital ecosystem to bring greater choice and benefits to their customers.
Commenting on the partnership, Nachiket Pantvaidya, CEO of ALT Digital Media Entertainment Ltd said, “ALTBalaji is the #1 repository of original and exclusive Indian content in the OTT space today. Our integration enables us to synergistically target quality content to JioMoney consumers while allowing an easy and quick means to pay and subscribe via JioMoney”.
ALTBalaji launched with shows like DevDD, Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, Boygiri, Bewafaa sii Wafaa, Romil & Jugal and have added The Test Case starring Nimrat Kaur and Maya Thirrai – the first Tamil original digital series to the portfolio.
iWorld
Anirudh Ravichander and Universal Music India join forces to take South India’s sound to the world
The composer behind 13 billion streams launches Albuquerque Records with UMI as its exclusive global partner
MUMBAI: Universal Music India has struck an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the freshly minted independent label of singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, in a deal that bets big on South India’s booming pop and hip-hop scene going global.
The arrangement, announced on 17 March, will see Universal Music India handle future pop and hip-hop releases by Anirudh himself, as well as artists signed to the new label. A first release is already in the pipeline for April, featuring Anirudh.
The numbers behind the man are hard to ignore. Debuting in 2012 with the viral sensation “Why This Kolaveri Di”, Anirudh has since clocked over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, cementing his position as the No.1 South Indian artist on Spotify by total streams. His fingerprints are all over some of the Tamil film industry’s biggest musical moments, from Hukum and Vaathi Coming to Arabic Kuthu and the A23 Theme.
But Albuquerque Records is a different beast. Built for the non-film space, it is designed to nurture independent talent and champion the next wave of Indian pop voices. “Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner,” said Anirudh. “I’m excited to take independent voices to audiences around the world.”
Universal Music India’s chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal was equally effusive. “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music, bold, original, and with enormous potential,” he said. “Identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director of Universal Music India, framed the deal as more than a distribution play. “Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hip-hop,” he said. “True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space, this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond.”
For Universal Music India, the deal deepens a long-running push into South India’s four key language markets: Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. The label already has regional imprints, film partnerships with Maddock Films and Excel Entertainment, and a growing non-film roster. Landing Anirudh, arguably the south’s most bankable music brand, is a statement of intent. South Indian music has the streams. Now it is coming for the world.
