iWorld
Fremantle Media India forays into digital; launches web series ‘Confessions-It’s Complicated’
MUMBAI: Fremantle Media India is known for its successful Indian Idol franchise, which has been running for several seasons. The content creator is now pushing the envelope on digital and has launched its first web series titled Confessions –It’s Complicated. The launch was done at the hands of film actress Richa Chadda on 29 March.
Based on three spirited, vivacious girls Sameera Saxena, Raka Ghosh and Nupur Murthy from different parts of the country who live under one roof and office in Mumbai, Confessions, sheds light on their struggles, fears, dreams and adventures. Peppered with a mix of drama, love, romance and wit, the show bridges the gap between the reel and real lives of the characters.
The title track has been crooned by Anushka Manchanda, while the upbeat soundtrack has been composed by the renowned musician Leslie Lewis.
The 40 episode show has been conceptualised for the ‘on-the-go’ audience with each episode being of eight minute duration. Confessions – It’s Complicated begins airing on 4 April 2016 with fresh episodes being launched online every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. A total of 10 episodes will have a confession that will be made every Saturday.
Each installment will first be released on Facebook before moving on to Youtube. And that’s what makes Fremantle’s effort a standout. Its association with Facebook India and Facebook Live will allow viewers and fans to share their perspectives and experiences in real time. Additionally, the three leads will also reach out to audiences across key social media platforms and share with them their journey in the city of dreams.
Estimates are that each episode is costing the production house anywhere from Rs six to eight lakh.
Fremantle has roped in four sponsors to help defray its costs. This includes Myntra, and Gillette Venus, as the title and powered by sponsors respectively with Miss Malini and Saavn coming in as other sponsors.
Fremantle Media India business head Vidyuth Bhandary highlights that every attempt has been made to integrate the sponsors into each episode so that the content and storyline looks seamless and unforced.
It’s something that is echoed by Myntra VP marketing and head of monetisation Manish Aggawal. Says he: “Confessions does that (brand integration) beautifully. We are a fashion brand and fashion is all about choice. It is interesting to see how the three protagonists leverage fashion and their freedom in Mumbai according to their choice. They will be seen wearing Myntra clothes. Our consumers will get to see the products that we have through this.”
Adds Myntra CMO and head of international brands Gunjan Soni: “We see digital and storytelling as a powerful way to engage with young people. The Confessions web series celebrates independent young women and hence is close to our beliefs. We hope the viewers will also enjoy the shoppable styles the protagonists will be wearing.”
The Myntra partnership has been extended in other ways: the show will air on the fashion outlet’s app giving it a reach of 7 million viewers even as the three faces will be seen on the application and its properties. Push notifications and pop ups will be sent to Myntra users.
Part of the marketing plan drawn up by Fremantle includes the sponsors promoting the series on their digital platforms. Additionally, an agency to moderate social media to create buzz around the show has been signed on.
“We are striving to develop new formats and explore innovative ways to integrate non-traditional platforms,” says Bhandary.
The web-series has been produced in HD with the hope that it will find a telecast window in traditional TV channels, depending on its success.
“You need a combination of high production values and good content for a show to stand tall, “ explains Bhandary. “Once we are done with the digital run, we will definitely syndicate it as it’s been made without any compromises. It’s produced equally or even better than how a TV show is produced. The amount I am paying to produce this web series, I would have to pay the same amount to produce a TV show.”
A professional who is confident that the digital initiative will pay off is Fremantle Media India senior VP of branded entertainment and digital partnerships Ron Crasto. It was he who forged the relationship between the creatives at the content creator, Facebook and Myntra. Says he: “We want to be at the forefront of digital content production and storytelling. This innovative series will delight audiences and deliver great results for all stakeholders.”
Bhandary is hopeful of Confessions getting a second season. Says he: “The idea behind a finite series is that people want a beginning and an end. If this gets successful, we might do a sequel also.”
Amen to that!
iWorld
Netflix cuts jobs in product division amid restructuring
Layoffs hit creative studio unit as leadership and strategy shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: The streaming wars may be fought on screen, but the latest plot twist is unfolding behind the scenes. Netflix has reportedly begun laying off several dozen employees from its product division as part of an internal reorganisation, according to a report by Variety. The cuts are believed to have primarily affected the company’s creative studio unit, which works on marketing assets such as in app trailers, promotional visuals and live experience content for the streaming platform.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted.
According to the report, the layoffs were not tied to employee performance. Instead, the restructuring eliminated certain roles while other employees were reassigned to different teams within the organisation.
The roles affected are understood to include designers, producers and creative specialists responsible for marketing and brand experience initiatives.
The job cuts come as Netflix adjusts its leadership structure and reshapes its product and creative teams. Last month, Elizabeth Stone was promoted from chief technology officer to chief product and technology officer, giving her oversight of product, engineering and data operations across the company.
Earlier, in December 2025, Netflix also appointed Martin Rose as head of creative for global brand and partnerships, a move seen as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s brand and product functions.
Despite the layoffs, Netflix remains one of the largest employers in the streaming sector. The company is estimated to employ around 16,000 people globally, with roughly 70 percent of its workforce based in the United States and Canada. In 2023, the company reported approximately 13,000 employees, indicating that its headcount had grown significantly before the latest restructuring.
The workforce changes arrive at a time when Netflix is navigating a shifting financial and strategic landscape in the global entertainment industry.
The streaming giant recently secured $2.8 billion in additional cash after receiving a breakup fee from Paramount Skydance following its withdrawal from a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Netflix co chief executive Ted Sarandos explained that the company had evaluated multiple scenarios during the negotiations but chose not to match the competing offer once it learned that a higher bid had been submitted.
Netflix had capped its offer at $27.75 per share and ultimately stepped back rather than pursue Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition deal, which included a personal guarantee.
Sarandos also cautioned that the financing structure behind the Paramount Skydance transaction could have ripple effects across the entertainment industry.
According to him, the debt heavy deal could trigger significant cost cutting, with David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, expected to eliminate about $16 billion in costs and potentially cut thousands of jobs as part of the integration process.
For Netflix, the current restructuring appears to be part of a broader attempt to streamline operations while continuing to invest in product, technology and global content even as the streaming industry enters a new phase of consolidation and financial discipline.
