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JioStar removes 36 IPTV apps from Google Play and App Store
Apps with 26.11 million downloads taken down during T20 World Cup, 141 piracy sites suspended.
MUMBAI: JioStar just sent 36 piracy apps to the bench because when live cricket is on the line, even the app stores have to play by the rules. JioStar has secured the removal of 36 popular IPTV applications from Google Play and the iOS App Store during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, disrupting a piracy ecosystem that had collectively amassed over 26.11 million global downloads.
The takedown includes widely used players such as XCIPTV, Televizo, IPTV Smarters Pro, VU IPTV Player and XTV Ultra IPTV Media Player platforms frequently exploited to access unauthorised streams of premium cricket content, including live T20 World Cup matches.
The action forms part of a broader enforcement drive. Under a dynamic injunction from the Delhi High Court, JioStar suspended 141 piracy websites globally during the tournament (disrupting an estimated 12.2 million instances of infringing traffic) and blocked a further 279 unauthorised streaming sites (with over 2 million combined visits) at the ISP level.
Industry voices describe the move as a shift from reactive link-blocking to ecosystem-level disruption. “Taking down individual streaming URLs is like plugging leaks in a dam,” said a senior media distribution executive. “Removing high-download IPTV apps from official app stores strikes at the access point used by millions.”
The takedowns target apps that, while often marketed as neutral tools, enable easy loading of infringing playlists and backend streams. By cutting availability on mainstream marketplaces, JioStar aims to curb casual piracy particularly among users who rely on simple app downloads rather than obscure web links.
The enforcement coincides with peak viewership for live cricket events, where piracy syndicates aggressively monetise illegal feeds through ads, subscriptions or bundled IPTV services. Redirecting audiences to official platforms like JioHotstar remains a core objective.
With app stores emerging as a critical enforcement frontier, this sweep signals growing cooperation between rights holders and tech intermediaries during high-stakes tournaments. In a digital arena where billions of eyeballs tune in for every boundary, JioStar isn’t just blocking streams, it’s rewriting the rules of the piracy playbook, one app store takedown at a time.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
