iWorld
Meta tests Instagram Plus with stealth features and extended story tools
New paid tier targets everyday users with more control and privacy perks
MUMBAI: Meta appears to be doubling down on subscriptions, quietly testing a new premium tier called Instagram Plus that brings a mix of privacy, control and visibility tools to everyday users of Instagram.
Unlike Meta Verified, which is geared towards creators and businesses, the new offering is aimed squarely at regular users who want a little more control over how they show up and what they see on the platform.
At the heart of Instagram Plus is a rethink of Stories, the app’s most widely used feature. The test introduces the ability to view Stories anonymously, meaning users can watch or preview content without appearing in the viewer list. It also adds “rewatch insights”, allowing users to see how many times their own Stories have been viewed, a metric that has long been a source of curiosity.
There is more. Stories can stay live for up to 48 hours instead of the usual 24, giving posts a longer shelf life. Users can also create multiple audience lists beyond “Close Friends”, making it easier to tailor content for different circles such as work, family or social groups.
For those chasing visibility, a weekly “Story Spotlight” feature lets users push a post to the front of their followers’ feed. Meanwhile, searchable viewer lists make it simpler to track who has seen a Story, and a new “superlike” reaction adds a more animated way to stand out in direct messages.
The feature set may feel familiar to some. Several of these tools have previously existed through third-party workarounds or have been widely requested by users, particularly the ability to browse Stories discreetly.
Pricing for the test is deliberately modest, suggesting a strategy focused on scale. Early trials show subscription costs at roughly $1 to $2 per month in markets such as the Philippines, Mexico and Japan. The feature has not yet rolled out in India, the United States or Europe, though a broader launch later in 2026 is widely expected if the pilot gains traction.
The move reflects a broader shift in Meta’s business model. With digital advertising facing increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny, subscription products offer a more predictable revenue stream. Rivals such as Snapchat Plus have already found success, building a sizeable paying user base with similar premium add-ons.
For Meta, the bet is simple: give users more control, a touch of stealth and a dash of exclusivity, and they may be willing to pay. If the early signs hold, Instagram Plus could turn everyday scrolling into a slightly more curated, and monetised, experience.
iWorld
JioStar revenue hits Rs 9,784 crore as cricket fuels 22 per cent growth
A surge in digital viewership and sports dominance fuels a blockbuster quarter for the media giant
MUMBAI: JioStar is batting on a flat pitch. The media titan’s fourth-quarter results for the financial year 2026 reveal a business scaling new heights, propelled by an unprecedented appetite for premium sports and digital-first storytelling.
Gross revenue for the quarter soared by 22.15 per cent to Rs 9,784 crore, up from Rs 8,010 crore in the third quarter. Operationally, the momentum was equally strong; revenue from operations climbed 21 per cent to Rs 8,372 crore. These figures underscore the firm’s successful integration following the Reliance and Disney merger, creating a dominant force in the Indian market.
The annual performance has been nothing short of a spectacle. Full-year gross revenue reached a massive Rs 36,248 crore, while annual profit after tax hit Rs 3,210 crore. This rapid expansion reflects JioStar’s ability to capture and monetise the massive growth in India’s media consumption.
Cricket proved to be the ultimate growth engine. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and TATA IPL 2026 delivered “record-breaking viewership” across both television and digital screens. The World Cup final alone drew a global peak concurrency of 72.5 million on JioHotstar, cementing its status as the nation’s premier streaming destination. On television, JioStar maintained a commanding 34.2 per cent viewership share, reaching a staggering 810 million viewers nationwide.
The digital numbers were just as impressive. JioHotstar averaged 500 million monthly active users, driven by consistent subscriber growth and innovative AI-led content discovery tools. These advancements are ensuring that JioStar remains at the cutting edge of the global “Race for Attention.”
With a firm grip on the country’s most valuable sporting rights and a rapidly growing digital footprint, JioStar is perfectly positioned for the future. It has built the ultimate content powerhouse—one that is ready to dominate the Indian living room for years to come.
