iWorld
Planetcast forays into OTT segment
Mumbai: Planetcast Media Services Limited (formerly Essel Shyam Communication Limited) today announced its foray into OTT segment by introducing its OTT solution targeted towards existing broadcasters and non-TV content owners. Planetcast OTT is a new, turnkey OTT solution for media companies, publishers and content creators to build advanced OTT app and web based entertainment ecosystem and deploy it in a highly cost effective manner.
Planetcast OTT solution is aimed towards exponential increase in ROI for broadcasters, media companies, video content owners and publishers who wants to take their content over the top. Planetcast OTT empowers the customers to quickly launch, manage and monetize new OTT offerings.
Planetcast, with its OTT solution will break the glass ceiling which prevents passionate media companies and content owners from making OTT market entry due to the high cost attached to it. An out of the box solution, it enables the customers to deploy premium OTT experience within the time limit and within their budget. Planetcast OTT solution will have a simplistic interface which does not require engineers to manage or build services, Planetcast is very clear about OTT product offering, its to make customer’s life simple and hassle free.
Commenting on the occasion, M.N Vyas, Executive Director, Planetcast said “Indian market is responding positively towards OTT services and media companies are highly optimistic about tapping into the fast growing opportunity OTT offers. Media companies were not able to do so due to high cost and ambiguity in the market, Planetcast OTT solution will put an end to all this as it will enable the media companies to launch quick, cost effective and easy to manage OTT services across all connected devices.”
Commenting on the occasion, Sanjay Duda, Chief Marketing Officer, Planetcast said “The global OTT market is projected to surpass $64.9 billion by 2021 , its too big a business not to be done. Media companies and content owners can increase their business exponentially through OTT offerings and I am confident that they will find a like minded partner in Planetcast. Our solution is cost effective, easy to deploy and easy to manage. Our two decades of successful broadcast industry operations is the biggest differentiating factor behind Planetcast OTT solution.”
Planetcast will give a sneak peek into its OTT solution at Broadcast India 2016, Mumbai, booth number B-212-1. The product will be available in December 2016.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
