iWorld
Snap hits $1B revenue as subscriptions cross 25 million
Snap’s paid products boom with Snapchat plus, Lens plus and creator subscriptions
CALIFORNIA: Snapchat’s subscription push is paying off handsomely, with the platform’s direct revenue business now cruising past a $1 billion annualised run rate. At the heart of this milestone is a loyal global subscription community that has just topped 25 million Snapchatters.
Since its launch in late 2022, Snapchat plus has grown rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing consumer subscriptions worldwide. What began as an early-access perk for the platform’s most engaged users has scaled into a robust revenue engine alongside Snap’s ad business.
Snapchat plus thrives because it taps into something deeply human. With more than 946 million monthly active users, Snapchat is fast approaching the one-billion mark. Its subscription service offers personal touches that matter in everyday chats. From pinning a best friend to customising chat wallpapers or adding a Bitmoji Pet, these simple features bring warmth, context and joy to conversations.
But Snap isn’t stopping there. The company has expanded its direct revenue offerings with paid versions of Lens plus, Snapchat Platinum, and Memories Storage Plans. Lens plus gives subscribers advanced AI and AR creative tools, including exclusive generative AI Lenses and unlimited use of the Imagine Lens for instant image creation. Snapchat Platinum delivers an ad-light experience focused on friends and creators, while Memories Storage Plans give heavy users the option to upgrade storage and keep thousands of their most cherished Snaps safe.
Snapchat is also opening doors for creators. Its new creator subscriptions let fans pay directly for exclusive content, priority engagement, and ad-free Stories, giving influencers fresh ways to connect with their audience.
Snap credits its 25 million subscribers for helping shape the future of the platform. Their creativity, feedback, and enthusiasm not only inspire new features but also fuel Snap’s growing direct revenue business.
With these moves, Snap is proving that personalisation, self-expression, and friendship aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the secret sauce behind its subscription success.
iWorld
JioHotstar integrates ChatGPT for voice and text-based content discovery
Voice and text AI lets viewers explore shows, sports and more naturally
NEW DELHI: Watching TV just got chatty. JioHotstar has teamed up with OpenAI to roll out a ChatGPT-powered conversational interface that lets users discover content simply by speaking or typing what they want to watch. Gone are the days of endless scrolling or typing rigid keywords
The new AI feature supports multiple languages and understands moods, contexts, and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for a romcom, a thriller, or a cricket highlight, the system responds with personalised recommendations drawn from JioHotstar’s catalogue of live and on-demand programming
Sports fans also get a front-row seat to AI-powered updates. You can ask for match scores, key moments, or player stats while staying tuned in, turning passive viewing into a more interactive experience
The integration doesn’t stop at the app. Entertainment-related questions asked directly within ChatGPT will now surface relevant JioHotstar content, linking viewers back to the streaming platform for seamless exploration
JioStar vice chairman Uday Shankar, said AI “marks a transformative shift for the media and entertainment industry. Our partnership with OpenAI will allow viewers to discover, engage with, and even curate content using their voice. This is a reimagining of the entertainment experience that feels deeply personal to every viewer”
OpenAI CEO of applications Fidji Simo added, “Entertainment used to be a one-way street. Now, AI turns every moment into an opportunity for deeper engagement. Viewers can move from watching to asking, from curiosity to recommendation in ways that feel natural, personal, and immediately useful”
The move highlights a broader trend in India’s streaming market: platforms are racing to make content discovery smarter, faster, and more context-aware as libraries expand and audiences demand personalised experiences.
