iWorld
Video Lighting up Data and Smartphones, Says Hotstar
MUMBAI: Releasing the first India Watch Report 2018, Hotstar, India’s leading premium streaming platform, today shared insights on the dramatic transformation sweeping the Internet landscape in India. In a first of its kind report for any streaming platform in the world, the service has disclosed usage patterns on its platform.
The big news? Nearly 5 times growth in video consumption in the last 12 months, with 96 percent of all usage being focused on long form video. This marks an inflexion point in India where the early years of online video were characterized by short form consumption from users deeply fearful of data charges. The last 12 months have also seen access to data and consumption of video go deeper into inner India. The report shared that growth in smaller cities, less than 10 lakh in population, outstripped that in the large metros. And, while the gender gap in access to data persists, affordability is opening up new opportunities for women, with women in smaller cities coming online faster than in the metros.
Speaking about the report, Ajit Mohan, CEO, Hotstar said, “A new generation of users are emerging in India who take for granted round the clock access to the best stories; who know that they can watch the best shows from around the world at the same time as the world (and sometimes way ahead of most of the world); who do not worry about being forced to skip their team’s weekend football games because they are not at home in front of their television; and who have the implicit faith that all breaking news will reach them without any effort on their part.”
Other highlights from the report:
· Streaming video has hit critical momentum. The Champion’s Trophy Final 2017 on Hotstar hit 4.8 million simultaneous viewers, a record!
·Streaming habits have gone well beyond being ‘snacky’ time fillers. More and more users are treating the mobile as their first screen.
· Streamers don’t follow stereotypes. Data reveals that consumption habits cut across stereotypes and traditional boundaries. 26% of Game of Thrones viewers also watched Hindi TV shows; 24% of Modern Family viewers watched cricket; and 50% of watch time of Star Plus’s show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, came from men.
·While cricket still rules the roost, other sports are sprouting well. VIVO IPL consumption grew nearly 7 times between 2016 and 2017. However, VIVO Pro Kabbadi and Premier League also grew nearly 10 times.
iWorld
Sunil Bharti Mittal to retire as Airtel Africa chair, Gopal Vittal takes over
Gopal Vittal to take helm while family and sustainability continuity assured
LAGOS: Airtel Africa plc is set for a leadership refresh as Sunil Bharti Mittal announces his retirement as chair at the company’s annual general meeting in July 2026. He has steered the board since its 2019 listing and leaves a legacy of growth across 14 African countries.
Taking the reins will be Gopal Vittal, a telecom stalwart and current board chair of the GSMA, who brings a proven record of driving Bharti Airtel to record market shares. Shravin Bharti Mittal will serve as deputy chair, ensuring continuity with the founding family and acting as a bridge to Airtel Money and the company’s Dubai headquarters.
In another board change, Annika Poutiainen will retire after more than seven years, leaving behind a strong imprint on the audit, risk, and sustainability fronts.
Commenting on the changes, Sunil Bharti Mittal thanked the board and Annika for their support and leadership, noting Airtel Africa’s strategy and leadership team are robust and well-positioned for future growth.
Tsega Gebreyes added that Sunil’s tenure has been instrumental, from Airtel Africa’s 2010 acquisition to its 2019 listing and current FTSE100 standing, praising his global telecom leadership and vision.
The upcoming AGM marks a pivotal moment for Airtel Africa, signalling a smooth transition while reinforcing its commitment to connectivity and growth across the continent.
