MAM
JetSynthesys appoints Raj Thadani as CEO of JS-DHH joint venture
Mumbai: New-age digital entertainment and technology company, JetSynthesys, is pleased to announce the appointment of Raj Thadani as the CEO of its joint venture (JV) with Digital Hearts Holdings (DHH), a Japanese holding company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). In his new capacity, Thadani will spearhead strategic initiatives, drawing on DHH’s expertise to bolster India’s gaming supply chain pipeline.
Thadani’s appointment signifies JetSynthesys’ commitment to harnessing DHH’s renowned capabilities within India, solidifying its global stature in gaming innovation. With extensive experience spanning close to two decades in technology and gaming, Thadani is poised to guide the joint venture towards success, seizing opportunities within the ever-evolving gaming landscape.
JetSynthesys CEO and founder Rajan Navani expressed his enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are happy to welcome Raj Thadani as the CEO of our joint venture with Digital Hearts Holdings. His proven leadership skills and deep understanding of the gaming industry will be invaluable as we work to establish India as a global hub for game development and create impactful gaming experiences for our audience. Together, we are poised to unlock new avenues of growth and innovation in the gaming ecosystem.”
Raj Thadani, the newly appointed CEO of JS-DHH Joint Venture, shared his vision for the joint venture, saying, “I am excited to lead the joint venture between JetSynthesys and Digital Hearts Holdings. Our collaboration signifies a commitment to excellence and innovation in the gaming sector. I look forward to leveraging DHH’s strengths and JetSynthesys’ vision to drive meaningful impact and deliver exceptional value to our stakeholders.”
In November 2023, JetSynthesys announced a strategic partnership with Digital Hearts Holdings Co., Ltd. (DHH). As part of this collaboration, DHH has invested in JetSynthesys Co., Ltd. (JetSynthesys Japan). Simultaneously, JetSynthesys Japan harnesses DHH’s expertise in quality assurance, customer support, and marketing to create global products. JetSynthesys has formed a 50:50 joint venture in India with DHH. The joint venture will expand its debugging businesses in India and the global gaming market by combining the resources and know-how of both companies.
MAM
Paramount set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in $81 billion deal
Shareholders back merger, combined entity could reshape streaming and studios.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… consolidation, Hollywood’s latest blockbuster might be happening off-screen. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery have voted in favour of selling the company to Paramount in a deal valued at $81 billion rising to nearly $111 billion including debt setting the stage for one of the biggest shake-ups in modern media. The proposed merger, still subject to regulatory approvals, would bring together a vast portfolio spanning HBO Max, CNN, and franchises such as Harry Potter under the same umbrella as Paramount’s own heavyweights, including Top Gun and CBS.
At the heart of the deal is streaming scale. Executives have indicated plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single platform, potentially creating a stronger challenger to giants like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video. Current market data suggests HBO Max holds around 12 per cent of US on-demand subscriptions, compared to Paramount+’s 3 per cent, together still trailing Netflix’s 19 per cent and Disney’s combined 27 per cent via Disney+ and Hulu.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has signalled that while platforms may merge, HBO’s creative identity will remain intact, stating the brand should “stay HBO” even within a broader ecosystem.
Beyond streaming, the deal would redraw the map for film production. Combining two of Hollywood’s oldest studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., the new entity aims to scale output to over 30 films annually, while maintaining a 45-day theatrical window. Warner Bros. currently commands around 21 per cent of the US box office, compared to Paramount’s 6 per cent, underscoring the strategic weight of the acquisition.
But scale comes with scrutiny. Critics warn that fewer players could mean reduced consumer choice, rising subscription costs, and potential job cuts as the combined company looks to streamline overlapping operations while managing billions in debt.
The news business, too, faces a reset. CNN would join forces at least structurally with Paramount-owned CBS, raising questions about editorial independence and positioning. The merger has already drawn political attention in the United States, particularly given perceived ties between the Ellison family and Donald Trump, though the company maintains that newsroom autonomy will be preserved.
If approved, the deal would mark another milestone in Hollywood’s consolidation wave shrinking the industry’s traditional “big six” studios to a “big four”, with Paramount joining Disney, Universal, and Sony at the top table.
In an industry built on storytelling, this merger may well become its most consequential plot twist yet.
