Brands
JioStar reveals Festive Sentiment Survey 2025
MUMBAI – As the country gears up for the upcoming festive season, JioStar today released the 2025 edition of the JioStar Festive Sentiment Survey, which reveals that 92 per cent of Indian consumers plan to continue or increase their festive spending this year, signalling robust consumer confidence and a golden opportunity for brands. The survey, built to decode how India is thinking, spending and discovering this festive season, uncovers key trends for marketers – a growing millennial spend base, men spending more this festive season but women set to drive diversity in purchases, shopping across more categories such as fashion, beauty, wellness, home appliances, and mobiles, gifting resurgence with nearly 1 in 2 consumers shopping for others this season and most importantly 65 per cent of consumers yet to decide which brands they will buy from. With an average festive shopping budget of ₹16,500, the window to influence purchase decisions is wide open.
JioStar is India’s most powerful entertainment engine, commanding ~50 per cent TV viewership during festive peaks and to capture the hearts of audiences and the attention of advertisers, JioStar also unveiled its most expansive entertainment line-up yet. From kids to families to premium audiences, JioStar’s festive programming ensures there’s something for everyone, with iconic characters, beloved shows, and new launches lighting up every screen. At the heart of this festive season lies #HarGharMeinJashn, JioStar’s flagship celebration of India’s biggest cultural months. Through this campaign, JioStar aims to go beyond just programming and focus on building moments of joy, memory and meaning across screens.
“This year’s festive outlook is marked by strong consumer optimism and evolving media consumption. Marketers are looking to engage audiences across platforms and languages, and that’s where JioStar’s robust festive offering becomes invaluable. With #HarGharMeinJashn, we are creating a high-impact funnel for brands across discovery, intent, and purchase touchpoints,” said JioStar head of revenue, entertainment, Mahesh Shetty.
As India prepares to celebrate, JioStar’s diverse content line-up includes a robust mix of reality and fiction that span cultures and languages. The line-up includes pan-India favourites like Bigg Boss across five languages, Star Parivaar Awards, a new weekend prime-time reality format Pati Patni Aur Panga, JioHotstar Specials such as Trial 2, Salakaar and Rambo in Love and marquee movies such as Chhaava, Kesari 2, Empuraan and Thudaram. Fiction powerhouses continue to drive daily engagement, with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (Hindi), Siragadikka Aasai (Tamil), and Chempaneer Poovu (Malayalam) resonating deeply with audiences. International titles such as Thunderbolts, A Minecraft Movie, Final Destination Bloodlines, King & Conqueror, Only Murders in the Building S5 will also resonate with the newer audiences.
With curated programming across Onam, Durga Puja, Navratri, Ganesh Utsav and Diwali, JioStar ensures that brands are placed at the heart of every celebration. JioHotstar will also bring families together for large-scale digital celebration Janmashtami LIVE, Navratri LIVE, Dussehra LIVE. The hyper-local festive programming is market-specific and curated to align with regional traditions, viewer behaviours, and cultural nuances.
JioStar, with its unprecedented reach across TV and digital, is uniquely positioned to convert this consumer momentum into measurable brand impact. The survey, developed to decode how India is thinking, spending, and discovering this season, points to strong media influence and significant opportunity for last-mile persuasion.
JioStar’s media solutions this festive season are sharper, smarter, and more immersive than ever. Alongside high-impact formats like pre-roll takeovers, pause ads and interactive formats, this year introduces innovations such as MegaBlasts for maximum reach, JioStarverse for AI-powered influencer marketing and Moment.ai for contextual storytelling. Advertisers can also tap into smarter ad formats, including countdown, location-based and AQI-based dynamic formats, unlocking real-time relevance and driving deeper audience engagement.
As Indian homes light up, so do their screens, and JioStar is where brands can show up meaningfully and memorably. JioStar is giving advertisers every tool to make their presence count, at scale, in context, and in culture.
Other Key Findings from the JioStar Sentiment Survey 2025 include:
· Increased spending capacity: 85 per cent say their financial situation has improved or stayed the same over the last year
· Millennial vs. Gen Z: Millennials expected to spend more than Gen Z, with higher budgets and category intent
· Women shoppers drive variety: Women will shop across more than 2 categories, including apparel, beauty, gadgets, and home décor
· Top product categories: Apparel and fashion (33 per cent), mobiles (27 per cent), electronics (18 per cent), followed by holidays, jewellery, and beauty
· Online discovery leads: 76 per cent of consumers cite online ads as the top information source, followed by OTT/UGC content and social media
· High brand influence opportunity: 65 per cent of shoppers have not yet decided on the brand they’ll buy from—opening the door for last-mile persuasion
· Balanced retail channels: 52 per cent plan to shop online; 42 per cent offline, indicating the need for omnichannel strategies
· Digital payments dominate: 61 per cent of shoppers prefer cashless options, led by UPI and mobile wallets
Link to the Festive Sentiment Report
Brands
Disney Cruise Line launches Disney Adventure as Robert Downey Jr. christens ship in Singapore
Star studded ceremony marks line’s first Southeast Asia ship
SINGAPORE: Disney Cruise Line has officially welcomed its newest and largest ship, the Disney Adventure, with a glittering, music filled christening ceremony in Singapore, marking the brand’s first ever vessel to homeport in Southeast Asia.
Held inside the ship’s grand Walt Disney Theatre, the celebration unfolded as a theatrical spectacle worthy of Broadway. Regional vocalists and musicians were joined by a 23 piece orchestra, while sweeping video projections wrapped the stage in classic Disney, Pixar and Marvel moments. Special appearances from captain Mickey Mouse and captain Minnie Mouse added a touch of nautical charm.
Among the headline performers were Jed Madela, hollywood performing arts hall of fame inductee, and Dami Im, international recording artist known for Eurovision. Together, they led a soaring tribute to Disney’s musical legacy.
On stage to mark the milestone were Josh D’Amaro, chairman of disney experiences and incoming chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, and Joe Schott, president of disney signature experiences.
D’Amaro described the ship as a new chapter for the company in Asia, saying it would bring Disney storytelling to audiences who may be experiencing the brand’s magic for the first time.
The ceremonial highlight came from Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr., who serves as the ship’s godparent. With characteristic flair, he declared, “You bring the theme and I’ll bring the thunder,” before delivering the traditional blessing: “I christen thee, Disney Adventure, may God bless this ship and all who sail upon her.”
The ceremony closed with a jubilant rendition of “Let’s Set Sail”, a long standing Disney Cruise Line tradition designed to stir excitement for the voyages ahead.
Drawing on more than a century of storytelling from Disney, Pixar and Marvel, the Disney Adventure promises a floating world of fantasy. Guests can wander through seven immersive themed areas, including San Fransokyo Street inspired by Big Hero 6.
On board highlights include a brand new Broadway style musical titled Remember, immersive dining, signature fireworks at sea, imaginative children’s clubs and a vibrant collection of bars and lounges for adults. Thrill seekers can also take on Ironcycle Test Run, the cruise line’s first roller coaster at sea.
The Disney Adventure is the eighth ship in the fleet and sets sail on its maiden voyage on 10 March, launching an inaugural season of three and four night itineraries. It forms part of an ambitious expansion plan that will see five more ships join the fleet by 2031.
For Disney, the magic is no longer just on stage or screen. In Singapore, it now sails.
