Brands
Radio tunes into growth as ad volumes rise 3 per cent in H1 2025
MUMBAI: Radio isn’t just background noise, it’s making advertisers sit up and listen. According to TAM Adex’s Half-Yearly Advertising Report, radio ad volumes grew by 3 per cent in January–June 2025 compared to the same period last year, signalling a steady tune-up for the medium.
Services struck the loudest chord, accounting for a massive 30 per cent share of all ad volumes. Collectively, the top ten sectors spanning auto (11 per cent), banking and finance (10 per cent), education (9 per cent), and food and beverages (7 per cent) captured nearly 89 per cent of the airtime. Durables made a new entry into the top 10, showing the medium’s appeal beyond traditional categories.
Among categories, properties and real estate kept their prime spot with 14 per cent share, but hospitals and clinics surged into second place, clocking 18 per cent growth, while jewellers glittered with 17 per cent growth. Pan masala puffed up by 78 per cent, and commercial vehicles raced ahead, multiplying their presence 27 times over.
On the advertiser leaderboard, Maruti Suzuki India overtook LIC of India to claim pole position, while newcomers like Vishnu Packaging and Muthoot Financial Enterprises accelerated into the top 10. Jeena Sikho was the leading brand on radio, followed by Maruti Suzuki Arena and SBI.
Regionally, Gujarat topped the charts with an 18 per cent share of ad volumes, with Maharashtra close behind at 16 per cent. Jaipur retained its crown as the country’s leading radio city, commanding 9 per cent of the pie, ahead of Nagpur and Delhi.
Evenings were prime time, accounting for 37 per cent of ad volumes, followed by mornings (31 per cent). And when it came to messaging length, advertisers kept it short and snappy 94 per cent of ads were under 40 seconds.
With over 360 categories and 8,000 advertisers using radio in the first half of 2025, the medium is proving it’s still music to brands’ ears blending reach, resonance, and regional punch in equal measure.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
