iWorld
4K streaming explodes on Zee5 with Hyderabad leading the charge
Mumbai: Zee5, India’s premier home-grown video streaming platform, has released compelling data on the dramatic rise in viewership trends from July 2023 to July 2024. The report reveals an increasing appetite for premium-quality streaming, particularly in 4K, as regional content and diverse genres captivate audiences nationwide. In a noteworthy milestone, Hyderabad has emerged as India’s largest hub for 4K streaming, underscoring the rapid digital transformation and growing demand for quality streaming experiences. Tier-two and three cities have shown a strong viewership growth as well, illustrating India’s evolving entertainment landscape.
According to Zee5’s data, 2024 witnessed a sharp rise in 4K streaming, with South India reporting a 278 per cent surge and North India leading with a 310 per cent increase in 4K viewership, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Tier-two and three markets now account for 40 per cent of Zee5’s overall viewership, while non-Hindi language content—primarily Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—has grown to contribute 50 per cent of the platform’s total consumption. Cities like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi dominate content consumption among metros.
Viewership trends further reveal a marked 25 per cent annual increase in the average time spent per user. A significant 65 per cent of users are watching movies via connected devices, reflecting a shift towards in-home cinema experiences. Drama and romance continue to be the platform’s leading genres, with South Indian viewers contributing substantially to the popularity of these categories. Over the past year, Zee5’s titles have accumulated 85 billion minutes of watch time, with dramas drawing an astounding 105 million hours and action-thriller titles capturing 32 million hours.
Commenting on these trends, Zee5 chief business officer, Manish Kalra noted, “In the last one year, we have released several titles within our post-theatrical and original content library. The audience has spent a total of 85 billion minutes from July 2023 – July 2024 on the platform, with viewership coming in from multiple audience cohorts and geographies. With the vision of being the portal of choice for billions of viewers, we will continue to bring diverse and engaging content, with a prime focus on quality storytelling. It has been a good year for us. Our titles have received great reception from audiences not just in India but also from the global diaspora. Staying true to our commitment to bring best-in-class entertainment to our viewers, Zee5 will continue to partner with the best talents in the creative ecosystem, enhance viewing experience further, and bring forth stories that delight, engage, and entertain.”
Highlighting the platform’s top-performing titles, Zee5’s report ranks “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai” as the most-watched direct-to-digital movie, while the original series Taj led in overall viewership for original content. Other popular titles include Mrs Undercover, Gadar 2, and The Kerala Story, underscoring Zee5’s commitment to offering diverse and high-quality storytelling.
iWorld
Subedaar puts Indian original cinema on the global map with record-breaking Prime Video debut
MUMBAI: Prime Video has a runaway hit on its hands. Subedaar, the gritty action drama starring Anil Kapoor, has stormed to become the most-watched Indian original movie on the platform in its opening weekend, cracking the Top 10 across 31 countries and landing in 91 per cent of India’s pin codes within days of its March 5 premiere.
The film, a visceral, emotionally-charged story of a retired soldier, Subedaar Arjun Maurya, wrestling with civilian life amid crime and corruption, has struck a nerve. Directed by Suresh Triveni and co-starring Radhikka Madan, Mona Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Aditya Rawal, Faisal Malik, and Khushboo Sundar, the film is already being hailed as a showcase for what Indian original storytelling can achieve on the world stage.
“Subedaar’s success is a reflection of the growing scale and global resonance of Indian storytelling,” said Nikhil Madhok, director and head of originals at Prime Video India. “The film’s emotional narrative, its rooted portrayal of a soldier confronting his toughest battles beyond the battlefield, has struck a chord. Anil Kapoor delivers an acting masterclass, while Suresh Triveni’s solid direction and great performances from the ensemble cast have resulted in love and appreciation from customers across the world.”
Kapoor, 62, has been here before, but rarely at this altitude. Written by Triveni and Prajwal Chandrashekar, with dialogues by Triveni, Saurabh Dwivedi, and Chandrashekar, the film is a production by Opening Image Films in association with Anil Kapoor Film & Communication Network (AKFCN), produced by Vikram Malhotra, Kapoor, and Triveni.
Subedaar streams exclusively on Prime Video in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu across India, and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
For Prime Video, the numbers tell the real story: one weekend, one film, a global footprint, and a very loud signal that Indian original cinema is no longer just travelling well. It’s arriving.
