iWorld
ABC to block DirecTV, TWC, Dish subscribers from watching TV series online
MUMBAI: The American broadcasting company, ABC, has announced that it will start restricting access to complete episodes of new TV shows to customers of pay TV providers that it has signed to TV Everywhere authentication deals.
This means that subscribers from DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Dish Network will not be able to watch new episodes of “Modern Family,” “The Bachelor” and other ABC series on ABC.com in the week after their premiere. However, the subscribers from AT&T, Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, Midcontinent and Verizon can continue watching new episodes on WatchABC.com or through the Watch ABC mobile video app the day after their premiere, according to a notice posted by ABC online in December 2013.
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The company will also stop offering free, ad-supported versions of new episodes through Hulu, but will allow premium Hulu Plus subscribers to watch new programs the day after their initial broadcast. At the cost of $2.99 per episode web surfers can download high-definition programs from Apple’s iTunes store or Amazon Instant Video.
ABC isnt alone, in August 2011, Fox became the first major network to limit access to complete versions of new TV episodes to authenticated pay TV or Hulu Plus subscribers. Both Fox and ABC own equity stakes in Hulu.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
