iWorld
ACE & Premier League take action against illegal streaming devices seller in Malaysia
Mumbai: The Malaysian ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs (MDTCA) has raided an electronics outlet for allegedly selling illicit streaming gadgets that gave customers unauthorised access to entertainment and sporting events, including Premier League games. The Premier League and the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the foremost anti-piracy alliance in the world, collaborated to organise the event.
The Johor Bahru-based retailer is accused of peddling a variety of gadgets, including SVICloud boxes. The devices had unauthorised software installed that gave users access to live sporting events, including Premier League content, as well as film and television programming. The retailer is suspected of running an illegal sales operation across numerous internet channels in addition to selling similar gadgets through their brick and mortar store.
The Premier League and ACE are among the first organisations to take action under Malaysia’s new Copyright (Amendment) Act 2022. The amended Copyright Act strengthens copyright legislation and empowers authorities to take action against those who sell illegal streaming devices and illegal website operators.
Motion Picture Association executive vice president and ACE head & global content protection chief Jan van Voorn said, “We commend the Malaysian government for the recent amendments to the Copyright Act, which criminalises the sale of such illicit streaming devices. These new provisions have become a gold standard within the APAC region. We would like to thank the MDTCA for taking prompt action to shut down this illicit operation.”
“IPTV piracy services like the one closed down today put consumers at risk of malware, undermine investment, reduce tax contributions to governments, and stifle creativity. We will continue to identify and interdict the operators of such online piracy services and work closely with Malaysian law enforcement agencies to protect the livelihoods of Malaysian and international creators and distributors,” Voorn added.
Premier League General Counsel Kevin Plumb said, “We are extremely pleased to be able to put the recently amended Copyright Act into action. The strengthened legislation puts Malaysia at the forefront of copyright protection, making it very clear that anyone involved in providing or facilitating illegal streams is carrying out a crime.
“The Premier League is committed to fighting piracy in Malaysia and will continue to take action against those responsible for providing illegal access to our content. We want to ensure fans watch Premier League content in the best quality and safest way possible-and the majority do so via authorised sources. However, for those who don’t, they must be aware that by using devices such as SVICloud, they face security risks and disrupted viewing experiences.” Plumb said.
“I would like to place on record our thanks to the MDTCA for their cooperation and swift response to support this enforcement action,” he added.
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.
