iWorld
ALTBalaji direct subscriptions up 35% QoQ; 1.8m subs sold in Q1 FY22
Mumbai: Balaji Telefilms has announced its financial results for the quarter ended 30 June 2021. The company’s direct-to-consumer business, ALTBalaji sold a total of 1.8m subscriptions in Q1 FY22 as against 0.9m in Q1FY21, up 35 per cent. Direct subscription revenues stood at Rs 17 cr vs Rs 13 cr.
The OTT platform has a current active subscriber base of 2.4m, excluding subscribers on partner apps. Quarterly revenue stood at Rs 21cr.
Having added six shows last quarter, ALTBalaji has taken the overall library to 86 shows. The Company said it continues its strategy to drive deeper audience engagement by creating content that is targeted at mass India seeking differentiated stories, while remaining focussed on the younger audiences.
Balaji Telefilms’ TV business has continued at normal levels as daily show production was ensured with pandemic restrictions. During the quarter the Company produced 174.5 hours of content across six shows for four broadcasters.
Balaji Telefilms, managing director, Shobha Kapoor said, “ALTBalaji continues to drive subscription growth and we added 1.8m subscriptions during the quarter. Our strategic content sharing deals will ensure we maintain control on the cash spend while driving overall profitability. TV business has shown good recovery in terms of production hours and we hope to improve this momentum as five new shows commence. In the movie business, production for some of the exciting projects are at various stages of completion and we are closely monitoring the availability for theatrical releases as well as direct-to-digital launches. Overall, the year has started well and we will build on this momentum through the year.”
iWorld
Shemaroome acquires complete OHO Gujarati content library
Platform adds over 30 original web series, starting with Pratik Gandhi’s Vitthal Teedi.
MUMBAI: Shemaroome has just hit the jackpot in the Gujarati entertainment space and this time, it’s a full house of regional stories. Shemaroo Entertainment has announced the acquisition of the entire content library of OHO Gujarati for its OTT platform ShemarooMe. This first-of-its-kind consolidation significantly strengthens the platform’s position in Gujarati digital content.
The deal brings more than 30 original Gujarati web series to ShemarooMe, featuring work from over 450 local actors. It builds on the platform’s growing focus on high-quality, culturally rooted regional storytelling.
Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd., chief operating officer for Digital Business Saurabh Srivastava said the acquisition will make compelling Gujarati stories more accessible to viewers across India and the world. “With our strong connection to Gujarati audiences, we believe these stories can travel far and create an exciting entertainment offering,” he noted.
The first title from the acquired library will stream on Shemaroome from 10 April. It is the acclaimed series Vitthal Teedi, starring Pratik Gandhi in his first and only Gujarati web series role to date. Set in 1980s Saurashtra, the character-driven drama follows a small-time gambler navigating personal ideals against harsh realities. The soundtrack features contributions from Aditya Gadhvi, Jigardan Gadhavi and Geeta Rabari.
This strategic acquisition aligns with Shemaroo’s broader digital growth approach focusing on sustainable expansion and deeper engagement with regional languages through a mix of originals and curated content.
For Gujarati entertainment lovers, Shemaroome has just rolled out the red carpet or should we say, the traditional dhabli for a rich new wave of authentic stories. The platform is clearly betting big that when it comes to regional content, more is indeed merrier.
