iWorld
Amazon miniTV service announces exclusive content for customers
Mumbai: Amazon’s free video entertainment service, miniTV, has announced its exclusive line-up for comic content on the service. With sketches specially curated for miniTV customers, India’s popular YouTube-based content creators – Ashish Chanchlani, Prajakta Koli, Amit Bhadana, Dolly Singh, Saloni Gaur, and Be YouNick will entertain all Amazon customers.
Aimed at catering to the varying entertainment taste and preferences of today’s internet savvy consumers, the content categories on miniTV are carefully curated for wider appeal that cuts across gender and language barriers, the platform said in a statement on Wednesday.
As part of this association, the creators will make sketches out of highly relatable daily life situations which will first be exclusively released on miniTV. While Dolly Singh’s humorous sketch will tell you about the 7 stages of getting over a break-up, Prajakta Koli will guide you on how to perfect the art of ‘middle-class hacks’. In his inimitable style, Ashish Chanchlani will take you to the extraordinary world of ‘Beauty & Fashion influencers’, whereas Amit Bhadana will don the role of a ‘Salesman’ stuck between an overzealous boss and an ex-lover. Be YouNick will share a hilarious yet relatable tale of getting over a breakup while touching base with friends. From spoofs on relationships to an app that helps you rob better, this repertoire is sure to tickle all the funny bones while delivering a hearty laugh to the audience.
“At Amazon, our viewers are at the heart of our business and we’re always looking at bringing the best bouquet of content for their delight,” said Amazon Prime Video and miniTV’s director and head of content, Vijay Subramaniam. “With miniTV, the idea is to deliver top-notch content to Amazon customers, while elevating their overall shopping experience. We are thrilled to have these brilliant comedic minds on board and are certain that our customers will enjoy the exclusive content on miniTV”
“Our collaboration with India’s digital-first content creators is yet another step in delivering seamless and engaging entertainment through Amazon.in,” said director and head of Amazon Advertising Harsh Goyal. “This July, India’s most loved comedians come together to entertain Amazon shoppers with a medley of sketches on some of the most relatable topics. A hearty laugh is promised!”
miniTV can be watched within the Amazon mobile shopping app for free on Android phones. Amazon customers can enjoy thousands of fun and engaging titles across web series, comedy, tech, beauty, fashion & food on the newly-launched service.
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
