iWorld
Apple join hands with Eros Now for content distribution
MUMBAI: Apple Inc has announced a distribution partnership with over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform, Eros Now– owned by Eros International Plc.
The Cupertino-headquartered firm, which launched its new Apple TV Plus services on Monday, will showcase Eros Now content on various devices, including iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple TV.
Eros International chairman Kishore Lulla said, “Apple has a mammoth distribution network and is looking to consolidate its content play. This is a win-win situation for both of us."
As part of the deal, Eros Now will be available across Apple devices and users can subscribe as part of bundled as well as a-la-carte service. Also, it is looking at an RPU (revenue per user) of $1-4 per month from countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Europe, Canada, and the US.
The deal will also help to get the benefit of a share in the subscription revenues. “While monetisation will evolve over time, we expect average revenue per user (ARPU) between $1 and $4 depending on market and plans,” Lulla said.
Eros Now has also made a recent investment of $70 million over 50 shows for Eros Now Quickie, which features short, on-the-go, snackable content.
In the past, the OTT platform has partnered with several companies such as Virgin Media and netgem.tv for global distribution.
Gaming
Sony raises PS5 prices for second time in under a year
US disc edition jumps $100 to $649.99 as memory costs surge.
MUMBAI: Sony just hit the pause button on affordable gaming because when memory prices skyrocket, even the Playstation has to pay the premium. Sony has announced its second price increase for the Playstation 5 range in less than a year, citing pressures in the global economic landscape and a sharp rise in memory component costs driven by AI demand.
In the US, the PS5 disc edition will rise from $549.99 to $649.99, a $100 hike while the digital edition increases to $599.99. The more powerful PS5 Pro will jump $150 to $899.99. The Playstation Portal remote player will also rise by $50 to $249.99. The new prices take effect on 2 April 2026.
Similar increases have been applied in the UK (£90 per model), Europe and Japan. Sony last raised PS5 prices in the US in August 2025.
“We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide,” Sony said in a blog post.
The hikes come amid an unprecedented surge in memory prices, as manufacturers prioritise supply for AI data centres. Analysts say Sony had likely secured price protections for components that have now expired, forcing the company to protect its hardware margins.
Ampere Analysis research director of games Piers Harding-Rolls told CNBC that further increases from Microsoft and Nintendo would not be surprising, though Nintendo may hesitate to raise the price of its recently launched Switch 2 while establishing the new platform.
The increases arrive eight months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, which is expected to drive strong console sales. However, early reactions online have been a mix of disappointment and resignation, with growing concern that premium gaming is increasingly becoming a hobby for higher-income players.
In a sector already grappling with tariffs, inflation and component shortages, Sony’s move underscores a tough reality: even the most popular consoles are not immune to the rising cost of keeping up with the latest technology.
