iWorld
BBC Studios Asia Pacific appoints Cheryl Png, Stanley Fernandes to head South Asia distribution
MUMBAI: There are some top-level changes at BBC Studios' APAC team. Cheryl Png has been promoted to VP, Distribution, South East Asia and Stanley Fernandes has been promoted to VP, Distribution, South Asia.
This will see both Png and Fernandes working across Affiliate Sales, Digital Sales, and Content Sales, in a more integrated and geographically-focused approach to our distribution business in these territories. Previously Png headed up the Affiliate Sales business for the South East Asia region, while her counterpart Fernandes led Content Sales for South and South East Asia. They will also oversee new revenue opportunities for the distribution business, in a more holistic offering to the client.
BBC Studios South & South East Asia SVP & GM Ryan Shiotani said: “I’m delighted to be able to promote Cheryl and Stanley, who are first-class commercial leaders, with a passion and knowledge for BBC Studios content. This new approach also puts the focus on our valued clients, offering them an integrated content distribution service in the hands of their local experts.”
In addition, Sweta Sriram has been promoted to Manager, Content and Brands for the South Asia region, working to Fernandes.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
