iWorld
Coldplay live streaming recalibrates concert culture in India
Mumbai: The live-streaming of Coldplay’s electrifying concert on Disney+ Hotstar has not only brought a surreal experience to millions of fans but has also marked a transformative moment for live concerts in India. Held at the sprawling Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat, the event captured the grandeur of a packed audience of 1,34,000, their glowing wristbands creating a mesmerising spectacle.
Promoted initially by BookMyShow and later live-streamed by Disney+ Hotstar, the concert’s live streaming was a masterstroke. The move catapulted Disney+ Hotstar into the spotlight, positioning it as a digital hub for India’s aspirational youth. For fans across the country, the live stream was a cultural shift akin to Netflix’s game-changing Tyson-Paul fight broadcast.
From the 28-year-old yelling in delight at his favourite song to the nine-year-old dancing in a darkened room to Chris Martin’s vocals, the event resonated deeply with fans of all ages. While production values weren’t on a par with Taylor Swift or Madonna concerts, Martin’s Hindi and Gujarati phrases, banter with cricket star Jasprit Bumrah and tribute to India’s greatest fast bowler ever, singing of Vande Mataram and heartfelt fan interactions made the concert unforgettable. And even more so for folks at home who could not make it to the venue because they could not get a ticket. The broadcast made it feel like you were there – immersive as it was.
The scale and success of the event underscore India’s emergence as a global concert destination. While iconic performers like Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and Boney M once graced India’s stages, Coldplay’s tour sends a message to the world: India is ready for more.
Streaming platforms and sponsors are taking note of the opportunities. Reports suggest the Disney+ Hotstar live stream was a revenue-sharing model, with the concert’s title sponsorship fetching around Rs 10 crore and total streaming revenues touching Rs 18 crore.
With 300,000 tickets sold at an average price of Rs 6,000, the Coldplay India Tour generated nearly Rs 250 crore (including sponsorship), demonstrating the immense potential of the live concert economy. (The above figures might well be an underestimate. Disney+ Hotstar revealed that the concert attracted 83 lakh views and 165 million minutes of watch time after this comment piece was written. The livestream’s success was particularly pronounced in seven key regions – Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, NCR Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal – which accounted for 85 per cent of the total viewership.)
As India steps into the spotlight, the onus now lies on talent and tour managers to capitalise on this momentum. With better planning, sponsorships, and a robust annual schedule featuring both global and Indian artists, the live concert scene in India is poised for a vibrant future. Coldplay and Disney+Hotstar may have just opened the floodgates for what promises to be a new era for music lovers and performers alike.
We also asked ChatGpt to comment on our comment and write a comment piece on the Coldplay performance and this what it came up with. click here.
Gaming
Bluestone FY26 revenue rises to Rs 2,436 crore, turns profitable
Q4 profit at Rs 31 crore, full-year profit at Rs 13 crore vs loss last year.
MUMBAI: From sparkle to numbers, Bluestone seems to be polishing more than just jewellery this year. Bluestone Jewellery and Lifestyle Limited reported a sharp turnaround in FY26, with revenue from operations rising to Rs 2,436 crore (Rs 24,364 million), up from Rs 1,770 crore (Rs 17,700 million) in FY25. The company posted a full-year profit of Rs 13 crore (Rs 131.79 million), a significant recovery from a loss of Rs 222 crore (Rs 2,218 million) a year ago.
Total income for the year stood at Rs 2,486 crore (Rs 24,860 million), compared to Rs 1,830 crore (Rs 18,300 million) in the previous year, reflecting both topline growth and improved operational momentum.
The March quarter, however, told a more nuanced story. Revenue from operations came in at Rs 681 crore (Rs 6,814 million), down from Rs 748 crore (Rs 7,486 million) in the year-ago period, though higher than Rs 461 crore (Rs 4,613 million) in the preceding December quarter. Net profit for Q4 stood at Rs 31 crore (Rs 311.81 million), compared to Rs 68 crore (Rs 688 million) a year earlier, but a clear reversal from a loss of Rs 51 crore (Rs 512 million) in Q3.
Margins were shaped by higher input costs, with raw material consumption rising to Rs 2,204 crore (Rs 22,043 million) for the full year, alongside employee benefit expenses of Rs 282 crore (Rs 2,824 million) and finance costs of Rs 210 crore (Rs 2,104 million). Other expenses came in at Rs 371 crore (Rs 3,715 million), slightly lower than Rs 393 crore (Rs 3,938 million) in FY25.
On the balance sheet front, total assets expanded to Rs 4,961 crore (Rs 49,610 million) as of March 31, 2026, from Rs 3,532 crore (Rs 35,322 million) a year earlier, driven largely by a surge in inventories to Rs 2,672 crore (Rs 26,718 million). Equity also strengthened to Rs 1,803 crore (Rs 18,030 million), nearly doubling from Rs 911 crore (Rs 9,107 million).
Cash flows reflected the cost of growth. Net cash used in operating activities stood at Rs 199 crore (Rs 1,990 million), while investing activities saw an outflow of Rs 239 crore (Rs 2,392 million). Financing activities, however, generated Rs 497 crore (Rs 4,971 million), helping the company end the year with cash and cash equivalents of Rs 108 crore (Rs 1,075 million), up from Rs 49 crore (Rs 487 million).
Earnings per share for FY26 came in at Rs 1.10, a sharp improvement from a negative Rs 79.74 in FY25, underlining the shift from losses to profitability.
With revenue scaling up, costs still glittering on the higher side, and profitability finally back in the black, BlueStone’s FY26 performance suggests a business mid-transition less about shine alone, and more about sustaining it.
