iWorld
Comcast to launch Internet TV service called Stream
MUMBAI: Keeping in mind the diversity in preferences of watching entertainment content, cable giant Comcast is all set to launch a streaming TV service called Stream.
Comcast Cable executive vice president and general manager, video services Matt Strauss said, “The way we watch TV has become more personal than ever. I like to watch live on the big screen in my living room. My kids, on the other hand, prefer to catch up with their favorite shows on their laptops, on demand. As this diversity in preferences continues to grow, we’ve added new features and offerings to try and meet the needs of everyone who loves TV.”
Comcast has previously created skinny bundles like Internet Plus and developed services that cater to students, like Xfinity on Campus.
The cable company has now launched a beta test of a new streaming cable service that furthers its goal to provide TV choices for everyone. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever offered: no extra device or additional equipment required…or even a TV. And it’s called Stream,” Strauss said.
With Stream, Xfinity Internet customers can watch live TV from about a dozen networks – including all the major broadcast nets and HBO – on laptops, tablets and phones in their home. It includes thousands of on demand movies and shows to watch home or away and even comes with access to TV Everywhere and a cloud DVR to record shows and watch later.
Stream will be available to Comcast’s Xfinity Internet customers for $15 per month and will first launch in Boston at the end of the summer. The company will take it to Chicago and Seattle next, with plans to make it available everywhere in its footprint by early 2016.
“We’ll continue to experiment by creating offerings like Stream, so that users can choose the service that works best for them. So if you love TV and spend most of your time with the screen in your lap as opposed to the one on the wall, Stream may just be the thing for you,” Strauss added.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
