iWorld
Convergence Bill likely to be tabled in Winter session
NEW DELHI: The Communication Convergence Bill, envisaging a super-regulatory authority for the IT, telecom and broadcasting sectors, is likely to be tabled in the Indian Parliament during the Winter session.
“The Bill is with the parliamentary Standing Committee on IT and Communication and it is expected to submit its report anytime,” IT, telecommunications and parliamentary affairs minister Pramod Mahajan told indiantelevision.com.
According to Mahajan, if the Standing Committee submits its report soon, then the Bill will be tabled in parliament during the next session.
However, when the minister was asked if the Communication Convergence Bill is likely to be in Parliament during the next session, what will be the fate of the proposed Ordinance on conditional access system, Mahajan refused to comment on the issue.
The Communication Convergence Bill, apart from being a super-regulatory authority for the three aforementioned sectors, will also be a unique piece of legislation, which takes into account the era of “convergence”.
Malaysia is the only other country that has a similar piece of legislation.
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.
