iWorld
Deutsche Welle Radio seeks private FM partners
MUMBAI: Deutsche Welle Radio, the audio wing of the German public service broadcaster, plans to strike a partnership with one of the FM players in Mumbai.
The German radio station, available to Indian listeners as a 50 minute Hindi block every day on short wave, chiefly airs programmes on international news, scientific developments, current and youth affairs. The last segment is one which the channel plans to share with one of the private radio stations, possibly Radio Mirchi, if a deal can be struck between the two, says DW distribution head, Asia/Australia Angelika Newel.
Private FM players in the city have thus far stuck to music and game shows to woo in the listeners, as news and current affairs have been kept out of the ambit of private radio stations. Newel, currently in Mumbai to attend the Scat trade show, says she has met with private FM players to discuss the possibility of its youth focussed shows being aired on one of the stations.
DW Radio, which has a small but loyal following of around 60,000 listeners in the country, is the older sibling of Deutsche Welle TV that has been airing for nearly a decade in the country. While the public service station concentrates on international news and current affairs programmes, it has kept its focus low on increasing penetration in the country, and concentrates instead on targeting the ‘opionion makers’ as well as German tourists frequenting over key 100 hotels in Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala and major metros, says Newel.
DW Radio has been available in Hindi since 1964, airing shows on politics, economics, culture, education, sports and science, apart from a regular audience feedback show as well as contests between 3.15 and 4 pm with a repeat between 8.45 pm and 9.30 pm on SW 22 m – 13,605 kHz, 41 m – 7225 kHz, 49 m – 6170 kHz. Apart from its regular shows, DW Radio also has a long running fortnightly slot for a Sanskrit show, conducted by Indologist Dr Friedman Schandler.
Radio Mirchi officials, when contacted, say that while they have been contacted by DW, no decision has been taken as yet. While music remains the mainstay of the channel, Mirchi has pioneered the spate of contests currently on air on most radio stations. The issue of content sharing with other radio stations will be evaluated at a later stage, say Mirchi officials, once its metro grid (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai in addition to Mumbai) and the eastern grid (Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack, in addition to Kolkata) are in place.
iWorld
Cineflicks set to enter India’s OTT market with community-first focus
New platform aims to blend streaming content with interactive viewing experiences
MUMBAI: A new player is gearing up to join India’s crowded streaming arena, with Cineflicks preparing to launch as a community-driven OTT platform aimed at redefining how audiences engage with digital entertainment.
The platform plans to offer a mix of movies, series and digital content, while placing equal emphasis on building an interactive ecosystem where viewers can connect, share and participate beyond passive viewing.
India’s OTT market has seen explosive growth over the past decade, fuelled by rising smartphone penetration and affordable internet access. As streaming becomes the default mode of content consumption, new entrants are increasingly looking to differentiate themselves not just through content libraries but through user experience.
Cineflicks appears to be positioning itself within this next phase of evolution. Instead of focusing solely on scale, the platform is aiming to create a space where audiences can engage more deeply with the content they watch, turning entertainment into a shared experience rather than a solo activity.
While details around its content slate remain under wraps, people familiar with the development say the platform is currently building out features and partnerships ahead of a phased rollout. The broader strategy suggests a blend of content discovery, community interaction and digital participation.
The timing is notable. With global and regional streaming platforms competing intensely for attention, the emphasis is slowly shifting towards engagement and retention rather than just acquisition. Platforms that can foster stronger audience connections may have an edge in this evolving landscape.
Cineflicks’ entry reflects the continued expansion of India’s digital entertainment ecosystem, where innovation is increasingly being driven by how content is experienced, not just what is offered.
As the platform moves closer to launch, the real test will be whether it can translate its community-first pitch into a compelling, everyday habit for viewers.
