iWorld
Globo’s ‘Merciless’ & ‘The Hunter’ premiere on U.K. & U.S. VoD
MUMBAI: Globo’s series ‘Merciless’ and ‘The Hunter’ are now part of the Walter Presents VoD service, which is dedicated to foreign drama and comedy in the UK and U.S. The service is part of Channel 4’s online platform. The licensing of the series to the streaming service is part of Globo’s strategy to produce and distribute creative and quality content covering a range of different platforms.
The Brazilian series are available in the platform in Portuguese language with subtitles in English. Written by award-winner Glória Perez (‘India – a Love Story’ and ‘The Clone’), ‘Merciless’ revolves around the psychopath Edu (Bruno Gagliasso, ‘Rising Sun’), a handsome, smart and articulated man who uses all of his charm to hide his real and dark personality. Responsible for a series of murders that baffle the police, Edu captivates the emotionally unstable Ray (Débora Falabella, ‘Brazil Avenue’), who falls in love with the young man while doesn’t even notice his other side. In the international market, the series has already been licensed in 4K to the Korean group EPG. In addition, SIC, one of Portugal’s largest open TV networks and a large consumer of Globo’s content, has also invested in the show.
‘The Hunter’ is a breathtaking 13-episode series that tells the story of André – played by charming actor Cauã Reymond (‘Above Justice’ and ‘Brazil Avenue’) –, a cop who is wrongfully imprisoned. When he gets out of jail, he is driven by a single goal: tracking leads to prove his innocence. He starts working as a bounty hunter after he is kicked out of the force, and his relentless search for the truth in the criminal underworld begins. Packed with action and sensuality, the thriller was broadcast by SIC and boosted the Portuguese network’s ratings by 55 per cent during its premiere.
Click here to watch the trailer of ‘Merciless’
Click here to watch the trailer of ‘The Hunter’
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.
