iWorld
GoNews becomes NBA India’s first digital member
NEW DELHI: One of India’s youngest digital news channel GoNews has become the first digital member of News Broadcasters Association (NBA) of India, which has been under pressure in recent times with organization members accusing each of alleged malpractices and a new news channel boss dubbing it a “toothless” body.
In an official statement, Pankaj Pachauri-founded Cloudburst Mediaworks Pvt. Ltd., owners of GoNews, said the NBA board at its meeting held on 9 May 2017 considered its application and granted it associate member status with effect from 18 May 2017.
GoNews, an app-based news channel, was officially launched in April 2017. True to its adage of providing news on the go, the inauguration too was live-streamed to over 20,000 smart phone users who had downloaded the app on their smart phones, besides scores of followers on social media.
According to Pachauri, creation of app-based news channel was done on purpose so as to disseminate basic information and hard facts to viewers having no or little access to satellite TV.
A former TV news journalist who had also done a stint as former PM Manmohan Singh’s media advisor, Pachauri said research and data convinced him that satellite TV news was losing its viewership as well as sheen because it had become “highly opinionated” and was increasingly becoming “hostage to advertising”.
Meanwhile, not all TV news channels in India are members of NBA, but with GoNews’ addition membership strength has gone up to 24 companies with 63 channels. Most NBA India members are also part of a bigger industry organization called the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF).
NBA was formed some years back after the news channels said their interest was not properly being highlighted by the IBF on various forums. NBA represents the private television news and current affairs broadcasters and is an organization funded entirely by its members. Co-founder of a new news channel, Republic TV, Arnab Goswami recently described the organization as a “cabal” and “toothless” body when asked the reason for NBA India last week opposing release of Republic’s debut-week audience measurement data.
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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.
