iWorld
Google’s new tool helps keep a tab on rising TV users
MUMBAI: Google recently launched a series of tools in Display And Video 360. It comes as a sigh of relief for digital media buyers as it makes it easier for them to discover and secure ad inventory on high-quality streaming content.
According to data, Display and Video 360's connected TV available inventory surged by 75 per cent in April from the previous year.
"This doesn't include YouTube and YouTube TV, which over 100 million people watch on their TV screens each month in the US. Even now, as stay-at-home restrictions are being lifted, connected TV usage remains well above pre-Covid2019 levels," Google said in a statement.
The platform had created a dedicated TV section in the maketplace specifically for publishers and inventory that let them reach TV audiences across devices.
People can easily discover deals with available publisher inventory.
"Additional filter options let you search by geo or streaming device type to quickly find the right partner for your campaigns," informed Google.
One can send request for proposals (RFP) to publishers directly from the dedicated space.
"We'll be rolling out this new interface throughout the next few weeks. In the future we will also be adding national linear TV broadcast and cable networks as well as local TV stations to this section in Marketplace," informed Google.
The platform also mentioned that it is making YouTube Select's dedicated streaming TV lineup available to Display and Video 360 buyers in the US.
iWorld
Jio IPO faces delay as India yet to clear listing rule changes
Proposed rule change allows mega IPOs to float just 2.5 per cent
MUMBAI: The Indian government’s delay in formalising changes to listing rules may derail the targeted timeline for the initial public offering (IPO) of Jio Platforms, the digital arm of Reliance Industries controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
According to media reports, Reliance is awaiting formal notification of regulatory amendments before appointing investment bankers and filing a draft IPO prospectus. The company is now aiming to submit the draft prospectus before April, depending on when the government issues the notification.
Jio, which owns India’s largest wireless operator, is widely seen as one of the crown jewels of Ambani’s business empire. Its listing, the first public offering of a major Reliance unit in nearly two decades, could become the country’s biggest ever IPO.
Investment bankers have proposed a valuation of as much as $170 billion for the company. Even the minimum stake sale could raise roughly $4.3 billion, potentially placing Jio among India’s most valuable listed companies.
Ambani had earlier said that Reliance was targeting a listing of Jio in the first half of 2026, a plan first outlined in 2019 with a five-year timeline. In 2020, global technology groups Meta Platforms and Alphabet invested more than $10 billion combined in the company.
The delay stems from pending regulatory changes approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India in September. The amendments allow companies with a post-issue market capitalisation exceeding Rs 5 trillion (about $55 billion) to float as little as 2.5 per cent of equity in an IPO, compared with the current 5 per cent minimum.
Such changes are expected to enable mega listings, including potential offerings by Jio and the National Stock Exchange of India. However, the reforms still require formal notification from the government.
Meanwhile, the National Stock Exchange is moving ahead with plans to raise as much as $2.5 billion through its own IPO and has recently invited banks to pitch for roles in the offering.
