iWorld
Humans of Bombay blossoms into full-stack media powerhouse
MUMBAI: Humans of Bombay (HOB), the platform that’s touched millions with its poignant tales, is no longer just telling stories; it’s now poised to write its own, transforming into a full-stack digital media company. Having spun over 6,500 narratives and built a community of more than 7M, HOB is branching out to become a veritable media tree.
With a belief that real human stories can, in fact, change the world, HOB is now taking that power to the next level. Expect a bumper crop of original IPs, bold new partnerships, and immersive formats that aim not just to recount lives, but to shape the very culture of a New India. It’s a bit like turning a heart-warming anecdote into a blockbuster franchise.
“Stories change people. And people change the world. We’re building storytelling ecosystems—formats and IPs designed to inspire, influence, and push India forward.” said Humans of Bombay founder & CEO, Karishma Mehta
Every grand transformation needs the right hands to steer the plough, and HOB is no exception. They’ve brought in some serious talent to cultivate this new growth.
Amit Sobti is joining HOB as its new president. With two decades of experience in building and scaling media companies, including a dozen years spent nurturing Fork Media into one of India’s leading digital media powerhouses—Sobti will be driving operations, revenue, and partnerships to new heights. He’s clearly got a knack for turning narratives into net profits.
“This move just felt right,” Humans of Bombay president, Amit Sobti. “I’ve spent years building brands and businesses, but HOB is different. It’s honest. It’s human. And in a world full of noise, that really matters. I’m excited to help shape what comes next—thoughtfully, and with purpose.”
And because creativity is the very soil in which HOB thrives, Jasleen Kaur Gupta is stepping in as vice president, creatives & delivery. Armed with a decade of experience in shaping content, marketing, and talent IPs at big names like Myntra, 120 Media Collective, and Fork Media, gupta will lead the creative vision, bringing bold, fresh storytelling formats to vivid life.
Much before joining HOB, I was a fan of their content. To now actually be here and have the opportunity to make an impact with life changing storytelling and creative experiments is a chance to do what I do best. Build. Bigger, better and be disruptive,” says Jasleen Kaur.
“At our core, we’ll always stand for real, empathy-driven stories. But the future we’re building is about going beyond content—into culture, influence, and impact at scale,” adds Karishma Mehta.
iWorld
JioStar revenue hits Rs 9,784 crore as cricket fuels 22 per cent growth
A surge in digital viewership and sports dominance fuels a blockbuster quarter for the media giant
MUMBAI: JioStar is batting on a flat pitch. The media titan’s fourth-quarter results for the financial year 2026 reveal a business scaling new heights, propelled by an unprecedented appetite for premium sports and digital-first storytelling.
Gross revenue for the quarter soared by 22.15 per cent to Rs 9,784 crore, up from Rs 8,010 crore in the third quarter. Operationally, the momentum was equally strong; revenue from operations climbed 21 per cent to Rs 8,372 crore. These figures underscore the firm’s successful integration following the Reliance and Disney merger, creating a dominant force in the Indian market.
The annual performance has been nothing short of a spectacle. Full-year gross revenue reached a massive Rs 36,248 crore, while annual profit after tax hit Rs 3,210 crore. This rapid expansion reflects JioStar’s ability to capture and monetise the massive growth in India’s media consumption.
Cricket proved to be the ultimate growth engine. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and TATA IPL 2026 delivered “record-breaking viewership” across both television and digital screens. The World Cup final alone drew a global peak concurrency of 72.5 million on JioHotstar, cementing its status as the nation’s premier streaming destination. On television, JioStar maintained a commanding 34.2 per cent viewership share, reaching a staggering 810 million viewers nationwide.
The digital numbers were just as impressive. JioHotstar averaged 500 million monthly active users, driven by consistent subscriber growth and innovative AI-led content discovery tools. These advancements are ensuring that JioStar remains at the cutting edge of the global “Race for Attention.”
With a firm grip on the country’s most valuable sporting rights and a rapidly growing digital footprint, JioStar is perfectly positioned for the future. It has built the ultimate content powerhouse—one that is ready to dominate the Indian living room for years to come.
