iWorld
India’s Avod spend to reach $2.4 billion by 2026: Research
MUMBAI: The revenues for ad-supported video-on-demand (Avod) in India for TV series and movies are expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2026. In 2022, the revenue will surge to $1 billion, up from $0.8 billion last year, according to a report from Digital TV Research released recently.
It is predicted by the research that Avod revenues for TV series and movies will reach $70 billion by 2027 globally, which will surge from $33 billion in 2021.
The report also highlights that out Of the 138 countries covered in the survey, a total of 13 will generate revenue of over $1 billion by 2027.
The survey has revealed the data of five top countries in Avod’s revenue growth in future. It includes countries such as the US, China, UK, Japan, and India.
Pointing out his views, Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray said, “US AVOD will grow by $19 billion to $31 billion by 2027 – remaining the largest country by far. The US has the world’s most sophisticated advertising industry by some distance, plus AVOD choice is greater in the US than anywhere else. The US will account for 46 per cent of the global total by 2027, up from 39 percent in 2021.”
After the US, China’s revenue growth for Avod will increase by 2027. It will reach $8.3 billion from the current over $6 billion.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
