iWorld
Italian broadcaster RAI launches OTT service
MUMBAI: Italian public broadcaster Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) has launched its free OTT service called Rai Play. The service will offer 14 live streaming channels from its bouquet – Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3, Rai4, Rai5, RaiNews, RaiSport1, RaiSport2, RaiMovie, Rai Premium, RaiYoyo, RaiGulp, Rai Storia, Rai Scuola.
“We can give Italians an additional service, which includes the ability to watch programmes whenever they want, even those who at that time are not on the air, in addition to other services around content,” said RAI general manager Antonio Campo dall’Orto in a statement.
He added, “Rai Play represents a fundamental step forward in the path that is transforming Rai in a media company. People will be free to make use of our content where and when they want. Freedom and universality are two pillars of Rai’s mission, which is to inform and educate.”
Rai Play is free to download and is available for live streaming on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer (ver. 10 and above) and iOS, Android and Windows for smartphones and tablets.
RAI operates in several DVB and Satellite television channels and radio stations. It broadcasts via digital terrestrial transmission and from several satellite platforms. Its broadcasts are also received in neighboring countries, including Albania, Croatia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro,San Marino, Slovenia, Vatican City, Switzerland, and Tunisia, and elsewhere on cable and satellite.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
