eNews
Lionsgate Play & Smart partner for affordable binge-watch deal in Philippines
Mumbai: Premium streaming platform Lionsgate Play has announced its groundbreaking partnership with mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) aimed at redefining the landscape of digital entertainment for Filipinos. Starting today, all Smart Prepaid and Smart Postpaid subscribers in the Philippines may enjoy affordable premium streaming subscriptions as they dive into Lionsgate Play’s expansive library of blockbuster franchises and innovative original series. Whether they’re movie enthusiasts or binge-watchers, Smart customers can take advantage of the best rates to access Lionsgate Play’s curated library.
Since it entered the Philippines market in June 2022, Lionsgate Play has been making waves with its entertainment offerings that lean toward the provocative, thrilling, and edgy. The official streaming platform of the renowned Hollywood studio Lionsgate, it offers blockbuster franchises (including John Wick, The Hunger Games, Twilight, Step-Up, and Saw); award-winning Lionsgate feature films (such as La La Land and Wonder); original series that cut across multiple genres (like Power, Gaslit, Party Down, The Serpent Queen, Ramy, Minx, and more).
Pocket-friendly prices for world-class entertainment
“Our partnership with Smart is an integral part of our continued expansion efforts across Southeast Asia,” said Lionsgate Play Asia president Rohit Jain. “This collaboration aligns with our vision to distribute our content more broadly and to diversify our subscriber base, enabling audiences to ‘play more, browse less.’ We’re committed to strategic partnerships, and Smart is the perfect partner to help us achieve that goal.”
“This collaboration with Lionsgate Play solidifies our commitment to delivering the widest breadth of world-class entertainment to the fingertips of Filipinos. Through this partnership, we reinforce our mission to make sure that every Smart user has more options to enjoy the content they want to consume,” said Wireless Business at Smart head of consumer Alex O. Caeg.
“Powered by Smart, our customers can enjoy seamless streaming of their favourite movies, and access their beloved series from Lionsgate Play’s phenomenal library. Whether at home or on the go, they have the option to indulge in uninterrupted entertainment and immerse themselves in top-notch streaming at their convenience,” adds Kristine A. Go, SVP for Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.
Smart subscribers will be able to enjoy these cinematic offerings at incredibly affordable rates. An LGP subscription is priced at just PHP 99/month for Smart subscribers, compared to the standard rate of PHP 129/month. Smart will also be rolling out an extra affordable 7-day subscription for a mere PHP 39, making LGP’s exceptional entertainment available to everyone.
eNews
Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.








