iWorld
Million Dollar Listing India premieres 25 October on Sony LIV
Mumbai: Sony LIV is set to captivate viewers with the Indian edition of the two-time Emmy-nominated series Million Dollar Listing, premiering on 25 October 2024. Produced by Banijay Asia, the show offers an exclusive look into the thrilling world of luxury real estate in India, showcasing six charismatic realtors who strike multi-million-dollar deals and navigate cutthroat competition. The series, licensed by NBCUniversal Formats, promises to reveal India’s most sought-after properties and the vibrant market dynamics across its trendiest locations.
Meet the realtors of Million Dollar Listing India:
Ankush Sayal – A trailblazer with a talent for selling high-value properties, Ankush aims to transform India’s unorganized real estate industry into a well-structured sector. With roots in a real estate family, he’s determined to expand beyond traditional boundaries, setting his sights on global growth.
Hem Batra – Known as South Delhi’s luxury real estate expert, Hem’s impressive sales record and ability to navigate complex transactions make him the go-to realtor for high-profile clients. His social media showcases stunning properties and provides a glimpse into the world of high-powered deals.
Navdeep Khanuja – Dubbed the “King of Real Estate in Gurgaon,” Navdeep’s extensive network and expertise set him apart. He effortlessly unlocks exclusive properties for elite clientele, living up to his reputation as a trendsetter in Gurgaon’s real estate scene.
Karuna Gidwani – From cabin crew to real estate, Karuna’s journey has been anything but conventional. Her remarkable versatility has solidified her position as a top luxury real estate expert in Gurgaon, where she achieves phenomenal results.
Deepti Mallik – A force in the traditionally male-dominated industry, Deepti revitalized her family business after earning a master’s degree in hospitality and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. Her innovative strategies have transformed the company, and her videos shed light on trending real estate developments.
Prajesh Bhatia – The youngest of the group, 24-year-old Prajesh is shaking up the Gurgaon and Central Delhi markets. Guided by the mantra “Innovate, adapt, and dominate,” he uses his age and social media savvy to connect with clients and showcase luxury properties.
Sony LIV’s latest series is poised to bring a fresh, aspirational look at India’s real estate sector, highlighting the hustle, high-stakes deals, and intense competition that define the industry. Million Dollar Listing India promises to be an immersive experience, taking viewers on a journey through some of the country’s most luxurious properties.
Tags: Million Dollar Listing India, Sony LIV Series, Luxury Real Estate, Banijay Asia, High-Stakes Deals, Ankush Sayal, Navdeep Khanuja, Deepti Mallik, Indian Realtors, Real Estate Competition
iWorld
Spotify Q1 revenue hits €4.5bn as users cross 760 million globally
Subscriber growth and margins rise as platform bets big on AI and discovery
LONDON: Spotify has kicked off 2026 on a strong note, reporting first-quarter revenue of €4.5 billion, up 14 per cent year-on-year in constant currency, as its global user base swelled past 760 million.
The streaming giant said monthly active users rose 12 per cent year-on-year to 761 million, while premium subscribers climbed 9 per cent to 293 million. The steady rise in both free and paid users signals continued demand for its expanding mix of music, podcasts and audiobooks.
Profitability also struck a chord. Gross margin improved by around 140 basis points to 33 per cent, marking one of the company’s strongest first-quarter performances to date. Operating income reached €715 million, comfortably ahead of expectations.
Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström said, “We surpassed 760 million MAU, delivered on the subscriber growth we aimed to achieve, and saw healthy engagement from existing users, reactivations and new users alike.” He added that increased listening and viewing activity in key markets such as the United States reflects confidence in sustained growth and low churn.
The company’s other co-CEO, Gustav Söderström, pointed to long-term ambition, saying the platform’s scale, creator ecosystem and investments in personalisation are opening up “new growth vectors” across formats and user engagement.
Revenue growth was largely driven by the premium segment, which rose 10 per cent to €4.1 billion, supported by price increases and stable average revenue per user of €4.76. However, the ad-supported business saw a 5 per cent dip to €385 million, though it still posted a modest 3 per cent increase in constant currency terms.
Cash generation remained robust, with free cash flow at €824 million for the quarter and €3.2 billion over the past 12 months. The company also benefited from lower-than-expected operating expenses, including €49 million in reduced social charges linked to share-based compensation.
Beyond the numbers, Spotify is leaning into product innovation. New AI-driven features such as “Taste Profile” and “Prompted Playlist” aim to give users more control over recommendations, while tools like “SongDNA” and “About the Song” deepen music discovery. The platform is also expanding audiobook charts in the United States and United Kingdom to boost engagement in newer formats.
Looking ahead, Spotify expects momentum to continue into the second quarter, forecasting 778 million monthly active users, 299 million subscribers, revenue of €4.8 billion and operating income of €630 million.
With €8.8 billion in cash and 7,258 employees, the company appears well-positioned to keep its growth story in rhythm as competition in digital entertainment intensifies.
