Movies
MovieVerse Studios and Beacon Media partner to put Global South storytelling on the world stage
MUMBAI: MovieVerse Studios, the mainstream content arm of IN10 Media Network, has struck a global alliance with Beacon Media to amplify voices from the Global South. The partnership seeks to create a borderless content ecosystem spanning Hollywood, India, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America—reaching more than three billion viewers.
In10 Media Network managing director Aditya Pittie called the tie-up a “meaningful collaboration” blending creativity, technology and scale. Manoj Narender Madnani, chairman of Beacon Media, framed it as “1+1=11 in action,” a shift from competition to collaboration backed by Indian industrialist Anand Mahindra and Pittie.
The alliance will roll out a slate spanning feature films, premium series and micro-series designed for digital-first platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Vivek Krishnani, chief executive of MovieVerse Studios, said the Global South was “home to some of the most dynamic and culturally rich stories waiting to be told”.
Tapping into the deep cultural and financial ties between India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the partnership will kick off with a Malayalam-language feature film and a slate of new movies. It will also adapt bestselling fiction by Dr Deepak Chopra for global screens, while investing in micro-series aimed squarely at next-generation audiences.
Beacon Media has appointed Manini Priyan, an author and screenwriter with cross-market credentials, as head of content. It is also allied with veteran Arab drama executive Fadi Ismail to deliver Arabic programming for digital-first audiences.
With Hollywood in flux and demand for diverse stories peaking, the venture positions itself as a bridge between emerging regions and global distribution. As Madnani put it: “This is not just about content. It’s about reshaping the global entertainment landscape.”
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
