iWorld
Netflix acquires first Indian documentary
MUMBAI: Over the top (OTT) service provider, Netflix, made a big bang launch across the world and in India on 7 January, has picked up its first documentary film from India.
Titled What’s Love Got To Do With It?, the documentary is directed by Rohena Gera.
The film is available on its Indian site as well as in four other territories including US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
What’s Love Got To Do With It? is a fun, moving documentary, which explores why urban individuals often choose arranged marriages over love.
On seeing the film, filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker said, “What’s Love Got To Do With It? is the first fun documentary that I’ve seen. It addresses our national preoccupation of arranged marriages with humour. It’s not only funny, but also insightful, while being entertaining, and hence I like to call it… a FunDoc!”
Gera added, “I am delighted and honoured that Netflix has chosen What’s Love Got To Do With It? I feel that this signifies the democratisation of cinema in many ways. If a tiny-budget film like mine can be on a platform side by side with big Bollywood films, independent gems and grand classics I feel there is a lot to look forward to for filmmakers and audiences alike!”
iWorld
Snap hits $1B revenue as subscriptions cross 25 million
Snap’s paid products boom with Snapchat plus, Lens plus and creator subscriptions
CALIFORNIA: Snapchat’s subscription push is paying off handsomely, with the platform’s direct revenue business now cruising past a $1 billion annualised run rate. At the heart of this milestone is a loyal global subscription community that has just topped 25 million Snapchatters.
Since its launch in late 2022, Snapchat plus has grown rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing consumer subscriptions worldwide. What began as an early-access perk for the platform’s most engaged users has scaled into a robust revenue engine alongside Snap’s ad business.
Snapchat plus thrives because it taps into something deeply human. With more than 946 million monthly active users, Snapchat is fast approaching the one-billion mark. Its subscription service offers personal touches that matter in everyday chats. From pinning a best friend to customising chat wallpapers or adding a Bitmoji Pet, these simple features bring warmth, context and joy to conversations.
But Snap isn’t stopping there. The company has expanded its direct revenue offerings with paid versions of Lens plus, Snapchat Platinum, and Memories Storage Plans. Lens plus gives subscribers advanced AI and AR creative tools, including exclusive generative AI Lenses and unlimited use of the Imagine Lens for instant image creation. Snapchat Platinum delivers an ad-light experience focused on friends and creators, while Memories Storage Plans give heavy users the option to upgrade storage and keep thousands of their most cherished Snaps safe.
Snapchat is also opening doors for creators. Its new creator subscriptions let fans pay directly for exclusive content, priority engagement, and ad-free Stories, giving influencers fresh ways to connect with their audience.
Snap credits its 25 million subscribers for helping shape the future of the platform. Their creativity, feedback, and enthusiasm not only inspire new features but also fuel Snap’s growing direct revenue business.
With these moves, Snap is proving that personalisation, self-expression, and friendship aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the secret sauce behind its subscription success.
