iWorld
Netflix to launch cheaper ad-supported plan for early 2023
Mumbai: The streaming giant Netflix on Tuesday announced that it is targeting the launch of its ad-supported tier in the early part of 2023, in its letter to shareholders. The lower price advertising-supported offering will complement their existing plans that remain ad-free.
The global streamer recently announced its deal with Microsoft as a technology & sales partner. “They are investing heavily to expand their multi-billion advertising business into premium television video, and we are thrilled to be working with such a strong global partner,” it said.
The video-on-demand service is planning to launch its ad-supported tier in a handful of markets where advertising spend is significant. It expects to attract premium cost-per-mile (CPM) from brand advertisers.
“Our advertising business in a few years will likely look quite different from what it looks like on day one,” it said. “Over time, it is to create a better-than-linear-TV advertisement model that’s more seamless and relevant for consumers, and more effective for our advertising partners. While it will take some time to grow our member base for the ad tier and the associated ad revenues, over the long run, we think advertising can enable substantial incremental membership (through lower prices) and profit growth (through ad revenues).”
Netflix’s average revenue per member has grown at a five per cent compound annual rate from 2013 to 2021, hence the streamer feels it is the right time to give consumers more choice by offering a lower-priced subscription powered by advertisements.
The service lost 0.97 million subscribers in April-June quarter less than it had forecasted (-2.0 million), bringing its total members to 220.67 million. Notably, Netflix lost subscribers in the United States-Canada (UCAN), Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Latin America (LATAM), however, continued to add paid net additions of 1.1 million subscribers from Asia-Pacific and China (APAC).
It reported APAC revenues over $900 million up by 23 per cent (excluding foreign exchange) year-on-year. It currently has 33.72 million subscribers in the region. Netflix forecasts paid net additions of 1.0 million in the next quarter.
The company reported quarterly revenue of Rs 7970 million up by 8.6 per cent YoY. Its operating income stood at Rs 1578 million and net income at Rs 1441 million.
iWorld
Prime Video unveils trailer for Tamil series Exam, streaming May 15
Dushara Vijayan, Aditi Balan headline scam thriller set in exam world
CHENNAI: Prime Video has dropped the official trailer of its upcoming Tamil Original series Exam, a high-stakes suspense drama set in the murky world of competitive entrance exams.
Backed by creative producers Pushkar and Gayatri under Wallwatcher Films, the seven-episode series is written and directed by National Award-winner A. Sarkunam. It stars Dushara Vijayan and Aditi Balan in lead roles, with Abbas playing a pivotal character.
Set in the fictional town of Thykara, the series follows Jhansi, played by Dushara Vijayan, as she attempts to expose a deep-rooted scam, aided by her mentor Jayachandran, played by Abbas. Standing in her way is DSP Maramalli, portrayed by Aditi Balan, setting up a tense face-off driven by ambition, pressure and moral choices.
The show will stream from May 15 on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories. It will be available in Tamil, with dubbed versions in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada, along with subtitles in 15 languages.
Writer-director A. Sarkunam said the story aims to resonate across geographies and social strata, going beyond the scam to explore ambition, pressure and the consequences of personal choices. He added that the narrative unfolds through the intersecting journeys of Jhansi and Maramalli, building tension as their worlds collide.
Dushara Vijayan described Jhansi as a fierce and determined character, calling the role both demanding and rewarding, with the story capturing the difficult choices her character must make.
Aditi Balan said the series offers a hard-hitting look at the exam ecosystem, adding that her character is layered and shaped by both internal conflict and external pressures.
Abbas, marking his return to mainstream Tamil entertainment, said the series stands out for its layered storytelling and unpredictable twists, with his character adding depth to the central narrative.
With its mix of suspense, social commentary and character-driven storytelling, Exam is shaping up to be a tense watch as it dives into one of India’s most high-pressure systems.
