iWorld
Netflix ventures into linear offering in France
KOLKATA: While Netflix has been the catalyst that changed the way the world consumed linear TV, it is reportedly testing its first programming channel – Netflix Direct. The channel will be exclusively available to subscribers of the regular Netflix streaming service and will get a trial run in France, for the time-being.
The channel will offer a pre-programmed feed of French, international and US feature films and TV series and will only be accessible through the web browser, not on any apps or streaming devices. And in a move that is totally unlike Netflix, viewers can watch the content in real-time only, without an option to rewind.
The reasoning behind the launch is that in France, one of the most important markets for the streaming giant, traditional TV consumption is very high. Many people prefer the convenience of not having to spend time on content discovery.
“If you’re lacking inspiration or using Netflix for the first time, you can let yourself be carried away without having to choose a particular title, and be surprised by the diversity of the Netflix catalogue,” the company commented as per media reports.
The test channel had a soft launch on 5 November and will be more widely available in France by early December, Netflix added.
Direct will have curated shows based only on popular choice rather than personal preferences. It could be a great marketing initiative to lure customers to the service who are not certain about streaming yet.
Earlier in this year, there were talks about Amazon Prime Video adding linear TV channels to bolster its video service.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
