iWorld
Netflix’s Hastings expects linear TV to diminish like landlines have
MUMBAI: Do you know what’s driving Netflix as it continues on its mad rapid expansion around the globe? Well, CEO Reed Hastings gave some insights to German TV anchor Claus Keiber in an interview to Digital Life Design (DLD) station recently. Hastings indicated that he believed that linear television is on the brink of extinction.
“It has been a breakthrough for 50 years and has enabled consumers to watch movies at their own comfort rather than going to a theater,” he said. “However, today people want to watch content on different screens. There used to be a lack of diversity and of different voices during the era when the three major networks dominated the entertainment space in the US. Today, consumers want to make it personalized with updated and improved applications which are the aspects of internet TV. Eventually, these new forms will replace the linear television TV just like fixed lines were by mobile phones.”
When asked if the linear TV will manage to retain a viewership niche, he agreed, saying that “there is always a tendency to romance the past.”
He rued the fact that internet TV has no authoritative voice, but that shortcoming is more than made up by the fact that it is a platform which offers a broader diversity including more opinions and experimental content.
“Every technology has its losses and gains. These days, anyone can produce and can also have a television network”, added the IT engineer. “Linear TV networks are adapting and putting their content out on the Internet. The other international networks might also convert themselves into internet networks.”
Netflix’s big challenges going ahead – after its recent expansion into 130 countries – are producing locally in the markets it has launched, getting the right price points for consumers and finally getting a leg in to China. Hastings revealed that the company is already in talks with local partners as well as government departments to get a license.
“We need to be patient. Apple took six years from 2005 to 2011 in negotiating and binding relationships in China before launching their I-phone. We are looking forward to a decade where Chinese middle class would want to embrace the content that we provide”, he pointed out. “Currently, bloggers in China think that House of Cards is a documentary on the US.”
iWorld
Epic Company launches unified Epic Studio for films and OTT
Vivek Krishnani to head films business; Samar Khan leads OTT & Television.
MUMBAI: Epic just merged its creative superheroes under one cape because when films and OTT need to fight for attention together, you don’t keep them in separate universes. The Epic Company has launched Epic Studio, a next-generation creative and production powerhouse that unites Juggernaut Productions and Movieverse Studio under a single banner. The move creates a streamlined, scalable platform for premium storytelling across theatrical films, OTT originals, television, digital-first formats and branded content.
Vivek Krishnani has been appointed chief executive officer, Epic Studio (Films), overseeing the theatrical and film business with a focus on culturally resonant narratives across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati and Malayalam cinema. Samar Khan continues as chief executive officer, Epic Studio (OTT & Television) and retains his role as chief content officer for Docubay and Epic On.
The Epic Company managing director Aditya Pittie said, “Epic Studio brings together our entire creative ecosystem under one unified studio vision. This is not just an integration of verticals, but the creation of a collaborative environment where writers, filmmakers, creators, and brand partners can seamlessly develop and scale stories across formats and screens.”
Vivek Krishnani added, “We are building an audience-focused mainstream film studio committed to delivering fresh, engaging, and innovative stories for both theatrical and streaming platforms.”
Samar Khan commented, “This alignment allows us to approach storytelling with a unified studio mindset. We are building IP under one creative umbrella, with scale and longevity in mind from inception.”
The unified structure eliminates silos, enabling ideas to flow fluidly from concept to screen while adapting to evolving audience behaviour. Epic Studio positions itself as a creator-led ecosystem championing purposeful, resonant storytelling with commercial strength.
In an entertainment landscape where stories now leap between screens faster than plot twists, Epic isn’t just building a studio, it’s crafting a single launchpad where every tale gets the best shot at soaring across every platform.
