iWorld
Netflix’s Rs 349 mobile+ plan not a game changer but can boost subscriptions
KOLKATA: Netflix took its first step to appear as an affordable streaming service last year with the launch of its Rs 199 mobile-only plan. Global executives have spoken of its success repeatedly and implemented similar plans in other markets. Now, it is testing a new Rs 349 plan targeting smartphone users which will allow users to stream HD.
"We launched the mobile plan in India to make it easier for anyone with a smartphone to enjoy Netflix. We want to see if members like the added choice this offer brings. We’ll only roll it out long-term if they do,” a Netflix spokesperson clarified.
Experts believe it will position Netflix stronger in the competitive ecosystem given the large number of smartphone users in the country. SBICap Securities institutional equity research head Rajiv Sharma mentions that all markets or households don’t have wired broadband connection but most of them have a good smartphone and high-speed mobile data. According to him, there is a segment which has an appetite for that plan. Although it will be a niche segment to begin with, depending on the additional offerings it may make a difference, he adds.
Sharma also says that it’s coinciding with the announcement of the 17 new originals. Hence, these fresh stories can result in a good pick-up. He mentions that the company has to monetise 17 originals by increasing subscriber base and recurring revenue.
The Rs 199 plan, the cheapest offering from Netflix in India, comes with standard definition (SD) and only allows users to stream on their smartphones or tablets. On the contrary, the upgraded version of the mobile plan will let users to stream content additionally also on computers with HD.
Elara Capital VP – research analyst (Media) Karan Taurani says that this new plan which is under testing will definitely not be a game-changer like the Rs 199 plan but it is a good move from the marketing perspective. Segmentation of subscriptions into different price-points will help to communicate with different audiences. He also adds while Netflix mostly has a premium audience, if it is rolled out it will be attractive for low and mid users who have a smartphone.
"It’s consistent with this broad theme and goal that we have, which is seeking effective ways to make the Netflix service more accessible. And it certainly has been performing the way that we've expected, which is that it is a significant increase and acceleration in being able to add new members. But also that it's doing it at a way which is, from a revenue perspective, neutral to positive, which we think is a really great position to be in the long term for the business,” Netflix COO and chief product officer Gregory Peters commented earlier on the mobile plans.
Gaming
Formula 1 and Mumbai Falcons launch India’s first official F1 sim racing championship
Nationwide competition creates pathway from virtual racing to pro motorsport
MUMBAI: Formula 1 has teamed up with Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited to launch India’s first officially sanctioned F1 sim racing competition, marking a new step in the country’s growing motorsport ecosystem.
The championship, titled F1 Sim Racing India Open 2026, will offer a structured national platform for sim racers, with participants competing on the official F1 25 across multiple stages. The competition will begin with online qualifiers, followed by city-based simulator rounds, before culminating in a national final in Mumbai this November.
Open to players across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox, registrations for the event will begin on 30 April via the Mumbai Falcons app. The format mirrors real-world racing, featuring official circuits, team liveries and competitive structures aligned with the global series.
Formula 1 driver Narain Karthikeyan said the initiative arrives at a time when interest in the sport is surging in India, adding that a structured sim racing platform could help identify and nurture the next generation of talent.
Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited managing director Ameet Gadhoke noted that the championship aligns with the team’s long-term goal of building a strong motorsport pipeline in the country and placing Indian talent on the global stage.
The launch also reflects broader momentum in esports, especially after its recognition under India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. By bridging gaming and real-world racing, the initiative aims to offer aspiring drivers a credible entry point into professional motorsport.
With interest in Formula 1 steadily rising and conversations around its return to India gaining pace, the new championship could become a proving ground for future racing stars.
