iWorld
Network18 Digital hires Saregama’s Mudaliar as chief product officer
MUMBAI: Network18 Digital (N18D), the digital arm of the Network18 Group, has appointed Avinash Mudaliar as the chief product officer. Mudaliar has an experience of over 16 years across media including digital, print and radio and has a plethora of accolades to his name.
At N18D, Mudaliar will be responsible for working across all the digital properties of Network18 (firstpost, moneycontrol, News18.com and other sub-brands like Cricketnext, Compare India, Tech2, Indiwo , Faking News) – working with the teams, defining present enhancements on existing products and working future roadmaps and initiatives.
Considering the future is going to be 4G-enabled and video focused and Avinash’s experience in handling products both around video and audio is a great addition to the Network’s strength. He also brings with him a deep understanding of news and content and the ability to package it in across both the physical and digital products.
Network18 Digital CEO Manish Maheshwari says, “Avinash brings an unparalleled understanding of the digital space to the table. His presence will bolster the on-going activities and bring in the momentum to look at a number of clutter-breaking products in the arena. He has often walked the unconventional path and with Network18 Digital’s intention to consistently deliver out-of-the box content, he is the perfect addition to the team.”
Prior to this, Mudaliar was the vice president – product, technology and IT at Saregama whom he joined in 2013 as VP and head of internet products. He also grew the Youtube business manifold.
In the last four years, he led the team which conceptualised and executed all of Saregama’s digital, physical product and technology initiatives, the latest being Saregama Carvaan – the digital radio. His team also led the development of D2C products like the new Saregama.com music store and app, Saregama’s niche music apps like Saregama Classical and Shakti and the creation of the backend technology and analytics platforms which power and service both Saregama’s B2B clients and internal initiatives. He also headed and grew the Youtube business manifold.
Before his stint at Saregama, he worked with Times Internet Ltd (TIL). He was the co-founder and business head of Gaana.com. While he was the vice-president and business head of Indiatimes, he and his team simultaneously worked on a product which became Gaana.com. Gaana.com was then hived off as a separate entity which he went on to head. He joined TIL in 2008 as VP – head of content, creative. His role involved scoping and execution of internal products within Indiatimes. He was given business responsibilities and made business head and went on to head multiple verticals within TIL which included gaming, infoTech and videos.
Mudaliar says: “Getting our products right and understanding our customers would be key – it’s great to be part of an ecosystem which is focused on serving what the customer wants ”
This is a home-coming for Mudaliar as in the past he was a part of the founding team of In.com and served as the founder editor-in-chief of In.com at Web18 (Now Network18 Digital). Prior to that, he was with Radio Mirchi as the cluster programming head for south. His earlier stints with the internet include being a partner of Microsoft’s Bhashaindia Indic language computing initiative and BPL’s Oyeindia.com.
iWorld
Paramount revamps app with short videos to boost mobile viewer engagement
Streaming giant borrows from TikTok playbook to drive daily usage on phones
LOS ANGELES: Paramount Skydance is giving its streaming strategy a mobile-first twist, rolling out a redesigned version of its Paramount+ app that leans heavily on short-form video to capture viewer attention, according to a Reuters report.
The updated app, currently available to iPhone users via Apple, features scrollable clips such as sports highlights, news snippets, UFC moments and trailers. The idea is simple but effective: get users to open the app multiple times a day, much like they do with TikTok or Instagram.
By encouraging repeat visits, Paramount is betting it can deepen engagement and unlock new features such as real-time statistics during live events and interactive viewing elements. The approach reflects a broader industry shift, where streaming platforms are borrowing cues from social media to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded market.
The stakes are high. In the first quarter of 2026, Paramount accounted for just 2 percent of global app-based streaming, trailing rivals such as Netflix, HBO Max and Peacock, according to data cited by Reuters. Even a potential combination with Warner Bros Discovery would only place it fourth in the streaming rankings.
Meanwhile, YouTube, owned by Google, continues to dominate the mobile video space, boasting user numbers far ahead of Paramount+. This gap has pushed traditional studios to rethink how audiences discover and consume content.
Industry insiders suggest Paramount could go further by experimenting with micro dramas or tapping digital creators to draw in younger viewers. Rivals are already moving in that direction. Netflix is investing in video podcasts featuring names like Pete Davidson, Michael Irvin and Brian Williams, while Amazon has teamed up with Jimmy Donaldson for a reality series.
There are also hints of potential collaboration with TikTok, given shared links to Larry Ellison of Oracle, though both companies have said no formal agreement exists.
The revamp is part of a wider overhaul of Paramount’s streaming operations, including both Paramount+ and Pluto TV, as the company looks to sharpen its competitive edge.
In a market where attention spans are shrinking, Paramount’s latest move signals a clear pivot. If viewers will not come to long-form content, the strategy suggests, then perhaps the content must first meet them in short bursts.
