iWorld
OMTV collaborates with Hubhopper for audio podcast series
MUMBAI: Sanatan storytelling platform OMTV in collaboration with Hubhopper, a podcast hosting, creation, and distribution platform is aiming to widen its audience base. It has introduced audio podcast features on its app.
Spiritual video shows on OMTV have always been popular with the audience, and now the network is hoping that its podcast catalogue will do the same. OMTV believes that there is a huge market for audio and they have collaborated with the pioneers in this field. On 29 July, OMTV will set off the collaboration with three shows. In the near future, more shows will be added to Hubhopper.
Initially, podcasts will be available in Hindi only, but OMTV plans to dub them in other languages, including English, Marathi, and other South Indian languages.
The podcast is part of a newly added podcast feature, which allows users to listen to podcasts in addition to viewing content. OMTV will convert its major shows into podcasts and distribute them through the Hubhopper platform. Users will benefit from the content consumption options available. They can listen to it on Hubhopper, and if they want to watch it, they can download the OMTV app from the Google Play Store and watch the content they’ve already heard on Hubhopper.
OMTV founder & MD Nitin Jai Shukla said, “Podcasting as a medium is something which we always wanted to try our hands-on and we got phenomenal responses on our show “Swarajya”. Hubhopper is a pioneer in this space and who is better than them to collaborate with if you want to reach out to the right audience. We have perused their diverse directory under religion and spirituality, all the content garnering a prominent presence. We are sure with this collaboration, both the platforms will benefit in their audience base and also our audiences will get to listen to our shows which will make a difference in their lives.”
Hubhopper founder and CEO Gautam Raj Anand said, “We are thrilled about this collaboration. The consumption of spiritual content has increased over the last few years, especially among the younger generation eager to learn about India’s religious and ethnic diversity. Through this collaborative effort with OMTV, we’ll be able to expand and deliver knowledgeable and authentic content to the audience. We can’t wait to bring it to our listeners across different regions and hope to grow exponentially together.”
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.
