e-commerce
One in three Fire TV customers said farewell to cable/DTH in 2021: Amazon
Mumbai: One in three Fire TV customers said farewell to a cable or DTH connection in 2021, while one out of every four added or upgraded to a newer, faster version of Fire TV devices to enhance their TV watching experience, according to findings from Amazon’s ‘Fire TV Streaming Trends for 2021’ released on Monday.
The report, sharing detailed insights on content consumption across its Fire TV devices in India, also revealed that customers spent nearly four hours each day watching content on their Fire TV devices, up from three hours per day in 2021. They interacted with Alexa on an average of once every four seconds on Fire TV devices.
The devices were purchased in 80 per cent of the pin codes across India, with smaller cities like Hisar, Tiruvallur, Chittoor, Alwar, Imphal, and South Andaman witnessing an increased growth in sales. Fire TV Stick was among the top 10 most popular products on Amazon.in during Prime Day and Amazon Great Indian Festival. 35 per cent of customers gifted or shared Fire TV devices with their friends and families
Comedy retained its spot as the most preferred TV genre. Fire TV users asked Alexa to play “Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah” once every minute, making it the most searched TV show on Fire TV devices. “Peppa Pig,” “Doremon,” and “Cocomelon” were the most popular kids’ shows, with at least one user asking Alexa for these shows every minute.
On Fire TV devices, consumers enjoyed watching the latest movies across languages, from the safety and comfort of their homes. Some of the most streamed films on Prime Video include Hindi – “Shershaah,” “Sherni,” “Sardar Udham,” Tamil – “Jai Bhim,” “Sarpatta Parambarai,” “Master,” Malayalam – “Drishyam 2,” “Cold Case,” “Malik,” Telegu – “Drushyam 2,” “Tuck Jagadish,” “Narappa,” and Kannada – “Rathnan Prapancha,” “Yuvarathnaa,” “Roberrt.”
“The Family Man Season 2” was the most-streamed Indian show while “The Wheel of Time” was the most streamed international show on Prime Video on Fire TV devices.
Further, one in every four users tuned into their Fire TV device to listen to music. Customers increased their streaming hours of Yoga and fitness apps by 15 per cent versus last year. Games on Fire TV devices emerged as another favourite for Indian customers. “Ludo King,” “World Cricket Championship,” and “Little Singham” were the top online games played on Fire TV devices.
Smart home control requests by customers using Alexa on their Fire TV devices increased by over 150 per cent in 2021 versus last year.
With the launch of the signature Fire TV Cube as well as Amazon’s first local manufacturing line to produce Fire TV devices, 2021 was a milestone year for Fire TV in the country.
“With Fire TV, we want to keep the entire family entertained, especially now when people are spending more time at home,” said India head of Amazon Devices Parag Gupta. “There’s something for everyone, be it content for kids, grown-ups, movie buffs, or fitness enthusiasts. Fire TV is a preferred streaming media device for all-things-entertainment across India and globally—over 150 million Fire TV devices have been sold worldwide, with users streaming billions of hours of content every month. We will continue innovating on behalf of our customers to help them seamlessly discover and enjoy new shows, movies, and more.”
Fire TV has sold more than 150 million devices worldwide and with users streaming billions of hours of content every month, Amazon aims to make it their go-to destination for all things entertainment.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
