iWorld
Paywizard’s Vaguine joins Ownzones as SVP, to elevate European presence
MUMBAI: Continuing its expansion throughout Western and Eastern Europe, Ownzones Media Network, the OTT EntTech company, has named Serge Vaguine as Senior Vice President, Business Development. Vaguine will be based in London. The announcement was made today by Douglas Lee, Head of Programming at Ownzones.
In this newly created post, Vaguine takes on the responsibility of increasing the company’s worldwide distribution platform services and technology offerings. This includes Ownzones’ OTT video delivery platform, which provides end-to-end solutions for delivering world-class viewing experiences. On the content front, Vaguine will handle the distribution for 420TV, a new VOD “all things cannabis” channel featuring 4K original, multi-episodic series’, long and short form news, informational and entertainment content, as well as Ownzones Passport, a localized app that gives consumers access to original video programs with top international and local influencers and Hollywood movies.
“Our goal is to gain a foothold in more established European markets, and Serge is a results-driven senior sales and business development executive with a proven track record,” said Lee. “Given his significant global experience in selling complex software and his deep background in digital media and entertainment, he is the perfect choice to lead us both in the content and technology sales efforts.”
Previously, Vaguine served as Vice President Sales at Paywizard Group, a provider of subscriber management and billing solutions for pay TV operators. Vaguine undertook the task of boosting subscriber acquisition and retention as well as providing predictive churn analytics and rich data insight to the firm’s clients, including BT Sports, BoxNation, NBCU and ITV.
From 2006 to 2014, Vaguine served as Director of Business Development, EMEA at Amino Communications, the leading provider of innovative hybrid TV, IPTV and cloud TV solutions and was based in Cambridge during his nine-year tenure with the company.
Also Read :
Netflix’s Nick Nelson joins Ownzones Media as head of product innovation
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.
