iWorld
Prime Video takes a shot with NBA League Pass debut in India
MUMBAI: Prime Video is dribbling into new territory and it’s nothing but net for basketball fans in India. The streamer has announced the arrival of NBA League Pass as an add-on subscription, marking the first time ever that the NBA’s official live and on-demand service is available through Prime Video in India.
For hoops lovers, this means game time just got a whole lot easier to access and binge. NBA League Pass offers subscribers access to 1,000 plus games per season, including every regular season clash, the NBA All-Star, Playoffs, Conference Finals, and the NBA Finals, along with replays, highlights, and NBA TV at no additional cost. Fans can stream the action live or catch up later no shot clock pressure.
Three subscription options cater to every kind of fan. The standard League Pass, priced at Rs 219 per month, provides access to all games and NBA TV on one device. For superfans who like more flexibility, the League Pass Premium at Rs 329 per month includes NBA TV, offline viewing, streaming on up to three devices, and even an in-arena feed. Meanwhile, the Team Pass at Rs 199 per month is perfect for loyalists who want to follow their favourite team throughout the season.
But the slam dunk doesn’t end there. Prime members will also get access to select marquee games from the NBA 2025–26 regular season as part of their standard Prime Video subscription marking the inaugural season of NBA on Prime.
The season tips off on Saturday, 25 October, with an electrifying opening week doubleheader, the New York Knicks hosting the Boston Celtics at 5am IST, followed by the Minnesota Timberwolves facing off against the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30am IST.
To set the stage for this new era, Prime Video Sports also unveiled the NBA on Prime Studio, previewed at Amazon MGM Studios in Culver City, California. The launch event brought together top Amazon executives, NBA production talent, and an all-star lineup of basketball legends including Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Udonis Haslem, John Wall, Rudy Gay, Candace Parker, Dwyane Wade, Swin Cash, and Brent Barry, alongside host Taylor Rooks, announcer Ian Eagle, and analysts Stan Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth, and Allie Clifton.
With the NBA’s energy now streaming straight to living rooms, Prime Video is setting up for a fast break into India’s growing sports entertainment space, one where fans can skip the highlights and go straight for the full-court experience.
Because this season, Prime Video isn’t just delivering shows, it’s delivering showtime.
iWorld
Warner Chappell Music launches India ops, Jay Mehta to lead unit
WMG shifts to direct model, unifying publishing and recorded music
MUMBAI: Warner Chappell Music has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a strategic shift by parent Warner Music Group to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing music markets.
The move replaces the company’s earlier sub-publishing model with a full-fledged, on-ground operation, aimed at giving Indian songwriters stronger access to global networks, rights management tools, and creative infrastructure.
To lead the push, Jay Mehta has been handed an expanded mandate. Already serving as managing director of Warner Music India, Mehta will now oversee both recorded music and publishing across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, effectively bringing the two sides of the business under one roof.
The unified structure is designed to streamline how artists and songwriters work with the company, offering a more integrated ecosystem that spans compositions, recordings, and global distribution.
Warner Music Group managing director, recorded music and publishing, India and SAARC Jay Mehta said, “India’s songwriters are world-class, constantly redefining genres and pushing creative boundaries. By establishing a direct footprint for Warner Chappell, we’re bridging the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity.”
The timing is no coincidence. According to CISAC, creator collections in India jumped 42 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7 billion in 2024, while IFPI ranks India as the 15th largest recorded music market globally. At the same time, the industry is undergoing a structural shift, with independent and non-film music gaining ground over traditional Bollywood soundtracks.
Warner’s bet is that a direct presence will help it capture this changing dynamic. The company is also offering India-based creators access to its proprietary tools, including AI-powered royalty matching systems and real-time analytics platforms, aimed at improving transparency and earnings visibility.
Warner Chappell Music co-chair and CEO Guy Moot said the move is about shaping a publishing ecosystem that “works for creators and ensures their music is heard, protected, and rewarded everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl underlined India’s importance to the company’s global strategy, noting that the new structure creates a “unified powerhouse” for both creators and audiences.
With local studios, global reach, and tighter integration across its business lines, Warner is clearly doubling down on India. And as streaming habits evolve and independent music rises, the company is positioning itself to be not just a participant, but a key architect of the country’s next music chapter.
