eNews
Samsung TV Plus adds four ETV network Telugu channels
GURUGRAM: Samsung TV Plus has nabbed four channels from Eenadu Television, one of India’s oldest broadcasters, as the free streaming service pushes deeper into regional markets. The deal brings ETV News, ETV Josh, ETV Music and ETV Comedy to Samsung’s platform, which now boasts over 150 channels.
The partnership marks a shrewd play for the south Indian market, where Telugu content commands fierce loyalty. ETV network has been churning out news, music and entertainment for two decades, building a devoted following across diverse demographics.
“We aim to unlock the potential of the South Market and enhance access to the latest content from the world of Telugu entertainment,” said Samsung TV Plus southeast Asia general manager business development Kunal Mehta.
Eenadu TV chief executive K Bapineedu called the tie-up “a significant step in our digital journey” as connected TV adoption accelerates across India. The executive emphasised ETV’s “content-first strategy” of constantly testing and refining offerings to match shifting viewer tastes.
The move reinforces Samsung TV Plus’s strategy of democratising premium content through its ad-supported model. By combining ETV’s regional storytelling prowess with Samsung’s technological reach, the partnership could set the template for how traditional broadcasters navigate India’s rapidly evolving streaming landscape.
For Samsung, the deal strengthens its hand against rivals like JioTV and Airtel Xstream as the battle for India’s streaming eyeballs intensifies.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
