iWorld
Sony LIV bags 19 Filmfare OTT Awards 2022
Mumbai: Filmfare OTT Awards 2022 on Thursday announced that Sony LIV has bagged a whopping 19 wins at the Filmfare OTT Awards 2022.
Sony LIV’s space biopic-drama Rocket Boys led the nominations with 15 mentions, out of which it won some of the most coveted titles like best series, best director series (Abhay Pannu), best actor, drama, critics (male) went to Jim Sarbh for his role as ace nuclear scientist Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, along with best screenplay, best costume design, best production design, best cinematographer, and best VFX in the series category.
Equaling the number of wins was the platform’s family thriller, Tabbar, which won the best series critics, along with wins for best director series, critics (Ajitpal Singh), best actor, series (male): drama (Pawan Malhotra), best actor, series (female): drama, best supporting actor, series (male): drama (Gagan Arora), best supporting actor, series (female): drama (Supriya Pathak Kapur), amongst others.
The third season of Sony LIV’s family entertainer also bagged awards for best comedy (series/specials), with Jameel Khan and Geetanjali Kulkarni winning the best actor, series (male): comedy and best actor, series (female): comedy categories respectively.
The winning streak continues for the platform as last year Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Maharani took over the awards by storm. Promising a strong content lineup for the year ahead, the platform definitely has something for everyone in stores next year too!
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.
