iWorld
Sooperfly launches kayaking web series ‘Paddle Hard’
MUMBAI: After launching the mountaineering series – Mission Everest 2015 last week, Sooperfly is now gearing up to retell the story of a lone sea expedition with Paddle Hard – an eight episode YouTube web-series starting 10 September, 2015.
The 120 Media Collective’s content creation and distribution arm has partnered the sea-farer and IIT graduate Kaustabh Khade to tell his story of weathering storms and wild creatures at sea.
Sooperfly business head and senior vice president Vishal Nongbet said, “Paddle Hard is in line with our interest supporting fresh and compelling content through bespoke distribution. Kaustubh’s trip to the party capital has all the elements intact; only, we view it from the other side of the beach!”
Accomplishing the challenge in the shortest possible time, the 17 year old seafarer has entered the Limca Book of Records and has dedicated the funds to support underprivileged children and youth.
Khade said, “Magic Bus uses sports to change lives, which is what motivated me to work with them. Engaging with anyone, child or adult, through sports helps cross many boundaries over the long term that can prove otherwise difficult to surmount.”
Khade was inspired by Magic Bus, which aims to take children out of poverty through a programme of mentoring and coaching. He associated with the NGO to help these children by raising funds for Magic Bus India.
Magic Bus founder and executive chairman Matthew Spacie added, “We are extremely delighted to have Kaustubh take this challenge in support of the lakhs of children whose lives we are part of. Together, we hope to create a new generation of economically independent and socially aware citizens who are fully equipped to participate in shaping their country’s future.”
Watch the Paddle Hard preview here – https://youtu.be/u-7SNUjZHMc
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
