iWorld
Telekom Malaysia completes 49% stake purchase in Spice Telecom
BANGALORE: Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today solemnized the acquisition of the 49 per cent stake in Spice Communications Pvt. Ltd. by the exchange of ‘completion documents’.
The deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is currently heading the trade delegation in India witnessed the exchange of documents. TM was represented by its Group CEO, Dato’ Abdul Wahid Omar while Mcorp Global was represented by Dilip Modi, president, Mcorp Global. This formal exchange marks TM’s entry into the lucrative Indian telecommunications market of India, which is the fastest growing telecommunications market in the world.
With the competition of this acquisition, TM is now the owner of a 49 per cent equity stake in Spice Telecom. TM secured this critical piece in its regional footprint, through its international investment holding company, TM International SDN BHD. The acquisition was of a total consideration of USD 178.85 million. The remaining 51 per cent equity remains with the existing shareholders Mcorp Global Ltd. and its associates, Mcorp.
Opined Dilip Modi, “Today, both countries are at the forefront of the revolution in Information, Communication and Entertainment (ICE) technologies and have much to offer each other. Together, they could become a powerful force to take Asian companies to an entirely new globally competitive level. I am confident our strategic partnership with TM will create a new synergy and help us in maximizing growth in one of the world’s fastest growing markets.”
“Spice customers today join TM’s global mobile subscriber base of over 20 million. Apart from TM’s operational and management experience both in Malaysia and key Asian regional markets, Spice customers stand to benefit from, through the creation and innovation of new products and services, sharing of technological experience and implementation, and the leveraging of group synergies such as in global procurement,” Modi further added.
Dato Abdul Wahid Omar described organic growth as the key approach for creating shareholder value in Spice, “TM and its partner, Mcorp will seek to grow Spice to be a market leader in the geographies it operates in.”
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.
