iWorld
The Q India launches on ZEE5
MUMBAI: QYOU Media (TSXV:QYOU; OTCQB: QYOUF) announced it has launched its flagship network The Q India on ZEE5, India’s fastest growing OTT platform. ZEE5 marks the sixth major platform launch for The Q India and the second distribution agreement in India’s fast-growing OTT marketplace.
The Q India is among the fastest growing youth focused networks in Asia and its library includes over 5,000 hours of content featuring everything from eSports, fitness, cooking and comedy which will be made available to all the ZEE5 consumers globally. The Q India becomes the latest addition to the list of entertainment channels part of the LIVE TV segment on the ZEE5 platform.
Aparna Acharekar, Programming Head, ZEE5 India commented, “ZEE5 is quickly becoming the most talked about OTT service in India and with our growing offering of live channels, originals and regional content across 12 languages unlocking the best of Indian entertainment. The Q India, with its focus on the best digital content for Young India represents exactly the kind of content partnerships we are focused on bringing to our subscribers. Content that is fresh, unique and speaks to a new and fast-growing audience of OTT consumers.”
Curt Marvis, CEO and co-founder of QYOU Media and The Q India remarked, “In a short time, ZEE5 has established itself as a company to watch in the growing OTT marketplace. Their unique approach to content that is relevant and authentic is right in line with our goal of developing a leading global content brand for Young India. We are thrilled to be a new partner for their service and as we continue to develop our own offering of vernacular leading digital series we expect to experience great success with this new partnership.”
iWorld
Meta tests Instagram Plus with stealth features and extended story tools
New paid tier targets everyday users with more control and privacy perks
MUMBAI: Meta appears to be doubling down on subscriptions, quietly testing a new premium tier called Instagram Plus that brings a mix of privacy, control and visibility tools to everyday users of Instagram.
Unlike Meta Verified, which is geared towards creators and businesses, the new offering is aimed squarely at regular users who want a little more control over how they show up and what they see on the platform.
At the heart of Instagram Plus is a rethink of Stories, the app’s most widely used feature. The test introduces the ability to view Stories anonymously, meaning users can watch or preview content without appearing in the viewer list. It also adds “rewatch insights”, allowing users to see how many times their own Stories have been viewed, a metric that has long been a source of curiosity.
There is more. Stories can stay live for up to 48 hours instead of the usual 24, giving posts a longer shelf life. Users can also create multiple audience lists beyond “Close Friends”, making it easier to tailor content for different circles such as work, family or social groups.
For those chasing visibility, a weekly “Story Spotlight” feature lets users push a post to the front of their followers’ feed. Meanwhile, searchable viewer lists make it simpler to track who has seen a Story, and a new “superlike” reaction adds a more animated way to stand out in direct messages.
The feature set may feel familiar to some. Several of these tools have previously existed through third-party workarounds or have been widely requested by users, particularly the ability to browse Stories discreetly.
Pricing for the test is deliberately modest, suggesting a strategy focused on scale. Early trials show subscription costs at roughly $1 to $2 per month in markets such as the Philippines, Mexico and Japan. The feature has not yet rolled out in India, the United States or Europe, though a broader launch later in 2026 is widely expected if the pilot gains traction.
The move reflects a broader shift in Meta’s business model. With digital advertising facing increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny, subscription products offer a more predictable revenue stream. Rivals such as Snapchat Plus have already found success, building a sizeable paying user base with similar premium add-ons.
For Meta, the bet is simple: give users more control, a touch of stealth and a dash of exclusivity, and they may be willing to pay. If the early signs hold, Instagram Plus could turn everyday scrolling into a slightly more curated, and monetised, experience.
