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
Mastercard expands concert series with comedy and music format
Vir Das, Zakir Khan and Papon headline multi-city shows across India.
MUMBAI: From punchlines to power chords, the stage is getting a genre upgrade. Mastercard has unveiled the next phase of its multi-city concert series in India, blending stand-up comedy with live music in a format that mirrors the country’s evolving entertainment tastes. The new line-up brings together a diverse mix of performers, including comedians Vir Das and Zakir Khan, alongside singer Papon. The shift marks a departure from earlier editions that were primarily music-led, featuring global and Indian acts such as Enrique Iglesias, A. R. Rahman and Sunidhi Chauhan.
Curated in collaboration with Tribe Vibe and EVA Live, the expanded series is designed to create a broader cultural platform that brings humour, storytelling and music into a single live experience.
Vir Das will kick off the comedy segment in New Delhi with four shows across two days at Yashobhoomi on 9 and 10 May. Meanwhile, Zakir Khan is set for an extended run in Mumbai, with nine shows scheduled at Dome SVP Stadium across 12, 13, 14, 19 and 20 June, with additional dates expected.
On the music front, Papon will headline a six-city tour, beginning in Chandigarh on 16 May, followed by Ahmedabad on 29 May and Lucknow on 30 May. The tour will then move to Bengaluru on 6 June, Hyderabad on 7 June, and conclude in Indore on 14 June.
The series continues to offer exclusive benefits for Mastercard cardholders, including priority ticket access and premium lounge experiences at venues positioning the platform as both an entertainment and lifestyle proposition.
Beyond the spotlight, the initiative carries a social dimension. Through its partnership with Learning Links Foundation, Mastercard has enabled nearly 90 students from underserved communities across cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh to experience live events often for the first time aiming to spark interest in careers within the experience economy.
As live entertainment becomes increasingly hybrid and experiential, Mastercard’s latest move signals a simple insight: today’s audience doesn’t just want a show, they want a story, a laugh and a memory, all rolled into one.
