iWorld
Young Indians prefer mobile for news & entertainment over TV, radio
KOLKATA: Young Indian consumers do prefer mobile devices over traditional media like television and radio for information, current affairs as well as source of entertainment. Going forward this trend is poised to surge in the coming years, said telecom operator Tata Docomo.
According to mobile service provider Tata Docomo, which recently conducted a research on mobility trends, the Internet represented the preferred mode for both news and entertainment accounting for around 40 per cent and 45 per cent of the space respectively.
This is dominated by mobile access, however, with 33 per cent of millennials (new generation consumers) consulting mobile in the first instance for news (compared to just seven per cent through a fixed connection), and 36 per cent using the same platform to source entertainment and leisure information (just nine per cent for fixed connections).
“This study reveals the declining relevance of traditional information platforms as primary information sources, particularly with respect to entertainment and leisure subjects where nearly a third of respondents turn directly to social media (Facebook, Twitter etc.) in the first instance,” said Tata Docomo digital business head Praveen Gupta.
The study further said the shift towards mobile content is already underway in India.
“Around 63 per cent of millennial mobile users are as comfortable with mobile advertising as they are with TV or online advertising; in fact only 3.1 per cent of Indian millennials consider brands that advertise on TV as being modern, compared to more than twice that number who associate smartphone advertisers with the same quality,” the study said.
iWorld
Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
