iWorld
ZEE5 Global launches ‘Refer And Earn’ program
Mumbai: Get ready to elevate your entertainment game as streaming platform ZEE5 Global launches a unique ‘Refer and Earn’ program, an unmissable opportunity for consumers in India and the US.
All you have to do is refer your friends and family in the United States to sign up for ZEE5 Global. When they successfully subscribe to ZEE5 Global, both of you not only dive into an expansive library of premium content featuring unmissable blockbusters such as Sam Bahadur, Tejas, Ghoomer, Gadar 2, Koose Munisamy Veerappan and ZEE5 Originals like Kadak Singh, Mrs. Undercover, Duranga 2, Tarla, Abar Proloy, etc. but you also bag some amazing gifts!
While your friend in the US gets a 50 per cent discount on the monthly subscription fee, you get a gift voucher worth Rs 500! It’s a win-win situation where every referral unlocks a treasure trove of entertainment and rewards you generously.
ZEE5 Global chief business officer Archana Anand said, “The Refer and Earn program is more than a simple referral initiative; it represents a unique opportunity to explore, connect, and share the richness of South Asian entertainment through our unparalleled content library on ZEE5 Global. What sets this program apart is its dual benefit as both the referrer and the referral gain from joining. This unique initiative makes it even easier for subscribers across India to share their favourite content with their family and friends in the US and get rewarded for it. The participation we’re already seeing underscores the exceptional value of the program, and we’re looking forward to its enormous success.”
Participation is a breeze:
- Go to ZEE5.com/Referral or simply click on the dedicated ‘Refer and Earn’ tab on the ZEE5.com homepage.
- Generate a unique referral link to share with friends and family in the United States, inviting them to join the ZEE5 Global community.
- Sit back and wait for your free Rs. 500 voucher!
Gaming
Sony raises PS5 prices for second time in under a year
US disc edition jumps $100 to $649.99 as memory costs surge.
MUMBAI: Sony just hit the pause button on affordable gaming because when memory prices skyrocket, even the Playstation has to pay the premium. Sony has announced its second price increase for the Playstation 5 range in less than a year, citing pressures in the global economic landscape and a sharp rise in memory component costs driven by AI demand.
In the US, the PS5 disc edition will rise from $549.99 to $649.99, a $100 hike while the digital edition increases to $599.99. The more powerful PS5 Pro will jump $150 to $899.99. The Playstation Portal remote player will also rise by $50 to $249.99. The new prices take effect on 2 April 2026.
Similar increases have been applied in the UK (£90 per model), Europe and Japan. Sony last raised PS5 prices in the US in August 2025.
“We know that price changes impact our community, and after careful evaluation, we found this was a necessary step to ensure we can continue delivering innovative, high-quality gaming experiences to players worldwide,” Sony said in a blog post.
The hikes come amid an unprecedented surge in memory prices, as manufacturers prioritise supply for AI data centres. Analysts say Sony had likely secured price protections for components that have now expired, forcing the company to protect its hardware margins.
Ampere Analysis research director of games Piers Harding-Rolls told CNBC that further increases from Microsoft and Nintendo would not be surprising, though Nintendo may hesitate to raise the price of its recently launched Switch 2 while establishing the new platform.
The increases arrive eight months before the highly anticipated release of GTA 6, which is expected to drive strong console sales. However, early reactions online have been a mix of disappointment and resignation, with growing concern that premium gaming is increasingly becoming a hobby for higher-income players.
In a sector already grappling with tariffs, inflation and component shortages, Sony’s move underscores a tough reality: even the most popular consoles are not immune to the rising cost of keeping up with the latest technology.
