iWorld
ZEE5 Global sees 46 per cent surge in original content watch time in US
Mumbai: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, has registered significant growth in engagement and viewership in the United States, driven by strong original content launches in the market. The platform has reported an impressive 46 per cent increase in watch time for original content over the last year and a 40 per cent jump in viewer growth across original movies and web series. The business also recently reported a 35 per cent YoY increase in viewership over the year in the market.
This surge in audience engagement underscores the appeal of ZEE5 Global’s exclusive content offerings across multiple languages. After Hindi, the top two languages that grabbed eyeballs within original content were Telugu and Tamil. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai and Maya Bazaar – For Sale respectively emerged as the most-watch movies and series in the last year, closely followed by widely consumed titles like Tarla, Pitchers, The Kashmir Files: Unreported, Aha Naa Pellanta, Mrs. Undercover, Lost, Vyavastha, United Kachche, Duranga, Rangbaaz: Darr Ki Rajneeti, and Ayali among others.
Interestingly the platform has also seen a huge response for its Bangla originals in the US in 2023. Recently released thriller drama Abar Proloy not only became the most-watched Bengali Original in 2023 but also witnessed a 25 per cent jump in consumption post its first week of release.
ZEE5 Global chief business officer Archana Anand said, ” We’re constantly looking to bring our viewers stories that highlight the best of South Asia, stories that not only entertain but also spark meaningful conversations and drive positive change. From Docu-series and biopics to thrillers and titles with strong social and cultural messages, we have been innovating to enhance our Original content library with newer formats and themes across languages. We’re thrilled to see how well this content is resonating across the linguistically diverse diaspora in the U.S.”
Viewers can catch ZEE5 Global’s upcoming original movie Haddi and more, and stock up on their yearlong entertainment by availing of the limited period Annual pack offer.
e-commerce
Google rolls out new AI shopping tools for Indian users
Gemini, AI Mode in Search, and Circle to Search get smarter upgrades to simplify online buying.
MUMBAI: Google is making online shopping in India a lot less “add to cart” and a lot more “ask and discover”. The tech giant has announced a fresh set of artificial intelligence-powered updates designed to make finding and buying products more intuitive and efficient. By integrating its Gemini models with the Shopping Graph, a massive dataset of over 50 billion product listings that sees nearly 2 billion updates every hour, Google is bringing smarter, more conversational shopping experiences across its platforms.
Users can now move seamlessly from idea generation to product discovery within the Gemini app. Whether planning a festive outfit or building a gift list, shoppers can receive product listings, comparison tables, pricing from across the web, and direct purchase links, all through natural conversation. The feature is currently available in English and Hindi.
Google has upgraded its AI Mode in Search, turning it into a more natural shopping assistant. Instead of relying on traditional filters and keywords, users can ask questions in plain language and receive structured responses with visuals, pricing, reviews, and inventory details. Comparison tables highlighting key differences are also included. While currently available in English, a Hindi version is expected soon.
The popular Circle to Search feature has been enhanced on devices such as the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series. Users can now identify and explore multiple objects in a single image at once. In fashion-related queries, the tool can break down entire outfits and suggest similar products, making style replication or discovery much easier.
Google stated that these updates build on last year’s successful rollout of the Virtual Try-On tool in India, which helped users visualise apparel before purchase.
In a market where shopping decisions often happen in seconds, Google is betting that smarter AI will turn casual browsing into confident buying. From festive shopping lists to spotting the perfect outfit in a photo, these new tools aim to make every scroll feel a little more rewarding and a lot less overwhelming.
