iWorld
ZEE5 launches progressive web app to increase reach by 5x
MUMBAI: ZEE5 has turned its mobile website into a Progressive Web App (PWA) to increase web reach by 5x. The refreshed version of mobile web app will help users add ZEE5 icon to their home screen, instant and smooth page loading in poor network areas, quick user interaction for a smoother experience, hassle free offline browsing and works without difficulty on mobile devices with low storage.
Being country’s largest producer of original content, which offers 100+ originals in 12 languages across genres, it was a natural progression for ZEE5 to turn into a PWA and offer seamless content viewing experience for consumers on the go. Earlier this year, ZEE5 had announced a slew of announcements with leading technology start-ups from Israel that accelerated the superior technological experience it wanted to bring to its 8.9 million peak DAUs who consume content on our platform. The PWA version of the website is now made possible due to the tie-up with Kaltura player, allowing users a brand-new immersive web experience of the robust content library on ZEE5.
The updated PWA version of the platform will allow users to access 1,00,000+ hours of content seamlessly. Since it is a lighter form of an app, the player loading will be faster than before. Other advantages which PWA brings to the fore are overcoming issues such as poor network connectivity and low device storage. This technological advancement by ZEE5 will play a key role in enhancing the consumer experience by carrying out all functionalities of a full-fledged app.
ZEE5 India CEO Tarun Katial commented, “We are in the business of entertaining India on-the-go, 24×7. After changing the content game in the Indian OTT ecosystem, we were keen to bring an incomparable viewing experience that can complement both our largest library of content in the country as well as the wide array of users who log on to our platform from all corners of the country. PWA (Progressive Web Application) is a fantastic model because it loads faster and does not require space on the phone. In tier 2 and tier 3 towns, where many users’ phones are not as equipped with the right hardware, people have lesser space on their phones and comparatively slower data connectivity. PWA version of our mobile web will enable the content to be loaded instantly and smoothly even in poor network conditions. We will continue to invest in creating original content, high-tech and big data to meet India’s ever-growing demand of consuming content in their preferred language on ZEE5.”
ZEE5 India head technology Tushar Vohra said, “PWA stands in between native apps and a website, providing the smooth and seamless experience of a native app while allowing the benefit of not taking any space on the device. We have developed an agile and lightweight compute platform, reducing the first paint impression duration from 30+ seconds to 10 seconds on a slow 3G network, a reality in Indian Telecom. Our experience has seen that the premium audience prefers to consume content via mobile web rather than the app, and this makes it even more important for us to provide consumers with a superlative viewing experience that will do justice to the superior screens they will access it from. Now with the payment gateway embedded into the new version, there is literally no compulsion for even our SVOD viewer to log onto our app. We are confident that every viewer will be spoilt for choice and experience henceforth on ZEE5.”
ZEE5 has rolled out 100+ originals so far (Feb 2018 to Nov 2019) across genres, and the platform is committed to launching 15-20 OCs by March 2020. It has crossed 100 million+ downloads since launch on the Play store and has recorded a peak 8.9 million DAUs as of September 2019.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
