iWorld
ZEE5 partners with Videotex international
MUMBAI: ZEE5, India’s fastest growing OTT platformpartners withVideotex International Pvt. Ltd., one of the largest ODM/OEMs of LED TVs in the country. ZEE5 will now be available onSmart TV brands Daiwa, Shinco&VideotexInternationalassociated customers. This collaboration enables ZEE5 to be pre-embedded into each of the brands, allowing consumers to discover 100,000+ hours of content in 12 languages. This will also allow quick and easy access to an enhanced digital entertainment experience anytime, anywhere.
In the past year, ZEE5 has entered into similar alliances with CloudWalker, VEWD, Xiaomi MiTV, Samsung and LG Smart TV.With this alliance, ZEE5 will further penetratethe Smart TV market, thus accelerating its progress towards the target of reaching 100 million viewers.
Manpreet Bumrah, Business Development & Commercial Head, ZEE5 India said,“In the past year and a half, we have had a great run with Smart TV brands and our partnerships have brought in a highly engaged customer base tothe platform.The Indian market has seen a rapid growth of Smart TVs and the viewer is willing to pay a premium to enjoy a high quality and seamless viewing experience. This shift in the consumption pattern augments well for both of us to be a part of this massive growth trajectory. ZEE5 partnering with VideotexInternational as an ODM and Videotex Group brands – Daiwa and Shinco is part of our robust distribution strategy to make ZEE5 accessible across target audiences, and this partnership is a testament to that effort.”
Speaking on the association, Mr. Arjun Bajaj, Director at Videotex International Pvt. Ltd. says, “We are glad to announce the partnership with ZEE5, which offers a wide range of high-quality content. This fruitful association of Videotex Group with ZEE5 is aimed at catering to the growing large format entertainment demand. OTT Platforms are a huge range and we believe it enhances the customer experience and our tie-up with ZEE5 shall leverage the same. ZEE5offers a range of content which will add greater value and enhance the ultimate user experience promised to Videotex customers”.
iWorld
JioHotstar enters micro-drama space with 100 shows under Tadka banner
Short-form push targets 300M users as content meets commerce in new format
MUMBAI: JioStar has made a bold play in India’s fast-growing micro-drama space, rolling out over 100 short-form shows under its new Tadka banner on JioHotstar, timed with the massive viewership surge of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The scale of the launch signals clear intent. Rather than testing the waters, the company has dived in headfirst, releasing a wide slate of content on day one. Each show is designed for quick consumption, with episodes running 60 to 90 seconds in a vertical format tailored for mobile-first audiences.
The move comes as India’s micro-drama market, currently valued at around $300 million, is projected to grow tenfold to over $3 billion by 2030. Globally, the format has already proven its mettle, with China’s micro-drama sector recording explosive growth in recent years.
What sets this rollout apart is its built-in monetisation strategy. The shows are free to watch and ad-supported, with brand integrations woven directly into storylines from the outset. It reflects a broader shift where content and commerce are increasingly intertwined, rather than operating in silos.
The timing is equally strategic. With more than 300 million users already tuning in for IPL action, JioHotstar is effectively turning cricket’s biggest stage into a discovery engine for its new format.
The company is not entering an empty arena. Early movers like Kuku TV, MX Player and platforms backed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises have already laid the groundwork, building audiences and validating demand for snackable storytelling.
Now, with scale, distribution and advertiser interest aligning, the big players are stepping in. For JioStar, Tadka may well serve as a proving ground for the next evolution of digital entertainment, where every minute counts and every second sells.
If the bet pays off, India’s next big content wave might just arrive in under 90 seconds.
