iWorld
Zee5 reboots with a bang: new look, new packs, and a love letter to Indian languages
MUMBAI: Zee5 just hit refresh over the weekend —and it’s speaking your language, literally. The homegrown OTT giant has rolled out a bold new brand identity, tech-fuelled upgrades, and a strategic pivot that’s rooted in regional pride, promising to be India’s most culturally authentic streamer yet.
With its shiny new tagline Apni Bhasha, Apni Kahaniyan (My Language, My Stories), Zee5’s relaunch isn’t just cosmetic. It’s a full-throttle shift to a language-first, audience-personalised platform designed to woo viewers from every Indian pin code—and beyond.
From slick new UI/UX features and AI-powered recommendations to storylines inspired by folklore and forgotten heroes, the platform is now structured around three pillars: content, experience, and affordability. Each major Indian language will have its own vertical, with dedicated teams creating hyper-local narratives that speak straight to the heart.
The streamer’s language packs start at Rs 120/month, while the Hindi + Punjabi + Bhojpuri bundle comes in at Rs 220/month. The all-access plan, covering everything from Bengali thrillers to Tamil dramas, is pegged at Rs 320/month. Annual variants are on offer too.
Upcoming titles include:
* Detective Sherdil and Chhal Kapat: The Deception (Hindi)
* Sattamum Neethiyum (Tamil)
* Maarigallu (Kannada)
* Mothubaru Love Story (Telugu)
* Aata Thambhahya Naay (Marathi)
* Vibhishan (Bengali)
* Inspection Bungalow (Malayalam)
“Our new brand identity marks a pivotal step in our journey to become a deeply personalized, language-first platform that mirrors the diversity of Indian audiences,” says Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (Zeel) president digital businesses and platforms Amit Goenka,. “Our strategic focus is clear – strengthen our footprint across India and global markets, deepen engagement through culturally relevant storytelling, and continue building a tech-enabled, scalable platform that’s personalized and intuitive. It’s a cultural shift in how consumers discover, connect with, and consume Indian entertainment globally.”
Zeel chief marketing officer Kartik Mahadev added: “Our brand campaign with the tagline Apni Bhasha. Apni Kahaniyan is rooted in the idea that language is belonging, a celebration of a deeply personal emotion. A story told in your language feels like it’s lived in and not just watched. Going across seven languages, this multi-lingual campaign is designed to resonate with large and small towns alike, including tier two , tier three cities as well as with global audiences. Rooted in our language-first content strategy and hyper-local personalization, this campaign brings to life Zee5’s belief that in your language, stories are endless.”
Zeel chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur elaborated: “At Zee5, we’ve always believed that powerful storytelling begins with deep cultural insight. We’re deeply committed to serving audiences that have historically been underserved. By leaning into their realities, their languages, and their everyday stories, we’re expanding not just what we create-but who we create it for. Whether it’s long-form originals, short-form bites, or experimental formats, our goal is to delight viewers on their terms. This isn’t just a content strategy-with our language packs rollout, we are placing language at the centre of discovery, access, and engagement.”
Zee5’s reboot to Z5 aligns with parent company Zeel’s larger brand promise, “Yours Truly, Z”, and underscores the platform’s evolution into a truly Indian, truly inclusive digital home for stories in every shade and syllable.
Watch the brand film here: Z5 – My Language, My Stories.
iWorld
Govt pushes live events sector to Rs 196 billion by 2028
LEDC roadmap targets 15–20 million jobs and global hub status by 2030
MUMBAI: India’s live events story is getting louder and this time, it’s policy turning up the volume. The fourth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC), chaired by Chanchal Kumar, was held on 30 April 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, bringing together representatives from nine Central Ministries, six States and 12 industry stakeholders to chart the sector’s next phase of growth. The numbers already tell a compelling story. India’s organised live events industry was valued at Rs 145 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 10 per cent to Rs 196 billion by 2028 making it one of the fastest-expanding segments within the media and entertainment ecosystem.
Set up in July 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the LEDC is tasked with turning that momentum into a structured growth engine. Its long-term ambition is ambitious, position India as a global live events hub by 2030 while generating an additional 15–20 million jobs.
At the meeting, officials emphasised the sector’s multiplier effect spanning tourism, employment and allied industries while underlining the need for coordinated execution. A key update was the rollout of a single-window clearance system for live event permissions via the India Cine Hub portal, aimed at simplifying approvals and improving transparency.
States have been urged to adopt the system, alongside implementing the “Model Executive Order for Streamlining Licensing and Permissions for Live Events in India, 2026” by 31 May 2026. The framework seeks to standardise what has long been a fragmented and time-consuming regulatory process.
Beyond permissions, the discussion also turned to infrastructure and talent. A draft concept for greenfield venue development was tabled, alongside plans to build a skilled workforce. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, in collaboration with industry bodies MESC and EEMA, is set to introduce certificate courses tailored to the live events sector.
Chanchal Kumar stressed that alignment across stakeholders is already in place, with the next challenge being execution at scale. The government, he noted, remains committed to creating a facilitative and transparent ecosystem for organisers.
For an industry once seen as fragmented and event-driven, the message is clear, India’s live events business is no longer just about the show, it’s about building an entire stage for growth.
