Tag: digital entertainment

TechPulse

Disney+ Hotstar Hikes Subscription Prices, Introduces Flexible Monthly Plans from ₹79

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Disney+ Hotstar has announced a significant revision in its subscription pricing starting January 28, 2026, marking its biggest price hike since the merger with JioCinema last year.

Under the new structure, the Premium annual plan will rise by 47 per cent from ₹1,499 to ₹2,199, while the Super annual plan will increase from ₹899 to ₹1,099. Quarterly plans will also see an upward revision. At the same time, the platform has introduced flexible monthly options starting at ₹79, giving users greater choice in how they subscribe.

The company said the move reflects rising demand for big-screen viewing, premium original content and global sports rights, with executives noting that higher investment is required to fund large-scale entertainment and live events.

While existing subscribers on auto-renewal will be allowed to retain their current rates, the revised pricing has sparked mixed reactions among viewers. Many fans have expressed concern over rising cumulative streaming costs, with some estimating that yearly spending across multiple platforms now touches ₹28,000.

A year after the landmark JioCinema–Disney+ Hotstar merger, the pricing overhaul highlights the platform’s strategy to balance premium content investment with sustainable growth in India’s increasingly competitive OTT market.

TechPulse

Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Enters Fortnite With Playable Mode and Creator Assets

Tanisha Cardozo

Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters is officially stepping into the metaverse with a full-scale integration into Epic Games’ Fortnite, blending streaming, gaming, and K-pop fandom in one dynamic collaboration. The crossover launched on October 2 and will run through November 1, allowing Fortnite players to dive into a brand-new game mode and experience the world of KPop Demon Hunters firsthand.

In the newly introduced “Demon Rush Mode,” fans can team up with the elite demon-slaying crew HUNTR/X to defend the mystical Honmoon from relentless waves of faceless demons. Players can also take on the personas of fan-favorite characters Rumi, Mira, and Zoey—complete with custom outfits, accessories, and signature items like spicy ramyeon, which has already become an iconic part of the film’s visual branding.

In a major move for user-generated content, Netflix is also enabling Fortnite creators to design and publish their own games using official KPop Demon Hunters assets. These assets are now accessible through Fortnite’s creator tools and are fully licensed, giving fans a creative outlet to expand the universe of the film inside one of the world’s most popular games.

The collaboration reflects the increasing convergence of entertainment platforms—bringing cinematic universes to life within interactive digital spaces. With K-pop’s global influence, Fortnite’s massive user base, and Netflix’s storytelling reach, this partnership positions KPop Demon Hunters not just as a film, but as a living, playable IP.

This isn’t Netflix’s first foray into gaming, but it’s one of its boldest, tying in a culturally resonant title with a gaming ecosystem known for its crossovers and community engagement. With a rising number of users exploring Fortnite Creative, the timing couldn’t be better for fans to interact with the KPop Demon Hunters universe in new and imaginative ways.

Whether you’re a K-pop stan, a Netflix binge-watcher, or a Fortnite creator, KPop Demon Hunters in Fortnite is a crossover that promises energy, creativity, and plenty of demon-slaying fun—one spicy ramyeon at a time.

Awards

Screen Awards 2025: A Cultural Milestone Goes Digital-First with YouTube

allycaralgoa

The Indian Express Group has announced a groundbreaking transformation of one of India’s most iconic film award shows — Screen Awards 2025. This year, the awards take a digital-first leap, streaming exclusively on YouTube to bring together the grandeur of Bollywood with the dynamism of digital creators.

Backed by the editorial credibility of the Indian Express Group and chosen by the Screen Academy, an independent body of acclaimed filmmakers and artists, Screen Awards 2025 promises recognition based on merit and integrity.

📌 Why It’s Historic:

  • First time Screen Awards will be fully digital-first, streamed worldwide on YouTube.
  • Bollywood superstars will share the spotlight with YouTube creators, symbolizing the convergence of cinema and new-age storytelling.
  • A 3-month-long cultural festival featuring red carpet events, behind-the-scenes coverage, creator-led content, and fan engagement.

📌 Industry Voices:

  • Anant Goenka, Executive Director, Indian Express Group, emphasized that the awards aim to celebrate creativity beyond box-office numbers, spotlighting India’s most original voices.
  • Gunjan Soni, MD YouTube India, called it a milestone collaboration that blends Bollywood’s stars with YouTube’s fandom-driven creator ecosystem.
  • Priyanka Sinha Jha, Curator of Screen Awards, highlighted the legacy of Screen as India’s first jury-based film award and now, the first to go fully digital.

📌 Why YouTube?
With YouTube reaching 4 out of 5 Indian internet users and entertainment videos generating over 7.5 billion daily views worldwide in 2024, the platform offers unmatched scale. Connected TVs (CTV) — YouTube’s fastest-growing screen in India — ensure accessibility across devices, bridging traditional and digital audiences.

📌 Legacy Meets Future:
Since its inception in 1995, Screen Awards has been a pioneer in Indian entertainment. From being the first jury-based film award to hosting Oscar representatives, it has always been about credibility and innovation. With this YouTube partnership, Screen Awards once again sets a new standard, symbolizing India’s entertainment future.

👉 Screen Awards 2025 is not just another awards night. It is a digital cultural festival — a stage where cinema, creators, and communities converge.

TechPulse

JioHotstar Surpasses 200 Million Paid Subscribers

allycaralgoa

JioHotstar, India’s leading streaming platform, has achieved a remarkable milestone by crossing 200 million paid subscribers within a short span of its revamped launch. This impressive feat is attributed to the platform’s strategic decision to broadcast multi-language live Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches, drawing record-breaking viewership.

Key Factors Behind the Success

  • Multi-language Live Streaming: JioHotstar’s decision to broadcast IPL matches in multiple languages has helped it appeal to a wider demographic, contributing significantly to its subscriber growth.
  • Competitively Priced Subscriptions: The platform’s affordable pricing strategy has made it an attractive option for viewers, driving subscriber acquisition.
  • High-profile Sports Programming: IPL’s massive popularity has been a key driver of JioHotstar’s growth, with the platform securing 32 sponsors and eyeing ₹4,500 crore in ad revenue.

Global Ranking
JioHotstar’s impressive subscriber growth has positioned it as the third-largest video streaming platform globally, following Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Uday Shankar, Vice Chairman of JioStar, expressed satisfaction with achieving a large subscriber base in India, highlighting the platform’s rapid rise ¹.


The Indian digital entertainment market is estimated to reach $10 billion by 2030, with JioHotstar, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video vying for supremacy. JioStar’s commitment to expanding its reach and its strategic partnerships will likely play a crucial role in shaping the platform’s future growth ².


JioHotstar’s success highlights India’s growing influence in the global streaming market. The platform’s focus on live sports streaming and affordable pricing has disrupted the traditional broadcasting model, setting a new benchmark for the industry ¹.