ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY
AI slump revives Asia’s forgotten trades from China to India
Global investors are rethinking their Asia bets as the AI trade loses momentum following the US midterm elections. India and China are emerging as potential beneficiaries of the shift, with funds rotating towards undervalued stocks, domestic growth, healthcare, consumer companies and financials. India's limited AI exposure, easing oil prices and renewed foreign inflows are strengthening its appeal.
Coldplay, Post Malone and the concert economy: BookMyShow's Naman Pugalia on why India's live music boom is only getting bigger
Post Malone's concert in Guwahati attracted around 20,000 fans, which proved to be a monumental economic boost, generating an estimated ₹43 crore for the local area. Fans traveled from more than 200 cities, reflecting the event's significant impact on tourism. A report shows people increasingly favor experiences over possessions, underlining how concerts can create memorable moments and facilitate the discovery of new musical talents.
Zee expands sports portfolio, secures exclusive PGTI multi-platform rights
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast the Professional Golf Tour of India. This partnership will feature 20 tournaments and provide up to 120 hours of live coverage. Bavesh Janavlekar stated that this collaboration aims to enhance the visibility of Indian golf. The initiative seeks to reach a broader audience, including both golf enthusiasts and new fans.
US sanctions India-based couple, companies over alleged support for Iran's Shadow oil fleet
The United States imposed sanctions on Suniel Kumar Sharma and Jaspreet Preeti Shahid for aiding Iran's shadow fleet. Their network allegedly provided fraudulent maritime registrations to help sanctioned vessels transport Iranian petroleum. Several companies linked to the couple also received sanctions under Executive Order 13902. Additionally, a Turkiye-based company was sanctioned for providing services to US-designated Iranian airlines.
Middle class spending boom in India comes with growing debt bill
Consumer borrowing in India has surged significantly as access to credit has expanded across the population. Individuals like Navjot Singh illustrate the financial burdens incurred from loans that have become widespread among the populace. As interest rates increase, many consumers face a heightened risk of default on their debts. Reports show that borrowing against gold and informal loans has also intensified in recent years.
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US Midterms 2026: Cost of living and government corruption are top issues, AP Voter Poll says
Voters are participating in Election Day to influence control of the U.S. House and Senate. Many electorate members express dissatisfaction with the current economic situation attributed to Trump's policies. Polls indicate a significant desire for checks and balances on the presidency from Congress. Various gubernatorial candidates, along with major ballot measures, also shape the election landscape. Early voting statistics show heightened engagement compared to previous elections and reflect voter concerns.

TRAI’s internet TV proposal raises concerns over wider OTT regulation, say legal experts
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed a new framework for internet-based linear television distribution. This recommendation could broaden the interpretation of the Telecommunications Act and affect other digital content. Legal experts express concerns over TRAI's jurisdiction regarding OTT services and the implications for freedom of speech. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting must decide whether to adopt these recommendations.

Lifestyle inflation: Earning more, saving less? How to enjoy life without sacrificing your financial goals
Find out how lifestyle creep undermines wealth creation and how to enjoy a better standard of living without sacrificing your financial goals.

F1's India comeback is gathering speed, but the road to the starting grid is far from clear
Formula 1’s return to Africa has revived hopes of an Indian Grand Prix comeback, with talks involving Formula One Management, the Adani Group and the government gaining momentum. The bigger challenge is not convincing F1 of India’s market potential but fixing the tax, customs and policy problems that drove the race out in 2013, while finding space on an already crowded calendar.

Climbing down the Moutai: Is the prestigious Moutai brand crumbling under China's anti-extravagance campaign and economic turmoil?
Moutai, a prominent baijiu brand in China, has experienced significant fluctuations in demand and prices. The brand's popularity is affected by economic changes and government regulations aimed at curbing extravagance. After a golden age, Moutai faced declining profits and revenue for the first time in decades. Many distilleries deregistered recently, indicating a broader market struggle within the sector.

Jio IPO closes today: Will it deliver a double-digit listing gain or become a long-term compounder?
Jio Platforms will wrap up its IPO bidding today, setting a new benchmark as India's largest public offering to date. With an overwhelming interest from investors, substantial gains are forecasted when the shares list. Analysts from various brokerages endorse participation, highlighting Jio's robust leadership in the digital market, with growth prospects that cover cloud services and enterprise solutions beyond telecommunications.

Jio IPO Day 2: Issue subscribed over 5X; GMP at 22%. Check brokerage views and key details
Jio Platforms' Rs 30,213 crore IPO was subscribed 5.23 times by the end of Day 2, led by strong institutional demand, while the retail portion was subscribed 1.49 times. The issue has a grey market premium of around 22%, as brokerages highlight Jio's telecom leadership and digital growth opportunities.

US economy could reportedly lose $1 billion in a single day as 1.5 million people plan ‘sick leaves’ for GTA 6 launch: When was this seen before?
With the Grand Theft Auto VI launch just around the corner on November 19, excitement is palpable among gamers. Economic analysts anticipate a noticeable dip in workplace productivity, with numerous employees likely to take sick days to immerse themselves in the game. Historical game releases have demonstrated comparable trends, indicating that Rockstar Games is poised for a lucrative opening day.

Jio IPO Day 1: Issue subscribed 3 times on strong QIB push; retail portion booked 68%. Check GMP
Jio Platforms’ IPO saw strong demand on Day 1, getting booked 3 times overall. The IPO commanded a grey market premium (GMP) of around 23%, while brokerages remained optimistic, citing Jio’s telecom leadership, improving profitability and growth opportunities in broadband and artificial intelligence (AI).

Content India 2027 to bring 1,000-plus media and entertainment professionals to Mumbai
Taking place in Mumbai from March 10 to 12, Content India 2027 will draw upwards of 1,000 stakeholders from the media and entertainment world. This gathering will spotlight innovative technologies and foster international co-productions, striving to establish India as a premier hub for content creation. Organized by Dish TV India and C21Media, the event serves as a vital marketplace for collaboration and growth within the industry.

Tyler Perry bought a former Army base for $30 million: Why he is turning it into more than a Hollywood studio
Tyler Perry is planning to expand his business beyond filmmaking with a proposed 38-acre entertainment district near his Atlanta film studio. The project could include a theatre, shops and office spaces, with plans suggesting that it could be completed by January 2028. Perry bought 330 acres of the former Fort McPherson military base for $30 million in 2015 and later turned the site into Tyler Perry Studios.

From shareholders to partners: How Google and Meta’s Jio investments evolved into an AI alliance
Meta and Google, originally minority shareholders in Jio Platforms, are now forming strategic partnerships with Reliance. The new collaborations focus on enterprise AI initiatives and dedicated cloud infrastructure in India. Meta's joint venture will leverage Llama models for developing AI platforms, while Google focuses on establishing cloud services. Both companies aim to enhance Reliance's capabilities in AI and cloud technology sectors.

Jio partnership helps Google’s Gemini add 13 million paid subscribers in India, Akash Ambani says
Akash Ambani said Reliance Jio’s partnership with Google on Gemini goes beyond distribution to create new markets, drawing a parallel with Jio’s approach to data. Speaking at Jio’s IPO press conference on Thursday, he said the collaboration had resulted in Gemini adding 13 million new subscribers to its paid service.

India must leverage AI, cultural soft power to shape global media industry: Rajan Navani
India has the potential to leverage its cultural heritage and creative capabilities for economic growth in various sectors. Rajan Navani emphasized the collaboration required among industry and government to achieve this vision. The focus is on using artificial intelligence responsibly to improve creativity in the media landscape. Educational institutions play a role in fostering skills in emerging technologies and engaging audiences.

India’s creator economy evolves into a media powerhouse, says YouTube India MD Gunjan Soni
Gunjan Soni announced that India's creator economy is transforming as creators develop professional media businesses. YouTube's ecosystem made significant contributions to the GDP, supporting nearly a million jobs in 2025. The export of Indian culture is growing, with creatives reaching international audiences through various formats. AI is positively impacting productivity for creative workers, and investments in technology are urged. Collaboration is essential to advance the opportunities within India's storytelling potential.

Reliance Jio IPO: With tech muscle, Akash Ambani makes $1.4 trillion digital economy pitch to investors
Akash Ambani is positioning Jio Platforms to capture a significant share of India’s projected $1.4 trillion digital economy by FY31. Ahead of its Rs 30,213 crore IPO, he highlighted 7,200 patents, 5G leadership and technology partnerships.

JetSynthesys launches AI-powered creative platform JetKreate
JetSynthesys has introduced JetKreate, an AI-powered platform integrating scripting, visuals, audio, and video production. This platform was revealed at the CII Big Picture Summit 2026 in Mumbai and aims to streamline content creation. JetKreate caters to individual creators, marketers, brands, and agencies by allowing the development of various types of content. The platform offers free credits for new users alongside paid plans for enhanced features.

Want an early signal on the economy and stocks this festive season? Watch 19 stocks, and what their managements say in the next 20 days
There is a set of companies that sees the shape of the economy before economists do. They know when a household decides to spend or hold back; to buy better things or cheaper ones. This festive season, what these companies sell, and what they say about it afterwards, will tell you more about where consumption is headed than any official number. Watch them closely. Check out Stock Reports Plus, powered by Refinitiv, for price targets of over 4,000 listed stocks along with detailed company analysis focusing on five key components – earnings, fundamentals, relative valuation, risk, and price momentum – to generate standardised scores. SR+ Reports is a complimentary offering to ETPrime members.

Wallet war: More new things are fighting for every rupee Indians earn
Indian Consumer Spending Trends: Indian households are increasingly shifting their consumption patterns, which reflects a richer variety of spending options. This changing consumer behavior shows significant growth in non-food expenditures over the years. The introduction of quick commerce has further diversified available products, making various goods more accessible. Both urban and rural consumers are seeking premium products alongside traditional staples.

Donald Trump approval rating crashes among Republicans weeks ahead of November 3 US midterm elections
Donald Trump approval rating: Concerns about the economy and the war have driven Trump's public approval to record lows and have been weighing on support for his party ahead of the November 3 election that will determine control of Congress for the next two years.

Beyond cricket! Investors game for sports’ next big bet
Investors in India's sports industry are diversifying their focus beyond cricket to include women's sports and emerging leagues. Companies like Capri Sports and JKC Sports are betting on developing sustainable sporting properties outside cricket. Streaming is also changing the landscape by allowing sports to engage audiences without traditional television dependence. As interest in women's sports grows, corporate investment is expected to rise in various disciplines.

ET Interview: India’s aspirational middle class gives it demographic edge, says Verlinvest CEO Roberto Italia
Verlinvest is planning to invest €1 billion in India over the next five years, reflecting the country's economic dynamism. The firm identifies opportunities in various sectors, including health, fitness, and digital content. India's growing middle class has shown an increasing willingness to spend on consumer products and services. The digital revolution in India is transforming consumption patterns and driving new economic activities.

British Airways trims economy, unveils world’s biggest business class cabin on upgraded A380
British Airways is overhauling its Airbus A380 fleet with new cabins, upgraded dining and more premium seating, cutting total capacity from 469 to 417 seats. The refurbished aircraft will feature 106 business-class seats across the entire upper deck, which BA says will be the world’s largest business-class cabin, alongside new First suites and refreshed premium economy and economy products.
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