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Digital gains fail to offset TV ad slump, sports costs squeeze broadcasters
India's broadcasters continue to expand their digital and subscription businesses, which is not sufficient to offset declining ad revenues. The traditional television sector has been affected by decreasing pay-TV connections and a shift to digital advertising. Companies like JioStar, Zee Entertainment, and Sun TV Network reported mixed financial results amid these challenges. Subscription growth remained strong, but increased programming costs have impacted profitability significantly.
Food Noise: Why do you keep asking for a snack even after you’re full? Here's why your brain keeps revolving around food
Dinner is over, but your mind keeps drifting back to what’s in the kitchen. A Penn State survey found that 18% of U.S. adults reported frequent or constant food noise. The findings show who reported it more often, while leaving open the question of what makes those thoughts stick.
MobiKwik shares jump 4% as RBI approves NBFC licence; co targets Rs 5,000 crore loans
MobiKwik shares gained on Friday after the RBI granted its subsidiary a licence to operate as an NBFC, enabling the fintech company to enter direct lending. MobiKwik plans to disburse Rs 5,000 crore in loans over the next three to four years, targeting consumers and MSMEs through secured and unsecured products.
These large-, mid- and small-cap stocks have upside potential of up to 31% in 1 year, according to analysts
In the last two years, the world has learnt that you can never quite predict what US President Trump will do next. Tomorrow, to pull attention one way or another, there could well be some more action against Iran, changing the mood again in a single afternoon. So, the improvement in sentiment is real, but it is also fragile.
Groww shares decline 7% after Rs 3,708 crore block deal involving 2.8% equity
Shares of Groww parent Billionbrains Garage Ventures fell on Friday after a block deal involving 17.42 crore shares, or 2.8% of the company's equity, worth around Rs 3,708 crore was executed at an average price of Rs 215 apiece. The buyers and sellers were not immediately identified. The decline followed a sharp rally in the previous session, when the stock touched Rs 225.75, and may indicate profit-booking.
Ex-Ultrahuman executive launches AI ring startup Aina for agentic interactions
The startup said it is positioning the device as an alternative interface to smartphones for everyday interactions with AI systems. It has spent the past 15 months developing the product and is now opening pre-orders globally, with prices starting at $399 (about Rs 36,000), the startup said in a statement.
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Google Pixel 11 Pro XL review: Google's most complete Pixel yet, but can it win over iPhone users?
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL is Google's most complete flagship yet, with a premium design, excellent display, reliable battery life and improved cameras. While its Tensor G6 processor trails Apple's latest iPhone in raw performance, its smooth software, seven years of updates and better video recording make it a compelling Android alternative. Priced at ₹1,34,999, it is particularly appealing to iPhone users considering a switch.

TRAI's new Network Anubhav platform to map real-world network speeds, call quality
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India recently introduced the Network Anubhav Platform for consumers. This new platform allows users to compare mobile and broadband networks based on location and performance. Consumers can view network tests, filter results, and make informed choices about service providers.

Story TV parent Eloelo raises $80 million from Hornbill, NBCUniversal
The funding follows a surge in Story TV’s business, which has helped lift annualised collections more than tenfold to around $250 million over the past year, according to people familiar with the company. Eloelo said Story TV offers over 5,000 dramas in six languages, while its apps have more than 40 million monthly active users.

Strong balance sheet, domestic focus, and a moat matter more: 5 large-cap stocks with upside potential of up to 24%
The big event the market was waiting for has come and gone. So, is there greater clarity about where the crisis in the Gulf is headed? Not really. While US President Trump acknowledged the war was one of the reasons his Republican party received a drubbing at the hands of the Democrats, he said he would do it again. Which suggests it is unlikely that the uncertainty and volatility in the markets will go away anytime soon.

EloElo eyes global expansion post $80 million fundraise, aims to build ‘Netflix of micro-drama’
EloElo Group, the parent company of Story TV, successfully raised $80 million in a Series C funding round. The funding round was led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, significantly increasing the company's valuation. EloElo aims to enhance its micro-drama platform and expand into international markets. The company reported substantial user growth and high production efficiency using AI technology.

EloElo Group raises $80 Million in Series C funding led by Hornbill Capital, NBCUniversal
EloElo Group has successfully raised $80 million in a Series C funding round to expand its AI-driven entertainment ecosystem. The company's focus will be on producing new original content and launching international micro-dramas. With over 40 million active users, EloElo plans to enhance its AI production capabilities through Dolphin AI. The funding will also support the company's aggressive growth strategy across diverse language offerings.

Midterm elections 2026: Why Kalshi and Polymarket election betting declines as sports and crypto take over
2026 midterm election results: Prediction markets have grown more than 20-fold since October 2024, but election betting is losing its share of trading activity. Ahead of the 2026 US midterms, sports and crypto are attracting traders, while concerns over market manipulation and state gambling laws put Kalshi and Polymarket under scrutiny.

Binance says North Korean hackers stole $6.34 billion funds in a technical breach
Binance reported a cyberattack attributed to North Korea that compromised $6.34 billion in digital assets. Approximately $2.85 billion of the affected assets have since been frozen or intercepted. The attackers utilized fake job interviews and advanced malware to breach Binance's security systems. Subsequently, the company took steps to replenish the lost assets and mitigate the damage caused.

Here's how two major AI companies are limiting usage of their AI models
OpenAI has enacted new rules that disallow the stacking of paid ChatGPT subscriptions on a single device or payment card. Users hitting subscription caps will encounter an error message, preventing them from activating more subscriptions. Many users have complained about GrokBot's rapidly declining usage allocations. Elon Musk admitted the rising costs are contributing to Grok user dissatisfaction.

Americans ready to give up their pets, alcohol, fast food and intimacy for an early access to GTA 6, survey finds
A recent study shows that the excitement surrounding Grand Theft Auto VI is so intense that a significant number of gamers are prepared to forgo personal relationships. Many have stated they might cancel social plans, skip vacations, and even sacrifice their pets for early access, driven by eager anticipation since the last installment in 2013.

From bikes to billions: Rapido’s gross order value quadruples in two years to $4 billion
The Bengaluru-based company is averaging around 8.3 million orders a day across its services, making it one of India’s largest consumer internet platforms by transaction volumes. Ride-hailing continues to comprise more than 95% of the company’s daily average orders.

OpenAI’s India user base doubles; Rapido GOV quadruples
Happy Tuesday! India has become ChatGPT’s largest market globally, with its user base doubling. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Canva may announce another round of layoffs in November, report claims; hiring freeze also possible
Canva appears to be bracing for possible layoffs or a hiring freeze after recently downsizing their team by cutting 32 employees from the technical content department. Although user growth surged in 2025, the company has drastically revised its revenue forecasts for 2026. CEO Melanie Perkins noted that projections have not met earlier expectations but underscored their commitment to an AI-driven strategy.

This startup is selling a Rs 94,835 mosquito trap that uses a powerful blue laser and sensors similar to those in self-driving cars to track and kill mosquitoes while detecting people, pets and nearby surfaces to prevent accidental firing
Photon Matrix has introduced a laser device that identifies and eliminates mosquitoes effectively. The products are priced at around $1,000 each, with a delivery estimate of 120 days. Both the indoor and outdoor models utilize advanced A.I. for mosquito detection and targeting. The system is designed to be safe for humans and pets, although independent safety testing is pending. This technology aims to revolutionize traditional mosquito control methods.

JioHotstar launches StreamToCart Ads, enabling in-stream shopping through Instamart
Introducing a game-changer in digital advertising, JioHotstar has launched StreamToCart Ads, an interactive format that merges streaming with online shopping. Viewers can now browse and directly add products to their shopping carts without interrupting their viewing, consequently boosting user engagement. Advertisers are empowered to monitor user behaviors from impressions to purchases, optimizing their marketing strategies.

He earns Rs 20 lakh per month, but is barely able to save 2% of his earnings: ‘Not everything you see…’
A gym owner from Faridabad explained how despite running a moderately successful gym, which yields him over Rs 20 lakh per month, he was able to save only Rs 2-3 lakh. His earnings were spent in various ways to maintain the business.

Mumbai property market records second-best October ever, registrations up 9%
Property registrations in the Mumbai municipal region rose by 9 per cent in October, reflecting stronger housing demand. The total registrations reached 12,690 units, compared to 11,649 units a year ago. Stamp duty collections during the same period also saw an increase of 12 per cent year-on-year.

ETtech Deals Digest: Even Healthcare, Different lead October funding to $694 million, down 51% on-year
Even Healthcare led deal activity during the month with $50 million, followed by Different at $48 million, Boldfit at $41.5 million, Baba Care at $40 million and GreenCell Mobility at $34.5 million. Early-stage deals accounted for 61.9% of the capital raised during October, while late-stage transactions made up 19.4%. Seed-stage companies comprised the remaining 18.7%.

JioStar Q2 profit drops 13.2% to Rs 1,147 crore as margins contract
JioStar's net profit declined 13.2% year-on-year to Rs 1,147 crore in Q2 FY27, despite a 10.1% rise in operating revenue to Rs 6,806 crore. Operating EBITDA fell 10.5%, with margins contracting 600 basis points. JioHotstar averaged 440 million monthly active users, supported by growth in viewership and subscriptions.

SoftBank-backed OPay raises $304 million in US IPO
The Nigeria-focused firm sold 16 million American depositary shares at $19 apiece in the IPO, compared with its targeted range of $19 to $21, giving it a valuation of about $4 billion.

Reddit posts search traffic declines, will push visitor sign-ins to curb data scraping
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman outlined a plan on Thursday to make signing-in mandatory for most content as the company grapples with data scraping and declining search referral traffic in recent months.

Brands need to shift to ‘Bharat-first’ strategy as digital usage grows
To effectively connect with rural customers, brands should embrace a 'Bharat-first' advertising philosophy. Digital channels are increasingly shaping the shopping behaviors of younger rural populations, with influencer marketing playing a pivotal role, particularly among female consumers. The integration of AI features alongside social media enhances the flow of product knowledge in these areas.

Instagram challenges Youtube with 90-minute videos: All you need to know
Instagram is testing a new long-form video format called 'Features' to allow content creators to upload 90-minute videos. This format is currently available to select users in the United States and Brazil. Instagram aims to integrate long-form content into its existing Reels ecosystem to attract more creators. The platform is exploring various options to help long-form creators earn revenue.
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