Warner Bros Discovery restructuring may back India OTT plans—but faces challenges

Warner Bros Discovery's decision to split its streaming and studio business from its traditional TV networks may give a fresh push to its digital plans in India—but growing in the country's crowded and price-sensitive OTT market won't be easy.
Under the restructuring, Global Networks will house entertainment, sports and news television brands such as CNN and Discovery, along with digital products including the discovery+ streaming platform. The newly formed Streaming & Studios entity will comprise Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group and DC Studios, which will continue releasing their films theatrically in India.
David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, said in a global release, 'By operating as two distinct and optimised companies, we are empowering these brands with the sharper focus and strategic flexibility they need to compete most effectively in today's evolving media landscape."
Also read: Why Warner boss Zaslav is having to split up the media empire he built
'This separation will invigorate each company by enabling them to leverage their strengths and specific financial profiles. This will also allow each company to pursue important investment opportunities and drive shareholder value," added CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels.
India playbook challenges
The separation could allow Warner Bros Discovery to invest more aggressively in OTT in India, especially in subscription-based models. However, the challenges are plenty.
Currently, the company only runs the discovery+ streaming service in India, while syndicating most of its intellectual property (IP) to JioHotstar. Experts believe that the platform, now free from having to serve traditional TV audiences, could lean into bold, edgy content aimed at younger demographics.
'The digital business isn't big in India, and it will have to show revenue now," said Girish Dwibhashyam, streaming industry expert and former vice-president and chief operating officer of DocuBay, a documentary streaming service.
'The split could rejuvenate their investments in OTT but it would also bring down their negotiating power with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and aggregators for distribution partnerships since it would no longer come under the same umbrella as broadcast," he added.
While Warner Bros Discovery has dabbled in infotainment, science, and mythology in India, Dwibhashyam sees room for more daring content experiments. Given that they no longer have the baggage of producing the same programming for both TV and OTT, the company could explore edgier themes, he said.
Also read: Online games and self-publishing platforms: movie producers tap new avenues for fresh plotlines
Vinay V. Singh, managing director (USA), Primus Partners, added that the company could now double down on high-quality originals and global formats.
'These are key to capturing Indian millennials and Gen Z in a fiercely competitive OTT landscape," he said.
Singh also said HBO-branded content, currently available via video-on-demand through partnerships like JioHotstar, may gain more muscle with renewed global backing.
Despite the digital optimism, linear television remains dominant in India, especially in smaller towns and non-English-speaking markets.
However, if other global media giants follow Warner Bros Discovery's decoupling strategy, standalone TV units may need to raise ad or subscription rates to remain viable. This could further drive viewers toward cheaper OTT platforms, including those that rely on advertising-based video-on-demand (AVoD).
Industry experts anticipate that the decoupling trend could push streaming companies to innovate their pricing models. Expect bundles that include local originals, micropayments, ad insertions, and dynamic pricing to boost reach while protecting average revenue per user (ARPU).
Subscription blues
Yet, streaming monetization remains a hurdle in India. According to a report by Ormax Media, India's video streaming audience stood at 547.3 million, but active paid subscriptions stagnated at 99.6 million. Notably, the SVoD (subscription video-on-demand) audience declined by 2% in 2024, even as the AVoD base grew by 21%.
'Foreign companies haven't really seen India as a hot market. Plus, there isn't real value in SVoD yet," said Sunil Lulla, founder, The Linus Adventures.
Warner Bros Discovery has also refrained from fully adopting the ad-supported model in India. Last year, Sai Abishek, head of factual and lifestyle cluster, South Asia, had said the platform would continue to focus primarily on a subscription-driven model.
What's next
While Warner Bros Discovery declined to comment on Mint's queries for this story, industry watchers say the company's strategic split could be a reset moment for its India plans.
However, competing in a saturated market—dominated by players like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, and SonyLIV—will demand more than just capital. It will require smart partnerships, platform innovation, and the courage to bet big on differentiated content.
Also read: Few winners, many misses in Bollywood's lopsided H1 recovery story

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Fashion Value Chain

26 minutes ago

• Fashion Value Chain

Butterfly Unveils a Bold New Identity That Celebrates Change and Champions the Original You

Butterfly, one of India's most trusted kitchen appliance brands, is turning a new page. With a refreshed brand identity, a renewed purpose, and a sharper understanding of today's ever-evolving consumer. Butterfly New Logo At the heart of this refresh is a symbol as timeless as it is transformative-the fingerprint. Merging beautifully into the wings of a butterfly, the evolved icon reflects the brand's core belief: that while life changes, one's essence remains. It is this personal imprint-one's way of thinking, cooking, creating, and living-that Butterfly now celebrates. This new era of Butterfly speaks directly to consumers with a 'zillenial' attitude to life-self-aware individuals who embrace transformation while staying rooted in who they are. For them, change is constant-but authenticity is non-negotiable. The brand aims to focus not on age, but on attitude by moving beyond demographics to psychographics-because a zillenial mindset isn't defined by numbers, borders or genders but by how one embraces change. Butterfly's refreshed positioning, 'Celebrating Change', reflects a deep understanding of modern Indian homes, where shifting roles, hybrid lifestyles, and tech-integrated living are the norm. As a subsidiary of Crompton, one of India's leading names in home solutions, Butterfly is now equipped to bring intuitive and purposeful innovations that transform everyday experiences in the kitchen and beyond. 'For over 40 years, Butterfly has been a part of millions of kitchens across India. Today, as homes become more fluid and identities more self-defined, our new identity reflects not just who we are-but who we're here for,' said Swetha Sagar, Chief Business Officer, Butterfly. The new Butterfly logo is more than just a symbol-it's the mark of millions of consumers, retailers, dealers, employees and designers who are making the Butterfly products. Crafted from the distinct swirls of a fingerprint, the wings of the butterfly now carry the story of every individual it touches. It's a tribute to the idea that no matter how much life shifts, one's identity leaves a mark-on choices, kitchen and the everyday rhythm. 'This is more than a rebrand. It's a reimagining of what it means to belong in a modern Indian kitchen. Butterfly is for the originals. The ones who grow, shift, and adapt, but never lose the essence of who they are.' she said. From mixer grinders to cooktops, Butterfly's product range is undergoing a transformation across categories-designed to be more intuitive, durable, and design-forward, catering to the changing rhythms of contemporary households. The brand's commitment remains the same: to improve everyday life by providing intelligent solutions that understand and evolve with the consumers. About Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances Ltd. 'Butterfly' is amongst the Top 3 Brands in India in kitchen and small domestic appliances. It is a reputed brand with high consumer recall in South, known for Aesthetics and Product Quality. It has diverse product portfolio, with variants adapted to meeting consumer needs. It has 4 core products – Mixer Grinders, Pressure Cookers, Gas Stove, Wet Grinders and backed by a full suite of small domestic appliances. It has state of art in-house manufacturing setup with strong backward integration.

Time of India

28 minutes ago

• Time of India

Did Caleb Williams and Madelyn Cline just meet or have they been hanging out quietly for a while?

Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images So here's the scene: Caleb Williams , the Bears' No. 1 overall pick, was caught on video dancing with Madelyn Cline , Netflix's 'It Girl' from Outer Banks , at Summer Smash in Illinois. And no, this wasn't a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo. The clip showed them clearly vibing together, and fans instantly went into FBI mode. But here's the real question: Was this a random run-in, or have Caleb and Madelyn been hanging out behind the scenes? Let's dig in. There's no public history between the two but that doesn't mean there's nothing there So far, there's no evidence of Caleb and Madelyn hanging out before Summer Smash. No tagged photos. No interviews. Not even a shared follower moment on Instagram (yet). This seems to be the first time they've been seen in the same frame, period. Caleb has kept his personal life pretty low-key since going pro, but he was last publicly linked to Alina Thyregod, a rumored girlfriend from his USC days. Madelyn, on the other hand, has had a few high-profile relationships, most notably with Pete Davidson in 2023–2024 and Jackson Guthy before that. Neither connection seems to cross paths with Caleb's world until now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sanomentology, A New Way of Thinking Sanomentology Learn More Undo So how did they end up dancing together at Summer Smash? Here's what makes it interesting: Summer Smash isn't a Hollywood or NFL event, it's a Gen Z hotspot. Artists like GloRilla, Metro Boomin, and Trippie Redd all performed, and the crowd is full of influencers, athletes, and low-key celebs. Caleb, who's already branded as one of the NFL's most stylish, social-savvy rookies, clearly fits in that scene. And Madelyn? She's no stranger to music festivals either. They could've easily bumped into each other backstage or through a mutual friend. Still, there's no indication this moment was pre-planned. No red carpet together. No soft-launch IG likes. Just one viral clip of them dancing and that was enough to break the internet. Fans are spiraling with theories but nothing's confirmed Of course, once the clip hit social media, fan theories exploded but beyond the clip, neither Caleb nor Madelyn has said a word. No stories. No clarifications. Just total silence. Right now, this looks like one of those festival flings that may or may not lead to anything. It could've been two celebs just catching a vibe and moving on. But with Caleb Williams stepping into the national spotlight and Madelyn Cline being one of the most followed Netflix stars, even a short dance is enough to set off alarms. And honestly? Whether it's just friends or the start of something, it already has everyone watching. Also read - Antonio Brown leaves country after attempted murder warrant but he can't run forever For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here

Business Standard

32 minutes ago

• Business Standard

INR plunges to 5-month low

The Indian rupee plunged 23 paise to close at a five-month low of 86.78 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday amid a strengthening dollar and volatile crude oil prices following the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. A sharp decline in the domestic equity markets further pressured the rupee. Indian shares fell on Monday, but ended off their day's lows as markets apparently took the U.S. strikes against nuclear targets in Iran in their stride and waited to see how Iran reacts and what happens to Tehran's nuclear program. The benchmark 30-share BSE Sensex hit an intraday low of 81,476.76 before closing down 511.38 points, or 0.62 percent, at 81,896.79. The broader NSE Nifty index ended down 140.50 points, or 0.56 percent, at 24,971.90, after having hit a low of 24,824.85 earlier. However, strong FII inflows, along with a rise in the country's forex reserves prevented further losses in the rupee. On the NSE, USDINR futures ended higher by 0.14% at 86.78. Powered by Capital Market - Live News