Viacom18

State of Streaming Adds Voot Profile

This State of Streaming directory page lists recent streaming industry articles and provides a company profile for Voot. Voot is described as an Indian streaming app owned by Viacom18, headquartered in Mumbai, founded in 2016. The platform offers originals, reality shows (e.g., Bigg Boss), MTV content and Bollywood films, and is positioned as an international free ad‑supported (AVOD) service with a website at voot.com. The page aggregates links to multiple related stories about streaming, advertising, and platforms but notes there is no additional coverage yet for Voot on the site.

Kargo Expands Direct Publisher Ad Network

Kargo presents itself as a creative-driven premium ad network that differentiates itself by integrating directly with publishers rather than relying on third-party SSPs. In a MarketectureTV interview, Harry Kargman explains that Kargo works exclusively with major publishers, including NBC, CBS, and Viacom, emphasizing direct integration as a core competitive advantage. The piece notes that the video is behind MarketectureTV's paywall, with full transcripts and interviews accessible only to subscribers. Recorded in April 2024, the discussion frames the approach as part of a broader shift in programmatic advertising toward closer publisher relationships, tighter monetization, and more brand-safe inventory. The interview reinforces Kargo's positioning as a premium option for advertisers seeking direct access to premium inventory and closer collaboration with publishers, rather than through standalone SSP ecosystems.

Disney & Reliance Merger Cleared by Indian Regulator

The Competition Commission of India approved Disney’s $8.5 billion merger with Reliance Industries, enabling the creation of India’s largest media company. Regulators flagged concerns over cricket rights and the pair’s potential dominance in the ad market, reportedly asking around 100 questions. Industry analyses suggested the combined group could hold roughly 40% of India’s total advertising market. The companies offered concessions, including not raising ad prices unreasonably for streamed cricket and selling seven or eight non-sports TV channels; they did not relinquish cricket rights, and the CCI cleared the merger with closure anticipated within six months pending tribunal approval. Upon completion, the firms would own about 120 TV channels and two streaming services. IPL rights are currently valued at about $1.2 billion per year over a five-year contract, with IPL rights per game estimated around $16 million, illustrating the scale of cricket property in the deal. Disney also previously acquired Star India in 2019 for $71 billion and lost IPL streaming rights to Viacom18 in 2022.