The Media Room

The Core
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Join Vanita Kohli-Khandekar as she takes you through a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings and machinations of the media and entertainment business. She will speak to experts, film makers, media barons, broadcasters, publishers, platforms, media analysts, and more, to give you insights on the intersection of storytelling, money, technology and communication in this rapidly evolving space.

  1. Aug 12

    Gaurav Banerjee On How Sony Is Reinventing TV, SonyLIV And KBC For India | The Media Room | The Core

    Sony India is betting on television, SonyLIV, KBC, streaming and sports to drive its next phase of growth. Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, explains why he believes Indian TV is far from dead and how Sony plans to compete for audiences across screens. In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Gaurav Banerjee about Sony India’s television and streaming strategy, the growth of SonyLIV, the future of Indian television and the changing economics of the media and entertainment business. Banerjee explains how Sony is reinventing some of its biggest entertainment properties. KBC is being reworked for the age of AI, Indian Idol has been adapted for a new generation of musicians, and established franchises such as Crime Patrol are being refreshed for changing audiences. The conversation also looks at what really works on streaming in India. Banerjee argues that mass entertainment, live sports and strong intellectual property can travel across television, SonyLIV, YouTube and connected TVs rather than existing as separate viewing worlds. SonyLIV sits at the centre of that strategy. From live cricket and interactive viewing to originals such as Scam, Maharani and Gullak, Sony is looking to expand SonyLIV while retaining its premium positioning and building stronger engagement across digital screens. Sports is another important part of Sony’s growth strategy. Banerjee discusses the economics of sports broadcasting, cricket rights, the Asia Cup and why sports must generate reach, revenue and profit rather than simply attract large audiences. The episode also tackles a larger question facing India’s media industry. Is television really dying? Banerjee argues that the problem is not television itself but whether broadcasters are creating programmes audiences still want to watch. Sony is consequently increasing investment in Hindi television, regional entertainment and new channels across Tamil, Marathi, Bangla and other Indian markets. He also discusses Sony’s focus on watch time, viewership growth, advertising, connected TV adoption and why strong content remains the company’s most important growth driver. Also discussed in this episode * Sony India’s television and streaming strategy * SonyLIV growth and the future of OTT in India * The future of Indian television * KBC in the age of AI * Amitabh Bachchan and Kaun Banega Crorepati * Indian Idol and the changing music industry * Madhuri Dixit and Marathi KBC * Ajay Devgn and the reinvention of Crime Patrol * A R Rahman and Tamil Idol * Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Celebrity MasterChef * Sony’s sports broadcasting strategy * Cricket rights and sports streaming economics * Connected TV growth in India * Advertising, viewership and watch time * Scam, Maharani, Gullak and SonyLIV originals * Sony’s regional television expansion * The future of India’s media and entertainment industry Watch the full conversation with Gaurav Banerjee on The Media Room with Vanita Kohli-Khandekar from The Core. Chapters (00:00) – Gaurav Banerjee on Sony’s Next Phase in India (02:40 – How KBC Is Being Reinvented for the Age of AI (05:08) – Reimagining Sony’s Fiction and Non-Fiction IP (10:59) – Why Streaming and Television Are Converging (15:48) – Sony’s Growth Strategy: Content, Sports and Watch Time (18:05) – Sony’s Viewership Has Grown 38% in Two Years (24:24) – SonyLIV’s Strategy: Live Sports, IP and Interactivity (32:25) – Why Sports Must Drive Reach, Revenue and Profits (36:35) – Can Television Beat the ‘Sunset Medium’ Narrative?

    Gaurav Banerjee On How Sony Is Reinventing TV, SonyLIV And KBC For India | The Media Room | The Core

  2. Jul 29

    Victoria Oakley On AI Copyright And Streaming Fraud | The Media Room | The Core

    Victoria Oakley explains how technology, AI copyright and streaming fraud are reshaping the business of music and changing how artists create, distribute and earn.Streaming has transformed the global music industry. Listeners can discover songs from almost anywhere, artists can reach fans across borders and record labels can build new revenue streams through subscriptions, digital distribution, online concerts and direct fan engagement.But the same technology is also creating new risks.What happens when generative AI companies train music models on copyrighted songs without permission? Who gets paid when bots create millions of fake streams? And are Spotify, YouTube and other streaming platforms doing enough to protect artists and their royalties?In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Victoria Oakley, Chief Executive Officer of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, or IFPI. It represents more than 8,000 record labels globally, from independent companies to Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music.Oakley explains how technology is changing the music business through subscription streaming, global distribution, digital fan experiences and new ways for artists to monetise their work. She also argues that record labels remain central because every platform still depends on original music and human creativity.The conversation examines one of the biggest debates in music today. Should AI companies be allowed to train their models on copyrighted music without consent or payment?Oakley argues that companies using songs to train generative AI systems should seek permission, enter licensing agreements and pay the artists and rights holders whose work makes those models possible. She also explains why fully AI-generated music without meaningful human creativity or properly licensed training data should not receive the same copyright protection as music created by people.Streaming fraud is another major concern.Fake streams, bots, click farms and streaming farms can artificially increase the number of plays a track receives. Fraudsters can then claim a larger share of the royalty pool even when no real audience has listened to the music. This diverts money away from genuine artists.Oakley discusses why streaming fraud is difficult to detect and why Spotify, YouTube, music distributors and other digital streaming platforms need stronger safeguards, better verification and greater cooperation.The episode also looks at the future of India’s music industry. India has a vast audience, a growing creator economy and globally recognised musicians, but much of its music consumption still happens through free, advertising-supported streaming rather than paid subscriptions.Can India become one of the world’s largest paid music markets? Can technology help Indian artists reach global audiences? And can the music industry embrace AI and innovation without weakening copyright, creativity and artist income?Watch the full conversation to understand how technology is shaping the business of music and how AI copyright, streaming fraud, music licensing, artist royalties and paid streaming could define its next phase.Subscribe to The Core for conversations on business, media, markets, technology and the global economy.#MusicBusiness #AICopyright #StreamingFraudChapters(00:00) Introduction: Inside the Global Music Business(00:46) What IFPI Does & How Record Labels Shape Music(01:47) Is the Music Industry Bigger Than Record Labels?(06:24) Have Streaming Platforms Overtaken Record Labels?(11:15) India's Music Market & The Subscription Opportunity(14:42) AI in Music: Opportunity or Threat?(21:08) Can AI-Generated Music Be Copyrighted?(26:39) Streaming Fraud: The Billion-Dollar Threat(31:09) How Spotify & YouTube Are Fighting Fake Streams(32:08) How Big Is the Streaming Fraud Problem?(36:22) How Streaming Created a Global Music Market(39:04) Final Thoughts

    Victoria Oakley On AI Copyright And Streaming Fraud | The Media Room | The Core

  3. Jul 15

    Are Indian Films the Next Big Alternative Investment? | The Media Room | The Core

    Are Indian films the next big alternative investment? In this episode of The Media Room, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Sidharth Jain, founder of Film Money Global, and Rohit Dalmia, founder of CineNow, about how new film funds are trying to turn Indian films into a structured investment opportunity for institutional investors, hedge funds, HNIs, and global capital. The conversation explores the rise of film financing in India, the economics of the Indian film industry, and whether films can become a credible alternative investment asset. Film Money Global plans to finance genre films through international SPVs, while CineNow is building a ₹1,300 crore fund focused on capital, technology, IP monetisation, tokenisation, and structured exits. Can Indian films deliver predictable returns despite uncertain box office outcomes? Can tokenisation solve the problem of investor exits? And can film IP, theatrical revenues, streaming rights, and franchise potential be packaged like other financial assets? The discussion also covers film budgets, genre cinema, regional films, theatrical-first release strategies, investor confidence, intellectual property rights, portfolio diversification, data-led decision-making, and the challenge of deploying large pools of capital into the Indian movie business. For business leaders, investors, consultants, media professionals, filmmakers, and anyone tracking India’s media and entertainment economy, this episode offers a rare look at how finance and technology could reshape Indian film financing. Watch the full conversation to understand whether Indian films can truly emerge as the next big alternative investment. #IndianFilms #AlternativeInvestment #FilmFinancing #IndianFilmIndustry #TheCore Chapters (00:00) – Introduction (03:12) – Why films are emerging as an investment asset class (08:46) – How film funds manage risk through portfolios and slates (14:55) – Choosing projects: instinct vs structured investing (21:20) – Can independent filmmakers benefit from film funds? (27:37) – The biggest challenge isn't raising capital—it's deploying it (30:29) – Do good stories always make successful films? (32:22) – Why institutional investors have stayed away from films (35:24) – Tokenization, exits and the future of film financing (43:18) – Can intellectual property become a true investment asset?

    Are Indian Films the Next Big Alternative Investment? | The Media Room | The Core

  4. Jul 1

    Imtiaz Ali on Cinema’s Comeback And Bollywood’s Future | The Media Room | The Core

    Imtiaz Ali on Cinema’s Comeback and Bollywood’s Future, in this episode of The Media Room by The Core, is a conversation about why audiences are returning to theatres, why storytelling still wins, and what Bollywood’s next chapter could look like.Speaking with Vanita Kohli-Khandekar, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali reflects on the unexpected success of Main Wapas Aunga, the film’s box office turnaround, and how audiences took charge of its publicity when traditional film marketing fell short.From Jab We Met, Rockstar and Tamasha to Amar Singh Chamkila and Main Wapas Aunga, Imtiaz Ali has built a filmography around love, longing, memory, music and emotional storytelling. In this conversation, he explains why cinema is not dying, why audiences still want the big screen experience, and why long-form storytelling may matter even more in an age of short-form content.The discussion also explores Bollywood’s future, India’s untapped global soft power, the business of film marketing, the emotional role of cinema halls, and why Indian cinema should not lose its originality while trying to reach global audiences.Watch this episode for a deep, thoughtful and timely conversation on cinema, culture, business, audience behaviour, Bollywood, film marketing and the future of Indian storytelling.#ImtiazAli #Bollywood #IndianCinema #TheMediaRoom #FilmMarketing #TheCore

  5. Jun 17

    Roshan Abbas On Live Events, AI And The Creator Economy

    Roshan Abbas on live events, AI and the creator economy is a sharp conversation on how India’s media business, entertainment industry and creative economy are changing as artificial intelligence, digital creators and live experiences reshape what audiences value. In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Roshan Abbas about India’s live events industry, the future of AI in media, and the changing creator economy. From radio and theatre to television, events, films, digital platforms and Commune, Roshan reflects on a career built around storytelling, audience connection and creative entrepreneurship. The conversation explores why live events in India are growing again, why collective experiences still matter, and why creators must balance short form content, long form storytelling and audience trust. Roshan also speaks about AI generated content, artificial intelligence in the creative industry, digital creators, influencer marketing, content curation, creator burnout and the ethical questions around using AI as a creative tool. He also shares lessons from investing in creative startups, building networks, spotting opportunities in media and entertainment, and why the future may belong not just to creators, but to curators with taste, judgement and human insight. For professionals interested in business, media, marketing, consulting, technology, entertainment and India’s creative economy, this is a conversation about why creativity still needs people, why live experiences are becoming more precious, and why human intelligence may matter even more in the age of AI. Subscribe to The Core for sharp conversations on business, media, economy, technology and culture. #RoshanAbbas #CreatorEconomy #ArtificialIntelligence #LiveEvents #MediaBusiness #TheMediaRoom #TheCore Chapters 00:00 – Roshan Abbas and the journey of Indradhanush 07:40 – Updating nostalgia for new audiences 11:13 – The art of connecting with people and building platforms 12:54 – Investing in creators, startups and ideas 17:22 – India’s live events boom and the arena economy opportunity 19:45 – Why creators should invest in people, not just businesses 25:34 – The paradox of plenty: creation, curation and creator burnout 30:50 – Why we are entering the era of curation 33:25 – Roshan Abbas on AI, authenticity and ‘art intelligence’ 39:05 – Staying relevant, mentoring creators and finding joy 41:48 – Upcoming projects, films and the future of storytelling 44:13 – Why collective experiences are making a comeback

    Roshan Abbas On Live Events, AI And The Creator Economy

  6. Jun 3

    Ajay Bijli On India’s Cinema Boom And PVR INOX Growth | The Media Room | The Core

    Ajay Bijli on India’s cinema boom and PVR INOX growth takes us inside the turnaround of India’s largest multiplex chain, as PVR INOX bets on movie theatres, small-town India, affordable cinema, and the future of the big screen experience. In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Ajay Bijli, Managing Director of PVR INOX, about how the company moved from losses to profit, why 150 million people walked into its cinemas, and what the numbers reveal about India’s changing entertainment economy. Ajay Bijli explains why Indian audiences are returning to theatres, how better content variety and blockbuster films are driving box office growth, and why PVR INOX is now focusing on asset light cinemas, franchise models, low cost screens, Smart cinemas, Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, lower ticket prices, and better return on capital. The conversation also explores the bigger business story behind India’s film exhibition industry. Does India really have a screen shortage? Can smaller cities become the next growth engine for multiplexes? Are movie theatres still relevant in the age of OTT platforms and streaming? And what does PVR INOX’s turnaround tell us about consumer spending, urbanisation, real estate, entertainment, and India’s next phase of growth? Watch the full conversation to understand how PVR INOX is building for the next decade of India’s cinema boom and why the big screen may still have its biggest growth story ahead. (00:00) - Introduction (01:34) - The Real Reason PVR Rebounded (05:05) - The Franchise Model Changing Cinema Economics (07:14) - Inside PVR's New Smart Cinema Strategy (09:24) - The Formula for Picking New Markets (12:08) - Does India Really Need More Screens? (14:35) - Why PVR Is Betting on India Over Overseas Markets (16:50) - The Truth About Movie Ticket Prices (17:50) - Why Great Content Beats Cheap Tickets (18:23) - Are Theatres Really Making a Comeback? (20:17) - The Debate Around India's Box Office Data (20:57) - What's Actually Driving Box Office Growth? (22:18) - PVR's Biggest Growth Engine for the Future (23:07) - Closing Thoughts #PVRINOX #AjayBijli #IndiaCinema #BusinessNews #TheCore

    Ajay Bijli On India’s Cinema Boom And PVR INOX Growth | The Media Room | The Core

  7. May 20 ·  Bonus

    #Rewind From KBC to Scam 1992 How Sameer Nair Built Indian Entertainment | The Media Room | The Core

    Sameer Nair’s journey from KBC to Scam 1992 is the story of how Indian entertainment, Indian TV and India’s OTT streaming business changed forever.In this #Rewind episode of The Media Room by The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar revisits a powerful conversation with the media leader who helped shape Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Star India, Applause Entertainment and some of India’s most watched streaming shows.From bringing Amitabh Bachchan to Indian television through KBC to backing shows like Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, Scam 2003, Black Warrant and Gandhi, Sameer Nair explains what it takes to build content that reaches millions. He talks about the business of Indian media, the future of OTT platforms, streaming economics, India’s entertainment market, theatre business, pricing, audience behaviour and why India has a real opportunity to become a global content power.This conversation goes beyond television and OTT. It explores how storytelling, technology, AI, intellectual property, ad supported streaming, micro dramas and platform consolidation are changing the media and entertainment industry in India.For business leaders, media professionals, consultants, investors, founders and anyone tracking India’s digital economy, this episode offers a rare inside view of how entertainment businesses scale.Can India build a 100 billion dollar media and entertainment industry? Can streaming become the next KBC moment for the country? And what does it take to create stories that travel from India to the world?Watch this #Rewind episode of The Media Room on The Core for a sharp, insightful and deeply human conversation with Sameer Nair on Indian entertainment, OTT, streaming, AI and the future of storytelling.

  8. May 6

    How Advertising Is Reshaping Subscription Video and OTT Growth | The Media Room | The Core

    Streaming Meets Advertising Netflix ad tiers OTT bundling and SVOD monetisation are reshaping the global streaming industry and redefining how platforms like Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max grow in a slowing subscription market. In this episode of The Media Room by The Core, host Vanita Kohli Khandekar speaks with Tony Gunnarsson - Senior Principal Analyst Online Video, Omdia, a global media and technology research firm. The discussion breaks down the future of streaming platforms, advertising led video growth, OTT industry consolidation, and the rise of bundled subscription models across global markets. The conversation explores how the subscription video on demand SVOD industry is shifting from pure subscriber growth to hybrid monetisation driven by advertising tiers, price optimisation and large scale distribution partnerships. Streaming services are increasingly being packaged into telecom and broadband bundles, reducing churn and reshaping consumer behaviour across developed markets. Key topics include Netflix advertising strategy, OTT bundling and aggregation, streaming industry slowdown in mature markets, SVOD versus AVOD transition, and the impact of media consolidation including major studio and platform mergers. The discussion also examines how global streaming trends are influencing markets like India, where digital video adoption is evolving at different speeds but following similar structural patterns. This episode is essential for professionals tracking business news, digital media disruption, global entertainment industry trends, and the future of subscription based platforms in a post growth streaming economy. #StreamingIndustry #Netflix #OTT #SVOD #MediaTrends #TheMediaRoom #TheCore Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & state of global streaming02:41 – Stabilisation, slowdown & Netflix’s ad shift08:45 – Bundling, aggregation & new pricing models13:50 – Telcos, partnerships & the fight against churn17:59 – Growth trends & the rise of advertising revenue24:05 – New formats: social, micro-content & vertical video29:30 – Mergers, competition & Netflix’s dominance36:37 – Subscription behaviour & the rise of local content

    How Advertising Is Reshaping Subscription Video and OTT Growth | The Media Room | The Core
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Join Vanita Kohli-Khandekar as she takes you through a unique behind the scenes look at the inner workings and machinations of the media and entertainment business. She will speak to experts, film makers, media barons, broadcasters, publishers, platforms, media analysts, and more, to give you insights on the intersection of storytelling, money, technology and communication in this rapidly evolving space.

Information

  • Creator
    The Core
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Core
  • Show Website
    The Media Room