5, May 2025
BARC Data reveals Live Times sets new benchmark in News Engagement, Beats NDTV and DD News in ATS
Over a transformational two-week stretch that could mark a turning point in the news telecast ecosystem, BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) data for Week 15 and Week 16 reveals that India’s First Global Multicast News Hub – Live Times has overtaken NDTV and DD News in Average Time Spent (ATS) per viewer — a metric increasingly seen as the gold standard of audience trust and news engagement. The findings, backed by BARC’s transparent and industry-accepted measurement system, reflect a subtle but important shift in viewer priorities. It’s no longer just about reach or breaking headlines — it’s about the trust of the audience on fact-based news.
BARC Ratings: Letting the Numbers Speak
BARC’s robust ratings data often spotlight overall impressions or market share, this time, ATS (Average Time Spent) has taken centre stage. In a crowded media space, where fleeting attention spans dominate, the data reveals something remarkable — viewers are spending more time on Live Times than on legacy brands like NDTV and DD News.
Inside the Newsroom: Why the Shift Matters
The latest BARC data serves as a powerful affirmation of Live Times’ editorial direction — one that prioritizes factual, balanced, and people-centric journalism. Rather than succumbing to sensationalism, Live Times has focused on building a seamless, multicast newsroom that offers the same reliable news experience and this commitment is paying off, as evidenced by Live Times’ impressive Average Time Spent (ATS) of 00:09:29, leading both DD News (00:09:02) and NDTV India (00:07:35) in Week 15 and Average Time Spent (ATS) of 00:09:44, leading both DD News (00:09:17) and NDTV India (00:07:45) in Week 16. These numbers represent not only increased viewership but also a deeper, more engaged audience that values quality journalism over superficial headlines.
Mr. Dilip Kumar Singh, Founder Live Times highlighted, “This milestone belongs to the newsroom,” said a senior editorial producer. “In an age of noise, we’ve chosen clarity and report news that matters. In an age of speed, we’ve chosen accuracy. The data proves that viewers value that.”
The BARC ratings highlight a broader moment of introspection for Indian media. Citizens are simply becoming more selective, more conscious, and more discerning. This presents a tremendous opportunity for newsrooms across the country: to return to the fundamentals of journalism, to invest in credibility, and to create content that informs rather than overwhelms.
The channel’s meteoric rise is driven by a strategic departure from convention. Live Times was built on a foundation of truth-first storytelling, and it shows in every news telecast.
· Fact-based Journalism: Every piece of news is meticulously verified before it goes on air. Speed never comes at the cost of accuracy.
· Civil, Insightful Debates: The channel has replaced noise with nuance, offering a stage for reasoned discussion rather than televised shouting matches.
· Voices from the Ground: From grassroots activists to specially abled achievers, Live Times has made it a priority to highlight the real India — often ignored by mainstream narratives.
“What BARC’s data reveals is not just a passing trend, but a profound transformation in how the audience engages with news. As Average Time Spent increases for fact-first journalism, it is a clear indication that the audience is no longer willing to settle for superficial reporting. This is the moment for the entire industry to rethink its approach to news,” added Mr. Dilip Kumar Singh.
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- By Neel Achary
5, May 2025
The Future Is Sound: Rajeev Raja Joins Global Speakers at Cairns Crocodiles Awards
Mumbai, 5th May 2025: Rajeev Raja, Founder and Soundsmith – BrandMusiq, will take the stage at the prestigious Cairns Crocodiles Awards 2025, held from May 13–15 in Cairns, Australia. Raja will join a distinguished lineup of marketing, media, and creative visionaries from across the Asia-Pacific region in what promises to be a bold celebration of brand-building brilliance.
As part of the Cairns Masterclasses segment, Rajeev Raja will deliver a compelling session titled “The Future is Sound: How Music Drives Brand Influence” on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 10:05 AM at the Cairns Convention Centre.
In a world where brands are battling for consumer attention—literally and figuratively—Raja’s session will explore how music and sound can elevate brand influence, deepen emotional connections, and future-proof brand communication. Drawing from over a decade of pioneering work at BrandMusiq—and his dual legacy as both a musician and a marketer—Raja will share insights into how brands can sound as distinctive as they look.
In addition to speaking, Rajeev has also been invited to serve on the Craft and Execution Excellence jury, where he’ll judge the Audio Craft, Design, and Music categories—recognizing work that pushes creative boundaries and elevates storytelling through sound.
This year’s Cairns Crocodiles Awards—the Asia-Pacific region’s newest and most dynamic celebration of creative excellence—will also debut three new award categories: Effectiveness, Inclusivity, and Strategy. Curated by the Awards’ Advisory Board, these categories will be judged by senior marketing leaders from across the region.
Alongside other global leaders shaping the future of marketing and media Rajeev Raja joins a stellar group of Indian-origin thought leaders featured at the event, including:
● Subhash Kamath – Brand Consultant and Former Chairman, ASCI
● Arushi Srivastava – Director, Client Success JAPAC, Flashtalking by
Mediaocean
● Srishti Narayan – Chief Marketing Officer, Tourism Fiji
● Santosh Murthy – Managing Director, Identity Communications
● Saurabh Singhal – Fractional CMO, KRSV Consulting
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Cairns Crocodiles has quickly become the creative industry’s most inspiring new gathering—uniting Cannes flair with APAC storytelling.
5, May 2025
Gift India’s First Multi-Peptides Infused Eyebrow Enhancing Serum by Re/do Beauty this Mother’s Day
Eyebrows! The one beauty regimen we have all seen our mothers following every month without fail. While she neglects her skin, her diet, her choice and a lot more, her care for EyeBrows and an appointment with Parlour wali Didi is constant. So this mother’s day, why not gift her something that enhances the beauty of her eyebrows and her overall look even more with Re/do Beauty’s Eye Brow Serum!!
Re/do beauty is a premium beauty brand and has launched India’s first and only eyebrow serum infused with peptides complex and high quality Redensyl that helps achieve longer, fuller and healthier looking eyebrows. The unique blend of four peptides and Redensyl stimulates hair growth and reduces hair fall, making it the only brow serum in India with proven efficacy! and is clinically proven to improve your eyebrows within 3-4 weeks. This serum works along your natural brow hair cycle for sculpted and fuller brows. The customized applicator ensures that serum application is quick and precise. The lightweight serum absorbs quickly and works overnight to enhance your eyebrows.
Your mother deserves nothing but the best, gift her fuller, defined brows with Re/do beauty’s eyebrow enhancing serum on her special day!!!
5, May 2025
Pamper your mother this Mother’s day at ITC royal Bengal & ITC Sonar
This Mother’s Day, ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar invite you to celebrate the love and warmth that make mothers truly special. Both hotels are offering one-of-a-kind culinary experiences to honour the remarkable women in our lives.
Delight in our dessert menu from Nutmeg by Gourmet Couch, crafted to evoke sweet moments and cherished memories. Indulge in the “Super Mom Chocolate Hazelnut Cake,” a rich blend of chocolate and hazelnut praline, or savour the refreshing “Celebrating You Mango & Mint Cheesecake,” showcasing seasonal mangoes with a minty twist. For a burst of flavour, try the “Super Mom Mango & Pistachio Trifle,” featuring a luxurious combination of in-season mangoes, white chocolate, mascarpone cream, and pistachios. Moreover, surprise her with a “Piñata of Goodies”—a fully edible chocolate heart filled with almond and saffron madeleines, white chocolate and pistachio rochers, pistachio dragees, and almond florentines.
All-day dining restaurants Eden Pavilion at ITC Sonar and Grand Market Pavilion at ITC Royal Bengal will present lavish buffet spreads. Eden Pavilion’s menu reflects a rich tapestry of flavours from traditional Bengali recipes to Anglo-Indian delights, celebrating Kolkata’s heritage at just INR 1800 + taxes per guest, while Grand Market Pavilion offers diverse delicacies from the Kitchens of India and unique cuisines from North East India at INR 1925 + taxes per guest.
5, May 2025
Remedium Lifecare Rights Issue Gains Momentum: 26% Subscribed Within First Two Days
Mumbai, 5th May, 2025: The Rights Issue of Remedium Lifecare Ltd marks a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey. Remedium Lifecare is a rapidly growing company specializing in the trading and distribution of raw materials as part of supply chain management for the pharmaceutical industry. The issue has been receiving tremendous response from investors and shareholders, with a subscription of 26.03% by the end of Day 2.
The capital raised will be strategically utilized to accelerate global expansion initiatives, strengthen the company’s footprint in key international markets, and strengthening working capital, Investment in R&D capabilities thereby improving the overall financial health of the organization. By reinforcing its balance sheet and enhancing operational capabilities, Remedium Lifecare aims to unlock significant long-term value for its investors, positioning itself as a leading player in the global specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical sectors.
Adarsh Munjal, Whole Time Director of Remedium Lifecare Ltd said: “This move will not only improve our financial health but also set the stage for significant growth. Our focus is on expanding our global footprint and advancing in research and manufacturing to serve a broader market. This approach will ensure our long-term sustainability and success.”
This strategic shift follows the company’s recent achievement of securing a ₹182.7 crore multi- year export order from a prominent UK-based pharmaceutical distributor in February 2025. The order positions Remedium as a credible global supplier of pharmaceutical intermediates in the anti-infective, cardiovascular, and CNS therapeutic segments.
Participation in the rights issue represents more than a capital contribution; it reflects alignment with a company prioritizing sound financial management, enhanced operational flexibility, and strategic global expansion.
5, May 2025
SAKU expands retail footprint with second Gurugram store, strengthening its vision of everyday Designerwear Fashion
May 5, 2025, Gurugram: Saku, a homegrown Indian Fashion brand, has opened its second retail store in Gurugram. This milestone reinforces the brand’s growing presence in India’s fashion landscape by bringing its full portfolio of women’s, men’s, and kidswear collections under one roof, designed to reflect SAKU’s core philosophy: Nothing but Fine Living. With a commitment to offering premium designerwear at affordable prices, Saku makes high-quality fashion accessible to Modern Indian families.
The new store, located in Gurugram, is thoughtfully designed to make shopping feel more personal, comfortable, and immersive across the brand’s portfolio. From its curated layout and fabric-first displays to warm, attentive store assistance, the space is crafted to offer a calm and engaging alternative to the typical fast-paced fashion environment.
“Our vision at Saku is to build a house of brands that feels both aspirational and wearable, especially for everyday moments.. We are seeing strong traction in both our physical and digital channels, and are targeting 45% year-on-year growth with plans to scale our presence to 10+ cities in India,” Sandeep Sampla, Co-founder & CEO, SAKU, added. “We started SAKU to bridge the space between aspiration and access — to bring designer-led, thoughtfully crafted fashion into everyday lives. You shouldn’t have to compromise on quality, design, or comfort to find something that feels truly you. That’s the heart of everything we create.”
The new store also introduces the brand’s seasonal womenswear capsule — The Neela Collection — a poetic exploration of blue through clean silhouettes and soft detail. However, it is part of a larger offering that includes SAKU (flagship womenswear brand), Stoik (menswear), and Picaasu (kidswear), collectively positioning SAKU as a distinctive, family-first fashion destination, catering to the diverse needs of modern families.
With strong momentum across both digital and physical platforms, SAKU is targeting 45% year-on-year growth and plans to open five additional stores across key Indian cities in the next 12–15 months. The brand also continues to scale its D2C website and grow through strategic marketplace partnerships.
5, May 2025
The House of Rare Announces Its First Unified Rareism and Rare Ones Store in Mumbai
Mumbai, 5th May 2025: The House of Rare proudly announces the launch of its first unified Rareism and Rare Ones store in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s retail journey. Known for its distinct and thoughtful fashion offerings, Rareism caters to modern women with apparel and accessories that blend contemporary style with comfort, while Rare Ones brings trendy yet premium fashion for young boys.
Spanning over 1,350 sq. ft., the newly launched store is located at No. F60, First Floor, Phoenix Market City Mall, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Patelwadi, Kurla West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400070.
With this launch, The House of Rare brings together fashion-forward offerings for mothers and their little ones under one roof, creating a seamless shopping experience that reflects the brand’s ethos of style, individuality, and everyday wearability.
The store houses the brands’ latest Spring/Summer 2025 collections across varied silhouettes, bold and classic colour palettes, and trendsetting styles, whether it’s day-to-evening dressing for women or easy, elevated everyday wear for boys.
Abhishek Srivastava, Chief Brand Officer, Rareism, shares, “With the opening of this unified store in Mumbai, we are bringing our Rareism and Rare Ones customers together in a thoughtfully designed space that celebrates modern Indian families. We see this as a pivotal step in expanding our retail footprint and giving our consumers more of what they love – style, comfort, and a shopping experience tailored for both women and young boys.”
This launch signifies the brand’s continued commitment to innovation in retail and strengthens its vision to create unique, design-first fashion spaces that cater to the evolving needs of the Indian shopper. The Mumbai store is the first of many such concept stores The House of Rare plans to open across India in the coming year.
5, May 2025
Productivity SaaS for education is changing: a wake-up call for schools
April 5, 2025: For schools that have relied on productivity SaaS solutions for years, it’s a pivotal moment to reassess long-term needs. With providers like Google ending free unlimited storage in 2022 and Microsoft’s recent updates to their education offerings, institutions face significant challenges, including increased costs and reduced functionality. These developments underscore the importance of adopting systems that provide stability, scalability, and control.
After January 2025, Microsoft rolled out significant changes to its Microsoft 365 Education plans, including retiring the Office 365 A1 Plus plan, reducing storage pools to 100TB per tenant, and restricting some licenses to web-only applications without their counterpart desktop versions, including Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
These adjustments may push schools toward higher-cost paid plans or force them to reallocate resources to maintain functionality, prompting many to reevaluate their reliance on SaaS solutions. Beyond financial implications, there are also rising concerns over data privacy and compliance. Educational institutions manage high loads of sensitive information such as student records, financial data, and research. This makes them prime targets of cyberattacks, which target nearly 80% of institutions annually (Netwrix, 2024). Furthermore, compliance with regulations such as FERPA and GDPR requires secure, private, and auditable data management practices, which some SaaS solutions may struggle to meet.
Shifting to an on-premise productivity solution offers educational institutions increased control over their data, cost predictability, and storage scalability. Unlike SaaS offerings, prone to subscription price hikes and unpredictable removals to their service features, on-premise solutions can provide a stable framework more suited for long-term needs. Locally stored data also ensures privacy, helping schools meet compliance requirements while protecting sensitive information.
Some on-premise productivity solutions like Synology Office Suite enhance collaboration and communication with tools for secure file storage, granular sharing permissions, real-time document editing and instant messaging, supporting both group projects for students and file management among faculty.
For IT administrators, these solutions simplify management with centralized dashboards, system health monitoring, and auditing tools for compliance. Advanced access controls also enable efficient delegation of tasks across IT teams, ensuring smoother workflows and stronger oversight of digital infrastructure.
While changes from major SaaS providers might disrupt operations in the short term, they also provide an opportunity for educational institutions to reassess the suitability of their current systems. On-premise productivity solutions provide a sustainable pathway to address cost concerns, enhance security, and build a resilient digital foundation for evolving educational needs of educators and students alike.
4, May 2025
POCO Drops Mega Discounts on Best-Selling Smartphones During Flipkart’s SASA LELE Sale!
POCO Smartphones at Record-Low Prices – India’s Fastest-Growing Online Smartphone Brand Joins the Mega Sale!
Mumbai, 4th May 2025 – If you’ve been eyeing a smartphone upgrade, the moment is NOW. POCO, India’s fastest-growing online smartphone brand, is bringing its biggest price drops yet for Flipkart’s Big Savings Days 2025 – also known as the SASA LELE Sale. Till 8th May, grab POCO’s top-selling smartphones at their lowest-ever prices.
Whether you’re chasing flagship firepower or value-packed 5G phones, this sale has something mad for everyone.
POCO’s Big Deals Line-up:
| Sr No | Product | Variant | Sale Price (with Bank Offers) |
| 1 | POCO C71 | 4+64 (Airtel) | ₹5,799 |
| 2 | POCO C71 | 4+64 | ₹6,499 |
| 3 | POCO C71 | 6+128 | ₹7,299 |
| 4 | POCO C75 | 4+64 | ₹7,699 |
| 5 | POCO C75 | 4+128 | ₹8,499 |
| 6 | POCO M7 | 6+128 | ₹9,499 |
| 7 | POCO M7 | 8+128 | ₹10,699 |
| 8 | POCO M6 Plus | 6+128 | ₹9,999 |
| 9 | POCO M6 Plus | 8+128 | ₹10,999 |
| 10 | POCO M7 Pro | 6+128 | ₹11,999 |
| 11 | POCO M7 Pro | 8+256 | ₹13,999 |
| 12 | POCO X7 5G | 8+128 | ₹15,999 |
| 13 | POCO X7 5G | 8+256 | ₹17,999 |
| 14 | POCO X7 Pro | 8+256 | ₹22,999 |
| 15 | POCO X7 Pro | 12+256 | ₹24,999 |
| 16 | POCO F6 | 12+256 | ₹22,999 |
(All bank offers apply on HDFC, Axis, and ICICI CC/DC transactions via full swipe or EMI.)
Why POCO’s May 2025 Sale Is a Game-Changer:
POCO X7 Series – Power Meets Sleek
POCO X7: Segment’s toughest 1.5K AMOLED 3D Curved Display, powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra, 5500mAh battery, and 50MP Sony LYT-600 camera.
POCO X7 Pro: Segment’s most powerful phone. MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra, 6550mAh battery, 50MP Sony LYT-600 camera, and HyperOS 2.0.
POCO M7 Series – All-Round 5G Champions
POCO M7: India’s fastest 5G phone under ₹10K. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 6.88” display, 50MP Sony camera, 5160mAh battery, and up to 12GB RAM.
POCO M7 Pro: Brightest in class with 6.67” GOLED FHD+ AMOLED (2100 nits), 50MP Sony LYT-600, 5110mAh battery, and 45W fast charging.
POCO C Series – Budget Brilliance
POCO C71: Segment’s biggest 6.88” HD+ display with 120Hz refresh, Android 15, TÜV Eye Protection, and 12GB RAM.
POCO C75: Most affordable 5G phone with Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm), 50MP Sony camera, and IP52-rated design.
Bonus Picks
POCO M6 Plus: 6.79” FHD+ 120Hz display, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE, 108MP camera, HyperOS, 33W fast charging — all under ₹10K.
POCO F6: Lowest priced Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 phone with 6.67” OLED 1.5K display, 50MP dual camera, HyperOS (Android 14), and 90W charging.
POCO is rewriting the value game this summer – whether you search for best POCO phone deals, flagship killer smartphones, or budget 5G Android phones, this is where the internet stops scrolling and starts buying.
Add to cart. Grab before it’s gone. Brag later.
4, May 2025
Tom Cruise’s secret to death defying stunts
In his eighth and possibly final outing as Ethan Hunt, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Tom Cruise takes action to new heights — quite literally. In one of the film’s most daring stunts, Cruise is seen hanging from and crawling along the wings of a 1940s-era biplane zooming above South Africa’s Drakensberg mountains.
“I remember seeing old footage of wing-walking,” says Cruise of a stunt he’s envisioned trying since he was a kid. “Those aircraft were only traveling at, I don’t know, 40, 50 miles an hour. This aircraft is up to over 120 miles an hour. Going out there, I was realizing that it takes your breath away.”
But how does the actor actually fuel up for stunts of this intensity? With breakfast, he says — and not just any breakfast.
“I actually eat a massive breakfast,” reveals Cruise. “The amount of energy it takes — I train so hard for that wing-walking. I’ll eat, like, sausage and almost a dozen eggs and bacon and toast and coffee and fluids. Oh, I’m eating! Picture: It’s cold up there. We’re at high altitude. My body is burning a lot.”
Even after decades of redefining action cinema, Cruise’s passion remains sky-high fueled by intensity, gratitude and apparently, a powerhouse breakfast!
