### **Overview** Hindustan Media Ventures Limited (HMVL) is a leading Indian media company with deep roots in print journalism and a rapidly expanding presence in digital media and adjacent ventures. Known for its flagship Hindi daily *Hindustan*, the company serves key markets across India’s Hindi-speaking heartland, including Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand. HMVL combines a legacy of credible, culturally resonant journalism with an ambitious digital transformation strategy focused on innovation, audience engagement, and diversified revenue streams. --- ### **Core Business & Geographic Reach** - **Print Legacy**: HMVL is a dominant player in print media, especially in northern India. *Hindustan* holds leading market positions in Bihar and top-three rankings in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Bhaskar brand maintains monopoly or duopoly positions in regional markets, ensuring strong profitability. - **Regional Focus**: Operations span the Hindi heartland, with tailored regional publications such as *Hindustan Smart*, *Fursat*, *Anokhi*, *Tan Man*, and *Job Search*, emphasizing local storytelling with national relevance. - **Brand Promise**: “Bharosa Naye Hindustan Ka” (“Trust in New India”) reflects HMVL’s commitment to responsible journalism and civic awareness. --- ### **Digital Expansion: OTTplay – The Flagship Digital Venture** Launched in 2023 and commercially scaled from 2024, **OTTplay** is HMVL’s strategic foray into digital entertainment and has emerged as a leading **OTT 'Super App' in India**. #### **Key Features of OTTplay (as of Nov 2025)** - **Aggregation Model**: Aggregates content from **over 25 OTT platforms** (formerly 35 in 2024) via a **single login**, eliminating fragmented access and reducing cumulative subscription costs. - **User Experience**: Offers personalized recommendations, curated content rails, integrated ratings, and multi-language support (nearly 7 languages), including regional, devotional, sports, and children’s content. - **Live Content**: Provides **live TV and live event streaming** across **400+ channels**, enhancing its scope as a comprehensive entertainment platform. - **Pricing & Accessibility**: Offers **flexible plans** (monthly, quarterly, annual), starting at INR 200/month, targeting **Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns** where broadband penetration is growing but still limited. - **Market Differentiation**: Unlike telecom bundling (e.g., Jio, Airtel), OTTplay operates as a **standalone aggregator**, independent of ISP partnerships, reducing direct competition and enabling wider accessibility. #### **Growth & Strategy** - **Product-Market Fit Achieved**: Strong subscriber acquisition, high renewal rates, and increasing engagement signal growing loyalty. - **Phygital GTM Strategy**: Leverages HMVL’s vast print distribution network for low-cost customer acquisition in semi-urban and rural areas. - **Strategic Partnerships**: - Bundled with **BSNL’s broadband plans** via the **BiTV** platform. - One of the first OTT platforms to join **ONDC**, underscoring commitment to open digital commerce. - Partnerships with **ISPs and cable operators** to enhance user stickiness and reach. - **Monetization**: Revenue generated via **subscriptions and advertising**, with a focus on improving unit economics through scalable content library expansion and bundling deals. --- ### **Other Digital & New Business Initiatives** HMVL is actively diversifying beyond print through a portfolio of digital adjacents under the broader **Digital segment**: 1. **Shine**: A classifieds engine experiencing healthy growth and improving profitability. 2. **Mosaic**: A venture and private equity-focused platform incubated under HT Media, aiming to scale into a distinct revenue stream. 3. **Radio Business**: Part of HT Media’s structure; undergoing streamlining to align with broader digital strategies. --- ### **Strategic Acquisitions (2024–2025)** HMVL has diversified into new sectors through targeted acquisitions: - **Nov 2024**: Acquired **iDecorwala Spacefold Interiortech Labs**, an online marketplace for home décor and customized interior solutions, entering the **home improvement sector**. - **May 2025**: Acquired **VIR Mobility Private Limited**, an e-mobility startup, marking entry into the **electric vehicle (EV) space** with three affordable e-bike models (Rs 35,000–55,000). - **Aug 2025**: Acquired a platform facilitating **fixed-income investments** and **debt financing for corporates**, expanding into **financial services**. These acquisitions reflect a deliberate strategy to build a **conglomerate-like ecosystem** around media, lifestyle, mobility, and fintech. --- ### **Revenue Transition & Financial Strategy** - **Shift from Print to Digital**: Print revenue, which once constituted ~85% of total revenue 8–10 years ago, now represents a declining share. The company is investing heavily in digital to create **balanced, sustainable revenue streams**. - **Ad for Equity (AFE) Model**: A unique and profitable business practice where HMVL offers advertising space in exchange for equity stakes in startups (e.g., EazyDiner, Samast Technologies). These are long-term, formal agreements with minimal cash outlay, functioning as **low-risk, high-potential-return barter investments**. - **Investment Phase for OTTplay**: Acknowledged as a multi-year journey to profitability. The company is actively reducing losses and optimizing spending, with a commitment to continue investment until the business scales sustainably. --- ### **Marketing & Community Engagement** - **Hindustan Utsav**: An annual large-scale festive campaign across 25+ towns with **100+ events** (cultural performances, shopping carnivals, expos), serving as a **monetizable platform for advertisers** and strengthening brand-audience connection. - **Promotion Strategy**: Multi-platform reach via print, radio, and digital, maximizing engagement in urban and semi-urban markets. --- ### **Operational & Procurement Strategy** - **Vendor Diversification**: To mitigate supply chain risks, HMVL employs a diversified sourcing strategy for critical inputs like newsprint, combining **vendor diversification with spot buying**. - **Cost & Quality Balance**: Achieves high paper quality at cost-efficient rates through transparent collaboration between procurement, production, and suppliers. --- ### **Vision & Leadership** Under the leadership of **Mrs. Shobhana Bhartia**, Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media Ltd. and HMVL, the company is driving a transformation from traditional media to a **multi-platform, innovation-led conglomerate**. The strategy emphasizes: - **Trust and credibility** in journalism. - **Innovation and personalization** in digital offerings. - **Long-term value creation** over short-term shareholder returns.