{
  "id": 5521346,
  "title": "Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms partners with YouTube to launch five original shows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/ekta-kapoors-balaji-telefilms-partners-with-youtube-to-launch-five",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:49:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "YourStory",
    "slug": "yourstory",
    "url": "https://yourstory.com/2026/09/ekta-kapoor-balaji-telefilms-partners-youtube-five-original-shows"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ekta Kapoor's production company, Balaji Telefilms, has teamed up with YouTube to launch a series of five original shows exclusively on the platform. The announcement comes as part of a strategic move to cater to the growing number of digital-first viewers. The shows, totaling 200 episodes, are set to debut on YouTube, where they will be distributed and monetized globally through advertisements and brand partnerships. Ekta Kapoor, the visionary behind these projects, will oversee the creative direction, while YouTube handles the global reach and revenue generation. The upcoming projects include the second season of Haq Se, Phir Pyar Ki Yeh Kahani Suno, and the fourth season of Kehne Ko Humsafar Hai, among others. These shows have been meticulously produced in 4K resolution to offer top-notch viewing experiences. In India, YouTube has a massive user base of over 75 million people aged 18 and above who use connected TV (CTV) devices, according to data from April 2025. This presents a significant opportunity for Ekta Kapoor's company to connect with audiences in fresh and innovative ways. Ekta Kapoor expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that the digital-first audience is seeking high-quality content delivered on the largest screen in their homes, with the flexibility of on-demand viewing. She believes this collaboration will bring stories that not only entertain but also inspire and move people worldwide. Gunjan Soni, Managing Director for India at YouTube, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the platform's commitment to providing premium content catered to the evolving needs of its audience. She highlighted that the future of television lies in a digital-first design, offering the best of both worlds: high-quality shows on large screens combined with the flexibility of on-demand viewing. With this partnership, Ekta Kapoor and her team aim to unlock new distribution and monetization avenues, enabling innovative storytellers to reach audiences on their terms.",
  "summary": "While Ekta Kapoor will lead the creative vision and own the intellectual property, YouTube will provide global distribution and monetisation pathways through ads and brand deals.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "Bye-bye 'Chicken Shop Date' — one of YouTube's most iconic shows is ending after over a decade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/bye-bye-chicken-shop-date-one-of-youtubes-most-iconic-shows-is-ending",
        "published": "2026-09-03T16:13:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}