Pocket FM has discontinued Pocket TV, its microdrama vertical, as the company sharpens its focus on its core audio entertainment business and international expansion ahead of its planned public listing.
The move marks the end of Pocket FM’s experiment in the rapidly growing microdrama segment, with the company saying the initiative remained a beta product and was never a significant contributor to its overall business.
A Pocket FM spokesperson confirmed the development, stating that the company routinely evaluates new products based on performance and long-term strategic priorities.
“Pocket TV was launched as a beta product to explore the emerging microdrama category and is not a material contributor to Pocket FM’s business. As with any product experiment, we periodically evaluate performance and strategic fit, and any decisions related to Pocket TV are part of that normal process,” the spokesperson said.
Why Did Pocket FM Shut Down Pocket TV?
According to the company, the decision is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its leadership in audio entertainment rather than diversify into adjacent content formats.
Pocket FM said audio continues to account for the overwhelming majority of its revenue and user engagement, making it the company’s primary growth engine.
“Our core focus remains building the world’s leading audio entertainment platform. Audio continues to account for the overwhelming majority of our business, and we remain focused on scaling the category globally. Today, Pocket FM is one of the largest audio entertainment platforms globally and continues to see strong growth across its key international markets,” the spokesperson added.
The closure comes as several digital content platforms are reassessing investments in experimental verticals while prioritising profitability and scalable business models.
Will The Shutdown Lead To Employee Layoffs?
Following reports surrounding the closure, questions emerged about possible workforce reductions linked to Pocket TV.
However, Pocket FM categorically denied that the shutdown would result in layoffs.
“To be absolutely clear, no layoffs are being undertaken in connection with Pocket TV, and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect,” the company said.
The clarification comes after Pocket FM witnessed multiple rounds of layoffs and several senior-level exits earlier this year as part of broader organisational restructuring.
How Does This Fit Into Pocket FM’s IPO Strategy?
The discontinuation of Pocket TV comes shortly after Pocket FM initiated discussions to reverse flip its holding company back to India.
The restructuring is aimed at facilitating a domestic public listing, joining a growing number of Indian startups that are relocating their legal headquarters from overseas jurisdictions ahead of IPO plans.
By concentrating resources on its flagship audio platform, the company appears to be streamlining operations before entering the public markets.
Founded by Rohan Nayak, Nishanth KS, and Prateek Dixit, Pocket FM has evolved into one of India’s largest audio entertainment platforms by offering serialized audiobooks and storytelling content powered increasingly by artificial intelligence.
How Fast Is Pocket FM Growing?
Pocket FM has witnessed significant international expansion over the past two years, particularly in markets such as the United States.
In April 2026, the company reported an annual recurring revenue (ARR) run rate of approximately $450 million, driven by rapid global user growth and AI-assisted content production that has helped improve content creation efficiency and reduce costs.
The company has increasingly invested in AI-generated storytelling and creator tools to accelerate content production while expanding its library across multiple languages and markets.
What Does The Competitive Landscape Look Like?
The shutdown of Pocket TV comes at a time when India’s digital entertainment ecosystem is becoming increasingly competitive.
Kuku Technologies, the parent company of Kuku FM and Kuku TV, has confidentially filed draft papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a proposed Rs 3,500 crore IPO at a reported valuation of around Rs 15,000 crore.
Meanwhile, Mohalla Tech, the parent company of ShareChat, is also targeting a public listing within the next 12 to 18 months.
As several consumer internet companies prepare for IPOs, Pocket FM’s decision to concentrate on its strongest business segment reflects a broader industry trend of prioritising profitable core operations over experimental product categories.
With international growth accelerating and AI becoming central to its content strategy, Pocket FM is positioning itself as a global audio-first entertainment platform while preparing for its next phase as a publicly listed company.
