Pocket FM Discontinues Pocket TV as It Refocuses on Core Audio Business and Global Expansion
The product was introduced as part of Pocket FM’s efforts to evaluate new entertainment formats and was reviewed periodically based on strategic alignment and business impact.
Audio entertainment platform Pocket FM has discontinued Pocket TV, its microdrama vertical launched as a beta offering, as the company shifts focus towards strengthening its core audio platform and expanding its international presence.
According to the company, Pocket TV was an experimental initiative launched to explore the emerging microdrama format but did not make a significant contribution to Pocket FM’s overall business. Meanwhile, Pocket FM remains profitable, cash-flow positive, and continues to see growth across its key markets.
Founded in 2018 by Rohan Nayak, Nishanth KS, and Prateek Dixit, Pocket FM is an audio entertainment platform offering serialized fiction, audio shows, and storytelling content across multiple languages and genres
The company has raised around $196 million from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, StepStone Group, Tencent, and Times Internet. It was last valued at approximately $750 million during its $103 million Series D funding round announced in 2024.
Pocket FM’s decision comes amid increasing interest in India’s short-format entertainment market, particularly microdramas and vertical video storytelling. Several platforms, including Kuku FM, ShareChat, and other entertainment platforms, have been exploring opportunities in this segment.
However, Pocket FM is continuing to prioritise its core audio storytelling business, where it has built a strong user base in India and international markets such as the United States.
Earlier this year, the company reported strong business momentum, stating that it had crossed $400 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), remained free cash-flow positive, and achieved nearly 5% EBITDA margins. The company also reported a 68% year-on-year increase in revenue in FY25, reaching ₹1,768 crore.