Billboard officially announced on Monday, November 3, the forthcoming launch of Billboard India, a strategic move aimed at serving one of the world's most rapidly expanding music markets and showcasing its prodigious talent on a global scale. This significant initiative is a collaboration with Other Side Ventures Pvt. Ltd., marking a pivotal moment for the Indian music industry.

Scheduled to debut its comprehensive suite of offerings in early 2026, Billboard India will introduce an array of iconic features. These will include Billboard’s renowned charts and lists, prestigious music awards, engaging multimedia editorial content, in-depth interviews, artist biographies, exclusive merchandise, and unique events. The primary objective is to illuminate the profound lingual and cultural diversity that characterizes India’s increasingly influential music industry for an international audience.

Billboard India's coverage will span the entire spectrum of the country’s vibrant music ecosystem, featuring artists and music from across the Indian diaspora. This includes acknowledging the long-standing dominance of film soundtracks, highlighting the explosive rise of independent artists, and analyzing India’s significant global impact on streaming charts and numbers.

Mike Van, CEO of Billboard, articulated his enthusiasm for the venture, stating, “India’s music scene is one of the most dynamic and culturally rich in the world. With the launch of Billboard India, we’re thrilled to recognize the country’s extraordinary diversity of sounds and artists, while connecting India’s thriving music community to our global stage. This expansion marks an exciting new chapter in Billboard’s mission to celebrate musical excellence everywhere it’s found.”

Priyanka Khimani, a distinguished media advisor and the driving force behind Other Side Ventures, played a crucial role in bringing Billboard to India. Khimani emphasized the need for a unified platform, remarking, “It will be refreshing for India to have one unifying voice to measure and highlight all the incredible growth and success that our music industry is experiencing right now.” She further elaborated on the vision, stating, “The vision is for Billboard India to be a world-class experience for the consumer, powered by a wealth of data and resources, which identifies and celebrates talent and their achievements, creating a sense of pride, influence and prestige.”

Billboard India will establish its operational base in Mumbai. The announcement of its dedicated editorial team is anticipated in the coming months. For the latest news and updates, enthusiasts are encouraged to follow Billboard India on Instagram at @BillboardIndia.