Event Coverage
FremantleMedia brings ratings winners to MIPCOM 2015
MUMBAI: An exciting line up of bold and energetic titles are on their way to this year’s MIPCOM, set to grab the attention of worldwide TV buyers.
FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark said, “I love how brilliantly diverse our formats feel this MIPCOM. Every show is a proven ratings success and has been tried and tested in some of our toughest markets. From enticing new titles set to shake up schedules to reinvigorated classics with a modern twist, I’m confident we can cater to audiences across the globe.”
First from the slate is La Banda, a dramatically different new music reality competition where, for the first time ever, the fans are in control. Developed by SYCO Entertainment, Saban Brands and Univision Network, La Banda’s recent launch in the US placed Univision as the No. 4 broadcast TV network – 74 per cent above Univision’s regular Sunday audience average.
Then, prepare to strap on those safety goggles for The Eureka Moment – an explosive new game show by Blue Circle that that supersizes classroom chemistry into classic prime time entertainment. The series launch on RTL4 positioned the show #1 in its timeslot and above all the #1 entertainment launch in the Netherlands in 2015. In each episode, two couples go head to head as they test their popular science knowledge and come face to face with a raft of dangerous stunts and wacky experiments, all in the bid to win a luxury holiday.
Next it’s time to play some virtual quiz tennis with fast paced game show format Rebound produced by Thames. Taking inspiration from a retro video game Rebound challenges wit, knowledge and composure as two contender’s battle it out before the iconic visual ‘Moving Bar’ creeps across the studio and eliminates them from the game. Players must respond swiftly and correctly before the bar reaches them in order to divert the Bar back towards their opponent. With large cash jackpot at stake the contestants need to think fast and beat the bar.
Think you know quiz shows? Think again! Who Knew? is a brand new addition to the game show genre by UFA Show and Factual that works both stripped across the week or in a prime time slot. The celebrity panel series launched on Germany’s ARD and was #1 in its timeslot as well as landing the highest rated Saturday night game show launch in eight years. Who Knew? provides a daily dose of nutty knowledge by featuring an array of very unusual questions that unveil some crazy facts from everyday life, scientific studies, or even practical hints and tips.
Additionally, two much loved classic formats have been given a fresh injection of fun for today’s audience.Celebrity Family Feud is the USA’s highest rated new entertainment launch of the 2014/15 season and sees celebrity families compete against each other in the star-studded version of iconic game show Family Feud. To Tell The Truth is the beloved 1960’s classic hit gameshow, which has been rebooted and returns to our screens. Anarchic and funny, this format features a celebrity panel who need to guess who is telling the truth between three people all claiming to be the same person with the same incredible talent, job or achievement.
To round off the new line-up, FremantleMedia presents Lords and Ladles – an entertaining lifestyle format by Mind the Gap Films that invites viewers on a historical journey celebrating the past through the wonders of food and the glories of cooking. The show is fronted by three intrepid chefs who will recreate grand feasts based on original recipe books from centuries ago. The audience is given a unique opportunity to peep behind closed doors delving into the histories of some of the grandest private homes to witness the everyday lives of the families who lived there.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
