Event Coverage
MIPCOM launches global channel distribution day in partnership with AIB
MUMBAI: For the first time, MIPCOM, the global entertainment content market, launches a conference event to support and discuss a key sector of the international television business- the distribution of TV Channels around the world.
The aim of the programme is to create a central point of interaction for channels and platforms to meet, and to provide an educational forum specifically dedicated to showcasing new channels and carriage platforms (cable, satellite, IPTV, OTT).
Organised by Reed MIDEM, the 30th anniversary edition of MIPCOM will take place in Cannes, France, from 13-16 October 2014.
This one day programme will take place on Monday October 13th in a dedicated area and will include a series of business-oriented conferences and workshops.Mediamétrie/Eurodata will present data and comments on the growing channel distribution market and leading international platforms will unveil their strategies for the year to come. The ‘Driving the Quest for The Audience: Channel Distribution Strategies for Success’ conference session will showcase new channels with international appeal.
“With the increasing presence of multi-service operators and channels from around the world, carriage deals are a growing part of the market. Our ambition is to become the international business destination for the carriage ecosystem,” comments Laurine Garaude, Director of Reed MIDEM’s TV Division.
“It is vitally important that channels and platforms understand each other’s businesses,” says Simon Spanswick, Chief Executive of the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB). “Neither sector can operate independently of each other. This new initiative at MIPCOM is, we believe, essential as the distribution market becomes more complicated as new platforms launch. AIB is delighted to be part of this important concept that is designed to bring businesses together and start conversations that will turn into business deals.”
The first Global Channel Distribution day at MIPCOM will bring together the French Telco & Pay TV operator Orange, German Telco and IPTV operator Deutsche Telekom, Globecast, Al Jazeera’s global network, A+E networks, Scripps Networks International, EbonyLife TV and OTT service operator Magine.
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.
