Event Coverage
ZDF, AETN renew programming, co-production deal
MUMBAI: US broadcaster A&E Television Networks (AETN), which owns The History Channel, A&E and The Biography Channel, and ZDF Enterprises have announced at the television trade event MipTV the renewal of their existing programming and co-production deal for three years. The agreement, originally reached in 2005, includes co-production and programme acquisition components, as well as a new syndication representation deal.
The agreement calls for ZDF Enterprises to acquire non-fiction programming from AETN International’s History catalogue for the top-rated ZDF History programming block, which broadcasts weekly on Sunday nights. The block is programmed under the editorial control of ZDF programmers with content provided by both ZDF and History (US). In addition, The History Channel in Germany will acquire local history programming from ZDF Enterprises for broadcast on its service, as well as biography and lifestyle programming for The Biography Channel. Amongst the programmes are the two-parter The Last Voyage of the Gustloff about the largest disaster in naval history with a death toll of 9,000 and the series Final Days of an Icon which examines the lives of 13 historical figures and their deaths under mysterious circumstances. Through a third component of the agreement, History (US) and ZDF Enterprises have extended their co-production partnership to produce nine contemporary and ancient history programmes over the next three years for broadcast on ZDF in Germany and on History in the United States. In the final part of the deal, AETN International has named ZDF Enterprises as its syndication representative for German-speaking Europe for Modern Marvels. This is a show on the history of technology. Produced for History, the Modern Marvels catalogue features over 400 hours of programming. ZDF Enterprises president and CEO Alexander Coridass says, “The combination of AETN, ZDF and ZDF Enterprises programming expertise is synonymous to high-calibre programming for audiences around the globe. We are very proud of this longstanding and fruitful partnership of global players in the most significant fields of the television industry. “In this very competitive time of digital changes, we are pleased that our close relationship with this successful and reliable partner is still going strong.” AETN SVP, international Sean Cohan says, “ZDF Enterprises has been an important production and distribution partner for AETN through the years, and we are very pleased to extend our relationship by appointing them as syndication representative for Modern Marvels in the German-speaking Europe.” | |
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.
