Event Coverage
Young India defining viewership trends: Dasgupta
CANNES: India was everywhere at the Palais in Cannes as Mipcom 2007 kicked off this morning and even the weather gods seemed to have got into the act.The climate was pleasant as the market welcomed thousands of delegates attending the world‘s biggest television market.
Sony Entertainment Television (SET) India CEO Kunal Dasgupta opened proceedings for the high-powered Indian presence at Cannes by offering a detailed overview of the third largest TV viewing market after China.
Marking out television as the engine of Indian media industry growth, Dasgupta said revenues are projected to triple by 2011.
Offering a macro view, he outlined key industry drivers as:
Development of content for niche viewers
Pricing remains a key driver, whether it is for cable subscription, film tickets or newspaper prices
Increased consumerism and increased advertisement spend by marketers fueling further growth
Use of technology for special effects, animation and other creative work leading to better quality of media products
Enabling regulations related to broadcasting, print and radio by the Government
Not surprisingly, the opportunities thrown up by India‘s young population increasingly exposed to, and hence aspiring for, a better lifestyle, and therefore willing to spend more on entertainment was one of the cornerstones of his speech.
While touching on the complexities that the Indian market represented, Dasgupta‘s focus was clearly on the advantages India offered on the global media map and the opportunities on offer for international players looking to do business in India.
Television:
Production/co-production of content including animation
Broadcasting of TV channels
Distribution of TV channels through cable and new delivery platforms like DTH and IPTV
Technology transfer for digital content creation
Marketing of TV rights/air times
Strategic investment in existing companies in broadcasting, distribution and content
Adapt show formats
Dubbed movies
Branded European blocks
Radio:
Investment in FM and satellite radio
Content creation for radio channels
Marketing of air times
Films:
Production/co-production of films
Processing, distribution and exhibition of Bollywood films
Shooting of overseas films in India
Development, distribution and exhibition of Hollywood/overseas films
Training for technical and functional areas of film making
Supply of hardware to film studios
Music:
Creation of content for film and non-film music
Marketing of film and non-film music
Strategic investment in local music companies
Print:
Strategic investment in news and non-news publications
Tie-ups for providing content to Indian publications
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.
