iWorld
Sergio Bonelli Editore, Powerkids strike content partnership deal
Mumbai: Italy’s leading comics publisher Sergio Bonelli Editore’s (SBE) Bonelli Entertainment has announced its partnership with animation company Powerkids Entertainment. This association aims to jointly unlock the expandable SBE comics universe for a wide range of kids animated adaptations.
The partnership kicked off with one of SBE’s best-selling comics “Dragonero,” created by Luca Enoch and Stefano Vietti. SBE, Powerkids, Rai Spa through Rai Ragazzi and Nexus TV are currently co-producing the first season of the “Dragonero” series.
Powerkids will be responsible for its global distribution, licensing, and merchandising. Commenting on this new development, Sergio Bonelli Editore Spa head of property business development and Bonelli Entertainment executive producer Vincenzo Sarno said, “We are very proud of our vast slate of comic books that have entertained generations and are distributed across the globe. Now, we want to bring our legends to life through animation to entertain both existing and a new generation of viewers.”
Sarno further said that the publishing house wants to broadly share the universe of SBE. He hinted that “Dragonero” is just the beginning and there is so much more to come in this fantasy universe.
He also thanked Rai who is a co-producer and Italian broadcaster and Powerkids for this legendary project. “We are very excited to partner with Powerkids, to develop and bring these characters, comic books and stories to life. We are confident that our partnership will be an incredible success given the experience and long track record of Powerkids’ management team,” he added.
Powerkids CEO Manoj Mishra also expressed his joy on the creative alliance. “We are thrilled to initiate this partnership with Bonelli Entertainment. We are humbled and excited that they have trusted us to bring these amazing stories, and iconic characters to life through animation. These amazing adventures combined with our years of experience in co-production, and global distribution will bring pleasure to audiences around the world. We have very exciting plans for our partnership and it has been a real pleasure working with the dynamic and dedicated team of Bonelli Entertainment,” he said.
iWorld
JioHotstar brings HBO Max to India in exclusive Warner Bros. tie-up
Hit shows and global franchises arrive as platform sharpens streaming edge
MUMBAI: JioHotstar has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring HBO Max to India, making it the exclusive home for the global streaming platform in the country.
The HBO Max hub, now live on JioHotstar, offers a wide catalogue spanning HBO, Max Originals, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, creating a unified destination for premium international content.
The launch gives Indian audiences access to some of the most anticipated titles of 2026, including new seasons of Euphoria and House of the Dragon, alongside an upcoming Harry Potter series. Popular titles already available include The Last of Us, Succession, Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.
In a first for the platform, subscribers can also stream iconic series such as Friends and The Big Bang Theory, along with other fan favourites like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and The Flash.
Commenting on the launch, JioHotstar CEO entertainment Kevin Vaz said, “This marks a defining moment in how premium global content is accessed and experienced in India.” He added that the integration brings together scale, curation and accessibility to deliver a more immersive viewing experience.
Echoing the sentiment, Warner Bros. Discovery president Apac James Gibbons said, “India is one of the most vibrant streaming markets globally, and in JioHotstar, we have a partner with unmatched scale and a deep understanding of local audiences.” He noted that the move strengthens the reach of the company’s global franchises in the country.
The HBO Max hub will sit alongside JioHotstar’s existing content library, with subscription add-on plans starting at Rs 49 per month, offering viewers broader access to international programming.
With streaming competition heating up, this tie-up signals a clear push by JioHotstar to double down on premium global content and cement its position as a one-stop destination for entertainment in India.
