Event Coverage
IBS 2024: Unravelling the CTV puzzle
Mumbai: The second edition of the Indian Brand Summit 2024, held in Mumbai, witnessed insightful discussions on how addressable advertising is transforming personalised marketing, the role of data in driving success, and the evolving landscape of OTT platforms and sports marketing. The event also explored the complexities of CTV and highlighted the rise of local brands to national prominence.
One of the key sessions, titled “Unravelling the CTV Puzzle,” explored the rapid transformation of content consumption and the rise of connected TV (CTV). Chaired by Indian Television.com group founder, chairman & editor-in-chief Anil NM Wanvari, the panel featured Sujay Ray, L’Oréal India’s head – digital & media professional products division, Ashutosh Sinha, NDTV’s VP – distribution, and Nitin Burman, aha’s head – revenue and monetisation.
Sujay Ray spoke about the significant technological shift over the last few years, marked by two waves—pre and post Jio, and pre and post COVID. “The first wave saw consumption move from linear and analog formats to digital,” Ray explained. The second wave further emphasized personalized content consumption, starting on smaller screens and gradually moving to larger ones. Ray added that legacy platforms have adapted to these changes, becoming more consumer-centric: “Legacy platforms have pivoted themselves, remaining cognizant of consumers’ evolving choices.”
Nitin Burman highlighted how affordability and accessibility have driven CTV adoption, with smart TVs becoming more affordable, now available for as low as ₹7,000. He noted that this shift has made CTVs more accessible to both urban and rural markets. “People are switching from handheld devices to bigger connected TV screens for a more immersive experience,” Burman said, adding that this has led to higher revenue for platforms as audiences are willing to pay for better content and viewing experiences.
Ashutosh Sinha pointed out how connected TV offers new opportunities to reach audiences and make previously unavailable content accessible. “Connected TV allows us to offer content that wasn’t available in traditional formats, expanding our reach to new audiences,” he remarked.
The session shed light on how CTV is reshaping the media landscape, driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences, and increasing affordability. As content consumption continues to evolve, connected TV is positioned to play a central role in the future of media.
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.
