iWorld
Prime Video launches Crunchyroll on Prime Video Channels in India
Mumbai: Prime Video has launched Crunchyroll, the ultimate destination for anime worldwide, on Prime Video Channels, increasing access to some of the most popular anime content for fans in India. Prime members can now purchase an add-on subscription to Crunchyroll at ₹79 per month, gaining access to over 800 anime titles, including the latest shows and movies, some of which will be available for viewers in India in multiple languages, immediately after their release in Japan.
With a subscription to Crunchyroll on Prime Video Channels, Prime members can enjoy more than 40 new shows from the new anime season, including the new sci-fi monster series Kaiju No.8, the fan-favourite series Black Butler – Public School Arc, which returned nearly ten years after its original run, Solo Leveling, Demon Slayer -Hashira Training Arc- and many more. Select shows and movies will also be available in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, in addition to English.
“The popularity of anime content in India has grown exponentially over the last few years, and through various Channels, we are working towards building a wide and diverse library of popular and blockbuster Japanese animation,” said Prime Video India’s head of Prime Video Channels and movie rentals Gaurav Bhasin. “We are thrilled to launch Crunchyroll on Prime Video Channels and make it even more convenient for Prime members in India to watch premium and latest anime content, immediately after its release in Japan. The availability of select shows and movies in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, besides English, will make anime more accessible for fans, while also helping introduce the genre to new viewers. We look forward to strengthening our anime programming on Prime Video Channels in the coming months.”
Crunchyroll EVP of business development Terry Li said, “Crunchyroll offers an anime adventure for every kind of fan. From sports to romantic comedy, horror and action to slice-of-life, even the anime-curious can get immersed in our library. We look forward to welcoming new fans into the anime community through our launch on Prime Video, offering convenient access to Crunchyroll’s vast library of anime, including the latest shows, new seasons and movies in India.”
Prime members in India can purchase an add-on subscription for Crunchyroll through Prime Video Channels at ₹79 per month.
iWorld
Anirudh Ravichander and Universal Music India join forces to take South India’s sound to the world
The composer behind 13 billion streams launches Albuquerque Records with UMI as its exclusive global partner
MUMBAI: Universal Music India has struck an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the freshly minted independent label of singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander, in a deal that bets big on South India’s booming pop and hip-hop scene going global.
The arrangement, announced on 17 March, will see Universal Music India handle future pop and hip-hop releases by Anirudh himself, as well as artists signed to the new label. A first release is already in the pipeline for April, featuring Anirudh.
The numbers behind the man are hard to ignore. Debuting in 2012 with the viral sensation “Why This Kolaveri Di”, Anirudh has since clocked over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, cementing his position as the No.1 South Indian artist on Spotify by total streams. His fingerprints are all over some of the Tamil film industry’s biggest musical moments, from Hukum and Vaathi Coming to Arabic Kuthu and the A23 Theme.
But Albuquerque Records is a different beast. Built for the non-film space, it is designed to nurture independent talent and champion the next wave of Indian pop voices. “Universal Music India’s leadership in pop and hip-hop made them the natural partner,” said Anirudh. “I’m excited to take independent voices to audiences around the world.”
Universal Music India’s chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal was equally effusive. “Anirudh represents the future of Indian music, bold, original, and with enormous potential,” he said. “Identifying transformative talent is our superpower, and this partnership reflects that belief.”
Sanujeet Bhujabal, managing director of Universal Music India, framed the deal as more than a distribution play. “Albuquerque Records represents Anirudh’s bold artistic vision in the world of pop and hip-hop,” he said. “True to his legacy of innovation, this partnership is set to establish yet another landmark creative space, this time for the emerging world of iPop and beyond.”
For Universal Music India, the deal deepens a long-running push into South India’s four key language markets: Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu. The label already has regional imprints, film partnerships with Maddock Films and Excel Entertainment, and a growing non-film roster. Landing Anirudh, arguably the south’s most bankable music brand, is a statement of intent. South Indian music has the streams. Now it is coming for the world.
