MAM
Cosmos-Maya notches up its distribution focus with WowKidz Distribution; starts with massive acquisition slate for distribution in Asia Pacific
MUMBAI: Cosmos-Maya, the Asian animation powerhouse synonymous with constant evolution and innovation within the animation business today announced its next big focus on becoming the global content gateway with its distribution arm WowKidz Distribution.
WowKidz, as an AVOD platform has more than 30 million subscribers and 14 billion views. WowKidz Distribution aims at being the one stop shop for all distribution requirements of global animation content players starting with the widely growing big market of Asia and then moving to the rest of the world. Content Acquisition is one of the key focus areas for the studio in the first stage of this distribution initiative. While successful collaborations are on with the likes of Fantawild Animation and Nelvana Enterprises, this MIPCOM there will be a dedicated ‘acquisitions’ team from Cosmos-Maya to ensure that the best of content is acquired for distribution.
Cosmos-Maya has been the forerunner and flagbearer for many firsts within the animation industry in this geography. From commanding a staggering 65% share of the Indian domestic animation production market, producing 50 half hours a month to add to its existing content bank of 2000 half hours, to a multitude of European Co-Productions, the studio has been focusing on bringing about change in the dynamically evolving market.
“Our production might is one our biggest strengths as a studio and we have been distributing our own content successfully across APAC. Thereby venturing further into the distribution arena with successful international brands, through WowKidz Distribution was the next logical & synergistic business decision.”, said Anish Mehta, CEO – Cosmos-Maya, while elaborating on the plans.
Distribution continues to be the biggest lacuna in the business today as the content creation is burgeoning and there is an increase in focus on localization in each of the markets thereby creating a hindrance in the larger distribution. With its established network across the value-chain, Cosmos-Maya aims to bridge this gap and WowKidz Distribution is the first step in that direction. The company has an added advantage whereby it can leverage the extensive network of Emerald Media, the Pan-Asian media investment platform backed by US private equity giant KKR, which has a controlling stake in the company.
Anish Mehta further added, “The onus will be on acquiring best in class American, European and Chinese content, the seeds of which have already been sown. WowKidz Distribution will be a massive gateway to Asia for the high quality animation content produced by North America and Europe. WowKidz Distribution, while making the best brands from these regions accessible to Asian audiences, aims to infuse the creative and cultural sensibilities of Asia to the content. We will follow a three-pronged ‘Glocalization’ approach – marketing, dubbing and syndication of the content. Our knowledge and distribution experience of local Asian markets coupled with our creative prowess enables us to add that extra zing by dubbing and localizing the content and making it ready for consumption. Asian audiences will now have the best of all worlds.”
“With WowKidz Distribution, we will be the gateway for global content, into Asia to begin with and then scale up the geographies. The groundwork for the same has been on for a while and come MIPCOM and we will announce our first slate of acquisitions.”, said Devdatta Potnis, SVP – Revenue & Corporate Strategy, Cosmos-Maya overseeing this initiative for the studio with a dedicated WowKidz Distribution cadre from his 10 member team. “WowKidz Distribution is an effort that will negate the geographical and language barrier for content and through our network across the world, will address the need gap in the market effectively”, added Joris Eckelkamp, Head – Business Development, Europe for Cosmos-Maya.
The studio has larger plans to become a 360 degree player in the global animation circles. More, much more is in the offing that will be announced at MIPCOM.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
