Event Coverage
A fresh look at reality TV formats
CANNES: If it’s reality Indian broadcasters are scouting for at MIPTV this year, ‘Fresh TV around the world the Spring Summer Collection’ held on Tuesday was definitely the place to pick up the scent.
A slew of reality formats, released around the worldwide in recent months, were showcased by Virginia Mouseler, CEO of the WIT, the leading company researching new TV programmes. Based on the monthly ‘the WIT Fresh TV report’, which spots the new shows launched on more than 30 markets worldwide, Mouseler selected 31 programmes and presented them via video clips.
Here’s a selection of the Spring Summer Collection that might interest India.
Oui Chef (Jamie’s Kitchen), distributed by Fremantle
Already on air in the UK, France, Australia and the Netherlands, it revolves around a young, talented chef who decides to open up a new restaurant and gives 12 inexeperienced young people the chance to learn the restaurant business. Those who survive the four month rigorous training will be part of his staff. The show climaxes in the opening of the restaurant.
Date My Mom, distributed by Princess Productions/ Reveille
On air in Italy, it has a guy taking out three moms to discover everything he can about their daughters, without seeing their pictures. Then he decides which of the daughters will be the right match for him. In the end, everyone meets up to hear his decision and he gets to see what the daughters look like.
Beauty and the Geek, distributed by 20th Century Fox
Currently running in the US, this show has beauties for whom looks are their best tools meet genius guys lacking self confidence and social skills to try and create a ‘well rounded couple’. One beauty and one geek team up to train the other to develop her brains/his charisma. Beauties and geeks compete in funny challenges. The best couple in the transformation shares a cash prize.
Fit for Family, distributed by Zodiak television World
On air in Denmark and Germany, this has parents going on a vacation for five days and picking childless friends to look after their kids. The real parents follow on screen what’s going on in their homes and comment on the new parents’ methods.
Strictly Come Dancing, distributed by BBC worldwide
Already snapped up by UK, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, USA, Russia, Denmark, Poland and Belgium, this show has eight celebs pairing up with professional dancers. Each week, viewers vote for the best couples. In the final, the two remaining couples compete to win the crown of Strictly Come Dancing champions.
The Biggest Loser, distributed by NBC/Reveille
On air in USA, UK, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, this show has 12 overweight people divided into two competing teams following two different diets and making exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers, with the help of health experts and trainers. Each week, the team that collectively loses the most weight stays in the game. The other team votes out one of their members. The biggest loser walks away with $ 2,50,000.
No Smoking, distributed by Strix
This Swedish, Norwegian reality show has six people trying to quit smoking in five weeks under the supervision of experts. Each week that the participants go without cigarettes, they are rewarded with a joint sum of money. If they succeed, they share the cash prize.
The Law Firm, distributed by 20th Century Fox
This US show has 12 attorneys competing to boost their careers by arguing real life cases before real life judges. They are divided into teams to research their clients’ cases. Their courtroom performances are assessed by a managing partner who eliminates at least one attorney each week until a winner emerges.
The Cut, distributed by Sony Pictures International Television
Another US show, this is a talent contest hosted by style authority Tommy Hilfiger. 16 designers live together in a New York Loft (reminiscent of Lakme Fashion House?). They are assigned tasks testing their creative talents. Hilfiger eliminates one contestant every week. The winner will designer will design his/her own collection under the Tommy Hilfiger label.
TV Diaries, distributed by Distraction Formats
On air currently in Russia and Denmark, it has 10 ordinary people having two minutes to present a video diary and share intense or funny moments with viewers. Viewers vote for their favourite. The contestant with the fewest votes is replaced by a new one. Contestants battle to stay the longest, since they win money for each day on the show.
Bankgeheim (Where’s The Money?), distributed by Eyeworks
This Netherlands show has five contestants quizzed in five rounds. The winner of each round enters the ‘bank’ to open one of five safes, one of them holds 50,000 euros. The contestant must keep the amount secret but the host grills him/her with questions. If the contestant keeps the secret from the host, he/she wins the jackpot at the end of the game.
Le Tre Scimmiette, distributed by Endemol
This Italian show has three contestants competing in three rounds, illustrating the story of the three monkeys one sees nothing, one hears nothing and the third says nothing to win up to 500,000 euros.
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.
