iWorld
Amuz Distribution appoints Carlos Pacheco as director of monetisation & OTT
Mumbai: Amuz Distribution’s chief revenue officer Alex Avon announced that, through its parent company of ComediHa!, the company acquired the entire catalog from the Just For Laughs Group and hired Carlos Pacheco as director of monetisation & OTT. The Just For Laugh Group assets increase the Amuz Distribution catalog by over 1,000 hours of comedy programming with brands: Juste pour rire, Just For Laughs, the Gags, and their audio-visual catalogue.
Carlos Pacheco comes to Amuz Distribution with over 18 years of international entertainment media experience in content production, distribution, media buying and strategy. He came directly from his role as director of OTT / FAST channel strategy and operations for Just For Laughs where he led the development and execution of the company’s OTT and FAST channel strategy, overseeing content programming, distribution, and partnerships. From 2013 to 2018, Pacheco was director of partnerships for Temple Street’s then-recently launched Boat Rocker Studios. He played a pivotal role in the launch of both their online rights management system and launched several successful YouTube channels, including The Next Step and Oh Yum, among others.
Avon stated: “Amuz Distribution is thrilled to expand our catalog with the globally popular Just For Laughs Group programs and we are fortunate to bring on Carlos Pacheco to head up our OTT and Monetization efforts. His experience in the global marketplace and especially as a leader in the OTT space will help us reach the company’s next level. We are looking forward to “keeping the world feeling good” with even more premium programming.”
Pacheco added: “Amuz Distribution has been actively growing its international reach, on a path towards great success and I am excited to be part of the team to help them in this new expansion. From its award-winning programs like About Antoine and Larry, to its feel-good programming mandate, the company is gaining influence and visibility around the world.”
iWorld
Prime Video bets big on India with global originals, films and franchise expansion
Execs highlight scale, travelability and new IP bets as India anchors global strategy
MUMBAI: At Prime Video Presents 2026, the message was clear and confident. India is not just part of the plan, it is central to it.
In a lively fireside chat hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, Kelly Day, vice president of prime video and amazon mgm studios international, Nicole Clemens, vice president of international originals, and Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for Apac and Anz, laid out an ambitious roadmap. Think bigger stories, wider reach and a sharper focus on building franchises that travel.
Kelly Day, a regular visitor to India, set the tone early. Calling the country “one of the most important markets globally”, she pointed to the sheer scale and diversity of audiences as a driving force behind Prime Video’s growth. Indian Originals, she said, are not just local hits but global engines powering subscriptions and engagement.
That global appeal is already visible. According to Clemens, around 25 percent of viewership for Indian content now comes from outside the country. Shows rooted deeply in local culture are finding fans worldwide, proving that specificity, when paired with universal themes, travels well. From gritty dramas to sharp thrillers, Indian storytelling is increasingly crossing borders with ease.
Clemens, who joined recently to lead international originals, was particularly upbeat about India’s creative range. She highlighted a growing slate of over 100 shows in development and production, with more than 60 percent returning for multiple seasons. For her, the formula is simple. Authentic stories, told well, resonate everywhere.
Adding to the buzz, she teased new and returning titles, alongside a fresh superhero universe, the Kalyug Warriors. It signals a push into new genres while doubling down on familiar fan favourites.
If content is king, distribution is the clever courtier. Day outlined Prime Video’s layered business model in India, which blends subscription, rentals, add on channels and ad supported viewing through Amazon MX Player. The idea is straightforward. Give viewers choice, whether they want premium, free or pay per view.
India, she noted, has also become a testing ground for innovation. Tiered pricing, mobile only plans and language diversity have all been sharpened here before being exported to other markets. In many ways, the India playbook is now influencing global strategy.
For Gaurav Gandhi, the next chapter is about scale with intent. He outlined four priorities. Making Prime Video more accessible, pushing Indian content globally, building stronger franchises and supercharging the films business.
On films, the platform is moving beyond licensing into co productions and now theatrical releases in partnership with amazon mgm studios. These films will eventually stream on Prime Video, creating a full circle from cinema halls to living rooms across 240 countries.
Franchise building remains another key pillar. With hits like The Family Man, Mirzapur and Panchayat already enjoying multi season success, the focus is now on creating the next wave of enduring IP. Newer titles are already lining up for second seasons, signalling a steady pipeline.
What stood out through the conversation was a shared belief. Streaming in India is still in its early innings, and the runway is long. With a mix of local flavour and global ambition, Prime Video is betting that stories from India will not just stay at home, but travel far and wide.
Or as the executives seemed to suggest, the world is watching and India has plenty more to show.
