Event Coverage
Consumers want control; content providers, platforms are listening
CANNES: The biggest takeaway from this year‘s market has really been about the criticality of content to both media owners and delivery platforms.
Somewhat ironically, it is the relentless march towards digitalisation that has brought this point front and centre in all the discussions.
Symbiotically linked to that premise is also the centrality of the digitally enabled consumer, who more than ever controls how, when and where content is consumed.
Throughout Wednesday, the ‘discussion baseline‘ was Multiplatform Entertainment – At Home, which examined the issue from all possible angles. Whether it was the morning keynote by Joost CEO Mike Volpi, or the Superpanel – Distribution Strategies For Major Media Owners; or the panel – Telco TV Hot Markets & Best Practices what came through was – the consumer is in control and content is critical.
Interestingly, while the common argument in India is that in the digital regime it would be subscription that would dominate any revenue proposition, the experience for networks in mature markets like the US has been quite different.
As MTV Networks international president global digital media Mika Salmi pointed out, of the $ 200 million in digital revenues his network made last year, most of it was advertising driven. There is Apple itunes of course, which Salmi admitted has been the best distribution deal MTV has enetered into.
Some other points of note from the discussions:
*Timing is key. Media owners have to work with ISPs to put as much legitimate content out there and as fast as possible.
*Short form content is important and works better on VoD on net.
*Intimacy with the consumer is what must be engendered in the future acorss the whole ecosystem
*High levels of creativity to be able to interact with content
*Innovations and new format creativity where web/TV/mobile interact
At the end of it all though, whether it be short form or long form programming, great storytelling is what will sustain the ecosystem.
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.
