Event Coverage
Disney ABC Intl TV showcasing 11 new shows at Mipcom
MUMBAI: At next week‘s television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France, Disney ABC International Television, the distribution arm of US media conglomerate Disney, will be showcasing 11 new shows.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Disney-ABC International Television (Asia Pacific) VP sales Greg Johnson says, “We are showcasing our biggest ever lineup at Mipcom this year with 11 new series and 12 returning ones, including recent Emmy winners Ugly Betty, Lost, Grey’s Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.
“We are very excited by our new slate of shows with a great roster of talent and unique storylines such as Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Army Wives, Reaper, Carpoolers and Private Practice, which is a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off. These shows have already been picked up by broadcasters in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and the Philippines. We’re very confident that many of these new series will also resonate with audiences in India.”
He adds that the company‘s kids programming slate has had a record breaking year both in the US and internationally, starting with High School Musical 2. “We are also presenting at Mipcom the brand new animated series for kids and parents Phineas & Ferb, pre-school series My Friends Tigger & Pooh and the live action comedy series Wizards of Waverly Place by the creator and executive producer of Hannah Montana.”
When asked about the genres where he expects to see an uptake, Johnson notes that every market is different. “We work closely with local broadcasters to find the right content fit for their programming schedules. Shows with a strong track record in the US typically do well for us in the Asia Pacific also.
“But at the end of the day, it’s all about the quality of the content and the storylines. A good story told in an entertaining way travels well – and we’ve proven that we tell some of the best stories on TV. A perfect illustration is Ugly Betty, which originated in Latin America, has been a big success in the U.S. and earned America Ferrera the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at last month’s Emmy Awards.
“In the Asia Pacific, we’ve now licensed the US version to 11 markets, from Australia to Vietnam, and local audiences are now also falling in love with the charm of Betty. From our new slate, we are seeing interest for dramas such as Dirty Sexy Money, Private Practice and Reaper as well as our new comedy Carpoolers.”
Asked about the relationships the Mouse House‘s distribution arm enjoys with Indian broadcasters, Johnson says that it has strong relationships with a number of them, particularly Star, which telecasts many properties, notable ones being Desperate Housewives and Lost.
“In addition to that there is the Sab channel, which is now providing these series in Hindi for the first time. We also work closely with broadcasters Zee Studio, Filmy, Max, Star Gold and Star Movies who feature our movies from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films. We‘ve also just licensed the new hit cable drama Army Wives to Zee Cafe.
“In terms of kids programming, our Disney branded and Jetix animation blocks are available in Hindi and English on Star Plus, DD1 and Star One.
“On the formats front, soon Indian audiences will see the Indian version of reality makeover show Extreme Makeover, produced by Sony Entertainment Television and hosted by Mona Singh.
“India has huge TV potential and is an important part of our global business strategy. We were the first US studio with on-ground presence in India and we’ve recently strengthened our team with a new sales director (Swati Shetty), which is another step in our commitment to our clients. Our aim is to continue to grow and strengthen our relationships with clients in India as well as find new ways for people to enjoy and connect with our content.”
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.
