Event Coverage
Disney ABC TV in content deal with Poland’s TVP
MUMBAI: At the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television, the international TV channel and content distribution arm of Disney, concluded multiple content agreements with Poland‘s free television network TVP. The agreements include short films, returning live action series and the global smash Disney Channel Original Movies Camp Rock, High School Musical and High School Musical 2.
The two companies have closed an agreement for TVP to license the complete collection of Pixar Animation Studios‘ beloved short films, which will be broadcast on television for the first time in Poland. Loved by fans all over the world, these 14 short films were originally made to precede screenings of Disney/Pixar feature animation, and some went on to win Academy Awards. Titles include recent short Presto. This is the story of a magician‘s rabbit who turns the tricks on his master after he fails to feed him.
In further contracts, Disney-ABC-ESPN Television has also licensed to TVP three Disney Channel Original Movies – Camp Rock, High School Musical and High School Musical 2. The broadcaster has also picked up Hannah Montana, which follows everyday tween Miley Stewart and her alter-ego, pop star Hannah Montana. Also included is The Suite Life of Zack and Cody which follows the mayhem caused by identical twins Zack and Cody, the newest residents of Boston‘s swanky Tipton Hotel.
The adventure show Lost will be returning to TVP. Continuing from season three, the plane crash survivors learn more about the mysterious ‘Others‘ inhabiting the island and continue to work together against the cruel weather and harsh terrain in their battle to stay alive.
These deals were brokered by Disney-ABC-ESPN Television‘s Tatjana Vucanovic working with Slawomir Cyra at TVP.
Disney-ABC-ESPN Television‘s Francesca Tauriello says, “We are delighted to be working once more with TVP to offer such a wide breadth of our content to viewers in Poland. From addictive live action drama such as Lost to a trio of record-breaking Disney Channel Original Movies, and Disney/Pixar‘s much-loved collection of short films, these agreements underline our commitment to providing innovative and high quality programming for all audiences.”
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.
