Event Coverage
MIPTV 2006 lines up heavyweight keynote speaker roster; to run from 3-7 April
MUMBAI: MIPTV featuring MILIA 2006 unveils an unprecedented keynote speaker line-up, bringing together such diverse international talents as Mark Burnett, Jonathan Miller, Ashley Highfield, former Channel 4 CEO Michael Jackson, Gary Carter and Takeshi Natsuno.
The MIPTV/MILIA conferences, featuring over 200 speakers in 45 sessions, will take place 3 to 7 April. Reflecting current developments within the audiovisual industry, this year’s ‘TV Reloaded!’ conference programme will focus on the convergence between telco and broadcast companies, as well as On Demand and Mobile Television.
Internationally-renowned reality show producer Mark Burnett, CEO of Mark Burnett Productions, will draw on his experience with such shows as ‘Survivor’ and ‘Apprentice,’ ‘The Contender’, and ‘Rockstar’ to look at what it takes to create next-generation audiovisual entertainment for Internet, mobile and other emerging new technology devices.
AOL chief executive officer, Jonathan Miller, will focus his keynote on the next developments for video on internet. AOL has been pioneering audiovisual entertainment on the Internet and has recently concluded two Hollywood production deals to bring both comedy and reality shows to the web.
BBC executive board member responsible for New Media and Technology, Ashley Highfield, is in charge of the British public broadcaster’s output on Internet, interactive TV, broadband and mobile. In the new cross-platform entertainment environment, Highfield’s conference address will cover what digital content will look like and how the industry should prepare itself for the seismic changes ahead.
As president of programming at IAC/InterActiveCorp, former Channel Four chief executive Michael Jackson, heads IAC’s plans to develop, acquire and distribute programming across multi-platforms. A key issue facing all companies bringing content to these new platforms and one which Jackson will be joining a keynote chat session at MIPTV featuring MILIA, is, how the digital rights landscape will evolve given the digital platforms. Jackson will also share his vision as to how entertainment and commerce will evolve on the internet.
Gary Carter, recently appointed chief creative officer, New Platforms, FremantleMedia, currently has the challenge of creating brands and concepts for new platforms such as mobile, broadband, game consoles and IPTV. His “Whose TV is it Anyway?” keynote will examine what the ‘digital future’ actually means for content creators and active audiences.
Japan’s leading mobile operator NTT DoCoMo has led the world with its innovative mobile business models and services. The company’s senior vice president & managing director, Multimedia Services, Takeshi Natsuno, will explain NTT DoCoMo’s plans for mobile television, as well as his visions for the convergence of entertainment and commerce.
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.
