Event Coverage
Mobile at the centre of communications revolution
CANNES: Television remains the best way to engage audiences but when it comes to communication, there is just no getting away from mobile, purely because of the mobility and of course the ever-increasing capabilities that are being packed into the device.
Thursday was devoted to the mobile at MIPTV. Whether it was the keynote session on the future of mobile multimedia entertainment at the start of the day by Nokia’s Anssi Vanjoki or the many conferences through the day which covered mobile multimedia entertainment in all its dimensions a hugely successful part of which were the made for mobile content screenings (a first ever for MIPTV).
One issue that is exercising everyone, of course, is the revenue-share model in the still embryonic mobile TV market. The way forward: flexibility in revenue shares to allow the sector to develop.
Vodafone used to split revenues 60-40 in the content providers’ favour, but this needs to change as services grow more complex, said Graeme Ferguson of Vodafone.
Orange France already operates 23 3G-powered mobile TV channels. It is now focusing on investing in content, said Julien Billot. This is a route that many telcos are taking no doubt and it will be interesting to see what kind of offerings get thrown up by the techno-experts to compete with traditional content creators. Well, if they take on the best in the content business to do the work, then it might work but the jury will remain out for some time to come on that point.
Just how fast the pace of change is happening can be drawn from the fact that 3G phones could soon be passé. At least in Japan – the country leading the way onto the mobile highway of the future which is already testing 5G phones. Delegates can expect some sessions showcasing this at MIPCOM in October.
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.
