Event Coverage
VBS 2018: New tariff regime dominates discussion on Day 2
GOA: The second day of the Video and Broadband Summit started with a keynote speech from Times Network MD and CEO MK Anand where the media veteran shared his insights on how to keep playing when the game itself changes.
“Media Business is primarily about distribution of content to serve consumers needs profitability. If that remains the core purpose, the why to keep playing becomes clear,” Anand said in the beginning. While everyone is talking about disruptive forces, he said coping in the media business is highly dependent on keeping up with changes in distribution technology. He also spoke about how Times Network dealt with such issues.
Anand’s visionary speech was followed by a fireside chat between Indiantelevision.com founder and CEO Anil Wanvari and Sony Pictures Networks monetization strategy and consumer insights head Saurabh Yagnik. Analytics, big data and content were the focus of the session.
Doordarshan additional director general Mr.Sunil talked about DD Free Dish, the major force in distribution of satellite television in a presentation. While a huge number of consumers across India use Free Dish, he said its user base is expected to grow by 40 million by 2020. He was also part of a fruitful discussion on the future of pay-TV with Travelxp CEO Prashant Chothani in a session moderated by Anil Wanvari.
Following that engaging session, Doordarshan director general Supriya Sahu highlighted the evolving role of the public service broadcaster in a fireside chat with Anil Wanvari. She said there should not be comparison between a private broadcaster and pubcaster as the latter’s mandate is totally different.
While the first evening witnessed a lively discussion on monetization of TV, the second day dealt with the ‘big advertising hangover’. Viacom18 Hindi mass Entertainment Ad Sales head Simran Hoon, TAM India CEO LV Krishnan, Prashant Chothani were part in the panel.
The second half of the day focused on the new tariff order, the next biggest disruptor in the complex industry, and evolving models in the cable industry. Talking about the disruptors in the distribution industry, KCCL CEO Shaji Mathews said technology has been the enabler, not the driver. In another session, IMCL CEO Vynsley Fernandes said on a positive note that if LCOs, MSOs come together magic can be made.
More interestingly, TRAI secretary Sunil K Gupta interacted with audience via Skype. Gupta answered questions of local cable operators who seemed to be really concerned about the new regime. He informed the audience of how TRAI is taking initiatives to make consumers aware of the upcoming change.
BARC India CEO Partho Dasgupta, another media veteran who has witnessed the ups and downs of the industry spoke about the digital matrix measurement in India. “Data protection is of utmost importance in the age of GDPR policy compliance and Srikrishna (SPDI) committee regulations. BARC is keen to ensure the consumer data is protected in our suite of products,” said Dasgupta.
The last session of the day focused on the e-gaming scene in the country as Nodwin Gaming content head Gautam Virk explored the possibilities about how e-gaming could usher in the next wave of content consumption. Talking about possible potential partners he said, “It is easier to work with OTT platforms because they are more updated with the technology.” He also reaffirmed e-gaming is to stay here and is not a short term trend.
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.
