Event Coverage
FremantleMedia gets punk’d
MUMBAI: FremantleMedia today completed a format acquisition deal with Katalyst Network, co-founded by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, and MTV for the international rights (excluding North America) to the hilarious, hidden-camera reality show,Punk’d. FremantleMedia will launch the title at MIPTV.
Having launched on MTV in 2003,Punk’dbecame a breakout hit and set a new standard by which other hidden-camera shows were judged. The reality format with a twist features pranks being played on unwitting celebrities and friends. The series creator and Executive Producer, Ashton Kutcher, set out to prove that no one in Hollywood was safe from his devious and hilarious antics, as he masterminded and directedan array of devilish pranks.The celebrity victims never suspected a thing, until it was too late and they realised that they had been punk’d. Punk’d’s previous victims include Justin Timberlake, Jessica Alba, Kate Beckinsale, Katie Holmes, Zac Efron and John Cena.
Vasha Wallace, SVP, Global Acquisitions and Development at FremantleMedia said, “The timing is absolutely perfect to launch thePunk’dformat globally. With all of the advances in cameras and technology, there is a huge amount that we can do with this show, and are very much looking forward to working with Katalyst Network and MTV to take the hilarious format worldwide.”
Caroline Beaton, Senior Vice President, International Programme Sales, Viacom International Media Networks said,“There is more international interest than ever before in acquiring MTV formats. FremantleMedia has a reputation for creating and acquiring high-quality formats as well as the capacity to produce them in many territories around the world, so we’re delighted that they’ve picked up the international rights to this iconic MTV format with the intention of remaking it for a new generation of fans.”
Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), 7 – 10 April.
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.
