Event Coverage
Keshet DCP’S ‘Boom’ launches in Israel to staggering ratings
MUMBAI: Keshet DCP, the joint venture between Keshet International (KI), the global distribution and production arm of Keshet Media Group, and DC Media, the parent company of dick clark productions (dcp), announced today that the company will bring Keshet International’s electrifying new gameshow format BOOM! to the U.S. market. This project marks the first co-development deal between KI and DC Media under the Keshet DCP banner since it was established in October 2013. This news comes simultaneously with colossal ratings for the show’s debut in Israel.
BOOM!, which premiered on Keshet Broadcasting, Channel 2 Israel last night Thursday April 3 at 9 PM, vastly outshone all other shows in its timeslot, scoring a staggering 41.2% share and 26.7% (HH) rating to become the highest-rated game show launch Israel has ever seen. The ratings and share equate to an increase of four times the amount drawn by the nearest competitor for the time slot, doing exceptionally well in the younger demographic of 18 – 24 years with a share 27.5% higher than the average.
BOOM! fuses the drama, intensity and thrill of a blockbuster action movie with the high octane fun of a video game. Full of comedy, color and excitement – BOOM!’s fresh approach rolls the intellectual AND physical challenges of existing gameshows into one must-see event for viewers of all ages. A squad of four players must defuse eight (replica) bombs by answering trivia questions correctly within a strict time limit. In nail-biting scenes, the nominated player must defuse one bomb per question by cutting through colored wires which represent multiple choice answers against the clock. If the player answers correctly the prize money remains intact and they move to the next bomb, if they cut the wrong wire, or run out of time the bomb will explode strewing material across the studio and visibly shaking the set – and the team will lose one player and 25% of the potential prize money. BOOM! delivers fierce tension and light-hearted humor in quick succession, extending the experience not only to those in the studio, but also viewers at home who can play along.
Keshet International previously announced that the company will unveil BOOM! this year at MIPTV.
“BOOM! is a great kick-off for our Keshet-DCP joint slate. There’s no doubt that the Israeli viewers loved the show, which is always a sure sign of success for an international rollout. There are already a few deals in the pipeline and we’re looking forward to showcasing it to all our international buyers at MIPTV” said Keshet International CEO, Alon Shtruzman.
“BOOM! is one of the most exciting new game shows to come into development,” said Allen Shapiro CEO of dick clark productions. “It is a fantastic first development project under the Keshet DCP partnership.”
Keshet DCP, a joint venture dedicated to developing, financing and delivering high quality unscripted programs to English and Spanish speaking U.S. audiences and beyond, was formed to leverage Keshet’s globally successful unscripted business with DC Media’s expansive U.S. infrastructure and production expertise. In November 2013, ABC ordered 10 episodes of the trailblazing interactive singing competition format RISING STAR from Keshet DCP. The show will premiere this summer on June 22 on ABC.
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.
