Event Coverage
The Biggest Wave Makers in the Broadcast industry descend on this year’s CASBAA convention
MUMBAI: In a year of undeniable sea-change within the broadcast industry, the debate at this year’s CASBAA Convention at its new venue at Hong Kong’s Intercontinental Hotel promises to be hotter than ever. With the theme ‘Making Waves’, the convention has secured an impressive line up of speakers comprising of key industry players from all over the world. From global media giants such as AOL and Virgin Media to regional players such as China Media Capital, this year’s convention will waste no time in getting to the heart of the most pertinent issues facing the cable and satellite industry today.
With over-the-top– or OTT – inall its forms and formats being one of the biggest stories on the broadcast industry landscape this year, the topic will take pride of place at this year’s convention. Over the course of the convention, a wide range of issues related to OTT such as content, revenue-drivers, technologies, audience behaviors and regulation will be on the agenda.
“Whilst we cannot deny the role that linear TV will continue to play a role in the region, we must face the reality that OTT is here to stay and adapt accordingly,” said Christopher Slaughter, CEO, CASBAA. “The simple truth is that companies that fail to evolve will be left behind. By taking a look at some of the best practices in the industry, both in our neck of the woods and further afield, it is our belief that the CASBAA Convention will help our members find ways to navigate – and even conquer – these unchartered seas.”
Following an official welcome from Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR Government, AOL’s Digital Prophet, David Shing will kick-start proceedings with an overview of the ever-evolving landscape, focusing on how OTT is now permeating every aspect of the content industry. Giving a UK perspective, Tom Mockridge of Virgin Media will discuss how the broadcast and digital landscapes have become increasingly intertwined and how Virgin has become a leader in this space.
With news hot off the press of his new venture with Warner Bros., Li Ruigang of China Media Capital will be giving the China keynote speech. He will discuss how his investment strategy has helped establish him as one of the major players in the region bridging both the Chinese and international media landscape. Greg Beitchman from CNN and Mark Howard from Forbes will look at driving revenue streams in what is becoming an increasingly digital landscape, while content providers AlonShtruzman from Keshet Media and Mike Hyun-dong Suh from CJ E&M will look at key trends in the content market across Asia. Covering off the latest developments in how technology is being used in the broadcast arena will be David Downey from Invidiand Sam Rogoway from Victorious. Gwynne Shotwell from SpaceX will be boldly going where no CASBAA speaker has gone before to look at how space technology will not only revolutionize the media industry but life as we know it.
This year, CASBAA will also hold an additional conference on the Monday prior to the convention at the Sheraton Hong Kong to discuss the topic ‘Making Online Advertising Click’. With a view to looking at best practices in the online advertising space, Detective Chief Superintendent, David Clark from the City of London Police Force will discuss what policies have worked for them in the UK, while Dr. Paul Watters will release some updated research on the nefarious places respectable brands can appear online. A host of other speakers from the media to welfare sectors will also take part in this session.
Sponsors for the CASBAA Convention 2015include: ABS, Accedo, Akamai, AMC, APT Satellite, AsiaSat, Brightcove, Conax, France 24, Ideal Group, InvestHK, Irdeto, ITV Choice, Kantar Media,Letv, MEASAT, MediaExcel, nowTV, PwC, RTL CBS Asia, Scripps Networks Interactive, SES, Time Warner, True Visions, Turner and TV5Monde.
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.
