Event Coverage
The X Factor UK is a global sensation
MUMBAI: Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia International (FMI) today announced an impressive array of sales for the UK version of The X Factor. Created and owned by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and co-produced by Syco and Thames TV (part of FremantleMedia UK), The X Factor UK has hit global shores for the very first time and has already sold to an impressive 147 territories worldwide.
Networks from all corners of the world, including AXS (US), MNET (pan-regional Africa), RTL CBS Asia Entertainment (pan-regional Asia) andSony Pictures Television Networks (pan-regional Latin America) have taken Britain’s most talked about entertainment show to their local audiences.
Other broadcasters to snap up the hit show include DR (Denmark), TV3 (Ireland), MTV3 (Finland), 365 Media (Iceland), Sky (Italy), Upstar (Africa) , PBS (Malta), TV2 (Norway), SIC (Portugal), Viacom 18 (Sub-continental India), MediaCorp (Singapore), Workpoint TV (Thailand), Chek (Canada), YES TV (Canada), Hotvision (Israel), Fox International (Russia & Poland) CNC3 (Trinidad), TV Channel 17 (Suriname) and Youku Tudou (China).
The X Factor UK has remained a cultural and ratings phenomenon in the UK for the past decade and has launched more international superstar careers than any other TV show, including multi-million selling global artists One Direction, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and Ella Henderson. The current season of The X Factor UK had its highest rating launch since season 8 with 10.7 million viewers tuning in to watch the show. The audience share was 104% above ITV1’s prime time average and the series is currently consolidating at almost 10 million viewers per episode, making it – yet again – one of the UK’s most popular shows.
Simon Cowell said: “The UK X Factor was the original version of the show and over the last decade it has set the benchmark all over the world for finding and launching international superstars. These shows were created to find artists like One Direction, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Little Mix and Ella Henderson who go on to sell millions of records. I’m delighted the UK show is being watched all over the world – as well as there being so many fantastic local versions of X Factor as well.”
Bob McCourt, Acting CEO, FremantleMedia International said: “The X Factor UK has been one of the most successful entertainment shows in the UK for a decade. Each year the series continues to pull in the big audiences and creates an incredible buzz. Our international clients haverecognised this success and sales have been coming in thick and fast since we launched the show at MIPTV. We are hugely pleased to be working with these broadcasters to bring this staple of the UK’s autumn schedule to the rest of the world.”
George Levendis, Head of International, Syco Entertainment said:“The X Factor UK has millions of fans across the globe who have followed our incredible judges, contestants performances and the excitement of our show through social media & digital platforms. For the first time we are now delivering the show to broadcasters globally and audiences can enjoy our flagship production in its entirety following our contestants as they take what could be their first steps to superstardom. We are thrilled to be working with our broadcast partners globally.”
The X Factor is a global hit entertainment format and is now produced locally in 51 territories worldwide. Since the launch of The X Factor UK in 2004, the British-born TV show has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth. The X Factor format has discovered and launched more international break-out artists than any other singing competition show, with more than 180 million record sales by The X Factor artists globally.
The latest season of The X Factor UK has seen Simon Cowell make a celebrated return to once again lead the judging panel on the original UK version of the hit TV show. In a bid to find the next big singing sensation, Simon is joined by a new judging panel line-up including former Spice Girl Mel B, renowned music manager Louis Walsh and returning judge pop princess Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. The judges are joined by award-winning broadcaster and presenter Dermot O’Leary, who is on hand to preside over all of the tears, joy and drama, while providing support to the aspiring stars.
The X Factor UK contestants compete in two sets of audition rounds taking place across the UK in Manchester, London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. In the initial closed room auditions, contestants find themselves face-to-face with the judges for the first time. If they impress the panel and receive three or more “yes” votes, they will move on to perform in a packed arena in front of a live audience.
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.
