Event Coverage
BBC Worldwide announces MipTV line-up
MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC‘s commercial arm BBC Worldwide will be present at the television trade event MipTV.
The Fixer, Kiss of Death, Cranford and Life in Cold Blood are some of the British shows that will be showcased.
In The Fixer characters delve into the sinister underbelly of the police force. Kiss of Death investigates a mysterious murder by weaving together stories of the various protagonists in a bid to uncover the truth. Mistresses has been sold to 12 broadcasters in 12 different markets following a wildly successful launch at BBC Showcase, the annual trade event which sees BBC Worldwide generate programme sales and broker co-production deals for the BBC and independent British producers. Ashes to Ashes will feature at MipTV alongside British master classes in period dramas such as Lark Rise to Candleford, Jekyll and Oliver Twist. Cranford is another global success after it sold to seven international broadcasters in seven different markets. This year‘s natural history highlights are also strong, says BBC Worldwide. David Attenborough‘s Life in Cold Blood and the co-production exploring Wild China which airs this year in the run up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing are unrivalled examples of natural history productions. BBC Worldwide MD global TV sales Steve Macallister said, “From cold blooded reptiles to red blooded mistresses, and lunar landings to Jurassic thrills – our catalogue packs a real punch this MIP. “We look forward to drumming up plenty of sales for British television up and down the Croisette.” British comedy will also be present with new titles like Never Better and Gavin and Stacey, the extraordinary story of an ordinary boy from England, and an ordinary girl from Wales, which is hot on the heels of previous international hits like The Office. As far as science programming is concerned, BBC Worldwide will be offering features such as Moonshot which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing as well as Oceans and Earth: The Power of the Planet which uses latest production techniques and dramatic narrative to explain the history of our planet. In the children‘s category, In the Night Garden will be offered up for grabs as is the Animalia show.
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.
