Tag: Amazon Prime Video

  • BBC Studios takes ownership of Firebird Pictures

    BBC Studios takes ownership of Firebird Pictures

    Mumbai: BBC Studios has taken full ownership of Firebird Pictures, the scripted independent production company set up by Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth. The deal adds the company to its portfolio of majority-owned indie labels.

    Established in 2019 by former BBC executives Kilgarriff and Holleworth, Firebird works with and champions top level and emerging talent to create high-end character-led series for British and international audiences. BBC Studios has been a minority investor in the business since it was launched. The indie has recently had two major series green-lit: Wilderness, a six-part series for Amazon Prime Video, written by Marnie Dickens and based on BE Jones’ novel, starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen and currently shooting in Canada and the US; and an adaptation of Nikki May’s best-selling debut novel, “Wahala”, written by Theresa Ikoko for BBC One, due to shoot in the UK next year. Firebird has multiple projects in development with many UK and US platforms, with more greenlights due to be announced later this year.

    BBC Studios managing director – scripted Mark Linsey said, “Since it launched three years ago, Firebird has been firing on all cylinders, attracting top and emerging talent and building an exciting slate with international appeal. With two major series now greenlit and a number of shows in development, we’re excited to bring Kilgarriff and Holleworths into the BBC Studios family and support them in this next phase of their journey. ”

    Kilgarriff and Holleworth said, “From the very beginning of Firebird’s journey with just a blank piece of paper and an empty office with one chair, BBC Studios have supported and backed us every step of the way, fully trusting in our vision and ambition and helping build the company to where we are today. We are delighted to now be cementing our relationship and are excited for Firebird’s future as we grow the company together.”

    The announcement sees the number of indie labels majority owned by BBC Studios grow to six. Others include Lookout Point (Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley 3), Baby Cow Productions (Chivalry, The Witchfinder), House Productions (Sherwood, Life After Life), Clerkenwell Films (Somewhere Boy, The End of the F**king World) and Sid Gentle Films (Killing Eve, Ragdoll).

    In August, the BBC’s commercial arm also announced that it was taking 25 per cent stake in Mothership Productions, the new factual indie set up by former Channel 4 deputy director of Programmes Kelly Webb-Lamb. Other BBC Studios minority-owned indie investments include Moonage, Various Artists Limited, Expectation Entertainment, Curve Media, and Boffola Pictures (a Lookout Point investment). In addition, BBC Studios represents hundreds of other independent production companies through first-look and distribution deals and returned more than £180 million to the UK independent production sector in 2021 – 2022 in development funding, rights investment and royalties.

  • Nikhil Madhok joins Amazon Prime Video as original content head-Hindi

    Nikhil Madhok joins Amazon Prime Video as original content head-Hindi

    Mumbai: Nikhil Madhok, former executive vice president & head of original content of Disney+ Hotstar has joined Amazon Prime Video as its new original content head (Hindi). 

    Under his leadership, he will oversee the growth and expansion of its original content, which will facilitate Prime Video to expand its original content footprint in Hindi.  Amazon Prime Video plans to utilise Madhok’s rich experience across TV and digital ecosystems to ramp up its original content offering. He will report to Aparna Purohit-Head of India Originals who continues to lead the charge in developing original series and movies across multiple Indian languages.

    In addition, the company’s spokesperson said, “In its content upfront in April, the company showcased over 40 titles that will stream on the service in the next 18-24 months and we understand that there are 70 titles under production/ development.”   

    During his stint at Disney+ Hotstar’s Madhok led the conception and launch of Hotstar’s foray into original content titled Hotstar Specials. He was responsible for the entire slate of specials from content strategy, ideation, curation, script development, production, and launch. 

    Disney+ Hotstar has produced original shows such as Special Ops, Aarya, Criminal Justice, Human, Grahan, and Ghar Waapsi under his leadership.

    Sharing his farewell posts on social media Linkedin, Madhok said, “ It is an extremely special feeling when you build something from scratch. I was fortunate to get that opportunity 4.5 years ago when I was asked to lead Disney + Hotstar’s foray into original shows. What started as an exciting but uncertain initiative soon blossomed into a strategic agenda. Ideas grew from one line and scripts to shows and franchises.”

    At the end of the note, he added, “ I am incredibly excited about the next challenge at one of the most innovative companies of all time, where I start very soon. I am even more excited about the confluence of consumers, content, and technology in our incredible country and the bright future ahead.”

    Embed:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6970577608191152128/

    Previously, he worked at Star India for over five years, he was executive vice president of content and developed the use case & business strategy for Hotstar’s foray into original content. Madhok held several positions at Star, including vice president of network marketing, head of programming strategy, marketing & on-air promotion for Star Plus, and business head of Star Bharat.

    He later worked for Discovery as the head of products in the Asia Pacific region, where he was in charge of the company’s linear TV and digital products across APAC. Madhok began his career at Unilever as global marketing manager from 2005 to 2008. He left Unilever to become senior director of marketing at Turner (now WarnerMedia).

  • Netflix to lose SVOD revenues in Latin America: Digital TV Research

    Netflix to lose SVOD revenues in Latin America: Digital TV Research

    MUMBAI: Latin American SVOD revenues will reach $8.54 billion by 2027; up from $5.01 billion in 2021. Netflix will account for 41 percent of the 2027 total, down from 72 percent in 2021. Netflix’s revenues will peak at $3.73 billion in 2023.

    Digital TV Research principal analyst Simon Murray said, “Netflix will introduce AVod-SVod tiers [one for Brazil and another pan-regional one for the Spanish-speaking countries] in 2024, with SVOD revenues and Arpus falling slowly as some subscribers convert to cheaper packages.”

    Disney+ is likely to introduce similar tiers in 2024. The platform is expected to follow its US example by converting its current subscription tier to AVOD-SVOD and charging more for SVOD-only. This will push up average revenue per user (ARPU).

    Latin America will have 139 million gross SVOD subscriptions by 2027; up from 75 million end-2021. Seven US-based platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Star+, Paramount+, Apple TV+ and HBO) will account for 90 percent of the region’s paying SVOD subscriptions by end of 2027.

  • India Today Group launches a new vertical ‘India Today Originals’

    India Today Group launches a new vertical ‘India Today Originals’

    Mumbai : India Today group has launched ‘India Today originals’, a content hub producing original non-fiction series & features for streaming and audio platforms.

    The vertical begins with the trailer release of its first production, Indian Predator- Diary of a Serial Killer, which will be available on Netflix on 7 September.

    This year, India today originals will include two true crime-documentary series, Indian Predator- Diary of a Serial Killer on Netflix and Dancing on the Grave on Amazon prime video.

    With the group’s content pool sourced from decades of reporting experience, India Today is already in a strong position to enter the original content space.

    India today group vice chairperson Kalli Purie said, “When I watch good documentary content on streaming platforms, it is clear to me that this was a very logical step for us. We tell the best stories of India day in & day out at breaking news speed, so why not produce the best stories in a more expansive format with more details for streaming as well? “

    She further added, “The advantages of having ‘India Today Originals’ as a production partner is you get a unique combination- storytellers from the ground who have seen the story unfold first hand coupled with those who know how to tell a long form story in a grand and dramatic format.”

    India Today’s business head originals & special projects Chandni Ahlawat Dabas will lead the vertical, drawing on her extensive experience in ad filmmaking, documentary production, feature film production, fiction TV, and news TV to make business and creative decisions for the new SBU’s elevated and original content.

    Speaking about the new venture, Chandni added, “The launch of India today originals is a matter of personal & professional pride for me. We have quietly been setting up the SBU for the last two years and look forward to giving viewers the best glocal content in the documentary space this year. This is an exciting start and the next year will be focussed on expansion.”

  • GUEST COLUMN: How can animation brands utilise communication tools to stay ahead

    GUEST COLUMN: How can animation brands utilise communication tools to stay ahead

    Mumbai: Animation brands have seen a considerable increase in the last three years. Animation is booming as a result of technological advancements and improved internet access. Through amusement and ingenuity, animated films and cartoons capture the interest of children of all ages. Animation is not only a terrific way to tell a story and interact with an audience, but it is also full of unlimited possibilities. People of all ages prefer animation since OTT sites such as Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video cater to adults with animated material. People want to make a career in animation by mastering VFX and 3D animation and building a name for themselves. The Indian animation industry is expected to reach Rs 180 billion by 2024, with a 29 per cent annual growth rate. Animated content appeals to a wide range of age groups. Because of the shift in purchasing patterns, the industry has grown at an exponential rate. The Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) undertook a study of the Indian visual effects and animation business. It is predicted that this industry may potentially take 20–30 per cent of the global AVGC market. It currently accounts for only 10 per cent of the market. This has boosted competition in the animation sector, and brands are seeking new ways to reach a wider audience.

    The goal of public relations (PR) in animation brands is to raise brand recognition in order to pique the audience’s interest and establish thought leadership in the industry. Public relations firms are branding and communication specialists who understand how to make brands newsworthy and relevant to today’s audiences. They also provide crisis management planning and response services to help brands ensure that their message is not lost in translation. Animation Brands can employ tried-and-true public relations (PR) tactics and activities to foster positive attitudes and behaviours about their company, which will help convert interested consumers into customers. Public relations tactics are very cost-effective and often allow brands more control than more broadly targeted advertising efforts. Consider using these public relations tools to help a brand’s reputation.

    To keep them ahead, PR can benefit the animation industry in the following ways:

    Builds brand awareness

    Public relations (PR) are great for maintaining an image that will increase your audience reach. To keep ahead of the competition, animation brands can employ public relations strategies to raise brand awareness and assist them in gaining recognition. Any company or brand. They have the ability to use public relations tactics to effectively build an image and brand recognition. Public relations will help to increase brand awareness, reach, and consumer loyalty.

    Educating about brand/industry

    The animation industry is still relatively unknown, and many people believe it is primarily concerned with cartoons. However, with the advancement of technology and the internet, people are increasingly favouring animation. To keep the momentum rolling, public relations must invest in public relations. Public relations tools like blogs, newsletters, news feeds, social media posts, podcasts, and interviews can assist in educating the public about the animated film. Through public relations, brands may also inform people about how to create a career in animation and educate those who are interested in the profession.

    Better exposure and engagement

    Brand positioning and visibility can be achieved through public relations. The massive market makes it all possible; yet, one must comprehend the method for engaging the audience. Brands may use public relations to design campaigns that enhance engagement and awareness. PR techniques like press releases, social media platforms, and SEO can assist animation brands in reaching their target audience, resulting in increased brand exposure and engagement.

    Permanence

    Animation brands require longevity because they want to reach a broader audience and make their brand popular. Effective public relations techniques allow them to target their audience based on their target group’s interests, increasing their reach. Public relations can help animation brands achieve long-term success by establishing thought leadership in the industry.

    To summarise, animation brands can utilise public relations in a variety of ways to achieve their objectives. It will aid in increasing exposure, awareness, and persistence with the previously mentioned variables. If you want to generate interest in your business, you must increase spending in a profitable and friendly way.

    The author is Scenic Communication co-founder Anindita Gupta.

  • Streaming accounted for over one-third of US’s TV consumption in June: Nielsen

    Streaming accounted for over one-third of US’s TV consumption in June: Nielsen

    Mumbai: In June, streaming captured 33.7 per cent of total television consumption in the US, according to The Gauge, which is Nielsen’s monthly total TV and streaming snapshot. This is streaming’s largest share of TV usage to be measured by The Gauge since its inception in May 2021. Conversely, while viewership for broadcast and cable is traditionally lower during the summer months, June represented the smallest share yet for the formats, which totaled 22.4 per cent for broadcast and 35.1 per cent for cable.

    Total time spent watching TV in June increased slightly (+two per cent) from May, bolstered by 8 per cent uptick in streaming volume over the same interval. Time spent streaming jumped by 23.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis, allowing the digital format to add six  percentage points to its share of TV in 12 months.

    This considerable increase in streaming had a similar effect on streaming platforms, four of which saw record-high viewing shares in June: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube (including YouTubeTV). Viewers spent 16 per cent more time watching Netflix than the previous month, allowing Netflix to gain a full share point from May and capture 7.7 per cent of total TV viewing—the largest month-to-month growth for a streaming platform. Compared to June 2021, all reported streaming platforms in The Gauge have seen significant growth in viewing, led by Amazon Prime Video (+31.9 per cent), Disney+ (+22 per cent), and Netflix (+18.1 per cent).

    While cable viewing in June fell two per cent from the previous month, the category lost 1.4 share points in TV usage over the same period. Cable continues to show some of the largest year-over-year shifts of any viewing category, dropping five percentage points and -11.9 per cent in viewing compared to June 2021.

    Due to the conclusion of the traditional broadcast TV season, time spent watching broadcast was down 6.7 per cent in June compared to May, and the share of viewing declined 2.1 percentage points. While these declines are fairly typical for this time of year, broadcast viewing this month was down 3.9 per cent compared to June 2021, and a full share point lower.

  • Anish Mehta moves on as CEO of animation studio Cosmos-Maya

    Anish Mehta moves on as CEO of animation studio Cosmos-Maya

    Mumbai: Anish Mehta has decided to move on from his role as CEO of animation studio Cosmos-Maya after a ten-year stint. He built the studio from a 30-member team to a 1200+ powerhouse.

    He will be soon announcing his new venture sometime this year.

    Under Anish’s leadership, the studio has grown multifold owing to his strong ability to maintain a fine balance between business and creativity. He is credited with achieving quite a few milestones not only for the studio but also for the industry at large. Anish had been the CEO and minority shareholder of Cosmos-Maya since 2012.

    He led the studio’s foray into original Indian animation IP creation with the launch of Motu Patlu, India’s most successful animation series.  Post that, the studio created over 10,000 half hours of kids’ animation content across 20+ shows; maintaining a 50 per cent+ market share of the original Indian kids and family content space for a decade. The studio’s key clients include – Nickelodeon, Disney, Cartoon Network, Sony, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Discovery Kids, Facebook and YouTube.

    During his tenure, the company grew with four different business streams globally and revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth of 25x+ from 2012 to 2022. Globally he spearheaded efforts towards co-productions with European and other international players, which were able to sell in 100+ countries the world over.

    His most notable achievement was to steadily attract organized investment into the business and consistently give investors a profitable exit through a higher valuation of the company. He played an instrumental role in getting private equity investors into the Indian animation business, first with KKR backed Emerald Media and later with TPG affiliate NewQuest Capital Partners.

    Commenting on his exit, Anish Mehta said “I would like to thank Ketan and Deepa, the promoters of Cosmos-Maya for trusting me with the opportunity of growing the company. I would also like to extend gratitude to our previous investors KKR backed Emerald Media, Rajesh Kamat and angel investor Tilak Sarkar for providing the right guidance and support on this journey. It has been a great pleasure working with the current investor, TPG affiliate NewQuest Capital Partners and I wish them and the team of Cosmos-Maya all the very best for future growth and to carry the legacy forward.”

    He also led the initiative of building the company’s YouTube network, WowKidz with 35 channels, which achieved 80 million+ subscribers, and 41 billion+ views worldwide across 10+ languages in a short span of 5 years. “I feel very passionately about content creators and believe that digital media has offered a rather egalitarian and equalizing platform to all creators. I find the best way to express my appreciation is to be able to support and mentor the new generation of digital content creators as they set out to create path-breaking content that will have a positive impact on countless lives of kids & family audiences. The intention is to partner with global investors and pioneers to achieve this vision”, said Mehta.

  • Amazon Prime & AMC Networks to launch AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India

    Amazon Prime & AMC Networks to launch AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video & AMC Networks on Friday announced the launch of AMC+ and Acorn TV on Prime Video Channels in India. 

    AMC+ is a premium subscription program that provides prime members access to a variety of ad-free, exclusive series and movies from the US and around the world, as well as high-quality scripted dramas, fan favourites, and franchises. Acorn TV, which offers dramas and mysteries from Britain and other countries without advertisements, will also be fully accessible to Prime customers as part of their AMC+ membership. For the convenience of prime members, premier original programming will be available with subtitles in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

    To lock in a one-year membership to AMC+ for Rs 349 via Prime Video Channels, Prime members can now take advantage of a special 50 per cent limited-period promotional offer. With this, consumers can watch content from both AMC+ and Acorn TV on primevideo.com, the Prime Video app on iOS and Android smartphones, smart TVs, connected STBs, and Fire TV sticks. 

    After the initial discount, the subscription will cost Rs 699 per year. For an introductory annual cost of INR 249, Prime customers may also purchase an add-on subscription to Acorn TV alone. Customers who want to solely subscribe to Acorn TV after the introductory offer can do so for Rs 499 per year.

    AMC+ features exclusive new original series (all commercial-free) with new programming premiering each month, including The Walking Dead: Origins (premiering today); western noir Dark Winds (premiering 7 July) executive produced by Emmy-winner George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) and Oscar-winner Robert Redford; sci-fi thriller Moonhaven (premiering 4 August) starring Dominic Monaghan (Lost) and Joe Manganiello (True Blood); the acclaimed epic western That Dirty Black Bag starring Dominic Cooper (Preacher); gritty crime drama 61st Street starring Emmy-winner Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story); and high-octane vampire thriller Firebite, among many others.

    Audiences in India will also enjoy a host of new series from AMC Networks’ biggest franchises, including highly anticipated new dramas from The Walking Dead Universe. Tales of the Walking Dead is a new anthology series with an all-star cast premiering later this summer. Isle of the Dead will follow the popular Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) characters from The Walking Dead into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, coming exclusively to AMC+ in 2023. AMC+ will also launch a new franchise based on Anne Rice’s best-selling novels from ‘The Vampire Chronicles Series’ and ‘The Lives of the Mayfair Witches Series’. Premiering later this year, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire is an epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality. Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches will follow and focuses on an intuitive young neurosurgeon who discovers that she is the unlikely heir to a family of witches.

    “As the destination for the latest, acclaimed and popular international content, at Amazon Prime Video, we believe in super-serving our customers with choice, access and convenience. Since launch last year, prime video channels has expanded the choice of English and international content available to customers further by giving them access to a wide range of exclusive, high-quality programming from multiple streaming services, while offering them the convenience of enjoying their favourite shows and movies at a single destination, with all their favourite prime video features,” said Amazon Prime Video India head of Prime Video Channels & Sports Chaitanya Divan. “We are delighted to partner with AMC Networks and offer our viewers an even wider selection of popular and blockbuster English content. Prime members have loved our extensive selection of premium international content, available as add-on subscriptions, and we are committed to satisfying their diverse entertainment needs.”  

    AMC+ general manager Courtney Thomasma commented, “AMC+ offers viewers thousands of hours of celebrated and award-winning series, including our critically-acclaimed dramas from The Son to 61st Street as well as the next generation of fan-driven franchises including The Walking Dead Universe and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. With our upcoming slate of AMC+ Originals like Dark Winds and Moonhaven along with access to Acorn TV’s beloved international mysteries and dramas, AMC+ combines thought-provoking stories and iconic characters in one subscription. We are excited to partner with Prime Video Channels to bring our slate of original programming to audiences in India and look forward to delivering many exclusive premieres in the months ahead.”

    AMC+ also offers full access to AMC Networks’ targeted streaming service Acorn TV at no additional cost. Acorn TV offers ad-free dramas and mysteries from Britain and beyond, including exclusive productions such as Emmy-nominated Queens of Mystery, My Life is Murder starring Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess), London Kills, Under the Vines, Keeping Faith and The Madame Blanc Mysteries, fan favourites such as Line of Duty and Doc Martin, and acclaimed series Jack Irish starring Emmy-winner Guy Pearce, The Straits starring Emmy-winner Brian Cox (Succession) and The Good Karma Hospital, among others. Acorn TV’s newest exclusive series, Love Me, stars Hugo Weaving (V for Vendetta) and premieres 27 June.

  • Original and exclusive content constitue Netflix’s entire US library

    Original and exclusive content constitue Netflix’s entire US library

    Mumbai: The number of original and exclusive titles in Netflix’s US catalogue accounted for more than 50 per cent of all available content for the first time in the company’s history in March 2022, according to a report.

    Ampere’s Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD) tracking data indicates that there are now over 3,700 original-branded (i.e. original and exclusive) movies and TV seasons in the Netflix US library, which has consistently offered around 7,000 titles over the last three years.

    Among the major SVoD platforms, Netflix is second only to the much smaller Apple TV+ in its focus on original-branded content. It’s far ahead of fellow longstanding streaming incumbents Amazon Prime Video (9 per cent) and Hulu (4 per cent).

    Netflix’s original content investment reached $6.2 billion in 2021. Originals have been a major focus of Netflix’s content strategy. In September 2016, when originals and exclusives accounted for only 5 per cent of its US catalogue, the then CFO David Wells set a target of a 50/50 split between original and licensed titles within the next few years. This transition to the majority of original titles is a product of Netflix’s market-leading spending.

    Content data shows that the group has outspent every other SVoD company on original content each year since 2013 and has consistently increased its yearly investment. Netflix’s original content spend peaked at $6.2 billion in 2021, more than double the next highest spender, Disney+, with $2.8 billion.

    Netflix owns some of the most-watched SVoD content, including Bridgerton. Such investment has helped make Netflix a prominent distributor of popular content. Ampere’s proprietary Popularity score indicates that across Q1 2022, Netflix originals and exclusives accounted, on average, for 12 per cent of the 100 most popular titles available on SVoD in the US, the highest share of any SVoD platform.

    Notable titles include the final season of crime series Ozark and the second season of period drama Bridgerton, which recently became the most-watched English-language TV series on Netflix.

    Ampere Analysis analyst Joe Hall said, “Netflix’s increasing content self-sufficiency is necessary for today’s streaming market. The rise of studio-led direct-to-consumer platforms has led to a shrinking pool of licensable content as studios prefer to keep productions in-house. Original content also allows platforms to offer exclusive titles internationally without additional licensing costs. This is particularly important as Netflix sets its sight on acquiring more international subscribers to compensate for maturity in developed markets.”

    75 percent of titles on Netflix will be original or exclusive by the end of 2024. Under current growth rates, Ampere estimates that 75 per cent of the movies and TV seasons available on Netflix will be either originals or exclusives by the end of 2024.

  • Amazon Prime Video signs multi-year licensing agreement with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Amazon Prime Video signs multi-year licensing agreement with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video on Monday announced a worldwide-exclusive, multi-film licensing collaboration with Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE). This collaboration will bring the biggest and best of Bollywood movies to audiences across the length and breadth of the country and to fans in over 240+ countries and territories.

    As part of the association, the streaming service will be the worldwide home to NGE’s upcoming slate of movies, soon after their theatrical launch. NGE’s movie slate includes many much-anticipated titles such as “Bawaal”, “Sanki”, “Baaghi 4”, Kartik Aaryan’s untitled project, among others and promises to bring Sajid Nadiadwala’s trade-mark larger-than-life, immersive cinema to viewers across the globe, on a screen of their choice.

    The films, post their theatrical release, will be available on Amazon Prime Video for all Prime members. Additionally, the films will also be available ‘to-rent’ on Amazon Prime Video for all Amazon customers (Prime or otherwise) in the ‘Early Access Rental’ window.

    These films will feature some of Bollywood’s most popular, as well as, versatile talent, including Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff, Kartik Aaryan, Ahan Shetty and many more. The slate also brings together some of the most respected, powerhouse national award-winning directors including Nitesh Tiwari (“Chhichhore”), Ravi Udyawar (“Mom”), Sameer Vidwans (“Anandi Gopal”), Saket Chaudhry (“Hindi Medium”) and many more.

    Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment managing director, producer & director Sajid Nadiadwala said, “We have been entertaining the audience for the last 70 years with our movies, contributing to the Indian culture and today it’s a new era in entertainment with OTT becoming such an integral part of our lives. Amazon Prime Video has been instrumental in breaking all barriers in entertainment – geographical, linguistic, or otherwise. In Prime Video, we believe we have found a partner that not only shares our vision of offering immersive cinematic experiences but also provides global distribution to the best stories from the Indian entertainment ecosystem. This collaboration marks NGE’s first-ever, worldwide exclusive, multi-film, multi-year deal with Prime Video – we are confident that this partnership of inclusive cinema will enable our upcoming titles to travel beyond geographies and add further value to Prime Video’s stellar content selection. As the world of storytelling evolves across genres, I believe this association will pave the way for more collaborations between the two brands to follow.”

    Amazon Prime Video India director of content licensing, Manish Menghani said, “We are excited to venture into this milestone collaboration with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, which is known to create films that connect instantly with audiences. By inking this partnership, we will bring some of the most entertaining narratives and stories soon after their theatrical releases exclusively to our viewers’ screens worldwide.”

    He added, “At Amazon, we start with the customer and work backwards and this collaboration is another step towards fulfilling that promise. Prime Video has played a key role in significantly enhancing the audience base for Indian films, across languages, both within the country and internationally. I am certain that this slate of much-anticipated movies will prove to be an absolute delight for our consumers.”

    The titles will join the thousands of Indian and international TV shows and movies in the Amazon Prime Video catalogue. These include Indian-produced Amazon Original series The Family Man, Mirzapur Season 1 & 2, Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa, Breathe: Into The Shadows, Bandish Bandits, Paatal Lok, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Four More Shots Please, The Family Man – New season, Made In Heaven and Inside Edge season 1 and season 2.

    Indian movies such as “Sherni”, “Coolie No. 1”, “Hello Charlie”, “Gulabo Sitabo”, “Durgamati”, “Chhalaang”, “Shakuntala Devi”, “Toofaan”, “Ponmagal Vandhal”, “French Biriyani”, “Law”, “Sufiyum Sujatayum”, “Penguin”, “Nishabdham”, “Maara”, “V”, “CU Soon”, “Soorarai Pottru”, “Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja”, “Drishyam 2”, “Halal Love Story”, “Middle Class Melodies”, “Putham Pudhu Kaalai”, “Unpaused” among others and the award-winning and critically acclaimed global Amazon Originals like The “Tomorrow War”, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”, “Coming 2 America”, “Without Remorse”, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”, “The Boys”, “Hunters”, “Fleabag”, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.

    All this is available at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members. The service includes titles in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi and Bengali.