Tag: David Jenkinson

  • Content India 2026 confirms dates and opens registrations

    Content India 2026 confirms dates and opens registrations

    MUMBAI: Following the success of the Content India Summit in April 2025, registrations are now open for its first three-day edition, set to take place from 16-18 March, 2026, at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

    Content India 2026 aims to connect India’s domestic market with international partners to unlock billions in untapped value. Building on the momentum from earlier this year, Content India 2026 is set to be a dynamic platform for cross-border partnerships in the content space. The three-day event will feature panel discussions, a marketplace for domestic and international content, special screenings, curated networking sessions, and more. It aligns with insights from The Future of the Indian Entertainment Business report, which highlights major growth potential in content sales, acquisitions, co-productions, and services in this new era of collaboration.

    The announcement coincides with a major geopolitical milestone: the signing of a landmark trade agreement between India and the UK, expected to boost bilateral trade by an additional £25.5 billion annually by 2040. This lends even greater relevance to Content India 2026’s broader ambition of strengthening India’s position as a global content hub through strategic international collaboration.

    Content India 2026 is anchored around twelve strategic goals designed to transform India’s entertainment economy. These include creating globally resonant hybrid content, attracting international productions, and showcasing India’s capabilities in AI and post-production. The event will connect the creator economy with legacy media and explore new funding models such as venture capital. It also aims to enable co-productions through a trusted partner network, boost format exports and imports, drive brand partnerships, and highlight global content trends.

    By placing a strategic lens on international collaboration and creative synergy, Content India 2026 positions itself as a marquee industry event for stakeholders looking to be part of the next wave of growth and innovation in India’s content economy.

    Announcing the dates, C21’s editor-in-chief & managing director David Jenkinson said, “The Content India Summit in April 2025 consolidated the fact that there is real opportunity for the Indian and international market to create new partnerships in a fresh way. Content India 2026 will focus on how to build successful content partnerships which benefit all, and lead to new formats of content that can work locally, but also be a hit on the world stage. Now is the time.”

    Dish TV India CEO & executive director Manoj Dobhal added, “India is entering a pivotal phase where content goes beyond entertainment—it represents influence, identity, and economic strength. Content India Summit 2025 offered deep insight into the industry’s evolving aspirations and reaffirmed India’s readiness to lead the next wave of global content innovation. With Content India 2026, we aim to build a purpose-driven platform that champions bold storytelling, connects emerging talent with real opportunity, and turns ambition into impact. Our goal is to foster an inclusive, globally competitive eco-system that empowers both seasoned professionals and the next generation of creators. The potential is immense, and this platform will help unlock it through meaningful collaboration. We welcome all who share this vision for India’s entertainment future to join us.”
     

  • Content India summit sets stage for global romp

    Content India summit sets stage for global romp

    MUMBAI: India’s entertainment moguls have their sights set on world domination—and they’re not being coy about it. The inaugural Content India Summit 2025 wrapped up two days ago with grand ambitions and plenty of showbiz swagger, positioning itself as the launching pad for Indian content’s international conquest.

    The summit, a partnership between DTH platform Dish TV India and C21 Media, brought together industry heavyweights to tackle the thorny question of how to make Indian entertainment as globally irresistible as its cuisine. Conversations probed everything from audience consumption patterns (binge-watching included) to the commercial scalability of Bollywood’s finest exports.

    Dish TV’s chief executive Manoj Dobhal didn’t mince words about the company’s ambitions: ” Our vision with Content India is to build a dynamic content eco-system that connects each and every constituent of Content creation in India with global opportunities. The Content India Summit 2025 marks the beginning of a transformative journey—one that fosters long-term collaborations, drives industry innovation, and expands market potential. With Indian storytelling gaining global acclaim, this is the moment to amplify international partnerships and position India as a content powerhouse.”

    C21Media’s managing director David Jenkinson chimed in with his own dose of enthusiasm, trumpeting India’s “undeniable influence” on the global content market. Said he: “Content India Summit is a crucial step toward shaping the future of Indian entertainment in a globally connected landscape. This event has brought together the brightest minds in the industry to address key challenges and unlock new opportunities for collaboration. India’s influence on the global content market is undeniable, and this summit lays the foundation for meaningful partnerships that will drive the industry forward.As we look ahead to the full Content India conference in 2026, our mission remains clear—to create a platform where ideas, talent, and business come together to define the next chapter of entertainment. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey for India on the world stage.”

    The gathering wasn’t all champagne and canapés, though. Sessions delved into India’s creative advantages—its talent pool, technical prowess, and budget-friendly production costs—while also wrestling with the delicate balance of preserving cultural authenticity while making content palatable for international viewers.

    Simon Mirren of Case Closed offered perhaps the most sobering advice: “Understanding the local culture is key to success in the Indian market. Many creators try to make TV for the West, which is a mistake. The focus should be on telling great stories that resonate here.”

    For those eagerly awaiting the industry’s new playbook, a report titled The Future of the Indian Entertainment Business Debate is set to drop within four weeks, promising to reveal how Bollywood and beyond plan to seduce global audiences.

    With streaming platforms hungry for fresh content and international viewers increasingly open to subtitles, India’s entertainment industry appears ready for its close-up—and Content India seems determined to direct the scene.

  • Dish TV India-C21Media launch Content India 2025 to elevate Indian content

    Dish TV India-C21Media launch Content India 2025 to elevate Indian content

    MUMBAI: In the chaos of India’s vibrant yet often disorganised digital landscape lies a reservoir of untapped potential—a creative powerhouse waiting to command global attention. With content exploding across platforms and talent overflowing, the challenge has been bridging local brilliance with international collaborations. Now, a groundbreaking initiative promises to declutter this overwhelming abundance and spotlight India’s creative strength on the world map.

    Content India 2025—a landmark partnership between Dish TV India and UK-based C21Media. Designed to harness India’s innovation and storytelling capabilities, this initiative aims to position the country as a global content hub, showcasing its prowess in production, post-production, and creative collaboration.

    At a time when India’s digital content creation market is projected to surge from $1,538.8 million in 2023 to $4,403.5 million by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, this platform arrives as a much-needed catalyst to organise, streamline, and celebrate India’s boundless entertainment talent.

    By fostering global partnerships and promoting fresh narratives, Content India 2025 stands poised to redefine India’s creative footprint—transforming it into the content epicenter it deserves to be.

    Scheduled for 1-3 April 2025, Content India will blend a marketplace, conferences, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for creators, producers, distributors, platforms, and channels to connect. The summit will set the stage for a larger Content India 2026 event, modelled on the success of C21Media’s Content London and Content Americas.

    Dish TV India, CEO & executive director, Manoj Dobhal highlighted the initiative’s significance, “The Indian entertainment industry is at a critical juncture, with its content resonating like never before across international audiences. Content India 2025 is our effort to empower Indian creators and bring global opportunities closer to home. By fostering innovation and collaboration, we aim to position India as a global content powerhouse and pave the way for sustainable growth in the industry.”

    With a robust ecosystem comprising 582+ channels, 21 OTT platforms, and advanced technological capabilities, Dish TV India is well-placed to drive this initiative. Content India 2025 will provide a comprehensive platform to expand markets, equip Indian creators to meet global demand, and propel Indian entertainment to the forefront of the international content landscape.

    C21Media editor-in-chief & MD, David Jenkinson emphasised the partnership’s value, “India’s entertainment industry holds immense potential to lead the global content landscape with its creativity and innovation. Partnering with Dish TV India for Content India allows us to bring together the best minds in the industry, fostering collaborations that drive meaningful growth and unlock new opportunities for content creators on an international scale.”

    This collaboration underscores Dish TV India’s commitment to enabling sustainable growth and innovation, ensuring Indian content achieves global recognition.