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  • Kho-Khoaching class act sets sport on global fast track

    Kho-Khoaching class act sets sport on global fast track

    MUMBAI: Kho Kho, the homegrown Indian game of agility and grit, just got a high-speed upgrade on and off the mat. As the sport stretches beyond its traditional roots to stake its claim on the global stage, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) is playing tag with the future by launching its most advanced training initiative yet.

    The Advanced Level III-A Training Course for coaches and technical officials kicked off on June 2, 2025, at SGT University, Budhera, and will run till June 15. Organised by KKFI under the aegis of the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), the course is no ordinary classroom drill, it’s a knowledge sprint featuring 20 international coaches and officials from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, Australia, England, Korea and Malaysia, alongside 50 Indian coaches and 65 technical officials.

    From biomechanics to sports psychology, recovery techniques to anti-doping awareness, the curriculum mirrors a sport in metamorphosis. With morning fitness sessions and rigorous classroom modules, participants are being immersed in a next-gen playbook designed to take Kho Kho from kabaddi’s countryside cousin to a globally recognised sport.

    5 June was a masterclass in modernisation with sessions on sports science by Pooja Bhati, anti-doping education by Vikas Tyagi and Anurag, and tactical training by legendary coach H. V. Nataraj. The day began with a sweat-inducing physical drill by Ashwani Sharma, reinforcing the discipline behind the dash.

    “This course reflects our commitment to preparing a new generation of coaches and officials who are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and international exposure to take Kho Kho to the next level,” said KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal. He also underlined how the sport is evolving with mat-based gameplay, a Decision Review System (DRS) and even the strategic ‘Wazir’ role.

    The training for coaches wraps up on June 11 with a practical exam and reflective session, before the officials’ segment begins from 12–15 June.

    With 135 participants in total and a syllabus as sharp as the game’s signature sprints, this course is more than just a seminar, it’s Kho Kho’s statement of intent. The message is clear: India isn’t just where the game began. It’s where the global future of Kho Kho is being written one pivot, one pass, and now, one world-class coach at a time.

  • MIP London set to welcome over 2,000 delegates

    MIP London set to welcome over 2,000 delegates

    MUMBAI: MIP London is on track to welcome more than 2,000 delegates from 75 countries for its inaugural edition, with strong representation from Europe, North America, Turkey, MENA, Latin America and Asia, said RX France entertainment division director Lucy Smith in an interview to World Screen News. 

    The event has confirmed country pavilions from Belgium, China, France, Korea and Spain, alongside more than 30 Canadian companies supported by Telefilm Canada and SODEC. Major companies including Boat Rocker, DLT Entertainment, Electric Entertainment, Global Agency, Moonbug Entertainment, Movistar Plus+ and Raw Cut have joined previously announced participants A+E Networks, Al Jazeera, Beta Film and others.

    “More than 900 buyers are registered across all genres, with approximately one-third being first-time visitors to London,” said Lucy. “The event has attracted significant interest from digital-first players, FAST channels, AVoD platforms and CTV operators.”

    The conference programme features over 50 speakers from major media companies including BBC, TF1, ZDF, Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube and TikTok. Highlights include Talpa Studios’ launch of new talent format The Headliner, showcases of Asian formats, and a world premiere screening of crypto-currency drama Paper Empire.

    A special fireside chat with David Beckham and Netflix’s Bela Bajaria will take place on the main stage, while the opening cocktail event will feature performances from West End shows including Hamilton and The Lion King.
    The five-day event, priced at £500 for registration, aims to complement existing industry gatherings in London and create additional business opportunities for the content industry.

  • Content investment in India, Korea, and Southeast Asia to rise in 2022: MPA Report

    Content investment in India, Korea, and Southeast Asia to rise in 2022: MPA Report

    Mumbai: The video content budget in India, Korea, and Southeast Asia will grow by 15 per cent and reach $12 billion in 2022, according to the latest edition of Asia Video Content Dynamics, published by Media Partners Asia (MPA).

    In 2022, India and Korea will drive the bulk of the increase, but all markets and all verticals are expected to grow. The film industry will be the fastest, growing by nearly 140 per cent as theatres screen fresh movies. Online video will grow the most, by nearly $700 million.

    It increased by 21 per cent last year to $10.4 billion. Except for theatrical, all content verticals saw significant growth. OTT content was the fastest growing vertical, increasing 83 per cent year on year to become the second largest vertical, accounting for 26 per cent of industry investment. Korea & India saw particularly strong OTT investment growth, while Thailand and Indonesia made significant contributions.

    This report examined video content consumption, investment in video content, and production costs in seven key Asian markets: India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Free-to-air (FTA), pay-TV, online video, and film are among the verticals examined, along with key players and the production value chain.

    Also read: India’s OTT video market to reach $3 bn in 2022; estimated to double by 2027: Report

    Commenting on the findings of the report, MPA vice president Stephen Laslocky said, “Inflation, particularly with online originals, is a factor driving up content costs.”

    He went on to say that online video operators, broadcasters, and producers must see that higher budgets translate into more premium viewing experiences, or the cost increases will be unsustainable.

    According to this report, Pay-TV was the largest vertical, accounting for 46 per cent of total industry content investment, reflecting well-developed pay-TV markets in India and Korea. FTA ranked third with 25 per cent of the total.

    “Internationally successful programmes remain the content licensing holy grail, which thus far, only Korean dramas and some anime, as well as US and UK content, have sustainably achieved. Some Thai content has succeeded outside of Thailand. Quality production values and strong storylines with a focus on younger online demographics will be the building blocks of future investment strategies,” Laslocky added.

    While talking about the expanding online video sector, he expressed that it has been a boon to independent producers. He said, “Profit margins have stabilised at 10 per cent or more across much of the region. More can be done to bolster independent producers, including additional compensation for original concepts, commensurate rewards for breakout successes, and expanded use of pipeline deals (which allows producers to more reliably recoup overheads).”

    “In exchange, producers need to be transparent with production costs. Commissioners need to be willing and able to audit costs,” he added.

    Declining TV ratings 

    TV ratings continue to decline in measured markets. User-generated content (UGC) platforms continue to dominate video consumption, with their share of total video consumption ranging from 82 per cent in Korea to 95 per cent in Vietnam. While YouTube remains the leader, TikTok is driving growth in Southeast Asia. Premium video, both AVOD and SVOD, captures the majority of the balance.

    The consumption of television and online video is diverging. On TV, drama is generally the most watched genre, while variety, including reality, often ranks #2. Movies, kids, and news can be significant drivers of viewership, and sports can over-index with top-rating TV programs. Viewership of some key TV genres is transitioning to YouTube, where they generate significant classified consumption.

    Meanwhile, with premium online video, series account for approximately 90 per cent of consumption, with dramas accounting for the majority of viewership, while movies account for approximately 10 per cent. Dramas account for nearly all of the top titles. Except for India, variety consumption is largely driven by acquired Korean programming.

    Box office revenues 

    In 2021, box office revenues, admissions, and releases all performed poorly. Film costs fell by two per cent as pandemic restrictions delayed release dates in many markets, but delayed tentpoles performed well in 2022.

    Some markets, including India and Indonesia, are expected to recover completely. In other markets, a return to pre-covid may take until 2023. Returning to pre-covid levels in other markets may take until 2023. Elsewhere, prospects may be marginally better but permanently harmed.

  • Warner Bros. Discovery consolidates India’s business; appoints Arjun Nohwar as GM, India

    Warner Bros. Discovery consolidates India’s business; appoints Arjun Nohwar as GM, India

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery has announced its regional leadership team across India, Southeast Asia and Korea (INSEAK). Arjun Nohwar has been elevated to the role of general manager, India. Discovery managing director – South Asia Megha Tata will be leaving the company.

    In a staff email, Warner Bros. Discovery president and managing director – India, Southeast Asia and Korea Clement Schwebig stated, “Arjun Nohwar will be general manager India. Previously responsible for the launch of HBO Max in India, he brings a digital experience that will help prepare the company for our next phase of growth.”

    “I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Megha Tata who will be leaving the company,” he said. “She has done an incredible job over the years leading the success of Discovery’s portfolio and brands in India including the launch of the discovery+ streaming service.”

    The new media organisation in India is now significantly larger bringing together several lines of business. It combines all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s India-based TV networks with streaming, games, consumer products, film/content production, home entertainment and TV distribution (syndication) and theatrical movie distribution.

    The company announced Jeeyoung Lee as the general manager Korea. “In her tenure at Discovery, she helped build a strong production unit that will be a fundamental pillar of our strategy in Korea,” said Schwebig.

    Schwebig further announced the regional leadership in the Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong markets. Shonali Bedi will lead affiliate distribution and digital partnerships for Southeast Asia, while she continues to head business development and insights regionwide.

    Cindy Ma will lead the affiliate distribution and advertising sales for Taiwan.

    Yasmin Zahid, who has been with HBO/WarnerMedia affiliate distribution for the past three decades, will be leaving the company following a transition period. “It has been a true privilege to work with Yasmin and she deserves all the credit for our fantastic affiliate relationships.”

    On the content (programming, original productions and acquisitions) side, the Warner Bros. Discovery team will operate across three verticals. Magdalene Ew will continue to head Entertainment. Christopher Ho will head Kids. Lynn Ng will head factual and lifestyle whilst she continues her current role for content ops for the wider region.

    Leslie Lee will move on from WarnerMedia Kids APAC. “With our Kids portfolio being a leader in the region, Leslie leaves the company with a distinguished tenure that includes the recent launch of Cartoonito and numerous Asian originals including the International Emmy nominated ‘Lamput’,” highlighted Schwebig. 

    In the regional teams, Kurt Rieder will continue to lead theatrical distribution as well as being a part of the international theatrical operations headed by Andrew Cripps. Jae Chang will continue to lead TV distribution and home entertainment.

    Vikram Sharma will lead consumer products licensing, while he continues to oversee advertising sales for Southeast Asia.

    Jason Monteiro will lead an integrated marketing team across INSEAK in addition to his coordination role for our streaming services. He will manage marketing and creative services across all lines of business, while working closely with the D2C (direct-to-consumer) marketing team.

    Athreyan ‘Auto’ Sundararajan will be departing the company. “He has been outstanding in uniting and leading the marketing & creative teams of the legacy WarnerMedia businesses,” remarked Schewebig. 

  • Srinivasan Swamy receives International Honorary Award at AD STARS, Busan, Korea

    Srinivasan Swamy receives International Honorary Award at AD STARS, Busan, Korea

    MUMBAI: At the recently concluded 12th edition of AD STARS held in Busan, Korea, Mr Srinivasan Swamywas recognized with Korea’s highest honour  for his significant contribution  to the advertising industry. AD STARS is considered as one of the largest advertising festivals since it receives over 20,000 entries of creative work from nearly 60 countries, with Jury members from as many  countries evaluating and awarding excellence in creativity.

    Mr Swamy is the Chairman and Managing Director of R K SWAMY BBDO, one the reputed advertising agencies in India. He also is the Chairman of the R K SWAMY HANSA Group,  which has units like Hansa Customer Equity, Hansa Research, Hansa Vision, Hansa Events, Hansa Medcell, Hansa PR, Hansa Outdoor,  Hansa Consulting etc. The group employs nearly 3000 people and has revenues in excess of US$ 100 Million, serving  over 100 clients.

    He currently serves as the Chairman and World President of International Advertising Association (IAA), the industry body headquartered in New York, USA, with a presence in 56 countries around the world. He is also the Vice Chairman of Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA). He is an industry veteran having functioned as Chairman of Confederation of Asian Advertising Agency Associations (CAAAA), Presidents of Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI), Advertising Standards Council of India and the India Chapter of IAA.

    On receiving  the award,  Mr Swamy  said “I am humbled and honoured to receive the award  on behalf of all my industry colleagues who helped me make a difference to the various tasks we addressed together. The industry is at a transitional phase with issues of enhanced data  privacy regulations that could change the way we communicate with our various  target  audiences. We will do our bit to provide the direction we need to take,  over the next couple  of years”.

    Mr Swamy  has  been earlier recognized in various  forums for his outstanding contributions. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from both AAAI and Rotary Club of Guindy, the Distinguished Service Award from Advertising Club Madras, and was recognized as IAA Global Champion at the inaugural Inspire Awards in London,  by IAA Global. He was inducted into the IAA Hall of Fame instituted  by the India Chapter. Japan Advertising Agencies Association recognized him
    with their Merit Honour for his singular  contribution  to the formation of CAAAA and thought  leadership.
     

  • Zeno Group Names Margaret Key as CEO, Asia Pacific

    Zeno Group Names Margaret Key as CEO, Asia Pacific

    MUMBAI: Zeno Group has appointed Margaret Key to the new position of CEO, Zeno Asia Pacific, effective today.

    In the newly-created CEO post, Key will join Zeno’s Global Leadership Team and oversee a growing staff of 135 professionals in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia as well as the network of Zeno+ partners across the region.  Key brings extensive industry leadership experience throughout North and South Asia, most recently as CEO, Asia-Pacific for Burson-Marsteller.

    “We are thrilled to have someone of Margaret’s high profile and caliber join Zeno in Asia Pacific, a vitally important region as our business continues to expand and globalize,” said Barby K. Siegel, CEO of Zeno Group. “In addition to her deft leadership skills, Margaret understands the balance of local experience and global strategy.  This is especially important as more and more of our clients look to us for an integrated Asia solution.”

    Zeno’s client portfolio in APAC features world class brands such as Lenovo, Wuling Motors, Netflix, Intel, Prudential, Johnson & Johnson and Temasek.  Zeno in APAC offers a range of modern communications and earned media capabilities across consumer, technology and health sectors, with deep expertise in digital and analytics.

    Most recently, Key served as CEO, Asia Pacific at Burson-Marsteller, where she managed a diverse portfolio across 17 offices in eight countries. Previously, she served as MD for Edelman in Korea and Japan, and before that, held communications positions with Hyundai and Hilton in Seoul, Korea. Among her major client relationships, Key has counseled and led pan-Asia communications for Huawei, Ford Motor, Delta, Bayer and LG.

    “Zeno’s fearless, entrepreneurial culture is the perfect place for me, and the ideal opportunity at this time given their incredible momentum globally and commitment specifically to expanding in Asia,” said Key. “It’s also a welcome return for me to the Daniel J. Edelman family, where my career first began.”

    Key will be based in Seoul, Korea, her longtime home, with her husband and family.

  • Airtel forges partnership with Korean mobile broadband co SK Telecom

    Airtel forges partnership with Korean mobile broadband co SK Telecom

    MUMBAI: India’s largest telecommunications services provider Airtel will partner Korea’s SK Telecom to potentially create the country’s finest telecom network and leapfrog into being a next-gen future-ready telco.

    The partnership will work across several areas including developing bespoke software to dramatically improve network experience, leveraging advanced digital tools including machine learning, big data and building customised tools to improve network planning based on every customer’s device experience. The capacity to identify, monitor and deliver improvements to the network experience on an individual device basis will be a first in India, helped by SK Telecom’s global leadership in this area.

    The two companies will also collaborate on an on-going basis to evolve standards for 5G, Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Software-defined Networking (SDN) and Internet of Things (loT), and jointly work towards building an enabling ecosystem for the introduction of these technologies in the Indian context.

    Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said, “This partnership will bring an improved experience to Airtel customers in India by leveraging the expertise of a company that has built one of the best mobile broadband networks in the world.”

    “We will work closely with Bharti to achieve new network innovations so as to deliver a greater value to Bharti’s customers,” SK Telecom president and CEO Park Jung-ho.

  • India’s average internet speed increased in fourth quarter of CY-16

    BENGALURU: India lags behind Sri Lanka with a global rank of 97 versus the latter’s rank of 73 in terms of Average Connection Speed (IPv4) by APAC Country/Region as per Akamai’s State of Internet report for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2016 (Q4-16). However, the average internet speed in India in Q4-16 at 5.6 Mbps has improved 36 percent as compared to the speed of 4.1 Mbps mentioned in Akamai’s State of Internet report for Q3-16. Year-on-year (y-o-y), India’s average internet speed has almost doubled, it has grown by 99 percent.

    India was ranked 105 globally as compared to Sri Lanka’s rank of 75 in Q3-16. Sri Lanka’s average speed in the Q4-16 report was 7.3 Mbps, 21 percent more than the 6 Mbps average speed in Q3-16.

    About 38 percent of the internet connections in India have peak connection speeds in excess of 4 Mbps, a low number when compared to the 97 percent that South Korea which is the world leader with average internet speeds of 26.1 Mbps. The overall y-o-y change in the percentage of connections for internet speeds above 4Mbps was 123 percent in the case of India. In the case of an internet mature nation like Korea, the y-o-y change was 0.6 percent while the quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) change was 0.7 percent.

    In the Asia-Pacific region, Vietnam and India were the only two countries/regions to enjoy double-digit growth, as they saw 4 Mbps Broadband adoption rates increase 18 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

    The report speaks of positive developments in India, specifically mentioning Bharti Airtel’s launch of V-Fiber broadband service in the fourth quarter, offering 100 Mbps fixed broadband access. Initially rolling out in Chennai, Bharti’s service is slated to become available to 87 cities in India within a few weeks. Now if only TRAI could reclassify connections with speeds in excess of 2 Mbps as broadband as it had earlier. TRAI later backtracked then reduced the broadband classification speeds to more than a measly 512 Kpbs.

  • Biswas new ESPN head – southeast Asia; Cooke expands role

    Biswas new ESPN head – southeast Asia; Cooke expands role

    MUMBAI: ESPN has added to and newly aligned its leadership team in the region to manage its expanding position in the region.

    Joyee Biswas has joined the sports media leader as the new head of Southeast Asia. Biswas will be based in ESPN’s offices in Singapore and report to Mike Morrison, vice president and managing director, ESPN APAC, based in Shanghai.

    Prior to joining ESPN, Biswas was managing director, Asia for Eleven Sports Network. He previously headed up sports content for Singtel TV as well as content acquisition and management for Fox International Channels and ESPN Star Sports.

    Additionally, Kelly Cooke will take on the expanded role of general manager, ESPN North Asia. Based n Hong Kong, Cooke will be responsible for helping manage ESPN’s long-term collaboration with Tencent in China, as well as the growth of partnerships, media distribution, ad sales, digital – focusing on China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

    In addition to Biswas and Cooke, ESPN has made additional personnel moves recently to align with its growing business.

    In support of ESPN’s relationship with Tencent, the company produces and delivers both original and adapted content such as video and coverage of sports including the NBA, global football and more. To provide focused oversight and coordination of that, ESPN has tapped Bowen Dou and Michael Huang to take on important new roles.

    Dou takes on the role of coordinating producer, international production. Based in ESPN’s Bristol, CT, USA headquarters and working closely with teams at both ESPN and Tencent. Dou will lead the coordination of all video production supporting the Tencent relationship, including original Chinese-language video such as “ESPN On Court” NBA content, original studio programming and other video production and adaption.

    Huang takes on the expanded role of deputy editor, ESPN Digital & Print Media. He will work in close coordination with ESPN’s worldwide digital and television editorial teams, leading a team focused on the creation and adaption of sports news and information content for the ESPN section on QQ.com, as well as identifying and telling sports stories originating in China that have resonance in other parts of the world.

    Marc Mallett, will now lead ESPN’s advertising efforts across Asia as the new Director of Sponsorship and Ad Sales, ESPN APAC. Based in Singapore, he will be focused on identifying new sales opportunities and clients, as well as the development of compelling advertising solutions for clients and agencies – like its ongoing TCL campaign – which leverage ESPN’s distinct content creation capability.

    ESPN Australia and New Zealand vice president and general manager Haydn Arndt continues to lead ESPN’s dynamic multiplatform business in Australia and New Zealand, as it sets viewership records on television and has established a digital leadership position.
    ESPN India and South Asia head and vice president Ramesh Kumar continues to manage and grow ESPN’s business in India and the subcontinent, including the Sony ESPN collaboration, as well as leading the ESPNcricinfo business globally.

    “These moves ensure that we have an outstanding and innovative ESPN leadership team in place to continue our growth in the APAC region,” said Morrison. “It’s an exciting time for ESPN in the region, with ground-breaking collaborations in China and India, a thriving multimedia business in Australia and New Zealand, further expansion and localization of the world’s leading digital sports business and continued exploration of new business opportunities in Southeast and North Asia.”

  • Biswas new ESPN head – southeast Asia; Cooke expands role

    Biswas new ESPN head – southeast Asia; Cooke expands role

    MUMBAI: ESPN has added to and newly aligned its leadership team in the region to manage its expanding position in the region.

    Joyee Biswas has joined the sports media leader as the new head of Southeast Asia. Biswas will be based in ESPN’s offices in Singapore and report to Mike Morrison, vice president and managing director, ESPN APAC, based in Shanghai.

    Prior to joining ESPN, Biswas was managing director, Asia for Eleven Sports Network. He previously headed up sports content for Singtel TV as well as content acquisition and management for Fox International Channels and ESPN Star Sports.

    Additionally, Kelly Cooke will take on the expanded role of general manager, ESPN North Asia. Based n Hong Kong, Cooke will be responsible for helping manage ESPN’s long-term collaboration with Tencent in China, as well as the growth of partnerships, media distribution, ad sales, digital – focusing on China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

    In addition to Biswas and Cooke, ESPN has made additional personnel moves recently to align with its growing business.

    In support of ESPN’s relationship with Tencent, the company produces and delivers both original and adapted content such as video and coverage of sports including the NBA, global football and more. To provide focused oversight and coordination of that, ESPN has tapped Bowen Dou and Michael Huang to take on important new roles.

    Dou takes on the role of coordinating producer, international production. Based in ESPN’s Bristol, CT, USA headquarters and working closely with teams at both ESPN and Tencent. Dou will lead the coordination of all video production supporting the Tencent relationship, including original Chinese-language video such as “ESPN On Court” NBA content, original studio programming and other video production and adaption.

    Huang takes on the expanded role of deputy editor, ESPN Digital & Print Media. He will work in close coordination with ESPN’s worldwide digital and television editorial teams, leading a team focused on the creation and adaption of sports news and information content for the ESPN section on QQ.com, as well as identifying and telling sports stories originating in China that have resonance in other parts of the world.

    Marc Mallett, will now lead ESPN’s advertising efforts across Asia as the new Director of Sponsorship and Ad Sales, ESPN APAC. Based in Singapore, he will be focused on identifying new sales opportunities and clients, as well as the development of compelling advertising solutions for clients and agencies – like its ongoing TCL campaign – which leverage ESPN’s distinct content creation capability.

    ESPN Australia and New Zealand vice president and general manager Haydn Arndt continues to lead ESPN’s dynamic multiplatform business in Australia and New Zealand, as it sets viewership records on television and has established a digital leadership position.
    ESPN India and South Asia head and vice president Ramesh Kumar continues to manage and grow ESPN’s business in India and the subcontinent, including the Sony ESPN collaboration, as well as leading the ESPNcricinfo business globally.

    “These moves ensure that we have an outstanding and innovative ESPN leadership team in place to continue our growth in the APAC region,” said Morrison. “It’s an exciting time for ESPN in the region, with ground-breaking collaborations in China and India, a thriving multimedia business in Australia and New Zealand, further expansion and localization of the world’s leading digital sports business and continued exploration of new business opportunities in Southeast and North Asia.”