The film and entertainment markets in Asia has always been top in the radar of AFM all these years and it is interesting to find two prominent Indian entertainment executives lead the discussion

India’s Sameer Nair (CEO, Applause Entertainment) and Rohit Jain (MD, South Asia and Networks, Emerging Markets Asia, Lionsgate) are set to share their vision on ‘Global Streaming and The Future of Entertainment in Asia’ at the American Film Market 2021 Online edition.

AFM runs from November 1-5, 2021 at the four buildings on the AFM Campus – the On Demand Theatre, Industry Offices, LocationEXPO, and MyAFM – which are now open for pre-market screenings, project previews and scheduling meetings.

AFM On-Demand platform will be open for recorded conference session views and market screenings till the end of the year.

The film and entertainment markets in Asia has always been top in the radar of AFM all these years and it is interesting to find two prominent Indian entertainment executives lead the discussion on the content creation and streaming platforms. More than 50 streaming apps are jostling for attention and the market is dominated by MX Player, Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, ZEE5, SonyLiv among others.

American consultancy firm Bain & Company has estimated Long-form video (LFV) in India is poised to grow to 650 million users by 2025.  India’s online video user base is now estimated above 350 million people.

India’s video streaming market is likely to touch USD 12.5 billion by 2030 from about USD 1.5 billion in 2021 on the back of access to better networks, digital connectivity and smartphones, according to a report by RBSA Advisors. The streaming market is estimated at $4 billion in 2025.

This panel discussion on Global Streaming and The Future of Entertainment in Asia at AFM Online 2021 is presented in partnership with the Asian World Film Festival. (3 November 9 to 10.30 AM PST.  9.30 PM to 11 PM IST)

Media and Entertainment veteran Sameer Nair, CEO Applause Entertainment (Aditya Birla Group) is an icon and Applause Entertainment has already created a dominant position in the India’s storytelling ecosystem with premium original digital drama series and international formats. 

Rohit Jain who spearheaded the India launch of streaming platform Lionsgate Play is confident that India will be among the top five markets for Lionsgate in the next five years. Lionsgate Play is backed by Starz, a premium global streaming platform and is currently available in 56 countries.

Global streaming has changed the consumption, distribution, financing, and production of entertainment across the globe, and in particular in Asia, where international OTTs are scrambling to tap into hundreds of millions of potential new customers. As international and local language content increasingly travels the world, digital media companies from the US, China, India and pan-Asia will take center stage. This pointed blurb on the discussion is likely to generate interest and pointed tips on where entertainment in Asia is headed.

Applause Entertainment has over two-dozen digital drama series lined up in 2021. Applause’s array of shows include Criminal Justice, City of Dreams, Hostages and The Office on Disney Hotstar, Mind the Malhotras and Rasbhari on Amazon Prime Video, Hello Mini, Mannphodganj Ki Binny and Bhaukaal on MX Player, Scam 1992, Iru Dhuruvam, Your Honor, Undekhi and Avrodh on Sony LIV and Hasmukh on Netflix.