The Future of Video India conference gathered over 130 senior government and industry leaders in Mumbai for a dynamic day of discussions, shedding light on the vibrant and burgeoning video market in the country.

Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), set the tone for the conference with a vision of optimism for the industry.

The MIB expressed hopes for the current $30 billion industry to flourish into a $100 billion powerhouse within the next 4-5 years. Both officials emphasized the importance of fostering a level playing field and balancing the interests of different sectors to stimulate growth and investment.

Kiran Mani, CEO of Digital at Viacom18, highlighted the transformative role of technology in enabling broader access to content for Indians. “People are doing more with content than ever before. It’s not about creating more content,” said Mani. Viacom18’s inclusion of IPL on both streaming and pay TV platforms democratized sports, expanding its reach from 100 million to 500 million screens and transforming sports into a mobile-forward, engaging experience.

Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar, India, underscored the significance of leveraging the intersection of people and technology for business success. He emphasized Disney’s commitment to consumer-centric storytelling and personalized content delivery, stating that “serving the consumers remained critical for a consumer-first company like Disney.”

Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals for India & SEA at Prime Video India, highlighted the power of content to influence and empower, stressing the importance of diversity in content creation. Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Disney Star, echoed this sentiment, noting the increased visibility of women in sports over the past five years.

Sai Abishek, Head of Factual & Lifestyle Cluster, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized the evolving perception of Indian content globally, while Rishi Negi, Group Chief Operating Officer of Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, underscored the importance of building a strong domestic audience before venturing into international markets.

With Indian content becoming more accessible and recognized globally, the conference highlighted the immense potential for growth and innovation within the industry. The event was proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Akamai and MEASAT, further emphasizing the collective commitment to shaping the future of video in India.