Dish TV, a leader in content distribution in India, has taken a bold step towards advancing the country’s entertainment industry on the global stage. In partnership with C21Media, Dish TV successfully hosted the Content India Summit 2025, a pivotal event aimed at reshaping India’s content ecosystem through international collaborations, new market opportunities, and innovative approaches.
The day-long summit brought together top industry leaders to discuss India’s rapidly evolving entertainment sector. Key speakers included Gaurav Banerjee (MD & CEO, Sony Pictures/Sony Liv), Simon Mirren (Founder of Case Closed), Deepak Dhar (Founder & Group CEO, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India), Andrew Zein (EVP, Creative Format Development & Sales, Warner Bros. Discovery), Shoojit Sircar (Film Maker and CEO, Rising Sun Films), Sameer Nair (MD, Applause Entertainment), Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury (Director), and Siddhartha Roy (CEO, Hungama Digital Media).
As India experiences a content revolution, the summit highlighted the industry’s commitment to thinking globally while staying connected to local roots. In an age of rapidly shifting content consumption patterns, India is no longer just creating content for domestic viewers but is also producing stories that resonate worldwide.
The event gathered 150 influential figures from both Indian and international entertainment sectors, fostering critical conversations on content creation, distribution, and expansion into global markets. It also served as a precursor to Content India 2026, which will continue the mission set out during the 2025 summit.
With India’s entertainment sector growing at an unprecedented pace, Content India was conceived to bridge the gap between Indian content and global markets. The summit focused on sustainable industry growth, evolving audience preferences, and scalability to ensure India’s competitiveness in the global content arena.
As part of the summit’s strategic vision, actionable recommendations for content creation, distribution, and monetisation were discussed. These insights will be featured in "The Future of the Indian Entertainment Business Debate," a report set to be published four weeks after the event, outlining key trends, strategies, and takeaways for stakeholders.
Mr. Manoj Dobhal, CEO and Executive Director, Dish TV India, said, "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."
He added, "As pioneers in DTH and OTT aggregation, we are proud to introduce the Content franchise to India in partnership with C21 Media. This initiative is where creative visions converge, collaborations take shape, and the future of entertainment unfolds. Content India 2025 is not just an event—it is a movement dedicated to propelling Indian storytelling onto the global stage. By fostering meaningful partnerships and championing next-generation content, we aim to expand the reach of India’s creative talent worldwide. With our deep industry expertise and expansive reach, we are committed to driving innovation, empowering creators, and shaping the entertainment landscape for years to come."
David Jenkinson, Managing Director, C21Media, added, "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."
He continued, "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 summit featured discussions on the strengths of India’s content industry, including creative talent, technical expertise, and cost advantages. Experts explored growth drivers, opportunities for international collaboration, and challenges that must be addressed to ensure sustainable growth.
A key topic was balancing local storytelling with global appeal—adapting Indian content for international markets while preserving cultural authenticity. International executives shared insights on co-productions, content acquisitions, and business expansion strategies. A forward-looking session examined structural shifts needed to thrive amidst digital transformation and evolving audience preferences.
Simon Mirren, Founder of Case Closed, emphasised, "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."
Content India 2025 has successfully launched a new era for India’s entertainment industry. The summit has opened the doors for international collaborations, expanded global markets, and solidified India’s position as a content powerhouse. This momentum will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry in the years to come.
