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In a compelling panel discussion hosted by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), top executives from JioStar, Amazon, and National Geographic converged to discuss the future of sports and entertainment content across global and Indian markets.
Kevin Vaz, Chief Executive Officer of JioStar’s Entertainment Business TV & Digital, emphasised the seamless integration of sports and entertainment in the company’s content strategy. “Our sports and entertainment portfolio is offered to the consumer seamlessly and on digital,” he said, noting how innovations in video formats and bundling strategies have amplified consumer engagement. Vaz highlighted the leadership of Sanjog Gupta and the ESPN team in pushing the boundaries of sports content. “In some ways, Sanjog and the team have actually gone further faster in what they've done with sports,” he added, underscoring the success of localised strategies in India.
Kelly Day, Vice President, International at Amazon, pointed to the tech giant's data-driven and consumer-first approach to content. She elaborated on how Amazon is leveraging its global scale while remaining deeply rooted in local market sensibilities. “It's about building stories that resonate locally while having the infrastructure to scale globally,” Day said, hinting at future investments in regional sports and storytelling formats.
Justin Warbrooke, EVP and Chief Financial Officer, The Walt Disney Company, delved into the financial resilience required in today’s volatile entertainment economy. He stressed the importance of balancing creative ambition with fiscal discipline, especially as consumer behaviours shift rapidly across streaming and live entertainment.
Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storyteller at National Geographic, brought a narrative-focused lens to the conversation. “At National Geographic, storytelling is our north star,” she remarked, describing the brand’s mission to connect audiences with stories that inform, inspire, and ignite action. Yarnall emphasised the role of immersive content and scientific storytelling in building meaningful viewer experiences.
Urmila Venugopalan, President and MD of the MPA, opened the session by reflecting on the industry’s transformation over the past decade. She highlighted the need for stronger collaborations between global players and local creators to sustain innovation in both content and distribution.
The session underscored a shared belief: that the fusion of technology, local expertise, and compelling storytelling is central to shaping the next era of media. Whether through ESPN's digital evolution, Amazon's global content pipeline, or National Geographic’s immersive narratives, the future of entertainment lies at the intersection of innovation and cultural relevance.
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