ITV

Category: Kids

  • Hungama TV on the hunt for its ‘Captains’

    MUMBAI: Disney owned local kid‘s channel Hungama TV is scouting for its next board of directors as part of its annual property the ‘Hungama TV Captains Hunt.‘


    The fourth edition of the hunt will spread over three months touring 520 schools across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Indore and Jaipur.


    This year the premise of the hunt is associated with the ‘Mad fun‘ positioning of the channel. The captains‘ hunt 2007-08 will evaluate each child on parameters beyond academics to include creativity, imagination, expressive skills and a strong Hungama TV quotient, states an official release.


    The 10-city hunt will initially engage over 4, 00, 000 kids between the ages 8-14 years through a school contact programme. This initiative will help kids experience the ‘Mad fun‘ element of the channel while giving them an opportunity to enroll for the Hunt. This group of kid‘s will be given the opportunity to provide their feedback to channel experts and be involved in all key decisions from research to programming to marketing and distribution.



    Culminating in September, the final ten captains will be chosen to represent different cities to form the channel‘s board of kid-directors.


    Walt Disney Television International (India) director – marketing and communications Tushar Shah said, “We empower our audience to design their own channel each year! This way, they ensure that we stay restless and creative just like them. By changing the theme of our hunt each year, we are able to reach out to diverse audiences who continue to bring in fresh ideas to make Hungama TV their favourite entertainment destination.”

    The captains‘ hunt over the past three years has struck a chord with its audience across India. The hunt so far provided a platform to over 1.2 million kids across the country to display their creative talents and an opportunity to structure their own brand of entertainment for the channel.

  • Nielsen examines Harry Potter impact on entertainment industry

    MUMBAI: With the release of the new Harry Potter movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as well as the upcoming book release on 21 July of the seventh and final book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, US media research firm Nielsen has released a multi-dimensional overview into the young wizard‘s strong impact on the entertainment industry.


    Since 1998 when Nielsen began measuring book sales in the UK, the six Harry Potter books have sold more than 22.5 million copies in the UK alone. In the US the Harry Potter titles published after 2001 have sold more than 27.7 million copies.


    The first four Harry Potter films have grossed more than $3.5 billion worldwide. The first film, “Harry Potter and The Sorcerer‘s Stone,” is the fourth all-time highest grossing film worldwide.



    In the US ad spend for all Harry Potter branded merchandise (including books, movies, DVDs and other promotional products) totals $269.1 million from 1998 to date. Outside of the U.S. from 2000 to date, $119.3 million was spent on total advertising for all Harry Potter branded merchandise in Canada, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK.


    All three Harry Potter DVDs/Videos – Sorcerer‘s Stone, Chamber of Secrets, and Prisoner of Azkaban – debuted at number one and remained the number one family film for the first 3 weeks of each release. The Warner Bros. “Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix” Web site drew 446,762 unique visitors in May. On blogs, the final book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is generating more ‘buzz’ than the latest movie installment.


    The four Harry Potter soundtracks combined have sold more than 1.1 million copies in the US and almost 100,000 copies in Canada since the initial release back in October 2001. There have been a total of 180,000 downloads of individual songs that tied to the four Harry Potter soundtracks.


    Since 2002, the Harry Potter movies have aired on US television a total of 366 times. A recent survey of moviegoers shows that 51 per cent of persons age 12+ are aware that the new book is coming out next month. 28 per cent of persons 12+ in the US have read one or more of the previous Harry Potter books, and 15 per cent have read all of the Harry Potter books-to-date.


    More than $11.8 million has been spent by U.S. consumers on Harry Potter-licensed trademark cookies, candy and gum products since June 2002. Audio titles of the Harry Potter series have been popular, with total sales of more than 1.34 million audio copies in the U.S. (818,000) and the UK (525,000) to date. In the UK, audio releases of Harry Potter and Sorcerer‘s Stone have sold the most volume to date (128,280 units). Since 2001, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (452,000 units) and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (349,000 units) are the best-selling audio books in the US.


    Since 2000, international advertisers have spent $659,019 promoting the Harry Potter books (print books and audio books), with the bulk of the ad dollars going towards audio books ($543,412). The top spending category outside the U.S. has been theatrical releases ($57.3 million). Ad spending for Harry Potter among DVD/Video releases came in second at $31.9 million. Advertisers for video games spent $11.8 million and toys/games spent almost $11.6 million, while advertising for Harry Potter magazines reached $3.8 million.


    Cross Promotion in the US: The Harry Potter brand has partnered with products as diverse as bubble bath to electronic games to cross-promote and sell more merchandise. In total, $54 million was spent promoting Harry Potter products excluding the core businesses of books and movies over the last seven years. EA Games Harry Potter & Goblet of Fire Entertainment Software spent the most reaching more than $4.5 million. Other notable promotions include: EA Games Entertainment Software Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup ($3.2 million), Mead Harry Potter School Supplies ($3.1 million), EA Entertainment Software Harry Potter & The Sorcerer‘s Stone ($2.3 million), and Harry Potter & Chamber Of Secrets Playsets Polyjuice Potion Maker ($2.0 million).


    In 2007, two Harry Potter movies aired on Disney in the US averaging approximately 2.8 million viewers. The last broadcast network (ABC) to carry a Harry Potter movie was “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer‘s Stone in April with approximately 4.2 million U.S. viewers.


    59 per cent of persons age 12 and older are aware that the fifth movie in the series is coming out this month.


    57 per cent of persons 12+ have seen one or more of the previous Harry Potter movies.

  • Child Link India Foundation joins Fifa’s Football for Hope project






     

    MUMBAI: Soccer’s governing body Fifa has approved a further 27 programmes in 24 countries, at a total cost of $ 1 million, as part of its Football for Hope movement.


    Of those organisations with mostly long-running programmes that are set to receive support from FIFA, 12 are in Africa with a further nine in North, Central and South America, four in Europe and two in Asia.


    One of them is the Child Link India Foundation. These additional programmes, whose inclusion has been ratified by the sub-committee of the Committee for Fair Play and Social Responsibility, will take Football for Hope to a whole new dimension. The movement already uses the power of football to support more than 60 programmes in 40 different countries via concrete, sustainable projects.








    Fifa president Joseph S Blatter says, “Fifa takes its social responsibility very seriously as part of its aim to build a better future. That is why we have declared Football for Hope to be a movement and an activity of strategic importance and we are proud that we are now in a position to support more organisations in their work.”


    The Football for Hope movement is the key element of a strategic alliance led by FIFA and streetfootballworld, the driving force behind a global network of non-governmental organisations that develops projects in which football is the common denominator.


    The objective of the Football for Hope movement is to support, advise and strengthen sustainable social and human development programmes in the areas of healthcare, children’s rights, education, peace promotion, anti-discrimination, social integration and the environment. By drawing on its huge potential, football will be in a position to help the United Nations reach its Millennium Goals by 2015.


    Following the example set by the industrialised nations in 2002 with their agreement to earmark 0.7 per cent of their gross domestic product for international development aid, FIFA has also decided to invest at least the same percentage of its overall income in worldwide social developments through football.


    The other organisations that now belong to the Football for Hope movement include United Action for Children in Cameroon, Youth in Action Sierra Leone, Grassroot Soccer in South Africa and England’s Nacro.

     

  • BBC to celebrate British cinema with new series

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC will celebrate British film heritage on BBC Two with The Summer Of British season. The seven-part series is dedicated to home grown British encompassing all genres from thriller and comedy to the kitchen sink drama.

    Jessica Hynes (Shaun Of The Dead) will guide viewers through the series examining British film by genre, with highlights from over 200 exclusive interviews from actors and directors including Sir Michael Caine, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Kate Winslet, Ewan McGregor, Gurinder Chadha and Richard Curtis.
    The series is being made with the support of the British Film Institute and the UK Film Council.
    As well as being a romp through the greatest films and stars, the series looks at what makes British films unique and what they reveal about British culture.

    To complement British Film Forever, BBC Two will screen around 70 British films.

    From the premiere of A Cock And Bull Story, through to favourites like Billy Elliot, Gregory’s Girl and From Russia With Love, to classics and rediscoveries, from The 39 Steps, This Sporting Life, Whistle Down The Wind and Witchfinder General.

    To celebrate the season, the UK Film Council, in partnership with the BBC, is backing the release of
    seven of Britain’s greatest films, which will play cinemas across the UK on Tuesday’s from 31 July to 11 September.

    Playing on screens across the UK Film Council’s Lottery funded Digital Screen Network, the season
    kicks off with the 007 classic Goldfinger on 31 July, followed by David Lean’s Brief Encounter (7 August), John Schlesinger’s Billy Liar (14 August), Laurence Olivier’s Henry V (21 August), Robin Hardy’s The Wicker Man (28 August), Michael Anderson’s The Dam Busters (4 September) and Bruce Robinson’s Withnail And I (11 September).

    People also have the chance to celebrate British cinema by creating their own versions of classic
    films. Users can submit their films through the BBC Mini Movies group www.youtube.com/group/ bbcminimovies with favourites being showcased on the BBC’s website bbc.co.uk/britishfilm.

    Other users can rate and comment on the films and pick up tips on creating their own mini movies, the best of which will feature on BBC Two during the season. From mid-July the website will also feature video clips from British Film Forever, background information about the films within the season and listings for films shown on TV and in cinemas across the UK.

    CBBC began celebrating earlier this summer with CBBC me and my movie, a new children’s film-making project with free online resources and summer events taking place across the country.

    Children can enter their home-made films into a special CBBC ‘Me and my movie award’, in association
    with Bafta where short-listed nominees will be invited to attend the prestigious Children’s Bafta Awards ceremony on 25 November. Children’s films are available to view online in the CBBC me and my movie gallery.

  • AOL India, Warner Brothers team up to promote ‘Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix’

    BANGALORE: AOL India has tied up with Warner Brothers to promote the latest blockbuster from the Hollywood production house – ‘Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix’. Warner Brothers & AOL are both part of Time Warner, a leading global media and entertainment company.


    AOL, in association with Warner Brothers, has launched a microsite www.aol.in/harrypotter as part of their portal. The microsite hosts content from the movie Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix incuding videos, photos, wallpapers & interesting facts. The microsite also hosts two games ‘Fight the Death Eaters‘ & ‘Dolore‘s Cat‘, that have been themed around the movie and its characters. The site also has a contest with Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix prizes to be won.



    This is the first time AOL India has had such a tie-up. According to a company source, AOL tie-ups globally are area specific. For example, their UK portal carries just two clips from Harry Potter V in their entertainment section, as opposed to the specific Indian microsite.



    “We are a consumer facing brand, and as and when we find a relevant opportunity, we will look at it seriously. We are not going to limit such associations to the Time-Warner family, We will look at brands and properties that create a buzz in the market, such as Harry Potter has, and which fortunately happens to belong to our group,” informed the source.

  • CBBC launches six online games for kids with cognitive disabilities

    MUMBAI: UK kids and tween broadcaster CBBC has relaunched six of its online games with Switch technology – making them accessible to children with motor and cognitive disabilities.


    With the Switch option, children with motor or cognitive disabilities will be able to enjoy playing Scuba Scramble, Walkie Talkie, Target Zone, Splat Attack, Line Of Defence and Tuneulator without needing to manipulate a mouse or keyboard.



    Sibling channel CBeebies currently employs Switch technology to ensure its games are accessible to the BBC‘s younger viewers. The BBC now aims to offer games for all children, whatever their age or ability.



    The BBC says that it is unique amongst broadcasters in its determination to make its broadcast and online services as accessible as possible.



    Switches are the specialist items of hardware which can be plugged into a computer instead of the mouse. They enable children to access a computer when their disability might normally prevent them from doing so.



    In Scuba Scramble users are deep sea diving in the Maldives. Using the radar users can dive deep to find the treasure but don‘t take too much time or the air supply will run out.


    In Walkie Talkie the users youth club is full of people needing advice.

  • Movie acquisition costs up, channels innovate

    MUMBAI: Hindi movie channels are feeling the heat of high acquisition cost as competition among them to grab eyeballs is intensifying.


    Max has done the bulk of the purchase this year, mopping up movies from Yash Raj and Eros. The kitty includes Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Partner, Gandhi my Father, No smoking, Cheeni Kum, Eklavya, Salaam e Ishq and Provoked.


    Being enthused by the rich list, Max, in fact, has started screening in June “Saal ke sabse bade blockbusters.”


    Says Max business head Sneha Rajani, “The Saal Ke Sabse Bade Blockbusters reinforces the fact that Max is the ultimate destination for the latest and the biggest movies on television. The big blockbusters on Max are sure to enthrall viewers and re-enforce Max‘s commitment of fuelling their passion for movies.”


    As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Sony has pumped in Rs 650 million for a 16-movie deal with Eros. The package also includes yet to be released films like Nanhe Jaisalmer, Buddha Mar Gaya, Chess – A Game Plan, Friends For Ever, Mr Black Mr White, Mr Hot Mr Kool and Aur Pappu Paas Ho Gaya.









    Sony‘s aggressive buying has put pressure on prices. Filmy has renewed its movie acquisition after a gap, making three purchases this year. Super hit Guru, Nishabd and Umrao Jaan have come at a price tag of around Rs 130 million.


    Says Filmy marketing and content head Shailesh Kapoor, “It is a strategic acquisition as all these movies have the Bachchan family in them.”


    Zee Cinema has taken a relatively cautious route, acquiring just three movies this year – Big Brother, Nehle pe Dehla and Fool n Final.


    Says Zee Cinema deputy business head Mohan Gopinath, “These are all independent acquisitions and we have not aligned with any film production house.”


    The channel will screen Big Brother and Nehle pe Dehla in July, followed by Fool n Final in August.


    Star India, on the other hand, has this year acquired satellite telecast rights for My Friend Ganesha, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and Bhagam Bhaag.


    Even as buying rights have gone up, channels have been innovative. Zee Cinema, for instance, has started screening a series of mythologicals under the Bhakti Ki Shakti branded block on Sunday mornings.







    Filmy has been quick to bank on the Rajnikant wave following the release of Sivaji and acquired some Tamil movies of the superstar which it will dub in Hindi and telecast. The purchase, however, excludes Sivaji.


    Says Filmy business head Ashutosh, “Looking at the performance of Sivaji, we anticipated the popularity of Rajnikanth and therefore caught up with this idea.”


    Filmy has also acquired Bhojpuri films and already shown Ganga.



    So do the big titles only work? Says Gopinath, “They definitely help in strengthening the channel‘s position but only if they are promoted strategically.”







  • Jetix lines up ‘Red Ranger’ marathon & ‘Finding Nemo’ upcoming weekend

    MUMBAI: Disney‘s Jetix channel is gearing up for the weekend with a special marathon of Red Ranger on 7 and 8 July from 3:30 – 5 pm.

    The channel is also looking to draw in audiences by telecasting the animated movie Finding Nemo on 7 July at 6 pm.


    Finding Nemo is the comedic and eventful journeys of two fish – Marlin and his son Nemo – that are separated in the Great Barrier Reef. Nemo is unexpectedly snatched from his home turf and thrust into a fish tank in a dentist‘s office overlooking Sydney Harbor. Buoyed by the companionship of a friendly-but-forgetful fish named Dory, the overly cautious father embarks on a dangerous trek and finds himself the unlikely hero of an epic journey to rescue his son – who hatches a few daring plans of his own to return safely home.

  • FremantleMedia announces licensing deals for kids’ brand DangerMouse

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced a raft of new licensing deals for its classic kids’ brand, DangerMouse, which will be returning to New York for Licensing 2007 International.


    Fans of the series will be able to dress up as either DangerMouse or Penfold following a deal with Smiffy’s in the UK to produce a range of costumes and accessories for adults and children. Bravado International Group has renewed the rights to produce a range of men’s DangerMouse T-Shirts, hooded sweatshirts and headwear.


    The range will be available in record retail chains across the UK including HMV, Virgin and MVC as well as in Envy, Urban Outfitters and online through play.com and truffleshuffle.co.uk. This is the first time that FME has taken DangerMouse apparel into the record retail industry.



    Additionally, FME has licensed rights to Global Licensing Limited to produce men and women’s T-Shirts and sweatshirts for distribution into UK high street retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Topshop, New Look, Woolworths and John Lewis. PMS International has also been granted rights to produce DangerMouse plush toys of all sizes and key rings for distribution in amusement sectors.



    Fremantlemedia senior VP, licensing, UK Dominic Burns says, “We are delighted to announce this raft of deals for DangerMouse on the eve of Licensing 2007 International. The response we’ve had from both licensees and retailers alike clearly illustrates the ongoing strength and interest in the brand and we look forward to ensuring DangerMouse stays at the forefront of consumers’ minds, where he belongs.”



    DangerMouse is currently celebrating his 25th birthday. To coincide with this anniversary FME teamed up with a raft of licensees to launch a range of celebratory products including apparel, collectable figurines and a special edition 25th anniversary DangerMouse DVD box set.



    DangerMouse, the secret agent mouse, and his trusty, bumbling sidekick, Penfold, first hit TV screens on ITV1 in the UK in 1981. DangerMouse has aired in over 80 countries worldwide including India, Australia, Romania, Trinidad and Zambia.

  • Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Group promotes Kaufman to chief marketing officer

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group has named Pam Kaufman as chief marketing officer (CMO), to oversee all marketing efforts for the businesses of Nickelodeon. This will include television, digital, consumer products, Nick Movies, as well as MTVN Kids and Family Group brands The N; Nick at Nite; Noggin; and Nicktoons Network.

    Kaufman will continue to report Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami.


    Additionally, she will continue to lead the company‘s advertising and multicultural efforts, and will partner with Nickelodeon International to bring the best practices of her group to the rest of the globe. Kaufman will also employ the new consumer centric marketing tools of the digital world to ensure both relevance and creative excellence as Nickelodeon grows on new platforms.


    “As we continue to evolve in this ever-changing media landscape, there‘s no one more astute or better suited than Pam to ensure Nickelodeon‘s integrated marketing messages are clearly communicated,” said Zarghami. “Pam is a recognized leader in her field and within our company, and has set the gold standard in partnerships and marketing initiatives within the kids‘ entertainment industry.”



    Kaufman will continue to be Nickelodeon‘s strategic liaison to all of its marketing partners as the network maintains its lead in pioneering new and innovative marketing solutions. She will be primarily responsible for finding new ways to bring the Nickelodeon brand to life. She will also be a key driver in helping to grow Nickelodeon‘s music brand, spearheading all the marketing efforts for its music-related initiatives. The network recently entered into a partnership with Sony Music Label Group where the two companies will co-develop, co-produce, and jointly finance television and music projects over the next four years, states an official release.


    In her former role as EVP, marketing and worldwide promotions, Kaufman created multi-platform marketing campaigns and multi-million dollar sponsorships for Nickelodeon‘s key properties, from SpongeBob SquarePants, to Dora the Explorer, to the Kids‘ Choice Awards.


    Before joining MTV Networks, Kaufman established the Promotions Group within Turner Broadcasting System, the first worldwide Burger King Kids‘ Meal Promotion, as well as a sponsorship deal for the Cartoon Network Wacky Racing Nascar Team.