ITV

Category: Kids

  • McDonald’s celebrates World Children’s Day

    MUMBAI: World Children‘s Day at McDonald‘s, which is the company‘s largest annual fundraiser for children, turned five years old. Entertainers, musicians, executives and children came together in New York City for a worldwide celebration to support fundraising efforts conducted in over 100 countries for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) and other children‘s causes.


    Dancing With The Stars season finale, winner Emmitt Smith and dance partner Cheryl Burke, along with runner-up Mario Lopez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff, joined McDonald‘s CEO Jim Skinner, World Children‘s Day global ambassador Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, actress Sofia Vergara and other entertainers at the 42nd Street McDonald‘s. After meeting with children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City, event participants stopped behind the counter to help raise funds for World Children‘s Day, informs an official release.


    “McDonald‘s has a rich tradition of being a good community partner and neighbour,” said Skinner. “As the needs of the world‘s children have increased over time, so has the need for companies and citizens to play a more active role in affecting positive change.”



    For the fifth consecutive year, World Children‘s Day at McDonald‘s will take place in almost 31,000 restaurants around the world. McDonald‘s customers, franchisees and suppliers have raised funds to help support more than 260 Ronald McDonald Houses, 105 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, 31 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs and other children‘s causes around the world.


    A new global World Children‘s Day TV campaign includes the voiceover of actor Paul Newman and features children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The commercial aired in the US from 10 to 19 November and in select countries around the world throughout the month, adds the release.


    Additionally, the Duchess of York taped a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about World Children‘s Day at McDonald‘s. The PSA, which will air throughout November, reminds viewers they can help improve the lives of children around the world by participating in World Children‘s Day and supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.


    The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs, the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children in their own communities. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $440 million in grants and program services to children‘s programs around the world.

  • Disney’s dance contest ‘My School Rocks’ kicks off in Mumbai













    MUMBAI: Disney Channel‘s interschool group-dance competition ‘My School Rocks‘ kicked off in Mumbai today with students from over 50 schools in Mumbai competing to enter the semi finals of the contest.






    The performances from Mumbai kids will be pitted against schools from four other cities including Kolkata, Amritsar, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. Bollywood dance queen Saroj Khan will judge the competition and pronounce five schools with the best dancing talent as semi finalists.



    Vignettes of these five semi finalists‘ performances will then be aired for audience poll via various voting mechanisms. The school to win the hearts of the viewers will take away the title – ‘My School Rocks‘, states an official release.






    In addition, the winning group will star in a special music video which will be choreographed by Saroj Khan and will premier on Disney Channel on 25 December.


    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director – programming and production Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “Disney Channel reflects real kids‘ lives, their aspirations and dreams. ‘My School Rocks‘ is all about encouraging kids to express themselves while learning the value of teamwork. As in the movie High School Musical, this contest is about believing in yourself and following your dreams.”


    “We believe in creating multiple touch points for our young viewers to experience our brand in an engaging and fun way. My School Rocks is an extension of our on-air programming philosophy,” he adds.


    Drawing inspiration from this year‘s Disney Channel original movie High School Musical, particiapnts for My School Rocks were required to choreograph their own dance sequences to the High School Musical song ‘Ho ek hi aim‘.


    The music of the High School Musical was rendered in Hindi by Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, and directed by John Stewart, programmed by DJ G and John Stewart.s

  • Disney Pixar’s ‘Cars’ released with record number of DVDs

    MUMBAI: Disney Pixar title Cars has been released with a record number of DVDs for any animated film from Disney in India. The units (DVDs) released is twice the number compared to Finding Nemo, which had exceeded market expectations in the past, asserts an official release.

    The movie is being released by Excel Home Videos (licensee for Walt Disney’s home entertainment business- Buena Vista Home Entertainment).

    Excel Home Videos managing director M.N. Kapasi said, “The success of animated movies on Home Video in India has been an eye opener for marketers focused on the Indian landscape.”

    “The growing clout of children in the household’s buying patterns combined with their affinity and knowledge of latest technologies has indirectly contributed to the success of children focused content on home video. Also, animated content scores high with parents as they can be watched without parental guidance,” he added.

    The growth also has been attributed to the increasing acceptance of animated content by other age groups, thus making animated movies a perfect family viewing spectacle. The DVD will also be released in Hindi, adds the release.

    Cars story is about hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen who is living life in the fast lane until he hits a diversion on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in a forgotten town, he meets a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there’s more to life than trophies and fame.

  • Disney’s dance contest ‘My School Rocks’ kicks off in Mumbai

    Disney’s dance contest ‘My School Rocks’ kicks off in Mumbai

    MUMBAI: Disney Channel’s interschool group-dance competition ‘My School Rocks’ kicked off in Mumbai today with students from over 50 schools in Mumbai competing to enter the semi finals of the contest.

    The performances from Mumbai kids will be pitted against schools from four other cities including Kolkata, Amritsar, New Delhi and Ahmedabad. Bollywood dance queen Saroj Khan will judge the competition and pronounce five schools with the best dancing talent as semi finalists.

    Vignettes of these five semi finalists’ performances will then be aired for audience poll via various voting mechanisms. The school to win the hearts of the viewers will take away the title – ‘My School Rocks’, states an official release.

    In addition, the winning group will star in a special music video which will be choreographed by Saroj Khan and will premier on Disney Channel on 25 December.

    Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director – programming and production Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “Disney Channel reflects real kids’ lives, their aspirations and dreams. ‘My School Rocks’ is all about encouraging kids to express themselves while learning the value of teamwork. As in the movie High School Musical, this contest is about believing in yourself and following your dreams.”

    “We believe in creating multiple touch points for our young viewers to experience our brand in an engaging and fun way. My School Rocks is an extension of our on-air programming philosophy,” he adds.

    Drawing inspiration from this year’s Disney Channel original movie High School Musical, particiapnts for My School Rocks were required to choreograph their own dance sequences to the High School Musical song ‘Ho ek hi aim’.

    The music of the High School Musical was rendered in Hindi by Sunidhi Chauhan, Naresh Kamath, Shweta Pandit, Neuman Pinto, and directed by John Stewart, programmed by DJ G and John Stewart.s

  • Mattel makes Children’s Day special with ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses’

    Mattel makes Children’s Day special with ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses’

    MUMBAI: On the occasion of Children’s Day, Mattel Toys India organized a special screening, courtesy Fun Cinemas and Rajshri Media – Mattel’s mobile content partner, of Barbie’s latest movie, Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses.

    The event was specially organized for the children from ‘Make a Wish Foundation of India’ and other Barbie fans from across Mumbai city,

    The movie which is the sixth from Barbie Entertainment portrays Barbie and her sisters’ love for dance, team spirit, togetherness and art. The film shows little girls, the importance and power of family, of togetherness and team spirit and conveys the message that one can make a difference. The graceful moves of the New York City Ballet Group are captured via motion-capture technology in the movie, states the release.

    Celebrity parents including Archanan Puran Singh with Hubby Parmeet Singh, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Deepti Bhatagar, Walusha Robinson and Pallavi Joshi with their toddlers were present to grace the occasion.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mattel Toys India managing director Sanjay Luthra said, “Barbie has always focused on spreading the message of love, togetherness and self confidence through her movies. Today, we are happy that we could put a smile on the faces of young fans from across the city.”

    Adding on to the celebrations, managing and founder trustee of Make-A-Wish Foundation of India Uday Joshi commented, “We thank Mattel Toys for providing our children with this opportunity to watch this fun-filled movie Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses. Barbie has always been a favourite with our children and Mattel Toys have in the past too shown generosity in sponsoring a few of their products for our children’s Barbie Wishes. We look forward to your continued support to reach out and fulfill many more wishes.”

  • Disney Pixar’s ‘Cars’ released with record number of DVDs

    MUMBAI: Disney Pixar title Cars has been released with a record number of DVDs for any animated film from Disney in India. The units (DVDs) released is twice the number compared to Finding Nemo, which had exceeded market expectations in the past, asserts an official release.















    The movie is being released by Excel Home Videos (licensee for Walt Disney‘s home entertainment business- Buena Vista Home Entertainment).



    Excel Home Videos managing director M.N. Kapasi said, “The success of animated movies on Home Video in India has been an eye opener for marketers focused on the Indian landscape.”


    “The growing clout of children in the household‘s buying patterns combined with their affinity and knowledge of latest technologies has indirectly contributed to the success of children focused content on home video. Also, animated content scores high with parents as they can be watched without parental guidance,” he added.


    The growth also has been attributed to the increasing acceptance of animated content by other age groups, thus making animated movies a perfect family viewing spectacle. The DVD will also be released in Hindi, adds the release.


    Cars story is about hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen who is living life in the fast lane until he hits a diversion on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in a forgotten town, he meets a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there‘s more to life than trophies and fame.

  • Mattel makes Children’s Day special with ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses’















    MUMBAI: On the occasion of Children‘s Day, Mattel Toys India organized a special screening, courtesy Fun Cinemas and Rajshri Media – Mattel‘s mobile content partner, of Barbie‘s latest movie, Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses.








    Pallavi Joshi with the toddlers

    The event was specially organized for the children from ‘Make a Wish Foundation of India‘ and other Barbie fans from across Mumbai city,


    The movie which is the sixth from Barbie Entertainment portrays Barbie and her sisters‘ love for dance, team spirit, togetherness and art. The film shows little girls, the importance and power of family, of togetherness and team spirit and conveys the message that one can make a difference. The graceful moves of the New York City Ballet Group are captured via motion-capture technology in the movie, states the release.









    Archana Puran Singh with her husband Parmeet Sethi share a moment with Rajeshwari Sachdev.
    Celebrity parents including Archanan Puran Singh with Hubby Parmeet Singh, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Deepti Bhatagar, Walusha Robinson and Pallavi Joshi with their toddlers were present to grace the occasion.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mattel Toys India managing director Sanjay Luthra said, “Barbie has always focused on spreading the message of love, togetherness and self confidence through her movies. Today, we are happy that we could put a smile on the faces of young fans from across the city.”


    Adding on to the celebrations, managing and founder trustee of Make-A-Wish Foundation of India Uday Joshi commented, “We thank Mattel Toys for providing our children with this opportunity to watch this fun-filled movie Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses. Barbie has always been a favourite with our children and Mattel Toys have in the past too shown generosity in sponsoring a few of their products for our children‘s Barbie Wishes. We look forward to your continued support to reach out and fulfill many more wishes.”


    Pictures by Satej Shinde

  • Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob ‘Best Day Ever’ marathon

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon‘s SpongeBob SquarePants all-day marathon titled “Best Day Ever” which was held on 10 November, earned the network it‘s most-watched and highest-rated total programming day in its history, averaging 1.9/4.4 million total viewers (P2+).






    An official release issued by the channel stated that overall, during its total programming day (from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT) on 10 November, Nick averaged a 7.6/2.5 million kids 2-11, a network high average in terms of kid 2-11 viewers, and a 7.5/1.5 million kids 6-11.


    The Nickelodeon celebration of the happy-go-lucky sponge began on 9 November at 8 pm featuring viewers‘ top 100 cartoon picks, and culminating in an all-new “Best Day Ever” SpongeBob SquarePants special on 10 November at 7:30 pm ET/PT. The marathon was followed by the network premiere of the Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies feature film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie at 8 pm ET/PT.



    The “Best Day Ever” special recieved an average of 12.0/4.0 million kids 2-11, 12.8/2.6 million kids 6-11 and 6.7 million total viewers. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie averaged a 13.3/4.4 million kids 2-11, 14.6/2.9 million kids 6-11 and 7.3 million total viewers, adds the release.


    The marathon kicked off on Thursday with the initial telecast on 9 November at 8 pm – 9 pm earned a 7.1/2.3 million kids 2-11, 7.7/1.5 Kids 6-11, with 3.9 million total viewers (P2+). The portion of the SpongeBob SquarePants marathon on Nick at Nite (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.) increased ratings and delivery by triple digits among kids 2-11 and 6-11 with a 5.3/1.8 million K2-11, an increase of +204 per cent, and 6.1/1.2 million K6-11, an increase of +188 per cent. An average of 3.2 million viewers tuned in during primetime, with 831,000 adults 18-49.

    The “SpongeBob Best Day Ever” game went live on 9 November and in three days, generated 1.3 million game plays and more than 867,000 unique visitors. SpongeBob‘s “Best Day Ever” full length music video was the number-two video of last week on TurboNick (Nov. 6 to Nov. 12) generating more than 1.4 million streams, with 471,000 unique visitors. The “Best Day Ever” promotion video on TurboNick ranked within the top 10 videos on the broadband player during the same time period with 370,000 streams, adds the release.


    In addition, during the week of 6 November, Nick.com experienced a +35 per cent increase in unique visitors over last year, and page views were up 16 per cent over year ago levels. TurboNick also witnessed a +327 per cent increase in streams over year ago levels. Activity increases can be attributed to the online campaign surrounding the SpongeBob “Best Day Ever” television event (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst 2006 & 2005).


    Leading up to the “Best Day Ever” event, Nickelodeon invited kids to vote (beginning Oct. 5) for their favorite SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons on a new super-site http://www.nick.com/bestdayever. Kids were encouraged to choose their 10 favorites by viewing clips from multiple SpongeBob SquarePants episodes. The super-site received almost 5 million streams and 3.2 million votes. The fans‘ votes determined the order of the 24-hour marathon leading up to the premiere of the “Best Day Ever” special. Overall, SpongeBob‘s “Best Day Ever” campaign was the most successful online campaign for the property to date.

  • Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob ‘Best Day Ever’ marathon

    Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob ‘Best Day Ever’ marathon

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants all-day marathon titled “Best Day Ever” which was held on 10 November, earned the network it’s most-watched and highest-rated total programming day in its history, averaging 1.9/4.4 million total viewers (P2+).

    An official release issued by the channel stated that overall, during its total programming day (from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT) on 10 November, Nick averaged a 7.6/2.5 million kids 2-11, a network high average in terms of kid 2-11 viewers, and a 7.5/1.5 million kids 6-11.

    The Nickelodeon celebration of the happy-go-lucky sponge began on 9 November at 8 pm featuring viewers’ top 100 cartoon picks, and culminating in an all-new “Best Day Ever” SpongeBob SquarePants special on 10 November at 7:30 pm ET/PT. The marathon was followed by the network premiere of the Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies feature film, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie at 8 pm ET/PT.

    The “Best Day Ever” special recieved an average of 12.0/4.0 million kids 2-11, 12.8/2.6 million kids 6-11 and 6.7 million total viewers. The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie averaged a 13.3/4.4 million kids 2-11, 14.6/2.9 million kids 6-11 and 7.3 million total viewers, adds the release.

    The marathon kicked off on Thursday with the initial telecast on 9 November at 8 pm – 9 pm earned a 7.1/2.3 million kids 2-11, 7.7/1.5 Kids 6-11, with 3.9 million total viewers (P2+). The portion of the SpongeBob SquarePants marathon on Nick at Nite (9 p.m. to 11 p.m.) increased ratings and delivery by triple digits among kids 2-11 and 6-11 with a 5.3/1.8 million K2-11, an increase of +204 per cent, and 6.1/1.2 million K6-11, an increase of +188 per cent. An average of 3.2 million viewers tuned in during primetime, with 831,000 adults 18-49.

    The “SpongeBob Best Day Ever” game went live on 9 November and in three days, generated 1.3 million game plays and more than 867,000 unique visitors. SpongeBob’s “Best Day Ever” full length music video was the number-two video of last week on TurboNick (Nov. 6 to Nov. 12) generating more than 1.4 million streams, with 471,000 unique visitors. The “Best Day Ever” promotion video on TurboNick ranked within the top 10 videos on the broadband player during the same time period with 370,000 streams, adds the release.

    In addition, during the week of 6 November, Nick.com experienced a +35 per cent increase in unique visitors over last year, and page views were up 16 per cent over year ago levels. TurboNick also witnessed a +327 per cent increase in streams over year ago levels. Activity increases can be attributed to the online campaign surrounding the SpongeBob “Best Day Ever” television event (source: Omniture SiteCatalyst 2006 & 2005).

    Leading up to the “Best Day Ever” event, Nickelodeon invited kids to vote (beginning Oct. 5) for their favorite SpongeBob SquarePants cartoons on a new super-site http://www.nick.com/bestdayever. Kids were encouraged to choose their 10 favorites by viewing clips from multiple SpongeBob SquarePants episodes. The super-site received almost 5 million streams and 3.2 million votes. The fans’ votes determined the order of the 24-hour marathon leading up to the premiere of the “Best Day Ever” special. Overall, SpongeBob’s “Best Day Ever” campaign was the most successful online campaign for the property to date.

  • BBC uncovers ‘Junior Spooks’ HD series

    MUMBAI: The BBC has revealed the cast of its new high-definition children‘s spy series from the maker of Spooks, Kudos Film and Television.


    MI High (10×30‘) follows a high–ranking MI9 agent, played by Danny John Jules (Red Dwarf), as he establishes a ring of undercover agents in an inner-city high school, at a time when threats to UK national security are at an all-time high, asserts an official release.


    The series is the first Children‘s BBC (CBBC) series to be filmed in HD and follows the broadcaster‘s last children‘s show, The Magician‘s House, adds the release



    Newcomers Bel Powley, Moustafa Chousein-Oglou and Rachel Petladwala star as Daisy, Blane and Rose, the highly trained spies who juggle school work with saving the world. They are joined by guest stars Robert Llewellyn, Rula Lenska, Alex Ferns and Steve Furst.


    CBBC head of drama Jon East said, “Filmed in HD – a first for CBBC – with jaw-dropping stunts and high-tech wizardry, MI High brings the quality of Spooks to a children‘s drama.”



    The series is due to transmit in early 2007 on CBBC, as well as being shown as part of the BBC‘s 12-month HD trial, available to viewers with HD services.