ITV

Category: Kids

  • Disney to debut 2 local live-action shows by year-end

    Disney to debut 2 local live-action shows by year-end

    MUMBAI: In line with its localisation strategy, Walt Disney is working on two original, live-action Hindi-language TV series to be shown on the Disney Channel.

    The move will mark Disney’s entry into production of shows locally as it pumps up efforts to expand in a fast-growing Indian kids television market.

    “We’ll have two shows on the air by the end of 2006,” Disney Channel Worldwide president Rich Ross told Financial Times in an interview.

    Ross did not disclose the working titles for the two new series, but said they will be ‘half-hour dramas telling different stories.’ One of these shows is reportedly centered around a girl band.

    Disney has shown aggression in the Indian market and recently acquired Hungama TV, a local kids channel, and a 14.9 per cent stake in production house UTV Software Communications for a total consideration of $44.5 million. The company has also announced serious intent to produce Bollywood movies.

    Following a step by step localisation strategy, Disney initiated this move by converting Toon Disney into Tamil and Telugu for audiences in the South. “Languaging was our first step,” a Walt Disney Company (India) Pvt. Ltd spokesperson told Indiantelevision.com.

    In order to provide the Disney channels a local environment, specific interstitials were introduced. The third step was to acquire locally produced content like Hanuman.

    “Producing our own shows locally was the final step in this localisation drive,” the spokesperson added.

    Another major initiative Disney has in the pipeline is a localised version of the international smash hit TV movie High School Musical. According to a report in the Guardian, the film is being remade as a feature film for the Indian and Latin American markets, swapping basketball (the male lead is a high school basketball star) for cricket or football as appropriate.

    As reported earlier by this website, Disney has also stated that the key driver for market expansion in India is live action programming and revealed that it was looking at local acquisitions to support that strategy.

    Live action programming is said to appeal to the tween age group (10 – 14 years), which is a large but underserved category in comparision to pre-school kids.

    Walt Disney is yet to evolve a programming strategy for Hungama TV as the acquisition process is not complete, the spokesperson told Indiantelevision.com. The three channels in India will cater to diverse audiences in the kids space.

    Disney also sees potential in the China market, although the company made inroads in India first for its “relative openness.”

    “We have yet to be able to strike a deal in China to make co-productions there. We believe that day will come as well but I think that is emblematic of the difference right now,” Ross told FT.

    High School Musical, which cost just $ 4.4 million to make, has had a phenomenal worldwide response. By year-end the film will have been shown in 100 countries. The DVD has sold more than 2.3 million copies and the soundtrack has shifted 3 million copies in the US alone. In February, there were nine songs from the musical in the top 100, five of them in the top 40, paving the way for the stage play, the T-shirt, the book, the dance craze and the theme park rides, the Guardian reported.

  • Indigo Kids Edutainment brings I theatre Singapore musical to India

    Indigo Kids Edutainment brings I theatre Singapore musical to India

    MUMBAI: Indigo Kids Edutainment, a new company launched to capture the imagination of children all over India has invited I theatre from Singapore to perform a musical play Rainbow Fish from 19 – 31 September across four cities; Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

    Rainbow Fish is based upon Marcus Pfister’s award winning book. I theatre is known for imparting social and moral lessons through their musicals. Rainbow Fish focuses on the lessons of equality of all and acceptance of diverse breeds. It also creates an awareness of ocean ecology. The musical is suitable for children between the ages of 15 months to 12 years, informs an official release.

    On this new initiative, one of the founding members Pinky Daga said, “This is a very new type of entertainment in India for children—parents have only malls, video game parlors, and movies—today’s parents want a little more–they want something enriching. The types of events and programs Indigo Kids will offer will guarantee that each child will take with them an unparallel learning experience each time. This venture is unique, as it is the first time in India that edutainment will be explored on such a large scale.”

    The organisation will kick off its activities with drama. However, they also have a Circus workshop scheduled for November.

    Indigo Kids was born out of a vision to offer internationally researched programs and events designed to nurture each area of a child’s total development. The organisation holds events, workshops and programmes for children across India and aims to introduce activities for kids away from the academic curriculum.

    The initiative was started by three mothers-Pinky Daga, Ekta Shah, and Sheetal Savani. The idea emerged from what is called the Indigo phenomenon that has been recognized as one of the most exciting changes in human nature ever documented in society. The Indigo label describes the energy pattern of human behavior, which exists in over 95 per cent of the children born in the last 10 years. A phenomena occurring globally, children Indigo’s are easy to recognize by their unusually large, clear eyes, extremely bright, precocious children with an amazing memory and a strong desire to live instinctively. These children are sensitive, gifted souls with an evolved consciousness, adds the release.

    Pinky Daga brings to Indigo Kids a depth of media, marketing, and entertainment industry experience from her years as a magazine journalist in Boston, New York, and London. A graduate of early childhood education from CMYT, New York Ekta Shah provides an integral understanding of the development of a child’s psyche with her experience. Whereas, Sheetal Savani brings to the team, business expertise and accounting skills gained from pursuing a CA degree, adds the release.

  • Animax to showcase ‘Full Metal Alchemist Marathon’ from 16 September

    Animax to showcase ‘Full Metal Alchemist Marathon’ from 16 September

    MUMBAI: SPE Network’s Animax, will be showcasing all the episodes of the animated feature Full Metal Alchemist every Saturday and Sunday starting 16 September from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

    Animation aficionados can sit back, relax and enjoy their weekends as the 24 hour anime channel will showcase the Full Metal Catch Up Marathon. The back to back shows of the action series based on Hiromu Arakawa’s best-selling Manga comics promises to take the viewers on an adrenaline rush, informs an official release.

    The Full Metal Alchemist illustrates the life of Edward Elric and his brother Al, unable to bear the loss of their mother, attempt to revive her by using the forbidden alchemy of human transmutation. They end up paying a heavy price for breaking the laws of nature. Ed loses his leg, and sacrifices an arm to save his brother – except that Al has lost his entire body, and his soul is sealed in a suit of armour.

    A few years down later, Ed has become the youngest State Alchemist in history at the age of 15, and is famously known as the Full Metal Alchemist for his mechanical limbs. Together, he and Al seek the power of the Philosopher’s Stone-a gem that can amplify an alchemist’s power a thousand fold-to restore the bodies they lost. Watch them uncover the mysteries they embark upon their journey while facing the dangers of the evil forces who are also on the lookout for this legendary stone, adds the release.

  • Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store













    MUMBAI: Apple Computers‘ has announced that the iTunes Music Store will carry movies from The Walt Disney Co. studios. This was in conjunction with the launch of their online movie service on 12 September 2006.


    As announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, more than 75 films will be available from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. New releases will be priced at $12.99 (euro10.22), when pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, or $14.99 (euro11.79) afterward. Library titles will be sold for $9.99 (euro7.86) each, informs an official release.


    Similar services like Amazon‘s movie service which was launched last week, signed distribution deals with seven studios however, excluded Disney.



    In addition, Jobs also showcased a device that will make it easier for consumers to watch the videos on television. The gadget, dubbed iTV will allow consumers to watch movies purchased online as well as other digital content stored on a computer on a connected television set. It will be available for $299 (euro235) by early next year.


    Jobs also announced a new iPod nano with a 24-hour battery life and new games for the portable media player. The new iPods will come in five colors, and will priced between $149 (euro117) and $249 (euro196), adds the release.

  • Nat Geo partners with CBeebies, King Rollo Films for new show













    MUMBAI: US media firm National Geographic Kids Entertainment (NGKE) and King Rollo Films have partnered with the BBC’s kids channel CBeebies to co-produce the live-action/animated preschool series Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies.


    CBeebies will also contribute archival footage to complement the resources provided by National Geographic. The agreement was announced by National Geographic Kids Entertainment president Donna Friedman Meir.



    The co-production deal gives CBeebies rights to broadcast the program in the UK and Eire and to license consumer products and home video in these territories. NGKE’s sister company, National Geographic Television International (NGTI), retains programme sales and equivalent licensing/home video rights for all remaining worldwide territories. CBeebies will begin airing Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies next year.


    NGKE, NGTI and CBeebies plan to develop Mama Mirabelle into a multimedia franchise encompassing television, DVD/video, VOD, mobile phone and interactive online content.


    Meir says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with CBeebies, given their extraordinary legacy as a producer of outstanding children’s programming. Their support for â€?Mama Mirabelle’ is a fantastic seal of approval for our first preschool series. There is a natural fit between the BBC and National Geographic brands, and we look forward to developing our relationship so that we can continue to bring such lovable characters and high-quality programming to U.K. and global audiences.â€?

    Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies features an inquisitive cast of baby animal characters, including regulars Bo the cheetah cub; Karla the zebra foal; Max the elephant calf; monkeys Pip, Flip and Chip; and their maternal elephant host, Mama Mirabelle. Each day the animals gather in the savannah to watch home videos of themselves and other amazing creatures of the natural world. Through lighthearted and heartwarming interaction, Mama helps the baby animals find answers to many of life’s questions from a preschooler’s perspective.

  • Cartoon Network Enterprises unveils branded merchandise ‘Pogo Wheels’













    MUMBAI: Following on the heels of the announcement of the two theme parks slated to launch next year, the Cartoon Network Enterprises‘ (CNE) merchandising programme has rolled out a new range of Pogo branded consumer products, ‘Pogo Wheels‘.


    The consumer products division was launched last year in India and following the success of the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Johnny Bravo merchandise, they are now focusing on extending the width of consumer products. Following the success of Beyblade, this eight-product range represents a sophisticated version that combines Formula 1 racing and the Beyblades concept. As the company forsees a strong competitive streak in Indian kids these days, they believe such toys will be a big rage.


    The range will be priced between Rs 399 (Basic Launcher) to Rs 1129 (Turbo Launcher) and will be available at multi brand retail outlets with over 450 retailers across 38 cities such as Lifestyle, Shoppers‘ Stop, Pantaloon, Pyramid, Landmark, Hypercity and Crossword. Pogo Wheels will be manufactured and distributed by Cybershop Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Besides the main metros, it will also be launched in cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bhopal, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Nasik, Aurangabad and Surat amongst others.



    The consumer products division has specifically kicked off with toys. However, they have plans to launch more Pogo merchandise across other categories inculding apparel, innerwear, stationery, gifts and novelties, bags and activity games amongst others.



    Commenting on the same, Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director Jiggy George said, “We decided to start with toys and thus, wanted to bring out a product with a brand like Pogo that has great resonance with kids. Pogo lends itself to extending properties and building brands therefore we decided to foray into the retail segment. We don‘t however, want to continue within the space of toys with just a one off therefore, we will come up with a whole range of toys under Pogo. As most of the brands on Cartoon Network are TV property based, this would be completely on the brand level.”


    Although it appears to be catering more to the boys segment George said, “We have tried to keep this product as ‘gender neutral‘ as possible, even in terms of packaging.”


    When queried as to the rationale behind the launch at this time, George said, “We are hoping that this will become the flavour for Diwali gifting, followed by December which is a peak season for toys. Secondly, we also needed to launch quickly enough in these and more categories before the summer launch of the Pogo theme park. As the key focus is that they will all be available at the theme park.”


    The toys will be rolled out in stores in the first week of October and it is estimated that 5 per cent of sales will be spent on marketing activities and giving a major push to this new category a TVC will be aired on both the networks. Also, the product will be placed within shows and given out via contests. Other on ground initiatives will include creating racing arenas at various stores like Landmark and Lifestyle where kids can play with the toy and get familiar with it. It is important to capture the consumer at the point of sale and thus, several retail outlets will have screens where the TVC will also be shown.


    Speaking to this website on their perception of the competition in this space, George opined, “The current toy market in India is approximatetly a 600 crore (Rs 6 billion) business, while only 40 per cent is organized. Within the 120 crore organsied space most of the share is maintained by Funskool and Mattel and a few smaller players. We will be a very small but significant player in this space.


    “We are not competing against the big boys but we know we will make a very important dent in the organized space. As a division we are growing year on year at 50 per cent and we contribute to 10 per cent of the overall Turner revenue but we are growing rapidly and so it is exciting times for us.”

  • Cartoon Network Enterprises unveils branded merchandise ‘Pogo Wheels’

    Cartoon Network Enterprises unveils branded merchandise ‘Pogo Wheels’

    MUMBAI: Following on the heels of the announcement of the two theme parks slated to launch next year, the Cartoon Network Enterprises’ (CNE) merchandising programme has rolled out a new range of Pogo branded consumer products, ‘Pogo Wheels’.

    The consumer products division was launched last year in India and following the success of the Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and Johnny Bravo merchandise, they are now focusing on extending the width of consumer products. Following the success of Beyblade, this eight-product range represents a sophisticated version that combines Formula 1 racing and the Beyblades concept. As the company forsees a strong competitive streak in Indian kids these days, they believe such toys will be a big rage.

    The range will be priced between Rs 399 (Basic Launcher) to Rs 1129 (Turbo Launcher) and will be available at multi brand retail outlets with over 450 retailers across 38 cities such as Lifestyle, Shoppers’ Stop, Pantaloon, Pyramid, Landmark, Hypercity and Crossword. Pogo Wheels will be manufactured and distributed by Cybershop Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Besides the main metros, it will also be launched in cities like Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Bhopal, Gwalior, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Nasik, Aurangabad and Surat amongst others.

    The consumer products division has specifically kicked off with toys. However, they have plans to launch more Pogo merchandise across other categories inculding apparel, innerwear, stationery, gifts and novelties, bags and activity games amongst others.

    Commenting on the same, Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director Jiggy George said, “We decided to start with toys and thus, wanted to bring out a product with a brand like Pogo that has great resonance with kids. Pogo lends itself to extending properties and building brands therefore we decided to foray into the retail segment. We don’t however, want to continue within the space of toys with just a one off therefore, we will come up with a whole range of toys under Pogo. As most of the brands on Cartoon Network are TV property based, this would be completely on the brand level.”

    Although it appears to be catering more to the boys segment George said, “We have tried to keep this product as ‘gender neutral’ as possible, even in terms of packaging.”

    When queried as to the rationale behind the launch at this time, George said, “We are hoping that this will become the flavour for Diwali gifting, followed by December which is a peak season for toys. Secondly, we also needed to launch quickly enough in these and more categories before the summer launch of the Pogo theme park. As the key focus is that they will all be available at the theme park.”

    The toys will be rolled out in stores in the first week of October and it is estimated that 5 per cent of sales will be spent on marketing activities and giving a major push to this new category a TVC will be aired on both the networks. Also, the product will be placed within shows and given out via contests. Other on ground initiatives will include creating racing arenas at various stores like Landmark and Lifestyle where kids can play with the toy and get familiar with it. It is important to capture the consumer at the point of sale and thus, several retail outlets will have screens where the TVC will also be shown.

    Speaking to this website on their perception of the competition in this space, George opined, “The current toy market in India is approximatetly a 600 crore (Rs 6 billion) business, while only 40 per cent is organized. Within the 120 crore organsied space most of the share is maintained by Funskool and Mattel and a few smaller players. We will be a very small but significant player in this space.

    “We are not competing against the big boys but we know we will make a very important dent in the organized space. As a division we are growing year on year at 50 per cent and we contribute to 10 per cent of the overall Turner revenue but we are growing rapidly and so it is exciting times for us.”

  • Nick US allows fans to create and produce original characters online

    Nick US allows fans to create and produce original characters online

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster Nickelodeon has announced an online interactive initiative for its comedy/adventure series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

    A new episode Avatar: Secret of the Fire Nation airs on 15 September. The story revolves around Aang and his friends, who are prevented from taking the easy route into Ba Sing Se while escorting a family of refugees and are faced with the challenge of making their way through the deadly Serpent’s Pass. Along the way, Aang discovers a secret Fire Nation invention heading straight for Ba Sing Se and must stop it before it destroys the great wall that protects the city from invasion.

    Fans who are looking for an interactive “Avatar” experience can log onto the “Avatar Secret Scene Creator” on www.nick.com. Here they will find the tools they need to create an original character and animate it, producing their own “Avatar” scenario.

    Nickelodeon will randomly select ten scenes from the online game, record the dialogue with the actual “Avatar” voice actors and feature the completed scenes on Nickelodeon television as on-air interstitials. More than 100,000 scenes have been created and submitted to date. The Secret Scenes Creator is just one part of a larger online initiative for “Avatar.”

    In July, a new enhanced “Avatar” supersite launched on Nick.com, which provides fans with the content they crave for, like the details on the environment, games, videos,
    character profiles and more. Launched in February 2005 Avatar is currently in its second season.

  • 4Kids Entertainment introduces ‘Viva Pi?ata’ at Mipcom 2006

    Viva Pi?ata will bring a fresh comedic appeal to kids with its witty writing, clever dialogue and colorful cast of characters,” said Lacey. “The series, which has stunning 3D CGI animation, will provide broadcasters with excellent scheduling flexibility, whether it‘s broadcast as 26 half-hours or 52 eleven-minute cartoons. We‘re also confident that because the show appeals to both boys and girls equally, it is a very advertiser friendly opportunity for broadcasters around the world.”

    4Kids has exclusive rights to represent Viva Pi?ata worldwide across broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing, informs an official release. According to Lacey, the animated kids television series is already set to premiere this fall on 4Kids TV in the US and Canada‘s YTV.



    In Viva Pi?ata, viewers are introduced a cast of pi?ata “friends” who embark on wild adventures with mysteries to solve and parties to be had on Pi?ata Island. The ensemble cast of outrageous characters include the classic superstar Hudson Horstachio, the ever-nervous Fergy Fudgehog, the keenly observant Paulie Pretztail, and the practically perfect Franklin Fizzlybear — with more pi?atas being discovered all the time, adds the release.


    4Kids Entertainment, provides high quality children television entertainment. Over the past decade, 4Kids has produced and launched such as Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles among others.


    4Kids has selected Bardel Entertainment, a Vancouver-based animation company, to execute the 3D CGI animation in hi-def format. With over 15 years experience in animation, Bardel Entertainment‘s clients include Dreamworks SKG, Warner Brothers, Fox, Nelvana and Disney Interactive among others.

  • McDonald’s & NGC kick off ‘Roboraptor Contest’













    MUMBAI: McDonald‘s, food service retailer in association with National Geographic Channel flags of its latest in-store promotion for kids, the ‘Roboraptor Contest‘.e


    McDonald‘s outlets across Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Bangalore and Hyderabad will promote the ‘Roboraptor Contest‘, where kids can win toys from the animated series Dragonball Z with every happy meal.


    In addition, the ‘Roboraptor‘ a remote controlled dinosaur, as the bumper prize is up for grabs.



    McDonald‘s, food service retailer in association with National Geographic Channel flags of its latest in-store promotion for kids, the ‘Roboraptor Contest‘. Every ‘Happy Meal‘ entitles kids to participate in the ‘Roboraptor Contest‘. With a coupon from the happy meal box kids can SMS the six-digit code to 7007 and winners will be chosen randomly and announced daily at the McDonald‘s outlet.


    The bumper prize, will be announced at the end of the promotion, which will culminate on 7 October 2006.