ITV

Category: Kids

  • 4Kids Entertainment introduces ‘Viva Piñata’ at Mipcom 2006

    4Kids Entertainment introduces ‘Viva Piñata’ at Mipcom 2006

    MUMBAI: 4Kids Entertainment, Inc., has set Mipcom 2006 for the launch of the international sales efforts for its new 3D CGI animated television series Viva Piñata. 4Kids Entertainment executive VP International Brian Lacey announced that the 26 half-hour episodes in the series will be available to international buyers at this year’s market.

    “Viva Piñata 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 Piñata 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 Piñata, viewers are introduced a cast of piñata “friends” who embark on wild adventures with mysteries to solve and parties to be had on Piñata 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 piñatas 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’

    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.

  • Disney said to be looking at a theme park in Singapore

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Disney is said to be looking at the possibility of a theme park in Singapore. It is talking to Singapore authorities on the matter.



    Media reports indicate that Disney has been in discussions with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on a possible theme park in Marina East, which will cover a land area of around 30 hectares. The site in question is an empty plot of land beside the new 18-hole Marina Bay Golf Course at Tanjong Rhu, operated by a unit of NTUC Club.


    Market talk indicates that Disney could get prime land to build the theme park without going through a tender. It will unsettle bidders for a family-themed integrated resort with casino on the resort island of Sentosa.


    Reports indicate that in the 1990s, Singapore almost had its own Disneyland in the Seletar area. However, Disney wanted land that was four times bigger than its Tokyo attraction but was not prepared to spend its own money.


    Coming back to the current scenario, bidders for the Sentosa site include Genting International PLC (G13.SG), which has promised to build a Universal Studios theme park if successful, and a joint venture between Kerzner International Ltd. (KZL) and Southeast Asia‘s largest developer CapitaLand Ltd. (C31.SG). The tender for the Sentosa site closes next month.

  • 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.

  • Disney said to be looking at a theme park in Singapore

    Disney said to be looking at a theme park in Singapore

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Disney is said to be looking at the possibility of a theme park in Singapore. It is talking to Singapore authorities on the matter.

    Media reports indicate that Disney has been in discussions with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on a possible theme park in Marina East, which will cover a land area of around 30 hectares. The site in question is an empty plot of land beside the new 18-hole Marina Bay Golf Course at Tanjong Rhu, operated by a unit of NTUC Club.

    Market talk indicates that Disney could get prime land to build the theme park without going through a tender. It will unsettle bidders for a family-themed integrated resort with casino on the resort island of Sentosa.

    Reports indicate that in the 1990s, Singapore almost had its own Disneyland in the Seletar area. However, Disney wanted land that was four times bigger than its Tokyo attraction but was not prepared to spend its own money.

    Coming back to the current scenario, bidders for the Sentosa site include Genting International PLC (G13.SG), which has promised to build a Universal Studios theme park if successful, and a joint venture between Kerzner International Ltd. (KZL) and Southeast Asia’s largest developer CapitaLand Ltd. (C31.SG). The tender for the Sentosa site closes next month.

  • Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe

    Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe

    MUMBAI: Disney channel original movie High School Musical is set to hit terrestrial television in 15 countries across Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Russia.

    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “As High School Musical’s international fanbase grows ever-stronger on Disney Channel, we are delighted to also be working with key terrestrial TV clients in a wide range of markets to launch it to yet more new fans later this year and into 2007.”

    This will add new terrestrial TV sales for the made-for-TV musical made by Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.

    The contemporary ‘break into song’ production has been licensed to the broadcasters RAI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, ORF in Austria and M6 France, along with RTE in Ireland, ERT Greece, TRT Turkey and CYBC Cyprus. In Central and Eastern Europe, Channel One in Russia has also licensed it, as have TV2 Hungary, TV Media Planet Ukraine, TVR Romania, Pop TV Slovenia, and A1 Televizija in Macedonia. High School Musical has already been licensed to the BBC in the UK, for broadcast on BBC One later this year, and is expected to be licensed to many more key markets within the next month, informs an official release.

    It will premiere on other international Disney Channels throughout 2006, with its UK Disney Channel premiere set for September.

    The High School Musical US premiere in January broke Disney Channel ratings records, and for its 14 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. In June, the movie premiered on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia and delivered the best-ever results for a Disney Channel Original Movie in all of these markets.

    High School Musical made its international terrestrial TV debut on 1 July in primetime on Seven Network Australia and was the timeslot winner against all major demos. It is the No. 1 movie in 2006 for tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67 per cent rating/share and also the No. 2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19 August, and was the No. 1 programme of the night amongst People 5+, adds the release.

    In August, the movie received two Emmy Awards, an Imagen Award and three Teen Choice Awards. It has also won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming.

    In the US, the soundtrack is No. 1 of the year to date, and is now certified triple-Platinum, delivering six Gold-certified singles since its debut in January. In addition to being the year’s #1 album so far, it is also the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids’ album of the year to-date. High School Musical is also currently Disney’s biggest TV-based DVD title in the US, adds the release.

    A sequel to High School Musical is in planning for 2007.

    In this musical comedy, popular high school basketball star Troy and shy, academically gifted newcomer Gabriella discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens their school’s rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school cliques are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

  • Disney’s High School Musical to premiere on Disney channels across Europe













    MUMBAI: Disney channel original movie High School Musical is set to hit terrestrial television in 15 countries across Europe, including Italy, Germany, France and Russia.


    BVITV EMEA executive vice president and managing director Tom Toumazis said, “As High School Musical‘s international fanbase grows ever-stronger on Disney Channel, we are delighted to also be working with key terrestrial TV clients in a wide range of markets to launch it to yet more new fans later this year and into 2007.”



    This will add new terrestrial TV sales for the made-for-TV musical made by Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the international TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company.


    The contemporary ‘break into song‘ production has been licensed to the broadcasters RAI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, ORF in Austria and M6 France, along with RTE in Ireland, ERT Greece, TRT Turkey and CYBC Cyprus. In Central and Eastern Europe, Channel One in Russia has also licensed it, as have TV2 Hungary, TV Media Planet Ukraine, TVR Romania, Pop TV Slovenia, and A1 Televizija in Macedonia. High School Musical has already been licensed to the BBC in the UK, for broadcast on BBC One later this year, and is expected to be licensed to many more key markets within the next month, informs an official release.


    It will premiere on other international Disney Channels throughout 2006, with its UK Disney Channel premiere set for September.


    The High School Musical US premiere in January broke Disney Channel ratings records, and for its 14 airings, has now been seen by over 40 million unduplicated total viewers. In June, the movie premiered on Disney Channels in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia and delivered the best-ever results for a Disney Channel Original Movie in all of these markets.


    High School Musical made its international terrestrial TV debut on 1 July in primetime on Seven Network Australia and was the timeslot winner against all major demos. It is the No. 1 movie in 2006 for tweens 10-15 delivering a 17.9/67 per cent rating/share and also the No. 2 movie on Seven Network this year with a 9.5/40 per cent rating/share for the Under 55s. It premiered on TV2 New Zealand on 19 August, and was the No. 1 programme of the night amongst People 5+, adds the release.


    In August, the movie received two Emmy Awards, an Imagen Award and three Teen Choice Awards. It has also won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children‘s Programming.


    In the US, the soundtrack is No. 1 of the year to date, and is now certified triple-Platinum, delivering six Gold-certified singles since its debut in January. In addition to being the year‘s #1 album so far, it is also the #1 soundtrack and #1 Kids‘ album of the year to-date. High School Musical is also currently Disney‘s biggest TV-based DVD title in the US, adds the release.


    A sequel to High School Musical is in planning for 2007.


    In this musical comedy, popular high school basketball star Troy and shy, academically gifted newcomer Gabriella discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens their school‘s rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar. In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the school cliques are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage. By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.

  • BBC to launch kids, English entertainment channels in India

    MUMBAI: The kids and English general entertainment space in India is about to get a tad more crowded. BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, has announced that it will be launching two channels in India shortly – preschoolers’ channel CBeebies and BBC Entertainment, offering drama and comedy.

    The launches are part of a global rollout of four new TV channels that will include BBC Knowledge and BBC Lifestyle. BBC Worldwide has stated it also plans a high definition channel in the future. The four channels will be broadcast across all media: linear TV, VoD, mobile and online.

    BBC Entertainment and CBeebies are due to be launched in India first. BBC Entertainment will replace BBC Prime in some countries, initially Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Thailand.

    BBC Worldwide said the expansion of the channels would be decided on a country-by-country basis. As part of its plans to ramp up its channels business globally, BBC Worldwide is setting up regional offices in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Heading operations in Asia is Christine Leo-McKerrow who has been appointed senior VP for tghe region.

    CBeebies will air in India in Hindi and English and will not carry ads. “We will be setting up an advisory board made up of local/Indian psychologists, doctors, teachers, parents etc to advise us on our programming and ensure we remain relevant and trustworthy,” Darren Childs, the managing director of global channels at BBC Worldwide, has been quoted as saying in a media report.

    In the UK CBeebies targets children below the age of six. CBeebies’ basic aim is to educate and entertain the BBC’s youngest audience. The service provides a range of pre-school programming designed to encourage learning through play for children aged five and under, in a consistently safe environment. For the CBeebies launch in India the channel will have a panel of pyschologists, experts to decide on the programming content. The aim is to ensure relevance and trustworthiness.

    BBC Entertainment, meanwhile, will aim to offer the best of British shows in different genres like comedy, drama and light entertainment.

    Localisation: A report in the UK’s Times says that while initially the plan is to air British shows, the BBC is also looking at generating content from India. It might also look to buy Indian production companies if the business successfully kicks in, the report adds.

    Childs was quoted saying that the company is trying to change how it approaches the international channels business and fit things into a local market perspective rather than push them out from London. He also says that the chanel is close to getting a distribution deal.

  • Disney unveils character-themed digital cameras ‘Disney Pix’ in the US

    Disney unveils character-themed digital cameras ‘Disney Pix’ in the US

    MUMBAI: Disney Consumer Products, the merchandising segment of The Walt Disney Company has launched a new line of Disney Pix digital cameras specifically designed for kids and tweens.

    Available in a variety of styles and character-themed designs for all ages, the new Disney Pix line features digital cameras, camcorders and peripherals that allow young users to shoot, edit, print and share their own digital photographs.

    “Today’s kids expect photography to be digital and see film as antique. They want to see their photos instantly, share them digitally, and modify them in all sorts of creative ways. The Disney Pix line was designed specifically to let this new generation use photos to unleash the power of their imaginations,” said Disney Consumer Products, Global Electronics vice president Chris Heatherly.

    The starting price for the range is $19.99. Disney’s imaging products also come with the Disney Pix software, designed to inspire a child’s creativity and imagination. This proprietary, interactive and easy-to-use editing software suite allows users to customise their photos with Disney characters, stamps, frames and more. A video editing version is also available for digital camcorder products, informs an official release.

    “Until now, digital cameras have been too complicated for kids and have generally been priced out of reach. The Disney Pix line delivers the functionality and creative play that kids are looking for in a variety of stylish designs at affordable price points that parents can say `yes’ to,” adds Heatherly.

    Designed by Disney in partnership with its manufacturer, Digital Blue, the Disney-themed designs include Disney Chrome, High School Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars, Little Mermaid, Disney Princess and Tinker Bell.

    The new Disney Pix line features eight products including:

    — Disney Pix Micro Digital Camera: An ultra-small camera (6.5″w x 10″h x 2.5″d) for easy, on-the-go pictures — perfect to hang from a backpack or handbag. Features CIF digital resolution, storage capacity of 24 photos, status LCD display, requires 1 AAA battery (not included) and comes with camera strap and Disney Pix software CD-ROM. (SRP $19.99)

    — Disney Pix Click Digital Camera: Loaded with many options, this camera features a 1″ color LCD screen, VGA digital resolution (640 x 480), stores up to 200 photos, a 2X digital zoom, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Click comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM, USB cord and two interchangeable face plates with stylish character graphics. (SRP $49.99)

    — Disney Pix Max Digital Camera: Fully loaded with high performance options for optimum picture taking, features a three Mega Pixel digital resolution, a 1.5″ color LCD screen that allows users to view their photos enhanced with Disney images utilizing innovative digital custom photo frames available directly on the screen. Also includes a 4X digital zoom, expandable memory card slot, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Max comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

    — Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker: Girls can now star in their very own Disney Princess movie with this new digital camcorder featuring 32MB of built-in memory, 640 x 480 video resolution and a built-in microphone. With easy-to-use Disney Pix software included, girls can edit their own videos and add music, animation, sound effects, titles and credits. The Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker comes with a wrist strap, a docking station, Disney Pix software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

    — Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book: The perfect way to share your photos on the go, this ultra-small digital photo album keychain features a 1.1″ LCD screen and stores up to 50 photos. The Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book comes with a USB cord and requires two AAA batteries (not included). (SRP $29.99)

    The Disney Pix line is available at retailers in the US including Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Limited Too, Claire’s, Toys ‘R’ Us, KB Toys, Ritz Camera among others, adds the release.

  • Disney unveils character-themed digital cameras ‘Disney Pix’ in the US













    MUMBAI: Disney Consumer Products, the merchandising segment of The Walt Disney Company has launched a new line of Disney Pix digital cameras specifically designed for kids and tweens.


    Available in a variety of styles and character-themed designs for all ages, the new Disney Pix line features digital cameras, camcorders and peripherals that allow young users to shoot, edit, print and share their own digital photographs.



    “Today‘s kids expect photography to be digital and see film as antique. They want to see their photos instantly, share them digitally, and modify them in all sorts of creative ways. The Disney Pix line was designed specifically to let this new generation use photos to unleash the power of their imaginations,” said Disney Consumer Products, Global Electronics vice president Chris Heatherly.


    The starting price for the range is $19.99. Disney‘s imaging products also come with the Disney Pix software, designed to inspire a child‘s creativity and imagination. This proprietary, interactive and easy-to-use editing software suite allows users to customise their photos with Disney characters, stamps, frames and more. A video editing version is also available for digital camcorder products, informs an official release.


    “Until now, digital cameras have been too complicated for kids and have generally been priced out of reach. The Disney Pix line delivers the functionality and creative play that kids are looking for in a variety of stylish designs at affordable price points that parents can say `yes‘ to,” adds Heatherly.


    Designed by Disney in partnership with its manufacturer, Digital Blue, the Disney-themed designs include Disney Chrome, High School Musical, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cars, Little Mermaid, Disney Princess and Tinker Bell.


    The new Disney Pix line features eight products including:


    — Disney Pix Micro Digital Camera: An ultra-small camera (6.5″w x 10″h x 2.5″d) for easy, on-the-go pictures — perfect to hang from a backpack or handbag. Features CIF digital resolution, storage capacity of 24 photos, status LCD display, requires 1 AAA battery (not included) and comes with camera strap and Disney Pix software CD-ROM. (SRP $19.99)


    — Disney Pix Click Digital Camera: Loaded with many options, this camera features a 1″ color LCD screen, VGA digital resolution (640 x 480), stores up to 200 photos, a 2X digital zoom, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Click comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM, USB cord and two interchangeable face plates with stylish character graphics. (SRP $49.99)


    — Disney Pix Max Digital Camera: Fully loaded with high performance options for optimum picture taking, features a three Mega Pixel digital resolution, a 1.5″ color LCD screen that allows users to view their photos enhanced with Disney images utilizing innovative digital custom photo frames available directly on the screen. Also includes a 4X digital zoom, expandable memory card slot, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Max comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)


    — Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker: Girls can now star in their very own Disney Princess movie with this new digital camcorder featuring 32MB of built-in memory, 640 x 480 video resolution and a built-in microphone. With easy-to-use Disney Pix software included, girls can edit their own videos and add music, animation, sound effects, titles and credits. The Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker comes with a wrist strap, a docking station, Disney Pix software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)


    — Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book: The perfect way to share your photos on the go, this ultra-small digital photo album keychain features a 1.1″ LCD screen and stores up to 50 photos. The Disney Keychain Digital Brag Book comes with a USB cord and requires two AAA batteries (not included). (SRP $29.99)


    The Disney Pix line is available at retailers in the US including Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Limited Too, Claire‘s, Toys ‘R‘ Us, KB Toys, Ritz Camera among others, adds the release.