ITV

Category: Kids

  • Toonz Media signs co-production deal for ‘Chi-Chi’

    Toonz Media signs co-production deal for ‘Chi-Chi’

    MUMBAI: Toonz Media Group, Neon Creation and Backbones Entertainment have signed a co-production partnership deal for Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress. It is an eleven-minute, 52-episode 3D CGI comic fantasy kids’ series, based on the pop-up book by the same name. Production is expected to be completed by mid-2019.

    Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress, which is aimed at 4 to 6-year old kids, is the story of a cheerful young girl, full of curiosity who, ever since she found a book of magic spells, constantly tests out new spells and potions. Accompanied by her friends Nino the dragonfly, Mew-Mew the artistic rabbit, Tiggy the squirrel who loves to cook, and postman Charlie the rhinoceros, they embark on wonderful fantasy-filled adventures. It is an enchanting, fun series full of magic and surprise that focuses on the importance of learning to live and grow together and teaching kids to have a true community spirit.

    Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said, “Chi-Chi is an amazing show which will entertain and enrich kids across the world. I am very happy that Toonz found the perfect partners in Neon Creation and Backbone Entertainment. We are absolutely positive that this collaboration would go a long way”. 

    Post-production is to be entirely done by Toonz while pre-production is shared by Neon and Toonz and animation production between all three. The series will be distributed in Korea, Greater China and Thailand by Neon Creation, in Malaysia by Backbone Entertainment, and for the rest of the world by Imira Entertainment, part of Toonz Media Group.

    Neon Creation president Sara Kyungwon Han-Williams adds “When I introduced Chi-Chi to the world for the first time it was received with accolades for its beautiful and outstanding design of characters and backgrounds. Since then I’ve ded 

  • Viacom18 Consumer Products launches exciting back-to-school range

    Viacom18 Consumer Products launches exciting back-to-school range

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon is all set to drive away the back-to-school blues as Viacom18 Consumer Products returns with their new range of exciting kids’ products. The range of products for school-going kids features famous Nicktoons – Dora the Explorer, Motu Patlu, Superkid Shiva and Peppa Pig. For those with a passion for sports can also opt to choose from an exciting new range of back-to-school products from FC Barcelona.

    Kids can eagerly look forward to a new term at school and to make this fun, Viacom18 Consumer Products is all set to kick start its new campaign #SchoolKiMasti under the brand Nickelodeon. The brand is geared up to take interactivity and engagement with their audience to a whole new level with their latest back-to-school product range. As a part of this campaign, Nickelodeon is all set to make school time “masti time” by bringing their favorite Nicktoons straight out of the television and Voot Kids app, making them a part of their daily lives by becoming their best friend and companion on multiple occasions.

    The campaign is about how school is the reason behind this ‘masti’ season for kids all over the nation. The entertaining duo Motu Patlu and Dora the Explorer will be seen on school bags, pencil boxes, lunch boxes & water bottles, are available at kids’ favourite stores: Hamleys, Toys R Us, Big Bazaar, and Tupperware & Amazon. The campaign showcases the variation of the new range of back-to-school products and at the same time represents multiple styles for kids according to their preferences. The new collection includes fresh designs that reflect the passion and love for Nicktoons amongst children. From the colorful and vibrant Motu Patlu bags to impressive lunch boxes & water bottles by Dora to fun and stylish merchandise from FC Barcelona for pre-teens there is something for everyone.

    Speaking about the launch for the upcoming season, Viacom18 Consumer Products and Integrated Network Solutions, Head, Saugato Bhowmik said, “It’s our constant endeavour at Viacom18 Consumer Products to understand the pulse of our young audiences. Given that the Nicktoons are extremely popular amongst children, our Back to School range helps in bringing alive the world of their favourite TV characters. Apart from our flagship brand: Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig and FCB we have experienced remarkable success with huge offtakes of our back to school range and toys range”.

    He further added, “We have also added a wide array of products in the Motu Patlu back-to-school range. We are hoping the kids will love our products as much as we love bringing the same to them”.

    With a focus of making going to school even more fun, the Viacom18 Consumer Products back to school range of products are now available for consumers across key retail stores and e-commerce websites.

  • Discovery kids to launch ‘Little Singham’

    Discovery kids to launch ‘Little Singham’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids, in collaboration with Rohit Shetty Picturez and Reliance Animation, is all set to launch of new animation series called Little Singham. The show will be launched on 21 April at 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm, targeting children in the age-group of 5-11 years. It will comprise 156 episodes and five tele features.

    The new animation series will be aired in three languages-Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Dabur Red Paste has come on-board as the title sponsor of the show. Moreover, Discovery India has tied-up with Indian Council for Child Welfare National Bravery Awards (ICCW NBA) to inspire young children across the country. As a part of this tie-up, Discovery Kids will run a special Little Singham episode based on the real-life stories of winners.

    Discovery Kids head Uttam Pal Singh said, “The kid’s genre in India has been largely devoid of ground-up super heroes. Little Singham is a very bold and at-scale attempt to fill this gap. We have worked with a world-class animation partner Reliance Animation to produce this multi-faceted series rooted in action, adventure and comedy to attract attention of kids across the country.”

    Reliance Entertainment COO Shibasish Sarkar said, “We have engaged as many 250 animation artists on this project who have been working for than six months to get ready for this mega launch. The presence of Rohit Shetty as a mentor of Little Singham will further help in penetrating deep across the country.”

    Reliance Animation produced its first animated short film with international acclaim, The Bad Egg, which won the prestigious Digicon International Award at Japan and Gold Medal at New York Festival in the year 2007. Little Krishna (TV series), Krishna Aur Kans (theatrical film), Shaktimaan (TV series), BIG Bees Jr. (nursery rhymes) are some of its creations and many more to come are in the development stage. 

    Also Read:

    Kids today watch more animated content than ever

    Original Indian kids’ animation content is the need of the hour

  • HopMotion releases first original IP on Toon Googles, Amazon Prime US

    HopMotion releases first original IP on Toon Googles, Amazon Prime US

    MUMBAI: HopMotion Animation, a full service digital 2D animation studio, recently announced the launch of its first-ever original IP Kuku Mey Mey – a fun-filled animated chase comedy.

    The show will launch on Toon Googles in North America and Amazon Prime US under the title Kuku and the Goat.

    Directed by Anish Patel, the chaos-laden comedy borrows from the typical wildlife setting and puts a hysterical spin on it.

    HopMotion Animation CEO Anish Patel said, “The show’s classic 2D animation strengthens its storytelling and humour while allowing the characters of the feisty goat and the comfort-seeking lion to truly come alive onscreen. With that, we are super excited to share the first look of our show in India. Being nominated for FICCI BAF 2018 was a big pat on the back for the entire team at HopMotion and it only reinforced our belief that we are on the right track.”

    Set in the backdrop of a jungle, the show introduces us to unusual characters through its seven-minute episodes and uncovers the hilarity of the role reversal of prey and predator in the wildlife. By switching the roles of the lion, Kuku, and the goat, Mey Mey, the show creates an unexpected and amusing watch for the audience of all ages.

    The first season will have 78 x 7 minutes in episodes. 

    Written by Carmen Zainabadi, Kuku Mey Mey is the first original IP for HopMotion Animation and was nominated for the FICCI BAFF 2018 awards in the category of best animation episode Indian.

    “HopMotion is a great example of how a studio of their size can reach a global audience immediately with a partnership on Toon Goggles. Unlike many other platforms, we carefully select our content and make sure it compliments each other to give the content holders the maximum exposure and revenue. We hope to welcome many projects like Kuku and the Goat to Toon Goggles in the future”, added Toon Google CCO Lee Adams.

    With the right partnership, HopMotion Animation will soon bring Kuku Mey Mey to the television screen and other digital platforms in India.

    Also Read:

    Trace launches 3 channels in Japan

    Sony Yay tests Bengali, Malayalam feeds

  • Cartoon Network and POGO are ready to score with cricket specials this IPL season

    Cartoon Network and POGO are ready to score with cricket specials this IPL season

    MUMBAI: While the country is deciding which team to cheer for this IPL season, Turner India’s kids’ entertainment channels, Cartoon Network and POGO, are all set to showcase special episodes of Roll No. 21 and Chhota Bheem with India’s favourite game at the heart of them! With soaring summer heat, cricket mania is going to get bigger and dhamakedar with kids’ favourite toons Kris and Chhota Bheem, and their respective cricket tournaments. So, get your game face on and support your favourite team!

    Kris Ka Six only on Cartoon Network

    Now that the exam season is over, like every kid, Kris from ‘Roll No. 21’ is all set to have fun outdoors. Mathura Anath Aashram is gearing up for a nail-biting cricket match between Kris & Kanishk.  Be ready to witness the best of sportsmanship! Will Kris hit a six and win the match? Tune in to Cartoon Network on 7th April, Sat @ 11 a.m. to know more.

    Bheem Ki Googly only on POGO

    Dholakpur is ready to witness an epic cricket tournament! Team Bheem is gearing up to battle the neighbouring teams on a cricket pitch. Watch how Team Bheem makes new friends while having a gala time playing cricket! Tune in to POGO on 8th April, Sun @10:30 am to know more

  • Nickelodeon’s Together For Good initiative empowers kids to “Say no to fear and yes to safety”

    Nickelodeon’s Together For Good initiative empowers kids to “Say no to fear and yes to safety”

    MUMBAI: Nickelodeon, the number one kid’s franchise, has returned with their global pro-socio initiative “Together For Good” which this year will address the burning issue of child safety.

    With increasing incidents in the realm of cyber safety, bullying and physical harassment amongst kids at a young age, creating awareness around personal safety, is the need of the hour.  With kids being at the center of Nickelodeon’s universe, we have set out to curate a behavioral change initiative that inspires and empowers them to “Say no to fear and yes to safety”. The pioneering initiative that is a category first encourages kids to identify potential risks and reach out to an adult without fear.

    Leveraging the strength of the entire Nickelodeon franchise and the Nicktoons, this movement is brought to life with child friendly yet impactful on-air video series, reaching out to over 40 million viewers with the message – ‘Say No to fear and yes to safety’. Addressing the 3 most rampant issues of physical abuse, cyber safety and bullying the videos create awareness and call for kids to seek parental/ adult intervention when faced with any threat. Reaching out and sensitizing parents and gatekeepers, the initiative will also be brought alive online and on social media through a high decibel digital plan that includes interactive posts, pledge posts, downloadables, championed by the kids’ favorite Nicktoons.  There will also be short videos by experts and child psychologists on safety tips.

    Nickelodeon has partnered with leading Non-Governmental Organization “Arpan” which specializes in empowering individuals and families with prevention and intervention skills required to respond to issues pertaining to child safety. The experts from Arpan will engage with kids in schools across the country through an interactive school contact programme. The school outreach will also include sessions that guide teachers and adults on how to manage issues of child safety. Nickelodeon has also partnered with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai-education department to extend the school outreach programme across various Mumbai schools

    Commenting on this initiative, Kids Entertainment Cluster at Viacom18, Business Head, Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “We at Nickelodeon keep the children at the core of all that we do and take our responsibility as a kids broadcaster very seriously. We believe that children are the change agents of society and every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment. Through the Together for Good movement Nickelodeon has set out to sensitize kids and parents on the rampant problem of child safety issues. We believe that this initiative will give the kids the confidence to speak out and “Say No To Fear And Yes To Safety”                

    “We are delighted to partner with Nickelodeon India for their initiative ‘Together for Good’. Arpan has, over its 10 years of working on prevention of child sexual abuse and healing from its impact, observed that if children are empowered with age-appropriate knowledge and skills they can participate in their own safety. Parents and caregivers, when empowered with knowledge, contribute to making an environment which is vigilant and protective for children. An initiative like this has the potential to provide key messages of personal safety to millions of children and parents with the support of Nickelodeon.”

  • Sony Yay tests Bengali, Malayalam feeds

    Sony Yay tests Bengali, Malayalam feeds

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks’ kids channel is making strides within a year of launch. Sony Yay plans to add Bengali and Malayalam audio feeds. It already has feeds in Tamil and Telugu.

    The FICCI KPMG report 2018 states that there has been increased interest across broadcasters to be able to provide better quality and fresher content to regional consumers. It also suggests that the increase in weightage to rural India by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) had a positive impact on the kids’ genre, which saw a jump in absolute terms of viewership numbers in 2017 compared to the previous year.

    The channel has started its audio feed testing from Asiasat7 satellite at 105.5 degrees east and will be available on West Bengal’s and Kerala’s main cable network and paid direct-to-home (DTH) services.

    Reports suggest that the kids’ category is growing at 8 per cent in urban and 6 per cent in rural in terms of viewership. It is the biggest category after GEC (general entertainment channel) and movie in the television business. 

    Sony owns the intellectual property (IP) rights for all the shows to squeeze out all the monetary benefits, including merchandising. Though Sony was ready to shell out some money for dubbed or acquired content, it could not find one with a large repertoire of episodes (more than 100) and neither did any content fit the channel’s bill.

    Keeping in mind the demographics, the channel abstained from keeping it English-centric. What makes it more challenging is that BARC found just 14 per cent kids watching kids content while the rest co-viewed with elders. Earlier, in an interaction with Indiantelevision.com, Sony Pictures Network India kids’ genre business head Leena Lele Dutta said, “We wanted to remain indigenous, home-grown and local.”

    BARC data also shows that in its first four weeks of launch (week 20-23 2017), the channel had 25,011 average impressions (000s) sum while the number changed to 22,100 impressions (000s) sum in week 39-42 2017 for all India age 2-14. Despite the decline, it shows that the initial impressions haven’t faded away.

    Sticking to its business mantra, the channel tied up with local creators for four original animation series—Guru aur Bhole, Sab Jholmaal Hai, Paap-O-Meter and Prince Jai aur Dumdaar Viru—for 52 episodes per show. A fifth show, The Fab 5 – Initial Tango, was released last Christmas and the sixth original will be launched this year. “Slowly, we will build new stories and characters to resonate with the kids of today,” added Lele.

    Also Read :

    Japanese kids’ content going strong despite home-grown onslaught

    Sony Yay builds local characters to monetise

     

  • Discovery Kids begins Tamil, Telugu feeds

    Discovery Kids begins Tamil, Telugu feeds

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids has announced that it is targeting to expand its reach in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with the launch of Tamil and Telugu language feeds. The Tamil feed has already been introduced starting 24 March while the Telugu language feed will be launched from 1 April.

    The launch of these new feeds will help Discovery Kids in further consolidating its position in the kids’ genre. Discovery Kids, after the launch of Bandbudh aur Budbak in February 2018, has created a stir in the kids’ genre by garnering close to 200 per cent increase in TV ratings, 160 per cent + increment in TSV (time spent per viewer) and more than 30 per cent increase in reach.

    Discovery Kids, Discovery Communications India head Uttam Singh said, “The launch of Tamil and Telugu language feeds will provide a huge fillip to our efforts in increasing the reach of Discovery Kids in the strategically important markets. The love and affection that Discovery Kids is getting are truly humbling. We are further intensifying our efforts to reach the top of the kids’ genre.”

    The channel will also mark April fool’s day, 1 April, as the birthday of Bandbudh Aur Budbak. The channel will launch new episodes of the show so that kids can have a blast with their favorite characters after the end of their examination period.

    Also Read :

    Catch the Superr Heropanti of bandbudh aur budbak only on Discovery Kids

    Discovery Kids announces second series of ‘Sheikh Chilli and Friendz’

  • Turner International creates digital advertising unit to connect brands with fans

    Turner International creates digital advertising unit to connect brands with fans

    MUMBAI: Turner International is for the first time providing advertisers with a single way to activate a full suite of global, regional and local campaigns that connect with fans across Turner’s digital properties spanning over 200 countries.

    The launch of Turner International Digital Advertising Sales – T1 – consolidates Turner’s international digital advertising capabilities into a single division, complementing existing local digital and linear advertising sales and CNN International Commercial (CNNIC) operations across Latin America, EMEA and APAC. T1’s focus is on connecting global advertisers based outside the US with audiences across Turner’s entertainment, kids, news and sports digital portfolio including Bleacher Report, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, CNN, ELEAGUE, TNT, TBS, Great Big Story, Esporte Interativo as well as COPA90, which Turner has a stake in.

    T1 offers brands a rich suite of creative and data-driven advertising solutions – from forging far-reaching strategic partnerships to creating bespoke campaigns that include branded content, native and product placement, as well as pre-roll and display inventory across the Turner International digital portfolio. The unit is designed to work with major brands on a wide range of campaigns that can scale multiple regions, be highly targeted to specific countries, or utilise particular Turner properties to reach defined audience demographics and clusters in brand-safe premium mobile, desktop and social environments.

    T1 is borne out of the successful digital strategy devised by CNNIC – the arm of Turner International that monetises all CNN properties outside of the US – to combine data and content solutions to grow partnerships between CNN and international advertisers. Using this blueprint, T1 is created and led by Rani Raad, President of CNNIC.

    The unit comprises a specialist team of sales, consultancy and operations experts working closely with Turner International’s leadership, technology, advertising, product and editorial teams to increase monetisation opportunities around digital properties. Overseeing T1 operations is Rob Bradley, Vice President of Digital Commercial Strategy and Digital Advertising Sales for both CNNIC and T1.

    Underpinning T1 is a unified advertising technology platform to enable creative campaigns that reach highly defined premium audiences at huge scale. The division also draws on existing Turner solutions such as Launchpad, the social media amplification tool which leverages data across the company’s 750M global social followers to deliver branded content to like-minded groups on social media. 

    “T1 is the embodiment of the ‘One Turner’ philosophy at the heart of our company as we create new ways to best serve our audiences and commercial partners,” said Rani Raad. “The creation of this division unlocks a vast premium digital portfolio in order to bring new, innovative solutions to the market. Drawing on the multi-platform strategy that has driven growth at CNNIC, we look forward to establishing ground-breaking partnerships with brands who want to be part of the new content frontiers that Turner brands are pushing right across the world.”   

  • 9 exciting fundas from Kris!

    9 exciting fundas from Kris!

    MUMBAI: This year’s about to get more fun, more special and several times cooler with Cartoon Network! Kris, your very own superhero buddy from Cartoon Network’s ‘Roll No. 21’, is here with a fantastic new campaign – ‘Kris Ka Funda’ – all through from March to November. Meeting fans from Monday to Friday on Cartoon Network at 1pm, Kris will now bring to his young friends interesting tips, tricks and life hacks through this campaign. Culminating into Kris’s birthday on 14th November, ‘Kris ka Funda’ promises loads of fun and learning in equal measure!

    Kris has some incredible surprises up his sleeve! This March, when the exam fever soars, Kris will kick-start the campaign by giving simple and effective tips on combatting exam woes, powered by Britannia Treat, along with associate sponsors VIP Skybags, Cipla Activ Kidz Immuno Boosters, Mother Dairy (on-air), Kellogg’s Chocos and presented by Chupa Chups Lollipop (on-air). Similarly, each month will have the popular cartoon superhero reach out to his little fans with new tips and new fundas! Taking the excitement up a notch, Kris and his cool squad have chalked out an exciting journey to different cities across the country! Accompanying on-air promotions, these visits to various cities will give kids the golden opportunity to meet and greet their beloved Kris, and partake in fun activities in the malls, play amazing games and answer trivia to win some cool Cartoon Network gifts!

    To kickstart the mall visits, Kris and his friends from Roll No. 21 will be at Amanora Mall Town Centre in Karadi, Pune on Saturday, March 31, 2018.

    Don’t forget to watch Kris from Roll No. 21 only on Cartoon Network, every Monday to Friday at 1 pm.