ITV

Category: Kids

  • Zuckerberg Media open to broadcast and production partners in India

    Zuckerberg Media open to broadcast and production partners in India

    MUMBAI: Indian original content providers and production houses better perk up their ears, for Zuckerberg Media, headed by ex Facebook marketing honcho and ace television content producer Randi Zuckerberg is looking east and her next destination for exploring partnership is none other than India. In an interview with Economic Times Randi has shared her interest in entering the indian content market with an aim to create television shows for kids.

    Already set to come out with a kids show this year, Zuckerberg opens invitation for Indian broadcasters for partnering with them to launch new shows for the indian audience.

    “We have a children’s TV show coming up this fall. If there are broadcast partner opportunities in India or Indian media companies that are creating original content then we would love to partner with them. Though we have no plans to set up an office in India at present,” she adds.

    This not only opens up  options for Indian broadcasters to air shows from  international productions  but also for content creators to partner with Zuckerberg Media and produce shows together.

    With how kids entertainment shaped up last year and the ongoing trends, the key emphasis being original home grown kids shows, partnering with local production houses and content creators becomes more vital for the Zuckerberg Media, to stay relevant to the market.

    Founder and CEO of boutique marketing firm  and production Zuckerberg Media,  Randi Zuckerberg  working with high profile organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as The Clinton Global Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, Conde Nast, and PayPal.

    Pointing out that their reach isn’t limited to television, Zuckerberg further adds  how important it is for kids content creators to be medium fluid when developing a show for the tech savvy gen z.

    “We create digital content and we are across media, that’s TV, digital networks, mobile. When you’re talking about programming for children, they access shows on mobiles and tablets anytime, anywhere.”

    Being  conditioned to the world standards of content creation and familiar with the digital space as well, Zuckerberg Media might be just what web and mobile  creators were waiting for.

    With these big hints dropped,  one has to wonder which of the key broadcasting players catering to Indian kids entertainment  will ink a deal with the international production house first.

  • Zuckerberg Media open to broadcast and production partners in India

    Zuckerberg Media open to broadcast and production partners in India

    MUMBAI: Indian original content providers and production houses better perk up their ears, for Zuckerberg Media, headed by ex Facebook marketing honcho and ace television content producer Randi Zuckerberg is looking east and her next destination for exploring partnership is none other than India. In an interview with Economic Times Randi has shared her interest in entering the indian content market with an aim to create television shows for kids.

    Already set to come out with a kids show this year, Zuckerberg opens invitation for Indian broadcasters for partnering with them to launch new shows for the indian audience.

    “We have a children’s TV show coming up this fall. If there are broadcast partner opportunities in India or Indian media companies that are creating original content then we would love to partner with them. Though we have no plans to set up an office in India at present,” she adds.

    This not only opens up  options for Indian broadcasters to air shows from  international productions  but also for content creators to partner with Zuckerberg Media and produce shows together.

    With how kids entertainment shaped up last year and the ongoing trends, the key emphasis being original home grown kids shows, partnering with local production houses and content creators becomes more vital for the Zuckerberg Media, to stay relevant to the market.

    Founder and CEO of boutique marketing firm  and production Zuckerberg Media,  Randi Zuckerberg  working with high profile organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as The Clinton Global Initiative, Cirque du Soleil, Conde Nast, and PayPal.

    Pointing out that their reach isn’t limited to television, Zuckerberg further adds  how important it is for kids content creators to be medium fluid when developing a show for the tech savvy gen z.

    “We create digital content and we are across media, that’s TV, digital networks, mobile. When you’re talking about programming for children, they access shows on mobiles and tablets anytime, anywhere.”

    Being  conditioned to the world standards of content creation and familiar with the digital space as well, Zuckerberg Media might be just what web and mobile  creators were waiting for.

    With these big hints dropped,  one has to wonder which of the key broadcasting players catering to Indian kids entertainment  will ink a deal with the international production house first.

  • Q3-2016: Zee Learn YoY revenue up 12.4 percent; PAT doubles

    Q3-2016: Zee Learn YoY revenue up 12.4 percent; PAT doubles

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (Zee Learn) reported 12.4 percent higher YoY Total Income from Operations (TIO, revenue) in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q3-2016,current quarter) at Rs 22.29 crore as compared to Rs 19.84 crore , but was 27.4 percent lower QoQ than Rs 30.70 crore.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The company’s Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter more than doubled YoY (up 2.07 times) at Rs 2.27 crore (10.2 percent margin) as compared to Rs 1.09 crore (5.5 percent margin) and was 2.1 times higher QoQ as compared  to Rs 1.08 crore.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Zee Learn

     

    Zee Learn’s Total expenditure (TE) in Q3-2016 at Rs 17.20 crore (77.2 percent of TIO) was 1.7 percent higher YoY as compared to Rs 16.91 crore (85.2 percent of TIO), but was 3.49 percent klowerr QoQ as compared to Rs 25.43 crore (86.1 percent of TIO).

     

    Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in Q3-2016 at Rs 5.99 crore (26.9 percent of TIO) was 5.4 percent as compared to Rs 6.33 crore (31.9 percent of TIO) and was 17.4 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 7.25 crore.

     

    In Q3-2016, Zee Learn’s operating cost at Rs 0.64 crore (2.9 percent of IO) was 14.6 percent lower YoY as compared to Rs 0.75 crore (3.8 percent of TIO) and was 24.2 percent lower as compared to Rs 0.85 crore (2.8 percent of TIO).

     

    The company’s marketing, advertisement and publicity expense (marketing expense) for Q3-2016 at Rs 0.58 crore (2.6 percent of TIO) was 58.5 percent lower YoY than the Rs 1.40 crore (7.1 percent of TIO) and was 67.4 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 1.78 crore (5.8 percent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Other expense in Q3-2016 at Rs 6.07 crore (27.3 percent of TIO) was 40.9 percent more YoY as compared to Rs 4.31 crore (21.7 percent of TIO) and was 18.6 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 7.46 crore (24.3 percent of TIO).

     

    Zee Learn says that on June 28, 2015 a fire occurred in one of the warehouses of the company at Bhiwandi near Mumbai and the inventory of educational material lying at the said warehouse amounting to Rs 1416.61 lakh got completely destroyed. Further, Zee Learn says that it has lodged a claim with the Insurance company for the loss incurred. Pending the settlement of insurance claim, the loss is accounted as ‘Claims Receivables’ under other Current Assets to the extent of the above amount. On settlement of the claim by the Insurance company, the difference in loss claim and actual claim received , if any, will be charged to the Statement of Profit and Loss Account.

  • Q3-2016: Zee Learn YoY revenue up 12.4 percent; PAT doubles

    Q3-2016: Zee Learn YoY revenue up 12.4 percent; PAT doubles

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (Zee Learn) reported 12.4 percent higher YoY Total Income from Operations (TIO, revenue) in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 (Q3-2016,current quarter) at Rs 22.29 crore as compared to Rs 19.84 crore , but was 27.4 percent lower QoQ than Rs 30.70 crore.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 Lakhs = 10 million = 1 crore

     

    The company’s Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter more than doubled YoY (up 2.07 times) at Rs 2.27 crore (10.2 percent margin) as compared to Rs 1.09 crore (5.5 percent margin) and was 2.1 times higher QoQ as compared  to Rs 1.08 crore.

     

    Let us look at the other numbers reported by Zee Learn

     

    Zee Learn’s Total expenditure (TE) in Q3-2016 at Rs 17.20 crore (77.2 percent of TIO) was 1.7 percent higher YoY as compared to Rs 16.91 crore (85.2 percent of TIO), but was 3.49 percent klowerr QoQ as compared to Rs 25.43 crore (86.1 percent of TIO).

     

    Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) in Q3-2016 at Rs 5.99 crore (26.9 percent of TIO) was 5.4 percent as compared to Rs 6.33 crore (31.9 percent of TIO) and was 17.4 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 7.25 crore.

     

    In Q3-2016, Zee Learn’s operating cost at Rs 0.64 crore (2.9 percent of IO) was 14.6 percent lower YoY as compared to Rs 0.75 crore (3.8 percent of TIO) and was 24.2 percent lower as compared to Rs 0.85 crore (2.8 percent of TIO).

     

    The company’s marketing, advertisement and publicity expense (marketing expense) for Q3-2016 at Rs 0.58 crore (2.6 percent of TIO) was 58.5 percent lower YoY than the Rs 1.40 crore (7.1 percent of TIO) and was 67.4 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 1.78 crore (5.8 percent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Other expense in Q3-2016 at Rs 6.07 crore (27.3 percent of TIO) was 40.9 percent more YoY as compared to Rs 4.31 crore (21.7 percent of TIO) and was 18.6 percent lower QoQ as compared to Rs 7.46 crore (24.3 percent of TIO).

     

    Zee Learn says that on June 28, 2015 a fire occurred in one of the warehouses of the company at Bhiwandi near Mumbai and the inventory of educational material lying at the said warehouse amounting to Rs 1416.61 lakh got completely destroyed. Further, Zee Learn says that it has lodged a claim with the Insurance company for the loss incurred. Pending the settlement of insurance claim, the loss is accounted as ‘Claims Receivables’ under other Current Assets to the extent of the above amount. On settlement of the claim by the Insurance company, the difference in loss claim and actual claim received , if any, will be charged to the Statement of Profit and Loss Account.

  • Discovery Kids to launch new series ‘Insectibles’

    Discovery Kids to launch new series ‘Insectibles’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids is all set to launch a new series called Insectibles, which will take children to a world of micro proportions and macro adventure.

     

    The show will air every day at 3 pm on Discovery Kids and will feature Zak’s sojourn at his grandpa’s house, which gets all the more thrilling when his grandpa’s invention – The Shrinkinator – takes an unexpected turn.

     

    Zak also faces the wrath of grandpa’s faulty inventions in his journey, the most significant one being Adilla, apart from bullying cockroaches, militant ant armies and giant hungry spiders. With the burden of saving the world on his shoulders, and evil insect mosquito – Adilla’s constant nitty gritties to sabotage Zak’s plans of returning to normalcy, the looming question remains – can Zak and Grandpa find a way to un-shrink themselves before Adilla gets to them?

  • Discovery Kids to launch new series ‘Insectibles’

    Discovery Kids to launch new series ‘Insectibles’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids is all set to launch a new series called Insectibles, which will take children to a world of micro proportions and macro adventure.

     

    The show will air every day at 3 pm on Discovery Kids and will feature Zak’s sojourn at his grandpa’s house, which gets all the more thrilling when his grandpa’s invention – The Shrinkinator – takes an unexpected turn.

     

    Zak also faces the wrath of grandpa’s faulty inventions in his journey, the most significant one being Adilla, apart from bullying cockroaches, militant ant armies and giant hungry spiders. With the burden of saving the world on his shoulders, and evil insect mosquito – Adilla’s constant nitty gritties to sabotage Zak’s plans of returning to normalcy, the looming question remains – can Zak and Grandpa find a way to un-shrink themselves before Adilla gets to them?

  • Cartoon Network voted ‘Superbrand’ for second consecutive year

    Cartoon Network voted ‘Superbrand’ for second consecutive year

    MUMBAI: Turner International India’s kids channel Cartoon Network has been named a ‘Superbrand,’ second time in a row by consumers and the independent Superbrands Council Members of India.

     

    Cartoon Network emerged as the leading brand in the category ‘Satellite Channel – Children’ for the year 2015 – 2016 after having won the accolade in the same category in 2014 – 2015.

     

    Turner International India managing director – South Asia Siddharth Jain said, “We are delighted to know that Cartoon Network continues its award winning spree. Turner Brands have been at the forefront in providing quality content and have been the leaders in not only kid’s entertainment but also in News and English entertainment. Being awarded by Superbrands for the second time in a row is truly an honour and a proof that our content resonates strongly with our viewers and partners.”

  • Cartoon Network voted ‘Superbrand’ for second consecutive year

    Cartoon Network voted ‘Superbrand’ for second consecutive year

    MUMBAI: Turner International India’s kids channel Cartoon Network has been named a ‘Superbrand,’ second time in a row by consumers and the independent Superbrands Council Members of India.

     

    Cartoon Network emerged as the leading brand in the category ‘Satellite Channel – Children’ for the year 2015 – 2016 after having won the accolade in the same category in 2014 – 2015.

     

    Turner International India managing director – South Asia Siddharth Jain said, “We are delighted to know that Cartoon Network continues its award winning spree. Turner Brands have been at the forefront in providing quality content and have been the leaders in not only kid’s entertainment but also in News and English entertainment. Being awarded by Superbrands for the second time in a row is truly an honour and a proof that our content resonates strongly with our viewers and partners.”

  • Non-traditional advertisers flock to Turner’s kids channels

    Non-traditional advertisers flock to Turner’s kids channels

    MUMBAI: The year 2015 was an exciting one for kids’ television, what with several new shows being added to popular time bands and channels going the original way for content. From the perspective of advertising expenditure too, 2015 spelled as a fruitful year for the kids category on television as it managed to attract several non-conventional advertisers.

     

    Giving an insight on the facts and figures for the year’s performance in the genre, Turner International India vice president ad sales –  South Asia Juhi Ravindranath says, “The ad spends in 2015 were largely driven by categories like autos and e-commerce, which are not the conventional advertisers in the kids’ genre. FMCGs have performed really well. The overall estimate for TV has grown by over 14 per cent while the kids’ genre has also seen a decent double-digit growth.”

     

    Turner International rode this wave successfully and kept up with the pace of Indian entertainment market as well. “Pogo and Cartoon Network have received newer advertisers and categories coming on board, and their dependence on non-kids advertisers is also growing. Currently, nearly 60 to 65 per cent of the inventory on the kids’ genre is from non-kids’ brands. The channels have advertised with non-conventional advertisers through the conventional vignettes, brand integrations of the content messaging, creating co-branded promos, etc,” Ravindranath informs.

     

    On the brand integration front, channels have offered several new initiatives. “One of the key highlights for the year was the brand integration with Kellogg’s & Chhota Bheem. Another creative brand integration included: Perfetti in the animated movie series Sholay on Pogo. In addition to this, Perfetti Alpenliebe Juzt Jelly will join hands for the upcoming telefilm, Kris Ka Scooba Dooba Ajooba on Cartoon Network,” she says. 

     

    With advertisers from the non-kids category and FMCG brands coming onboard, the network’s content strategy for 2016 is also expected to ramp up.

     

    Turner International, executive director and network head – kids Krishna Desai adds, “Original content is key to us in fulfilling a long term and sustainable content pipe. A very large majority of all the content on CN comprises Cartoon Network Originals. On Pogo, large chunks of our pipe are either co-productions or from our sister company Warner Bros. Making content locally relevant is crucial – be it in the form of dubbing or home grown content.”

     

    With original content being the key focus, the channels will soon work on their line up for the year. “Turner International India will slowly bring in local content on the channel Toonami, along with the super hero shows. The second movie of the series Chakra that was worked along with Stan Lee, will be premiere in a few weeks,” informs Desai.

     

    However he asserts that good stories with universal themes told in a language understood and preferred by the audience, makes the differentiation between local versus international and irrelevant one. “Ben10 on Cartoon Network is as Indian as a Chhota Bheem as they have always seen him talk in Hindi,” he adds.

     

    Years ago Cartoon Network was the sole ruler in the genre. However, things changed as more and more new kids channels made their entry in the country. Although the channel continues to hold its place in the top three positions through the year, it is no longer the most watched channel in the category.

     

    When asked if Turner International India will strive to reclaim its number one spot in the category, Desai says, “The portfolio share makes us the number one kids portfolio in India. Our endeavor is to grow this share and also have leadership in the individual channel ranks. Our strategy is based on putting the consumer at the center of everything that we do.”

     

    With more and more kids content being available digitally, channels must also buckle up to retain their audiences. Desai says that offering app based services and experiences are one way to tap in the changing dynamics in kids content. 

     

    “Our kids brand digital offerings are transitioning towards being more ‘app’ based. The applications CN Watch and Play and CN Anything will be launched soon in India while Pogo channel’s website will shortly migrate on a new and much responsive platform. Kids love playing games than watching videos. CN Watch and Play app lets you do that at the same time,” Desai points out. 

     

    The network is also building shows that have a specific digital strategy, which may mean that they get premiered first on the digital platform.

  • Non-traditional advertisers flock to Turner’s kids channels

    Non-traditional advertisers flock to Turner’s kids channels

    MUMBAI: The year 2015 was an exciting one for kids’ television, what with several new shows being added to popular time bands and channels going the original way for content. From the perspective of advertising expenditure too, 2015 spelled as a fruitful year for the kids category on television as it managed to attract several non-conventional advertisers.

     

    Giving an insight on the facts and figures for the year’s performance in the genre, Turner International India vice president ad sales –  South Asia Juhi Ravindranath says, “The ad spends in 2015 were largely driven by categories like autos and e-commerce, which are not the conventional advertisers in the kids’ genre. FMCGs have performed really well. The overall estimate for TV has grown by over 14 per cent while the kids’ genre has also seen a decent double-digit growth.”

     

    Turner International rode this wave successfully and kept up with the pace of Indian entertainment market as well. “Pogo and Cartoon Network have received newer advertisers and categories coming on board, and their dependence on non-kids advertisers is also growing. Currently, nearly 60 to 65 per cent of the inventory on the kids’ genre is from non-kids’ brands. The channels have advertised with non-conventional advertisers through the conventional vignettes, brand integrations of the content messaging, creating co-branded promos, etc,” Ravindranath informs.

     

    On the brand integration front, channels have offered several new initiatives. “One of the key highlights for the year was the brand integration with Kellogg’s & Chhota Bheem. Another creative brand integration included: Perfetti in the animated movie series Sholay on Pogo. In addition to this, Perfetti Alpenliebe Juzt Jelly will join hands for the upcoming telefilm, Kris Ka Scooba Dooba Ajooba on Cartoon Network,” she says. 

     

    With advertisers from the non-kids category and FMCG brands coming onboard, the network’s content strategy for 2016 is also expected to ramp up.

     

    Turner International, executive director and network head – kids Krishna Desai adds, “Original content is key to us in fulfilling a long term and sustainable content pipe. A very large majority of all the content on CN comprises Cartoon Network Originals. On Pogo, large chunks of our pipe are either co-productions or from our sister company Warner Bros. Making content locally relevant is crucial – be it in the form of dubbing or home grown content.”

     

    With original content being the key focus, the channels will soon work on their line up for the year. “Turner International India will slowly bring in local content on the channel Toonami, along with the super hero shows. The second movie of the series Chakra that was worked along with Stan Lee, will be premiere in a few weeks,” informs Desai.

     

    However he asserts that good stories with universal themes told in a language understood and preferred by the audience, makes the differentiation between local versus international and irrelevant one. “Ben10 on Cartoon Network is as Indian as a Chhota Bheem as they have always seen him talk in Hindi,” he adds.

     

    Years ago Cartoon Network was the sole ruler in the genre. However, things changed as more and more new kids channels made their entry in the country. Although the channel continues to hold its place in the top three positions through the year, it is no longer the most watched channel in the category.

     

    When asked if Turner International India will strive to reclaim its number one spot in the category, Desai says, “The portfolio share makes us the number one kids portfolio in India. Our endeavor is to grow this share and also have leadership in the individual channel ranks. Our strategy is based on putting the consumer at the center of everything that we do.”

     

    With more and more kids content being available digitally, channels must also buckle up to retain their audiences. Desai says that offering app based services and experiences are one way to tap in the changing dynamics in kids content. 

     

    “Our kids brand digital offerings are transitioning towards being more ‘app’ based. The applications CN Watch and Play and CN Anything will be launched soon in India while Pogo channel’s website will shortly migrate on a new and much responsive platform. Kids love playing games than watching videos. CN Watch and Play app lets you do that at the same time,” Desai points out. 

     

    The network is also building shows that have a specific digital strategy, which may mean that they get premiered first on the digital platform.