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Category: Kids

  • Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    Consumer products segment leads Disney’s record profits for Q1-2015

    BENGALURU: The Walt Disney Company Inc (Disney) reported 17.4 per cent higher operating income (op inc) of $3545 million (27.7 per cent of all segment operating revenue or TIO) for Q1-2015 (quarter ended 27 December, 2014, current quarter) versus $3020 million (24.5 per cent of TIO) in quarter ended 28 December, 2013 – Q1-2014.Op Inc in Q1-2015 was 27.7 per cent more than the Op Inc reported for the immediate trailing quarter (Q4-2014, previous quarter, quarter ended 27 September, 2014) at $2775 million (22.4 per cent of TIO).

     

    Leading the growth with a 45.6 per cent y-o-y increase in Q1-2015 at $626 million from the $430 million was its Consumer Products segment (CP).CP’s Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 65.2 per cent from the $379 million in Q4-2014.Though a couple of Disney’s segments reported drops in revenues, Op Inc of all of Disney’s other segments – Media Networks (MN), Parks & Resorts (P&R), Studio Entertainment (SE) and Interactive, also showed positive y-o-y and q-o-q growth.

     

    Disney’s TIO for Q1-2015 grew 8.8 per cent y-o-y to $13391 million from $12309 million and was 8.1 per cent higher q-o-q than the $12389 million in Q4-2015.

     

    “This was yet another incredibly strong quarter for our Company, with diluted EPS up 23 per cent driven by record revenue as well as significant growth in segment operating income, ” said Disney chairman and CEO Robert A Iger.”Our results once again reflect the strength of our brands and high quality content and demonstrate that our proven franchise strategy creates long-term value across all of our businesses”

     

    Disney Segment results

     

    Media Networks

     

    MN is Disney’s largest segment, both in terms of revenue and Op Inc.MN reported 2.7 per cent growth in Op Inc to $1495 million (41.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from the $1455 million (48.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and a growth of 4 per cent from $1437 million (51.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q4-2014.

     

    During Q1-2015, MN revenue grew 10.8 per cent to $5860 million (43.8 per cent of TIO) from $5290 million (43 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 12.3 per cent more than the $5217 million (42.1 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    Two sub-segments contribute to MN – Cable Networks and Broadcasting

     

    Cable Networks

     

    Cable Networks reported 11 per cent growth in revenue in Q1-2015 to $4166 million from $3759 million in Q1-2014.Cable Network’s Op Inc fell two per cent to $1255 million from $1277 million in Q1-2014.

     

    Disney says that Operating income at Cable Networks decreased two per cent due to a decrease at ESPN, which was partially offset by increases at the worldwide Disney Channels and ABC Family.

     

    The decrease at ESPN was due to higher programming and production costs and, to a lesser extent, higher marketing, general and administrative and technical costs and lower advertising revenue.These decreases were partially offset by affiliate fee contractual rate increases, a reduction in revenue deferrals as a result of changes in contractual provisions related to annual programming commitments and an increase in subscribers, taking into account the new SEC Network.

     

    Programming and production cost increases were due to a contractual rate increase for NFL programming and rights costs for the SEC Network.ESPN advertising revenue decreased due to lower ratings for certain of our programs, partially offset by higher rates.

     

    The increase at the worldwide Disney Channels was due to higher affiliate rates for the domestic channels and higher international advertising revenues, partially offset by higher programming costs.

     

    International advertising revenues were driven by the company’s new channel in Germany, which was launched in January 2014.Increased programming costs were driven by higher pilot write-offs and costs for the new channel in Germany.The increase at ABC Family was due to higher affiliate revenue due to higher rates and increased advertising revenue reflecting higher units sold.

     

    Broadcasting

     

    Revenue from Broadcasting grew 11 per cent to $1694 million in Q1-2015 from $1531 million in Q1-2014.Op Inc for this sub-segment grew 35 per cent to $240 million from $178 million in Q1-2014.

     

    The company says that Operating income at Broadcasting increased due to an increase in affiliate fees and higher program sales.These increases were partially offset by lower advertising revenue.

     

    The increase in affiliate revenues was due to contractual rate increases and new contractual provisions.Program sales growth included higher sales of Criminal Minds, Scandal and Once Upon A Time.Lower advertising revenue was due to fewer units sold at the ABC Television Network, partially offset by an increase at the owned television stations due to higher political advertising and an increase from higher primetime rates.

     

    Parks & Resorts

     

    P&R revenue in the current quarter at $3910 million (29.2 per cent of all revenue) was 8.7 per cent more than the $3597 million (29.2 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 but was 1.3 per cent lower than the $3960 million (32 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    P&R reported 20 per cent growth in Op Inc to $805 million (22.7 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2015 from $671 million (22.2 per cent of all Op Inc) and a growth of 17.2 per cent from the $687 million (24.8 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    Disney says that Operating income growth for the quarter was driven by an increase at domestic operations, partially offset by a decrease at its international operations.

     

    Higher operating income at Disney’s domestic operations reflected both higher volumes and guest spending growth at its parks and resorts and, to a lesser extent, at its cruise business, partially offset by higher costs.Guest spending growth at Disney’s parks and resorts reflected higher average ticket prices and increased merchandise, food and beverage spending.The volume increase at its cruise business reflected higher passenger cruise ship days due to the impact of the Disney Magic being in dry-dock for a portion of the prior-year quarter.Increased costs were driven by labour and other cost inflation, higher pension and post-retirement medical costs and increased depreciation driven by new attractions.

     

    The decrease at Disney’s international operations was driven by higher Shanghai Disney Resort pre-opening expenses, the impact of a weaker Japanese yen on Tokyo Disney Resort royalties and higher costs at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, partially offset by an increase at Disneyland Paris.The increase at Disneyland Paris was due to higher guest spending, attendance and occupied room nights, partially offset by higher costs driven by higher volumes, new guest offerings and marketing costs.The increase in guest spending was driven by higher average ticket prices.

     

    Studio Entertainment

     

    SE reported a 1.8 per cent drop in revenue to $1858 million (13.9 per cent of TIO) in the current quarter from $1893 million (15.4 per cent of TIO) reported for the year ago quarter and a 4.5 per cent growth from the $1178 million (14.4 per cent of TIO) in the previous quarter.

     

    SE Op Inc in Q1-2015 grew 30 per cent to $544 million (15.3 per cent of all Op Inc) in the current quarter from $409 million (13.5 per cent of all Op Inc) in Q1-2014 and more than doubled (up 2.14 times) from $254 million (9.2 per cent of all Op Inc) in the previous quarter.

     

    The company says that higher operating income was due to an increase in home entertainment results, higher revenue share with the Consumer Products segment due to the performance of Frozen merchandise and higher TV/SVOD distribution results driven by more titles available internationally.These increases were partially offset by lower theatrical distribution results.

     

    The increase in home entertainment results was driven by higher unit sales and lower per unit costs.

     

    Unit sales growth was driven by Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen and Maleficent in the current quarter compared to Monsters University and The Lone Ranger in the prior-year quarter, which did not include the release of a Marvel title.The decrease in unit costs reflected distribution cost savings and lower production cost amortization reflecting a higher amortization rate on The Lone Ranger in the prior year quarter.

     

    Lower theatrical distribution results reflected the performance of Big Hero 6 in the current quarter compared to Frozen in the prior-year quarter.In addition, the current quarter included the continuing performance of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which was released in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 whereas the prior-year quarter included the release of Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World.

     

    Consumer Products

     

    CP Op Inc has been mentioned above.CP revenue in Q1-2015 grew 22.5 per cent to $1379 million (10.3 per cent of TIO) from $1126 million (9.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and was 28.6 per cent more than the $1072 million (8.7 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Disney says that higher operating income was due to increases at its Merchandise Licensing and Retail businesses.The increase in operating income at Merchandise Licensing was due to the performance of merchandise based on Frozen and, to a lesser extent, Disney Channel properties, Mickey and Minnie, Spider-Man and Avengers.

     

    At Disney’s Retail business, higher operating income for the quarter was due to comparable store sales growth and higher online sales in all regions driven by sales of Frozen merchandise.

     

    Interactive

     

    Interactive is Disney’s smallest in terms of revenue and Op Inc.Interactive reported revenue of $384 million (3.1 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2015, $403 million (3.3 per cent of TIO) in Q1-2014 and $362 million (2.9 per cent of TIO) in Q4-2014.

     

    Op Inc for the Interactive segment grew to US 73 million in Q1-2015 versus the $55 million in Q1-2014 and $18 million in Q4-2014.

     

    The company says that improved operating results were due to an increase at its mobile games business driven by the success of Tsum Tsum and Frozen Free Fall as well as lower product development costs due to fewer titles in development.This increase was partially offset by lower results at our console games business reflecting higher per unit costs driven by the mix of Disney Infinity products sold, lower unit sales and higher marketing costs.The decrease in unit sales was driven by lower sales of Infinity accessories and catalogue titles, partially offset by higher sales of Infinity starter packs.

     

    Click here to read first quarter earnings for fiscal 2015

  • CN premiers ‘Roll No 21: Ticket to Australia’ movie

    CN premiers ‘Roll No 21: Ticket to Australia’ movie

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network India’s poster boy Kris is set to travel to the land down under for a new adventure. Set in the great Australian outback, Roll No 21: Ticket to Australia premiers on 31 January at 12 pm on CN.

     

    In this latest addition to the Roll No 21 portfolio, Kris will embark on an exciting and fun adventure to Australia for his summer break. But this isn’t going to be like any other holiday! The trip suddenly turns into a rescue mission, when his Australian friend Nicky is captured by a dreaded bandit – Danger Doongara – a mutant reptilian creature.

     

    In what is his biggest ever rescue operation, Kris travels across the length and breadth of Australia; from the Great Sandy Desert, to Mount Ulluru in the treacherous Australian outback, to the Great Barrier Reef and all the way to Kangaroo Island in the south.

     

    Brimming with humour and wit, the brand new film is geared up to discover the beautiful Australian continent, make new friends and defeat a new villain Doongara and also his arch nemesis Principal Kanishk.

     

    It is the fourth tele-feature from the franchise. For the record, CN India’s first original animation production series, Roll No. 21 was launched in 2010 and has seven seasons under its belt.

  • Zee Learn reports lowered results for Q3-2015

    Zee Learn reports lowered results for Q3-2015

    BENGALURU: The Essel group’s education company Zee Learn Limited (Zee Learn) reported lowered results for Q2-2015. Total Income from operations (TIO) for Q3-2015 at Rs 19.84 crore was 12.8 per cent less than the Rs 22.76 crore in Q2-2015 and 12.6 per cent less than the Rs 22.70 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter. For 9M-2015, Zee Learn’s TIO at Rs 79.90 crore was 0.3 percent less than the Rs 80.13 crore in 9M-2014.

     

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

     

     PAT for Q3-2015 at Rs 1.09 crore (5.5 per cent of TIO) was 4 per cent less than Rs 1.14 crore (5 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015). In Q2-2014, the company had reported a loss of Rs 3.38 crore. For 9M-2015 PAT at Rs 5.8 crore (7.3 per cent of TIO) was more than 14 times (14.4 times) the PAT of Rs 0.40 crore (0.5 percent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

     Let us look at the other Q3-2015 and 9M-2015 figures reported by Zee Learn

     

     Zee Learn’s Total expenditure (TE) in Q3-2015 at Rs 16.91 crore (85.2 per cent of TIO) was 11.8 per cent less than the Q2-2015 TE at Rs 19.18 crore (84.3 per cent of TIO) and was 29.6 per cent lower than the Rs 24 crore (105.7 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014. 9M-2015 TE at Rs 62.76 crore (78.6 per cent of TIO) was 18.8 per cent less than the Rs 77.27 crore (96.4 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

     The company’s marketing, advertisement and publicity expense (marketing expense) in Q3-2105 at Rs 1.41 crore (7.1 per cent of TIO) was 11.1 per cent less than the Rs 1.58 crore (6.9 per cent of TIO) in the immediate trailing quarter and was 28.3 per cent less than the Rs 1.95 crore (8.6 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014. Marketing expense in 9M-2015 at Rs 5.45 crore (6.8 per cent of TIO) was 26.7 per cent lower than the Rs 7.44 crore (9.6 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Employee Benefit Expense (EBE) for Q3-2015 at Rs 6.33 crore was 8.4 per cent more than the Rs 5.84 crore (25.7 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 14.4 per cent lower than the Rs 7.4 crore (32.6 per cent of TIO) in the year ago quarter.  EBE for 9M-2015 at Rs 18.91 crore (23.7 per cent of TIO) was 18.6 per cent lower than the Rs 23.22 crore (32.6 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Operating cost in Q3-2015 at Rs 0.75 crore (3.8 per cent of TIO) was 47 per cent more than the Rs 0.51 crore (2.2 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 8.4 per cent lower than the Rs 0.82 crore (3.6 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014. In 9M-2015, operating cost at Rs 1.94 crore (2.4 per cent of TIO) was 19.8 per cent lower than the Rs 2.42 crore (3 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

    Depreciation and amortisation expense (depreciation) in Q3-2015 at Rs 1.51 crore (7.6 per cent of TIO) was 10.1 per cent lower than the Rs 1.67 crore (7.4 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 13.1 per cent lower than the Rs 1.73 crore (7.6 per cent of TIO) in Q3-2014. 9M-2015 depreciation at Rs 5.13 crore (6.4 per cent of TIO) was 2.2 per cent more than the Rs 5.02 crore (6.3 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

     

     Other expense in Q3-2015 at Rs 4.31 crore (21.7 per cent of TIO) was 21.4 per cent less than the Rs 5.49 crore (24.1 percent of TIO) in Q2-2015 and was 27.4 per cent lower than the Rs 5.94 crore (26.2 per cent of TIO) in Q2-2014. Operating cost in 9M-2015 at Rs 15.78 crore (19.7 per cent of TIO) was 8.8 per cent lower than the Rs 17.30 crore (21.6 per cent of TIO) in 9M-2014.

  • Turner Broadcasting partners MarketShare for new predictive analytics planning tool

    Turner Broadcasting partners MarketShare for new predictive analytics planning tool

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting has partnered with MarketShare, the global leader in marketing analytics software for enterprise, to install new planning and attribution software to better help marketers understand the business impact in partnering with Turner.

     

    Turner Incite, powered by MarketShare will be available across multiple categories and available to select partners in the 2015/16 Upfront, expanding the company’s suite of ad products.

     

     Turner Incite is a planning and forecasting tool that projects the sales lift that brands can achieve through advertising across Turner’s linear and digital entertainment, news, kids and sports properties, and better enable brands to maximize their advertising returns. Leveraging MarketShare DecisionCloud, MarketShare’s state-of-the-art analytics and attribution software, Turner Incite will provide transparency on how potentially adjusting the investment across the Turner portfolio can impact the advertiser’s most important KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Going beyond the typical industry metrics of viewership and engagement – which measure viewer interaction with ads, but not advertising impact on sales – Turner Incite provides guidance based on precisely calculated projections of business outcomes.

     

     Turner Incite is the latest in a series of advanced analytic tools that Turner Broadcasting has produced to maximise a brand’s messaging impact. During the 2014/15 Upfront, the company partnered with four agencies and eight advertisers, including blue chip advertisers like Taco Bell and T-Mobile, as part of the Targeting Now beta product, and has aligned with several brands through ROI Now, a product that directly demonstrates sales lifts for multi-screen campaigns through sales ROI and online exploration ROI data. Those data agnostic products will now be available across the Turner portfolio of news, entertainment, sports and kids properties.

     

     “We want to better help our partners achieve their optimal business results while utilizing our powerful portfolio of brands and screens. In partnering with MarketShare, Turner Incite will allow greater transparency for advertisers as it joins our larger suite of ad products featuring the most advanced data and analytics tools,” said Turner Broadcasting ad sales president Donna Speciale.

     

    “Turner has long led the way in approaching media as a data-driven investment with clear business returns. Our DecisionCloud Platform, which will power Turner Incite takes that approach to its next stage, providing unprecedented transparency into the investment opportunities Turner Broadcasting has to offer. We’re thrilled to work with Turner to bring that level of precise, actionable intelligence to MarketShare’s existing clients and to the entire marketing community,” said MarketShare co-founder and CEO Wes Nichols.

  • Turner targets young adults with ‘Mr Bean’ licensing products in India

    Turner targets young adults with ‘Mr Bean’ licensing products in India

    MUMBAI: His ingenuity and child-like nature have managed to capture the hearts of the young and old alike. We’re talking about none other than Mr Bean. Starring Rowan Atkinson, this British television programme has entertained masses of all age groups.

     

    Riding on the success of the franchise, which has seen TV shows, movies and books, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific’s licensing division – Cartoon Network Enterprises – has been tasked with the responsibility of driving licensing activity for Mr Bean for the next three years in key Southeast Asian markets including India.

     

    In India, the company is looking at targeting young adults. The company has the rights to license the property for both the animation and the live action series across product and promotional licensing.

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Turner International India director – Cartoon Network Enterprises Anand Singh said, “With its lustrous licensing programme, it made great sense to have an internationally acclaimed, parental approved brand in our portfolio. The brand also gives us entry into the 14+ young adult space.”

     

    This is not for the first time when Turner has acquired licenses of popular characters. In the past too, it had got other franchises such as Ben 10, PowerPuff Girls, M.A.D. and Roll No 21 on-board.

     

    This year also happens to be a landmark year for the franchise. In 2015, Mr Bean celebrates its 25th anniversary with the brand growing from strength to strength. The second installment of The Mr Bean Animated Series is set to debut in Asia Pacific in April, broadcast on Turner’s kids’ channels including on Boomerang in Southeast Asia and Australia, on Cartoon Network in Japan and on Pogo in India.

     

    Cartoon Network Enterprises Asia Pacific VP Melissa Tinker feels that the partnership is a perfect complement to its already strong portfolio. “It is extremely exciting to be representing a brand with such a powerful presence in Asia. For a quarter of a century now, audiences have been chuckling along to the antics of Mr Bean – and his famous teddy – and Rowan Atkinson’s unique creation has become a genuine global brand,” Tinker informed.

     

    Market Expectations

     

    Singh informed that the Mr Bean franchise has got a lot of traction from not only India, but also from the South Asia region. What’s more, a few promotional deals with Mr Bean in Pakistan have elicited great response.

     

    “South Asian markets behave fairly similarly in terms of consumer and buying behaviour. I see a lot of scope for Mr Bean to grow as a franchise in the entire region with its universal appeal and a unique style of humour that could translate in several strong categories,” said Singh.

     

    He also expects a number of FMCG, F&B companies and QSR’s (Quick Service Restaurants) to ride on the popularity of the show and the character to promote their products and services.

     

    One of the most interesting propositions Singh reveals for Turner Licensing is the concept of Mr Bean branded Coffee Shops, which are operational in Thailand and Singapore. With the very English imagery and a quirky look and feel, he thinks there could be scope to do something with local partners in the region.

     

    “We expect to see a strong off-take from e-commerce, modern trade and select mass distribution outlets and mom & pop stores,” opined Singh.

     

    Talking about the revenues that Turner will generate through the deal, he said that classic properties and brands with a strong content pipeline tend to have a steady pace but fad properties tend to burn out after creating buzz in the market.

     

    “This will vary depending on the nature of the brand/ IP in question (action or humour), appeal (universal or niche) the quality of creative assets (style guides) and the overall support from the broadcaster/ IP owner. It is not uncommon for a strong brand/ property to contribute up to 25 per cent of the total revenue generated by the brand. Needless to say pure play licensing remains a business with a lower base but with fairly high profit margins,” he concluded.

  • Disney unveils second Startup Accelerator programme

    Disney unveils second Startup Accelerator programme

    MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company is now accepting applications for its second Disney Accelerator programme powered by Techstars. Disney Accelerator will select a class of 10 startup companies for a three-month mentorship and investment programme beginning 6 July, 2015 and concluding with a Demo Day on 6 October, 2015.

     

    The programme is open to technology-based startups with a vision for making an impact on the world of media and entertainment. Participants will be offered $120,000 in investment capital along with mentor support from top Disney executives, entrepreneurs, investors and other notable business leaders from the entertainment and technology communities.

     

    In 2014, Disney launched its first Disney Accelerator with companies focused on a range of products including connected toys, mobile video, STEM applications, social media, advertising technology and more. Disney continues to work with many of the alumni from the inaugural class, which included Choremonster, Codarica, Jogg, Naritiv, Sidelines, Smart Toy, SnowShoe, Sphero, Twigtale and TYFFON.

     

    The 2014 Disney Accelerator class reached a number of significant milestones during the programme. SnowShoe secured $2.2 million in seed financing; ChoreMonster and Codarica both launched mobile apps; Sphero introduced its new Ollie product and Smart Toy was acquired by Cartwheel Kids, a Los Angeles-based manufacturer of children’s products.

     

    “The Disney Accelerator was born of Disney’s long term commitment to innovation and its position at the intersection of technology and entertainment. The 2014 Disney Accelerator demonstrated that pairing Disney’s creative and business talent with entrepreneurs can produce an energizing and valuable exchange of ideas and promote tremendous innovation. We look forward to working with a new group of start-ups in the months to come,” said Disney executive vice president, corporate strategy and business development Kevin Mayer.

  • A fun-filled rendezvous with Nicktoons Motu Patlu at Imagica

    A fun-filled rendezvous with Nicktoons Motu Patlu at Imagica

    MUMBAI: This Friday saw the awesome twosome Motu Patlu give a treat to their little fans at India’s favourite theme park, Imagica. A host of interactive activities were planned around Motu Paltu’s new movie – Motu Patlu aur Khazaane ki Race for the kiddies at the park.

     

    The highlight of the day was the exciting Treasure Hunt that was spread across various rides and attractions at Imagica. As a part of the activity organized for the kids, they were divided into various teams and each team was allowed to pick a name for their teams.  The kids were engrossed and thoroughly enjoyed running all over the park and looking for clues to win the Treasure Hunt. The winners were awarded goodies by Motu Paltu who happily engaged and posed for pictures with the children.

     

    Post the activities, Motu Patlu and the kids set out to explore the enchanted world of Imagica and had a gala time experiencing the 25 themed rides & attractions, 5 themed restaurants offering a variety of global cuisines and many more activities. They were also spotted enjoying the visually delightful Grand Imagica Parade in the evening.

     

    Motu Patlu aur Khazaane ki Race is a new comic adventure airing on 26th January at 10.15 am on Nick. After saving a cute doggy from villain Mr. Chamko’s men, MotuPatlu realize that the goons were after a locket around the dog’s neck which has a map to a hidden treasure on the Christmas mountain. While Motu Patlu want the locket for the betterment of Furfurinagar, the villain Mr. Chamko has evil intentions. He hires Jon the Don while Motu Patlu take the help of Inspector Chingum, Dr. Jhatka & Ghaseetaram who all start a chase to the mountain for the hidden treasure.

     

    Cherish special moments with your loved ones only with Nickelodoeon and Imagica.

  • Disney Channel celebrates ‘Togetherness’ with Indian families

    Disney Channel celebrates ‘Togetherness’ with Indian families

    MUMBAI: For over ten years, Disney Channel India has entertained Indian kids with stories and characters that they have come to love and creating wonderful uniquely Disney memories along the way. Starting January 31st Disney Channel will airfive new heartwarming and uplifting live-action shows that will capture emotions and evolving aspirations whilst celebrating the joys of the progressive Indian Family of today.

     

    January 31 will see the launch of five new live-action shows premiering on the weekend on the channel – ‘Kabhi Aise Geet Gaya Karo’, ‘Maan Na Maan Main Tera Mehmaan’, ‘Goldie Ahuja Matric Pass’, ‘Lage Raho Chachu’ and ‘Zindagi Khattee Meethi’, all backed with a talented star-cast including television veterans like Renuka Shahane, Mahesh Thakur, Sudhir Pandey, Maninee Mishra, Ashwin Kaushal, Harsh Vashisht amongst others. With heartwarming stories, moments of humor, celebrations and distinctly quirky personalities, each of the shows promise to touch your hearts and make you smile. 

     

    Launched in 2005, Disney Channel has been the key destination for the Disney brand for kids in India. Disney Channel provides widely-enjoyed and unique, high quality branded entertainment that kids love and parents trust.Now with a promise of ‘Shanivaar, Ravivaar only for Parivaar’, the channel is extending this experience for families over weekends and will continue to entertain the kids with compelling animation stories and characters on the weekdays.

     

    “Globally Disney is a family entertainment brand and in India, Disney Channel has represented the brand by providing viewers a decade of quality entertainment for kids.  With entertaining stories and campaigns that have encouraged them to express, believe in themselves and follow their dreams, the channel has defined television viewing experiences for kids. Now, with a renewed promise, the channel is progressing to provide a wholesome, uplifting entertainment experience for the entire family”, said Vijay Subramaniam, VP- Content and Communications, Media Networks, Disney India.

  • Pogo and Graphic India presents ‘Sholay Adventures’

    Pogo and Graphic India presents ‘Sholay Adventures’

    MUMBAI: Pogo, Graphic India and Sholay Media and Entertainment have announced that they will bring “Sholay Adventures,” an animated reinvention of the beloved classic, to the small screen. The first movie in the series will premiere on POGO on Monday, January 26th at 12pm.

     

    Sholay Adventures will be the first of four television animation films that introduce Jai and Veeru in new and mischievous kid avatars. Parents will remember the enduring qualities of friendship and loyalty from the original film, while kids will experience heroes like Jai and Veeru for the very first time. Sholay Adventures will bring together two generations in a new fun adventure.

     

    Commenting on this partnership, Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner International said, “With Pogo, we have always strived to create local content that resonates with Indian kids. By partnering with Graphic India and Sholay Media Entertainment to reinvent an iconic movie like Sholay, we hope to engage and entertain not only kids but also parents.”

     

    “Sholay is beloved by millions of people across the country. We are thrilled to be working with Sholay Media and Entertainment and POGO to take these iconic characters into exciting new stories through animation for the first time,” commented Graphic’s Co-Founder & CEO, Sharad Devarajan “The legendary friendship of Jai &Veeru has captivated generations. Now, with this fun and action-packed, kids animation, both fathers and sons will be able to experience Sholayin a whole new way together.”  

     

    Veeru and Jai are back! As 10 year olds working for Thakur Uncle’s secret SHOLAY police agency, they’re on a mission to stop Gabbar Singh and his villainous group of monsters and criminals known as the Fright Force! The fate of the world is in the hands of these two best friends! The animated films take the well beloved characters that populated the original Sholaymovie and reinvents them in a fun animated way for kids.

     

    Devarajan is an Executive Producer of the animated film with Sascha Sippy, Chairman of Sholay Media and Entertainment. The new animated look of the beloved movie characters were created by Graphic India’s SVP Creative, Jeevan J. Kang with the script for the animated series written by acclaimed writer, Alok Sharma, a lead writer on Cartoon Network’s originally produced hit series, Roll No. 21.

     

    Beyond animation, Graphic India and Sholay Media and Entertainment will also introduce books, merchandise and other products for kids based on the new Sholay Adventures.

  • ‘Chhota Bheem’ & Thane traffic police to raise awareness on road safety measures among kids

    ‘Chhota Bheem’ & Thane traffic police to raise awareness on road safety measures among kids

    MUMBAI: In a bid to promote safety on roads, Thane Traffic Police has partnered with leading kids’ channel Pogo and Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd. to launch a campaign fronted by India’s most popular character – Chhota Bheem that will educate children and families on basic road safety measures in an entertaining manner.

     
    The campaign called “Mission Road Safety 2015” will be conducted from 11–25 January 2015 in the areas of Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Dombiwali, Ambarnath, Badlapur and Thane City via various media initiatives and trailers across all theatres. Through the campaign, Chhota Bheem will encourage kids and their parents to follow simple methods to ensure road safety such as wearing seatbelts and helmets, using only pedestrian crossings and abiding by the speed limits. This initiative will also be showcased on POGO which will take this to a national level.
     

    Commenting on the initiative, Vijay Kamle, Commissioner of Police of Thane said, “Ensuring that the roads in our city are safe for families is our duty. By driving the message of road safety through Chhota Bheem, we hope to effectively capture the attention of children through whom we aim to reach their parents.”

    Dr.RashmiKarandikar, DCP Traffic Thane said, “Children are the future of our country and it is important to make them aware of road safety from an early age so that they grow up as responsible citizens. We look forward to successfully imbibe the Mission Road Safety 2015 campaign in the residents of Thane District with the help of Chhota Bheem.”

     
    Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “As a responsible media conglomerate in the country that has iconic characters which children adore, we are proud to partner with the Traffic Police on this initiative that will aim to promote road safety amongst kids and secure their future.”

     
    Samir Jain, Executive Director & COO, Green Gold Animation Pvt. Ltd. said, “Chhota Bheem is a superhero to children across the country who aspire to be like him and follow his ideals. Spreading the message of road safety through Bheem will encourage and excite kids to abide by the same.”