Category: Kids

MUMBAI: TurnOut Ventures Limited, in partnership with developer Typhoon Games Studio Ltd., has launched Ben 10 Omniverse: Rise of Heroes, a multiplayer online game based on Cartoon Network‘s animated series Ben 10, at www.ben10.net. Ben 10 Omniverse: Rise of Heroes is currently available in Australia and Hong Kong (in English) and will roll out to other Asia Pacific markets throughout the year. 
 
Said Turner Entertainment Networks Asia regional director interactive media and TurnOut Ventures general manager Benjamin Grubbs, “For Turner brands such as Cartoon Network, our goal is to go beyond just entertaining TV programmes to providing engaging content wherever and whenever kids want to experience our characters and stories. Ben10.net and our Cartoon Network websites are increasingly becoming the entertainment destination for kids. We‘re focused on driving the expansion of our digital platforms through various initiatives, including multiple MMOGs and casual games to be launched throughout 2010 and beyond.”

In Ben 10 Omniverse: Rise of Heroes, players take on the role of one of the students at Bellwood Elementary School, who find themselves trapped in a strange world and transformed into one of three types of alien creatures after the Omnitrix overloads. With Ben, Gwen and Grandpa Max to guide them, they face a series of challenges and adventures in a new world.

MUMBAI: On the occasion of Rakshabandhan, Disney Channel has announced a special line up of shows and movies in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the fun, mischief, adventure and magic that is prerogative to the relationship between siblings.
The celebrations will begin with Karishma ka Karishma at 10 am to showcase a unique relationship between a robot and a boy.

Next, Carmin and Juni will take viewers on an undercover mission to save the world in Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams at 1pm.
 
Later, the channel will telecast the movie Hari Puttar at 3 pm. Rounding off the day with some magic will come the three siblings Justin, Alex and Max in Wizards of Waverly Place at 7.30 pm.

Says Walt Disney Television International India associate director – programming Devika Prabhu, “Rakshabandhan is a festival that celebrates the extraordinary relationship that siblings share. Through the programming line-up, Disney Channel would like to reinforce those bonds of affection, fun and trust and wish all its viewers a very happy Rakshabandhan.”
 

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network has partnered with Perfetti Van Melle to become the first cartoon channel in India to integrate a brand into an animated feature.
Balla Bowl, a cricket-themed co-production by Turner International and Animasia, will premiere on Cartoon Network on Sunday, 29 August at 12 noon.

The 90 minute movie tells the story of a motley bunch of kids with their own cricket dreams and problems, coming together as a team to emerge as glorious winners. Perfetti Van Melle‘s flagship candy brand ‘Center Fruit‘ has been innovatively integrated throughout the animation and features as the key sponsor of the cricket stadium and championship trophy. 
 
Says Turner International India executive director – network ad sales Rohit Sarma, “Cartoon Network has been ahead of the curve in providing innovative solutions to our partners and has successfully delivered impactful brand campaigns for many years. For the first time in the Indian animation industry, Cartoon Network brings alive the concept of in-feature brand placement and we are extremely excited to deliver this innovation for Perfetti and Center Fruit with a seamless integration of the brand with Balla Bowl‘s storyline.”

Adds Perfetti Van Melle India MD Sameer Suneja, “We feel there‘s a perfect brand fit for Center Fruit. Center Fruit stands for mouth-watering taste, which has been brought out in a compelling way within the Balla Bowl movie, making this whole initiative a very fruitful association.”

MUMBAI: Kids entertainment channel Pogo is gearing up to launch the second season of its original production and a curiosity-based show F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions), from 14 August.

With all new new discoveries and science experiments aimed at inspiring learning amongst kids in a fun and entertaining way, F.A.Q II will be aired every Saturday at 10 am.

Turner International India director programming, South Asia Krishna Desai said, “F.A.Q. is one of Pogo’s most challenging and dynamic original productions. Created specifically to encourage lateral thinking, spur kids‘ curiosity and learning through exploring, F.A.Q. is a perfect fit for Pogo’s vision as a channel for kids who dream bigger, think louder, play smarter and bounce higher.”
 
The show will be hosted by Prateek and his robot assistant Crash. Addition to the team is mechanical genius Dr. Kholkar (stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant) who is armed with his toolkit and is always on the lookout for gadgets such as pianos, bikes, robots and television sets to take apart and discover what’s inside.

Each episode will focus on explaining to kids the puzzling and complicated technicalities of science. Season II episodes of F.A.Q. are packed with different segments as against a single half hour show, featuring a new slate of experiments. Some of the highlights include showing kid‘s how to create a soft drink dispenser that serves eight at a time, how to develop future mode of transportation, a monowheel bike (semi wheeled bike), make an amphicycle (a cycle one can ride on land and water) or create a gym equipment with a wooden stick, amongst other interesting things.

MUMBAI: Nick is ready to launch its first local animation production in India, joining the other multinational kids networks who have adopted a localisation strategy to expand their audience base.

Nick India, the last to take this route, has inked a co-finance and production pact with Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment to produce a local animated series titled, Keymon Ache.

“We tasted the success last year with the acquired property Little Krishna. Now we are taking a step forward and co-producing local content with DQE. If we succeed, we will step up our local productions, ” Nick India SVP and GM Nina Elavia Jaipuria tells Indiantelevision.com.

The series will begin with 26 high definition half hour episodes. As part of the deal, Nick has provided content for this upcoming series while DQE is executing the production for global distribution and licensing.

Nick will have rights to the property for South Asia including India while DQE will hold exclusive rights for the rest of the world. 
 
The series will also be pushed beyond television onto multiple platforms such as audio visual, home video, merchandising, sublicensing, publishing and digital including streaming, download on internet and mobile.

Says DQE chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, “The kids‘ entertainment space in India has tremendous untapped potential and we are happy to be partnering with Viacoml8-Nickelodeon on this unique and fun filled series. This project has the potential to extend beyond Indian TV audiences as we target multiple media and distribution platforms and engage with children globally. We hope to have many more such interesting concepts from Nick to offer to viewers in the future.”

Adds Nick India SVP and GM Nina Elavia Jaipuria, “We are happy to partner with DQE. They have produced many shows for Nickelodeon International, like Tak & the Power of Juju and Penguins of Madagascar in the past. This is a unique partnership between a broadcaster and a production house; and together we hope to create endearing characters and a show that promises to capture the hearts of our young viewers.”
 

MUMBAI: Following the launch of Kumbh Karan on Pogo, the channel is now set to premiere its latest desi toon, Singhasan Battisi, on 1 August at 10.30 am.
Acquired from Shethia Audio Video, Singhasan Battisi brings alive the age old, legendary tales of King Vikramaditya and his royal throne, which is ornamented with 32 figurines, gifted to him by Lord Indra. 
 
Said Turner International India South Asia director programming Krishna Desai, “As the new age story tellers, we‘re introducing kids to India‘s rich story telling heritage, in a format that they enjoy the most – animation. Fulfilling this vision, Pogo is happy to premiere the animated series Singhasan Battisi, based on the escapades of the mighty King Vikramaditya.”

The 32 figurines in the enchanted throne of King Vikramaditya are the key narrators of this series. As the sole witnesses to the might and greatness of King Vikramaditya, the 32 figurines come alive to narrate his various adventures in Singhasan Battisi. The stories are filled with fascinating events that not only entertain but also teach an important lesson about life. Each half-hour episode covers the tales of three figurines and in all showcases more than 50 animated characters of the long-gone era.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network, the kids‘ entertainment channel from the Turner, has launched the virtual playground – Cartoon Network Club.
The club aims to immerse its members in the TV toon world where they can play games, sneak a peek at new shows and collect rewards.

A highlight of the club is its virtual currency – “beans” – that can be redeemed to preview shows, play the latest games, and receive discounts on merchandise. Earning beans can be done through the discovery of hidden codes, entering contests or downloading Cartoon Network games.

Cartoon Network Club (www.CartoonNetworkIndia.com) immerses members in their favorite TV toon world where they can play games, sneak a peek at new shows and collect cool rewards.
 
Said Turner Entertainment Networks Asia VP – branding & communications Lucien Harrington, “Cartoon Network is about animating kids‘ lives in ways that make sense to them. Cartoon Network Club takes all the comedy and adventure experienced on TV and extends it to other platforms such as the online space, where kids can interact with their favorite characters in a fun and safe environment.”

Cartoon Network Club will also let members have a say in what they‘d like to do, play on the site, watch on-air, and members will even have the chance to be Cartoon Network game testers before the official game launch.

Harrington continued, “Knowing kids is part of our DNA and this club will be like the gigantic tree house fort in Codename: Kids Next Door. Kids across Asia Pacific can gather and share their ideas with us to create an even bigger Cartoon Network experience than ever before. We‘re looking forward to further expanding the club soon, to include even more exciting promotions and benefits for kids across a variety of platforms.”

Kids who join Cartoon Network Club will get 300 complimentary beans, free avatar creation, two virtual items for their avatar, member-only game, member-only sneak peeks, a birthday bash eCard, a 10 per cent discount at Cartoon Network Shop and special partner discount offers.
 

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE) has signed exclusive broadcast agreements with Korea-based broadcasting company, The Education Broadcasting System (EBS), and Canada based Tele-Quebec for its home grown 3D animated TV series, The Jungle Book.

Under the terms of the agreement, EBS has exclusive free-television rights to broadcast the 52 x 11 minutes animated series in the Republic of Korea for three years.

Tele-Qubec has secured exclusive free-television rights to broadcast the series in French language (titled Le Livre De La Jungle in French) in the French speaking Canadian regions. 
 
DQE chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, “We are delighted to be working alongside two new and important strategic international partners to help further enhance the value of our Jungle Book franchise. EBS free TV in Korea and Tele Quebec free TV in French speaking Canada have extensive reach in their respective regions. This will add tremendous value to our Jungle Book 3D TV series and this enhanced visibility will fuel consumer products, licensing and merchandising, publishing as well as home video entertainment deals.”

DQE has already signed broadcasting deals for 160 countries involving the Disney multiplex of channels, ZDF TV for Germany and German speaking Europe, TF1 for France and French speaking Europe, Noga TV for Israel, Al Jazeera for Arabic states and BBC for Great Britain. NBC-Universal has secured several important territories globally for home video – sales and distribution.

EBS Korea acquisitions executive Stanley Oh said, “The Jungle Book shall be the first cornerstone on which a more stable relationship can be established. This programme is fulfilling the precious educational standards and virtues EBS has cherished along with a superb storyline and fabulous animation.”

Added Tele Quebec, Canada director of children and family programs Lucie Leger, “Tele-Quebec has acquired The Jungle Book because we really liked this lovely animated series, inspired by the classical stories from Rudyard Kipling. The Jungle Book is beautifully drawn and also provides a rich, colourful and funny content.”

MUMBAI: Pogo, the kids entertainment channel from the Turner stable, is set to launch the new series – Pink Panther And Pals on 12 July.
To be aired at 5.30 pm, the Monday to Thursday show will continue with the hilarious adventures of the quirky and funny Pink Panther, albeit as a teenager.
 
The series will feature the Pink Panther as a rambunctious teenager who along with his friends gets into all sorts of mischievous capers and hilarious escapades. Pink Panther will also feature characters from the original series, including Ant and Aardvark, as well as new characters.

Each show contains two episodes of a teenage Panther and his buddies, and one episode featuring the Ant and the Aardvark characters.

MUMBAI: CBBC controller Damian Kavanagh has commissioned a special season of programmes that will examine, through drama and documentary, how children are affected by war.
The season will explore what it is like for those left behind in the UK when a parent goes to fight abroad and will find out what it is like to grow up in war-torn Afghanistan. 
 
Pad Rats will be a three episode half an hour drama which examines the awkwardness of a family divided by the difficulties of military life.

Jed Clayton and his group of young friends live together on an undisclosed army base. The war may be in a distant country but their dads and mums are out there and the gang feel it deeply within their tight-knit community. The youngsters find their lives changed forever when a mysterious young boy arrives at camp.

Forming part of the single subject documentary series My Life, Toy Soldiers goes on the march with children whose lives have been disrupted by having a parent in the armed forces. Following a diverse group of youngsters, the film shows how children try to maintain normality when their lives are turned upside down by a war fought in a faraway land.

Producer John Walsh says, “The child‘s voice has rarely been heard on this subject before. The goal of this film is not just to give a voice to this story but to challenge perceptions of children whose parents go to war.”

Rounding off the season, Newsround visits Afghanistan to report on the lives of Afghan children. Presenter Sonali Shah finds out about the impact the war has had on their lives and discovers more about Afghan children‘s home and school life, with a special look at education for girls.

Kavanagh says, “CBBC has a responsibility to invest in British originated drama and documentaries tackling current issues affecting children in the UK in a language and style our young audience will understand.

“The armed forces feature in the news on an almost daily basis and these commissions provide an opportunity, through fact and fiction, to explore what it is really like to have a member of the family away fighting and what it is like to be a child living in the country many of their parents are fighting in.”