ITV

Tag: animation

  • MipTV roadshow to hit Chennai on 20 January

    MipTV roadshow to hit Chennai on 20 January

    MUMBAI: Paris-based Reed Midem, which produces the world’s biggest and most successful content markets MipTV and MipCom in the French Riviera seaside town of Cannes, is all set to begin a series of road shows in India which will feature seminars and interactions in three cities  – Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai – explaining how India’s content community can build its international sales and presence.

     

    The first of these will be hitting Chennai on 20 Januray 2014. To be held at the Hotel Benzz Park in the T. Nagar business area,  it is slated to be attended by a select group of invited professionals  from the southern India city’s animation, TV, film distribution and value-added services sectors.

     

    The theme of this year’s roadshows is “Content without boundaries.”

     

    Down for the second time in about six months from the Paris headquarters  of Reed Midem are director of new market development Ted Baracos and Asia sales head Paul Barbaro. Accompanying them is Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO Anil Wanvari, who is MipTV, MipCom and Midem India representative.

     

    Says Baracos: “We were quite delighted with the response from  India’s talented content creators when we had road shows in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai last year.  Our theme then was: Can Indian content leave its stamp on the world? And India responded with a big yes. Attendance from the country was up almost 20 per cent as Indian companies came to MipCom in October 2013 to strike deals and pursue international market opportunties. So we decided to come back once again to connect with the community here.”

     

    Adds Barbaro: “Several Indian companies such as Shemaroo, Green Gold, Viacom18, Zee TV, DQ Entertainment, AVCGI have understood the power of MipCom and MipTV and have  successfully been using the platforms we provide to expand their content syndication, production and co-production businesses. We would like India’s  new content creators to understand, be a part and exploit the new entertainment economy in which content is likely to cease having borders, it will travel everywhere. Hence we  are here continuing our conversation with them through these road shows.”

     

    “I have been attending Mipcom and MipTV for more than 14 years and have seen Indian broadcasters, animation studios, service providers simply grow thanks to the contacts and deals they strike there,” says Wanvari. “The entrepreneurialism and hunger to conquer new markets can only see India’s content being consumed and even co-produced in markets never thought about before. It is important that more and more Indian firms understand and exploit this opportunity. It can bring home hundreds of millions of dollars in much needed forex into the Indian economy and probably grow the next Endemol or Fremantle out of India.”

     

    From Chennai, the team will then move to Bengaluru on 22 January and to Mumbai on 24 January. The entire road show has been put together and organised by Indiantelevision.com’s ITV 2.0 Productions division.

  • ‘Sofia The First: The Floating Palace’ premiers on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

    ‘Sofia The First: The Floating Palace’ premiers on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

    MUMBAI: Sofia and her family take to the high seas for a royal vacation in the first-ever “Sofia the First” primetime special, “Sofia the First: The Floating Palace,” premiering Sunday, on Disney Channel and Disney Junior on Saturday, 18 January. The undersea adventure, in which Sofia is magically transformed into a mermaid, features a special appearance by Princess Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” and also introduces a new character named Oona, a young mermaid.

     

    “Sofia the First: The Floating Palace” takes Sofia and her family on an extraordinary journey to Merriway Cove, where Sofia meets a young mermaid named Oona.  After helping Oona untangle her fin from a net, Sofia’s magical amulet transforms her into a mermaid too, allowing her to explore the underwater world with her new friend.  During their adventure, Sofia learns that mermaids mistrust humans and are angry that her family’s floating palace is in their cove.  When Oona is captured by a horrible sea monster, Sofia – with a little help from Princess Ariel – must find a way to save her and create harmony between their two worlds

     

    The simulcast of the premiere of the made-for-television movie “Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess” on Disney Channel and Disney Junior reached out to more than 4 million audiences (CS 4+) of which 2.3 million were kids (CS 4-14) across All India. Disney Channel ranked #1 across all TV during its time slot garnering a 26% share of viewing within the kids genre among all kids (CS 4-14 ABC) and 36% share of viewing among younger girls (CS ABC F 4-9). The series – Sofia the First launched on 24th August 2013 and has reached out to almost 25 million audiences during Sept-Dec 2013 (Source: TAM; TG: CS 4+; Period: wk 36-52, all days, 0700-2300 hrs; Market: All India)

     

    Fuelled by the popularity of Sofia, Disney Consumer Products currently has a line of Sofia branded products such as puzzles, scooters and will soon be launching an interesting range of ‘back to school’ merchandise such as school bags, colouring equipments, stationery sets and will launch Sofia bicycles, rainwear and footwear as well.

     

    Come, be a part of Sofia’s aquatic quest on Saturday, 18 January at 11:00 am on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.

  • ‘Despicable Me 3’ set for June 2017 release

    ‘Despicable Me 3’ set for June 2017 release

    MUMBAI: Universal Pictures has announced dates on three upcoming high-profile projects and it means more Minions in the coming years, along with Grinch; the third installment of its incredibly successful animated franchise Despicable Me 3, and a “newly imagined” version of Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and an untitled animated comedy from Despicable Me makers Illumination Entertainment.

     

    Universal today announced a 30 June, 2017, date for Despicable Me 3, the follow-up to last year’s first sequel, which has grossed $935.8 mn worldwide and just opened in it last territory, China. The studio also revealed dates for two other Illumination Entertainment toons: a new version of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas (17 November, 2017) and Untitled Illumination Project (21 December, 2016).

  • Discovery kids brings new animation series ‘The adventures of chuck and friends’

    Discovery kids brings new animation series ‘The adventures of chuck and friends’

    MUMBAI: This New Year, Discovery Kidspresents a new animated series THE ADVENTURES OF CHUCK AND FRIENDS. Woven with life’s lessons for children,THE ADVENTURES OF CHUCK AND FRIENDSfollowsincidents of Chuck,an animated dump truck who is always curious and loves to dream big.His zeal to go places and find out how things work brings loads of excitement making it a complete entertainment treat for kids on television.

    THE ADVENTURES OF CHUCK AND FRIENDSpremieres on January 20 and will air from Monday to Friday at 12 PM on Discovery Kids.

    Rahul Johri, Senior VP and General Manager – South Asia and Head of Revenue, Pan-Regional Ad Sales and Southeast Asia, Discovery Networks a-Pacific, said,”

    In its endeavour to push the bar for innovative and enriching programming, Discovery Kids is delighted to present a new series,THE ADVENTURES OF CHUCK AND FRIENDS. The new series will embark on a learning drivethrough its captivating narrative motivating children to explore their creative mind”.

    Chuck and his friends Boomer, Digger, Handy and others are pint-sized trucks with big appetites for fun. Running on imagination and enthusiasm, these trucks turn larger-than-life inspiration into adventures in their own backyards. The series is about thrill of discovering something new, unusual action, big adventures and most of all having fun with your close friends.

    Turn the key, floor the accelerator, ignite your imagination and join Chuck in his adventures, only on Discovery Kids.THE ADVENTURES OF CHUCK AND FRIENDSwill be shown in all the three languages – English, Hindi and Tamil.

    Committed to offering a comprehensive viewing experience and catering to diverse demands of children in India, Discovery Kids programming formats include highest-quality animation and engaging live-action series under multiple genres such as adventure, folklore, nature, history and science.

     

  • PICT faculty learn to develop mobile apps using android

    PICT faculty learn to develop mobile apps using android

    NEW DELHI: It was a time for the teachers to learn few lessons when Pune Institute of Computer Technology (PICT) hosted a one-of-its-kind Faculty Development workshop on “Mobile Application Development using Android:A Next generation platform”.

    The 12-day program, supported by AICTE, started on 2 December and concluded on 13 December, 2013 at PICT College. Faculty from various AICTE approved Engineering/DiplomaInstitutions/Industries/other Institutes present in Pune, Amravati, Nagpur, Sangamner, Aurangabad, Karaad & Raichur participated in the workshop.

    The workshop provided insight into the Android application development platform covering the environment concepts and hands on experience on Android Software Development Kit. Experts from industries and research institute including faculty experts of PICT and other institutes conducted the sessions. The program provided a platform to the faculty members to explore product developments, identify problems in the area of mobile platforms like user interface, basic building blocks, media and web home-screen widget, broadcast receivers, sensors, accelerometer, GPS, NFC, animation and 2D graphics in Androids.

    Major topics covered in the session were concepts of open source operating systems, open source developments on mobile platforms, Android platform architecture, Android application design essentials, developing android applications, research topics in Android platforms, hands on experience on applied research, algorithms, hi-performance computing using android, service oriented architecture and its implementation for the Linux kernel, concepts of open source operating systems, open source developments on mobile, platforms and Android platform.

    Sixty faculty members participated and developed 18 mobile applications under the guidance of the industry experts. Among these, PICT facilitated top three apps on the closing ceremony on 13 December. Winner of the Android application workshop was ‘Note Writer’ app, second runner up was the food application app ‘Ruchira’ and the third runners up were ‘PayCal’ app and ‘Pressure Unit Converter’ app.

    The Faculty Development Program will help various institutes and the faculty to keep pace with syllabus updates and preparing students to meet the industry challenges in the domain of Mobile Operating System. 

  • DQ Entertainment reports sextuplicate half year PAT on forex gain

    DQ Entertainment reports sextuplicate half year PAT on forex gain

    BENGALURU: The Tapas Chakravarti led DQ Entertainment (International) Ltd, (DQE) reported an almost six fold increase  (up by 5.76 times) in its first half-2014 (half year ended Sept 30, 2013 – H1-2014) financial result at Rs29.4 crore as compared to the Rs 5.1 crore for the corresponding period last year, albeit the revenue reported by the company was lower.

     

    The Hyderabad based company reported foreign exchange gain of Rs 14.4 crore for Q2-2014 and Rs 18.4 crore for Q1-2014, totalling Rs 32.8 crore for H1-2014. During the corresponding period last year, the company reported a foreign exchange loss of Rs 7.98 crore.

     

    DQE reported revenue for H1-2014 of 2014 at Rs 87 crore as compared to the Rs 95.3 crore for H1-2013.

     

    Let us look at the Q2-2014 results reported by DQE

     

    The company reported a consolidated net income from operations for Q2-2014 at Rs 56.68 crore, 12 per cent lower than the Rs 64.34 crore for Q2-2013 and almost double (up by 86 per cent) the Rs 30.43 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    PAT for Q2-2014 at Rs 22.72 crore was up 60.22 per cent as compared to the Rs 14.18 crore during the corresponding period last year and more than triple (3.44 times) the PAT of Rs 6.6 crore during Q1-2014.

     

    Expenditure without accounting for forex gain/loss and transfer of expense to capital account for Q2-2014 at Rs 41.77 crore was 5.8 per cent higher than the Rs 39.48 crore for Q2-2013 and 12 per cent higher than the Rs 37.3 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    Segment Results

     

    Two segments contribute to DQE revenue – animation and distribution.

     

    Animation reported revenue of Rs.41.51 crores, 1.4 per cent lower than the Rs 42.09 crore for Q2-2013 and 50.6 per cent higher than the Rs 27.57 crore for Q1-2014. The segment reported positive result of Rs 27.32 crore for Q2-2014, more than double (2.38 times) the Rs 11.46 crore for Q2-2013 and 25.7 per cent more than the Rs 21.73 crore for Q1-2014.

     

    Distribution reported 32.6 per cent drop in revenue to Rs 15 crore in Q2-2014 as compared to the Rs 22.25 crore for Q2-2013. Distribution revenue for Q1-2014 was Rs 2.85 crore. Distribution returned positive result of Rs 9.44 crore, 40.4 per cent lower than the Rs 15.86 crore for Q2-2013. DQE’s distribution segment had returned negative figures of Rs (-1.86) crore for Q1-2014.

     

    DQE CMD and CEO Chakravarti said, “The global entertainment industry is developing at an unprecedented pace. Mobility and portability of content will, in my opinion, have a profound impact as viewers consume  programming outside their homes and want to control what they watch, when they watch, and on what device. So many opportunities are evolving and we recognise that in so far as content production is important, even more vital will be the distribution technologies that are emerging.”

     

    “Recognising and serving this need with regards to distribution technology, we have made substantial and focused progress in licensing and distribution of our Intellectual Properties not only for television broadcast, but other VOD (Video on Demand) and SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) and OTT (Over the Top) platforms as well. Our flagship global property Jungle Book Series is on Netflix, Vudu and Hulu – the famous OTT platforms in the USA,” added Chakravarti.

     

     “New associations with leading networks and licensees globally are paving the way to monetise our IPs and co-produced content. New deals across our portfolio of properties in recent months are with best-in-class partners such as France Television, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel Productions, Sky Italia, Universal Music, Discovery Kids, Rai TV, Italy etc. The promotional deal for The Jungle Book with Burger King Worldwide has been immensely successful and will be extended for second promotion,” revealed Chakravarti.

     

     “We have successfully completed deliveries while new productions are in development. Our foray into theatrical production of ‘The Jungle Book’ is gathering momentum, and we hope to conclude announceable distribution deals in the near future. We remain confident that the global entertainment industry has excellent growth prospects, while our business remains well placed for projected growth in the current year,” concluded Chakravarti.

  • Have talent, will become animation hub

    Have talent, will become animation hub

    MUMBAI: The state-wide agitation over Telangana notwithstanding, the Andhra Pradesh government is pulling out all stops to make Hyderabad a media, animation and gaming hub.

     

    And not without reason, for, of the approximately $70 billion worth global animation industry, India’s contribution is around $ 900 million, with Hyderabad alone accounting for nearly $ 550 million.

    The Rs 350-crore GAME City project is in the last leg of finalising tenders, informs Madani

     

    So, after sponsoring the participation of Hyderabad-based animation companies at the recently concluded MIPCOM 2013, Information Technology and Communications Department deputy director (promotion) Syed Shawket Hussain Madani also made a pitch about how Hyderabad has a large talent pool that just needs the right push.

     

    Enlisting the challenges facing the animation industry, Madani said: “Infrastructure, which is dedicated to the media pool, is one challenge. The second important thing is to nurture the talent pool that specialises in 2D and 3D. The third challenge is to make gaming a part of the curriculum while the fourth is the policies relating to the animation industry,” and added that the AP government is coming up with a Gaming Animation Media Entertainment (GAME) City to tackle these obstacles.

     

    About the Rs 350-crore GAME City project funded by the state government, Madani informed: “We are in fact in the last leg of finalising tenders, which will be out by this month end.”

     

    Spanning more than 38 acre, GAME City will have an incubation space constructed over 8 lakh sq ft and various other facilities including a sound and acoustic studio, auditorium and shade studio. “We will give free bandwidth to the occupants for the first three years. Also considering that the software required for making animation series is expensive, the government has decided to buy the software and load it on the common server, which can be used by various companies located within GAME City,” said Madani.

     

    With plans to complete the 27,000 square feet incubation centre in the next two months, “Tenders for this are already out,” said Madani. The AP government is looking at big names to be part of the GAME City project. “Though Electronic Arts and Walt Disney already have their presence in Hyderabad, we want more such names to be part of this GAME city,” he said.

     

    As part of the larger project, a delegation was recently formed, comprising members from the AP government, industry and associations as well as architects and teachers from various institutes. “The team went to Dubai, Manchester, Amsterdam and South Korea to understand the needs of the animation industry and ensure that GAME City is well equipped,” said Madani.

     

    Additionally, the government is in the process of holding meetings with BBC and Al Jazeera among a host of other channels to set up businesses in Hyderabad. “We are negotiating with the University of Manchester for its specific programme that promotes animation in 2D and 3D. We have already signed a memorandum of understanding with Netherlands to set up an educational joint venture for making available its educational content to universities in Hyderabad,” informed Madani.

     

    Not only Hyderabad’s animation industry but also the work force stands to gain from these measures, which are expected to generate jobs for nearly 40,000 people. “This GAME city will complement the existing media and entertainment industry of Hyderabad,” concluded Madani.

     

    This is all very well but naysayers peg the fortunes (or otherwise) of the project on the upcoming elections. “The project sounds interesting and will be helpful to us. But, everything depends on the upcoming elections. If there is change in power, I am unsure if the project will see the light of the day,” said a Hyderabad-based CEO of an animation company who did not wish to be named.

  • Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    Disney movies on demand reaches over 8 million viewers in EMEA

    MUMBAI: Disney Media Distribution EMEA revealed the figures for its branded on-demand service Disney movies on demand and the continued growth of ABC TV on demand and Disney channels on demand, this Mipcom.

    Since its launch at Mipcom in October 2012, Disney movies on demand, the family-friendly branded SVOD service, is now available on 12 live platforms in six EMEA territories. Disney movies on demand most recently launched on OSN in the Middle East and North Africa and Wuaki in the UK , reaching over eight million consumers across EMEA.

    The service gives customers access to a wide range of Disney’s classic animation and live-action hits including the classic animation ‘Jungle Book’, Disney Pixar’s ‘Monsters’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

    Since its launch in 2010, ABC TV on demand has been launched on 26 platforms in 16 EMEA territories. In 2013 to date ABC TV on demand has had over 60 million views in EMEA. In 2012, ABC TV on demand launched in four new countries and on 11 new platforms, registering 33 per cent increase in reach and 80 per cent increase in total views.

    Disney channels on demand that offers popular Disney channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior series at the click of a button, is now available to 47 million Disney channel subscribers across EMEA on 55 live platforms, with further launches scheduled before the end of the year. The channel on demand has also enjoyed particular success in France, where it is now available to 4.7 million viewers with a 62 per cent uplift in viewers between July 2012 and July 2013.

    The Walt Disney Company EMEA SVP & GM media distribution Catherine Powell said, “Disney and ABC Studios content is hugely popular with viewers across EMEA and the significant growth of our branded on-demand services reflects that. We are committed to bringing our great characters and excellent storytelling to all members of the family when they want it; where they want it and how they want it. Our branded services will continue to be a focus for the future.”

  • Watch out for Hyderabads animation booth at Mipcom

    Watch out for Hyderabads animation booth at Mipcom

    other states may do well to borrow a leaf from the Andhra Pradesh government, which is partly sponsoring the participation of Hyderabad’s animation industry at this year’s Mipcom.

    More specifically, the AP government is funding the stand fees for two Hyderabad-based companies – Green Gold Animation and Discreet Art.

    “The government is partly funding our participation at the event. And this goes up to 50 per cent of the total stand fee. It can go up beyond 50 per cent depending on the response we get,” informs Green Gold Animation vice president -business development Govinda Talluri.

    Creator of the popular animated character, Chhota Bheem, Green Gold Animation, has been participating in Mipcom since 2007. “Though we didn’t go in 2011-2012, this year, since the Andhra Pradesh government decided to support the companies based in Hyderabad for events like Mipcom, we, along with Discreet Arts and 20 (approximately) people from the AVCGI association will represent AP at Mipcom this year,” adds Talluri.

    We will be targeting European and South American countries at Mipcom, says Green Gold Animation vice president -business development Talluri

    AVCGI or Animation, VFX, Comic & Gaming Industry of AP is a recently formed association by the animation industry in Hyderabad with the aim of garnering support from the AP government for its proper functioning.

    Apart from Chhota Bheem, which is Green Gold’s biggest property, it will also take other animated characters Mighty Raju and Arjun to Mipcom. “We plan to come up with a theatrical for Mighty Raju by next year and so, will use Mipcom to create a buzz about the movie. Also Arjun, a show that we have created for Disney, will form part of our offering to buyers,” says Talluri.

     
    For all these years, Green Gold catered to Indian and South East Asian markets and recently sold its content to USA and Canada. The major is now aiming at European countries like France, Germany, Spain and South America. “This is not an exhaustive list, we want to reach out to as many markets as possible,” adds Talluri.

    Enthused by the government’s support, Green Gold aims to present its library of 8,500 minutes of original content to a global audience. “Also, with our 174-episode Chhota Bheem being sold to eight countries, we would definitely want to expand our reach and get noticed,” says Talluri.

    With the largest content sale market cum conference just 15 days away, the company is busy scheduling meetings with buyers. “Though a few meetings have already been fixed, we are also pitching in for more buyers,” he says. The company will primarily target television as the preferred platform. “Once we are there, getting to other platforms will not be difficult,” he rounds off.

  • Chhota Bheem’s store takes kids for a roller coaster ride

    Chhota Bheem’s store takes kids for a roller coaster ride

    MUMBAI: Chhota Bheem, the Indian toon phenomenon launched its brand new Green Gold store in Chembur, Mumbai on 14 September. This merchandising arm of Green Gold Animation, creators of Chhota Bheem is the third Green Gold store in Mumbai and 27th in India. The opening of this store aims to bring this toon character even closer to his young admirers and give them an opportunity to endorse him.

    The event also gave kids the chance to meet and play with their super-hero in person. “Chhota Bheem today is an iconic character in the arena of Indian animation. A phenomenon in India with a viewership of over 40 million, the character has begun to enjoy a cult status. Bringing him closer to his audiences was an obvious extension. At our store, our young customers can buy a variety of Chhota Bheem merchandises. And the experience is uniform and seamless across all our stores”, says Green Gold stores head Sudeesh Varma.
    Kids have a gala time with their favourite toon character

    Of the numerous activities lined up to entertain the young guests, the ‘Meet & Greet’ activity evoked tremendous response with children clamoring for more of the toon character. Also the store was stocked with Chhota Bheem merchandises and goodies that kept the kids enthralled for hours.

    “From clothing to comics, bedroom decor to accessories, movies to apparel, board-games to puzzles the store is a one stop destination for every Chhota Bheem fan. Green Gold store houses all essential Chhota Bheem merchandises and offers a unique experience to his young fans. The store will introduce an exciting range of merchandise for the upcoming festive season soon.  The new line will include school stationery, toys games, apparel and many more,” adds Varma.

    With a country wide distribution network of merchandises, Green Gold stores showcase and sell a wide variety of branded apparels, comics, DVDs, watches, mugs, photo-frames, key chains, magnets, school bags, labels, stickers, tattoos, masks, toys, board games and other gift items. “All products sold at the stores go through rigorous quality inspection and are sourced from the best vendors in India.
    The merchandise price range starts from Rs 20 to Rs 1699 covering various kids’ product categories.