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Tag: Cartoon Network

  • Cartoon Network makes the daily woes of kids fun

    Cartoon Network makes the daily woes of kids fun

    MUMBAI: Surprise tests, math homework, brushing teeth, early bedtime deadlines are some of the biggest, albeit sometimes dramatized, villains in every child’s life. In a truly cartoony and entertaining style, Cartoon Network’s School Contact Program (SCP) – Kris ka Magic Mantra, will try and help tackle all these childhood problems in classrooms across the country.

     

    Kris, student-superhero of Cartoon Network’s popular series Roll No. 21, not only tackles homework and bullies but also villains disguised as teachers in a fun and hilarious manner. Deriving inspiration from the series, Kris ka Magic Mantra SCP addresses real life villains such as preparation for exams, exercising, etc. that children consider cumbersome and mundane. The program is meant to instruct via fun games, trivia and activities slotted into an hour-long session. A jiggle-wiggle dance to calm nerves before exams, a game of dodge-ball to explain the ill-effects of bacteria on teeth are just some of Kris’s magical tips a.k.a. mantras.

     

    That’s not all! For kids across the country, Cartoon Network will be conducting an exciting on-air contest based on the theme of the SCP. In order to participate in the Kris ka Magic Mantra contest, kids need to create a new and devious villain and send their entries on www.cartoonnetworkindia.com. The winning entry/villain will be animated and featured in the series Roll No. 21 opposite Kris. For more details, watch Roll No. 21 every Monday-Friday at 1:00 PM.

     

    The Cartoon Network SCP will reach out to over 5 lakh students in approximately 500 schools across 10 cities. The list of cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Kanpur, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. Having started in the first week of August, the SCP will conclude mid-September.

     

    Speaking about this initiative, Krishna Desai, Executive Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “School contact programs are one of Cartoon Network’s most successful initiatives that get bigger and more innovative every year. Through Kris ka Magic Mantra, we aim to not only strengthen our connect with kids but also help them solve daily childhood problems in a highly entertaining manner.”

     

    Cartoon Network’s Kris ka Magic Mantra is powered by Creamfills Alpenliebe with associate sponsors Dabur Red Paste, Ranbaxy Chericof, Dabur Real Fruit Juice, Hajmola Chuzkara, Hero Cycles, Funskool, Scoopies, Doms and Crizal Junior UV.

  • ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    ‘In a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge but we’ve done so in the kids’ space’ : Monica Tata – Turner International India VP ad sales & networks (India & South Asia)

    The kids’ channels’ space in India suddenly became the talk of the town with the Walt Disney Company buying out UTV’s kids’ channel Hungama TV. In the midst of this hullabaloo, the market leaders – Cartoon Network and Pogo – stood unperturbed and went about their daily business.

    Turner International India vice president advertising sales and networks (India & South Asia) Monica Tata too comes across as calm, composed and confident. She has recently been given the added responsibility of Cartoon Network and Pogo’s operations in India spanning programming, marketing, public relations, production, research and licensing to drive the channels’ business initiatives and revenue growth.

    What’s more, as part of her portfolio, Tata is also responsible for the development and launch of Galli Galli Sim Sim, the localised version of the revolutionary TV series, Sesame Street, on Turner’s entertainment networks. In addition, she will continue to oversee advertising sales for Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO.

    In a chat with Indiantelevision.com’s Hetal Adesara, Tata speaks on the Disney – Hungama alliance as well as Turner’s plans to stay on top… no matter what!

    Excerpts:

    How has last year been compared to the previous year in terms of revenues?
    Year on year, Turner International India has been showing outstanding performances, whether it is in terms of channel shares or revenues. 2005 was a fantastic year. From an ad sales perspective, we grew by 25 per cent and the combined growth between Cartoon Network and Pogo was about 30 per cent.

    We established ourselves in numerous spaces. For example, from a sales perspective, we expanded our base of advertisers when we decided to go into the retail advertising strategy. As a result of this, we added nearly 56 new clients to our portfolio.

    From a network perspective, we further consolidated our position as being the number one and number two kids channels. We came up with huge amount of initiatives on the content and marketing sides. For Cartoon Network, we did the Powerpuff Generation contest and Toon Cricket event. Last year, we had the biggest phenomenon in kids’ programming – Beyblade, which sort of changed the game for us in the market from a content and licensing point of view.

    As far as Pogo is concerned, we had Pogo Funtakshari and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards. We also launched quite a few original productions, which is a clear focus for us even this year.

    We did shows like M.A.D and Bam! Bam! Bam! Gir Pade Hum. Apart from that, we also launched a couple of Indian acquisitions likeKhichdi and Karma. Shaktiman, of course, was not launched last year, but it continued to reinforce our position in that aspect as we wanted to ensure that Pogo was seen as a channel for kids and families.

    From a marketing point of view, we supported all of this. We had a huge amount of on-air and off air activities for Join the Powerpuff Generation and Pogo Amazing Kids Awards.

    As far as licensing business goes, we launched a new range of products. We had started out with a seven categories and then introduced more than 30 product categories. In the licensing business, we had our brands like Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls and Dexter and, of course, Beyblade was added on when it became a huge phenomenon.

    All this kept reinforcing to everyone around and also within the company that we need to keep consolidating and moving on. And, that is what we have been doing very successfully in 2005. Overall, in Turner India, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have created new benchmarks for ourselves so that we are able to better that in the coming years.

    What percentage does the licensing and merchandising business contribute to the company’s overall revenues in India?
    Merchandising has recently become big for us. While the division was always there, it was only last year that we came out in a big way by bringing out more categories and consolidation began. We’ve shown a 50 per cent growth so far from a year on year perspective.

    At the moment, this business contributes about 10 per cent to our bottomline, but it’s still tip of the iceberg. The potential is huge with the retail business becoming big in the country and everyone focusing on it. This is one area, which is going to get a huge push by the network in India in the coming years.

    Can you give us a breakup of the revenue contribution of the four Turner channels in India – Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO and CNN?
    I can’t share the exact figures, but each channel’s positioning is very different. Cartoon Network and Pogo are very focused on the kids entertainment space. HBO is clearly targeted towards upwardly mobile English speaking individuals and CNN has its own distinctive positioning.

    In their individual space, we are leaders when compared to nearest competitors; whether it is in terms of revenue or channel share. CNN’s positioning is more driven with high networked individuals.

    Collectively, we have done extremely well and have shown year on year growth. As a network we have grown by 30 per cent.
    ‘On our merchandising business, we have shown a 50% growth so far from a year on year perspective‘

    HBO recently hiked its ad rates. What prompted this decision?
    This decision was basically based on the demand and supply graph. As the market grows, so does demand. Whereas the supply is limited as there are not too many players of HBO’s reckoning in the market.

    HBO is the leader of the pack amongst the few channels that exist in the space. And, because HBO has been strengthening its positioning through its content as well, it made sense to come out and consolidate our rate strategy. That’s when we decided that it was time to take the next step and increase the rates. It makes the game a little more interesting.

    Going forward, is there going to be any change in strategy in selling HBO?
    The strategy is pretty much the same. We are focusing on client solutions and integration. Selling time is generic across every channel. But we are looking at bringing additional value to the table for our clients. Our team comes up with ideas and strategies and we go to the client as a problem solver rather than telling them about our channel and rates and asking them to buy it.

    We’ve come up with some great creatively integrated solutions for Titan Xylus, which revolved around Titan’s positioning statement for their brand. So the movie selection, packaging and promotion happened accordingly. The client also felt good about it because there was clearly a distinction that we brought to the table. We have also done similar initiatives for Pepsi TV and are in the process of finalizing something for Marico’s Parachute.

    We keep adding brands and coming up with integrated creative solutions for clients.

    What is going to be your strategy to improve ad sales across the bouquet?
    Ad sales is a critical function. Improvisation on every strategy whether it is ad sales, programming or marketing is always important. The whole objective is to keep bettering what has been done before. Our internal mantra is: we are our own competitors.

    Keeping that in mind, the strategy really is to focus and come up with the best marketing solutions for clients and to be seen more as a partner in the game rather than creating a them-versus-us situation. We try to see wherever a partnership can be further consolidated and figure out how to bring the best value to a client. At the same time not losing focus on what you think is value for your brand.

    So whether it is Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO or CNN, the distinction we bring to the table is the solution providing techniques or approaches we have.

    With CNN, for example, we did this exercise with the department of tourism. We created six films for them where we needed to identify certain genres to highlight facts about Indian tourism in the international market. Such initiatives make the difference.

    With the news channels space opening up in the last couple of years, how is CNN perceived in the market versus earlier when there was not much competition in India?
    I think the perception is still the same that CNN is a global leader. CNN clearly brings that value to the table wherein it is an international news channel. We are not even in the space of competing with Indian channels and we don’t consider them as competitors. Our position is clearly distinctive and the clients we go and talk to are the people who are looking for international audiences and not so much the Indian audiences. That’s where the clear distinction lies.

    For us, it’s not about what the other news channels are doing because that’s not where we are placing ourselves. With all the surveys that we have done globally and at the Asia Pacific level, CNN is the clear leader in every aspect. That’s where our positioning stands and will continue to.

    What are the properties on each channels – Cartoon Network, Pogo, CNN and HBO – that you believe will drive revenues in the next fiscal?
    We have so many of them. As a channel per se, when you take kids into account, Cartoon Network will have a clear focus on better content coupled with marketing support, more communications techniques and mediums. Between Cartoon Network and Pogo, that’s where the consolidation will happen.

    For HBO again, better content and hence better integrated solutions to clients will be able to drive growth apart from the rate increase that will drive revenues. The same goes for CNN as well. The strategy remains the same.
    For Cartoon Network and Pogo we have defined three pillars, which are: content, creativity and choice. This will be coupled with innovation as well.

    So if we say content is king, then innovation is key. That is important because in today’s dynamic environment where there is so much of choice, if you’re not going to be different then you will be left behind. So, how you make yourself different is not found in just one big Black Book. The difference lies in every aspect of how we do our business.

    In Cartoon Network and Pogo’s case, we’ve been around for the last 10 years and in these 10 years we were in a monopolistic environment so we were obviously number one then. But even in a multi-layered environment we have still maintained our leadership position.

    Therein lies the answer and speaks volumes about our credibility and what we bring to the table. We know the kids best, we listen to them and going by what we hear, we replicate what we have on-air. Those are the things which will continue to be our focus in the coming years.

    You have recently been given added responsibility of overseeing programming, marketing, production, research and licensing to drive Cartoon Network and Pogo’s business initiatives and revenue growth. Are there any new initiatives or new revenue generating areas that you are looking at in the kids’ space?
    Like I said, we believe we are our own competitors and we will be focused on what we think is best so as to take it to the next level.

    New media is going to be a huge focus in India in the coming years. We will be seeing how we can leverage that — whether it is wireless or dotcom – and how we can integrate them in our portfolio.

    Our products and licensing division too has huge potential. It is our philosophy that Cartoon Network and Pogo are super brands in the kids’ entertainment space and we have consolidated our position in the last 10 years. But how do we take our experience of television, outside of television is what this division will help us to. This will create multiple touch points for our brands. From television to a bus stop, mall, shop and a theme park, Cartoon Network will be omnipresent. At every level, wherever you are, your brand will be there and that’s the kind of experiential marketing is what we will be focusing on.

    When will the branded theme parks be ready in India?
    We are launching Pogo Planet first by mid-next year and the Cartoon Network theme park will be launched by the end of 2007.

    What do you think about the recent buyout of Hungama by Disney? How will it impact the overall kids’ channels’ space in India?
    Actually this consolidation is something that we were expecting. In fact, we were expecting it earlier. This doesn’t come to us as a surprise because when you have to deal with well entrenched players, you need things like this to happen.

    That said and done, we will not change our strategy, our thinking and how we want to deal with our business. Those cannot be based on other people’s strategies or on changing market dynamics. We will do what we think is best for us because that’s where our forte lies. We will continue to re-invent and keep pushing the envelope as much as we can to maintain our leadership position.

    All said and done, Disney will now be in a better position in the space and Hungama is a strong brand. How do you see the kids’ channels’ market changing with this development?
    I think fragmentation is a reality and that’s something every genre has experienced in these 10 years of the cable and satellite boom in the country. And what is interesting to know is that despite the fragmentation happening in the kids space, we are still maintaining our leadership position. I just want to reiterate to everyone that just don’t forget that we have been here for 10 years and you can’t overnight come up with something, which our experience has build for us.

    Secondly, in a fragmented environment, managing leadership position is a challenge. So while people have come in and taken a bit of share, within that itself we are in the number one and two positions. In terms of audience shares, the analysis that we do is based on what the industry benchmarks are in terms of a 24 hour channel share. You can’t have an analysis based on specific markets and time bands and say you’re number one!

    While we are still the leaders, we are not being complacent about it. We are rolling out many new initiatives and of course our biggest launch this year is going to be Galli Galli Sim Sim. That’s taking the whole association with Sesame Workshop to the next level. It is going to change the whole game, not only in terms of television viewing but also in terms of education in the country.

    These things are only going to consolidate our position in the kids’ channels’ space.
    Have you seen any new brands/categories coming in the kids space?
    Over the last few years we have seen a huge shift of focus in brands that we used to call originally non-traditional advertisers, who one would have thought would not come on to a television channel — whether it is the banking sector, financial sector or personal products. Now over the last year or so, the lines between the traditional and nontraditional have blurred.

    Even now about 35 per cent of my audience base is adults. So, we are talking to them too and you will see a lot of advertisers who are not just selling confectioneries, sweets and candies. We have grown our advertiser base and that’s where the opportunity lies – how do you increase the pie by tapping into other genres of advertising.

    Clients like L’oreal, TVS, Citibank, ING Vyasa, P&G and Levers brands like Clinic All Clear and Surf have come on to our kids’ channels.
    And what about HBO?
    HBO again has seen a huge shift in advertisers. The base has expanded. Telecom and financial sectors have been new additions, which we have managed to pull away from the English news genre.
    What are the challenges involved in selling a channel where decisions are based to a degree on perception in the absence of high ratings as in HBO?
    It is about managing perceptions and managing clients’ expectations. These are key to brands like HBO. As you rightly said, these are not sold on ratings but on the environment you’re buying into, the value you’re bringing for the brand and on how you’re able to differentiate the buy on the channel versus a rating driven channel.

    Relationship building is another important aspect in the market, which is a big connect that we have in the market across all the brands we represent. While HBO has been a recent entrant in our lives, between Cartoon Network and Pogo, we have built many relationships in the industry. Our aim is to always find ways to consolidate our relationships in the market.
  • Cartoon Network wins ‘Superbrands 2014-15’ in Satellite Channel – Children category

    Cartoon Network wins ‘Superbrands 2014-15’ in Satellite Channel – Children category

    MUMBAI: Cartoon Network,home of the biggest and most iconic cartoon shows and characters, has once again been named a ‘Superbrand’ 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 2014 – 2015. Infact, Cartoon Network received a net score of 8 out of 10, rankingit amongst the top 10% of all brands across all categories in India.The channel reclaims the title, having won the accolade in the same category in 2012 – 2013.

     

    Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. commented on this achievement by saying: “We are very pleased that Cartoon Network continues to not only be the highest rated channel within the kids’ genre but has also earned great brand value and loyalty with its audience. Being awarded by Superbrandsyet again is truly an honour.”

     

    The network’s success is built on top-rating series such as Roll No. 21, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Adventure Time and Steven Universe as well as perennial favourites like Tom and Jerry and Ben 10. Siddharth continued, “These franchises are proven hits and, as we make headway into our 20th anniversary, they’ll be complemented by some exciting new comedies. We’ll also be announcing some big-name acquisitions and adding more locally-produced animation to our line-up.”

     

    Lastly, acknowledging the efforts of the India team, Siddharth said, “As a global media conglomerate, we couldn’t be more thrilled that Turner India is the only network to have both its channels as leaders within the same genre. It gives us great pride to know that a young brand like POGO was a close runner for Super brand and missed it by a whisker.I am extremely proud of the teams and would like to congratulate them for their passion for thebrands that has led to this success.”

     

    Superbrands is an independent global organization that selects winning brands basedon their excellent work. The selection is done by thousands of consumers, highly reckoned professionals from the Indian advertising, media, marketing and corporate world.

  • JAINHITS expands dual language feeds to three more channels

    JAINHITS expands dual language feeds to three more channels

    NEW DELHI: JAINHITS, India’s only HITS platform in operation at present, is extending audio feeds in dual languages to three more channels at no additional cost to its customers with immediate effect.

     

    Disney, Cartoon Network and Pogo are the new channels to get audio language feeds. This is in addition to four channels which are already being beamed in dual languages.

     

     Earlier, this facility was available on Discovery, History, TV18, Animal Planet and Nickelodeon. Through this offering, JAINHITS customers can choose to have an audio option in Hindi or English languages.

     

     JAINHITS has also announced that it will shortly be adding more channels with dual audio feeds. Later, it will also go into multi-lingual audio feeds from the current dual language feeds offered.

     

     The platform currently provides its customers with more than 250 channels and plans to increase the number of its channels to 500, in the near future.

     

     The company provides MPEG-4 quality digital cable TV services including SD/HD channels from regional, national and International broadcasters.

  • Cartoon Network brings Pokemon latest season and Kid Krrish movie sequelthis monsoon

    Cartoon Network brings Pokemon latest season and Kid Krrish movie sequelthis monsoon

    MUMBAI: This monsoon, India’s leading kid’s channel, Cartoon Network, has pulled out all the stops to give children an unlimited dose of entertainment!The channel will air back-to-back movies with blockbuster premieres, new shows, revive popular classics and shower children with prizes throughout the season.

    The bonanza begins with the premiere of one of the most popular and revered anime series. Cartoon Network brings back the Pokémon series with the latest season Pokémon Black & White every Monday to Friday at 12:30pm and 8pm.Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu set out to enter the Unova League, encountering new and mysterious Pokémon and battling rivals and Gym Leaders.

    From the multimillion dollar franchise of How to Train your Dragon, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks bring back the second season in the Dragon series called Dragons: Defenders of Berk starting 13 July every Sunday at 4:30pm. With old foes, new enemies and a new fearsome dragon threatening to destroy Berk, it is upto Hiccup and his fellow dragon riders to save the day!

    On the original productions front, Cartoon Network will be airing a brand new series called Kumbh Karan starting 13 July every Sunday at 11:00 am.The series follows the crazy and hilarious adventures of twin brothers – Kumbh, the perennially sleepy and hungry brother and Karan,the agile, better-looking version of his twin.  Additionally, award-winning franchise Adventure Timereturns with new episodes starting 14 July every Monday-Friday at 4:30pm.

    For movie buffs and Krrish fans, Cartoon Network, Film Kraft and Toonz Animation are ready to launch the second movie in the Kid Krrish franchise. Kid Krrish: Mission Bhutanpremiering on 19 July at 12pm will see the superhero and his friends travel to Bhutan to save a Rudrakshthat possesses ultimate alien technology from the evil Dr. Para.That’s not all! By participating in the Kid Krrish: Mission Bhutan contest on 19 July, 12pm onwards, kids stand a chance to win prizes like Skateboards, Trampolines etc.

    Another movie that is sure to enthrall kids is TheAdventures of Sindbadthatwill premiere on 20 July at 12pm. The movie follows the mystical adventures of a boy named Sindbad and his grandfather as they attempt to discover a hidden treasure and defeat the evil sorcerer who has imprisoned the king of Bagdad.

    Last but not the least, Oggy and The CockcroachesSeason 4 returns every Monday to Friday at 5:30pm with a unique contest called When Oggy Met Oliviathat gives kids a chance to win prizes like Cameras, PSPs, Digital Photo frames, etc.

    Speaking about the programming and marketing line-up, Krishna Desai, Executive Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd said, “With Cartoon Network at the helm of the genre, our aim is to continue to entertain and captivate children. This exciting and diverse line-up is the result of acclaimed original productions,popular acquisitions and to stellar partnerships. We are thrilled to bring back Pokémon, Kid Krrish and Dragons franchises and hope that kids will thoroughly enjoy them.”

  • Kid’s genre: More than a child’s play

    Kid’s genre: More than a child’s play

    MUMBAI: A laugh riot for both children and adults alike, the animation genre has evolved through the years along the societal and cultural expansion.  

     

    Once seen as a thing of leisure has transformed into serious business thanks to legends like Walt Disney, Charles Schultz, William Hanna, Joseph Barbera, Chuck Jones, Pixar and many more. They have made us laugh, cry and told us  stories of a different world we all want to be a part of. According to Pulitzer Prize winning author and cartoonist Art Spiegelman, “Comics are the way brains think. You have small clusters of words in the mind when you speak to someone. These clusters become iconic, abstracting images indicating a visual that becomes real in your brain.”

     

    From cave painting to 3-D animation, the industry has grown manifold. And thanks to the same, so has the genre on television. What was a mere programming block a few years ago on mainline channels has now evolved into a viable standalone genre.

     

    Gone are the days when kids used to wait eagerly in front of their small TV screens for the weekly affair. With television being on top of the kids’ ‘To Do’ list, broadcasters have had to provide non-stop entertainment as well as evolve with them if they want to remain engaged with this age-group which is known for its short attention span. 

     

    According to those involved in the kids’ genre, it is a challenging business. With over 370 million kids under the age of 14 in India, demanding variety, new concepts and characters, storytelling is no longer a child’s play.

     

    It all started in the US in 1979, when Nickelodeon (though its history traces back to the 1977 launch of The Pinwheel Network) was a channel dedicated to kids. An executive from Walt Disney Productions had proposed a cable TV channel with matertial from its studio, but the then Disney head turned it down, leaving the path open for the Pinwheel Network to be born. It was not until 1982 that Disney launched its channel, but kept it as a premium service for quite a few years.

     

    Kids consume this genre daily (be it Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network, Pogo, Disney, Nick, Sonic, Nick Jr., Hungama), to forget their daily pressures – parental, peer and academic to escape into the imaginary world offered by it. The target audience ranges from infants to screenagers. The genre airs a variety of programming ranging from educational, original animation, live-action sitcoms, game shows, talk shows, dramas and sketch comedies and a late night classic programming block aimed at families, teens and adults.

     

    Viacom18 EVP and business head, kids cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria believes that storytelling plays a vital role as far as kid’s TV is concerned. “For me more than the story, it is how one tells a story that is important. Therefore, scriptwriting is crucial while developing content for children and hence kids love to listen to the same story over and over again.”

     

    She adds, “It is the character at the end of the day that forms a bond, a relationship with the child, and that relationship and bond is what brings the child to the TV many times a day. In fact, the characters become the child’s best friend, role model or superhero.”

     

    Broadcasters know that they are dealing with an audience which is fickle minded and what they might like today won’t be the same tomorrow.  Turner International India executive director & network head – kids, south Asia Krishna Desai believes that as broadcasters, the key is to provide a constant supply of engaging, relevant and innovative content. According to him, a kid’s network, including that of Turner’s Cartoon Network and Pogo experiences a churn every four-five years with new kids coming in. 

     

    “Children outgrow things a lot faster than any other demographic. Today, kids may adore a show like Roll No. 21or Chhota Bheem but there is no guarantee that the next generation of kids would do the same,” says Desai.

     

    However, this hasn’t stopped networks from venturing into the space. Advertisers too aren’t shying away. As per the FICCI-KPMG Report 2013, advertising spends on TV  were approximately Rs 125 billion in 2012 and the kids’ genre contributed Rs 3 billion of that.

     

    The usual suspects are the kid advertisers such as milk food brands like Complan, Horlicks, Bournvita, ITC Foods, Britannia, Kellogs, etc. However, recently, categories such as consumer non-durables and insurance  which are non-kids have also shown a willingness to advertise on kids’ TV, accounting for 15 per cent of the spend.  But channels such as Nick more often than not turn away ad campaigns from the so-called junk food categories, reveals Jaipuria.

    “As a responsible broadcaster, we steer away from product categories like Cola.” she points out.

     

    It seems that broadcasters are very happy with digitisation coming in. “As a broadcaster I am extremely happy with digitisation coming into our life. We have got double digital growth in subscription. We have seen de-growth in carriage fees. All this has helped us to enhance our investment in content as it is the primary asset of the entertainment business.  Today, a viewer is willingly to pay for what he or she wants to watch,” reasons Jaipuria.

     

    Kids’ channels have been able to gain traction with advertisers due to their differentiated content and unique value offering. 

     

    Talking about offerings, the genre has moved to alternate screens with time. With an increase in number of smartphones and tablets, one can watch their favourite characters wherever they want. One isn’t limited to the drawing room anymore.

     

    The Cartoon Network New Generations reports says that as opposed to adults, kids prefer to play games on digital platforms. “Therefore, while we do have fan pages for Cartoon Network and Pogo, our core focus is to build engagement on our websites –www.cartoonnetworkindia.comand www.pogo.tv via games. This has worked very successfully as both these websites are leaders in the genre,” states Desai. 

     

    Not only this, the channels have various contests, engaging games with their TG through these screens. Apps are being created so that communication becomes a two-way dialogue rather than just a monologue.

     

    Apart from engaging kids on various screens, the makers have realised that it is necessary to take the engagement beyond screens as well. Hence, merchandising is a full-fledged business for these channels. Toys, games, apparel & accessories, books, gifts, confectionary and home video, amongst others, are product categories that are most popular. For instance, today, Ben 10 franchise is the number one boy’s action property in India that has sold over 950,000 units of toys and counting.

     

    Despite all the new offerings and fragmentation, one can be sure that the kids genre is here to stay. Broadcasters continue to evolve and innovate to provide kids their daily dose of entertainment.

  • Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    Vishnu Athreya elevated to CN, Boomerang vice president programme scheduling

    MUMBAI: Vishnu Athreya has been named the vice president, programme scheduling for Cartoon Network and Boomerang. The announcement was made by Cartoon Network chief content officer in US Rob Sorcher. In this position, Athreya will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day scheduling and strategic positioning of programming content for Cartoon Network, Boomerang and branded non-linear programme platforms.

     

    He will serve as departmental lead for long-range calendar planning along with developing creative strategies for on-air stunts and special events surrounding the networks’ growing library of original, acquired and classic animated programming. Athreya will be based in Atlanta and report directly to Sorcher, who is based at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California.

     

    “Vishnu has artfully produced high-performance schedules in territories around the world, and now assumes the US role with a deep knowledge of our product,” said Sorcher. “I’m pleased we were able to tap our own international talent pool, and as a result expect Vishnu to be a unifying link for Cartoon Network worldwide.”

     

    Athreya joins the Cartoon Network US team after a long stint as executive director of programming, acquisitions and development for Turner Broadcasting’s kids channels in Asia Pacific: Cartoon Network, Toonami, Pogo, Boomerang and Cartoonito. Based in Hong Kong, he was responsible for driving content programming strategy for Turner in Asia Pacific.

     

    In a role that included programme scheduling, operations and acquisitions, Athreya was responsible for developing and furthering Turner’s broader kids’ strategy with new channel launches – specifically Toonami, a boys action channel, and Cartoonito, for younger children – and building strategic network relationships with various content providers. Over the course of his tenure, he was instrumental in propelling Cartoon Network to a leadership position in Asia Pacific.

     

    He began his career in advertising as a media planner with MediaCom India, part of Grey Worldwide.

     

    Athreya earned a post graduate diploma in communications from the Mudra Institute of Communications in Ahmedabad, India. He also holds a bachelor’s of science degree in chemistry from St. Stephens College in Delhi, India.

  • The ‘Powerpuff Girls’ soar again!

    The ‘Powerpuff Girls’ soar again!

    After the successful airing of the re-imagined special in January, Cartoon Network today announced the global return of one of its most beloved franchises, the Emmy®-winning, The Powerpuff Girls. Slated for a 2016 launch, this reboot will include an all-new television series produced by Cartoon Network Studios and a full licensing program that will roll out across all regions. The announcement was made today by Rob Sorcher, to kick off the 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

     

    “The original Powerpuff Girls was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide,” said Rob Sorcher, chief content officer, Cartoon Network. “We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice and Chemical X.” 

     

    One of Cartoon Network’s most enduring original series, The Powerpuff Girls has earned two Emmy® Awards along with five nominations, as well as countless animation honors throughout its 78-episode run. The series also inspired a feature film in 2003, a 10th anniversary special, and a re-imagined CG special, The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed which aired on Cartoon Network in January 2014 and featured Ringo Starr. The Powerpuff Girls is one of the top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time, with more than US$2.5 billion in retail sales generated since its debut, and has endured as a global fashion brand with a range of apparel partners and fashion collections around the world.

     

    “This news is three large spoonfuls of excitement for Cartoon Network Enterprises in Asia Pacific,” added Melissa Tinker, Vice President of CNE in Asia Pacific. “We can’t wait to unleash this unique brand of cute and chic into the Australia and New Zealand markets. While in Asia, this will further expand and complement our existing Powerpuff business, a licensing program which already enjoys great success across our markets.”

     

    The Powerpuff Girls, which debuted on Cartoon Network in 1998, was created by Craig McCracken and centres on three sugar-coated superheroes whose mission in life alternates between going to school, fighting crime and winning at hopscotch.

  • Will this ‘Arjun’ hit the bullseye?

    Will this ‘Arjun’ hit the bullseye?

    MUMBAI: Looks like ‘acche din’ are here for broadcasters in the kids’ genre (read Disney, Pogo, Cartoon Network, Nick, Sonic, Nick Jr.). There was a time when all one used to get to watch was Tom chasing Jerry on screen, Swat Kats fighting crime to save Megakat City from the evil clutches of Dark Kat or Popeye gulping down spinach to clobber Bluto and save Olive (not that we didn’t like these classics). But, it’s really heartening to see broadcasters lapping up original Indian IPs and going a step further by getting involved in the making as well.

     

    Click here to read the full report:

  • Summer Programme with “Matt Hatters Chronicles”

    Summer Programme with “Matt Hatters Chronicles”

    MUMBAI: This summer, Cartoon Network will entertain you with the coolest shows and movies and a chance to beat the heat by winning a trip to Spain!

     

    New Show – Matt Hatters Chronicles

     

    Cartoon Network has partnered with UK based production house, Platinum Films, to launch a brand new series called Matt Hatters Chronicles starting 19 May, every Monday to Thursday at 5 pm. This new show combines cutting-edge animation, enthralling storytelling and buddy humour, to create a contemporary show with an enduring appeal.

    New Movies, Exciting Shows

     

    Apart from the new series, the channel will also be airing a range of movies every weekend throughout the month. Tune in to Cartoon Network Popcorn every Saturday and Sunday at 12 pm to watch the best of animation and Bollywood movies like Johnny Bravo Goes to Bollywood, Kid Krrish, Bhoot and Friends, Roll No.21 Space Mein Dhoom Dhadaka and many more!

     

    That’s not all! You can also catch all new episodes of your favorite shows like The Tom and Jerry Show every Monday to Thursday, 2 pm and Ben10: Omniverse every Sunday 10 am.

     

    Trip to Spain contest

     

    To add to the summer bonanza, Cartoon Network is giving one lucky winner a chance to travel to the Parque Warner Madrid amusement park in Spain and meet Tom and Jerry! All kids have to do is participate in the ‘Catch and Win’ contest in which they have to spott Tom chasing Jerry across the channel and send an SMS with the correct answer.

    Speaking about the summer announcement Krishna Desai, Executive Director & Network Head – Kids, South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, “The special summer programming line-up promises to give children an action-packed, fun-filled experience.  We are especially looking forward to launching Matt Hatter Chronicles, a light-hearted series that reiterates our commitment to bring the best of international content for our viewers. We hope this new series becomes the latest addition to our repertoire of successful properties in India.”