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Tag: Uttam Pal Singh

  • Cartoon Network India to debut ‘My Hero Academia on 10 September

    Cartoon Network India to debut ‘My Hero Academia on 10 September

    Mumbai: It’s time for “Quirks” and “Heroes” to take centre stage in India! Cartoon Network proudly announces the arrival of the globally acclaimed series ‘My Hero Academia’ for the first time on Indian Television in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. In a celebration of Japanese animation’s distinctive flair, Cartoon Network invites viewers to immerse themselves in the extraordinary saga of Izuku Midoriya. Brace for a “Super Sunday” spectacle on September 10, Sunday at 1:00 PM, where power-packed episodes will unfold their might, continuing with weekly instalments every weekend thereafter.

    A treat of epic proportions awaits all Otakus, as ‘My Hero Academia’ descends upon Cartoon Network, chronicling the enthralling battles and unbreakable bonds that define its universe. The series traces Izuku Midoriya’s remarkable odyssey from being “Quirkless” to earning a coveted spot at U.A. High School—an esteemed institution for aspiring heroes. This narrative cornerstone unveils a world of intricate hero-villain dynamics, encapsulating the evolution of “Heroes” and the triumphant ascent over adversity.

    Watch the ‘My Hero Academia’ trailer here

    Renowned voiceover artists lend their prowess to the show’s main characters in Hindi. Vidit Kumar brings life to Izuku Midoriya, Sahil Vinod Kulkarni, voices Katsuki Bakugo, and Mohak Ninad voices All Might.

    Talking about the show’s premiere,  Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “Cartoon Network has consistently led in presenting unique and popular narratives to its audiences. As part of our fan-centric strategy, our anime lineup has garnered tremendous response, and we are elated to offer Indian fans yet another sensational storytelling experience that has taken the global stage.”  

    He added, “Our high-quality dubs of ‘My Hero Academia’ in multiple languages will fully submerge fans into this heroic saga. The series’ universal themes of courage, camaraderie, and the voyage to heroism align seamlessly with Cartoon Network’s core values.”

    To ensure an immersive experience within the ‘My Hero Academia’ universe, Cartoon Network India goes the extra mile. The show will premiere in five languages—English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—granting audiences nationwide the opportunity to embrace this inspiring tale in their preferred language. The captivating and action-packed anime series, with its engaging plot, endearing characters, and thrilling hero-villain clashes, will be accompanied by a range of digital activities for fans, including a thrilling watch-and-win contest and power-packed content on Cartoon Network India’s official social media handles.

    Mark your calendars for September 10—a day that will witness the unfolding of a tale encompassing heart and valour. Prepare to embark on an extraordinary voyage laden with courage and friendship, destined to captivate audiences across the Indian subcontinent.

  • Cartoon Network & POGO announce School Contact Program edition 16

    Cartoon Network & POGO announce School Contact Program edition 16

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids’ brands, Cartoon Network and POGO, are thrilled to unveil the edition 16 of the School Contact Program (SCP) in India, an initiative that connects with over one million children. With a focus on fostering engagement and igniting inspiration, the SCP will reach out to young minds in nearly 1400 schools across 16 cities. Rolling out in schools across India from 21 August until the end of October, the program strives to impart important values in students thereby nurturing holistic development.

    SCP encapsulates two captivating concepts: Cartoon Network’s theme, ‘Titans of Tomorrow,’ champions virtues like recycling and energy conservation as essential components of children’s daily lives, fostering their active contribution to a better society. Conversely, POGO’s theme, ‘Heroes of Kindness,’ is dedicated to cultivating a more positive, joyful, and healthier community by inspiring and promoting various acts of kindness among individuals.

    Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “We are excited to roll out this year’s much-anticipated School Contact Program for kids. Through the much-loved cartoon characters and interactive content, our aim is to inspire students to become catalysts for positive change. By incorporating themes like ‘Titans of Tomorrow’ and ‘Heroes of Kindness’ into the program, we intend to nurture essential qualities such as kindness and best practices related to conservation and recycling within their lifestyles. What better way to achieve this than by reflecting the ethos of their animated companions—Chhota Bheem, Little Singham, and Teen Titans Go.”

    With associate sponsors including Exo, Kellogg’s Chocos, and game partner Topps, Cartoon Network’s “Titans of Tomorrow” program champions environmental responsibility, akin to the ethos of ‘Teen Titans Go!’ characters. In parallel, POGO’s “Heroes of Kindness” initiative, also backed by Kellogg’s Chocos, Godrej Good Knight, and Ziggy Donuts, focuses on cultivating values of peace, empathy, and affinity, spotlighting characters like ‘Chhota Bheem’, ‘Little Singham’, and ‘Titoo’.

    Warner Bros. Discovery, South Asia head of marketing – OTT and linear Azmat Jagmag said, ‘Bringing fans closer to their favourite cartoon characters from Cartoon Network and POGO is vital to our fan-first strategy. The 16th edition of the School Contact Program aims to captivate kids’ imagination and nurture positive personality traits through engaging activities. We are excited to design an initiative that encourages kindness and teamwork in young minds, all while delighting our fans across 16 cities.”

    As an integral part of the engagement program, a forty-minute thematic session is being planned for each school. These sessions will include a diverse array of activities, including icebreaker sessions, thought provoking discussions about sustainability, and promote incorporating acts of kindness into their daily routines. Additionally, the program will include hands-on activities related to the environment. These activities will lead to a special ceremony where students make a promise to make thoughtful and responsible choices for the planet’s improvement. Acknowledging students’ active involvement, participating students will receive engaging goodie bags and certificates from POGO and Cartoon Network, inspiring them to embrace and lead positive change.

    During the upcoming weeks, the SCP will be held in various cities throughout India, including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

  • PVR Cinemas to premiere ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek’ on 19 August

    PVR Cinemas to premiere ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek’ on 19 August

    Mumbai: Ekan, the hero of Pogo’s original animated series Ekans-Snakes Awake!, is set to make his big screen debut. The children’s animated film “Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek” will be released exclusively in theatres at PVR cinemas.

    This new film will be shown in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu at 72 PVR locations across 40 cities in India beginning 19 August.

    In addition to the movie screening, PVR has planned a variety of fun activities for kids, such as mascot visits and contests with Ekans merchandise as prizes.

    At the flagship PVR theatres in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru, an experiential zone will be created where young fans can meet Ekans.

    Additionally, weekend activities such as face painting, drawing, origami, and interactive games are planned to keep the kids entertained.

    Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster – South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “Since the launch of our India original animation series ‘Ekans – Snakes Awake!’, it has consistently been a fan favourite. We are all set to take Ekans’ adventures and bravery from the small screen to the big screen with ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek’. PVR Cinemas and the experience it provides make it an ideal partner to premiere the movie and reach an even wider audience. We are sure the movie will appeal to kids across the country, propelling Ekans to even greater popularity.”

    PVR CEO Gautam Dutta said, “PVR is excited to host POGO’s much-awaited kids’ animated movie, ‘Ekans-Hero Ek Villain Anek.’ The movie is being released as part of the PVR Kids’ Day Out initiative, which offers the perfect opportunity for families with children to have a fun outing at our cinemas. It has always been our endeavour to offer exclusive content and differentiated experiences appealing to every customer demographic. We strive to create opportunities for our youngest audience to experience our unique offerings. We are certain that kids will enjoy watching Ekans on the big screen.”

  • Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Warner Bros. Discovery announces South Asia leadership team

    Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled its new leadership team for South Asia. The business is led locally by a general manager – South Asia Arjun Nohwar and includes brands such as Discovery, HGTV, Eurosport, Cartoon Network, POGO, Discovery Kids, DC, and the discovery+ streaming service.

    Ruchir Jain has been named head of distribution & Eurosport and heads up the integrated network distribution function. Jain led the finance team at Discovery Network from 2018 to 2021, and then distribution. He continues to lead the Eurosport channel.

    Tanaz Mehta has been appointed as head of ad sales, tasked with growing revenues across all networks in South Asia. Mehta is a seasoned sales leader with deep expertise and a nuanced understanding of the market.

    Uttam Pal Singh will head the kids’ cluster and is tasked with developing a compelling content strategy for growth. In his previous capacity at Discovery Kids, Singh led the team behind successful original IPs, including Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz. The combined kids portfolio now includes Cartoon Network and POGO, in addition to Discovery Kids.

    Sai Abhishek was named head of the factual and lifestyle cluster and will be responsible for delivering growth and profitability across the genre. Sai comes with a strong background of leading original productions, programming, and acquisitions.

    “With this exceptional new-look team, Warner Bros. Discovery is well-positioned to achieve our ambition of being the leading and most dynamic media company in the region,” said Nohwar. “All our leaders are looking forward to working closely together across divisions as one united team.”

    Nohwar also paid tribute to two outgoing executives who will be exiting the organisation. Rohit Khetarpal will be leaving the company after 14 years, having been a key member of the legacy WarnerMedia and Turner network distribution team. Abhishek Dutta also departs, having led the legacy WarnerMedia Kids team in South Asia, including programming strategy, acquisitions and original production.

    Other lines of business, shared services and corporate functions that support the wider region will be announced at a later date.

    The new company combines WarnerMedia’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s leading non-fiction and international entertainment & sports businesses.

  • Discovery Kids to premiere new animated series on 18 April

    Discovery Kids to premiere new animated series on 18 April

    Mumbai: Discovery Kids is launching a new animated series ‘Bunty Billa aur Babban’ on 18 April at 1 pm and 7 pm from Monday to Friday. The slap-stick comedy series is produced by Toonz Media Group.

    The show follows the contrasting duo Bunty (the parrot) and Billa (the cat) who live in the same house. While Billa’s ambitions rest in living an easy life, he is annoyed with the hysterics of Bunty who never stops troubling him. Bunty unleashes mayhem in the house, inciting chaos, and confusion everywhere. Babban, the donkey also joins the duo, escalating the fun conflicts and comic situations. The Bollywood-inspired voiceover enhances the entertainment quotient.

    “We are on a journey of innovating our offerings and creating franchises out of characters that not only engage but also help expand our consumer footprint and provide a healthy dose of entertainment,” said Discovery Kids business head Uttam Pal Singh.

    “Bunty Billa aur Babban – the slap-stick comedy is a fun addition to our existing differentiated IPs including stylish and action-packed superhero in town ‘Little Singham’ and best slice-of-life school comedy ‘Fukrey Boyzzz’. It will further cement Discovery Kids’ position as the most preferred brand in the kids’ category,” he added.

    “This is Toonz’s first collaboration with Discovery Kids and we are really happy to forge this association with ‘Bunty Billa aur Babban’, which is a show that has tremendous potential to turn into a hugely successful kids IP,” added Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar.

    “The show brings back the innocent charm of playfulness and hearty humour, with many beautiful moments to engage and enrapture the young audience,” he added.

  • No child’s play: Discovery Kids on the rise, but ad rates need to pick up too

    No child’s play: Discovery Kids on the rise, but ad rates need to pick up too

    MUMBAI: With schools shut for most part of the year due to the deadly virus doing the rounds, kids remained confined to their homes in 2020. Parents, too, were busy juggling the demands of working from home, leaving kids with little choice other than to spend most of their time in front of TV screens. While that drove the viewership of kids' channels, it was not entirely a joyful ride for linear broadcasters, who faced multiple challenges. The implementation of new tariff order (NTO) by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hit the revenues and viewership also witnessed a decline. The kids' genre was no exception.

    Discovery Kids head Uttam Pal Singh delved upon some of these challenges in an exclusive conversation with indiantelevision.com. “We spent 2019 consolidating our little strength and 2020 laid the foundation of what we could do next. During the pandemic, kids' channels saw phenomenal growth, and in that period Discovery Kids Channel over skewed in that growth. We grew by 35 to 40 per cent in 2020,” said Singh, adding that the channel fared well last year, but post-NTO, broadcasters had to re-group themselves to decide on new content and create new IPs.

    Talking about the challenges thrown by the lockdown, Singh said, “We were able to adapt quickly. The animation studios were working from home, which kept us going. We built on the base created in 2019 and 2020, and planned the entire strategy for 2021. We are still in the consolidation phase in quarter one of this year and getting ready for the summer holiday season starting from April to June.”

    With the next academic session all set to begin and summer vacations only a month away, Discovery Kids channel has already prepared its line-up to capitalise on the opportunity. The channel has launched the fourth edition of Kaal movie franchise titled Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal. Kaal ka Badla was the highest-rated Indian animation movie in 2020, highlighted Singh, which he said instilled confidence in the makers to make a film on the negative character Kaal who is equally loved by kids.

    Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal is co-powered by brands such as leading ed-tech firm Byju's, Yakult and Act II popcorn, who intend to target young viewers through the film. The story revolves around Little Singham’s biggest enemy Kaal who uses his negative powers to invoke feelings of anger and greed in the minds of people. Made in collaboration with Reliance Animation and Rohit Shetty Picturez, Discovery Kids is all set to premiere the kids’ special movie on 20 March at 11:30 am. To ensure maximum reach and uptake across regional demographics, the animated film will be available in five different languages.

    Singh said the makers have attempted to make the show more adventurous while staying true to the wholesome theme of good vs evil. To ramp up viewer engagement, Discovery Kids will also host ‘Kaal Fan Fest’, a hunt for the biggest Kaal fan. 

    Over the course of the coming months, the channel plans to bring back hit shows and launch new IPs. Singh said, “Last year, we were still building the characters and the stories around our very popular IP Fukreyy Boyzzz. It has been more than a year since the IP is on television. Now we are launching season two of the series on 1 April by celebrating Chucha’s birthday since he is one of the kid’s favourite characters. Post this, we will launch a movie called Bhago Chucha Aaya. This will allow us to experiment with the spooky genre within the Fukrey Boyzzz franchise."

    When the holiday season kicks in, the channel will launch 15 new movies, and over a 100 episodes to entertain audiences. “The movies will premiere every week alternatively between Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz,” added Singh.

    As far as brand integration goes, the channel has a longstanding relationship with chocolate brand Hershey’s for its show Little Singham. Going forward, Singh said he believes the kids genre will become an integral part of the industry; supporting the business, generating the revenue and slowly holding the attention of gatekeepers of the channel which are parents.

    According to BARC India, the overall viewership share of the kids' genre grew from 6.4 per cent in 2019 to 7.4 per cent in 2020. However, in terms of advertising, it gets only three per cent of the total ad volumes. But Singh is optimistic that from here on, things will only pick up for the kids segment.

    “As far as ad rate goes, the kids genre is in a much better position now. The struggle of getting good rates is still on for the entire genre, but we are on the right path. There is a need for more participation from the brands’ side, and a lot of effort is going from the broadcaster’s side. As the advertisers realise the scale and frequency kids' channels provide, the price correction will happen,” he signed off.

  • Little Singham to battle it out against ‘Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal’

    Little Singham to battle it out against ‘Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal’

    MUMBAI: Little Singham's biggest enemy, the demon Kaal, is back with a vengeance. After three Kaal movie franchises with Kaal ka Badla being the highest rated Indian animation movie in 2020, this powerful villain is back with its fourth edition titled Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal. In collaboration with Reliance Animation and Rohit Shetty Picturez, Discovery Kids is all set to premiere this special movie on 20 March at 11:30 am. With characters that have enthralled and kept kids at the edge of their seat, this film will see Little Singham and friends on yet another mission to keep their nemesis Kaal Rakshas from accomplishing his villainous plans.  

    Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal is co-powered by leading brands such as Byju's, Yakult, Act II popcorn, and revolves around Little Singham’s biggest enemy Kaal who uses his Buri Shaktiyaan (Krodha and Lobheena) to spread anger and greed in the world. While our superhero cop goes after the Buri Shaktiyaan to destroy them, he ends up losing all his powers and gets pulled into Pataal lok instead. Will Kaal succeed in destroying the world by defeating the world’s best cop and our very favourite Little Singham? It will be interesting for the audience to watch how the tiny hero will be able to save the world this time without his powers, in this exciting mega hit.  

    Discovery Kids head Uttam Pal Singh said, “Bigger and more terrifying the villain, the bigger and more iconic emerges the Hero. Very rarely do we see a villain hold such a sway over kids imagination, ‘Kaal’ is one of those iconic villains. Little Singham V/s Kaal Ki Shatir Chaal is an edge of the seat action adventure. The raging popularity of Little Singham, his swag, action and humour has aided the character to emerge as a foremost IP and also inspired young viewers to be good citizens, be brave, be a good friend, care for fellow citizens and we take immense pride in that.”

    Reliance Animation CEO Tejonidhi Bhandare said, “We’re excited to bring yet another thrilling adventure from one of our most successful franchises, Little Singham, to the Discovery Kids Channel. We’ve managed to create such unique characters that they have been able to stand on their own and Kaal is definitely one of them. He may be a villain for the most part, but our younger audiences seem to truly enjoy the role he plays in challenging Little Singham on his adventures.”

    To celebrate the success of Kaal franchise and in anticipation of the premiere of its next big film, Discovery Kids is all set to host ‘Kaal Fan Fest’ – a hunt for the biggest Kaal dan. The fest co-powered by Byju’s and Britannia Tiger Krunch will be a non-stop 12-hour fan quiz on Discovery Kids channel, giving viewers a chance to win every hour. Exciting prizes and a title of ‘Kaal ka Sabse Bada Fan’ that will be featured through a video across Discovery Kids’ social channels, await one lucky winner.  

  • Holiday fun: Discovery Kids gets new Little Singham & Fukrey Boyzzz movies

    Holiday fun: Discovery Kids gets new Little Singham & Fukrey Boyzzz movies

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids is all set to end the year on an exciting note, with the launch of new movies and episodes of popular shows Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz. Kids across the country will get to hang out with their favourite characters – superhero cop Little Singham and the naughty bunch Choocha, Laali, Hunny and Bholi – as they go on some cool new adventures this December. 

    Starting with Little Singham Super Squad, which debuts on 19 December, kids will be able to see Little Singham collaborating with other superhero kids like him from various parts of India, to overcome threats together as the ‘Super Squad.’ Right after that, Fukrey Boyzzz will be seen in a new avatar in the blockbuster Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan, launching on 25 December and featuring Choocha as a giant! Following this, in a puzzling turn of events, Choocha and Hunny become rats and go on a mission to save their rat friends. The fun isn’t over yet. Fans of Fukrey Boyzzz will get to witness the premiere of Choocha in Wonderland on 26 December. The blockbuster features Choocha entering his own dream world, leading to a series of fantastical events, turning into a snooty frog princess, uncovering secrets from a talking tree, being granted three wishes from a magical genie, and much more.

    Ending the year with a bang, Discovery Kids will also launch brand new episodes of Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz on 27 December and 29 December respectively.

    Discovery Kids further aims to keep children engaged with its initiative The Superhero Academy, aimed at celebrating the superpower of kids who in their own innocent and courageous ways have been helping their family and the community. The initiative aims to recognise the little efforts children put in at home to give their family a helping hand.

    “Discovery Kids brings a perfect end to an eventful year with the thrilling new blockbusters featuring some of the most beloved characters on the channel,” said Discovery Kids head Uttam Pal Singh. “Especially after the year everyone has had, including kids, we thought it was time to bring back some cheer. It’s holiday season and kids deserve to have some fun. The blockbusters and episodes that we’re launching this December, have been created keeping in mind the love our young viewers have for Little Singham and Fukrey Boyzzz. We want to continue to engage with our audience and ‘super squad fans’ through innovative content and give them what they ask for – including a whole host of exciting new adventures featuring their favourite characters.”

  • Kids’ channels and Children’s Day programming

    Kids’ channels and Children’s Day programming

    MUMBAI: For kids’ channels, Children’s Day is the most important day of the year. Despite not raking in any special reach or viewership, channels yet air special episodes for their young audiences.

    Discovery Kids and Sony YAY! will be airing special episodes throughout the day. Sony YAY! will run a Movies Marathon with back to back Honey Bunny movies right from 9 am throughout the day. Similarly, Discovery Kids will have new episodes on two IPs- Fukrey Boyzzz and Little Singham. The channels are promoting their fresh line-up across their networks.

    Sony YAY! business head Leena Lele Dutta said, “We keep doing activities and initiatives for our audience on their special day being the most significant day. I don't know why schools don't give a holiday. It is actually a full day for children but we keep them entertained. With Movie Marathon, the entire day is going to be filled with movies from our Honey Bunny catalogue which is Crazy Family Adventure, Train Chase to Haunted House, etc. So it will be playing on a loop for the entire day. We will be promoting the same on our channel and our network channels like Sab for appointment viewing.”

    Discovery Kids head Uttam Pal Singh said, “We are doing an extension of our recently-launched show Fukrey Boyzzz. When we launched our new IP, we had its extension plan for Children’s Day also. We have new episodes for Fukrey Boyzzz as a Children’s Day special. We have a second IP Little Singham for which we have a 60-min long special episode – Junglee Joker Jaayega Rokar on 14 November at 11.30 am. Kids will enjoy both our IPs together. Children’s Day is not a designated holiday. Kids have school that day so we have extended the flavour of our new episodes from 14 to 17 November – four-day long programming.”

    With regards to ratings and viewership on Children’s Day, channels don’t see any significant changes in the numbers. “We celebrate children throughout the year; it's not just one day. For us, it's an everyday effort of how do we connect with kids and how can we celebrate that. In terms of reach and ratings, Children’s Day does not shape up well. It’s our efforts because we club it not just for a day but for the week, so that we, hopefully, see some spark coming up for the channel with this programming,” said Singh.

    Even Dutta agreed that the channel doesn’t see any rise in viewership on Children’s Day as kids have school. She said, “The important thing is for them to be associated with Children's Day possibly extending the day over the weekend. That is why our association with the leading hotel chain is also over the weekend over brunch. There is no spike in viewership as such. It's not a special holiday for them to sit and binge-watch.”

    Sony YAY! also associated with a leading hotel chain for children's day where they will have a Honey Bunny sponsored brunch. It will be called Brunch with Honey Bunny. The toons will be present and the entire menu and dishes will be based on shows and movies of the channel. “We are also doing an association with Crossword. Parents and kids come together and for a day, the parent becomes the child. So we are not only celebrating Children’s Day for kids, but also the child in a parent,” informed Dutta.

    The channel also has a CSR initiative with an NGO. The kids will watch movies, play games and solve crosswords and puzzles.

    Kids-specific plot points will be played out on Sony Marathi’s Maharashtrachya Hasya Jatraa and on Sony SAB TV’s Aladdin – NaamTohSunaHoga. Again, it will be centred on Honey Bunny, kids and Aladdin. “So we are doing an all-rounded association that year on year we keep building in order to make it bigger and better. This year, unfortunately, Children's Day is on a weekday. Had it been on a weekend it would have been more robust. Having said that, the scale at which we are doing on-air and on-ground is quite large,” opined Dutta.

    Even Nickelodeon India has launched the campaign – #Khulke Bolo – encouraging kids to be themselves and speak openly without any fear and filter. Speaking about the campaign, Viacom18 Hindi Mass Entertainment & Kids TV Network Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “We at Nickelodeon keep children at the core of all that we do and on their special day, we want to celebrate kids with all their quirks and innocence. With this innovative campaign, we want to encourage and empower children to speak their mind openly and fearlessly. This Children’s Day, Nickelodeon urges all to speak their mind and bring out the child within.”
     

    Apart from kids’ channels some of the English GECs have also planned a special line-up for kids. Romedy NOW has curated a special property ‘Naughty & Nice’, which will showcase a line-up of animated movies including Mune, Sherlock Gnomes, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Sing from 10.15 am to 4.15 pm.

    Star Movies also unveiled its exciting line-up with the “Pop-Up Theatre: For the Kids” property. A line-up of interesting movies will air on 13 and 14 November 2019 from 4 pm onwards. Besides this, the channel is also bringing Deadpool for the very first time on Indian television on 17 November at 1 pm and 9 pm. Star Movies’ Pop-Up Theatre will air movies like The Boss Baby, COCO, Ferdinand, Incredibles 2, Baby’s Day Out and The Toy Story 3.

  • Discovery Kids’ eyes top 3, improved time spent with ‘Fukrey Boyzzz’

    Discovery Kids’ eyes top 3, improved time spent with ‘Fukrey Boyzzz’

    MUMBAI: Discovery Kids is all set to achieve its goal to be in the top three positions of the kids' genre and probably address the issue of time spent on the channel with the strategic launch of Fukrey Boyzzz. In an interaction with Indiantelevision.com, Discovery Kids business head Uttam Pal Singh informed that the channel has gained its viewership back post NTO regime but it needs to address the challenge of time spent and hopes the new show will help there.

    When Discovery managing director South Asia Megha Tata joined the company in April 2019, she made the kids genre as a crucial focus area with an aim to raise its level to the top three channels.

    Tata admitted that the kids' genre hasn't grown dramatically in the last few years. It is stuck in a particular space and has become more competitive. As a result, there are more players entering the space but the share is not growing.

    Singh said that the aim is to invest, invent and innovate the content to engage with as well as expand audiences. “In the kids’ genre, there is a plethora of content targeted at 4-8 years, however, there is a prominent white space for content targeted at pre-teens broadly bracketed between 8-14 years old. With Fukrey Boyzzz and its hilarious ensemble of Choocha, Hunny, Lalli and Bholi, we are launching a new contemporary series which will have a much wider appeal. In fact, we are confident that this innocent fun feast will attract co-viewing – parents watching along with their children.”

    “Fukrey Boyzzz is an apt representation of our ambition in the kids’ genre.  We will continue to innovate and invest heavily in the genre with an aim to be a consistent top 3 player,” said, Tata at the launch of the series. “We are also working towards skinning the Fukrey Boyzzz IP in multiple ways including launching branded merchandise.”
     
    “The launch of Fukrey Boyzzz opens new horizons for us. We are making our foray into animation and are enamoured with how this series has shaped-up. I am extremely excited to have characters from our film Fukrey spread joy to everyone with their crazy antics at school,” said Excel Entertainment co-founder Ritesh Sidhwani as the show preview was unveiled.

    Last year, the channel also premiered a similar animated series called Little Singham which was adopted from the Bollywood movie Singham.

    "Little Singham has done really well for us; it was a Bollywood movie which became a fabulous kids franchise making Little Singham the most-loved animated character in the country today. One of the things that we learned from Little Singham is that it’s not just about creating an animated series out of a successful Bollywood movie, it’s important to make it relatable to our target audience i.e., kids and package it with the right storytelling. We have got all those things in place with Fukrey Boyzzz. The series will bring another disruption like Little Singham in the kids genre and it will also take us to towards our goal to be in the top three positions," she said.

    Fukrey Boyzzz is the animated series of Bollywood franchise Fukrey and Fukrey Returns which is set to premiere on 12 October on Discovery Kids. Discovery Kids will air 156 episodes in season 1 at 1.30 pm and 7.30 pm every day in six languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English.  The channel will launch an aggressive marketing campaign based on the core ethos of the show ‘Friends + Masti = Fukrapanti’.  Fukrey Boyzzz is produced by award-winning production house Paper Boat for Discovery Kids.