Indiantelevision.com's Kidology
 
Pogo doubles the fun for kids as it turns two
 
Indiantelevision.com Team
(26 December 2005 5:00 pm)
 

MUMBAI: Pogo offers a double whammy in January with power-packed programming and event to celebrate its second anniversary and bring in the New Year.

In a month-long tribute to the enormous support that Indian children have lent the channel, starting 1 January on its birthday, Pogo will feature a special programming franchise Ek Se Bhale Do that will include double episodes of the most loved shows and blockbuster movies shown on the channel.

Pogo’s second anniversary celebration extends beyond the small screen. On 2 January, Pogo will launch an exciting, initiative Pogo Funtakshari, India’s first and only antakshari for kids.This contest will be spread across four cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai. The contest will target more than one million kids in 800 schools.

 
 

Kids keen to participate in Pogo Funtakshari will need to call a phone number and sing a song, before making it to the first preliminary round or watch out for more information in their schools. All aspiring participants will have to go through a written test evaluating their knowledge of music before being asked to participate in the city elimination rounds.

Preliminary rounds will be held in around 150-200 schools in each city. Ten teams will be selected from each school to qualify for the City Round. In the City Round, around 1000 teams would be put through the first elimination round where they would be reduced to 50 teams and then through the second elimination round these 50 teams would be reduced to the final eight teams.

The final round will decide the winning team from that city. Promos showcasing the winners of Pogo Funtakshari will be aired on the channel starting February 2006. It would be promoted aggressively through print and electronic media as well as cross promotions on Cartoon Network.

Turner Entertainment Networks Asia senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond said, "Pogo has been going from strength to strength since its timely launch in January 2004. Since then, Pogo has become a force to reckon with, second only to Cartoon Network. With its engaging programming line-up for kids' and their families like Takeshi’s Castle, the Harry Potter series, trendsetting original productions and innovative events like Pogo Amazing Kids Awards, Pogo's success is reflected in its ratings and positive viewer feedback.

" I am further delighted that we have raised the quality threshold and changed production values in the kids’ entertainment segment with Pogo original productions like M.A.D. and Bam! Bam! Bam!....Gir Pade Hum. Pogo has become a brand in itself, available across platforms like merchandising, etc, and is fast merging into the lifestyle of Indian kids. I am proud that Cartoon Network and Pogo together have become super-brands in kids’ entertainment in India.”

Throughout January 2006 the theme for celebration is the special number of two, to celebrate Pogo’s second birthday. As part of the Ek Se Bhale Do special programme package, Pogo fans can spend double the time with Tiny TV stars like Noddy, Oswald and Kipper, superstars like Harry Potter and Pogo’s very own host – Rob!

On 1 January, Pogo viewers can catch Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone at 1 pm and Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets at 4 pm. Tiny tots and pre-schoolers can watch double episodes of their favourite shows Noddy, Oswald and Kipper from Monday to Friday on Tiny TV.

Also, two episodes of Pogo’s top-ranking show Takeshi’s Castle can be watched back to back from Monday to Friday in Prime Pogo. In addition, double episodes of India’s first super-hit Music, Art & Dance show MAD will be featured every Sunday in January.

The Ek Se Bhale Do franchise on Pogo will showcase double bills of popular children’s films every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.

On Republic Day, 26 January at 1 pm, Pogo will bring to the viewers back to back telecast the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2004 and 2005.

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