Kids
Kids channels ready for southward action
MUMBAI: Kids channels gear up for more action down south this year, hoping to tap into a market that accounts for one-fourth of the total kids TV viewing in India.
Disney, which already has two of its channels (Disney XD and Disney Channel) talking in Tamil and Telugu, recently localised Hungama TV in these two markets.
Says Walt Disney Television International India associate director marketing Venugopal Iyengar, “Showcasing content that is locally relevant to our viewers is a priority for Disney multiplex of channels whether it is through our content, languaging or the channel environments.”
Nick, the only kids channel to stay out of this play zone, is also readying for a launch in the southern market later in the year.
So what is propelling kids broadcasters to speak in the southern language?
Says Turner International India vice president and deputy general manager – entertainment networks, South Asia Monica Tata, “South India comprises a substantial viewing of the all India universe. In 2010 (first 2 weeks only, Tam‘s expanded Universe estimation), South comprised 27 per cent of All India kids Universe (42.7 mn Kids All India). By the sheer size of the market, there is immense scope of expansion for revenue and viewership.”
Elaborating Tata‘s statement, Madison Media Group CEO Punitha Arumugam notes that treading the south zone will help kids channels not just garner national but also attract regional revenues.
“The entry of new players in the South zone will actually help the genre to grow with each grabbing a share of its own pie. However, the share of revenues will not grow much but, instead, only get dispersed,” she opines.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
