Kids
Disney goes 24/7 in Africa
MUMBAI: Disney Channel announced that it would now transmit 24 hours a day on MultiChoice‘s DStv platform across South and sub-Saharan Africa.The channel first launched with a 16 hours per day schedule and has now expanded its programming schedule to 24 hours.. In a multiyear agreement with MultiChoice in September 2006, Disney Channel was made available to more than 1.3 million DStv subscribers across South and sub-Saharan Africa. At launch, Disney Channel aired daily from 6 am to 10 pm It also follows a 2004 edict mandating that Chinese cartoons had to account for at least 60 per cent of a channel’s animation output. |
The channel claims to enjoy the position of number one kids‘ channel in multichannel homes in South Africa with shows like That‘s So Raven, Zack & Cody and the new series Hannah Montana . An official statement also mentions that with an average 16-percent audience share, the network ranks as one of the top three performing Disney Channels worldwide. “From day one we have made a huge impact on the South African market, which demonstrates there is a real appetite for Disney Channel programming,” said Disney Channel UK, Scandinavia and emerging markets managing director Rob Gilby. |
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.
