Kids
Nick US celebrates life at the top
MUMBAI: As it heads towards its 11th year as basic cable’s number-one net in total programming, Nick US says that it closes 2005 owning the top 30 out of 30 kids shows (K2-11) on all broadcast and basic cable television, including the top five live action ‘tween series, and the top five preschool shows.
According to Nielsen Media Research,Nickelodeon in the US finished this year in first place among all kids’ demos (kids 2-5, kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14) and total viewers (P2+).
For this year Nick managed to average a 3.8/1.2 million for kids 2 to 11 years; 4.2/520,000 for kids 2 to 5 years; 3.6/710,000 for kids 6 to 11years; and 2.6/523,000 among tweens 9 to 14years, ahead of Cartoon Network and Disney by 58 per cent .
This year marks Nick’s best year ever with tweens aged 9 to 14, with an eight per cent growth over tween ratings for 2004. Nick outpaced Disney by 44 per cent and Cartoon Network by 53 per cent among the demo. Nick also claims to own the top five live action tween series on all of television. Among all programmes on television, Zoey 101 ranked third among regularly scheduled programming on all of TV
behind American Idol and Survivor: Palau.
Nick has attributed growth in the ‘tween demo to the TeeNick Saturday and Sunday blocks, which have both shown double-digit, year-to-year ratings increases. TeeNick Saturday featuring Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and Drake & Josh posted a 24 per cent rating gain with a 4.7/943,000 tweens 9 to 14 years rating.
Nick further says that its performance was marked by programming elements such as new shows emerging as top programmes in their demos and highly successful programming events such as the 18th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards and specials. Highlights include:
— Nick Jr. Block: Nick owns all of the top five preschool programs on TV for 2005. They are Go, Diego, Go!; Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues; The Backyardigans and LazyTown. In addition, Nick owns the top 50 highest rated kids’ shows on commercial TV for kids 2 to 5 years.
– Go, Diego Go! is number-one for kids aged 2 to 5 among all Nick Jr. programmes since its premiere in the Nick Jr. block on September 6, 2005.
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.
