Kids
Cartoon Network evaluates language feed expansion
MUMBAI: Cartoon Network, which turned 10 this year in India, is evaluating language feed options. At present, the channel is available in English and Hindi and also has a Tamil block in the South.
“We are not counting anything out. We are evaluating our language options. If the market demands it, we will introduce regional language feeds for our channels,” says Turner Entertainment Networks Asia senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond, when queried by Indiantelevision.com on whether the network was planning to launch South language feeds like Toon Disney.
At present, Toon Disney is available in Tamil and Telugu languages besides telecasting in English and Hindi. Disney Channel, on the other hand, is available in English and Hindi.
“We don’t react to competition for the sake of reacting. If we feel there is a need, we will fill those gaps and strengthen our position. If a certain market is under served, then we will move in quickly and look at innovating,” says Diamond.
But does he feel there is scope in the market to further fragment the audience according to age groups and launch dedicated channels to address them as UTV is planning? “It is not necessary for us at this stage. The segment-wise day part strategy between the two channels is working for us and we are able to grab 75 per cent combined audience share. And don’t forget that we have 11-12 hours a day of pre-school programming content. However, in future we will see how things evolve,” he says.
Is the kids channel space getting too crowded? “We are used to a multi-player environment in different markets of the world. And what is unique in India is that we are a dominant player in this market while competition is lagging far behind us,” says Diamond. Besides, there is a migration of viewers in our target group from general entertainment channels which would expand the market further, he adds.
Why is revenue not growing at a fast pace despite more channels being launched in this segment? “Infrastructure needs to be put in place for the market to explode. For a more lucrative and dynamic business, there is need to ramp up. This business is an integrated model and we are gearing up to explore all areas of media pipelines to distribute our content. We are, for instance, waiting for retail infrastructure to develop which would make a matured business case for merchandising and licensing. There are lots of kids in there and there is a huge future in kids business here as the market matures,” Diamond says.
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.
