MAM
ChuChu TV’s new consumer products biz expects 8 to 10 per cent as royalty
MUMBAI: ChuChu TV, Asia-Pacific’s most watched YouTube channel for toddlers from India, with over six billion views and six million subscribers, has partnered with Dream Theatre to launch the global consumer products business for the brand. Given its global appeal and audience, ChuChu TV has now partnered with Dream Theatre to launch the ChuChu TV Consumer Products business globally. Toys, gaming, publishing, apparel will form the core categories, which will hit the market by April 2017.
“Currently we are in the process of upgrading our existing characters to 3D so that they are more appealing as toys. We are also adding new IPs to our characters profile. Something aimed at young adults as well. On the other end, with these new updated characters we are creating a 13 episode series. It will take another six months for us to be ready so the products can hit the market by April 2017,” shared ChuChu TV CEO and creative director Vinoth Chandar.
“It is a long term process. Once the characters are in place, getting deals ready takes some time. Fortunately for us. Dream Theatre is our licensing agent and we are positive that once our products hit the market, more deals will line up easily,” he added.
Although Chu Chu TV’s US partners will be involved in product creative given its global branding, the first launch will be in India, which will be replicated in the US and other markets.
Entertainment and licensing firm Dream Theatre is creating the brand architecture and making ChuChu TV “license ready.”
Having worked with iconic international brands like Angry Birds, DreamWorks Animation, Pokemon, Femina and numerous others on the licensing front, Dream Theatre is creating the brand architecture and Go-To-Market plan for ChuChu TV by upgrading the creative assets, creating style guides, business templates and also charting the launch strategy and rollout plan across territories for ChuChu TV.
“Chu Chu TVs phenomenal success is a testimony to its popularity and it is very exciting for us to work with a brand originated in India and adored across the world by the young and old alike. We are thrilled to create a world class licensing program that enables fans to engage with the brand in a products and services form and will be engaging with top international licensing agents, toy companies and retailers to launch and grow the business across the globe,” said Dream Theatre CEO Jiggy George.
Chander further explained that Consumer Products Business to ChuChu Tv is an alternative but lucrative source of revenue for the company. “The going rate in the market is 5 to 15 per cent when it comes to royalty payments, but mostly depends on the products that is sold. We are expecting to draw 8 to 10 per cent of royalty on the sale of our products in the kids category,” Chander added in parting.
According to industry guesstimates, currently the licensed merchandised market for character IPs or franchises for kids stands at around Rs 5000 crore, growing from Rs 3500 crore last year.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
