News Broadcasting
Cartoon Network, Pogo aim at all DTH platforms
NEW DELHI: Cartoon Network and Pogo, the kids channels from the Turner stable, are not likely to restrict themselves to the Zee and ASC Enterprise-promoted Dish TV direct-to-home (DTH) platform, but would look at other such avenues too.
“As far as we are concerned, the more platforms we are on, the better it is,” Turner International India MD Anshuman Misra told indiantelevision.com here today.
However, he added that no official word had come regarding Cartoon Network and Pogo from either Indian pubcaster Doordarshan or the Tata-Star combine, both of whom propose to start a DTH service in the near future.
But even without additional platforms, Misra said both the channels were doing well with Pogo “exceeding expectations factored into the business plan.”
Still, it is Cartoon Network that is setting the cash box ringing for Turner in India. The kids channel, which was introduced in the Indian market in 1995, recorded a 48 per cent growth in ad sales revenue on year-on-year basis during the period 2002 and 2003 (calendar year).
The quarter on quarter growth in 2004 (January – March vs. April – June) in ad sales revenue was 36 per cent for Cartoon Network, Misra pointed out, adding, “With Cartoon Network now being perceived as a mass channel, some non-traditional advertisers (like petroleum company HPCL) too have come on board.”
Though exact numbers are not available regarding the size of the kids market in India, it is estimated to be in the region of Rs 1 billion. “Our assumption is that the advertising pie would grow for this particular genre of television programming and entry of more players may fuel that growth through competition,” Misra said, while dwelling on the advertising market.
Over the next six months, the Indian market would see several other channels – from the Disney group, UTV’s Hungama – being launched. The target audience: pre-school to college.
According to Misra, combining on-ground activities with on-air initiatives has paid off well for Cartoon Network and should for Pogo too, which is still in its early days. Events like Toon Cricket, Toon Yatra and now Toon Games have all proved to be 360-degree marketing activities that have yielded good dividends for the channel.
Pointing out that similar activities would be unveiled for Pogo too, Misra added, “At the moment, we are looking at introducing Hindi language in Pogo, which would be ramped up slowly.” Telugu and Tamil continue to be other languages, apart from Hindi, which are attractive for Cartoon Network and Pogo.
At some later stage, according to Misra, Cartoon Network might also look at having separate feeds for countries like Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to attract local advertising.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
