Kids
Cartoon Network & POGO announce School Contact Program edition 16
Mumbai: Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids’ brands, Cartoon Network and POGO, are thrilled to unveil the edition 16 of the School Contact Program (SCP) in India, an initiative that connects with over one million children. With a focus on fostering engagement and igniting inspiration, the SCP will reach out to young minds in nearly 1400 schools across 16 cities. Rolling out in schools across India from 21 August until the end of October, the program strives to impart important values in students thereby nurturing holistic development.
SCP encapsulates two captivating concepts: Cartoon Network’s theme, ‘Titans of Tomorrow,’ champions virtues like recycling and energy conservation as essential components of children’s daily lives, fostering their active contribution to a better society. Conversely, POGO’s theme, ‘Heroes of Kindness,’ is dedicated to cultivating a more positive, joyful, and healthier community by inspiring and promoting various acts of kindness among individuals.
Warner Bros. Discovery head of kids cluster, South Asia Uttam Pal Singh said, “We are excited to roll out this year’s much-anticipated School Contact Program for kids. Through the much-loved cartoon characters and interactive content, our aim is to inspire students to become catalysts for positive change. By incorporating themes like ‘Titans of Tomorrow’ and ‘Heroes of Kindness’ into the program, we intend to nurture essential qualities such as kindness and best practices related to conservation and recycling within their lifestyles. What better way to achieve this than by reflecting the ethos of their animated companions—Chhota Bheem, Little Singham, and Teen Titans Go.”
With associate sponsors including Exo, Kellogg’s Chocos, and game partner Topps, Cartoon Network’s “Titans of Tomorrow” program champions environmental responsibility, akin to the ethos of ‘Teen Titans Go!’ characters. In parallel, POGO’s “Heroes of Kindness” initiative, also backed by Kellogg’s Chocos, Godrej Good Knight, and Ziggy Donuts, focuses on cultivating values of peace, empathy, and affinity, spotlighting characters like ‘Chhota Bheem’, ‘Little Singham’, and ‘Titoo’.
Warner Bros. Discovery, South Asia head of marketing – OTT and linear Azmat Jagmag said, ‘Bringing fans closer to their favourite cartoon characters from Cartoon Network and POGO is vital to our fan-first strategy. The 16th edition of the School Contact Program aims to captivate kids’ imagination and nurture positive personality traits through engaging activities. We are excited to design an initiative that encourages kindness and teamwork in young minds, all while delighting our fans across 16 cities.”
As an integral part of the engagement program, a forty-minute thematic session is being planned for each school. These sessions will include a diverse array of activities, including icebreaker sessions, thought provoking discussions about sustainability, and promote incorporating acts of kindness into their daily routines. Additionally, the program will include hands-on activities related to the environment. These activities will lead to a special ceremony where students make a promise to make thoughtful and responsible choices for the planet’s improvement. Acknowledging students’ active involvement, participating students will receive engaging goodie bags and certificates from POGO and Cartoon Network, inspiring them to embrace and lead positive change.
During the upcoming weeks, the SCP will be held in various cities throughout India, including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
Kids
Gokuldham Goes English with 3D Series Launch
Hindi version hits 80 million views in six months, English premiere drops 12 Feb on dedicated channel.
MUMBAI: Gokuldham Society just got a bilingual upgrade and it’s speaking fluent fun. Neela Mediatech is rolling out the English version of its hit Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 3D animated series, hot on the heels of the Hindi edition’s runaway digital success.
Launched just six months ago, the Hindi 3D avatar has already racked up over 80 million views, proving that Jethalal’s antics, Bhide’s lectures, and Popatlal’s endless bride hunts translate brilliantly into animation especially for a new generation of young viewers who’ve never caught the live-action show on TV.
The English-language premiere lands on 12 February on the freshly minted Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah 3D Animated Series English channel. The move opens Gokuldham’s doors wider to English-speaking families across India and the diaspora, letting non-Hindi speakers dive straight into the neighbourhood chaos without subtitles.
Neela Mediatech founder Asit Kumarr Modi captured the spirit behind the expansion, “Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was created to celebrate togetherness and shared happiness. The response from audiences across India has strengthened our belief in these stories. Presenting the 3D animated series in English allows us to connect with families who may not speak Hindi but relate to the same values and emotions.”
This isn’t a one-off experiment. Neela Mediatech is quietly building a full Gokuldham universe beyond the small screen. TMKOC Rhymes already sings in 12 Indian languages, with more international versions in the pipeline. On the gaming front, TMKOC Play offers 12 interactive titles, headlined by the addictive Gada Electronics Game that keeps kids (and nostalgic adults) tapping away.
From prime-time TV to animated shorts, nursery rhymes, mobile games, and now bilingual streams, Gokuldham has morphed into a multi-platform, multi-language family empire. Whether you grew up laughing at Sodhi’s Sardar jokes or you’re just meeting the gang for the first time, the Society’s doors are officially open in English and the views suggest plenty of people are walking right in.
