Kids
Disney Animation president Blumberg resigns; company integrates animation and TV biz
MUMBAI: After administering Walt Disney Television Animation (WDTVA) for 11 years, the company’s president, Barry Blumberg, has put in his papers.
The Walt Disney Company has decided to integrate WDTVA into Disney Channel Worldwide and is scheduled to make an official announcement on the integration in the near future.
WDTVA will be restructured to include four departments – production; creative affairs; finance, planning, technology and operations; and business and legal affairs.
“Through this integration, we are looking at further unlocking the creative resources of Walt Disney Television Animation by streamlining its international management into the broader global original-programming structure,” Disney Channel Worldwide president, Rich Ross, said in an official statement.
Blumberg will, however remain with the company through the end of January in order to help integrate the WDTVA Group into Disney Channel Worldwide.
Blumberg was quoted in media reports as saying, “I have spent more than half my professional life at The Walt Disney Company, and have been privileged to work with some of the most talented individuals and storied character franchises in the world. I am honored to have been here and to have left a legacy, no matter how small, with this great institution. Even though I am moving on, I will always have a special place in my heart for all that is Disney.”
In his capacity as president of WDTVA, Blumberg led all aspects of development and production for television series, series-based theatrical releases and series-based video premieres/compilations. He also served as a chief administrator for all division activities, including business affairs, finance, synergy, marketing and publicity.
During his tenure, Blumberg reinvigorated and expanded WDTVA’s production slate to include programming for Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Jetix, as well as branded programming blocks around the world and on ABC Kids domestically.
In a series of firsts, Blumberg oversaw the creation and production of Disney’s Kim Possible that became the first original WDTVA animated series to premiere on Disney Channel. He also oversaw the creation and production of Super Robert Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!, the first original animated series ever produced for Jetix Worldwide.
Blumberg took charge in the creation and production of several of The Walt Disney Company’s key animated franchises, guiding properties like Disney’s Recess from a television series to a theatrical release and a pair of video releases, and Kim Possible from a Disney Channel series to a pair of Disney Channel original movies. He also broadened avenues for franchise characters from the studio’s theatrical releases through television series and video premieres for Hercules, Buzz Lightyear, Tarzan, and Lilo & Stitch. Under his direction, WDTVA also produced theatrical releases of Recess: School’s Out! and Teacher’s Pet.
Blumberg also handled the creation and production of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Playhouse Disney. This will mark the first-ever CG animated television series starring Mickey Mouse.He reported to Disney Media Networks co-chair and Disney-ABC Television group president ,Anne Sweeney.
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.
