iWorld
Disney+ Hotstar Premium adds kids animated show Mira, Royal Detective
MUMBAI: Disney+ Hotstar Premium has added a brand new title to its expansive kids catalogue: Mira, Royal Detective. The story revolves around Mira, a brave and resourceful girl who is appointed as royal detective by the queen. Together with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, Priya, her creative cousin, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, they set out on mystery-solving adventures that highlight and encourage deductive reasoning for young viewers and encourage them to think creatively. The show promises to engage younger viewers in the vibrant culture and heritage of India through endless hours of foot-tapping music and fun dance sequences.
Freida Pinto along with popular South Asian artistes Leela Ladnier, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, Aasif Mandvi, Karan Soni, Maulik Pancholy, Sarayu Blue and Sarita Choudhury were handpicked as voice artistes for the show. Mira, Royal Detective will be available on Disney+ Hotstar Premium starting 24 May 2020.
Freida Pinto, who has voiced the character of Queen Shanti, said, “There will be many things you recognize if you are from India. Right from the care, attention and detail taken to focus on costume, food, conversation about food and words that are being used. At the end of the day, this is an international show, but the creators of the show have been so mindful as to not isolate those watching it in India who are growing up in this culture. So, it feels like there is a convergence of international appeal and the Indian story.”
She further added, “I think Queen Shanti and I have this one thing in common. We both like to lead, and I think while I was voicing the character of Queen Shanti, I did embody those leadership qualities. So, I feel the thing that I learned from her is to lead with grace and to come from a place of kindness”
Kal Penn is excited for the kids to watch the show, “I hope that what kids learn the most from Mira, Royal Detective are these incredible inquisitive skills, these characters that are confident. I mean, Mira is incredibly confident and capable and what an incredible message that sends to young girls obviously but also to young boys who will watch the show and be inspired by her”
As lockdown 4.0 continues, Disney+ Hotstar Premium has an exciting line-up of kids’ content to keep little ones engaged; including popular characters like Doraemon, Shin Chan with movies like The Lion King and Frozen II that help children escape into a world of imagination; Aladdin and Alice in Wonderful that are full of adventure and stories of Winnie The Pooh that teach valuable life lessons based on the importance of friendship. With an inbuilt kids-safe mode, parents will now be able to navigate through age-appropriate content.
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iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
