Kids
Disney reports marginal two per cent rise in revenue
MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Disney has announced that first quarter profits rose by seven per cent to $734 million. Revenues grew marginally by two per cent to $8.9 billion
At the media networks, revenues were up six per cent to $3.7 billion, while operating income rose seven per cent to $606 million. Cable network revenues rose three per cent to $1.9 billion, but operating income fell by 15 per cent to $372 million, in part to higher production costs and new investments at ESPN, and higher programming and marketing costs at ABC Family.
ABC’s revenues grew by nine per cent to $1.8 billion and operating income shot up by 87 per cent to $234 million, with higher prime-time advertising revenue following strong upfront sales and continued ratings gains.
Disney CEO Robert Iger says, “I am encouraged by the solid momentum in our earnings and the financial and creative strengths that underpin these results. Our recently announced plan to acquire Pixar advances our efforts against each of that strategy. In addition, the announcement of our proposed combination of the ABC Radio business with Citadel Boradcasting underscores our commitment to maximising the value of our assets for our shareholders, while focusing our capital and management resources toward our core businessess.”
On the film front despite The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Chicken Little revenue fell by 13 per cent to $2 billion, while operating income fell by 60 per cent to $128 million. The company attributed the quarter’s results to declines in worldwide theatrical motion picture distribution, domestic home entertainment and television distribution, partially offset by an increase in international home entertainment.
Disney however is hoping that its forthcoming films like Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pixar’s Cars will improve results.
Disney also announced that it will sell its 22 ABC Radio stations and network to Citadel Broadcasting Corp. of Las Vegas in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.7 billion.
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.
