Kids
Nick US continues building on leadership position
MUMBAI: US kids channel Nickelodeon says that its in the top spot for the 11th consecutive year.
The channel says that it led basic cable as the top-rated network within the total programming day for the second quarter of the year i.e. 27 March to 25 June among total viewers and across all kids’ demos, according to Nielsen Media Research.
In addition, the network grew double digits in its multiple media offerings — including Nick.com and Nickjr.com from year-to-year, and video-on-demand — and excelled on its broadband, online gaming platforms.
Among the network’s primary demo of kids 2-11, the network posted a 3.8/1.3 million K2-11, up three per cent over second quarter 2005, and 81 per cent ahead of Cartoon Network (2.1/675,000 K2-11) and 52 per cent ahead of Disney (2.5/801,000 K2-11). With preschoolers, the network also ranked first, averaging a 4.5/560,000 K2-5, up 10 per cent over last year’s like time period, ahead of Cartoon Network by 137 per cent (1.9/237,000 K2-5) and 73 per cent versus Disney Channel (2.6/326,000 K2-5).
However among tweens 9-14, Nickelodeon remained flat for the quarter, earning a 2.5/526,000 T9-14. It still beat its competition by double digits. Among kids 6-11, Nick is up more than one rating point above its closest competitor (Nick earned a 3.5 rating while The Disney Channel averaged a 2.4 rating), equating to a 46 per cent lead.
Nickelodeon adds that it was the only major kid network that posted year to year gains among the preschool (kids 2-5) audience. During its Nick Jr. block (Monday – Friday 9 am – 2 pm), then net beat kid competitors Disney Channel and Cartoon Network by 187 per cent and 196 per cent respectively.
Nick Jr. maintains the top seven out of 10 preschool programmes on commercial TV. These were Go, Diego, Go! , Dora the Explorer, The Wonder Pets, Blue’s Clues, The Backyardigans, LazyTown and Miss Spider.
Contributing to the Nickelodeon’s quarter-to-quarter growth, were several large events including Nickelodeon’s 19th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards (KCAs). This year’s KCAs garnered an average of 3.2 million kids. In its first ever simulcast on TurboNick – a first in awards show history — the KCAs drove Nick.com to a high traffic day of more than 1.2 million unique visitors. Fairy Idol, a one-hour special based on Nick’s The Fairly OddParents, also hit high numbers drawing more than five million total viewers and more than three million kids.
As Nickelodeon continues to build its leadership in new and emerging media platforms, it has increased usership on multiple media platforms in the kids’ space, particularly with its broadband platforms, TurboNick and Nick Jr. Video, and its online sites, Nick.com and Nickjr.com.
— TurboNick, Nickelodeon’s broadband video service on Nick.com, generated 63.2 million streams in second quarter 2006, up +46 per cent over first quarter 2006. It broke its record for the highest monthly streams with more than 28 million streams in June 2006, a 33 per cent increase from May 2006.
— Nick Jr. Video, Nick Jr.’s broadband video service on Nickjr.com, garnered more than 27 million content streams in second quarter 2006. Nick Jr. Video is rapidly approaching its 100th million stream since its launch in August 2005.
— Nick Jr. Parents TV, the networks broadband service geared towards parents, generated almost 14.5 million streams for second quarter 2006, up +14 per cent versus first quarter 2006.
— For the quarter, Nick.com averaged almost 14 million unique monthly visitors, which is a 67 per cent increase versus first quarter 2006. In May, Nick.com attracted more than 14.5 million unique marking the site’s best month ever.
— Nick.com has also had more than 231 million game plays on the site this quarter, and Nickjr.com raked in 183 million game plays, up 69 per cent and 88 per cent respectively over second quarter 2005. Danny Phantom: Freak For All was the number-one game for the quarter recording 7.6 million game plays on Nick.com, while Dora’s Puppy Adventure was number-one on Nickjr.com recording 11.4 million game plays in second quarter.
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.
