Kids
Nickelodeon goes interactive with kids in the UK
Nickelodeon may not be a “happening” channel in India in but that is not the case everywhere. The Viacom-owned kids channel is currently running a new interactive initiative in the UK that lets viewers choose their viewing schedule via their remote control and pick the programmes they want to watch for a whole week by voting for their favorite show and then seeing it half an hour later. The initiative went into play yesterday and will run for a week.
Using an application developed by NDS Group (a News Corporation company) as part of Nickelodeon’s successful “Watch Your Own Week” event, Nickelodeon will let its viewers vote interactively for the schedule, an NDS release says.
Viewers will be presented with three of their favourite programmes every half an hour from 8 am until 8 pm and encouraged to choose between them by presenters. Votes will be cast using the interactive application, via the BSkyB platform, which will determine what is shown next on the channel. Kids can also enter in a competition to win one of the following prizes: Playstation 2, Sony personal recordable minidisc player or a Palm Pilot personal organiser by submitting their telephone number.
Each new selection of programmes will see a fresh round of voting and Nickelodeon viewers can choose to enter a prize draw after their choice is made. Cost warnings will appear on-screen, while security systems shall ensure that only one vote is possible per session.
Kids can also vote online at www.nick.co.uk or via the telephone. Nickelodeon anticipates that over a quarter of a million votes will be received via the NDS Value@TV application during the half term special, in addition to those collected via telephone, internet and SMS. Kids are the ultimate early adopters of new technology and iTV provides a new means of connecting with them.
Nickelodeon can increase viewer retention through this innovative interactive content, which, ultimately, will result in increased revenue.
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.
