Kids
Pogo doubles the fun for kids as it turns two
MUMBAI: Pogo offers a double whammy in January with power-packed programming and event to celebrate its second anniversary and bring in the New Year.
In a month-long tribute to the enormous support that Indian children have lent the channel, starting 1 January on its birthday, Pogo will feature a special programming franchise Ek Se Bhale Do that will include double episodes of the most loved shows and blockbuster movies shown on the channel.
Pogo’s second anniversary celebration extends beyond the small screen. On 2 January, Pogo will launch an exciting, initiative Pogo Funtakshari, India’s first and only antakshari for kids.This contest will be spread across four cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai. The contest will target more than one million kids in 800 schools.
Kids keen to participate in Pogo Funtakshari will need to call a phone number and sing a song, before making it to the first preliminary round or watch out for more information in their schools. All aspiring participants will have to go through a written test evaluating their knowledge of music before being asked to participate in the city elimination rounds.
Preliminary rounds will be held in around 150-200 schools in each city. Ten teams will be selected from each school to qualify for the City Round. In the City Round, around 1000 teams would be put through the first elimination round where they would be reduced to 50 teams and then through the second elimination round these 50 teams would be reduced to the final eight teams.
The final round will decide the winning team from that city. Promos showcasing the winners of Pogo Funtakshari will be aired on the channel starting February 2006. It would be promoted aggressively through print and electronic media as well as cross promotions on Cartoon Network.
Turner Entertainment Networks Asia senior vice president and general manager Ian Diamond said, “Pogo has been going from strength to strength since its timely launch in January 2004. Since then, Pogo has become a force to reckon with, second only to Cartoon Network. With its engaging programming line-up for kids’ and their families like Takeshi’s Castle, the Harry Potter series, trendsetting original productions and innovative events like Pogo Amazing Kids Awards, Pogo’s success is reflected in its ratings and positive viewer feedback.
” I am further delighted that we have raised the quality threshold and changed production values in the kids’ entertainment segment with Pogo original productions like M.A.D. and Bam! Bam! Bam!….Gir Pade Hum. Pogo has become a brand in itself, available across platforms like merchandising, etc, and is fast merging into the lifestyle of Indian kids. I am proud that Cartoon Network and Pogo together have become super-brands in kids’ entertainment in India.”
Throughout January 2006 the theme for celebration is the special number of two, to celebrate Pogo’s second birthday. As part of the Ek Se Bhale Do special programme package, Pogo fans can spend double the time with Tiny TV stars like Noddy, Oswald and Kipper, superstars like Harry Potter and Pogo’s very own host – Rob!
On 1 January, Pogo viewers can catch Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone at 1 pm and Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets at 4 pm. Tiny tots and pre-schoolers can watch double episodes of their favourite shows Noddy, Oswald and Kipper from Monday to Friday on Tiny TV.
Also, two episodes of Pogo’s top-ranking show Takeshi’s Castle can be watched back to back from Monday to Friday in Prime Pogo. In addition, double episodes of India’s first super-hit Music, Art & Dance show MAD will be featured every Sunday in January.
The Ek Se Bhale Do franchise on Pogo will showcase double bills of popular children’s films every Saturday and Sunday at 2 pm.
On Republic Day, 26 January at 1 pm, Pogo will bring to the viewers back to back telecast the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2004 and 2005.
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.
