iWorld
Turkish distrib Calinos strikes deals for Forbidden Fruit
Mumbai: Turkish dramas travel is something we all know. In India too they have managed to get many a viewer glued to them goggle-eyed, totally absorbed by the stories. The success of Istanbul-based distributor Calinos Entertainment shows how far Turkish series are leaving their impact.
Calinos represents Medyapim’six season running series Forbidden Fruit. It has found buyers in more than 70 countries prior to the new year.
“In 2023; we have sold approximately 130,000 hours of TV programming to more than 105 countries on five continents by distributing more than 200 programs,” says Calinos head of international sales Asli Serim.
With just a month and a half gone in 2024, Calinos has managed to continue to pocket new deals. Forbidden Fruit was sold in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine, even as it continues to be a top TV show in Chile, Puerto Rico, South Africa and the Philippines.
Continuing to introduce Turkish dramas to a global audience, Calinos has also sold Woman and Second Chance to Serbia, Cherry Season to Slovakia, and the re-run of Ferihato Ukraine.
“While Forbidden Fruit and Woman continue to conquer new countries in 2024, we are happy to see that new fandoms are created for each drama that exists in our phenomenal catalogue,” says Serim.
iWorld
Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
