Kids
Walt Disney TV to open dedicated local sales office by end 2003
NEW DELHI: Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) has reaffirmed its commitment to expand its TV distribution into India spanning Disney branded and non-branded programming across all TV delivery platform.
The company also plans to open a dedicated local sales office in India by end of the year.
“We have already seen major growth in the Asian television marketplace and the reorganisation of our business in India gives us incredible opportunities to build upon our recent successes in the region,” Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) MD Doug Miller said in a statement today.
“India, as one of the largest markets in Asia, and the fastest growing television market, is central to all of our plans,” the statement, quoting Miller, said, adding, “We continue to be optimistic about this growing marketplace and believe that a local presence is essential.”
In India, Walt Disney Television International provides feature films, live action series and reality shows to Star Movies, AXN and HBO and also contributes 29 hours per week of children’s programmes to Doordarshan, Eenadu, SET India, Star Plus and Star World.
Disney and Modi Entertainment Network, a KK Modi controlled company, recently decided to part ways after years of having a joint venture here.
Walt Disney Television International (WDTV-I) is responsible for all of The Walt Disney Company’s free and pay television activities outside the US. These activities include branded and non-branded program distribution through Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), production and broadcasting, and the development and management of Disney Channels and other media investments.
WDTV-I is renowned for its locally produced entertainment through both Disney Channels and terrestrial branded programmes. Each Disney Channel provides unique quality programming specifically designed for its local audience and entirely dedicated to kids and their families.
With 80 branded shows per week in 60 countries, WDTV-I’s branded programming reaches 500 million viewers around the world each week. The Walt Disney Company was the first US studio to adopt a local approach to production by tailoring content to specific audiences.
Licensed Disney titles in India include Aladdin, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command and Mickey and Friends. FKE (Fox Kids Europe) and BVS animated series include Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, Spiderman Unlimited, X-Men and Robocop.
Buena Vista International Television (BVITV), the distribution arm of Walt Disney Television International, licenses over 18,000 hours of programming annually, plus 5,500 hours from the FKE (Fox Kids Europe) and BVS portfolios, to international video-on-demand, pay-per-view, pay and free television, and new emerging technological platforms across 240 territories.
BVITV distributes a wide array of internationally successful series from Walt Disney Television and Touchstone Television; animated films from Walt Disney Pictures; feature films from Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films plus ABC News Programming; television specials such as the Annual Academy Awards; and the recently acquired FKE and BVS library.
Major Hollywood blockbusters, series and reality show titles licensed in India include The Sixth Sense, Gone in 60 Seconds, Mission to Mars, Unbreakable, Shanghai Noon, Alias, Home Improvement and The Amazing Race.
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.
