Kids
Disney ABC-ESPN TV announces key promotions for distribution in EMEA
MUMBAI: Following the integration of its channel and programme distribution teams in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Disney-ABC-ESPN Television has rejigged its top management.
Carsten Fink has been promoted as vice president for channel distribution, EMEA (North).
Fink will be responsible for the distribution of the company‘s kids and family channels across the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Nordic, Israel, and Benelux, and will report to EMEA senior vice president channel and sports distribution Simon Amselem.
Amselem commented, “Carsten has played a vital role in the strong growth of Disney’s programme distribution business in German markets, and we are delighted to have him drive our channel distribution to further success in key markets in EMEA. I am sure that with his passion for the television business, energy and experience, he will greatly contribute to providing our clients with the best service and support and growing our channels‘ business in the region.”
In his new role, Fink will also lead the distribution and future growth of Disney and Jetix-branded channels across the region, including brands such as Disney Channel, Disney Cinemagic, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Jetix, Jetix Play and GXT.
Fink was previously vice president, programme sales, German-speaking Europe. Since joining Disney in 2000 from Bavaria Media, he has lead the division‘s German-speaking content distribution business in the market.
Additionally, Tomas Arteaga has been elevated to vice president, programme sales, German-speaking Europe.
He will report to Catherine Powell, senior vice president, Programme Sales, EMEA (North) SVP programme sales Catherine Powell.
Powell said, “Amongst his other achievements, Tomas has grown an enviable kids and family content business in German markets for Disney, and in doing this, has contributed greatly to the success of our wider programming business there, supporting key franchise properties to benefit the whole Company. As we increase our investment in our local market presence, Tomas is the ideal executive to deliver future success for our content in these markets.”
He will lead sales for these key markets, across all genres of content.
Arteaga was previously executive director, sales, German-speaking Europe. He joined Disney in 2002 from the former Saban/Fox Family business, and since then has led kids and family content sales in the region, and more recently, has helped drive German market success across all genres of content and platforms.
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.
