Kids
Jim Henson company to debut animated shows at Mipcom
MUMBAI: The Jim Henson Company will debut next month two new CGI-animated series, Dinosaur Train and The Skrumps, at the television trade event Mipcom Jr. in Cannes, France.
The announcement was made by The Jim Henson Company president and COO Peter Schube.
Created for 3-6 year children, Dinosaur Train features a steam engine that carries all kinds of dinosaurs to the many prehistoric eras. The world of Dinosaur Train is seen through the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-age Tyrannosaurus Rex. Rescued and hatched by a female Pteranodon, Buddy soon realises that he looks quite different from his siblings.
In response to Buddy’s enthusiasm to learn more about himself and other dinosaurs, mom takes her family for adventures on the Dinosaur Train. Kids will get on board with Buddy and his family to meet all kinds of dinosaurs and learn new fascinating facts about these incredible creatures.
Also debuting at the market for pre-sales is The Skrumps, a series based on characters created by artist John Chandler and made popular by his line of collectible figures and illustrated storybooks. The Skrumps, a uniquely colorful troupe of Skrumpland residents, is currently in active development for long-form direct-to-DVD production with a future television series also anticipated.
The characters are performed using the Henson Digital Puppetry Studio. Several short videos, including a music video and several character video-blogs, were initially produced and distributed on Yahoo Kids! in January 2007 to launch the brand. The Skrumps were also featured in their first interactive game launched on Yahoo in March 2008.
Schube says, “Based on input from paleontologists, science educators, and early childhood education experts, Dinosaur Train has developed an ambitious, creative curriculum and harnesses children’s enthusiasm for and curiosity about dinosaurs, sparking children’s interest in life science and natural history.
“The innovative and irreverent quality of The Skrumps continues our legacy of creating families of engaging characters that audiences around the world will connect with and we are excited to launch this new property across all media including on-line content and television productions, as well as merchandising and licensing.”
The company‘s head of international sales Sam Ewing says, “The Skrumps and Dinosaur Train offer tremendous creativity and a level of quality that broadcasters associate with The Jim Henson Company, and we are extremely proud to present both series to the international television marketplace for the first time at Mipcom”.
Kids
Sony YAY! launches ‘House of Masti’ to celebrate 20 years of Shin chan
Comedian Kiku Sharda joins the fun with a special rap track as the mischievous icon returns to Indian TV.
MUMBAI: Shin chan is back and this time, he’s bringing the whole house of masti with him! Sony YAY!, India’s leading kids’ entertainment channel, has unveiled ‘House of Masti’, a specially curated programming block to mark 20 years of the iconic animated series Shin chan on Indian television. The campaign transforms the beloved character’s mischievous world into a fresh, high-energy viewing experience. It features new episodes, fan-favourite moments, and themed programming stunts, all designed to stand out from regular broadcasts.
Adding extra sparkle to the celebration, popular comedian Kiku Sharda has joined the campaign. He anchors the integration with a lively rap track titled ‘Shin chan ka YAY! Dhamaal’, infusing contemporary music and humour into the beloved series.
Sony YAY! business head of kids and animation Ambesh Tiwari said, “Over the past 20 years, Shin chan has built a strong and enduring connection with audiences in India. With ‘House of Masti’, we are celebrating this milestone through a differentiated, campaign-led experience. Kiku Sharda and the rap track add a fun, high-energy layer that will resonate with today’s kids and families.”
Starting 27 April, viewers can enjoy the World Television Premiere of Shin chan along with new episodes and an exciting lineup of blockbuster movies on Sony YAY!.
By blending nostalgia with fresh, engaging content, Sony YAY! is ensuring that the cheeky, laughter-filled adventures of Shin chan continue to entertain and connect with new generations across the country.
In a world full of serious cartoons, Shin chan remains delightfully naughty and with ‘House of Masti’, Sony YAY! is making sure his brand of chaos stays as fresh and fun as ever. Get ready for some serious masti!
