Kids
Mickey Mouse hooks Spider-Man for $4 bn
MUMBAI: In one of those rare acquisitions at the time of global economic woes, Walt Disney has announced it is buying the comic publishing giant Marvel Entertainment in a $4 billion deal that will add characters like Spider-man, Iron Man and the X Men into the Mickey Mouse family.
Marvel‘s characters have been turned into several blockbuster movies in the last few years. Disney hopes to combine these strong global brand characters with its “creative skills, global entertainment properties, and a business structure that maximises the value of creative properties across multiple platforms and territories.”Disney will have access to 5,000 Marvel characters, several of whom were co-created by the comic book legend Stan Lee, which will help it to extend its appeal to young men who appreciate Marvel‘s superheroes. Disney‘s franchises like ‘Hannah Montana‘ and the Jonas Brothers have won young women audiences.
“We believe that adding Marvel to Disney`s unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation,” said Disney president Robert Iger.
As per the deal, Marvel shareholders will receive $30 per share in cash, plus 0.745 Disney shares for every Marvel share they own. The transaction will be subject to approval by Marvel‘s shareholders.
Commenting on the deal Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter said, “Disney is the perfect home for Marvel`s fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses. This is an unparalleled opportunity for Marvel to build upon its vibrant brand and character properties by accessing Disney‘s tremendous global organisation and infrastructure around the world.”
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!
