Kids
Nick plans local content expansion
MUMBAI: Little Krishna has put kids TV Nick on the hunt for local content. The Viacom18 channel, which had left the chase for such content to rival networks, is now in talks with various production houses to source animated programming that would widen its audience base.
Says Nick India SVP and GM Nina Elavia Jaipuria, “Although our primary audience target remains to be the 4-9 and 10-14-year-olds, Little Krishna helped increase a lot of co-viewing among young parents. By expanding our local content, we are expecting the co-viewing pattern to get a further push.” Little Krishna, acquired from Big Animation for the South Asian territory, has been performing consistently with an average TVR of over 1. |
Nick, however, is not looking at mythological content alone. “We are looking at content that has a strong narrative, storytelling power and good production value. This is because a kid‘s attention span is very limited and you have to engage them within the first ten seconds,” Jaipuria explains. The local content acquisition will also further extend Nick‘s licensing and merchandising opportunities. “We have acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for Little Krishna. We will be launching consumer products based on the character by the last quarter of this year,” avers Jaipuria. Late April this year, Nick edged out market leader Cartoon Network to rule for the first time in the Hindi speaking markets (HSM). The channel now is looking at creating more sticky content to entrench its leadership position. Multinational kids channels have turned to local content to strengthen their position in India. Turner International India runs approximately 35 local shows on Pogo and Cartoon Network together. These include Chhota Bheem and FAQs on Pogo and a series of Krishna movies on Cartoon Network.Says Turner International India VP and deputy general manager – entertainment networks – South Asia Monica Tata, “As a great believer in the Indian storytelling heritage, Turner has successively contributed to keeping India‘s treasure trove of stories alive with animation through its leading kids‘ channels, Cartoon Network and Pogo. We were the first to acquire Indian animation and first to promote home grown series such that kids‘ enjoy them as they do a Tom & Jerry and Ben10.” |
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.
