Kids
Paul Ward joins as MTVN EVP
MUMBAI: Paul Ward has been appointed as executive vice president, primetime acquisitions and strategy at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.
The 18-year veteran from MTV Networks will report to Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami.
In his new position, Ward will oversee program acquisitions for the primetime and overnight ‘Nick at Nite‘ programming block.
He will partner with all Kids and Family Group departments, including programming, on-air promotions and ad-sales, to devise strategies that build upon Nickelodeon‘s “equity with parents” and further develop its position in family entertainment during primetime.
“Paul will be a key member of our team as ‘Nick at Nite‘ continues its evolution from its original mission as an adults-only destination to one that is inclusive of kids and serves the first generation of Nickelodeon families currently coming of age,” said Zarghami.
“He will help us identify and acquire new primetime programming and will help put a long-term strategy in place. We will use Paul‘s skills as thinker, writer, strategist and marketer to further hone Nick at Nite‘s creative voice to this audience,” Zarghami added.
Additionally, ‘Nick at Nite‘ had also recently announced the acquisition of Everybody Hates Chris and Family Matters, along with event programming including the Worldwide Fido Awards and My Family‘s Got Guts.
Ward comes back to Nickelodeon and the MTVN Kids and Family Group after serving as senior vice president of communications for TV Land. There he oversaw and managed all facets of publicity, media relations and pro-social efforts for the network.
Ward had served as SVP communications for both ‘Nick at Nite‘ and TV Land since 1999, before becoming solely dedicated to TV Land in late 2006.
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.
