Kids
Toon Disney rebranded as Disney XD in the US to target boys
MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Disney will re-brand its Toon Disney television and online platforms in the US to become Disney XD.
The new brand will include a mix of live-action and animated programming for kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor.
The transition will begin in February 2009 on television, online, mobile and Vod platforms.
The programming will span series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN.
The announcement was made by Disney Channels Worldwide president Rich Ross. For the 19 Jetix channels and six Toon Disney branded channels and programming in all other parts of the world, any potential re-branding decisions will be made on a case by case basis at a later date.
Ross said, “Disney Channel is a huge business serving kids all around the world, and it‘s especially successful with girls, and our goal with Disney XD is to have that same success ratio with boys. Disney XD will showcase great stories and empowering characters with Disney‘s brand credibility and a cool creative factor that will set it apart from the pack.”
Disney XD will be the seventh brand in the kid-driven, family inclusive TV and radio business of the US media conglomerate. The global portfolio encompasses Playhouse Disney, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, Disney Cinemagic, Toon Disney and Jetix.
Disney XD programming will reflect the boy demographic‘s fundamental values of accomplishment, learning, discovery and growth, and will be differentiated by Disney-branded live-action movies, new and library animated programming and original programming developed with the leader in sports entertainment, ESPN. These initiatives range from original programming to newly packaged X Games content.
The Disney XD launch schedule will include Aaron Stone. This is an adventure series about a teenager who is enlisted to become the real life version of a legendary, crime fighting online game character. The series stars Kelly Blatz, David Lambert, JP Manoux and Tania Gunadi.
Mongoose and Luther is a comedy about two best friends who set their sights on becoming world famous skateboarders. The stars are Hutch Dano, Adam Hicks, Daniel Curtis Lee and Ryan Newman. Hero and Not is an animated short-form series produced in Italy by Studio Bozzetto andCo
RoboDz is a comedic 3D, CG-animated and live action short form series.
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.
