Kids
twofour54 ibtikar partners with 3Line Media to produce children series
MUMBAI:: twofour54 ibtikar and UK‘s 3Line Media will co-produce Driver Dan‘s Story Train, an educational Arabic/English children‘s series.
The series will be broadcast in the UK on BBC‘s CBeebies from spring 2010. The format will be made available globally and can be customised for the Indian market.”With the deal to co-produce Driver Dan‘s Story Train, twofour54 is taking its first steps towards establishing a sustainable media and content industry in the MENA region,” says twofour54 CEO Tony Orsten.
Under the deal, twofour54 ibtikar will be responsible for developing and producing property for the Arabic speaking region. Instead of dubbing, live action footage of actual children responding and play acting to the story will be produced and will constitute a key part of the show format.
“One of our objectives is to stimulate and produce high quality, original content for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and ‘Driver Dan‘s Story Train‘ offers us the opportunity not only to co-produce a new children‘s property but also to directly develop its content in an appropriate direction for the region and its culture,” says Orsten.
Says 3Line Media director and executive producer Estelle Hughes, “We are looking forward to collaborating with twofour54 ibtikar to shape the project directly for the Arab world. The MENA region has one of the world‘s fastest growing child populations with an increasing demand for relevant and high-quality children‘s content.”
Driver Dan‘s Story Train is an animation and live action television series
developed to introduce young, pre-school age children to the delights of storytelling and reading books.
twofour54 ibtikar has also plans of launching the ibtikar creative lab later this year. It will be involved in providing primarily grant funding to UAE Nationals, ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, for ideas across all media platforms.
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!
