JOIN USA treat in store for kids
Television channels are reinventing themselves by launching a slew of new shows and interactive programming content for children. Sunday noon shows on POGO are offering all the big cinema action and the best of Indian animation. Kids can tune into the special edition of POGO’s popular movie block Lights Camera POGO! Badaa Cinema and watch fun movies such as Drona, Detective Nani, Bhootnath, Meerabai Not Out, Return of Hanuman and Chain Kulli Ki Main Kulli.
Krishna Desai, Director, Programming, Turner International India Pvt Ltd says, “Adding to their movie watching experience is the ‘Lights Camera Badaa Snack Break’ contest, with which kids stand to win pizzas, during every break.” POGO will also launch all new episodes of kids’ favourite Indian animation hero Chhota Bheem, a mega special of kids’ favourite art show MAD: Rob’s Favourite and a brand new comical show, Kyoro Chan.
In fact, going interactive is the way forward and getting kids involved is a priority. Cartoon Network’s Hero Up Challenge is calling on kids to create their own super-powered heroes to win exclusive Cartoon Network goodies, hot new gadgets and an exciting chance to see their creations brought to life on TV. Kids can join the contest by watching out for the villains’ evil deeds against the environment in between their favourite Cartoon Network shows, be it ‘Magneto’ controlling ‘Wolverine’ to destroy trees, or ‘Dr Doom’ building a power draining proton cannon. Kids have to invent a super hero, complete with a name and its super powers to combat the evil villain. Participants stand a chance to win exciting prizes that include 50 weekly prizes every week, across five weeks including remote controlled cars, spy ware, watches, action figurines and roller skates. Kids can also design a costume for their hero and send in a video or picture, or create a costume on the dedicated Hero Up website. Let the creative juices flow!
As for Disney Channel, it is offering an exciting theme-based celebration, ‘Superstar Summer’. Shows such as Kya Mast Hai Life, animated show, Ek Tha Jungle based on ancient Tamil text Thirukkural by noted Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar and the animated version of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda story, The Kathmandu Caper will be aired.
The channel will also premiere a new musical drama Ishaan. It is the musical and inspirational journey of a young boy and is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, headed by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan. Says Shah Rukh, “I am happy that my company is producing a show that will be part of the Disney family.” Kids also have a chance to win over 1001 prizes by answering simple questions featured on the channel from 10 am onwards.
Likewise Hungama TV is set to give its viewers ‘Hungamental Holidays’. New episodes of all time favourite shows like Doraemon, Kiteretsu, Shin Chan and Genie Family will premiere throughout summer. Additionally, there will be loads of fun and activities all through the holidays starting with the art of ‘Tongue Fu’ (tongue twisters), which kids can learn from Shin Chan. Hungama TV will also present short capsules titled Hungamental Excuse Me Please showcasing a fun point of view for kids on regular things. New show Robotan also premieres on the channel this summer.
And if you though the summers will only be about watching cartoons and movies, think again. Animal Planet’s eight-part series, Oceans will shed light on the abundance of marine life on the planet. The team’s pioneering journeys weave together the world of underwater archaeology, geology, marine biology and anthropology. Explains Rahul Johri, Senior Vice President & General Manager, India, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, “Animal Planet through its new series will give viewers a better understanding of the state of our oceans today, their role in the past, present and future as well as their significance in global terms.”