Nickelodeon Asia recently acquired Toonz Animation India's The Adventures of Tenali Raman from the world rights holder Indigofilms UK. Incidentally the Indian rights to the same show are with Cartoon Network.

Tenali Raman will air weekend mornings on Nickelodeon Philippines and Nickelodeon Asia feed covering Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Commenting on the acquisition and the audience it looks to tap with Tenali, Nickelodeon Asia Programming and Acquisitions Director Syahrizan Mansor told Animation 'xpress that, "Nickelodeon has a healthy Indian viewership outside of India throughout Asia. Even the non-Indian viewers, we hope will enjoy watching the show as the stories are adventure-filled, humorous and witty. Raman cannot resist to challenges and will always try to win. These themes will definitely connect with kids."

Would Tenali be dubbed/subtitled specifically for each feed? to this Syahrizan replied," We have no plans to dub/subtitle the show right now. However, if the show does well on the channel, we may consider subtitling it for one of our markets on the Asia feed."

Toonz Animation India holds the Indian Sub Continent and Singapore rights for The Adventures of Tenali Raman. Toonz India CEO Jayakumar told Animation 'xpress that it had given Indigofilms UK the go ahead to commit the Singapore rights which are actually held by Toonz India as a goodwill gesture. "Besides it is wonderful that our content is being showcased across Asia" he said.

On being quizzed about whether Nick Asia was on a local content buying spree, Syahrizan stated," We’re not necessarily on a ‘buying spree’, but we are looking at acquiring more Asian themed/produced shows in the near future that meet our criteria and would appeal to our kid audience."

Elaborating on locally created content Syahrizan added, "There is a great potential for localized content for TV in Asia. I believe local content would definitely connect to Asian kids immediately as there are relevant themes in some of the shows that are available, that kids can relate to. Nickelodeon Asia-Pacific is thrilled to be able to bring these shows to our Asia viewers. Internationally, distributors are also beginning to realize that there is a demand for more shows created in Asia as well."

"In Singapore, several production houses have come to Nick with local show ideas that they would like Nickelodeon Asia Pacific to air. One example is Peach Blossom Media (Singapore). We aired Peach Blossom's first locally-made series, Tomato Twins exclusively on Nickelodeon in 2002/2003 which rated very well for us. We'll be premiering Peach Blossom's Little Tao Shu in November as well as a Malaysia-made series Lat,the Kampung Boy." she further added.

On being quizzed whether other indigenously created shows like Chhota Birbal too were under the Nick Asia scanner, Syahrizan replied, "I have not seen Chota Birbal and Pandavas hence am not able to comment. Nick will consider airing the show if it’s relevant and entertaining to the kids in Asia."