| MUMBAI:
Kids channels gear up for more action down south this year, hoping to tap into
a market that accounts for one-fourth of the total kids TV viewing in India. Disney,
which already has two of its channels (Disney XD and Disney Channel) talking in
Tamil and Telugu, recently localised Hungama TV in these two markets. Says
Walt Disney Television International India associate director marketing Venugopal
Iyengar, "Showcasing content that is locally relevant to our viewers is a
priority for Disney multiplex of channels whether it is through our content, languaging
or the channel environments." Nick,
the only kids channel to stay out of this play zone, is also readying for a launch
in the southern market later in the year. So
what is propelling kids broadcasters to speak in the southern language? |
| Says
Turner International India vice president and deputy general manager - entertainment
networks, South Asia Monica Tata, "South India comprises a substantial viewing
of the all India universe. In 2010 (first 2 weeks only, Tam's expanded Universe
estimation), South comprised 27 per cent of All India kids Universe (42.7 mn Kids
All India). By the sheer size of the market, there is immense scope of expansion
for revenue and viewership." Elaborating
Tata's statement, Madison Media Group CEO Punitha Arumugam notes that treading
the south zone will help kids channels not just garner national but also attract
regional revenues. "The
entry of new players in the South zone will actually help the genre to grow with
each grabbing a share of its own pie. However, the share of revenues will not
grow much but, instead, only get dispersed," she opines. |