Krishna Movie Series Tops Charts

BY: STAFF CORRESPONDENT

May 11, MUMBAI, INDIA (IT) — Krishna cartoon movie series tops charts; number one show across all kids’ channels in 2007.

Leaders in the kids’ television genre, Cartoon Network, reiterated its popularity with the fabulous Krishna movie series being adjudged as the top show of 2007 (January-April) across kids’ channels. As per the latest TAM ratings, the telecast of three of the four-part Krishna series, Krishna: the Birth; Krishna: Makhan Chor and Krishna: in Vrindavan, garnered a TVR of over 2.1, 2.3 and 2.5 respectively for C&S 4-14, All India. The three are the only shows to have crossed the TVR of 2.0 this year and are the top three shows across all kids’ channels in 2007.

Plus, the movie Krishna: in Vrindavan on Cartoon Network broke all ratings records for Sundays from January 2007 to date in the 12 noon - 1:30 p.m. slot. The engaging animation movie registered an unbeaten 2.5% TVR and 14.8 per cent share across all national channels on 8 April, 2007 for the same time slot. As the best place for cartoons and the number one kids’ channel of India, Cartoon Network follows an aggressive localisation strategy ensuring a national platform to Indian animators and producers. Monica Tata, Vice President, Advertising Sales and Networks, India & South Asia, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd., said, “Indian Animation is carving an identity for itself and is growing exponentially. As the number one kids’ channel and “the best place for cartoons”, Cartoon Network strongly believes in the potential of Indian animators and has always been at the forefront of providing them a national platform. The ratings received for the Krishna movie series have once again confirmed our belief that Indian animation is loved by kids and families.”

Acquired from Green Gold Animation, a Hyderabad based digital animation and graphics company, the animation series is based on the story of Lord Krishna, subdivided into four parts, portraying his many avatars during the various stages of his life. Krishna: The Birth, the first amongst the series on Cartoon Network was premiered on the occasion of Janmashtami last year and was an instant hit with children across India. Following the success of the first movie, the channel premiered Krishna: Makhan Chor on Republic Day in 2006. The movie showcased the mischievous nature of Lord Krishna as a child and won many hearts and like the first part, rated fabulously. The third in the series Krishna: in Vrindavan premiered on 8 April 2007 and depicts Krishna as the lovable ‘Kanha” of Gokul.

Cartoon Network India has acquired a total of fourteen Indian animations to date and was the first international kids’ channel to acquire locally produced programming like Pandavas - The Five warriors, Sinbad - Beyond The Veil of Mists, Ramayana - The Legend of Prince Ram, The Adventures of Tenali Raman, Alibaba & Forty Thieves, The Adventures of Chhota Birbal, Jungle Tales, Vikram Betaal, Akbar Birbal, Son of Alladin, The Legend of Buddha, Krishna: The Birth, Krishna: Makhan Chor and Krishna: in Vrindavan.

Cartoon Network and POGO are the leading kids’ Network of India, with Cartoon Network sustaining the No.1 kids channel title with 27 per cent share in 2006 and 28 per centin Q1 2007 and POGO is the No. 2 kids channel with 21 per cent share in 2006 and 23 per cent in Q1 2007. Plus, POGO’s share is 40 per cent higher than the No.3 channel in Q1 2007’, whereas Cartoon Network’s share is 70 per cent higher than the No.3 channel in Q1 2007. Cartoon Network and POGO are also the top two kids’ channels in the C&S 15+ audience in Q1 2007.

Turner’s Cartoon Network and POGO are the # 1 and # 2 television destinations for kids in India. Having shaped kids’ television in India, with the launch of Cartoon Network in 1995, Turner created another milestone with the launch of POGO, a multi-genre channel for kids and their families in 2004. Recognised as the resident kids’ experts with a 360-degree presence through successful on-air and on line presence, ground-events, promotional licensing, product licensing, publishing, CD ROMS, etc, Cartoon Network and POGO, with an intelligent mix of live action, documentaries, movies and animation, offer a complete entertainment package for Indian kids.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Source: IndianTelevision.com