MUMBAI: Cartoon Network will premiere two new movies -- Keedey - Pakda Pakdi and My Name Is Raj - Attack of Demons -- this month as part of its Cartoon Network Masala Popcorn franchise.

Keedey - Pakda Pakdi will premiere on 12 January at 12 pm while My Name Is Raj - Attack of Demons will premiere on 26 January at 12 pm.

Cartoon Network has also strengthened its evening band by introducing new episodes of its original shows Adventure Time starting 21 January at 4:30 pm and Ben 10: Omniverse starting 14 January at 5 pm.

It had recently launched a new series called Gon beginning 5 January that airs every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am.

Turner International India South Asia Director-Content Krishna Desai said, "Cartoon Network believes in giving kids unlimited entertainment with a motley mix of the best of international and handpicked local animated shows that are centered around humour. The addition of new and exciting features to the line-up is a visual and comical treat for our young viewers."

MUMBAI: The Ben 10: Omniverse series will air on Cartoon Network India starting 26 November, every Monday to Friday at 5 pm.

Cartoon Network territories covering over 178 countries and 27 languages will for the first time premiere a series closely together with a coordinated global campaign that began in the United States in September.

Turner International India and South Asia Director Content Krishna Desai said, "Ben 10 is Cartoon Network?s most successful original global franchise that has transcended geographical borders and has grown beyond television to become one of kids? most celebrated brands.

"Ben 10: Omniverse has received a phenomenal response globally and we are very optimistic about its success in India as well. The 360 degree promotional strategy is sure to boost the excitement and buzz around the launch of this latest series."

The launch of Ben 10: Omniverse in India coincides with the launch of an on-air contest, online games and retail products to give kids a truly immersive and enthralling experience. Kids can also engage themselves on CartoonNetworkIndia.com, which has a dedicated microsite on Ben 10: Omniverse featuring exciting games, videos, fun facts, and wallpapers.

Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, is launching six Ben 10 Comics in partnership with Penguin Books to coincide with the launch of the Ben 10: Omniverse series, Ben 10 Comics and Ben 10 Magazine are now available in retail stores such as Landmark, Crossword, Time Out, Big Bazaar and at individual book stores across India for Rs 75 and Rs 60 respectively.

MUMBAI: Turner International India & South Asia General Manager, Entertainment Networks Monica Tata has put in her papers.

After spending almost nine years, Tata?s lastday at Turner is 31 December.

Confirming the development to Indiantelevision.com, Tata said: "Yes I have put in my papers at Turner on Monday. My last day will be 31 December."

Without specifying her next move, Tata said she will remain in the broadcasting space. Monica joined Turner in 2004 as Vice President - Advertising Sales. Prior to that, she worked in Star India for nearly 12 years.

"It has been a gratifying experience at Turner for almost nine years and hopefully bigger challenges await me next year," she added.

Based in Mumbai, Tata was responsible for steering and overseeing all network initiatives across Turner?s entertainment brand portfolio in South Asia.

As head of the entertainment networks, Tata oversaw various business units. Her mandate included development, supervision and providing strategic direction to Turner?s diverse kids and English entertainment businesses including Cartoon Network, Pogo, WB and HBO.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network has created a special line-up of movies and a contest for Diwali for a week beginning 12 November.

The kid?s broadcaster will have a movie every day from 12-18 November at 2 pm beginning with brand new Horrid Henry special Ullu Banaya!! Bada Mazaa Aaya and mega movies like the My Friend Ganesha trilogy, My Name is Raj 3, Bal Ganesh, Bhoot and Friends followed by Oggy & the Cockroaches.

It has also launched a Diwali contest called ?Diwali Dhoom Dhadaka? which allows kids to win prizes such as an iPad 2 and PSP every day. All kids have to do is watch the movies and send their answers via SMS: ?CN? <space> ?A/B/C? to 58888.

Programming line-up is as follows:
12th November Horrid Henry special Ullu Banaya!! Bada Mazaa Aaya
13th November My Friend Ganesha 1
14th November My friend Ganesha 2
15th November My friend Ganesha 3
16th November Bal Ganesh
17th November Horrid Henry special Ullu Banaya!! Bada Mazaa Aaya
18th November Bhoot and Friends

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network is gearing up for the launch of its global original animated series ?The Amazing World of Gumball? in India on 4 November.

The series will air every Sunday at 4 pm.

According to the kid?s broadcaster, this technically ambitious production fuses 2D and 3D animation with live-action, laying the foundation for a new era of animated cartoon format.

The Amazing World of Gumball takes viewers through a story of an ordinary family ? The Wattersons, who live in the extraordinary town of Elmore, and face challenges with their 12 year old son Gumball (a blue cat) and his bosom pal Darwin who spell misadventures for all. Gumball?s dad is a pink rabbit who stays at home while his mother works in a rainbow factory.

Turner International India South Asia GM Entertainment Networks Monica Tata said, ?Cartoon Network is proud to bring this internationally hit original series which has won the hearts of million kids globally to India. The innovative animation technique bridges the gap between fantasy and reality ? a dream for every kid. The Amazing World of Gumball, a light hearted comic tale reiterates Cartoon Network?s commitment towards providing the best of international and local content.?

MUMBAI: The size of the television broadcast industry in southern India is expected to grow to Rs 225.4 billion by 2016 even as programming mix shifts to shorter contemporary fiction shows to attract younger population and greater focus on different genres of non-fiction shows.

The overall television industry size in South India ? comprising Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala -- is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17 per cent till 2016 from its current estimated size of Rs 122.2 billion, according to a report by consulting firm Deloittee on South India Media and Entertainment Industry.

It said the television industry in southern India is on the cusp of a new age as it leverages every dimension of its vibrant eco-system to create value for all its stakeholders.

Subscription revenue forms a major chunk of income for television broadcasters in south India. The subscription income at Rs 81.4 billion now constitutes about 67 per cent of the total revenues, while advertising at Rs 36.1 billion accounts for 29 per cent. The subscription income is expected to grow to Rs 151.7 billion and advertising revenue to Rs 65.4 billion by 2016.

While content revenue with four per cent share in total revenues is expected to grow from Rs 4.7 billion currently to Rs 8.3 billion.

In South India, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have the highest share of TV subscription revenues at Rs 29.4 billion and Rs 26.6 billion respectively. While in Karnataka TV subscription revenue stood at Rs 16.4 billion, it was Rs 9 billion in Kerala.

By 2016, Tamil Nadu‘s subscription market is estimated to reach Rs 54 billion, while that of Andhra Pradesh to Rs 50.6 billion. Karnataka and Kerala are projected to reach Rs 31.2 billion and Rs 15.9 billion respectively.

The entry of state-run Arasu Cable in the distribution space has resulted in a significant change in the dynamics of the Tamil Nadu TV distribution scene, the report noted. With cable services being offered at Rs 70 per month by Arasu Cable, the subscription revenues in the state has witnessed lower growths as compared to other southern states.

"Going forward, as platforms, products and price points stabilise, Tamil nadu is expected to reach growth levels at par with other regioanl markets," the report stated.

Tamil Nadu currently dominates the Rs 36.1 billion television ad revenue market with a 38 per cent share followed by Andhra Pradesh at 26 per cent. Karnataka and Kerala have an identical market share of 18 per cent share each. The break-up of TV ad market is: Tamil Nadu (Rs 13.6 billion), Andhra Pradesh (Rs 9.3 billion), Karnataka (Rs 6.5 billion), and Kerala (Rs 6.7 billion).

The TV ad market in Tamil Nadu is expected to reach Rs 23.5 billion by 2016, while in Andhra Pradesh it is projected to reach Rs 18.3 billion. Karnataka and Kerala are projected to reach Rs 11.8 billion each.

The content revenue in Tamil Nadu is projected to reach Rs 3 billion from Rs 1.7 billion, Andhra Pradesh to Rs 2.3 billion from Rs 1.2 billion, Karnataka and Kerala to Rs 1.5 billion each from Rs 900 million currently.

According to Deloitte, non-fiction shows are steadily gaining prominence among viewers with genres like game shows, business, fitness, cookery, events and devotional programmes gradually carving their own niches.

The content is transcending from long-drawn soaps to shorter contemporary fiction shows that can attract younger audiences.

Non-fiction shows are also gaining traction with local broadcasters trying different formats to capture wide-range of age groups through these shows, the report added. The broadcasters in the south are also looking to invest in new content rather than just acquiring new movies, which has become an expensive proposition.

The report said local broadcasters are tying up with content providers to launch local versions of internationally hit formats. Sun TV signed up with Endemol for Deal ya no deal and Star TV inked a deal with Big Synergy to produce Kaun Banega Crorepati in three languages.

The report also pointed out that successful shows in the south are remade in Hindi language, a trend that is only going to grow stronger in coming days. The remake trend, according to Deloitte, allows broadcasters from south to cut costs and at the same time achieve greater scale and economy.

Kids genre an emerging market in South

The Deloitte report says the kid‘s genre in south is poised to grow with the entry of new players. Early entrants to the genre like Sun TV, which has four kids channels in its bouquet, have reaped benefits having captured majority of the viewers in this segment.

The main player in the industry is Sun TV with four channels - Chutti TV, Kushi TV, Chintu TV, and Kochu TV in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam respectively. Other kids? networks like Disney, Cartoon Network, and Nick are new entrants to the market with the launch of local feed.

Having a potent content supply pipeline from domestic as well as international players will help the genre grow in south.

News broadcasters

The news genre in the south is witnessing a new breed of channels which are also climbing up the viewership ladder due to their unique content offering. Channels like Puthiya Thalaimurai in Tamil, V6 News in Telugu and Public TV in Kannada are among the news channels launched recently.

The report noted that news channels with political leanings are also flourishing across the southern states. These broadcasters are expanding into entertainment genre and print media after tasting success, the report stated.