MUMBAI: US First Lady Michelle Obama will make a special taped appearance at US kids broadcaster Cartoon Network‘s upcoming Hall of Game Awards (HallofGame.com).

Mrs. Obama founded Let‘s Move! two years ago to solve the problem of childhood obesity. The First Lady will
appear onscreen to speak about the importance of getting active and to congratulate "Let‘s Move L.A." on the work they‘ve done to get people moving.

Hosted by basketball legend and TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O‘Neal, the second annual Cartoon Network Hall of Game Awards premieres on 20 February and lets viewers vote and honour their favourite sports stars and sports moments of the year.

In addition to musical performances by Hot Chelle Ray and Flo Rida, viewers can tune in to see personalities like Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham, Nick Cannon ‘America‘s Got Talent‘, Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints quarterback), Victor Cruz (New York Giants wide receiver) and Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers quarterback.

Also appearing are the cast of Cartoon Network‘s ‘Dude, What Would Happen‘ - C.J. Manigo, Jackson Rogow and Ali Sepasyar - as well as the cast from the comedy ‘Level Up‘ - Gaelan Connell, Connor del Rio, Jessie T. Usher, Aimee Carrero and Lonny Ross, and the 2011 SI Kids SportsKid of the Year.

The broadcaster adds that voting on HallofGame.com has passed 92 million. Fans can log on to HallofGame.com and vote for their favourites in 11 different categories.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster Fox has created a new unit to oversee the development and production of alternative animated series, shorts and user-adapted material for a brand new late-night animated programming block and new digital multi-platform network.

To run this new unit, Fox has inked an exclusive deal with Nick Weidenfeld, former head of programme development for Adult Swim and executive producer of series ?Childrens Hospital? and ?The Boondocks?.

The network has also tapped producer Hend Baghdady as the executive in charge of production for the new division.

Under their leadership, the unit will develop and produce original animated shorts and series to run both on-air and online. The late-night programming block will air Saturdays on Fox and will feature four new animated series per season starting in January 2013.

The digital channel will extend across platforms such as Web, mobile apps, game consoles and Video on Demand. It kicks off in 2012 and will feature 50 original short-form pieces per year, online windows of Fox animated shows, and user-adapted content.

Fox will also use its expertise and cross-promotional power to nurture these new assets through this pipeline.

Fox president of entertainment Kevin Reilly said, "This may be the first time a network is building a clear bridge for talent to develop and grow ideas in the digital/alternative arena and organically move them into the mainstream. These new late-night series will be assets in their own right - but the clear possibility exists for a breakout digital success to graduate to primetime."

Prior to teaming with Fox under his Friends Night production company banner, Weidenfeld served as the head of programme development for Adult Swim. Over the last eight years, Weidenfeld helped grow the late-night block of programming on Cartoon Network Adult Swim.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has announced the acquisition of the animated series ?Chaplin and Co?, a slapstick nod to one of Hollywood?s most pivotal early stars, Charlie Chaplin.

Running six minutes long over 104 episodes, ?Chaplin and Co? will air across all of Cartoon Network?s Asia Pacific markets, more than 26 countries, from the first half of 2012.

A co-production between DQ Entertainment, and France-based Method Animation, ?Chaplin and Co? was developed in consultation with the Chaplin family. The aim was to make the series truly representative of the screen icon.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific director, programming, acquisitions and development Layla Lewis said, "Chaplin and Co. offers a contemporary take on Charlie?s timeless humour and endearing charm. We?re thrilled to introduce his comedic adventures to a whole new generation of Cartoon Network Asia Pacific fans."

The series is a slapstick comedy without dialogue - reminiscent of his films. Almost a century later, his most enduring traits have been transformed into a side-splittingly funny computer-generated animated series.

DQ Entertainment (International) chairman, CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, "The legend of Charlie Chaplin will be brought back in high-end animated short films to delight children and families. The legendary entertainer will once again entertain audiences in his new CGI avatar. We believe Cartoon Network is the perfect partner for Chaplin and Co to bring this side-splitting series to audiences in this region."

MUMBAI: The Annoying Orange, which has grown in popularity online, is breaking out of the virtual kitchen as Cartoon Network has acquired the television rights to the most-watched web series of all-time.

Inspired by the viral sensation watched by millions on YouTube, a new half-hour television series will premiere next year as part of Cartoon Network?s original programming block.

Created by Dane Boedigheimer and produced by entertainment management and production company The Collective, ?The Annoying Orange? features an Orange that playfully heckles other fruits, vegetables or nearby objects with puns and jokes. The television series is the latest brand extension for ?The Annoying Orange?, which has already taken the internet by storm.

The Annoying Orange web series has racked up over 850 million total views on its dedicated channel on YouTube as of September 2011, and with new episodes debuting every Friday, it continues to attract millions of views and new fans each week. The Annoying Orange is the ninth-most-subscribed YouTube channel of all time with more than two million subscribers and has over 10 million fans on Facebook and Twitter. The popularity has also translated over to the official web site, which generates nearly four million page views each month.

Now YouTube?s favorite fruit is embarking on an all-new high fructose animated adventure on Cartoon Network. The television series follows Orange and his band of buddies as they travel through time in a magical fruit cart. From Prehistoric Era to Colonial Times, Orange and the rest of the Kitchen Crew are dropped into random adventures and forced to squeeze their way out. Joining Orange on his escapades are his fellow popular produce pals from the web series including Pear, Passion Fruit, Apple, Marshmallow and his nemesis Grapefruit.

The continued success of ?The Annoying Orange? on the internet will present a promotional platform for the television series. Cartoon Network will work with The Collective to mobilise and motivate the property?s tremendous fan base through You Tube and AnnoyingOrange.com via the short-form original content that will continue to be produced separate from the television program - and can be used to drive tune-in messaging in an innovative manner.

Cartoon Network chief content officer Rob Sorcher said, "The Annoying Orange and Cartoon Network were just meant to be squeezed together."

The television series was developed and will be produced by The Collective, which also financed the pilot before shopping it to broadcasters. Dane Boedigheimer co-created the television series with Tom Sheppard (Emmy Award-winning writer for Pinky and the Brain). Conrad Vernon (director of Madagascar 3 andMonsters vs. Aliens) will serve as executive producer for the series along with Gary Binkow and Dan Weinstein of The Collective.

Boedigheimer said, "Two years ago when I launched The Annoying Orange, I never imagined that my unhealthy obsession with talking fruit would become such a phenomenon. I?m really excited to bring a new version to Cartoon Network."

The Collective CEO Michael Green said, "We want to continue to ensure that The Annoying Orange?s huge and loyal audience can enjoy the fruits of Dane?s creative vision whenever and wherever they want. Our model at The Collective is to partner with creative artists to build global brands across all possible platforms and we could not be more excited to join forces with the Cartoon Network to extend the magic of this property to cable television."

The television deal comes as the first wave of The Annoying Orange licensed merchandise is being met with strong demand at retail. Leading the way is an ap?peal?ing line of apparel and accessories that began to roll out in October at JC Penney locations nationwide. The highly-anticipated debut toy line from master toy partner The Bridge Direct, Inc. which features a collection of talking plush, clip-ons and collectible figures will hit specialty retailers including Toys "R" Us and RadioShack in time for the holiday gift giving season. Meanwhile, The Annoying Orange: Kitchen Carnage app is now available for iPhone and Android.