NEW DELHI: Not content with ruling the kids‘ space in India via satellite, Cartoon Network now wants a slice of terrestrial viewership too.

On Monday, it announced a new one-hour programming block, Cartoon Network Duniya, on Doordarshan National.

Starting 8 July, the new block will air every Saturday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. and will feature two of Turner‘s most popular and successful original productions, M.A.D. (Music, Art and Dance) and Codename: Kids Next Door.

Cartoon Network Duniya will also showcase other popular series, including Turner‘s most awaited original production, Galli Galli Sim Sim, the Indian version of globally renowned pre-school series, Sesame Street.

"Doordarshan‘s extensive reach across India will enable kids in non-C&S homes to enjoy Turner‘s engaging original production that has so far been limited to C&S homes. In the preliminary stage, the highly rated M.A.D. and popular animation series, Codename: Kids Next Door will serve as the perfect introduction to new viewers," an official statement quoted Turner International India MD Anshuman Misra as saying yesterday.

Misra added that later in the year Galli Galli Sim Sim will further enhance the appeal by showcasing content that is both educational and entertaining in nature.

M.A.D. is an off-the-wall, interactive journey for 8-12 years olds and their families and is filled with fun tabletop ‘makes‘, dynamic performances, a bit of humour and some art stunts.

Galli Galli Sim Sim is an initiative undertaken by globally recognised, Sesame Workshop and Indian kids‘ entertainment leader, Turner India.

The show is aimed at serving the 157 million children under the age of six in India and is committed to supporting India‘s Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan or universal access to education.