MUMBAI: Kids in India have never had it better on Children's Day as far as the activities lined up on various channels are concerned.
Earlier, it was the general entertainment and movie channels that aired kids' movies and special programming on 14 November, but now, with all the kids' channels coming in, each has a 'special something' to enthrall kids.
New shows, contests and movies are what Cartoon Network, Pogo, Hungama TV, Nick and Disney Channel have in store.
While Cartoon Network will telecast a special programming block called Thoda Meow Thoda Bow for all animal lovers, which will feature classics like Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, Sylvester and Tweety from 9 am to 5 pm.
Thoda Meow Thoda Bow will be followed by the telecast of brand new action-adventure packed show - Duel Masters (6 pm) and the new season of Digimon called Digimon Adventure Zero Two (6:30 pm) in its 3D-animated action-packed programming block - Toonami.
On Pogo, kids can jumpstart their day with Sesame Street's fun filled movie Follow that Bird (8 am), followed by The Care Bears Movie at 12 noon. A two hour capsule of The Best of Tiny TV will be aired at 10 am on Pogo.
For pre-schoolers, Noddy and Oswald will be aired for an hour each. As a special treat, the channel will also be airing the Pogo Amazing Kids Awards 2004 at 4 pm, which will be followed by the premiere of the classic television series - Malgudi Days at 8.30 pm.
Moving on to Nick, it has lined up a uniquely titled contest called Aada Paada Kaun Paada? which is based on toilet humour! For a four-week period, commencing 14 November, the channel intends to raise a real stink with a hilariously innovative fart fest and watch 'n' win contest during its newly launched NickToons destination.
"Toilet humour is big with kids, and part of the appeal is the fact that grown-ups find it distasteful. As the channel that puts kids first, we have a responsibility to always empower, respect and celebrate them. This Children's Day and the weeks that follow, we are focusing on celebration - the unrepressed, outrageous, volatile celebration of kids and their love of toilet humour, championed by our very own NickToons," said Nick India, vice president and general manager, Hema Govindan.
To promote its new NickToons block and the upcoming contest, the channel is mounting a 360 degree consumer campaign. Nick plans to reach over 550,000 kids in 743 schools through its school contact programme across 18 cities - Mumbai, Delhi, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Haryana, Rohtak, Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda, Satna, Jabalpur, Indore, Bhopal, Kota, Ganganagar, Moradabad, Barreily, Kolhapur and Latur.
The programme will familiarise kids with NickToons and involve them in fun activities revolving around the characters.
The Aada Paada Kaun Paada? contest will be on air from 14 November to 11 December on the NickToons block daily from 4 - 6 pm. On weekdays, the block will feature Rocket Power, CatDog, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron and Chalkzone and on weekends, it's All Grown Up, Fairly OddParents, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Angry Beavers. But, as part of the Aada Paada Kaun Paada? contest, they'll be doing much more than their usual comic capers.
Every evening, viewers can catch one of the NickToons farting and report the offender to the channel. There are 15 grand prizes every week and 100 Nick goodies everyday that includes multimedia computers, Playstations, music systems and bikes.
Kids can participate by calling on 1250111555, in Mumbai and Delhi or 1250155 in other cities, or SMSing "Nick" to 6882. Alternatively, they can log on to Nick's webiste - www.nicksplat.com/nicktoons or send their entries via snail mail.
On the other hand, the new avatar Hungama TV is all set to premier the action-packed global hit Yu-Gi-Oh! on 14 November. The show will be aired on weekdays Monday-Friday at 5 pm.Yu-Gi-Oh!, revolves around four young friends engaged in a legendary battle of good vs evil.
This show is a worldwide phenomenon in television and merchandising, with a popular collectible card game called Duel Monsters and over a dozen variations of video games selling like hot cakes worldwide. Yu-Gi-Oh! has taken viewers by storm across America, Japan and scores of other markets and is now all set to rock the world of Indian kids.
Hungama TV programming head Zarina Mehta says, "Hungama TV consistently strives to bring the best international content to Indian kids and Yu Gi Oh! is a perfect example. The show has huge loyalty amongst kids across the world and we are confident that Indian kids will react to the concept and characters with the same enthusiasm."
The Disney Channel will be premiering the movie revolving around Mickey, Donald and Goofy -- The Three Musketeers on 14 November at 3.30 pm.
Lapet Papet, which is a series of interstitials around the interactions between two puppets. These interstitialsl will be played on the channel for the first time as openers for all the programs on 14 November from 3 - 11 pm.
The two puppets, Lapet and Papet have diverse mindsets - while one has a passion for exaggerated but harmless storytelling, the other brings down his high flying tale every time.
"These interstitials have a unique look wherein real string puppets are used. They reflect typical attitudes of kids and are funny and entertaining. We have 10, separate creatives of 55 seconds each of Lapet Papet," said Walt Disney Television International (India) head of programming and production Nachiket Pantvaidya.
Apart from these kiddies channels, radio stations like Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM, has also lined up a day of fun for kids on Children's Day with an array of exciting programmes.
Radio Mirchi Delhi will have junior RJs hosting the shows with the regular jocks playing co-hosts. The day will start with Hello Delhi where the city can learn simple but insightful things from kids in Kya Seekha Chotu Se.
In Khoobsurat, the radio station will zero in on the cutest kids on television. The RJs will be at there convincing best, and will persuade four mothers to give in to the demands of their little ones.
In Total Filmi,children will get a chance to imitate their favourite stars, whereas in Bumper2Bumper, RJ Anant will rope in adults to share their childhood experiences. Be it reciting nursery rhymes, playing kiddie songs like hop scotch, ring-a-ring-a-roses or simply shouting and screaming, it's all set to happen on 14 November.
Another programme called Puppy Love Hota Hai is also lined up where three happy couples, married to their childhood sweethearts, share their romantic stories on the show.
Other special programming capsules include Bachon Se Bachao Bhaiya, Bachche Kab Bade Hote Hai and Just Chill. On these shows listeners can narrate some of the embarrassing incidents caused by their naughty kids and at the same time, children get a chance to voice their embarrassing moments with the parents. The shows also offers an opportunity for children to share their opinion on the world of grown ups.
There's much more with Star Movies having lined up five movies X2: X-Men United on November 14 at 11 am, Good Boy at 1.35 pm, 3 Ninjas at 3.20 pm, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas at 5.15 pm and Shrek 2 at 7.05 pm.
