MUMBAI: Nick is ready to launch its first local animation production in India, joining the other multinational kids networks who have adopted a localisation strategy to expand their audience base.
Nick India, the last to take this route, has inked a co-finance and production pact with Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment to produce a local animated series titled, Keymon Ache.
"We tasted the success last year with the acquired property Little Krishna. Now we are taking a step forward and co-producing local content with DQE. If we succeed, we will step up our local productions, " Nick India SVP and GM Nina Elavia Jaipuria tells Indiantelevision.com.
The series will begin with 26 high definition half hour episodes. As part of the deal, Nick has provided content for this upcoming series while DQE is executing the production for global distribution and licensing.
Nick will have rights to the property for South Asia including India while DQE will hold exclusive rights for the rest of the world.
The series will also be pushed beyond television onto multiple platforms such as audio visual, home video, merchandising, sublicensing, publishing and digital including streaming, download on internet and mobile.
Says DQE chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "The kids‘ entertainment space in India has tremendous untapped potential and we are happy to be partnering with Viacoml8-Nickelodeon on this unique and fun filled series. This project has the potential to extend beyond Indian TV audiences as we target multiple media and distribution platforms and engage with children globally. We hope to have many more such interesting concepts from Nick to offer to viewers in the future."
Adds Nick India SVP and GM Nina Elavia Jaipuria, "We are happy to partner with DQE. They have produced many shows for Nickelodeon International, like Tak & the Power of Juju and Penguins of Madagascar in the past. This is a unique partnership between a broadcaster and a production house; and together we hope to create endearing characters and a show that promises to capture the hearts of our young viewers."
