MUMBAI: Nick India has signed a deal with Shogakukan-Shuseisha Productions to obtain the product and promotional licensing of Ninja Hattori.

As part of its licensing plans, the channel will launch the product range across various categories in the market early next year.

The channel has aggressive licensing plans around Ninja Hattori and plans to launch the range across various categories in the market by early next year. Ninja Hattori has been the top show on Nick consistently for the last 18 months.

Viacom18 Media VP consumer products Sandeep Dahiya says, "Ninja Hattori has been the frontrunner in both popularity and appeal in the kids entertainment category and therefore it‘s only natural that we extend his presence beyond television. The launch of Ninja Hattori merchandise will further strengthen our existing merchandising program around Dora and SpongeBob, with an existing presence in over 20 categories in India."

SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer are available in categories including apparel, back to school range, tableware products, stationery, puzzles, games, story books, bed-linen, gifts and novelties and toys.

"We‘re proud to be involved in the creation of this very unique range of ‘Ninja Hattori‘ consumer products for kids. This is our very first venture together. We are sure all kids are waiting to have their favourite Nick toon ‘Ninja Hattori‘ in their playrooms," says Shogakukan-Shuseisha Productions Executive Director Licensing Department Media Division Akira Fujita.