Cartoon Network and Pogo bets on local content and movies

Media release, April 21, 2005

New Delhi

This summer, all remotes will tune in to India’s number one and number two kids’ television networks, Cartoon Network and POGO, as they launch a host of fresh programming promising kids an exceptional blend of fun, learning and entertainment. The star attractions of the exclusive summer entertainment line up on POGO, include, the launch of two brand new Indian productions M.A.D (Music, Art and Dance) on 24 April at 11:30 a.m. and BAM! BAM! BAM! Gir Pade Hum… premiering in June this year.

POGO will also launch the Indian television premiere of the phenomenally successful second installment in the Harry Potter film series – Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets™ on 22 May at 2:00 p.m. The movie will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Cartoon Network launches its ninth local acquisition, Vikram Aur Betaal, on 19 June at 2:00 p.m. as part of its Summer Holidays Movie Masti franchise.

Announcing the exciting line up, Ian Diamond, senior vice president and general manager, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia, said, “As leaders in the kids’ television segment, we have constantly set new benchmarks and pushed the envelop for providing our loyal fans a combination of world-class programming with just the right touch of local productions and acquisitions. The latest additions on POGO’s schedule clearly demonstrate our commitment to innovate and entertain with a keen eye on quality and relevance.”

“I am especially proud of our two high quality Indian productions that have been produced exclusively in India for Indian viewers. M.A.D combines entertainment with learning and seeks to uncover creativity and positive thinking and BAM! BAM! BAM! Gir Pade Hum ….is a humourous and delightful game-show that provides a mix of physical challenges and comic moments for the viewer”, he added.

Anshuman Misra, managing director, Turner International India said, “Providing content that is based on the Indian story-telling heritage is a critical mandate for Cartoon Network in its mission to contextualise the Network for our Indian audiences. As leaders in kids’ television entertainment in India, we are extremely excited that the classic Indian story, Vikram Aur Betaal will have its world premiere on the Network. The power-packed programming on both our networks is indicative of the fact that as the leading kids’ channels of India, we continue to provide wholesome, quality entertainment for our discerning Indian audiences. “

POGO’s third local production and its first indigenous series - M.A.D – will premiere on April 24 at 11:30 a.m. M.A.D is a reaffirmation of the responsiveness of POGO and recognition of its responsibility to provide young children entertainment that is high on learning and development. An acronym for Music, Art and Dance, M.A.D is an off-the-wall, interactive journey for 8-12 year olds and their families and is filled with fun tabletop ‘makes’, dynamic performances, humour and some BIG art stunts in the studio and in a town near you. Each episode presents an everyday theme, which is then creatively explored and unravelled with the help of real-life examples. In-depth review of concepts and themes by Indian Art teachers and references to school curriculum make the show relevant to Indian children while exposing them to a healthy mix of local arts and crafts, global images and studio props.

POGO’s fourth local production, BAM! BAM! BAM! Gir Pade Hum ….is a high-energy game show for 8-12 year olds with laughs by the dozens and the chance to find a champion team. Premiering in June, the show is all about “Victory Is In The Balance”! Full of thrilling challenges in an easy-to-follow format appealing to both boys and girls, BAM! BAM! BAM! Gir Pade Hum… is designed to promote team spirit and physical and mental endurance.

In addition, POGO’s special summer movie block, May Movie Magic will premiere all-time favourite kids’ movies such as - Chitti Chitti Bang Bang, and the blockbuster movie Harry Potter and The Chamber of SecretsTM. Cartoon Network will re-kindle the Potter-magic by airing, for the first time a non-animated feature, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone™.

Cartoon Network will further host the World premiere of locally produced animation, Vikram Aur Betaal on 19 June at 2:00 p.m. Produced by Hyderabad-based Green Gold studio, this full length 2-D animated movie is based on the age-old story that we are familiar with of the courageous and brave King Vikramditya and his quest to capture the clever ghost, Betaal. The movie will be aired in English and Hindi and is Cartoon Network’s ninth local acquisition. Additionally, Cartoon Network will launch a brand new action adventure series ’Beyblade’, under the ‘TOONAMI’ block on May 20 at 5:30 p.m. ‘Beyblade’ revolves around a young teen martial arts student, Tyson, as he perfects his technique of ‘Beyblading’ which involves harnessing the mystical powers of customized spinning tops - known as ‘Beyblades’.

Cartoon Network and POGO are the leading kids’ Network of India, with Cartoon Network enjoying the number one position standing tall with a 60% channel share with POGO ranking second with a 17% channel share. Together the two Networks enjoy over an 80% channel share on an All India level as well as in Hindi speaking markets. As per the latest TAM survey, Cartoon Network has three times the channel share of the combined shares of Hungama, Nick, Animax, Disney Channel and Toon Disney. Cartoon Network airs almost 90 out of the top 100 kids’ shows on any channel in India. Over 90% of all kids’ programs that rate over 1.0 TVR get aired on Cartoon Network - the only kids’ channel that has any programs that rate over 1.0 TVR!

Turner’s Cartoon Network and POGO are the # 1 and # 2 television destinations for kids in India, together reaching close to 40 million television homes in India. Having shaped kids’ television in India, with the launch of Cartoon Network in 1995, Turner created another milestone with the launch of POGO, a multi-genre channel for kids and their families in 2004. Recognised as the resident kids experts with a 360-degree presence through successful on-air and on line presence, ground-events, promotional licensing, product licensing, publishing, CD ROMS, etc, Cartoon Network and POGO, with an intelligent mix of live action, documentaries, movies and animation, offer a complete entertainment package for Indian kids.

Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

For further information, please contact:

Deepti Mathur

CMCG India Pvt Ltd

Tel: 011-29216470-73