Summers just got better on Cartoon Network and POGO

Media News

New Delhi, May 5

This summer, all eyeballs will stay riveted to India's number one and number two kids' television networks, Cartoon Network and POGO, as they line up a slew of fresh and compelling programming, promising kids an exceptional blend of fun, learning and entertainment. Cartoon Network brings back the runaway hit summer franchise 'Thanda Funda', with premieres, blockbusters and classics like Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School, Tom & Jerry – The Movie, Barbie – Diaries, Ice Age, and Hammerboy. Summer will also witness the network premiere of a Beyblade full length movie – 'Beyblade, The Movie: Fierce Battle' in Cartoon Network's, Cartoon Network Theatre. On POGO, as part of its acclaimed summer movie franchise May Movie Magic viewers will be treated to the exclusive Indian Television Premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban TM, which will keep kids and their families glued to their seats. May Movie Magic will spice up kids' vacations three times over by also showcasing the ever popular Harry Potter & the Sorcerers Stone TM and Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets TM.

The summer mayhem continues into June and July as Cartoon Network premieres an exciting new Indian animation feature film 'The Legend Of Buddha' on Cartoon Network's, Cartoon Network Theatre. New shows on POGO include, 'Sherm','Babar' and 'Planet Grabo'. POGO will also celebrate Superhero Season with the launch of Ultraman Tiga, new episodes of Shaktimaan, and superhero movies in Lights! Camera! POGO!

Highlighting the special summer line-up, Anshuman Misra, managing director, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd. said, "As leaders in the kids' television segment, we have constantly set new benchmarks and pushed the envelope for providing our loyal fans a combination of world-class programming throughout the year. With an eclectic mix of programming across all genres, Cartoon Network and POGO are all set to give kids and their parents an unforgettable family viewing experience this summer. 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 discerning Indian audiences."

The summer's biggest event is back on Cartoon Network as 'Thanda Funda' returns with a great line up of movies and shows that promises to keep kids tooned in, non-stop!

Thanda Funda Matinee will telecast the best animated features through the month every day, including Thumbelina, Vikram Betaal, Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School, Scooby Doo in Arabian Nights, Tom & Jerry – The Movie, Land Before Time, Ice Age and premieres like Barbie - Diaries, Hammerboy. This month, kids are invited to pull out their sleeping bags and join Cartoon Network for a whole lot of fun at Thunda Funda Camp Cartoon Network featuring the best Cartoon Network Originals – Camp Lazlo, Codename: Kids Next Door, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Life and Times of Juniper Lee, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Dexter's Laboratory, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy and The Powerpuff Girls only on Thanda Funda Camp Cartoon Network.

Adding to this excitement is the special Thanda Funda contest, where kids can win exciting weekly prizes such as BMX cycles, Discmans, mobile phones, remote controlled cars, skateboards, telescopes, etc. To win, kids need to simply catch the code-word of the day, aired during the Thunda Funda franchise on Cartoon Network.

Other highlights include, the new weekday series – Pokemon: Advanced, and Beyblade G Revolution, in TOONAMI. Continuing the Beyblade action, Cartoon Network will host the network premiere of a Beyblade full length movie – 'Beyblade, The Movie: Fierce Battle' in Cartoon Theatre. New show launches on the channel include, Krypto the SuperDog and One Piece.

POGO's May Movie Magic lines up the best that Hollywood has to offer for kids and grown-ups including the Indian television premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban TM. The third installment in the Harry Potter film series finds Harry, Ron and Hermione return as teenagers for a third term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But Harry's fate, and that of the entire community of wizards, looks bleak when the infamous Sirius Black--convicted of abetting evil Lord Voldemort by killing 13 people with a single curse--escapes from prison. The only clue to where Sirius is headed: The Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep "He's at Hogwarts ... He's at Hogwarts." Now, even within the walls of his magical school, Harry may not be safe from a convicted killer in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban TM.

POGO will also launch the adventures of 'Sherm', a story about a typical adolescent boy and his adventures and 'Planet Grabo' will have kids and parents in splits with its accounts of the experiences of a Punjabi family of Aliens! While the televised version of 'Babar', a new show in Tiny TV, based on the life of a young elephant by author Laurent de Brunhoff will enchant pre-schoolers, only on POGO.

To top it all, Cartoon Network and POGO honour kids' favourite superheroes as the weekday show Ultraman Tiga premieres in July on POGO followed by action-packed superhero movies like 'Ultraman ZEarth 1' and 'Ultraman ZEarth 2', 'Ultraman The Alien Invasion' , 'Ultraman the Battle of Earth' and 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Lights! Camera! POGO! Cartoon Network will raise the power quotient with Superman, followed by Justice League Unlimited on week nights.

For more information, contact:

Abha Talwar

Turner International India Pvt Ltd

011 4169 9117

abha.talwar@turner.com