MUMBAI: DQE has signed a co-finance and production agreement with Nick India to produce a local animated series for children.
The series will begin with 26 high definition half hour episodes. As a part of this deal, Nickelodeon has provided content for this upcoming series, while DQE is executing the production for global distribution and licensing. DQ Entertainment will co-finance this high-end television series along with Nickelodeon, Viacom18.
The series titled Keymon Ache is based on the everyday life of an ordinary 9-year old boy and his set of magical toy friends. Targeted at kids aged 5+ and to families alike, the series promises to be full of fun with endearing characters to relate to. The series is expected to be completed by middle of 2011.
Nick India will have rights to the property in the region of south Asia including India; while DQE will hold exclusive rights for the rest of the world. The series has the potential to go beyond television onto multiple platforms such as audio visual, home video, merchandising, sub-licensing, publishing and digital including streaming, download on internet and mobile amongst others.
DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, “The kids’ entertainment space in India has tremendous untapped potential and we are delighted to be partnering with Viacom18-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 Nickelodeon to offer to viewers in the future.”
Nick India senior vice president and general manager Nina Elavia Jaipuria added, “We are very 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.”
