Hungama TV
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2015) |
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) |
|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company India |
Hungama TV is a TV channel for children in India based in Mumbai. Originally a subsidiary of UTV Software Communications launched on September 26, 2004 at 10 am, the channel was sold to Disney in 2006.[2] Disney then bought UTV in 2011 thus reuniting UTV and Hungama TV under same ownership of Disney. Hungama is now an operating unit of Disney Channels Worldwide. Unlike most Indian kids channels, this channel does not have an English audio track.
History
UTV and Ronnie Screwvala formed United Home Entertainment with 51% and 49% ownership interests respectively. United Home was formed to launch an India children's channel. The company hired TAG for channel packaging. chief operating officer Purnendu Bose was hired and was expect to hire 100 employees for the channel. Rs 100 crore was the expected initial investment with expectations of break even in three years. In September 2004, Hungama TV started broadcasting as the first domestic children's channel.[3]
In March 2005, one of the UTV founders, Zarina Mehta became head of programming for Hungama. In early 2006, Mehta was promoted to chief operating officer of the channel.[4]
In July 2006, Disney India acquired a controlling stake in Hungama TV from UTV Software Communications Limited while also taking a 14.9% share in UTV.[5] In 2006, Disney TV India acquired Hungama TV from UTV.[6]
Primarily the channel aired Japanese Anime shows until 2013 when Hungama began adding original Indian series as a part of a localisation strategy.[1]
Programming
References
- ^ a b "Hungama TV gets new look, plans to add local shows | TelevisionPost.com". Television Post. Mumbai. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ "Walt Disney offers to acquire it for about rs 2000 crore". Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ^ Bansal, Shuchi (9 April 2004). "Hungama TV to fight for ad share". Business Standard India. New Delhi. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Adesara, Hetal (27 May 2006). "Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta". Indian Television. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
- ^ Leahy, Joe; Sundeep Tucker (13 September 2006). "Disney switches on to Hindi market". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
- ^ Sinha, Ashish (18 June 2008). "'UTV investment is long-term play'". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 April 2014.