Hungama TV

Hungama TV
Launched 26 September 2004 (26 September 2004)
Network Disney Channels Worldwide
Owned by Disney India Media Networks
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
Slogan Machaya Kya?[1]
Country India
Language
  • Hindi
  • Tamil
  • Telugu
Broadcast area India
Bangladesh
Headquarters Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sister channel(s)
Website www.hungamatv.com
Availability
Satellite
Dish TV Channel 981
Airtel Digital TV Channel 453
Tata Sky Channel 655
Videocon d2h Channel 503
Sun Direct Channel 532
Reliance Digital TV Channel 606
Cable
DEN Networks Channel 432
Siti Cable Channel 447
Hungama TV's original 2004 logo, when it was under UTV Software Communications

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[2], the channel was sold to Disney in 2006.[3] Disney then bought UTV in 2011 thus reuniting UTV and Hungama TV under same ownership of Disney. Hungama TV is now an operating unit of Disney Channels Worldwide. It 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 Indian children's channel. The company hired TAG for channel packaging. Chief Operating Officer Purnendu Bose was hired and was expected 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.[4]

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.[5]

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.[6] In 2006, Disney acquired Hungama TV from UTV.[7]

The channel started with both live-action and animated programming but, following the success of Doraemon, gradually shifted its focus to solely animated programming.[8][9] In 2013 Hungama started adding original Indian series as a part of a localisation strategy.[1]

Programming

Controversy

A Hindi dub of the Shin Chan anime started airing on Hungama TV on June 19, 2006, and it gained up to 60% of the channel's market share. Despite the popularity of Shin Chan, there were complaints from parents over the main character's behavior and the attitudes exhibited towards elders on the show, both of which were seen as a negative influence on children. After many requests from fans, the Indian censor boards heavily edited the content and revived the Indian dub on March 27, 2009. The jokes were edited to be more family-friendly, and all mentions of "alcohol" were replaced by mentions of "juice". Scenes that have been cut include instances of Shin-chan performing either the "Mr. Elephant" dance or the "butt-shaking" dance, and instances of Nene's mother beating up a stuffed toy in anger.

References

  1. 1 2 "Hungama TV gets new look, plans to add local shows | TelevisionPost.com". Television Post. Mumbai. October 10, 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ "UTV Launches Hungama TV". The Financial Express. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  3. ↑ "Walt Disney offers to acquire it for about rs 2000 crore". Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Bansal, Shuchi (9 April 2004). "Hungama TV to fight for ad share". Business Standard India. New Delhi. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  5. ↑ Adesara, Hetal (May 27, 2006). "Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta". Indian Television. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  6. ↑ Leahy, Joe; Sundeep Tucker (13 September 2006). "Disney switches on to Hindi market". Financial Times. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Sinha, Ashish (June 18, 2008). "'UTV investment is long-term play'". Business Standard. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Hungama TV banking on movies, four driver shows". September 21, 2004. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Hungama TV to focus on animation now". September 28, 2005. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
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