Nickelodeon has been India’s most preferred and No. 1 kids’ entertainment destination for four consecutive years. With shows like Chikoo aur Bunty, Happy & Pinaki – The Bhoot Bandhus, Motu Patlu, Shiva, and Rudra, Nickelodeon enjoys a cumulative network share of 31% within the genre, with Nick leading the category for nine years.
In an interaction with MI, Anu Sikka, Head – Creative, Content & Research, Kids TV Network, Viacom18, speaks about the newly launched shows and the research that follows. The two new shows are – ‘Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family’ starting 24th April 2023 from Monday to Friday at 12-noon on Nick and ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samrat’ starting end of May on Sonic.
Excerpts here:
Q) What kind of research is done before coming up with a new show?
Anu: When it comes to creating content for children, we pay close attention to the trends that are popular among them. Children have a strong fascination with characters such as aliens or ghosts. According to multiple research studies, if you ask children, they will often explain that attraction comes from the mystery of the unknown. This is how we developed the concept for “Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family” – to capture this fascination with the unknown and create an engaging experience for children.
Also Read: Nickelodeon launches two IPs ‘Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family’ and ‘Kanha – Morpankh Samrat’
Q) Do you face competition from digital platforms like YouTube?
Anu: We have a presence on YouTube. Additionally, the content we create is screen-agnostic. This is not a challenge for us, as we offer a different type of content that can adapt to various screens. Interestingly, our shows on YouTube receive enormous viewership. One noteworthy aspect of children’s content is that the same shows that perform well on linear platforms are also popular on digital platforms.
Q) What do kids expect of Nickelodeon? Is the brand meeting their expectation?
Anu: I hope kids have high expectations from us because that is what keeps us on our toes. They expect us to keep offering them new shows, characters, and concepts they haven’t seen before. That is what has given us maximum reach. Kids love our characters and keep coming back for the shows. We hope to achieve this in the future. We want to tell them unique stories and bring characters that are unique.
Q) What makes mythological shows still relevant for kids?
Anu: To engage children, the stories and characters presented must be intriguing and relatable. The character of Krishna has maintained popularity over centuries and generations because he is a 12-year-old boy with extraordinary powers who serves as a friend, son, special friend of Radha, and an adorable figure in the entire village. When telling a story about Krishna, children don’t perceive him merely as a God, but rather as a hero to look up to, love, and adore. He is a savior and embodies qualities that children aspire to have or find in a friend. This is why Krishna continues to captivate children and remains an enduring source of inspiration and fascination for generations.
Also Read: Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2022 is Back!
Q) Please tell us about the two shows – Abhimanyu ki alien family and Kanha.
Anu: Kanha is an endearing friend, a son, and a boy who is loved by the entire village. Kanha and Radha’s friendship is a beautiful tale to be told. And the show will bring all these aspects of Kanha’s life. Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family is about four aliens from a different galaxy. The story is filled with fun, adventure, difficulties, and sometimes awkward situations that the aliens face and rescue themselves from while ensuring they don’t get caught.
