The headquarters of the Hungama TV channel is based in the city of Mumbai and was originally a subsidiary of UTV Software Communications launched on 26th September, 2004. But in the year 2006, the Hungama TV channel was sold to the multinational conglomerate of Disney. The company then in 2011 bought UTV thus reuniting UTV and Hungama TV under the same ownership of Disney. Hungama TV is now an operating unit of Disney Channels Worldwide and broadcasts in India and Bangladesh in three primary languages- Hindi, Tamil and Telegu.
History of Hungama TV
In the year 2006, when Disney acquired Hungama TV from UTV, the channel started with both live-action and animated programming. But following the success of Doraemon, Hungama TV gradually shifted its focus to solely animated programming. And in 2013, the channel started adding original Indian series as a part of a localisation strategy.
Subsidiary Channels of Hungama TV
Operating under Disney, the Hungama TV channel has about 7 sister channels, all of which are entertainment channels catering to kids, young-adults and older audiences alike. First is the Disney Channel specialising in television programming for children through original series, movies and third-party programming and was launched on 17th December, 2004.
The Hindi entertainment channel called Bindass, which was targeted at Indian youth initially used to broadcast sitcoms, action series and few other international shows but with time Bindass has taken the strategy of Hungama TV and only broadcasts original Indian content as a part of the localisation strategy.
Hindi movie channels like UTV Action and UTV Movies launched in 2007 and 2008 respectively are also the two other sister channels of the Hungama TV channel. UTV Action formerly known as UTV Bindass Movies features Hollywood, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu action movies dubbed in Hindi and other Bollywood action movies. The other subsidiary of Hungama TV, UTV Movies airs blockbuster Bollywood films from UTV`s own library as well as other major movie studios in India.
Disney XD and Disney Junior is an Indian television network which is directed to children and pre-schoolers alike. The Disney XD India was launched in 2009 to replace another channel called Toon Disney and the Disney Junior also replaced India`s Playhouse Disney and telecasts in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The most recent subsidiary channel of Hungama TV is the Disney International HD which was launched on 29th October, 2017 and is known to be Disney India`s first general entertainment channel and first HD channel.
Programmes of Hungama TV
Currently Hungama TV broadcasts Malaysian animated series and even Japanese mangas among others. Shows like BoBoiBoy, Bola Kampung and Upin & Ipin are Malaysian animated series. BoBoiBoy is an action adventure, comedy superhero series revolving around a boy who has elemental-based superpowers and the ability to separate into three. With his friends, Ying, Hannah, Gopal, and Fang, they fight to protect the earth from alien threats who aim to conquer the Earth in the hunt for cocoa beans. The plot of the show Bola Kampung is set in a kampong or village named Gong Lechar and the series is known to be a sports comedy. The show revolves around adolescent kampong boys who are passionate about football. The other Malaysian animated series, Upin and Ipin is an animated short which features the life and adventures of the eponymous twin brothers in a fictional Malaysian kampong.
Hungama TV also broadcasts Japanese mangas like Giatrus, Perman and Shin Chan, out of this Shin Chan is the most popular among kids. The show follows the adventures of the 5 year old Shinnosuke "Shin" Nohara and his parents, baby sister, dog, neighbours, and friends. This anime adaptation of Shin Chan is a global phenomenon with over 970 episodes and 26 feature length films.
The South Korean slapsticky comedy called the Grami"s Circus Show is also a programme on Hungama TV, the show features Grami, Nemo and Sam- a trio of lions and their ringmaster Jack who trains the lions to perform on their circus show. The other animated show is “The Daltons†based on the Lucky Luke comics who are fictional outlaws and are the arch enemies to Lucky Luke.
The Hungama TV channel has also launched an official interactive website, with many animated characters in the background. The website also boasts many games and videos related to the shows telecast on the channel. Various information related to the channel are also available on the website.