UTV bags $3-mn animation contracts

UTV Software Communications Ltd has bagged three animation contracts from overseas with total value exceeding over $3 million.

The company is also planning to triple its workforce to 150 personnel and invest in animation and infrastructure, UTV Software Communications CEO Ronnie Screwvala said in a release in New Delhi on Monday.

The animation contracts include, a co-production treaty with US-based toymaker Awesome Kids LLC, to produce 'Lost in Paris' and 'Magic Cellar' for the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

Producing 'Honk Toot and Swo-Swoosh', a three-dimensional animation show with CCI Entertainment of Canada and Creative Graphics of Holland are the other contracts, he said.

The company has also struck a major worldwide distribution deal with CCI Entertainment for the first series of 'Honk Toot', he said adding, the Canadian company has projected revenues of $20 million over the next three-four years from the venture.

UTV's co-production stake is between 10-15 per cent, he said.

The company's TV division produces programmes of over 500 hours a week, aired over 12 channels including Doordarshan, Star, Sony, Vijay, Hungama, BBC, Sun and Gemini among others.