Technopark-based Toonz Media Group has announced its entry into Hollywood by launching Toonz TV, an entertainment channel, in association with ReachMe.TV.
Toonz TV will beam programmes ‘for the young and young at heart’ and has an assured audience of 100 million viewers that ReachMe.TV commands in the US.
ANIMATION CATALOGUE
ReachMe.TV is a mobile entertainment network, said P Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Media Group.
Toonz TV will feature a popular international animation catalogue from Toonz, new productions with Toonz and ReachMe.TV.
It will also have growing collections of interactive features and games that incorporate AR and VR and other emerging technologies.
Toonz TV will operate from Toonz’ studio at Technopark here, and ReachMe.TV’s new studio in Hollywood, California.
KIDS & FAMILIES
It will bring together ReachMe.TV’s production and entertainment platform and Toonz’ team of creators in animation and content for kids and families.
“We wanted a partner who shared our philosophy and experience and could go beyond traditional media production and distribution to re-invent the network model,” said Jayakumar.
Lynnwood Bibbens, co-founder and CEO, ReachMe.TV, said the entertainment landscape is changing and kids programming is a big part of that evolution.
'PERFECT MATCH’
“Toonz’ experience from software development to feature film animation and interactive gaming is a perfect match for our platform and our 100 million-plus viewers on the go.”
According to Ron Bloom, co-founder, ReachMe.TV, families no longer gather in front of the TV … they need a new way to connect.
“We believe new entertainment formats and interactive technologies in animation and gaming will provide the ultimate way to bring families back together.
“This new relationship with Toonz will help us be part of that reunion.”
Toonz TV started with a broad line-up of free content, including from the Toonz Channel and a selection of ‘bingeable’ series on ReachMe.TV’s mobile web platform.
Featured segments on ReachMe.TV’s airport network, and part of the ReachMe.TV hotel network with a reach of over 7.5 lakh rooms in the top tier US hotels, will also be aired.
This will be supported by a growing set of features including games, free in-room movie packages, popular downloads, mobile features, all with the goal of providing programming for families on the go.
Toonz will also feature select ReachMe.TV programming across its global network.
The companies plan to expand their programming to include game versions of popular series, and other new forms and formats of family entertainment.