Nick India acquires merchandising rights for Ninja Hattori

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Their exposure to the media, especially the omnipresent television has rendered today's kids to truly be the father of man, according to an old wise saying. Now, there is a good chance for kids to revel in their favourite characters.

Nick India, the kids entertainment channel from Viacom18 stable, has acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for its popular character, Ninja Hattori. The channel signed the deal with Shogakukan-Shuseisha Productions for both product and promotional licensing rights.

Sandeep Dahiya, vice-president, consumer products, Viacom18, says, "Ninja Hattori has been the frontrunner in the kids' entertainment category and it's only natural that we extend his presence beyond television."

Dahiya added that the launch of this merchandise will strengthen the channel's merchandising programme around other characters - Dora and SpongeBob - which are present in over 20 categories in India, such as apparel, back to school range, tableware, stationery, puzzles, games, storybooks, bed-linen, gifts and novelties and toys.

Nick will launch Ninja Hattori merchandise early next year. The product line will span footwear, stationery, back-to-school products such as lunch boxes and bags, tableware, storybooks, board games, puzzles, toys and bed-linen. The show has been on air for 18 months now and the channel is certain that the merchandising extension has great potential.

Ninja Hattori is an animated comedy, where a little boy called Kennichi befriends a Ninja called Hattori. Hattori can move at high speed, sleep suspended on the ceiling and is a martial arts expert.