Wikialpha49 at 16:25, 13 February 2026

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{{short description|Indian children's TV channel}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name = Hungama TV
| logo = Hungama TV.svg
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2005
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2004|09|25|df=y}} (SD)
<ref name=Dis>{{Cite web|url=https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/star-india-launches-disney-kids-pack-with-new-campaign-98252.html|title=Star India launches Disney Kids Pack with new campaign - Exchange4media|website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013234805/https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/star-india-launches-disney-kids-pack-with-new-campaign-98252.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| owner = [[JioStar]]
| parent =
| picture_format = [[576i]] [[SDTV]]
| type = [[Television Channel]]
| country = [[India]]
| language = {{Plainlist|
* Hindi
* Telugu
* Tamil
}}
| area = [[India]] [[Nepal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dishhome.com.np/explore-channels|title=Explore Channels|access-date=13 July 2022|website=[[DishHome]]|archive-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713053921/https://www.dishhome.com.np/explore-channels|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bangladesh]]
| network = [[JioStar]]
| headquarters = [[Mumbai, Maharashtra]], India
| sister_channels = [[Super Hungama]] [[Disney Channel (Indian TV channel)|Disney Channel]] [[Disney Junior (Indian TV channel)|Disney Junior]]
| website =
| online_serv_1 = [[Airtel digital TV]] India
| online_chan_1 = SD
| online_serv_2 = [[Asianet Digital]] India
| online_chan_2 = SD
}}

'''Hungama TV''' is an Indian [[pay television|television]] channel aimed at children, mainly showcasing Japanese and Indian animated series. It was launched on 26 September 2004. It is wholly owned and operated by [[Disney Star|JioStar]], a joint-venture between [[Viacom18]] and [[Disney India]]. The channel primarily airs Japanese kids [[animation]] with some other [[children's television series]] in [[Hindi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], and [[Tamil language|Tamil]].

==History==
UTV and [[Ronnie Screwvala]] formed United Home Entertainment with 51% and 49% ownership interests, respectively. The company was formed to launch an Indian kids channel. It hired TAG for channel packaging. Chief Operating Officer Purnendu Bose was hired and was expected to hire 100 employees for the channel. Rs 100 crore was the expected initial investment with expectations of break even in three years. On 25 September 2004, Hungama TV started broadcasting as the first domestic kids channel in India.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bansal|first1=Shuchi|title=Hungama TV to fight for ad share|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hungama-tv-to-fight-for-ad-share-104040901069_1.html|access-date=24 May 2017|work=Business Standard India|date=9 April 2004|location=New Delhi|archive-date=16 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516103006/http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/hungama-tv-to-fight-for-ad-share-104040901069_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March, 2005, one of the UTV founders, Zarina Mehta became Hungama's head of programming.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} In early 2006, she was promoted to chief operating officer of the channel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Adesara|first1=Hetal|title=Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k6/ms_media/zarina.htm|access-date=24 May 2017|work=Indian Television|date=27 May 2006|archive-date=16 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116120551/http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k6/ms_media/zarina.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July, 2006, [[Disney India]] acquired a controlling stake in Hungama TV from UTV Software Communications while also taking a 14.9% share in UTV.<ref>{{cite news|last=Leahy|first=Joe|title=Disney switches on to Hindi market|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1114f6f4-4347-11db-9574-0000779e2340|access-date=11 May 2014|newspaper=Financial Times|date=13 September 2006|author2=Sundeep Tucker}}</ref> In 2006, Disney acquired Hungama TV from UTV.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sinha|first=Ashish|title=UTV investment is long-term play|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/-utv-investment-is-long-term-play-108061801044_1.html|access-date=23 April 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=18 June 2008|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161323/http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/-utv-investment-is-long-term-play-108061801044_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The channel started with both live-action and animated programming but, following the success of ''[[Doraemon]]'', gradually shifted its focus to solely animated programming.<ref name=Laun>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k4/sep/sep229.htm|title=Hungama TV banking on movies, four driver shows|date=21 September 2004|access-date=28 December 2017|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128121110/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k4/sep/sep229.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/12801_Hungama-TV-to-focus-on-animation-now|title=Hungama TV to focus on animation now|date=28 September 2005|access-date=12 May 2018|archive-date=13 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513152043/http://www.afaqs.com/news/story/12801_Hungama-TV-to-focus-on-animation-now|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Hungama started adding original Indian series as a part of a localisation strategy.<ref name=tvpost>{{cite news|title=Hungama TV gets new look, plans to add local shows {{!}} TelevisionPost.com|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/hungama-tv-gets-new-look-plans-to-add-local-shows/|access-date=24 May 2017|work=Television Post|date=10 October 2013|location=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820121302/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/hungama-tv-gets-new-look-plans-to-add-local-shows/|archive-date=20 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In October 2021, it was announced that the channel would gain an HD simulcast, alongside a sister network named '''Super Hungama''', a rebranding of Marvel HQ.<ref>{{Cite web|date=16 October 2021|title=Breaking News: Disney Star India exits English general entertainment; Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere HD to go off air by November 30|url=https://bestmediainfo.com/2021/10/disney-star-india-exits-english-general-entertainment-star-world-star-world-hd-and-star-world-premiere-hd-to-go-off-air-by-november-30/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=www.bestmediaifo.com}}</ref> However on 30 November, the planned launch date of 11 December was then delayed to 1 March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/kids/disney-kids-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-on-1-march-220224?amp|title=Disney Kids to launch new channel ‘Super Hungama’ on 1 March|author=Indian Television|date=24 February 2022|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-date=24 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224201844/https://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/kids/disney-kids-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-on-1-march-220224?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> Hungama TV's sister, [[Super Hungama]], was officially launched on 1 March 2022, replacing Marvel HQ.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Disney Kids Network to launch new channel Super Hungama - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/disney-kids-network-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-118684.html |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media |language=en |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228024944/https://www.exchange4media.com/media-tv-news/disney-kids-network-to-launch-new-channel-super-hungama-118684.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Programming==
{{Main|List of programmes broadcast by Hungama TV}}

==Controversy==
A Hindi dub of the ''[[Crayon Shin-chan|Shin Chan]]'' anime started airing on Hungama TV on 19 June 2006, and it gained up to 60% of the channel's market share.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.disney.in/disney-companies/media-networks/kids-channels/recent-shows|title=Shin Chan on Hungama TV - Disney India|website=corporate.disney.in|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09|archive-date=4 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104231713/http://corporate.disney.in/disney-companies/media-networks/kids-channels/recent-shows|url-status=dead}}</ref> There were complaints from parents over the main character's behaviour and the attitudes exhibited towards elders on the show, both of which were seen as a negative influence on children. This resulted in the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] banning the show in 2008, and requiring the series to be censored when fans made several requests to have it brought back.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merinews.com/article/india-bans-telecasting-of-shin-chan/151557.shtml|title=India bans telecasting of Shin Chan|website=www.merinews.com|access-date=2017-12-09|archive-date=10 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210015511/http://www.merinews.com/article/india-bans-telecasting-of-shin-chan/151557.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2004 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Anime television]]
[[Category:Children's television channels in India]]
[[Category:Disney India Media Networks]]
[[Category:Disney Star]]
[[Category:Disney television networks]]
[[Category:Indian animation]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2004]]
[[Category:Television stations in Mumbai]]

Hungama TV - Revision history

Wikialpha49 at 16:25, 13 February 2026