MUMBAI: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is all set to star in a 3D CGI action, comedy and adventure animation series co-produced by Shemaroo Entertainment and Moonscoop.

Titled ?Master Blasters?, the animated series will feature Sachin Tendulkar as central character along with twelve kids and a dog.

The producers have said that the worldwide rights for season one of the lucrative animated series will be available at the on-going MipTV, the biggest TV content marketplace. Season one of the series will comprise 26 episodes of 22 minutes each.

This is the first time that an Indian cricketer or sportsperson will be seen in an animated avatar on World television - yet another first for the record-breaking Sachin Tendulkar.

Shemaroo Entertainment VP Smita Maroo said, "The fact that Shemaroo Entertainment is collaborating with world renowned Moonscoop for a co-production deal involving a super sport star talent Sachin Tendulkar is testimony to our expertise and experience. We are confident that this highly entertaining series will be a great success in India and the cricket playing nations. We plan to introduce this unique format to non-cricketing countries as well."

"With his incredible popularity in half the world where Cricket is a passion, Sachin?s impact with the sport of Cricket and Master Blasters will break international boundaries in the same way as Football?s Pele, Ice Hockey?s Wayne Gretzky and Basketball?s Michael Jordan," says Moonscoop CEO Mike Young.

Mumbai: Big CBS Prime and Bloomberg TV are launching a new show titled ‘India‘s Prime Icon‘.

To be simulcast on both the channels, starting 12 October, the show will air every Friday and Saturday at 9.30 pm.

The channel has partnered with Seagram‘s 100 Pipers as the presenting sponsor for the show while MTS has come on board as the associate sponsor.

Twenty names from the most talked about and iconic personalities of India have been shortlisted as the Top 20 contenders for the privileged title of India‘s Prime Icon.

The show will chronicle the lives of some of India‘s "biggest names" spanning various fields and professions. It will take viewers up-close and personal with an "exclusive" look into the lives of these personalities.

The contenders for India‘s Prime Icon include names like Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Shahrukh Khan, AP Abdul Kalam, Nitish Kumar and Aamir Khan.

Also on the show to provide their expert views will be a panel of opinion leaders which include Prasoon Joshi, Suhel Seth and Malvika Sangghvi. The trio will feature on the show as Opinion Leaders to help the viewers select India‘s Prime Icon.

Big CBS Networks business head Anand Chakravarthy said, "India‘s boasts of some of the most inspirational personalities who are considered role models to many. Apart from bringing India the best international content, Big CBS Prime has constantly been bringing quality home grown shows like India‘s Prime Icon, India‘s Sexiest Bachelor and more, which have resonated excellently with audiences. India‘s Prime Icon is an innovative concept, which has not been explored in the past and has been designed to offer a unique opportunity for Indian viewers to connect with their favourite idols."

MUMBAI: The Hockey India League is going strength to strength, Close on the heels of Sahara Group acquiring Lucknow franchise, the Hockey India League has roped in another major business house. Jaypee Group (Jaiprakash Associates) has taken the Punjab franchise of the fledgling league that will debut in January 2013.

The high-profile Hockey India League, which has secured a window on the International Hockey Federation (FIH) calendar, will see six teams play on a home-and-away basis. The 33-match series, which will run from 5 January to 13 February, will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

This is Jaypee?s second big investment in sports apart from the Jaypee Sports City which hosted the Indian Grand Prix. The company has appointed Sachin Tendulkar as brand ambassador for its flagship cement brand Jaypee Cement.

Hockey India Secretary-General and HIL Chairman Dr. Narinder Batra said, "When we have such groups as Sahara India and JAL as the first two HIL franchises, we not only feel encouraged that Indian hockey will get a fillip but also believe players from around the world will love competing in the tournament."

JAL executive chairman Manoj Gaur said he is thrilled that JAL is a HIL franchise. "By participating in HIL, the Jaypee Group has taken a definite step forward on way to help Indian hockey regain glory. The Punjab franchise that we have taken will get the Group?s full backing and we will be able to raise a world class team.

"We will arrange best of coaching and other facilities for our players so that they could be trained to not only lift the HIL Trophy but also contribute in India winning major international tournaments."

He further added, "Our participation in HIL is in a way also redemption of our Founder Chairman Shri Jaiprakash Gaur?s dream of grooming a battalion of young hockey players who will, in turn, help India dominate international hockey for a long time to come."

The six franchises will be selected from a pool of 12 cities that have infrastructure and facilities to host a match.

Earlier, Sahara Group had announced that it is taking franchise rights of Lucknow team. Apart from being the sponsor of Indian hockey team, Sahara has also been a global partner of the International Hockey Federation.