Mumbai: DQ Entertainment (International) Ltd, a Hyderabad-based animation and distribution company, has narrowed its net loss in the first quarter ended 30 June 2012, helped by a 238 per cent rise in other income.

The company?s net loss in the first quarter was Rs 90.88 million, 32 per cent lower than the net loss of Rs 135.35 a year earlier, as its other income was higher at Rs 70.22 million against Rs 20.76 a year earlier.

Its net income from operations rose 10 per cent to Rs 309.31 million during the quarter from Rs 279.62 million a year earlier.

DQ Entertainment?s total expenses were up six per cent to Rs 425 million during the first quarter, largely on account of a 170 per cent increase in production expenses to Rs 44.95 million from Rs 16.61 million.

Explaining the cause of the loss in the first quarter every year, the company said its revenue trend has a clear seasonal pattern akin to the global animation industry. As per the revenue trends, more than 60 per cent of the deliveries happen during the second half of the year and maximum of the revenue is booked in the last four months of the financial year.

It further said the first quarter of the year is always subdued with revenue recording only about 10-20 per cent of the total annual revenue, while the expenses are booked evenly during the entire year.

DQ Entertainment CMD & CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, ?Having established our prowess in the world of kids? entertainment globally, we now aim to capitalise on our skills and technological resources to produce high quality content for television and feature films.

DQ Entertainment has recently completed production of Keymon TV feature with Nickelodeon in India, Omkar III with Turner Group and Cartoon Network and J&J Season 3 special for Kelly Parks Studios.

The company has been commissioned to produce several other programmes including Robinhood, Mischief in Sherwood with Method Animation, TF1, ATV-Turkey, De Agostini and ZDF-Germany, Keymon Season 2 TV series with Nickelodeon India and Little Prince Season 3 with Method Animation, France.

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment plc has won three contracts and is associated with two new productions.

The company has entered into a co-production agreement with TF1, the major French broadcaster, and Method Animation for the new 3D animated TV series of Robin Hood. TF1 will hold the broadcast rights for the Robin Hood series for France and French speaking territories. It has also signed a co-production agreement with Minika TV, ATV?s new Turkish kids network.

DQE has also entered into a co-production agreement with Gaumont Alphanim France, the principal rights holders for the new 3D animated CGI TV series Lanfeust.

Alphanim has acquired the rights for Lanfeust of Troy, a long running French language comic series written by Christophe Arleston drawn by Didier Tarquin and published by Editions Delcourt. While Alphanim will produce the series and handle all of the creative aspects as co-producer, DQE will be responsible for animation production.

The global territories, including France and other French speaking territories and backend revenues from all sources of income, will be shared between Alphanim and DQE. The series is to be backed by French Broadcasters M6 and Canalj.

Said DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "These agreements will help us expand our content library whilst embarking on new and exciting ventures which have exciting commercial opportunities globally."

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment plc., the global animation, entertainment production and distribution company, has bagged the prestigious international studio of the year award at the 16th ceremony of Cartoons on the Bay, Italy 2012.

On the occasion, the Company has also announced that its CGI animated TV series, Iron Man, co-produced with Method Animation, France has won the Pulcinella Award for Best TV series for Teens. Also, Charlie Chaplin, co-produced with Method Animation, has been nominated for ‘Best TV series for Kids‘ at the festival.

Said DQ Entertainment chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, ? We are delighted to receive this special recognition in Europe, which is a validation of the dedication and hard work by DQE. This recognition will definitely motivate us to achieve even greater heights to continue producing and distributing highest quality animation content for television and feature films globally. This recognition is doubly validated by the best animated TV series award for ‘Iron Man‘ at the Pulcinella awards. It has been our honour to partner with Method Animation and Marvel on this production."

Cartoons on the Bay, Italy, is one of the most prestigious, international events for the animation industry. The festival and awards ceremony aims to foster creativity and support the commitment of worldwide authors and producers in linking arts and entertainment and to help professionals in choosing quality and innovative products.

MUMBAI: Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has announced the acquisition of the animated series ?Chaplin and Co?, a slapstick nod to one of Hollywood?s most pivotal early stars, Charlie Chaplin.

Running six minutes long over 104 episodes, ?Chaplin and Co? will air across all of Cartoon Network?s Asia Pacific markets, more than 26 countries, from the first half of 2012.

A co-production between DQ Entertainment, and France-based Method Animation, ?Chaplin and Co? was developed in consultation with the Chaplin family. The aim was to make the series truly representative of the screen icon.

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific director, programming, acquisitions and development Layla Lewis said, "Chaplin and Co. offers a contemporary take on Charlie?s timeless humour and endearing charm. We?re thrilled to introduce his comedic adventures to a whole new generation of Cartoon Network Asia Pacific fans."

The series is a slapstick comedy without dialogue - reminiscent of his films. Almost a century later, his most enduring traits have been transformed into a side-splittingly funny computer-generated animated series.

DQ Entertainment (International) chairman, CEO Tapaas Chakravarti said, "The legend of Charlie Chaplin will be brought back in high-end animated short films to delight children and families. The legendary entertainer will once again entertain audiences in his new CGI avatar. We believe Cartoon Network is the perfect partner for Chaplin and Co to bring this side-splitting series to audiences in this region."

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE), the animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company, has appointed SMC Entertainment as its rights partner in North America, Australia and South Africa.

With the appointment, SMC has acquired all North American TV, home entertainment, licensing and merchandising rights, as well as all promotional rights to the 52 x 11‘ episode CGI-animated Jungle Book television series along with a one-hour feature from DQ Entertainment International.

Said DQE Chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, "The success of our TV series The Jungle Book is validated by the quality of partners it has attracted globally. From licensing for TV broadcast to merchandising across a varied range of products, the property has met with huge success and appealed to a new generation of children across all nationalities. 

"We are delighted with the partnership with SMC for North America and South Africa and are convinced that they will do justice to this iconic brand. I am sure our beloved Jungle Book will see new highs in the hands of our new and able partners."

In addition, SMC has acquired the master toy rights for Australia and New Zealand and licensing and merchandising rights of for The Jungle Book for South Africa. The company would market the series at Kidscreen Summit and the New York Toy Fair in February 2012.

SMC Entertainment (SMC) is the recently launched entertainment and brand management division of global consumer products manufacturer Sun-Mate Corporation.