CHILDREN'S entertainment on television is set to get livelier this summer.

Nick, one the country's leading entertainment channels in India, is set to woo children aged between four and 14 with the 'Mighty Masked Cat Niyander', a new episode of the channel's hit series, 'Ninja Hattori' and 'Perman'.

'Mighty...' is about the heroic deeds of a 'superman cat', the mighty Niyander who rescues people in trouble like Superman Clark Kent. The cat, like the Superman, dons a cloak.

The channel has also added several new interactive programmes like the Mother's Day Contest and the Nick Fundoo Superstar, which will give children an opportunity to become television superstars by taking part in a series of promotional contests as part of its holiday hamper. In June, the channel will unveil its Father's Day capsule with a Daddy Cool contest.

The winners will share the screen with Nick Fundoo's hot new brand ambassador Mandira Bedi and their favourite Nick Toon characters in a performance choreographed by Bollywood veteran Saroj Khan. The promotion week that began May 5 will end June 8. The Supertsar contest will reach its grand finale with the release of the kids' music video in July.

Announcing the launch at a colourful programme packed with children, Nick Toon characters and brand mascot Mandira Bedi at The Oberoi Hotel in the capital Monday, Nick officials said the contest was unique because it had no audition, no jury.

'Kids just need to be themselves to take part in the contest. There is no stress of competition. Apart from the four winners who will feature in the Nick Fundoo music video, thousands of other kids will also win loads of prizes like bicycles and mobiles. The video will be titled 'Mauja Hi Mauja',' said Nina Elavia Jaipuria, vice-president and general manager of Nick India.

Photographs: Getty Images