MUMBAI: Is the market for animation looking up? If the latest news from UTV is any indication, the answer seems yes.

UTV has bagged three new animation projects. The animation arm of the production major will be producing content for the overseas market including South Africa, Canada, USA and Holland, worth more than $ 3 million.

According to an official communiqué, the work has already begun on all these projects and UTV is looking at upping its studio's capacity from 50 up to 150. The production major will also be investing in the advanced animation and rendering infrastructure in the country.

The shows include Lost in Paris- a co-production with Awesome Kids LLC - USA, Magic Cellar - which is commissioned by the South African Broadcasting Co-operation (SABC) and series II of Honk Toot and Swo - Swoosh, a 3D animation shows with CCI Entertainment of Canada and Creative Graphics of Holland.

In addition, UTV has also struck a major worldwide distribution deal with it's CO-production partners for Series I, of Honk Toot... CCI, says the release. The Canadian company has projected revenue of US$ 20 million over a period of three to four years and UTV's CO-production stake is between 10-15 per cent.

"We have always been very committed to the animation business as part of our TV content growth. Three global majors taking cognizance of our quality and services is a further endorsement of our continued commitment to this growing creative outsourcing and services business", says UTV, CEO, Ronnie Screwvala in the release.