Indiantelevision.com's Kidology
 
 
Sparrowhawk Media, DIC Ent. & Corus Ent. team up to launch global TV channel KidsCo
 
Indiantelevision.com Team
(10 April 2007 8:20 pm)
 

MUMBAI: Children specific media companies, Sparrowhawk Media, DIC Entertainment (DIC) and Corus Entertainment Inc.'s Nelvana Enterprises, have entered into a strategic joint venture to launch KidsCo, a multi-platform global television channel for children and families.

Positioned to be a 24/7 multi-platform channel KidsCo, promises to be committed to providing a responsible and entertaining environment for children and families around the world. The unique channel will begin rolling out in 2007 utilizing Sparrowhawk's state-of-the-art broadcast distribution facility in the US and the company's international network of affiliates. The first launch of KidsCo is anticipated this fall in Central and Eastern Europe with subsequent premieres throughout 2008 and 2009 in approximately 40 territories across Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

According to an official announcement, KidsCo will feature animated and live-action television series and feature-length movies from independent animation program suppliers, DIC and Nelvana. KidsCo will acquire programming from other major children's content suppliers, produce original properties to launch on the channel and will also feature prime-time family movies. KidsCo programming will be localized market-by-market and will be programmed by day-parts to create a strategic line-up targeting segmented audiences.

DIC's programming library features over 3,000 half-hours series, including Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline, Dennis the Menace, Care Bears and more. With more than 3,000 half-hours of kids' programming, Nelvana Enterprises' catalog features international favourites such as Babar, Franklin, The Adventures of Tintin and Rolie Polie Olie.

The announcement was made by, Sparrowhawk CEO David Hulbert, DIC Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward and Corus Entertainment Inc. president and CEO John Cassaday.

Sparrowhawk chairman David Elstein and Hulbert, former President of Walt Disney International Television, is part of the management team at Sparrowhawk that launched and managed the Disney channels worldwide and currently broadcasts the international Hallmark channels.

"This alliance draws on the collective expertise of the best in the business, and the libraries of our content partners contain some of the world's most popular children's programming," said Hulbert. "The combined experience within the KidsCo organisation has enabled us to develop this concept based on an innovative business model from which we all benefit. Sparrowhawk's global commercial and technical distribution networks manage the successful operation of the Hallmark Channel across more than 150 countries. It is this unique combination of assets that enable us to deliver KidsCo in an environment designed to reassure parents, at a price that platforms will find very refreshing."

"As the children's market continues to evolve it presents new challenges for program suppliers looking to find a home for their product," stated Heyward. "The KidsCo collaboration allows Sparrowhawk, Corus and DIC to pioneer an innovative business model that allows us to own international broadcast real estate to showcase our existing catalogs, as well as launch new programming overseas. KidsCo offers the partners a unique opportunity to merge their combined strengths to create a truly dynamic international distribution platform."
 
Go to Top
Click for Kidology Archives
 
Also Read: