Sparrowhawk Media, DIC Ent. and Corus Ent.’s Nelvana Enterprises have entered into a joint venture to launch KidsCo, a 24/7, multi-platform global television channel for children and families. The outlet will begin rolling out this fall and will utilize Sparrowhawk’s state-of-the-art broadcast distribution facility in the U.S. and the company’s international network of affiliates.
Localized for individual markets, KidsCo will feature well-known animated and live-action television series and feature-length movies from DIC and Nelvana. DIC’s library of more than 3,000 half hours of programming includes the toon properties Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline, Dennis the Menace and Care Bears. Nelvana’s catalog features such international favorites as Babar, Franklin, The Adventures of Tintin and Rolie Polie Olie. KidsCo will also acquire content from other major children’s suppliers and will produce original properties to launch on the channel.
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.
Sparrowhawk chief executive David Hulbert comments, ‘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,’ adds DIC chairman and CEO Andy Hayward. ‘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.’
Sparrowhawk Media is a group of companies operating television channel broadcast and program distribution businesses worldwide. Backed by Providence Equity Partners and 3i, the company owns and broadcasts the international (non-U.S.) versions of the Hallmark Channel and Movies 24, in addition to KidsCo. The 18 feeds for the international Hallmark Channel reach more than 60 million subscribers in the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Latin America and Asia. Movies 24 has recently launched on Sky and Virgin TV in the U.K. and will be rolled out internationally in the near future.
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