Aardman Animations will launch its own branded channel on the Joost Internet television service, which launched earlier this month. Offerings will include classic installments of Creature Comforts, Morph, Rex the Runt, Panic in the Village and The Adventures of Jeffrey, as well as new short films from the company’s rising animation stars. The deal represents an expansion into new media for the Bristol-based animation studio, which began distributing programming on mobile platforms last year.

‘Comedy and animated programming are key priorities for Joost,’ says Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, exec VP of content strategy and acquisition for Joost. ‘Aardman’s award-winning programming and cutting-edge characters have mass appeal, and with the Aardman channel on Joost, fans from around the world together can build a community around their favorite programs and characters.’

Founded by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom, Joost is designed to combine a TV viewing experience with the control and flexibility of Web 2.0. The global online TV distribution platform can be accessed free of charge with a broadband Internet connection and allows viewers to build a preferred list of channels or search for programming by name, channel or genre. Channels and programs available on Joost vary by geographic region, based on copyright ownership.

Other major entertainment entities that distribute animation on Joost include Turner Broadcasting System and Hasbro. Turner offers shows from the [adult swim] lineup, while Hasbro programming include classic Transformers and G.I. Joe cartoons. The content can be accessed at www.joost.com.