DreamWorks Animation (DWA) had recently announced that its 2015 plan will be to focus on the upcoming TV channel from the production studio which will leverage over 2,000 hours of content of its original series and movies.
The 19 countries in Asia, which will be the first to view the channel include: Taiwan, Macao, South Korea, Laos, Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Burma, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia, Palau and Tahiti. However, India is not on the cards as of now. China and Japan will initially not see DreamWorks Channel due to regulatory constraints.
Speaking exclusively to AnimationXpress.com, DreamWorks Classics EVP of International Television Chloe van den Berg explains the thought behind venturing into Asia first, “Audiences in the region have always embraced our content and with no DreamWorks Channel content currently in the territory, Asia is the perfect market for our first 24/7 outlet.”
Even as the number of kids’ channels is on the rise, Chloe says that “the deal complements the company’s expanding television production and distribution initiatives, and represents an important step in the company’s strategy to distribute its TV content to as many viewers, in as many regions, and in as many ways as possible.”
Although the entire line up has not yet been finalised, much of the content on DreamWorks TV is kid-focused, animated programming. Shows currently being produced under DWA’s deals with Netflix along with a library of DreamWorks Classics and existing programmes will feature on the channel including All Hail King Julien, The Adventures of Puss in Boots and new seasons of How to Train Your Dragon series among others.
All the shows will be dubbed into the local languages of the 19 countries. “Shows will not be produced specifically for the region or channel. We will also be looking to acquire local content to ensure we provide a fully rounded offering to the audience,” reveals Chloe. She adds that DWA is exploring potential co-productions for upcoming shows.
The channel distribution will be handled individually within each territory by local companies for which negotiations are currently underway. HBO will handle affiliate sales, marketing and technical service from the Singapore office.