A new kids and family entertainment channel is going to enter the Asian continent. The concept of leading production house DreamWorks Animation (DWA), its first ever TV channel will launch in 19 Asian countries in the second half of 2015.
A press release from the company states that this will be the first time when all its aggregated content can be seen on one platform, fully programmed and distributed by DWA. It also claims that it will have more original content than any other kids’ channel in the region.
HBO Asia (Singapore) will manage the affiliate sales, marketing and technical services for the new channel.
Speaking on the development, DreamWorks International TV co-head Eric Ellenbogen said, “The DreamWorks channel will bring our premiere shows – great humour and stories, imaginative worlds and, of course, the highest quality animation – to audiences across Asia through a new DreamWorks-branded platform. Audiences in the region have always embraced our content and now they can engage with their favorite DreamWorks characters -as well as new ones – where and when they choose, across multiple-screens and in local languages.”
The new channel is an extension to its expanding TV production and distribution initiatives. It will leverage over 2000 hours of existing DreamWorks TV content in addition to 1200 half hours of original animation that it currently has in production.
Some of the shows that are expected to air on the channel are: All Hail King Julien, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and all-new seasons of the How to Train Your Dragon series. It will also have preschool properties such as VeggieTales in the House and DinoTrux along with other new productions. The channel will also support DreamWorks’ theatrical and consumer products initiatives in the region.
According to reports, the goal of DreamWorks channels is to work with local affiliate partners to launch apps and make programming available on multiple screens. The Asian channel is a test, which could be followed by channels in other continents.