New creative engine to deliver premium content for kids’ video linear and digital markets around the world.
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Discovery Communications announced the formation of a new venture to produce a new pipeline of content for the kids’ market in Canada, Latin America, and around the world.
Based in Canada, the yet-to-be named venture operates independently of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services, and is dedicated to the production of premium children’s content across linear and digital platforms. The venture combines the strength of the hugely successful Discovery Kids business in Latin America, and Corus’ high-ranking suite of kids’ channels in Canada – both of whom will commission content from the new production company.
Nelvana is Canada’s premier animation company, producer and distributor of children’s content – world-renowned for hit properties including Babar, Franklin, Max & Ruby, Ranger Rob, Mysticons and Hotel Transylvania: The Series. Nelvana licenses its content in more than 160 countries and Corus operates five of the top five kids’ channels in Canada*.
Discovery Communications is one of the biggest media and entertainment companies in the world with a massive global footprint in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery Kids is the number one pre-school network in Latin America, the top pay TV network in Brazil for eight years, and operates the popular Discovery Kids Play digital app. The venture increases Nelvana’s production and distribution business on a global scale, and is the next step in Discovery’s expansion of its kids’ business.
“This new venture was born from two businesses who have built a reputation for entertaining, inspiring, and informative storytelling,” said Scott Dyer, President, Nelvana. “The inception of the venture comes at a time of strong and increasing demand for kids’ content globally, boosted by insatiable viewing via digital streaming services. Our mutual goal is to create a new pipeline of kids’ content for distribution across the world.”
“Kids’ video entertainment is a strong and growing genre for Discovery spearheaded by Discovery Kids, our market-leading pay TV channel and TVE service in Latin America,” said Carolina Lightcap, EVP & Chief Content Officer at Discovery Latin America. “Corus and Nelvana are fantastic businesses with a venerable track-record of creating world-class properties. Together, this agreement furthers our role in the premium kids’ content creation business so we can co-produce and distribute fun and entertaining programs for kids and families across all screens.”
Creation of the new venture extends a strong relationship between the two companies with Nelvana already providing a several popular series to Discovery Kids. The venture will acquire intellectual property rights to agreed brands, characters, and concepts from Nelvana and Discovery for development and production for the global kids’ market.
