Discovery, Corus set up kids’ JV

MIPCOM: Discovery Communications and Corus Entertainment-owned Nelvana have formed a joint venture to coproduce and distribute children’s content together.

Carolina Lightcap

Based in Canada, the yet-to-be named venture will operate independently of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services and produce content across linear and digital platforms.

The venture will acquire intellectual property rights to agreed brands, characters and concepts from Nelvana and Discovery for development and production for the international kids’ market.

Both Discovery Kids in Latin America and Corus in Canada will commission content from the new production company. It comes after Nelvana has produced multiple series for Discovery Kids.

Scott Dyer, president of Nelvana, said: “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.”

The Canuck firm is behind properties such as Babar, Franklin, Max & Ruby, Ranger Rob, Mysticons and Hotel Transylvania: The Series. Earlier this week it announced a partnership with WeKids to uncover local IP in China.

Alongside its factual and sports business, Discovery Communications also operates preschool network Discovery Kids in Latin America.

“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, executive VP and chief content officer at Discovery Latin America.