Kids net Gulli goes to Africa

French media group Lagardère has launched a local version of its children’s channel Gulli on the Canal+ platform in Africa.

Power Rangers Megaforce

French-speaking Gulli Africa will be available as part of the Evasion offer of Canal+‘s African DTH platform Les Bouquets Canal+, which comprises a total 200 other international and African channels.

The schedule of the African Gulli channel has been adapted for the local audience and will dedicate 15% of its programming to local production in the first year, increasing to 30% by its fourth year.

The channel also plans to offer 350 hours of fresh programming in year one, and increase that volume by 30% each year.

International acquisitions include Littlest Pet Shop and Power Rangers Super Megaforce, along with French animation series such as Le Monde de Pahé, Dimitri and Leon.

Les Bouquets Canal+ is available in 22 countries in sub-Saharan and French-speaking Africa and reached 1.5 million subscribers last year – double what it achieved in 2012.

French pay TV operator Canal+ has recently developed an app and online service giving access to 25 of the channels and their on-demand services.

Lagardère completed its buy-out of free-to-air DTT channel Gulli from joint venture partner France Télévisions in October last year.