Netflix, int’l nets pick Pablo

Pablo’s titular character is on the autism spectrum

SVoD giant Netflix and broadcasters in the US, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa have acquired animated preschool series Pablo.

Netflix has acquired the show in multiple territories from UK-based distribution outfit Cake.

Sprout (US), SVT (Sweden), YLE (Finland), ABC (Australia), Hunan TV (China), CJ E&M (South Korea), RTHK (Hong Kong) and Showmax (Africa) will also air the 52×11′ series.

Produced by Belfast-based Paper Owl Films, Pablo features a little boy on the autism spectrum whose imaginative drawings come to life.

Billed as the first children’s series to feature an autistic central character, the show reflects the real-life experiences of children with autism and has been devised, co-written and voiced by young autistic talent.

Pablo began airing in CBeebies in the UK and RTÉJr in Ireland last year. A second season was commissioned in November 2016, a year ahead of delivery, marking a CBeebies first.

A 2D animated series with a blend of live action, the show is made in association with Kavaleer Productions and Ingenious with funding from Northern Ireland Screen and BAI. Six games and a slate of short films accompany the programme.

“A unique show celebrating creativity, individuality and thinking differently, its message has visibly resonated with broadcasters around the world,” said Ed Galton, chief creative officer and MD at Cake and an exec producer on Pablo.