Nelvana grosses out Discovery Kids

Following its recent preschool series deal with Discovery Kids Latin America, Canadian producer/distributor Nelvana has also signed a US deal for Grossology, its new 2D animated adventure show.

Discovery Kids in the US has picked up 26 episodes of Grossology, which targets kids aged six to 11. The series is slated for a 2006 premiere on NBC’s Saturday morning Discovery Kids block and the Discovery Kids 24-hour digital channel.

Based on the book series by Sylvia Branzei, Grossology follows the crime-solving adventures of a brother and sister team who report to the secret government Department of Grossology. Together, they face criminals like Sloppy-Joe, the world’s filthiest thief, and Lance Boil, a former Grossologist turned evil megalomaniac.

Nelvana has also sealed a deal with Discovery Kids in Latin America for its preschool series Backyardigans. With a 2006 broadcast premiere in mind, Discovery Kids is picking up the first 20 episodes of the 3D preschool series, coproduced by Nickelodeon and Nelvana.

Designed to encourage kids to sing along, the series features the musical adventures of five high-spirited pals: Pablo, the quick-moving penguin; mellow moose Tyrone; thrill-seeking Uniqua; ladylike hippo Tasha; and shy kangaroo Austin.