Nick France rents Granada

Recently launched Nickelodeon France has bagged up a pair of Granada International’s children’s shows, with the UK distributor also selling a third to Nick’s archrival Canal J.

UK/Spanish preschool toon Pocoyo (left) and US tween comedy drama Darcy’s Wild Life have gone to the MTV Networks-owned kids channel, which debuted in France via DTH platform CanalSat in November.

“Our young viewers are demanding the very best shows from France and around the world,” explained Caroline Boré-Dijoud, head of programming and on-air at Nickelodeon France.

“Our very young audiences and their parents will enjoy Pocoyo, which has immediate universal appeal. We also believe that Nickelodeon’s older viewers will be eager to follow Darcy’s adventures in such a stylishly produced US series.”

The deal is Granada International’s first sale to the new French channel, confirmed Toby Melling, VP of sales.

Pocoyo is coproduced by Granada International and Zinkia Entertainment, in association with Granada Kids and Cosgrove Hall, while Darcy’s Wild Life is produced by Temple Street Productions for Nickelodeon UK and Discovery Kids.

Over on Canal J, buyers have picked up ITV Productions’ teen series Girls In Love, based on the Jacqueline Wilson books. Since Nickelodeon France launched, Canal J has been denied new Nickelodeon programming.