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Sprout grows originals line-up

Kody Kapow

Kody Kapow is set for an early 2017 debut on Sprout

US cablenet Sprout has added a Zodiak Kids Studios series from the creator of preschool hit Mike the Knight to its original programming line-up.

The NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment-owned preschool channel has ordered Kody Kapow from the European production outfit behind its fellow original Floogals.

Kody Kapow is expected to debut on Sprout in early 2017. It was created by Alexander Bar (Mike the Knight) and developed for television by Robin Stein and Dan Franklin. Animation will be produced by Canadian studio Arc Productions.

The show follows an aspiring martial arts-style superhero who spends the summer with his extended family in a small village in China.

Michael Carrington, CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios, said: “The unique setting and playful characters in Kody Kapow offer endless possibilities for great adventures; girls and boys will love the sense of humour and enthusiasm of our hero, Kody.”

The commission comes after Sprout underwent a change in leadership following a shake-up at its parent company, Cable Entertainment Group, earlier this year.

Sandy Wax departed as president in February after Sprout joined Bravo, E!, Oxygen and Esquire Network under NBCUniversal’s Lifestyle Networks banner, which is overseen by Frances Berwick. A general manager for Sprout is currently being sought.

Cable Entertainment Group is keen to see an increase in original content on Sprout, with Berwick saying the channel has doubled its original series over the past year.

“We know our new content is resonating with our audience. Our recent launch of Floogals attracted new viewers to the network at a 30% increase in its first six weeks,” he added.

Accordingly, Sprout has also renewed its original series Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave for a second season after the interactive quizshow became one of the network’s highest-reaching shows among women 18-49.

In addition, a Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave Christmas special will debut this fall, as well as a Hanukkah special based on Nina’s World, another Sprout original animated series.

There will also be a Terrific Trucks Christmas movie based on the new original live-action series set to premiere on Sprout in July.

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