News brief: CBBC buys Canadian Sidekick

CBBC has acquired Canadian animated series Sidekick.

The UK kids broadcaster has bought two seasons of the series, which is produced and distributed by Corus-owned Nelvana.

The ’toon follows Eric Needles, a superhero sidekick who goes from second fiddle to first string when his boss, Maxum Man, goes missing.

The acquisition comes as acquired kids programming at the UK public broadcaster’s kids channels is under the spotlight. CBBC’s preschool sibling, CBeebies, recently received clearance to lower its original production quota, allowing it to buy more content.

It said it would ensure most acquired shows were from the UK although the BBC Trust, which oversees the pubcaster, has sought clarification on the definition of a UK programme in this respect.