Tree Fu Tom springs up at Sprout

US children’s cable channel Sprout has bought FremantleMedia Kids and CBeebies coproduction Tree Fu Tom.

The preschool CGI animated programme will debut on Sprout this month on April 22 following a deal with distributor and coproducer FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment.

FremantleMedia Kids & Family described the deal as a landmark for its business, as it now has content on all major US kids’ networks, namely Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and The Hub. The FremantleMedia division has been in existence since 2009.

Tree Fu Tom is set in a tree top world where movement creates magic and turns the titular Tom into a superhero. David Tennant (Doctor Who) is among the voice talent.

It first launched on UK preschool net CBeebies and was the channel’s highest rating programme for 4-6s (excluding special events) last year. A second season was ordered last year, before CBeebies and FremantleMedia inked a five-year programming pact.

The show has also sold into territories such as France, Australia, Israel, South Korea and Latin America.