Pay TV kids channel JimJam will begin rolling out in early December when it launches in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.
The preschool channel, which is a joint venture between Hit Entertainment and Liberty Global-backed Chellomedia, will launch on UPC cable systems before a second wave of rollouts in February 2008.
Hit is providing a range of its content including Bob the Builder and Thomas & Friends. The channel will get earlier seasons of these shows and Chello will oversee third party programme acquisitions.
Alison Homewood, EVP, worldwide TV distribution at Hit, told TBIvision: “Since we announced the joint venture, we’ve been working closely with ChelloZone to lock down the launch schedule. It launched in Italy a year ago and is already the third most popular kids channel. We’ll be launching with programme brands that have been instrumental in helping other channels establish themselves over time – now they are all going to be together in one place.”
The partners acquired JimJam, which has been carried on Sky Italia since October 2006, last month.