KidsCo launches brand new channel, BigTV

KidsCo is launching a new channel, Big TV, managing director Paul Robinson has told TBIvision. The NBC Universal-backed kids channel operator will initially roll out its new offering in Africa and it will target an older demo than the core KidsCo offering.

KidsCo, a three-way joint venture between NBC, Corus and Cookie Jar, has been aggressively rolling out its main channel internationally since its inception almost three years ago.

Its second channel BigTV will initially launch just in on the MyTV platform in Nigeria – the main KidsCo channel is the most popular kids offering in the West African country – but there is scope for it to roll out elsewhere. “We’ll see how it works,” KidsCo managing director Paul Robonson told TBIvision. “At the moment it’s a brand extension, but could it roll out in other markets? Yes, absolutely.”

Focusing on 8-to-14 year-olds, the programming line-up at launch will include My Parents are Aliens, Even Stevens ands 100 deeds for Eddie McDowd. The channel launches on August 1.

“Until now, KidsCo has focused on delivering engaging and educational entertainment to 6-10 year-olds and families exclusively,” said Sara Wookey, director of broadcast at KidsCo. “The launch of BigTV will enable us to provide continuity for our existing audience and engage with an older market.”

Bahjat Mirza at My TV said: “The launch of KidsCo was an instant success with our younger viewers and parents alike, and we wanted to provide age-appropriate, quality content for aspiring adults.”