DHX preps more YouTube channels after trio of launches

Canada-based kids producer and distributor DHX has launched three paid-for YouTube channels in association with the video site and has told TBI that it has firm plans to launch at least one more within months.

The DHX Kids, DHX Junior and DHX Retro channels are among the first ever line-up of pay offerings from YouTube. Each will launch, in the relevant local language, in North America as well as Australia, Brazil, France, Japan, Korea, Spain, Russia and the UK.

Michael Hirsh, executive chairman, DHX Media told TBI: “It’s a breakthrough moment, the launches are the culmination of a lot of work. At one day, at one time 35 services launched at the same moment.”

He added that DHX will add to the line-up: “We have ideas for additional channels and will roll one out in the first few months of the others.”

Titles will vary according to rights issues and the availability of localised version of the shows, but the launch line-up will include several well-known shows from DHX’s 8,500 hour library.

Content on the service will be mostly animated and titles will include Trollz, Horseland and Urban Vermin on the family-oriented DHX Kids offering.

Preschool-focused DHX Junior will have Strawberry Shortcake, Richard Scarry and Care Bears. Inspector Gadget, Paddington Bear and Sonic the Hedgehog will all feature on the Retro channel.

Hirsh said that DHX will feed in first-run titles and will also consider developing original digital content for the YouTube channels.

In the US the channels will cost US$2.99 a month or US$24.99 for the year. In European territories they will be €2.49 or €24.99 and in the UK £2.49 or £24.99.