Netflix orders trio of DreamWorks originals

Netflix has ordered three new kids series from DreamWorks Animation as part of the ongoing programming deal between the streaming service and kids studio.

The lemur character from DreamWorks animated feature Madagascar will get his own series, King Julien, and there will also be a Puss in Boots series based on the classic story and the 2011 DreamWorks’ feature and a reboot of faith-based series VeggieTales in the House.

The new DreamWorks shows will sit alongside Turbo FAST (pictured), another TV series spin-off from a DreamWorks movie. It was the first show greenlit following an agreement between Netflix and DreamWorks last June and as well as the three new originals it will get a second season, which will launch on Netflix on April 4.

The programming deal is slated to run for three years and cover twelve shows but DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg told MIPCOM delegates last October that “it is not three years and out, it’s really a five year deal. Three years is where, if it isn’t working, [Netflix] can exit, but we don’t think they will”.

Speaking about the new series Margie Cohn, head of television at DreamWorks Animation said: “Each show is so diverse and the platform gives us so many opportunities to play with our characters in new and surprising ways.  Our goal is to keep the audience always wondering what we’ll come up with next.”

“I am pretty sure this is the first time the word ‘beloved’ has been applied to a cat, a lemur, vegetables and snails in the same sentence, but Dreamworks Animation has an incredible knack for creating characters that kids around the world adore,” added Cindy Holland, Netflix’s VP, original content. “We’re very excited about launching the latest episodes of Turbo FAST in the coming weeks, and the three new series by the end of the year.”