DHX cuts Chinese streaming deal with CCTV

Canada-listed kids producer and distributor DHX has struck a streaming deal with China National Television, the new media division of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The pair will launch a new streaming platform in China that will carry DHX’s kids and family programming.

DHX will provide 700 half hours of kids fare, in Mandarin, for the new service, which will be operated on a revenue share basis with CNTV. The content will be made available on an ad-supported on demand basis as well via SVOD.

The first wave of titles from the DHX catalogue that will launch on the new streaming service include Teletubbies, Inspector Gadget, Madeline and Sonic the Hedgehog. Shows including Caillou, Super Why! and Monster Math Squad will follow later. DHX said it has 10,000 half hours of kids programming dubbed into Mandarin in all and will refresh the line-up regularly.

An exact launch date and name for the service have not been set.

The deal between the Canadian and Chinese entities was announced at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, in a signing ceremony attended by Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper.

DHX president and COO Steven DeNure, who represented DHX as a delegate in the Government of Canada’s official trade mission, said: “Launching a new children’s streaming service with China’s official state broadcaster represents a tremendous opportunity to deliver DHX brands to a massive, emerging market.”

Michael Hirsh, vice chairman of DHX Media, added: “Over the coming years we look forward to growing DHX’s global footprint, and critical to that will be expanding into China, one the world’s largest markets.”