DreamWorks launching first TV channel

DreamWorks Animation is launching a 24/7 kids and family channel in 19 territories across Asia.

The move marks the first time Jeffrey Katzenberg’s LA-based studio has launched a linear network.

DreamWorks launched a YouTube channel, DreamWorksTV, earlier this year.

The linear channel will launch in the second half of next year.

Singapore-based HBO Asia will handle affiliate sales and marketing for the channel, which will run around 1,200 half-hours of DreamWorks originals currently in production and 2,000 hours of library content in local languages.

The forthcoming All Hail King Julien (pictured) and The Adventures of Puss in Boots and new seasons of How to Train Your Dragon will run on the network, as will VeggieTales in the House.

“The DreamWorks channel will bring our premiere shows – great humour and stories, imaginative worlds and, of course, the highest quality animation – to audiences across Asia through a new DreamWorks-branded platform,” said Eric Ellenbogen, co-head of DreamWorks International TV.

This comes soon after US reports claimed DreamWorks’ proposed merger with toy company Hasbro had been called off for the time being. The firm has been looking for new investment following a series of weak financial quarters resulting from low returns from its recent feature films.