DreamWorks to supply DHX nets with toons

DreamWorks Animation is supply Canadian kids TV broadcaster DHX Media with 130 episodes of coproduced-animation as part of a strategic, five-year agreement.

The content will air on DHX channels, which include Family Channel, Family Jr., Family CHRGD, Télémagino, with DHX taking international distribution rights.

Additionally, DHX has licensed more 1,000 hours of DreamWorks programming, which will begin airing exclusively on DHX Television channels from June 2016.

Shows that will now get their exclusive linear debut via DHX include All Hail King Julien (pictured), The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show, Dragons: Race to the Edge and The Croods.

Furthermore, DHX has entered into an agreement with AwesomenessTV, of which DreamWorks owns a majority stake, for 300 half-hours of programming exclusively for Family Channel.

The programming will air on evening block F2N, which launches in January next year, anchored by DHX hit Degrassi: Next Class.
DHX will also sell this content internationally, taking linear, SVOD and OTT rights.

“We are incredibly pleased to welcome DHX to our family of world-leading broadcasters,” said DreamWorks Animation president Ann Day. “This pact with DHX will not only expand the footprint of our existing library, but also create new branded series in Canada with global appeal.”

The news is a boon for DreamWorks, which has faced financial difficulties in recent years despite major content pacts with the likes of Netflix. In January, it was forced to lay off 20% of its staff as it made cost-cutting restructuring moves.

The company’s TV unit has been a success, however, and today it hired former Gaumont International Television scripted chief Katie O’Connell Marsh.

For DHX, the moves comes after it acquired the Disney-branded kids channels in Canada in November 2013 and began rebranding them as a new suite of children’s TV networks for the local broadcast market.