French networks reposition, switch models

France Télévisions has confirmed it will reposition DTT network France 4 as a kids and family channel from next September.

The announcement was one of several the French public broadcaster made at MIFA, the business conference of the Annecy International Film Festival. Others included revealing 26 new projects in development or production and a call for three new half-hour series.

France 4 already broadcasts daytime kids animation for the 8+ demo, and will now stop airing older-skewing teen animation and formats in its access and primetime slots in favour of family entertainment, documentaries and series.

France Télévisions, which spends €29 million (US$32 million) a year on original content across France 3, France 4 and France 5, is also planning to launch a an SVOD platform in March 2017, which will carry a healthy amount of kids programming.

New projects from the pubcaster include Gigantosaurus (top), a 52x11mins series from Cyber Group Studios, 52x11mins Oscar is Late from Watch Next Media, and 26x7mins Zoe & Milo (right) from Made in PM.

Lagardère Active, meanwhile, will stop offering Canal J and TiJi exclusively on the Canalsat pay TV platform and extend their distribution to include telcos. The three channels are are currently working on eight new series such a 52x13mins adaptation of the Dragons Slayers’ Academy books from Media Valley.

With a budget tripled last year to €7 million, Canal+ Group (encompassing the Canal+ Family, Piwi+, Teletoon+ channels, said it is “enriching and reinventing” its kids offering.

Ten new original and European projects per Canal+ channel were announced, including Paf le Chien, and a 52x13mins adaptation of Ben Stassen’s movie The Magic Mirror. Teletoon+’s move into live action sees it acquire 26x26mins Crook Brothers Productions’ series Alien Dawn, and Matchbox’s 13x26mins Nowhere Boys.