DHX Media and U.S.-based media co AwesomenessTV have inked an original development and production agreement for content that will air on Family Channel in Canada.

DHX Media will handle the distribution, merchandising and licensing outside of the U.S. for all original content produced out of the partnership.

In addition to the production and development deal, DHX Media also licensed three current AwesomenessTV series to air on Family Channel: the sketch comedy series AwesomenessTV (20 x 30 minutes), the reality series Make Me Over (20 x 30 minutes) and the docu-series Cheerleaders (26 x 30 minutes).

AwesomenessTV is owned by Dreamworks Animation and Hearst Corporation. Divisions under the AwesomenessTV umbrella include a YouTube channel by the same name, the ATV Network MCN and the DreamWorksTV YouTube channel. Other projects the company has produced in addition to the aforementioned series are the feature Expelled, the MOW Terry The Tomboy and Netflix’s Richie Rich.

This partnership between AwesomenessTV and DHX Media comes after the Halifax-based company lost its Disney licensing deal in April, with Corus Entertainment set to launch the Disney Channel in Canada for the first time on Sept. 1.

Following the loss of the Disney deal, DHX Television indicated it would aim to build up its original programming slate for its suite of channels, including Family and the newly rebranded Family XTRM and Family Junior/Famille Junior channels. Shows recently commissioned by DHX Television for Family include Fresh TV’s Backstage, Aircraft Pictures and Dolphin Entertainment’s The Wonderful Wayneys and Temple Street Productions’ Lost and Found Music Studios.

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