Indie producer marblemedia’s tween TV show Splatalot may be soapy, sloppy, and slippery.

But the wacky kids obstacle-course game show is proving sticky with time-starved moms, and that’s enough reason for YTV to renew Splatalot for a second season, with a hefty 26-episode order.

Ted Ellis, VP of kids and family programming at Corus Entertainment, tells Playback Daily that the co-production between Canada, UK and Australia enables busy parents to connect with their kids as a family at the end of a day.

“It’s a perfect show that speaks to our co-viewing strategy of kids six to 11-years-old watching TV with their parents,” Ellis explains.

Young people can watch Splatalot on their own, or bring parents to the TV set for some quality time.

“It’s a viable time for parents to spend with their kids. After a busy day, they sit together and watch the same program, and feel they’re discussing TV together,” Ellis adds.

Marblemedia also has a second season order from CBBC in Britain, ABC3 in Australia, and a version will be dubbed into French for Télétoon in French-speaking Canada.

The co-production pact has enabled the Canadian, British and Australian broadcasters to afford a kids TV game show tailored for their individual markets by spreading the risk and cost.

Splatalot, which is shot north of Toronto, features a medieval-themed physical game show with an expanded set and new obstacles for the second season.

The series will get back into production in summer 2012.