International children’s channel KidsCo, Corus Entertainment’s joint venture with NBCUniversal, is launching its SyFy Kids block in Asia this July.
SyFy Kids, a partnership between KidsCo and the U.S. Syfy channel, will debut with original programming and recently acquired content from Platinum Films and KidsCo partners.
Around 120 hours of primetime programming will be dubbed in local languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Malaysian and Indonesian.
“We have acquired a raft of quality, imagination-based content – including the acclaimed series Matt Hatter Chronicles – which, once fully dubbed will bring Syfy Kids to life. Providing affiliates with a channel in a local language continues to be a core offering for KidsCo,” said KidsCo managing director Hendrik MerDermott in a statement.
The Syfy Kids block will launch with a first-run exclusive of its original production Zuzu & the Supernuffs from Matchbox Pictures. It will also feature the CG-animated Matt Hatter Chronicles, produced by Platinum Films and Toronto’s Dream Mill, with animation by Arc Productions; Z-Squad, from Corus’ Nelvana Enterprises and Enemes, and the Back to the Future animated series.
Also scheduled for the Syfy Kids lineup are The Future is Wild from Future is Wild Ltd., and Evolution: The Animated Series and Dino Squad from DHX Media (created by the former Cookie Jar Entertainment).
The channel said Tuesday that it is investing in dubbing additional content for Southeast Asia, including Sonic Underground, Grossology and Turbo Dogs, which will also launch in July.
Corus Entertainment holds a minority 43.8% stake in KidsCo, which is operated out of the company’s Corus Quay facility in Toronto.