Could NBCU's Universal Kids Or Sky UK's Sky Kids Expand To Africa??? Perhaps As A Future Replacement To Disney Channel On DStv

Sky Kids is a children's channel operated by Sky Group a subsidiary of Comcast which features live-action shows like My Friend Misty, The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates and Dino Club alongside animation like Where's Wally?, Clifford and Trollstopia.

Internationally, it is known as DreamWorks Channel and a local variation known as Universal Kids residing in the United States both of which are operated by NBCUniversal also a subsidiary of Comcast.

Disney is looking to consolidate their content to streaming as linear TV is no longer viewed as the core of their business as mentioned earlier. This has led to the cancellation of several Disney Channels in the United Kingdom, Asia, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

In Africa, these channels had extended through 2024 on DStv and are expected to go dark at some point. Thereafter, MultiChoice would need to sought replacement channels in order to keep viewers onboard their platforms and fill the void left by Disney.

With the lack of children channels across the world, MultiChoice would most likely need to curate a customary channel similar to AMC International and Paramount Global's CBS Justice and JimJam or Ngwato Nkosi Group Movie Room and Play Room channels.

Sky Kids wouldn't seem like a far fetched brand to incorporate within the DStv platform despite the pay-tv platform already packaging DreamWorks. Some content is very much viewed on Showmax prior to the announcement that NBCUniversal had acquired a 30% stake to streamer.

NBCUniversal also supply Universal, E! Entertainment, Studio Universal and Telemundo to DStv.

This kids channel likely titled Universal Kids would see MultiChoice and NBCUniversal join forces supplying content that is not only viewable on Sky Kids in the UK but also shows streaming on Showmax or in other words a follow-up to the defunct K-TV kids brand.

New Series Alert: The Brilliant World Of Tom Gates Renewed Through 2024 On Showmax

UK broadcaster Sky has ordered a third season of mixed-media laugher The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (20 x 11 minutes).

The series is slated to return with the new season in early 2024 in the UK and Ireland. It will launch on the Sky Kids linear channel, as well as on demand and via Sky’s streaming service NOW. TG Entertainment produces Tom Gates, a Sky Original, and WildBrain manages worldwide distribution rights.

With two seasons and two holiday specials completed and delivered, Tom Gates was greenlit by Sky in 2020 and premiered in 2021. It has since been sold internationally to platforms including Da Vinci (the US), RTP (Portugal), E-Vision and ejunior (MENA and Pakistan) and Now TV (Hong Kong).

Featuring a mix of 2D and stop-motion animation and live action, the series follows its namesake lead character through his daily life—from avoiding homework and facing frenemies, to rocking out with his band.

Aimed at kids ages seven to 12, Tom Gates is based on a same-name book series by Liz Pichon under publisher Scholastic. According to a release, the books have sold more than 16 million copies in 47 languages worldwide.

In a more recent round of deals, WildBrain has also sold both seasons of the series to TV3-Televisió de Catalunya’s children’s channel SX3 (Spain) and Showmax (Africa), as well as placing the Halloween special with Knowledge Network in Canada.

Comcast, Parent Company Of NBCUniversal To Rollout Fourth Kids Brand In The UK, Sky Kids

Sky, a division of Comcast and in some way the UK version of NBCUniversal announced the rollout of Sky Kids bringing the total number of kids to 4 from February 2023.

As you may recall, NBCUniversal is responsible for conceiving the other 3 brands. DreamWorks being the eldest has been dominating the cinema circuit, Universal Kids the middle man is going through troubled times and the last Peacock Kids is still in daycare.

Sky Kids, the pay-tv children's channel sets out to be fourth edition to the trio exclusively in the UK. Home to ad-free 24-hour programming, the new channel will showcase quality Sky Originals and big names that kids love and parents can trust.

Some of the content announced include originals such as My Friend Misty, Ready, Eddie, Go!, Dino Club and The Very Small Creatures alongside other content like TrollsTopia, Where’s Wally, Madagascar a Little Wild, and Clifford The Big Red Dog.

Insidus Games:
- Bugs Bunny & Lola Bunny: Operation Carrot Patch
- Buzz Lightyear Star Command
- Fix It Fun! Bob The Builder
- Daffy Duck: Fowl Play

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky said:

“We’re so excited to announce the launch of our brand-new linear channel. Millions of our customers already love watching our huge range of Original shows on-demand but families with younger kids have told us that watching on linear channels is an important part of their day; so, we’ve listened and expanded our Sky Kids offering at no extra cost.

“The new channel will have a whole breadth of brand new and much-loved shows for kids and families to enjoy and we can’t wait to reveal the full fantastic line-up of shows.”

Regular Nick:
- The Twisted Timeline Of Sammy And Raj to rollout on Nicktoons in Africa
- Two current shows from Boomerang rolling out on the Cartoonito block across Africa
- Moonbug Kids To Distribute New STEAM Focused Series, Ocean Explorers
- New Bear Grylls series is coming soon to Da Vinci Kids