Turner, a family entertainment channel provider, has launched a new animation channel to boost its current children’s entertainment offering. The introduction of Toonami reinforces the organisation’s portfolio of successful kids’ channels which includes Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Boing across various African markets.
Toonami was launched successfully in France last week, and is currently being rolled-out to other select European markets and French-speaking African countries. During March, the channel is scheduled to launch on the following pay-TV platforms: Maroc Telecom in Morocco, Blueline in Madagascar and on Parabole on the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius, Comores and Madagascar. It is also lined up as a channel on Gabon Telecom once this new operator launches in the country.
Turner is currently in discussions with various pay-TV operators across the continent to bring the new channel to all English-speaking territories in Africa too.
Pierre Branco, vice president and general manager of Turner Southern Europe and Africa, says: “We are pleased with the addition of Toonami to the bouquet of channels aimed at our younger audiences, as it further diversifies our robust entertainment experience and programme offering across age groups. The new channel promises to meet the growing demand for premium quality action- adventure and superhero content.
“The channel’s launch reflects the value of pay-TV and its evolution. With its clear positioning and strong franchising connections, it is our job to select the best shows, to editorialise them and to share them with audiences of all ages across our markets.”
Turner has achieved success with Cartoon Network and Boomerang, which ranked first and second respectively among kids’ TV brands across Africa. In addition the company was the recipient of the ‘coolest brand among kids’ accolade from the Generation Next 2015 survey. It is anticipated that the addition of Toonami will further strengthen this position, as the broadcaster seeks to negotiate further deals across the African continent.
“Toonami has been described as the ‘ultimate home of the superhero’ and is targeted at kids between the ages of eight and 12. The 24-hour programming line- up, jam-packed with top-rated adventure series, is the go-to destination for action and animation enthusiasts of all ages,” comments Branco.
Programmes include such popular franchises as DC Comics’ Batman and Superman, as well as, The Green Lantern and The Justice League among others. Other animated superheroes loved by the younger audiences, such as Ben 10 and
Thundercats have also been added to the schedule. The branded Toonami Movies block will screen a host of animated feature films that showcase even more of the popular superheroes’ heroic acts and deeds.
“As the uptake for the channel grows in the targeted markets, a slate of exciting new programmes will be added to the line-up as acquisition deals are confirmed and signed,” concludes Branco.
