Sky is investing millions in a major move in children’s TV with a six-fold increase in the number of episodes on offer of hit shows including Dora the Explorer, Ben 10 and In the Night Garden.
Sky has until now offered about 700 episodes of kids’ shows, but that is set to expand by almost 600% to about 4,000 over the coming months.
The huge increase in content will be accessible via a dedicated on-demand service which will be flagged as a new channel tab on Sky’s electronic programme guide.
Sky claims the additional episodes, which will also include Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom and Adventure Time, will make it the biggest children’s TV broadcaster in the UK.
“Parents want the convenience of a quick and simple way to access lots of episodes all in one place,” said Luke Bradley-Jones, Sky’s brand director of TV products.
“That’s why we’re massively expanding the variety and number of shows available on demand and putting them front and centre of the Sky+ TV guide. For our customers it means a huge library of kids’ shows.”
The children’s TV push comes thanks to programming deals with rights-holders including US giants Viacom and Turner as well as BBC Worldwide and production groups including Silvergate, Zodiak and DHX Media.
Sky says it has no plans to increase prices for customers who have chosen to take its Family and Variety subscription bundles.
