The unnamed venture will produce new children’s content across linear and digital platforms for both entertainment companies.

GLOBAL–Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and Discovery Communications have formed a new venture that will produce a suite of new kids’ content in Canada, Latin America and around the world.

The yet-to-be-named venture will operate independently of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services and will be dedicated to the production of children’s content across linear and digital platforms. In addition, the venture will combine Discovery Kids’ business in Latin America with Corus’ selection of kids’ channels of Canada, both of which will commission new content from the production company.

“This new venture was born from two businesses who have built a reputation for entertaining, inspiring and informative storytelling,” says Scott Dyer, president, Nelvana. “The inception of the venture comes at a time of strong and increasing demand for kids’ content globally, boosted by insatiable viewing via digital streaming services. Our mutual goal is to create a new pipeline of kids’ content for distribution across the world.”

Furthermore, the new venture will form a new relationship between the two companies, with Nelvana already providing several popular series to Discovery Kids. The venture will also acquire IP rights to agreed brands, characters and concepts from both companies for development and production for the global kids’ market.

“Kids’ video entertainment is a strong and growing genre for Discovery spearheaded by Discovery Kids, our market-leading pay TV channel and TVE service in Latin America,” says Carolina Lightcap, executive vice president and chief content officer, Discovery Latin America. “Corus and Nelvana are fantastic businesses with a venerable track record of creating world-class properties. Together, this agreement furthers our role in the premium kids’ content creation business so we can co-produce and distribute fun and entertaining programs for kids and families across all screens.”