France Télévisions shakes up kids TV output

French public broadcaster France Télévisions has revamped its childrens output and extended kids programming to digital-terrestrial channel France 4. From December 19th, France Télévisions’ youth brands, Les Zouzous on France 5 and Toowam on France 3 will disappear and merge into a common multiplatform brand for five-to-12 year-olds called Ludo. FTV’s youth offer will also be extended to DTT channel France 4, which will open new daytime kids slots for animation and dramas. France 4 will acquired shows from the international market before attaching itself to coproductions.

France Télévisions said the decision to overhaul kids programming was made to strengthen FTV’s offering for the whole family. With the addition of 1,000 hours of programming on France 4 each year, FTV will offer over 3,500 hours of kids programming yearly.

France Télévisions Ludo will also have a dedicated interactive portal called monludo.fr, comprising web episodes, original content and catch-up TV and subscription VOD.