Banijay Kids & Family is tying with creator business platform TheSoul Publishing and will launch a 52x 2D animated series Ava & Digger as a digital-first, to debut on YouTube and streaming platforms later this year.
Banijay Kids & Family will spearhead global distribution.
The new series follows the adventures of two animal friends living with their psychologist owner. Beneath the surface of their cozy domestic life lies a vibrant, secret social world, where animals navigate emotional challenges, friendships, and self-discovery.
The approach to designing content is designed to be agile and responsive, with adaptive content formats and storylines to reflect audience preferences and current trends as the show progresses.
The news follows the recent expansion of a partnership between the two companies, triggering the rollout of localised versions of their joint YouTube and FAST channels, expanded AVOD coverage, and announcement of a Totally Spies! x 5-Minute Crafts crossover.
Jonathan Shrank, VP of Streaming & Content Partnerships at TheSoul Publishing adds: “This co-production marks a natural evolution of our successful partnership with Banijay Kids & Family. Together, we bring premium, cost-effective, high-quality production values, quick turnaround capabilities, and a deep understanding of digital platforms and audience behaviours. This foray into adaptive content using viewer insights represents an excellent opportunity to innovate on a large scale, and it’s exciting to be in the middle of a game-changing opportunity, extending our partnership to launch an original new show.”
Dan Lewsey, Global Head of Digital, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Ava & Digger is a fresh, funny, and emotionally resonant series that really showcases the best of what our teams can do. Co-developed by Banijay Kids & Family and TheSoul Publishing, both teams have put an incredible amount of heart, creativity, and effort into shaping the show. A self-funded, digital-first IP is a strategic first for us, and we’re excited by the opportunity to react in real-time to audience feedback, refine the direction of the show, and build a strong brand with a vibrant community around it.”
Julia Rowlands, SVP Co-productions, Sales and Acquisitions, Banijay Kids & Family comments: “Co-developing the series with TheSoul Publishing has been a fantastic experience. The series is built to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, and the opportunity to take it to market with deep audience insights an already engaged and growing community behind it gives us a real advantage. It’s a fresh approach to IP development, and one that opens up exciting new possibilities for distribution and audience connection.”
TheSoul Publishing is a digital studio with brands including 5-Minute Crafts®, Bright Side, La La Life®, and Slick Slime Sam. TheSoul has more than two billion social media followers across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snapchat.
Pippa Considine
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