Banijay Kids & Family & TheSoul Publishing Team for Ava & Digger

Banijay Kids & Family and TheSoul Publishing are co-producing the new original IP Ava & Digger, a digital-first 2D animated series set to debut on YouTube and streaming platforms later this year.

“Ava & Digger is a fresh, funny and emotionally resonant series that really showcases the best of what our teams can do,” said Dan Lewsey, global head of digital at Banijay Kids & Family. “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.”

The new series follows the adventures of two animal friends living with their psychologist owner. Supported by an insight-driven, comprehensive rollout strategy, the approach to the series is designed to be agile and responsive, with adaptive content formats and storylines to reflect audience preferences and current trends as the show progresses.

Banijay Kids & Family will spearhead global distribution.

“This co-production marks a natural evolution of our successful partnership with Banijay Kids & Family,” noted Jonathan Shrank, VP of streaming and content partnerships at TheSoul Publishing. “Together, we bring premium, cost-effective, high-quality production values, quick turnaround capabilities and a deep understanding of digital platforms and audience behaviors. 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.”

Julia Rowlands, senior VP of co-productions, sales and acquisitions at Banijay Kids & Family, added, “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 and 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.”