ZooMoo Lands on China’s CCTV14

BEIJING: ZooMoo Networks International has inked a new deal with CCTV Kids that will see original ZooMoo programming become available to more than 240 million viewers in China.

Debuting in prime time on February 7 for Chinese Spring Festival, ZooMoo will broadcast daily on CCTV14, CCTV’s dedicated kids’ network. Originally created as a standalone channel, ZooMoo will be repackaged into 60 half-hour episodes co-produced by ZooMoo Networks, its creative team at NHNZ, and CCTV. CCTV Animation Studios will also produce original animated content that will air on ZooMoo in territories around the world.

ZooMoo will be titled Animal Friends in Mandarin and will feature the new Chinese animal puppets Panda and Snub-Nosed Monkey. The CCTV series will also include local stories, traditional Chinese arts and crafts activities, and originally composed songs combining traditional Chinese and modern music styles.

Zhuang Dianjun, the head of CCTV Kids, commented: “ZooMoo is a program produced under the China New Zealand Production Agreement, signed during President Xi Jinping’s state visit in 2014. In the trial screenings, we found that Chinese kids love the content, just as they love nature and animals.

“It’s a great opportunity for CCTV Kids to work with New Zealand crews so that we learn from each other through in-depth cooperation. We hope to introduce Chinese kids to New Zealand programs and also Chinese programs to young audiences globally.”

David Haslingden, the CEO of ZooMoo Networks International, added: “We are privileged to have CCTV as our partners in China—it is a unique opportunity, not only to introduce ZooMoo into the world’s largest television market, but also to co-produce new ZooMoo content with the best and most innovative children’s television producers in China.”