Discovery Kids Bolsters 2017 Programming Slate

Discovery Kids, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, has inked development deals with producers in LatAm and around the world, with plans to debut new original and acquired series, as well as additional seasons of its hit shows.

Discovery Kids signed a multi-title development agreement with Little Airplane Productions, led by Emmy-winning producer Josh Selig (Wonder Pets!). The first project in development is the tentatively titled Dog and Pony Show, which sees two wacky characters starting their new lives in a big city.

From Brazil comes the original production Vivi Viravento, created by Alê Abrue (The Boy and the World) in partnership with Mixer. The story follows the titular character as she travels into her sketchbook looking for “the place where all ideas are born.”

There is also the previously announced Animated Floricienta, a new series created by Cris Morena, and Underdogs, an animated show from Oscar-winning director Juan José Campanella.

New and returning Discovery Kids originals include Baby Rockers (working title), a new program created with MundoLoco CGI about a band of multicultural and musical babies; Doki, which is in its third season; El Zoo de Zu, back for a second installment; and El Mundo de Luna, which is returning for a third season.

The channel will also premiere the new series Frankie and Zhu Zhu Pets (Nelvana), Zak Storm (ZAG), Nature Cat (9 Story), The Ollie and Moon Show (Cottonwood Media), Polly Pocket (Mattel) and Peppa Pig (eOne Family).

In addition, Cineclub will feature such movies as Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, the Shrek trilogy, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Madagascar, Barnyard, Rango, Alpha & Omega: Big Fureeze, Alpha & Omega: Journey to Bear Kingdom and Puss in Boots.

Carolina Lightcap, the executive VP and chief content officer at Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic, commented: “We are very excited about the array of projects in development as well as currently in production for Discovery Kids. In addition to premiering new seasons of the network’s most beloved original productions, we are extremely excited to be collaborating on major projects developed with award-winning producers whose creations have inspired viewers both young and old around the world.”