Edye to Become Linear Channel

HITN-TV is expanding the reach of its Edye preschool streaming service with the launch of a linear channel for pay TV, as well as programming blocks for broadcast television.

The new service, named Edye TV, will be available in the U.S. Hispanic market and Latin America, including Brazil. Edye TV will feature a selection of titles from the original Edye library and will be programmed with a system selecting content as a “surprise” for its viewers instead of a set programming grid.

Programs will be announced by Ray, Edye’s mascot, just before the start of each episode. The system will operate under an algorithm that will provide equitable exposure to all series and reduce the perception of repetition.

The new service is being negotiated with pay-TV operators who would like to broadcast linearly 24 hours a day. In addition, Edye TV is available as programming blocks for broadcast television channels that want to offer children’s content without taking on the technical operation.

Edye SVOD subscribers who have access to the app in all regions will also be able to enjoy the linear channel at no additional cost.

Guillermo Sierra, head of television and digital services at HITN, said: “We are very pleased with the success our Edye SVOD service has had throughout the region. We believe it is the ideal time to expand our presence and develop an ecosystem of services under the same brand. The preschool audience deserves access to the best content on all possible screens, and parents want to be at ease knowing that the content their children are consuming has a positive value.”