Lagardère Active’s Caroline Cochaux Shares Programming Strategy

PARIS: Lagardère Active benefits from having strong channel brands that are capable of sustaining a mix of origination and high-profile acquisitions, according to Caroline Cochaux, the managing director of France and international at the company.

In pay TV, it has Canal J and preschool sister service TiJi, which are available via platforms such as CANALSAT and Numericable. In DTT, it has Gulli, which is also now available in Russia and French-speaking Africa. Combined, these channels are known to 97 percent of French kids and make up the number one kids’ TV group in France. Gulli is the number one free kids’ channel.

A good indicator of the company’s market muscle is a recent content supply deal with DreamWorks Animation. Cochaux calls the collaboration, which starts in September 2016, “a landmark agreement. We are glad to bring these original series to French audiences for the very first time on linear TV. Gulli, Canal J and TiJi will allow young viewers to rediscover their favorite characters in all-new adventures (Dragons: Race to the Edge, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, All Hail King Julien, Turbo FAST, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show and Dawn of the Croods), while also enjoying new shows based on original concepts that DreamWorks Animation has created, for example Dinotrux.”

Aside from the DWA deal, Cochaux says this past year has been marked by the launch of Chica Vampiro on Gulli. “An exclusive Colombian musical series, it has become a real phenomenon in France. Children are so fond of these vampires that a French musical tour has just happened. Chica Vampiro’s success perfectly demonstrates Gulli’s power.”

Cochaux says other acquired or co-produced titles launched in 2015 include Popples, Zoli & Pokey, Trolls of Troy and Get Blake. “We are also in progress on Arthur and the Minimoys (a CGI series from Studio 100 and EuropaCorp) and are involved in second seasons of hits such as Maya the Bee, Sonic Boom and Magic. In 2016, we are involved in about 23 productions and are looking at a pre-buy for Gulli Africa.”

Alongside international expansion, the company is following kids into the digital space. “We have to be on every platform because children are born consuming this way,” Cochaux says. “In 2015, Gulli Replay was very successful, with more than 250 million views. We expect 300 million in 2016 (Chica Vampiro, Zig & Sharko and Pokémon the Series: XY have been big successes in this area). Moreover, we have our free app, Gulli (3 million downloads), and our new app GulliMax (300,000-plus downloads), which gives subscription access to 26 games and 3,000 videos. In 2016, Gulli on YouTube will launch its first original web series, Les Tactiques d’Emma, a new step in interactivity and creation.”

On what she’s looking for, Cochaux has her eye out for shows that are “positive, amazing, surprising.” She’s also keen to buy more titles for her prime-time kids’ movies slot. “Our children’s prime time is really successful and we are looking to acquire TV movies or feature films.”