BBC Studios takes BBC Kids to South Africa

BBC Studios, the UK pubcaster’s commercial arm, has partnered with Switch Media and telco MTN to launch BBC Kids in South Africa. 

Hey Duggee

The agreement with Switch Media and MTN makes South Africa the fourth market to launch the BBC Kids brand, which provides BBC content for families and children under the age of 12, following launches in Australia, the US, and most recently on Taiwan’s OTT platform MyVideo, on July 1.

The service brings more than 100 hours of content for kids aged 0-12. Programmes available in Taiwan include natural history series Spy in the Wild, and kids cookery series My World Kitchen.

BBC Kids will be ad free and curates BBC children’s programming according to age with dedicated sections aimed at pre-school children and older primary school children.

In South Africa, downloadable via the App Store or Play Store, BBC Kids will be available to MTN customers via a flexible daily, weekly or monthly subscription.

Pre-school series such as Hey Duggee, Sarah & Duck, JoJo & Gran Gran, Yakka Dee and Swashbuckle, will be available to watch for the youngest viewers, whilst older kids and their families can view Jamie Johnson, Harry Potter: A History of Magic, The Bagel and Becky Show, Horrible Histories and Gangsta Granny.

Nick Percy, president, global markets at BBC Studios said: “BBC Kids provides parents with a go-to, trusted destination for award-winning children’s programming that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. With inspiring, educational and exciting shows for pre-schooler and older children at their fingertips, BBC Kids will be a welcome addition for families in South Africa and in Taiwan.”