June 7, 2024
Aardman is launching its award-winning content via its own FAST channel on leading streaming services and platforms; Xumo Play, VIZIO WatchFree+ and Samsung TV Plus.
UK - Multi-Academy Award ® and BAFTA winning independent
animation studio Aardman announced the launch of ‘Shaun the Sheep &
Friends’, a brand-new TV channel available now on Xumo Play, and coming
soon on VIZIO WatchFree+ and Samsung TV Plus in the United States.
Shaun the Sheep
& Friends is a free
ad-supported TV (FAST) channel dedicated to premium, hilarious, heartwarming
and action-packed family entertainment. Aardman content available to watch on
the platform includes, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Learning Time with
Timmy, Wallace & Gromit, The Very Small Creatures, Lloyd of the Flies: The
Adventures of Arachnofly, Morph, as well as behind the scenes, crafts, and
more.
Viewers will also
have access to Aardman’s distribution portfolio of quality animated content
from leading animation studios, including Interstellar Ella (Fabrique
Fantastique, Apartment 11), Pop Paper City (LoveLove Films), Happy the Hoglet
and Sol (Paper Owl Films), Alphablocks and Numberblocks (Blue Zoo), with
more to join in the coming months.
With 8 out of 10
households having a Smart TV* and over half of US households now using a FAST
service **, platforms are eager for premium and trusted content for family
audiences.
To coincide with the
FAST channel launch, Aardman will also launch over 12 shows on demand via Xumo
Play and Samsung TV Plus, increasing the ways for audiences to access content
in the way they want to.
Laura
Taylor-Williams, Head of Digital and Strategic Development at Aardman said:
“Our TV channel launch is a key part of our US digital strategy; where our goal
is to engage with audiences wherever they are. In a fragmented market, we see
FAST channels as helping audiences discover content and aiding onward watching
via other ways, whether that be AVOD, SVOD, TVOD.
“Our channel has a
wealth of much-loved and award-winning shows curated with bespoke behind the
scenes content, branded craft and drawing tutorials. Shaun The Sheep &
Friends will have dedicated content blocks for preschoolers, older kids and
the whole family. A channel, trusted by parents, that will seek to not only
entertain audiences but could help inspire the next generation of animators.
“Scheduling new
series alongside Aardman family favourites, we will introduce audiences to
fantastic new brands from Aardman’s acclaimed independent producer partners.
“Shaun the Sheep
& Friends joins a growing collection of family-friendly channels on
Xumo Play,” said Stefan Van Engen, Vice President of Content Programming and
Partnerships, Xumo. “With programming beloved by many across the U.S., the
launch of this new channel will give our viewers another great option in family
entertainment.”