NBCUniversal is officially taking full control of the DreamWorks Channel in Southeast Asia beginning in 2018.
According to Variety, the channel has been run by HBO Asia since its launch but that will change now, in the wake of NBCUniversal’s 2016 acquisition of DreamWorks.
“Adding the DreamWorks channel to our portfolio of brands is a logical next step for our business in Southeast Asia,” said Christine Fellowes of NBCUniversal International in Southeast Asia in a statement. “Following on from NBCU’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, we are poised to take on full oversight of the channel and look forward to advancing our position in kids’ and family entertainment.”
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The DreamWorks Channel, which was launched in 2015, was the first time DreamWorks Animation had aggregated its content on one platform. The channel is home to series including “All Hail King Julien,” “The Adventures of Puss in Boots,” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Earlier this year, NBCUniversal announced plans to create a channel in the U.S. for Universal content along with DreamWorks series. According to the New York Times, Sprout will be renamed Universal Kids and its programming will target kids ages 2-11, instead of the primary preschool-age children for whom Sprout currently programs. Universal Kids will feature more unscripted programming, including “Top Chef Junior,” a spinoff of the “Top Chef” series which currently airs on Bravo, a network which is also owned by NBCUniversal.