Global preschool channel JimJam, a joint venture between HIT Ent. and Chellomedia, is set to launch on the Netherlands' largest cable operator Ziggo, as well as expand into Russia and Bulgaria in July.
The new Netherlands launch will take JimJam, the first dedicated preschool channel in the region, into approximately 400,000 additional households. Combined with recent launches on CanalDigitaal and UPC, the channel will soon reach almost one million subscribers in the Netherlands, making it JimJam's single biggest new market at present.
JimJam is also launching into Russia and Bulgaria in July through the channel's new Middle East feed. Showtime Arabia was the first to launch on this feed in April this year, while additional launches will see JimJam available in Arabic, English and Russian languages. The new feed will also expose the channel to the important South African marketplace.
JimJam is now available through three feeds -- Italy, Central Eastern Europe and the Middle East and broadcasts in eleven territories across the globe, translated into ten languages -- all achieved in just seven months since the channel was first launched.
Ideally suited for children ages 1 through 6, JimJam offers a fantastic mix of new and classic programming designed to engage, educate and provide a safe and trusted viewing environment for young children. The channel features some of the world's most beloved and trusted shows including THOMAS & FRIENDS, BOB THE BUILDER, BARNEY & FRIENDS, FIREMAN SAM, ANGELINA BALLERINA, PINGU, OSWALD, SLIM PIG and the recently acquired DOUGIE IN DISGUISE.
JimJam offers an enchanting and lively programming mix of the world's favorite animations, sing-along-fun with costume "song and dance" series, captivating story-telling, puppets and claymation. The channel also stimulates young minds by way of English language learning segments where children are introduced to basic English words and recurring learning blocks concentrating on colors, numbers and shapes.
The unveiling of JimJam in the Netherlands and the Middle East comes shortly after the late 2007, early 2008 roll out of the channel across Central Europe; while launches in Asia and Africa will follow shortly.
