Online Boowa & Kwala head for TV

Distributor Granada International is to step up sales activity for its multiplatform kids property Boowa and Kwala following its sale to French broadcaster Tiji and French language Canadian channel Radio Canada Television.

The show, which follows the adventures of two dogs, was originally created as an internet site and has since been spun into a television series by French animation company Timoon Animation.

Emmanuelle Namiech, head of kids programming at Granada International, said that online activity has replaced licensing and merchandising as the must have accessory for successful kids shows. "A couple of markets ago you’d see shows with all this L+M and now we’re seeing much more multiplatform activity," she said.

Episodes for the 52x6mins series were chosen by visitors to the website, which Namiech says is already "a great buy in". The site also promotes preschool learning, particularly for computer skills. "That’s great because it ticks all the boxes for public broadcasters," she added.