Viaplay calls on Peppy Pals for new kids original

Scandinavian SVOD service Viaplay is getting its second kids TV original – a 16-part series based on a popular children’s app.

Peppy Pals follows on from The Great Escape, which premiered on the service in December last year as a first original for children.

It is also the first original announced since Ira Gladnikoff succeeded Jonas Karlén as head of Viaplay earlier this month.

The app the new show is based on has been downloaded in more than 150 territories.

The series will debut in September, and is billed as an “inspiring and entertaining format for kids”. It will feature five animal characters that help children deal with real-life issues such as bullying through short stories.

“Streaming is part of everyday life for viewers of all ages, and that makes Viaplay a natural home for snappy content that explores some of the most relevant questions for kids today,” said Jakob Mejlhede Andersen, executive VP of programming and content development at Viaplay parent MTG.

“Our younger audiences can look forward to even more great storytelling as we accelerate along our path to becoming the Nordic region’s leading producer of original content.”

Gladnikoff said: “Just like The Great Escape, Peppy Pals reflects our commitment to content that combines both education and entertainment.”

MTG Studios, the production wing of MTG, has more than 50 projects coming down the line, including Dragomir Mrsic vehicle Alex, drama The Lawyer, political thriller Embassy Down, Nordic noir Hassel and Ronnie Petersen biopic SuperSwede.

Its first original, LA-based cop comedy-drama Swedish Dicks, is headed into a second season and was recently sold to Pop TV in the US.