Captain Karim Qitar Al Hekayat, Al Jazeera Children
Captain Karim Qitar Al Hekayat, a new Arabic language production from twofour54, will be broadcast on Baraem TV, a preschool channel from Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) early next year as part of a deal between the two organisations. The 52-episode programme, which is adapted from Driver Dan’s Story Train, a well-known children’s series aired on BBC’s CBeebies channel, is being filmed and post produced by UAE animation house Blink Studios at twofour54’s intaj facility.
Captain Karim Qitar Al Hekayat reflects the cultures of the Arabic-speaking world and features animation as well as live action sequences with local children.
Speaking about the deal, Malika Alouane, director of Channels’ Programming at Al Jazeera Children’s Channel stated: "We are pleased to witness and support the development of a high quality Arabic long form animation production in our region. I would like to believe that Captain Karim Qitar Al Hekayat will bring additional programming value to Baraem TV."
To complement the television series, twofour54 will launch an interactive Arabic language website in November and is in discussions with Arabic language publishers to develop an Arabic language book publishing programme as well. The roll out of home entertainment and consumer products will follow in 2011.
Since premiering earlier this year in the UK on CBeebies, Driver Dan’s Story Train has established itself as a ratings hit, winning a 40% audience share.
Wayne Borg, COO of twofour54 claimed that "establishing and building a brand that connects with the Arabic-speaking world has been at the heart of twofour54’s ambitions".
"Given that 60% of the region’s population of 340 million is under 25 years of age, the children’s market is one which has great potential in the region. This acquisition deal is testament to the production quality that is possible across the MENA region and we look forward to working with the team at JCC."
