A dedicated YouTube channel is to show hit British children’s programmes dubbed into Ukrainian.
Sunflower TV, backed by PACT, the UK trade body representing the UK’s screen sector, and a consortium of UK broadcast organisations, will launch on July 1.
The channel is aimed at Ukrainian pre-school and primary-school aged children re-settling in the UK & Europe and those still in Ukraine.
Up to 200 hours of content will feature including a range of dubbed British children’s programmes such as Peppa Pig, Go Jetters, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Thomas & Friends and Mr Bean: The Animated Series. The channel will also feature shows produced by Ukrainian producers with titles like Brave Bunnies and Eskimo Girl.
PACT’s Chief Executive John McVay said: “It’s difficult to imagine the trauma Ukrainian children have suffered as a result of being cruelly uprooted from their homes and communities only to find themselves thousands of miles away living in a country where nothing is familiar.
“Hopefully Sunflower TV can go just a little way in providing them with some kind of light relief or distraction to take their minds off the terrible experiences they’ve been through, even if only momentarily.”
The project has received pan-industry support from a range of key organisations in the creative industries including production companies, broadcasters, distributors and content creators both in the UK and in Ukraine. Organisations involved include: Aardman, All3Media; Banijay; BBC and BBC Studios; Channel 4; Channel 5’s Milkshake!; S4C; Entertainment One; FILM.UA, Fremantle; Glowberry; ITV and ITV Studios; Little Dot Studios; Mattel; Paramount and Nickelodeon; Sky; Starlight Media in Ukraine; STV and YouTube.
Other organisations are also urged to make contact if they have content they can offer towards to the new channel.
It’s hoped to extend the service to included additional shows aimed at six to 11 year olds.
