Al Jazeera Children's Channel launches new grid of programs

Some high quality new programs benchmark this grid, many of which are already produced or being produced internally by Al Jazeera Children's Channel, inaugurated in September 9th, 2005.

While planning for this new grid, JCC was vigilant about the importance of the play time for broadcasting these programs. JCC took into account the time lag in different GMT zones, and ensured suitable programming in a way that viewers across the Arab countries as well as Europe are now able to watch JCC at relevant and convenient times.

Malika Alouane, Head of Marketing and Communications at JCC, says, "We were very keen in this new round of TV programs, that is planned based on studies and field research, conducted during the first year of the Channel's broadcast, to improve the content of the programs and set the show timings to meet the expectations of all our audience; children, parents and educationists and that, the new programs adhere to their variant culture specifics as well as viewing habits."

Mrs. Alouane also assured that the Channel, which is the first pan-Arabic edutainment Channel, works on enhancing and promoting its wide coverage & presence through continuous communication and interaction with both its young and adult public. JCC is committed to do so either by further producing cutting-edge content or by acquiring the best and most suitable TV programs available in the international market.

"The policy of the Al Jazeera Children's Channel relies on developing educational and recreational TV content, bringing value into the children's rapport with their television screen. Such educational programs are showcased in an entertaining format & style, especially that they target age groups from 3 to15 years old, i.e. preschool children as well children at primary and preparatory school," added Mrs. Alouane.

JCC aimed at having the newly released grid of programs present a suitable, fine and carefully selected material; where the most distinguished one would be the 2D cartoon series 'Kalila & Dimna'. This is the first animation of its kind to be produced by a children's channel in the Arab world. The series of 'Gala Gala' highlight the arguments between scientific facts and fiction. 'Al Sirdab Al Ajeeb' is a 3D animation series produced by South Africa Broadcasting Corporation and exclusively broadcasted and distributed by JCC in Arabic.

Additional attention was extended to preschool children; JCC produced new programs to go along with their special viewing and interests. Hence, the puppet-show 'Lulu and Marmar', video-clip songs 'Rami' and 'Lamia' and many other cartoon series selected according to the editorial ethics of the Channel.

JCC continues to present its unique and distinguished TV offerings, such as Tele magazines (Science "Wahat Al Oloum", Sports "Wahed tnein intalek", Health "Sihha wa Salama", Technology "Duniamedia" and Arab children Diaspora magazine "Wasla") with their new weekly rendezvous; as well as the first Debate show for Arab Children "Nadhra Ala" which will all remain an integral part of the Channel's edutainment grid; specifically designed for Arab children and cautiously scheduled to meet different age groups' prime-time.