DIC Entertainment said it has signed an agreement with SmartVideo Technologies inc. to create what it describes as the world’s first animation channel for cell phones.
Known as “DIC Kid’s Network,” the channel will enable up to 25 million children to access a vast library of programs around the world on their cell phones and other wireless devices, according to DIC.
DIC said it has the world’s largest independent library of animated programming, consisting of 3,200 half hours and more than 100 different programs.
SmartVideo will bring its expertise in television experience, including over low bandwidth connections, said both companies.
“With today’s mobile family relying more and more on cell phones to provide everything from news and information to entertainment, SmartVideo provides us with the ideal tool to make our animation and family programming available to millions of people around the world everyday,” said Andy Heyward, chief executive officer of DIC Entertainment Corp.
Some of DIC’s programs include such franchises as Inspector Gadget, Madeline and Strawberry Shortcake.
The news comes amid warnings from researchers in Europe to limit mobile-phone use by children.
Another company, Turbo Squid, said it has launched a new series of 3D mobile content in conjunction with face2face animation, which provides three-dimensional animated content for broadcast television and Web. Turbo Squid is providing the mobile content portal.
Face2face’s program is known as AniTones Mobile Character Player.
“We decided to launch AniTones with Turbo Squid, given their direct connection to the 3D community,” said Eric Petajan, founder and chief scientist of face2face.
