As one of the main providers of kids content in German speaking Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Luxembourg) KiKa, through its linear signal, the channel remains relevant among its audience: preschoolers to kids from 6 to 9 years up and preteens.
Due to this wide range audience, no wonder the channel as well as its shareholders, the 9 affiliates of ARD as well as strong 50%-partner ZDF are all looking for high-quality content, locally in Germany, Europe, and of course worldwide.
Sebastian Debertin, its mythical head of acquisition, not only buys finished content but identifies appropriate entertaining and educational programs that add up to the strong KiKA program portfolio, sometimes as a partner. ‘We intend to accompany the children from their pre-school stage over to the bridge to the seven-nine crucial moment, until the most difficult focus for us, the 10+, what we usually call hard to get kids, because they are already all there in the beautiful world, and we are to create and create special offers for them to make them watch KiKa, wherever they are or wherever they want’.
Both the programmatic grid and the company’s content search intention are focused on three verticals: Preschool content, so they look for animation and live-action, seasonal specials, and non-fiction; Fiction content, with a focus on animated and live-action series for groups 4-7, 6-9, 10+, also special for family viewing, and animated and live-action feature films for 6+; and non-fiction content, with a focus on documentaries, factual programs and magazines, knowledge and game shows, and how-to formats.
One of her biggest successes in factual and entertainment content is Die Beste Klasse Deutschlands, an original KiKa quiz show, produced by Bavaria Entertainment aimed at 6th and 7th grade preteens. Or the children’s news program produced by KiKa for ZDFtivi, Logo, which explains global events in a child-friendly way.
When it comes to kids’ non-fiction programs, KiKA looks for interesting non-fiction offerings and documentaries, aimed at kids aged 6+ and also for the age group 10+. In general, docs and factual programs that cover issues outside of kids’ lives are of interest. All such offerings must be relevant for the different kid target groups and enhance their positive view on ‘the world as well as give them orientation and are delivering strong positive values’, Debertin explained.
Respect the origin of the content, the company is wide open all over the world but must be accessible to kids in Europe. Important for non-fiction offerings to KiKA is also that these shows are a true addition to KiKA’s super-strong non-fiction slate, produced by KiKA as well as ARD‘s affiliated channels and partner ZDF.
‘We currently co-develop/co-produce shows like The Smurfs with Dupuis in Paris, Peyo Productions-IMPS, Belgium and French TV partner TF1. Other recent co-pros are Dog Loves Books with Komixx Entertainment, the BBC and ABC. Odo, the Owl, with Sixteen South, Letko from Poland and RTE, S4C, SVT, and Milkshake from the United Kingdom and we do many more co-pros.
KiKa is also seeking a successor for all time hits like Yakari, Garfield, Chloe’s Closet, Robin Hood, Care Bears, Guess how much I love you?, Fireman Sam, Jungle Book, Curious George, Franklin, Blinky Bill. ‘To fill our three feature film slots per week, we are looking for live action- as well as high-quality animated-feature films, too’, added the exec.
Regarding a sales picth that they respond best, Debertin thinks that a full bible for new concepts plus scripts 1-2 would be ‘great’ but sometimes a brief but comprehensive three-liner together with a scribble or a mood board can be sufficient, too . ‘Feature films produced or finished series should come with screenings links and short synopsis’.Online, KiKa is available with an app dedicated to its content, which in some cases is usually complementary, and in other cases, it is usually the same as that available in its linear signals. ‘You can generally see complementary content, or content specially created and purchased for the App, all with a secure interface’, concluded.
