Doha – Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (JCC) has launched its new grid, highlighting the channel’s fifth anniversary. JCC’s grid reflects its maturing programming strategy and features many in-house productions along with international co-productions and acquisitions. These new programs include Saladin (a new 3D-animated series), a cookery show, a unique science program, a debate program, a sports magazine, and a first time quiz show. On 17 September 2010, children across the Arab world watched the premiere of the 3D-animated adventure series Saladin. Over the past three years, JCC and Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Company (MDEC) have successfully worked together to bring to life this animated series inspired from the long history of heroism in the Arab region. The series is available in both English and Arabic and has generated considerable interest from the international market and content buyers from Russia, Turkey, Indonesia, China, America and several European countries. JCC has also dedicated a slot to encourage healthy eating habits. Over the past two years, JCC has been collaborating with Fresh One, a British production company made famous by Jamie Oliver to produce a cooking show that promotes and emphasizes on the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. JCC’s Al Tabaq Al Taer (Flying Saucer) is an entertaining easy to digest 26-minute series offering fresh and simple recipes and nutrition tips for children. JCC’s new grid will also mark the launch of PhysiaKawn (Discover Science), a major co-production between JCC and Japan’s Broadcasting Corporation NHK/NED. Beginning February 2011, PhysiaKawn will make physics visually fun through some easy to understand spectacular experiments. JCC’s in-house productions include Anta Batal (Be a Champion), a weekly sports magazine, hosted by a fun sports enthusiast. Khair Al Kalam, a weekly debate show with teams debating the hottest topics affecting teens nowadays; and, Al Alam Soual a quiz show in which contestants answer general knowledge questions about different countries of the world.
