TORONTO – Corus Entertainment’s new digital video storefront, TreehouseDirect, will open its doors to content from independent producers, the company announced today
On August 14, 2006, TreehouseDirect will open for business (the launch of which was announced a month ago), and will offer single episodes, bundles or full seasons of Nelvana-animated preschool favourites like Max & Ruby, Franklin, Miss Spider, Timothy Goes to School, Little Bear, Babar, The Berenstain Bears and Rolie Polie Olie. New episodes and series will be added to the site’s inventory once the full season has aired on broadcast and specials will be added shortly following the TV airdate.
The launch lineup will include hit live-action Treehouse series This is Daniel Cook Toronto-based indie studios marblemedia and Sinking Ship Productions. Beginning August 28, 2006, Treehouse will offer a six-minute episode of follow-up series This is Emily Yeung for a one-week promotional period on TreehouseDirect prior to its broadcast launch. The show will join the regular TreehouseDirect offering post-broadcast debut.
Treehouse is currently in negotiations with other producers and expects to make further announcements at MIPCOM in October.
“This download-to-own service places our shows directly in the hands of families to enjoy at home or on the go,” said Paul Robertson, president, Corus Television. “A key component of our full-service offering, TreehouseDirect will promote series launches and sneak peeks as part of our integrated multiplatform strategy.”
The self-contained storefront site www.TreehouseDirect.com is powered by software from Toronto-based ExtendMedia and is accessible via the TreehouseTV.com network web site. Links will allow parents to jump from a show page on the Treehouse site to the TreehouseDirect downloads for that particular show. TreehouseDirect will be Viiv-verified by Intel, ensuring its compatibility with the new generation of digital home entertainment devices coming to market.
