TVN orders up video-on-demand for kids

Digital programming distributor TVN Entertainment has launched a kids video-on-demand service featuring content from Sesame Workshop (18 hours of Sesame Street), MGM (Hello Kitty series, feature-length Pink Panther toons), Artisan’s Family Home Entertainment unit (Barbie in The Nutcracker, The Tangerine Bear) and RCN Entertainment (13 eps of nature show Backyard Safari). TVN currently delivers more than 1,300 hours of VOD programming to its many affiliates (including Adelphia, Charter, Comcast, Mediacom and Insight), which reach a combined total audience of 60 million U.S. cable subscribers.

Korea’s Sunwoo branches out from the East

Korean animation services company Sunwoo Entertainment has launched a State-side arm in L.A. to serve as its business development, talent recruitment and international content hub. Sunwoo USA will be headed up by CEO and president Jae Moh (also executive VP of the parentco) and senior VP Brian O’Neal, who used to be CBS’s VP of children’s and family programming.

Sunwoo Entertainment owns three toon studios in its native land – Sunwoo Animation, Grimsaem Animation and Anivision Korea – and has done work for the likes of Nickelodeon (Rugrats), Disney (Pepper Ann and Recess) and Fox (The Family Guy) in the past.

DIC goes for speed with classic racing toon master deal

DIC Entertainment has picked up master entertainment rights to the 35-year-old Speed Racer franchise, which is comprised of 52 classic half hours, 13 eps of revamp The New Adventures of Speed Racer and 34 brand-new eps that are now airing in Nick’s Sunday afternoon Slam block. The deal encompasses worldwide TV distribution and licensing & merchandising rights.