Corus Entertainment-owned Nelvana and Discovery Communications have formed a new venture designed to produce and distribute kids content for global linear and digital markets.

Based in Canada, the untitled venture will see Discovery Kids Latin America and Nelvana create a new pipeline of children’s content for international delivery. Operating independently of Corus, Discovery and Nelvana’s other services, the venture will also acquire IP rights to brands, characters and concepts from Nelvana and Discovery for future development and production.

A spokesperson for Corus says the venture will own the shows it creates and will hire talent and artists as required to produce content.

The venture serves to boost Nelvana’s production and distribution business on a global scale, as well as bolster Discovery’s kids business. Nelvana is behind globally recognized properties like Babar, Franklin, Max & Ruby, Ranger Rob, Mysticons and Hotel Transylvania: The Series, while Discovery Kids is currently its parentco’s market-leading pay TV channel and TVE service in Latin America.

The new venture is the latest move in an ongoing relationship between the Canadian and Latin American companies, as Nelvana currently provides Discovery Kids with several popular series including The ZhuZhus (pictured) and Backyardigans.