Sky in New Zealand is introducing a new kids channel for its pay-TV customers in an effort to fill a gap in the kids TV landscape created by Paramount and Cartoon Network both going off-air in the country.

The Sky Kids net is set to launch on December 2, drawing much of its content from Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., both of which will cease broadcasting on the same day. Aimed at preschoolers to primary-school kids, it will air titles like SpongeBob SquarePants, TMNT and PAW Patrol (pictured), as well as local content including animated series Kiri & Lou (Stretchy) and live-actioner Secrets at Red Rocks (Libertine Pictures). 

Sky (which has no relation to the UK broadcaster of the same name) has had a few months to plan this move since Paramount and WBD have both been closing down their kids channel operations in New Zealand and Australia over the past year to cut costs and focus on streaming. Paramount is also shuttering Comedy Central, which Sky plans to replace with Sky Comedy, and the two new channels will be available as part of the roughly US$14 per-month Sky Starter package.

Creating these channels means Sky can still deliver much of the same kids content to local audiences, while gaining more control over the programming, said head of entertainment Fiona Murray in a release: “Kids and comedy programming are at the heart of Sky’s entertainment offering. By bringing these important channels ‘in house,’ we can choose and curate the content that we know our customers enjoy and engage with, combining Paramount fan-favorites with content from other studios.”

Much of the kids channel’s programming will also be available on Sky’s streaming devices and platforms. And Sky subscribers will be able to access Cartoon Network content through the HBO Max hub, which is accessible with a particular Sky subscription.

The Sky Kids lineup for the first few months is set, and “kids will be reassured to find their favorite characters, while also exploring some wonderful Kiwi content,” said Murray.