PARIS: Marking Canal J’s 15th birthday, the youth net’s little sister should arrive on French television on December 15. Dedicated to two- to seven-year-olds, Mini J (still a working title) will independently complement Canal J’s programming with French and European animated and discovery series, as well as reports and interactive formats. Canal J, which focuses on the two to 14 range, has-in the last year-shifted its core target to seven- to 12-year-olds. Still, the channel won’t completely drop its five daily hours of preschool programming due to Canal J’s considerably larger audience potential, compared to that of its younger sibling. Canal J is offered in the basic programming package, whereas Mini J will be a paid-for option.

Mini J’s programming will pick from Canal J’s production and co-production stock, which roughly represents 1,000 programming hours. A few productions like Les Belles Histoires de Pomme d’Api, Hilltop Hospital, Pepin Trois Pommes and Paddington-which have already been broadcast on Canal J-are examples of what will air on the new channel.

Broadcast daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on cable and the CanalSatellite digital platform, Mini J aims to be a friendly and interactive channel, accompanying children in their discovery of the world. The new channel is co-piloted by Canal J’s general director, Claude-Yves Robin, and director of programming Pierre Belaisch.

Originally created and formatted by shareholder Lagardère Group for the international market, there are plans to expand in a few territories-Southern and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East-for a hopeful December launch. In some areas, Mini J may be transmitted on Canal+ satellite platforms.