Banijay Kids & Family Unveils Its First Digital-First Original Series, ‘Ava & Digger,’ Teaming With TheSoul Publishing (EXCLUSIVE)
Key Takeaways
- Banijay Kids & Family and TheSoul Publishing are co-producing a new 2D animated series titled "Ava & Digger."
- The series is self-funded and designed to be digital-first, with its priority platform being YouTube.
- This collaboration marks a strategic move for Banijay Kids & Family to broaden its IP building and production models beyond traditional pre-selling.
- The production timeline is faster than traditional animation, allowing storylines to be shaped in real-time based on audience feedback from YouTube.
- The show, consisting of 52 11-minute episodes, follows two animal friends and is set to debut later this year.
Banijay Kids & Family, part of Banijay Entertainment, has teamed up with TheSoul Publishing, known for massive social media IPs like "5-Minute Crafts," to launch "Ava & Digger," their first self-funded, digital-first original series. This 2D animated family title, comprising 52 11-minute episodes, is co-produced by both companies and is scheduled for release on YouTube later this year. While Banijay traditionally relies on pre-selling properties, this venture signifies a broadening of their production models to align with shifts in audience demand toward digital platforms. The series follows the adventures of two animal friends, Ava and Digger, and was inspired by a casual conversation between executives from both companies. A key advantage of this digital-first approach is the ability to shape storylines in real-time based on immediate audience feedback regarding territory, demographics, and watch-time, leveraging TheSoul's efficient production capabilities. This strategy allows Banijay Kids & Family to build IP by reacting instantly to audience engagement across social media platforms.
