Multi-Academy Award and BAFTA winning independent animation studio Aardman today announced the launch of Shaun the Sheep & Friends, a brand-new TV channel available now on Xumo Play, and coming soon on VIZIO WatchFree+ and Samsung TV Plus in the United States.
The free ad-supported TV (FAST) channel features family entertainment, with Aardman-produced content available to watch including Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Learning Time with Timmy, Wallace & Gromit, The Very Small Creatures, Lloyd of the Flies: The Adventures of Arachnofly and Morph, as well as behind-the-scenes, crafts and more.
Aardman’s productions have been recognized by major awards and festivals all over the world. The studio currently holds four Academy Awards with a further nine nominations, 15 BAFTAs with a further 23 nominations and six International Emmys.
Viewers will also have access to Aardman’s distribution portfolio of animated content from other leading studios, including Interstellar Ella (Fabrique Fantastique, Apartment 11), Pop Paper City (LoveLove Films), Happy the Hoglet and Sol (Paper Owl Films), Alphablocks and Numberblocks (Blue Zoo), with more to join in the coming months.
“Our TV channel launch is a key part of our U.S. digital strategy; where our goal is to engage with audiences wherever they are. In a fragmented market, we see FAST channels as helping audiences discover content and aiding onward watching via other ways, whether that be AVOD, SVOD, TVOD,” said Laura Taylor-Williams, Head of Digital and Strategic Development at Aardman.
“Our channel has a wealth of much-loved and award-winning shows curated with bespoke behind the scenes content, branded craft and drawing tutorials. Shaun The Sheep & Friends will have dedicated content blocks for preschoolers, older kids and the whole family. A channel, trusted by parents, that will seek to not only entertain audiences but could help inspire the next generation of animators.
“Scheduling new series alongside Aardman family favorites, we will introduce audiences to fantastic new brands from Aardman’s acclaimed independent producer partners.”
The company notes that eight out of 10 households now have a Smart TV (per Kantar Media, October 2023) and over half of U.S. households use FAST service (Hub Entertainment, Connected Home 2024 Report), generating more demand for premium, trusted content for family audiences.
To coincide with the FAST channel launch, Aardman will also launch over 12 shows on demand via Xumo Play and Samsung TV Plus, offering more ways for audiences to access content their preferred way.
“Shaun the Sheep & Friends joins a growing collection of family-friendly channels on Xumo Play,” said Stefan Van Engen, VP of Content Programming and Partnerships, Xumo. “With programming beloved by many across the U.S., the launch of this new channel will give our viewers another great option in family entertainment.”
Greg Barnard, Sr. Director of Content Acquisitions & Strategy, VIZIO, commented, “At VIZIO, we’re committed to serving up high quality entertainment for audiences of all ages. Soon, families can enjoy the Shaun the Sheep & Friends FAST channel on VIZIO WatchFree+ with no downloads or subscriptions required.”
