Milkshake! adds flavour to 2019 content pipeline
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Editor
| 05 July 2019

UK broadcaster Channel 5 has ordered a raft of new content for its pre-school programming block, Milkshake!.

Milkshake! has a history in UK originated content and has confirmed it will increase its investment in locally produced programming by 100% in the next year, which will boost UK commissions on the channel from 160 episodes to over 300 by 2021.

The new portfolio now includes brand new commission Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures, re-commissions for Floogals, Little Princess, Peppa Pig and acquisition renewals for Pirata & Capitano and Thomas and Friends. The channel has also announced that it is developing six potential projects for the Young Audiences Contestable Fund (YACF), with a focus on live-action drama, factual and high-end animation.

Among the standouts in the latest additions are Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures, which will be produced in-house as 25 x 5' episodes, and follow one of the programme’s most iconic characters, Milkshake! Monkey, as he learns all about the UK, visiting various locations to understand more about history and geography. The new series builds on previous strands of Milkshake! Monkey on Milkshake!, including Milkshake! Monkey’s Banana’s about food. The series will air later this year from October on the block.

Also returning with more episodes is smash cartoon Peppa Pig, which follows the adventures of the loveable, cheeky pig. The show was re-commissioned for a sixth series of 52 x 5’ episodes in total and has already begun airing on the block, with new episodes from the series set to air later this year. The show will continue to be produced by Entertainment One.

“I’m thrilled to have announced the raft of exciting content coming up on Milkshake! later this year. It’s a very exciting time for the brand with the recent investment from Channel 5 a reflection of how well Milkshake! continues to perform,” said Louise Bucknole, VP, programming, Viacom International Media Networks Kids, UK and Ireland, commenting on Milkshake!’s new portfolio.

“This, alongside the six projects applying for the Young Audiences Content Fund, is going to provide us with a lot more scope to keep producing a strong pipeline of best-in-class British pre-school content, that will continue to drive Milkshake! as the number one breakfast block and brand.”