The Oiii kids content for the 3-12 age segment, will be developed by Nordisk Film, in close collaboration with TV2 Norway, under the supervision of Oiii editor-in-chief Kirstine Vinderskov, formerly at DR Ramasjang and DR Ultra.

Six brand new Norwegian Oiii’riginals will be produced annually by Drive Studios, on behalf of Nordisk Film. The first originals commissioned include the 20x11’ series Oiii`gården (The Oiii farm), following the life on an ecological farm in Norway, the 12x11’ series Monstermaling (Monster Painting), about teaching children how to paint faces and inspiring them, the 24x8’ Christmas series Jul i historiehulen (Christmas at the Story Cave), the 14x15’ drama series Bertil & Bæltetasken.

On top of those original productions, the Oiii universe will consist of Nordisk Film’s existing catalogue of licensed series and animated programmes for young kids such as Masha and the Bear, Bob the Builder, Nordic series and family films.

The overall deal with TV2 Norway, consists of two other key points: 

  • TV 2 will get the rights to show a variety of films - local and international - after their theatrical and home entertainment release, 
  • From December 15, Nordisk Film’s film channel Nordisk Film+ will be part of TV2’s streaming service TV 2 Sumo. 

The new kids content partnership between Egmont Group-owned Nordisk Film and TV2 Norway, is part of the film group’s reinforced strategy to be closer to local creators and audiences and an extension of Nordisk Film’s presence in the kids market through the digital service Min Bio, available in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. It comes as well as a direct response to Disney+ and other US studios’ arrival on the streaming market, in the new D2C era.

Nordisk Film Distribution’s managing director Kenneth Wiberg told nordicfilmandtvnews.com: “In a world where you have global platforms creating content, we believe that there is a bigger need for high quality local kids content at public service level, which addresses children’s lives, and that can be at the same time educational, inspirational and fun.”

He continues: ”The deal with TV2 Norway also fits well our overall feature film strategy, which is to rely on strong recognisable brands across the Nordic region, such as Father of Four in Denmark, Sune, Bamse in Sweden, Ricky Rapper in Finland, The Ash Lad and Carpenter Andersen franchises in Norway.”

The next step for Nordisk Film will be to expand the Oiii universe across the Nordic region.

"We’d love to create Oiii versions in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, with local partners who are interested in taking kids seriously,” notes Wiberg.

Nordisk Film’s partnership with TV2 Norway follows the group’s recent content alliance with other major Nordic players: YouSee, TV2 Denmark and C More.