Mumbai: MultiChoice Africa has signed a multi-year distribution deal with MTV to carry its kids entertainment brand Nickelodeon in southern Africa. This was announced by MultiChoice CEO Nolo Letele and MTV senior vice president and managing director Alex Okosi.

Starting 1 July, Nickelodeon will launch as a 24-hour English language channel, broadcasting to more than one and a half million DStv subscribers in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Targeted at kids between two to 14, Nickelodeon is the world’s only multi-platform entertainment brand dedicated exclusively to kids. The channel will carry Nickelodeon’s well known programming for preschool, primary school and teen-aged with a dedicated programming block Nick Jr.

The new 24-hour channel will consist of a mix of Nickelodeon’s award-winning animation and live action programming. The channel’s schedule includes a rich programming line-up including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants as well as Avatar – The Legend of Aang, Unfabulous and Drake & Josh.

Letele says, "We are pleased to launch the globally successful Nickelodeon kid’s entertainment channel onto our DStv platform. The channel will complement and strengthen our current youth offering, whilst simultaneously providing more choice. Kids are in for a treat with the array of exciting content featuring their favourite characters and programmes."