Sixteen South

What Sixteen South does

Sixteen South is a privately held, Belfast-based independent children's television group operating as three sibling companies: Sixteen South Originals (IP development), Sixteen South Studios (production), and Sixteen South Rights (global distribution and licensing). Founded in 2007 by Colin Williams, the company creates, produces, and distributes premium animated and live-action children's programming for preschoolers (ages 3-5) through to older children (ages 6-9), with content distributed in 125+ territories across Disney Junior, PBS Kids, Netflix, Hulu, BBC/CBeebies, Nickelodeon, France Télévisions, Tencent, and ABC Kids Australia.

The company's production capability is anchored by a 120-seat animation studio in Belfast that delivers hand-drawn 2D animation, 3D CGI animation (in partnership with Mikros Animation Studios and Technicolor in Paris), puppetry, and live-action production across hybrid and mixed-media formats. Its catalog spans 460+ episodes across 11 hit kids shows, including Odo, The Coop Troop, Claude, WildWoods, Pinkalicious & Peterrific, Lily's Driftwood Bay, Sesame Tree, Big City Park, Big & Small, and Pajanimals. The company has won 50+ international awards including BAFTA, IFTAs, Emmy nominations, and Prix Jeunesse.

Sixteen South monetizes content through multi-channel licensing: TV broadcast licensing fees, SVOD platform licensing (Netflix, Hulu), brand and consumer-products licensing via Bulldog Licensing, animation service work for external clients, and Northern Ireland tax credits and screen funding that can offset up to 32% of production cost. The go-to-market is direct enterprise sales to major global broadcasters and streaming platforms, complemented by a self-distribution arm (Sixteen South Rights) that handles pre-selling, financing, and rights management for all original IP and is preparing to represent third-party boutique producers. Co-productions with marquee partners (Sesame Workshop, GBH, The Jim Henson Company, Mikros/Technicolor) and Northern Ireland Screen funding underpin a cost-advantaged production model targeting flagship ratings on the world's largest children's networks.

Name

Sixteen South

Legal name

Sixteen South

Website

https://sixteensouth.tv

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sixteen South is a Belfast-based, privately held independent children's television group that creates, produces, and distributes premium animated and live-action programming (Odo, Claude, Pinkalicious, The Coop Troop and more) for global broadcasters and SVOD platforms including Disney, PBS Kids, Netflix, Hulu, and BBC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Television Production

akta.pro primary industry

Kids’ General Entertainment Channels (Ages 6–11) (MPABAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kids & Family Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAG)

Keywords

• Children's television production
• Animated content creation
• TV content licensing
• Preschool animation studio
• Global content distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfast

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. TV Licensing and Broadcasting Fees: Revenue from licensing content to broadcasters including Disney, PBS, public broadcasters globally, and other TV networks for the right to broadcast shows
2. SVOD Platform Licensing: Revenue from licensing content to streaming video-on-demand platforms including Netflix, Hulu, and other SVOD services
3. Brand Licensing: Global licensing of brands through agency partners such as Bulldog Licensing, managing ancillary rights around merchandise and other brand extensions
4. Animation Service Work: Open for 2D animation and live action service work as a full service studio, bringing in external production revenue
5. Tax Credits and Screen Funding: Can bring up to 32% of production cost in tax credits and screen funding from Northern Ireland

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sixteen South is a group of three sibling companies that creates, produces, and distributes original premium children's television programming worldwide. Through Sixteen South Originals (IP development), Sixteen South Studios (a 120-seat 2D animation studio in Belfast), and Sixteen South Rights (global distribution and licensing), the company produces 2D animated, CGI, puppetry, and live-action shows sold to major broadcasters (Disney, PBS, BBC, Nickelodeon) and streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Tencent). Since 2007, Sixteen South has produced over 460 episodes across 11 hit kids shows airing in 125+ territories.

Product overview

Sixteen South is a group of three sibling companies focused on creating, producing, and distributing quality television for children worldwide. Sixteen South Originals develops new show concepts and formats; Sixteen South Studios (a multi-award winning 2D animation studio with 120 seats in Belfast) produces animated and live-action series; and Sixteen South Rights manages global distribution and licensing. The company has produced over 460 episodes across 11 hit kids shows including Odo, The Coop Troop, Claude, WildWoods, Pinkalicious & Peterrific, Lily's Driftwood Bay, Sesame Tree, Big City Park, Big & Small, and Pajanimals. Their shows are distributed on Disney, PBS Kids, Netflix, Hulu, Nickelodeon, BBC, and other major networks globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Odo Hand-drawn 2D animated preschool series featuring Odo, a little owl with big ideas at the Forest Camp for Young Birds. Designed to teach preschoolers self-efficacy and combat childhood anxiety, with themes of social justice, immigration, racism, and respect for others. Premium quality animation with 3D post lighting and live, organic score. Sold into 128 countries.
• The Coop Troop Super-deluxe CGI animated comedy series for 6-9 year olds featuring five unlikely animal heroes (rabbit Maggie, chicken Flo, swine Clive, lamb Billy, and egg Jo d'Oeuf) who help pets in nearby Animauville. Each mission spirals into escalating comedy chaos.
• Claude Hand-drawn 2D animated series based on Alex T. Smith's books, featuring Claude, a small helpful dog who wears smart shoes and a beret, and his best friend Sir Bobblysock. Produced in highest quality hand-drawn 2D animation with a notable voice cast including Simon Callow, Shane Richie, and Anne Reid.
• WildWoods Live action comedy series for 5-7 year olds about Cooper, a laid-back giant sasquatch coming of age, who moves from the city into the forest and befriends Poppy, a sugarglider. They have comedy adventures exploring life outside the city.
• Pinkalicious & Peterrific 2D animated series co-produced with GBH for PBS Kids, encouraging creative arts and self-expression for children ages 3-5. Based on the bestselling Pinkalicious children's books.
• Lily's Driftwood Bay Unique mixed-media animated preschool series where characters, sets, and landscapes are completely created from things found washed up on the beach. Aired in 125+ territories globally.
• Sesame Tree Puppet and live-action co-production with Sesame Workshop, a Northern Ireland version of Sesame Street for young children. Won multiple international awards including CINE Golden Eagle and Hugo Television Awards.
• Big City Park Outdoor live-action and puppet series for CBeebies aimed at getting children outdoors and exploring nature. Co-produced with BBC Scotland and filmed in Ormeau Park, Belfast.
• Big & Small

Quantifiable outcome

• Claude achieved #1 rating on Disney Junior in Australia and #2 in UK on launch (2018)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Disney (Disney Junior)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Flagship broadcast partner for Claude (2018 launch) across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia. Claude was Disney Junior's #1 rating show in Australia and #2 in UK on launch. Also broadcast partner for Pajanimals in Europe and Australasia.
• Kindle EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Co-production partner for Big and Small (2011), a BAFTA-winning preschool show. Sixteen South partnered with London-based Kindle Entertainment to give this hit show a new production home in Belfast and produce a third season.
• The Jim Henson CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Production partner for Pajanimals (2011), a bedtime puppet show featuring four cuddly characters designed and built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Aired on Universal Kids, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon, Netflix worldwide reaching 200+ million homes.
• Universal KidscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2011US broadcast network partner for Pajanimals. Show aired daily on Sprout/Universal Kids, reaching an audience in excess of 200 million homes across the US, also on NBC Saturday morning kids block.
• BBC ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Co-producer of Big City Park (2010), Sixteen South's second show for CBeebies. A live action and puppet show filmed outdoors in Ormeau Park, Belfast.
• Sesame WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Co-production partner for Sesame Tree (2008), Sixteen South's first show and a new version of Sesame Street for Northern Ireland. Featured new family of muppets and was commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland and CBeebies.
• LetkocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner with Sixteen South Originals and Sixteen South Studios for the animated series Odo (52 x 7'), a hand-drawn 2D animated comedy for preschoolers featuring a little owl with big ideas.
• Mikros Animation StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner based in Paris for The Coop Troop, a major new CGI animated series for 6-9 year olds commissioned by France Télévisions and Tencent Original.
• Technicolor (Paris)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner with Mikros Animation Studios for The Coop Troop, providing super-deluxe CGI animation production in Paris.
• GBHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Pinkalicious & Peterrific (122 x 11' & 2 x 44'), an animated series for PBS Kids that is consistently in the top 3 highest rating shows.
• PBS KidsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlagship US broadcast partner for Pinkalicious & Peterrific. Show airs daily and is consistently in PBS Kids' top 3 highest rating shows.
• Nickelodeon/Nick JrcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal broadcast partner for Pajanimals alongside Disney Junior, reaching audiences worldwide through Nick Jr.
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for Pajanimals available worldwide on Netflix, and WildWoods streaming on Netflix internationally.
• HulucoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming partner for WildWoods in North America. WildWoods was the top rating kids show on ABC Kids premiere and is consistently one of the channel's highest rating shows.
• Bulldog LicensingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal licensing agency partner managing brand licensing and ancillary rights for Sixteen South's shows including Odo.
• France TélévisionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench public broadcaster that commissioned The Coop Troop as a major new series for 6-9 year olds.
• TencentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTencent Original partnership for The Coop Troop, a major new series co-produced with Mikros Animation Studios and Technicolor in Paris.
• ABC Kids (Australia)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian public broadcaster for WildWoods. WildWoods was the top rating kids show on ABC Kids premiere and is consistently one of the channel's highest rating shows.
• BBC/CBeebiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK public broadcaster for Big City Park (Season 2 commissioned), Sesame Tree (Season 2), and Big & Small (Season 3). Shows achieved high ratings on CBeebies.
• ITVBe (UK), RTÉJr (Ireland), Channel One (Russia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional broadcast partners for WildWoods: ITVBe in UK, RTÉJr in Ireland, Channel One in Russia.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blue Zoo Animation Studio: UK-based independent children's animation studio producing original IP for CBeebies, BBC, and international partners. Direct peer in geographic base, animation-led model, and preschool/early-school audience targeting.
• TeamTO: French independent animation studio producing premium kids' CGI and 2D series for global broadcasters including Netflix and Cartoon Network. Closely comparable French/European boutique animation producer with similar commissioned-show model.
• Factory (Create Central): UK-based independent children's content production company producing premium kids' TV including animated and live-action formats for BBC, ITV, and international broadcasters. Closely comparable indie producer scale and commissioning model.
• 9 Story Media Group: Toronto-headquartered independent kids' content producer and distributor with branded divisions (Brown Bag Films for animation), producing shows for PBS, Disney Junior, Netflix, and BBC. Closest peer in terms of vertical integration from creation through global distribution with comparable multi-show portfolio strategy.
• WildBrain: Canadian kids' entertainment company that creates, produces, and distributes children's content globally, with a library comparable to Sixteen South's multi-territory reach. Operates its own distribution arm and licenses franchises to broadcasters and SVODs in a model structurally similar to Sixteen South Originals/Studios/Rights.
• Guru Studio: Canadian animation studio producing premium kids' series (Paw Patrol co-production history, Pikwik Pack, True and the Rainbow Kingdom) for major global kids' networks. Highly comparable as a mid-sized boutique animation studio that licenses original IP to premier broadcasters and streaming platforms.
• CAKE Entertainment: London-based independent kids' entertainment distribution and production company representing premium animated children's content globally. Functionally parallel to Sixteen South Rights in the international distribution layer for third-party and owned IP.
• Cyber Group Studios: French independent animation producer and global distributor specializing in premium children's and family content for broadcasters and SVODs. Comparable European indie with original-IP and co-production model serving the same buyer universe.
• A Productions: Spanish animation studio producing children's series for European broadcasters and global streamers (most notably co-producing PJ Masks). Comparable mid-sized European animation producer serving similar premier broadcaster relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Zodiak Kids (Banijay Kids & Family): European-based global producer and distributor of children's content owned by Banijay Group, covering creation through distribution at greater scale. Comparable business model with broader corporate resources and direct competition in the same commissioning market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sixteensouth
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• Facebookfacebook.com/sixteensouth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sixteen South