Two local media companies announced partnerships Tuesday that would deliver their content to a larger audience.
Discovery Networks of Silver Spring announced a deal with Blockbuster that would put nonfiction titles from Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and other networks in stores throughout the U.S.
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PBS Kids will be partnering with Bigger Picture’s Kidtoons, a company that runs programming for children and families in movie theaters nationwide.
Financial details of both deals were not disclosed.
Under the Blockbuster alliance, the rental stores will begin carrying more than three dozen retail titles from Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, Discovery Kids and The Military Channel. Videos featured in stores will include programs such as “Shark Week” and “Meerkat Manor.”
Discovery did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday.
“In business, it’s all about cross-promotions, how many ways can you reach your audience,” said Robert Smith, chief executive officer of Championship Media Worldwide. “Discovery Channel being in Blockbuster is a great growth strategy because it gives them another retail outlet.”
Kidtoons are 80- to 90-minute matinee programs shown every weekend of the year at participating theaters. According to Michele Martell, chief operations officer of parent company The Bigger Picture, more than 130 theaters participate, including Showcase Cinema in Fairfax.
The theaters have to run on a digital projection system, and the kid-friendly programs feature a mix of short feature films, TV episodes and cartoons.
“It’s kind of a throwback to the matinees of the old days,” said Martell. PBS programs such as “Martha Speaks,” “Sid the Science Kid” and “WorldGirl” will be included in the matinees.
