Press Release

Discovery Kids a Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic (DLA/USH) network announced today a strategic partnership with Cirque du Soleil Images, the multimedia production division of Cirque du Soleil, on an original English-language live action series to be produced by Apartment 11 in association with TVOKids. Shot in Montreal, the upcoming show will feature prolific producer, director and composer Cris Morena as an Executive Producer and Songwriter for the series. Leila Basen (Heartland) is Head Writer.

Set at a fictional boarding school for kid circus performers, the show tells the story of an extraordinary group of young artists, athletes and acrobats. Together, they must strive for personal excellence while learning to work as a team, surpassing their own limits. Throughout their adventures, the artists will develop meaningful friendships while juggling the ups and downs of growing up in such a unique environment.

Shot in part at the International Headquarters of Cirque du Soleil, the show will treat viewers to the astonishing universe of the circus through artistic direction, costumes, acrobatic coaching and more, as Cirque du Soleil artists, craftsmen and creative minds work with the show’s young artists and creators.

“Discovery Kids is extremely excited to embark on this venture, and we could not have chosen better partners than Cirque du Soleil Images, Apartment 11 and TVOKids,” said Carolina Lightcap, ‎Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic. “The series delivers dream fulfillment through circus performing arts, in a magical and musical context which is sure to delight our Discovery Kids audience.”

“Cirque du Soleil is looking to develop new forms of entertainment, speak to new audiences and further expand its global reach” says Kristina Heney, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirque du Soleil. “This series is a natural continuation for us in our foray into youth entertainment, after over 30 years of producing world renowned live shows that appeal to the entire family. Our vision is to apply our creative kaleidoscope to build unique worlds that nurture kids creativity.”

“I’m thrilled to be working again with Discovery Kids and TVOKids. The extraordinary nature of the circus and specifically Cirque du Soleil will allow us to have so much fun telling stories.  Every viewer is going to love this school!” said Jonathan Finkelstein, Apartment 11’s President and Executive Producer. 

“The series also builds on TVOKids’ long-standing track record of developing award-winning, innovative content that engages kids while ensuring parent trust,” says Marney Malabar, TVO’s Director of Kids TV.  “This show addresses important themes of building resilience, coping with failure and over-achievement, and instilling confidence. These are critical for a child’s success in school and in life. TVOKids is incredibly proud to partner in this new project to help kids build the skills they need for the future.”

About Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic

Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic (DLA/USH) is a division of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) the leader in global entertainment reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in more than 220 countries and territories. Discovery satisfies curiosity, entertains and inspires viewers with high-quality content through global brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Animal Planet, Science and Turbo/Velocity, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, and through the Discovery Digital Networks portfolio, including Seeker and SourceFed. Discovery owns Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education. In Latin America, the educational initiative Discovery en la Escuela empowers teachers with rich content improving students’ achievements. Founded in 1994, DLA/USH distributes 13 Discovery brands reaching 369 million cumulative viewers in 48 countries with programming customized in three languages.  The portfolio includes Discovery Channel: the leading factual network in Latin America; Discovery Kids, the leading preschool network in Latin America celebrating 20 years in the market; and Discovery Home & Health, the leading female lifestyle network in Latin America . The DLA/USH portfolio also includes two U.S. Hispanic brands for Spanish speaking audiences in the United States, reaching 12 million cumulative subscribers. 

For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.

About Cirque du Soleil

From a group of 20 street performers who reinvented circus arts in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has evolved into a world leading live entertainment provider. From its international headquarters in Montreal, Canada, Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in over 400 cities in 60 countries on six continents. In 2017 alone, 21 shows are being simultaneously presented around the world. Cirque du Soleil also brings the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows to other spheres of activity, while maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality. The company now has over 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from 50 different countries. For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.

About Apartment 11 Productions

Founded in 2000 and led by its passionate President, Jonathan Finkelstein, Apartment 11 consistently delivers quality, story- driven ratings successes to its global broadcast partners. The independent, Montreal-based creative hub has produced more than 250 hours of scripted and non-scripted programming. Taking an entertaining approach to discovery, Apartment 11 is recognized for series that encourage kids to ask questions and investigate big ideas. Apartment 11 collaborates often with international partners, most recently co-producing Rank the Prank with BBC for CBBC, Nickelodeon and BBC Kids. The company is proud to have created ratings hits such as Prank Patrol (YTV), one of the first kids’ series to be formatted and sold to multiple territories, including the U.K. (CBBC) and Australia (ABC) as well as Mystery Hunters (YTV) broadcast worldwide on Discovery channels. In addition to its television series, Apartment 11 also connects with young people across a range of platforms with exciting interactive projects. Apartment 11 has won a Peabody Award, multiple Japan Prizes, Youth Media Alliance Awards and Gemini/Canadian Screen Awards, a Viewers’ Choice Kidscreen Award and has also been nominated for two International Emmy Awards. http://apartment11.tv/downloads/media-kit.pdf

For more information, please visit www.apartment11.tv

About TVO

As the technological extension of Ontario’s public education system, TVO’s vision is to create a better world through the power of learning. TVO provides learning opportunities for Ontarians through innovative educational products, in-depth current affairs, groundbreaking documentaries, and award-winning TVOKids resources both inside and outside the classroom. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

Contact: 
Steven Ross 
Cirque du Soleil 
Steven.ross@cirquedusoleil.com 
Tel. 514 723-7646 ext.6301