PARIS: French producer AB Production has launched its first specialty channel called AB1/Canal Fiction, a total fiction channel for teenagers and young adults. AB’s family shows, such as Hélène et les garçons and Le Miel et les abeilles, are part of the programming lineup.

AB1 is the first of 30 specialty and digital channels being launched via satellite over the first three months of this year. Specific channels for children and teenagers will be launched, including Canal Humour, Canal Action and Canal Cartoons.

Reaction from the French broadcast regulator, CSA, and other TV channels and producers was positive. It is understood that the channels will eventually broadcast on cable.

The new channels offer an outlet for AB’s 15,000 hours of programming, and also represent new prospects for independent producers and distributors. It is not clear yet how AB is financing the project and how much it will cost. AB1 will carry some advertising.