Turner Broadcasting is officially rolling out its UK preschool channel, Cartoonito, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in a move that will increase the brand’s distribution to 125 million homes in 112 territories.

Cartoonito, which launched in the UK in May 2007, has become the UK’s most widely distributed pay TV preschool channel, airing programming including Fireman Sam, Baby Looney Tunes and the Care Bears.

The channel will air as branded block on Boomerang starting in September.  In Turkey and the Middle East, the Cartoonito block will broadcast on Cartoon Network.

Bananas in Pyjamas (pictured) will serve as the flagship launch series, accompanied by the new 3D series Jelly Jamm from Vodka Capital, 737 Shaker and RTVE.  A number of additional pan-EMEA preschool series are expected to be unveiled for 2012 in the coming months.

The brand rollout will be led by Michael Carrington as Turner’s chief content officer. The model will mirror that of Cartoonito in the UK, combining flagship pan-regional programming with locally produced content.