Dragon Ball Super is launching on Sony Pictures Television Networks’ (SPTN) free-to-air Pop channel on July 1, marking the first time Toei Animation’s series will be available on free TV in the UK. Pop targets kids ages six to nine. The series is also available in the UK through anime SVOD Crunchyroll.  

The show’s launch follows the premiere of Dragon Ball Super: Broly earlier this year. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has earned more than US$1.4 million in the UK. Dragon Ball Super boasts 131 x 22-minute episodes, though it’s not clear if the entire series will be available on Pop.

Dragon Ball Super bowed on Cartoon Network in Latin America in August 2017, and launched with ABC ME in Australia in November 2018. The series picks up where the finale of Dragon Ball Z ended nearly 20 years ago.

Last week, SPTN UK upped Craig Hunter to head of kids networks following Sarah Muller’s departure. His new remit includes SPTN’s linear channels Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop Max and AVOD kids platform Pop Fun. The changing of the guard comes as Sony continues to build its on-demand offerings, including partnering with Sony Interactive Entertainment UK to launch the Pop App in the UK featuring content from its kidsnets.