Taiwan’s PTS XS, a new public broadcaster for kids in the region, has launched its first international co-development initiative to create original animation that can appeal to young audiences worldwide. 

As part of this All Star Pre-School Animated Series Creative & Co-Development Program, PTS XS has teamed up Taiwanese and South Korean studios to co-produce two animated series. The goal with this initiative is to produce “standout preschool IPs” and help them break into the international market, according to a release.  

This is a new venture for PTS XS, which isn’t even a year old yet. Launched by public broadcaster PTS in August 2024, Taiwan’s first publicly owned kids channel is focused on providing kids and teens with live-action and animated series. 

At its unveiling, the government praised the channel for finally bringing Taiwanese content to kids, ending the long-running tradition of Taiwanese kids only seeing foreign cartoons. Putting its money where its mouth is, the government has pledged roughly US$20.5 million (NTD$600 million) over the next four years for the channel to produce original programming.  

And PTS XS has been busy lately aiming to fulfill that remit through its new co-development program. For the last three months, the channel has been engaged in extensive pitch development with Korean studios Campfire Aniworks (Rainbow Bubblegem) and SAMG Entertainment (Miniforce: Dinoid) on two 26 x 10-minute preschool series (for three- to six-year-olds): Happy Droplet from Taiwan’s Xantus Animation Studio and SAMG; and Hello, Pakola! from Spin2 Studio and Campfire. 

Happy Droplet (pictured) is about a group of water drops that explore nature while celebrating curiosity and creativity. And Hello, Pakola! revolves around a group of trainees who build problem-solving and empathy skills while learning how to help people on a whimsical island.

PTS XS is also organizing a pitching event in Taipei in November where the studios plan to present these series to potential broadcasters, licensing partners and other investors. 

Earlier this month, PTS XS secured its first international animation co-production—French studio Caribara’s CG-animated Arty Mice (30 x 3.5 minutes). It’s developing the bridge series with France Télévisions and Umedia in Belgium for a Q4 2026 launch. 

PTS XS is available on cable TV, the PTS+ streaming platform and mobile app, and a PTS XS YouTube channel.