MUMBAI: The kids television landscape in the US will see a new entrant. Comcast, Hit Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop have announced plans to launch a 24-hour television channel for preschool-aged children and companion video-on-demand (VOD) service.

The channel scheduled to launch in the latter half of next year will air well known shows in children's programming - a blend of classic and contemporary favourites. These include children's favourites, such as Bob the Builder, Barney, Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina and PBS Kids titles.

Comcast claims to be the largest provider of cable and broadband services in the US. It serves more than 21 million cable television customers and more than six million high-speed Internet customers.

PBS is America's pubcaster. The broadcaster's president and CEO Pat Mitchell added, "PBS is committed to maintaining its leadership role in delivering the best educational programming to as many children and parents as possible.

"This unique public/private partnership not only assures a strong, viable PBS Kids programming block on PBS stations, available free over-the-air, but also extends PBS' mission into different platforms."