David Farnor | On 01, May 2014

DreamWorks Animation has announced a new channel on YouTube devoted to family content.

DreamWorks TV, which will launch in the summer, will feature both live-action and animated videos, original and old.

The channel was announced at YouTube’s BrandCast even this week and builds upon the company’s recent purchase of another channel, AwesomenessTV, which they snapped up for $33 million, notes Forbes.

Robert Kyncl, head of YouTube’s content and business operations, cited the deal as an example of YouTube’s viability as a platform.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, meanwhile, who started her job at the start of 2014, praised the importance and ubiquity of the video site: “My parents always told me if I wanted to learn about something I should look it up in the encyclopedia. Today, people learn about the world by looking things up on YouTube.”

DreamWorks Animation obviously agree that YouTube is a vital part of the media landscape. The company signed an exclusive deal with Netflix last year to bring original content such as TURBO F.A.S.T. to the streaming service, but clearly thinks that YouTube has a key role to play in its digital distribution.

Kyncl commented that DreamWorks Animation founder Jeffrey Katzenberg “finally realized his dream of having a kids network” with the launch of Dreamworks TV.

“He didn’t do that on broadcast or cable. He did it on YouTube, because that’s where his audience lives.”

Footage was shown to the audience of one of the first series that will premiere on the channel: Jimmy Blue Shorts, exec-produced by Chris Hamilton and Zachary Aufdemberg. It will be joined by Fifi: Cat Therapist and Gorillaville.

Here is Jimmy fighting three ugly witches:

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