Hit Entertainment and Sparrowhawk are discussing the possibility of launching a joint venture kids channel in the UK.

According to Broadcast, Hit - rights holder to shows including Bob The Builder and Thomas and Friends - is developing the idea following the success of its US kids channel, Sprout.

The firm is also holding talks with a number of other UK-based distributors to provide content and take stakes in the channel.

Sources told the mag that the station would target "a variety of ages" and broadcast as an ad-funded service on Sky and cable.