Netflix adds exclusive: ‘Mako Mermaids,’ spin-off of teen series ‘H2O’

Netflix is doubling down on exclusive programming for children, adding ‘“Mako Mermaids,� a spin-off of the popular Australian teen drama about mermaids “H2O: Just Add Water.�

“Mako Mermaids� is set to premiere July 26 on Netflix, returning viewers to the fictional Mako Island, where the three teenage girls entered a magical cave and underwent their transformation in the original series. The seemingly improbable premise of “H2O� connected with teens around the world -- the series was distributed in more than 120 countries.

The show’s popularity on Netflix prompted the streaming service to strike a deal with Jonathan M. Shiff Productions for exclusive rights to the distribute the 26-episode spin-off series, “Mako Mermaids,� in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Nordics.

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“We are thrilled to be the exclusive home of ‘Mako Mermaids’ in all Netflix territories,� Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “‘H2O’ hit an amazing chord with teens around the world who love the clever mixture of action, comedy and romance.�

The new show centers on three mermaids who are assigned the task of protecting Mako Island, only to encounter 16-year-old Zac, who also forms a connection with the island and develops a tail and special marine abilities.

This builds on a slew of other exclusive content deals for Netflix, which last week reached a multi-year deal with DreamWorks Animation to produce more than 300 hours of original programming for it. It is vying for young viewers with rival Amazon.com, which reached a deal this month for exclusive online rights to Viacom’s shows for preschoolers.

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