Spacetoon, the Middle Eastern children’s channel, has partnered with celebrity chef Abir El-Saghir to create an original animated series targeting children aged 6-12, set to premiere in Q3 2025.

The series, titled “Abir and the Little Prince” in English, will feature El-Saghir as a lively, heroic character who brings her culinary magic and adventurous spirit to life. Set in a vibrant kingdom, the story follows her on a heartfelt quest to help a young prince overcome depression while navigating the challenges of being differently-abled.

El-Saghir, who commands over 60 million followers across social media platforms in the Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye, represents one of the region’s most influential digital personalities.

Expansion Beyond Traditional Broadcasting

This partnership emerges as recent research from Precise TV indicates that YouTube holds a dominant position in children’s media consumption. According to the report, the platform commands 78% of viewership among U.S. children aged 2-12, with 76% listing it among their top three preferred media platforms compared to just 33% for broadcast television.

This shift toward digital content consumption may explain Spacetoon’s strategy to leverage El-Saghir’s social media presence while planning merchandise and licensing expansions for early 2026, including toys, themed products, and interactive events.

“This collaboration opens doors to incredible new ways to connect with my fans, blending storytelling, culinary arts, and interactive experiences unlike anything we’ve done before,” said El-Saghir.

The partnership aligns with documented viewing habits, which show that 48% of children now binge-watch YouTube content, with the numbers increasing with age. Mobile devices dominate viewing preferences, with 64% of children accessing YouTube on phones.

Ahmed Weiss, Spacetoon’s General Manager, said the partnership reflects their “mission to create meaningful, engaging content and experiences for the next generation.”

In July, Spacetoon expanded its regional presence by hiring Kemal Coşkuner, a former executive from Disney and Fox, to lead a new Turkish network.

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