NEW DELHI: Doordarshan is all set to commence telecast of a children’s series later this month in collaboration with Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The series, Bananas in Pyjamas will be telecast on DD National every Sunday at 10.30 am from 26 April.

To promote the programme, the two loveable children’s characters from the series are presenting their first Banana in Pyjamas live shows in Delhi this week. While the first was held on 16 April, the second will take place on 18 April. The live shows have already been presented in Mumbai.

B1 and B2 as they are known have been among the most successful child characters on television to have come out of Australia. Sold to more than 80 countries around the world, the two Bananas have been invited to the White House, helped open the Sydney Olympic Games and are loved by missions of pre-schoolers the world over.

The series feature stories and music that are fun and playful and is set in Cuddlestown where the Bananas live with their friends the teddies, Lulu, Morgan and Amy and the mischievous Rat in the Hat.

From 26 April, they will be joined on DD National by another set of Australian child characters – Giggle and Hoot. Jimmy Giggle and his own pal Hoot live in a world where curiosity and imagination rule and where the ordinary is extraordinary.

The Bananas in Pyjamas and Giggle and Hoot are produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and has been brought to DD National by ABC’s International Broadcasting Service Australia Plus.

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar said, “The launch of Australia Plus Kids’ programming on DD National is a joyous occasion for it would help Indians better appreciate Australia and its culture. I also look forward to ABC helping us in getting across to Australian audience to let them closely know and understand India, its heritage and its culture.”