NEWS
SEMILLITAS PREMIERES FRANKLIN AND FRIENDS
03-03-2026
Miami, FL – Semillitas, the children’s animation pay‑TV channel owned by SOMOSTV, a company chaired by Luis Villanueva and part of SOMOS Group, announces the March 6 premiere of the well‑known animated preschool series Franklin and Friends, which joins its programming with a total of 104 episodes specially designed for preschool‑aged girls and boys. Franklin and Friends has been very well received by young audiences in the United States, England, Australia, and the Middle East, and on various television channels. The series’ popularity is such that it has inspired live shows, video games, and computer‑generated episodes. Known for its educational focus and endearing characters, Franklin and Friends reinforces Semillitas’ commitment to offering content that combines entertainment and learning in a safe, positive, and age‑appropriate environment for early childhood. Semillitas is known for providing educational animation in a safe environment free of violence and commercials, while also promoting the values of the Latino community in the United States, Central America, Panama, and the Caribbean.
The stories in this animated series are primarily based on the Franklin Adventure books. The practice of adapting episodes directly from the books was discontinued in the show’s second season, although some elements and dialogue from the books continue to appear in later episodes. Even so, many episodes of Franklin and Friends have been turned into books within the Franklin TV Storybook and Franklin First Readers collections. Franklin is a curious and friendly turtle who lives in a forest alongside his inseparable friends, including Bear, Rabbit, Beaver, and Fox. Through everyday experiences—from games and adventures to the small challenges of childhood—Franklin discovers valuable lessons about coexistence, responsibility, and personal growth. Each episode presents situations familiar to children, such as learning something new, resolving disagreements, facing fears, or collaborating with others, offering constructive solutions through dialogue, empathy, and cooperation.
Specialized critics have praised Franklin and Friends as a show that assumes mutual respect between children and adults. “There are no complaints, fights, shouting, provocations, or annoyances. Ultimately, Franklin offers a strong example of responsible television programming and is a rare show that celebrates the innocence of childhood”. The series promotes essential social‑emotional skills, helping children recognize and express their emotions, develop empathy, and understand the importance of friendship and respect for others. It also encourages values such as honesty, responsibility, patience, and teamwork.
Franklin and Friends joins other high‑quality animated series such as Mini Heroes of the Forest, Musipaches, Maya the Bee, Angelina Ballerina, Strawberry Shortcake, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, and Caillou. Semillitas complements its offering with educational interstitials that celebrate the values, traditions, and festivities of Latin culture. Semillitas broadcasts its content in High Definition and includes Closed Captioning and Audio Description, which earned it the prestigious Outstanding Achievement: Spanish Media Award granted by the American Council of the Blind.
About Semillitas: Semillitas is a Pay‑TV channel that broadcasts animation 24 hours a day for babies and preschoolers, produced and distributed by SOMOSTV LLC. SOMOSTV LLC is a company dedicated to the development and promotion of Pay‑TV in the Hispanic market of the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, through the launch of television channels across all platforms with technical and creative excellence. For more information visit http://www.semillitas.tv/