NEWS
TOTAL LICENSING
NEW SHOWS FROM CONTENDER
Contender Entertainment Group in with which Contender has an estab- has enormous appeal and charm in its
the UK has announced the sale of the lished relationship, while Poland’s Ca- own right but is also focused on the
popular children’s puppet-and-anima- nal+ Cyfrowy is also a well established environment - an issue high on every-
tion-based show It’s a Big Big World and strong kids TV platform in its one’s agenda - and on helping children
to television channels in four major market and one that is actively work- to discover the world around them.
territories. ing with a number of licensing part- It’s a Big Big World is clearly a strong
Contender, the company behind suc- ners. JCC, Al Jazeera Kids Channel, is property with enormous potential.”
cessful pre-school properties such as a relative newcomer but, building on On a different note, Contender and
Peppa Pig and Tractor Tom, holds the the strength of the Al Jazeera brand, Studio AKA have announced that their
international rights for the PBS Kids it already has a strong reputation for adaptation of the much-loved Oliver
quality kids programming both across Jeffers book Lost and Found, published
the Middle East and internationally. by Harper Collins.
The success of It’s a Big Big World in Lost and Found is a tale of friendship
international markets is set to contin- and loneliness, which tells the story
ue. Contender says that further deals of a little boy who one day finds a
are currently in discussion and, based penguin on his doorstep. Although at
on the very positive response of the first he is unsure what to do, the boy
market to date, more episodes of the becomes determined to help the pen-
show are in development. guin find his way back home... a task
These recent sales and the interest that proves less easy than anticipated.
from other markets are recognition Undaunted, the boy decides to take
not only of the quality and charm of the penguin home himself, by rowing
show, which has now secured slots
It’s a Big Big World but also of the all the way to the South Pole! Along
on DR Denmark, YLE Finland, Canal+
enormous appeal to its viewers of its the way the boy discovers that maybe
Cyfrowy Poland and Al Jazeera Kids in
strong emphasis on the environment. home wasn’t what the penguin was
the Middle East.
In every episode children are taken on looking for after all!
The four broadcasters have already
a journey of exploration and discov- The original bestselling book was re-
begun dubbing It’s a Big Big World
ery with the lovable tree sloth Snook leased in 2005 to much acclaim and
into Danish, Finnish, Polish and Arabic.
and his friends, a group of animals liv- won the Blue Peter Book of the Year
They expect to launch the first 40 x
ing in the rainforest. and the Nestlé Gold Prize.
30 minutes series of the show in their
Muriel Thomas, Head of International Oliver’s artwork has been interpreted
respective territories in 2009.
Sales & Co-production, Contender by director Philip Hunt and the team
The deal links It’s a Big Big World with
Entertainment Group added “These at Studio AKA, the award winning
some key names in international chil-
sales in four very different markets animation production company that is
dren’s programming. DR DR and and YLE YLE are e
are proof of the universal appeal of known for its innovative and idiosyn-
both key Scandinavian broadcasters
It’s a Big Big World. It is a show that cratic work.
SECOND SERIES OF NUMBERJACKS
Open Mind Productions in the UK have recently agreed missioned by CBeebies, and proud that they share our
a commission from the BBC for a second series of Num- confidence in the long term future of Numberjacks. Num-
berjacks. berjacks is a very successful show, and we look forward to
Due for delivery in 2009, the second series will be made continuing to bring exciting entertainment to young peo-
up of 20 x 15-minute episodes with a full High Definition ple whilst helping them get off to great start in maths”.
mix of live action and 3D CGI. Numberjacks is represented internationally by Beyond
Since launching in the UK in October 2006 Numberjacks Distribution, who have to date placed the series into 45
has achieved significant ratings success on CBeebies, regu- markets world-wide. They will continue to represent Se-
larly achieving audience figures in ries 1 alongside Series 2, together with all international
excess of 450,000 viewers. The show DVD and home entertainment rights. On the licensing
is also doing extremely well off air, side, ITV represent the property in the UK.
with DVD sales in excess of 175,000 Open Mind are preparing to celebrate their twentieth
units and a new dedicated Number- year as an independent producer of educationally-aware
jacks magazine performing very well. programming. In addition to the new series of Number-
Speaking about the commission for jacks, 2009 will see Open Mind begin production on their
Series 2, Open Mind’s Creative Di- next television and online series, Letterjets, as well as con-
rector, Chris Ellis, commented, “We tinuing the management of the rapidly expanding Number-
are delighted to have been re-com- jacks commercial rights program worldwide.
20
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