China's Ciwen Takes on Nelvana Shows

Canada’s Nelvana Enterprises, owned by Corus Entertainment, granted China’s Ciwen Media Group exclusive distribution rights to more than 1,000 half-hours of animated and live-action Nelvana programming, which includes titles such as “Franklin,” “Babar,” “Rolie Polie Olie,” “Mr. Young” and “The Detentionaire.”

Ciwen will also represent Nelvana in merchandising for “Franklin” (exclusive) as well as “Ruby Gloom,” “6teen” and “Grossology” (non-exclusive) in Mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.

Ciwen will work to place the shows with the top free TV, cable and satellite broadcasters after dubbing them into Mandarin or other regional languages. Where broadcasters aren’t available, it will focus on the burgeoning VOD and Internet television market in China. In addition, Ciwen plans to release as many titles as possible on DVD.

On the merchandising side, Ciwen will undertake a comprehensive brand-building and licensing program across a broad array of categories that will include toys, apparel and accessories, and channels, including digital media, traditional and digital publishing and themed entertainment.