MIPTV: Solid TV Deals

Another successful MIPTV has come and passed. License! Global takes a look at some key deals that occurred.

Atlantyca Entertainment debuted the Bat Pat Transmedia Project with a new website designed by Sergio Maramotti, Atlantyca web manager, and a video game for iOS, Android, Mac OS and Windows, a co-production with Imira and Inspidea and with the support of Atlantyca LAB's Pierdomenico Baccalario and Mattia Pavesi. Atlantyca has already completed the development of the TV series, "Bat Pat: The Creepy Sitcom," which follows the adventures of Bat Pat and his friends, the supernatural investigators of Fogville.

A Squared Elxsi Entertainment (A2E2), a joint venture between A Squared Entertainment and Tata Elxsi, announced the development of stories across multiple platforms and formats based on Stan Lee's "Mighty 7" comic series, which recently hit stores around the world. "Stan Lee and the Mighty 7" introduces Lee's new group of extraterrestrial super hero characters with powers ranging from super strength to shrinking ability. A2E2 will lead the global licensing program for the property with new toys, digital and entertainment products, accessories, apparel and books. A2E2 also showcased "Warren Buffett's Secret Millionaires Club," a new animated TV series co-produced with Xing Xing Digital.

BRB unveiled the first episodes of its series "Khuda-Yana," which is co-produced by Screen 21 and TVE. The series, targeted to 6- to 10-year-olds, is produced in the purest Bollywood style. BRB's portfolio, which includes "David The Gnome," "D'Artacan" and "Willy Fog," is currently developing, along with the properties Screen 21, Bernard, Suckers, Canimals, Kambu and Zoobabu. BRB also handles licensing for Cartoon Network's properties in Spain and Portugal.

Classic Media featured several new and classic properties including Noddy, the former Chorion property. Classic Media plans to grow the franchise, which has a library of more than 250 episodes, across consumer products, publishing, gaming, digital and DVD. Another series from Michael Poryes, the creator of tween series "Hannah Montana," is "Life with Boys." Nelvana Enterprises will distribute the show in Canada, Latin America, Africa, Asia (excluding Japan) and France. Classic Media and Helion Pictures will handle distribution across all media in other territories worldwide. Classic Media will also handle worldwide distribution for "Kidz in Motion," produced by Lee Editorial. Classic Media promoted season two of "George of the Jungle" and "Postman Pat Special Delivery Service," which is scheduled to air in spring 2013 on the BBC. Postman Pat will also make its theatrical debut in 2013. Other promotions include "The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story," a new Christmas special for 2012 produced by Big Canoe. Classic Media has worldwide distribution rights excluding North America.

DHX Media acquired worldwide television and home entertainment rights and North American licensing rights to the new Turner Broadcasting-commissioned series "Ha Ha Hairies." Turner holds EMEA broadcast and home entertainment rights to the live action show, which airs on Cartoonito in 112 territories. U.K. producers Adastra Creative, the team behind CBeebies' "Grandpa in My Pocket," made the series. DHX Media also signed its first content deal with Netflix for three preschool series: "Franny's Feet," "Bo on the Go!" and "Mighty Jungle," which will be available in the U.S.

FremantleMedia Enterprises announced several international deals for "Really Me" and "My Babysitter's a Vampire," which are produced by Fresh TV. FME exclusively handles the worldwide (excluding Canada) TV distribution, home entertainment and brand licensing rights.

FME has sold the TV rights for seasons one and two of "Really Me" to ABC in Australia and HBO Family in Latin America for syndication to 40 territories across the region, K SIC in Portugal and Switchover Media in Italy.

Adding to the pre-existing deal with Disney, FME has sold "My Babysitter's a Vampire" to new territories, as well. Seasons one and two, plus the accompanying TV movie, have been sold in Russia and Turkey. The movie has also been picked up by 10 territories across Asia.

The Jim Henson Company announced a slate of international broadcast agreements for live action fantasy feature films Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, and its science-fiction TV series, "Farscape."

The Dark Crystal will air in the U.S. on Showtime, HD Net and Netflix; Spain's SelectaVision; Ceske Televis in the Czech Republic; New Zealand's Sky TV; Bolivia's Red Uno; and South Africa's TopTV. The company is currently developing a sequel to the film.

Labyrinth, produced by Jim Henson and Lucasfilm, will air in the U.S. on Showtime, HD Net and Netflix; Spain's Selectavision; New Zealand's Sky TV; Russia's TV-3; Hungary's MTV; HRT in Croatia; Viasat in Estonia and Latvia; and Red Uno in Bolivia.

The "Farscape" series will air in the U.S. on Netflix, AXN for Central Europe, Italy's RA, Spain's Selectavision, Russia's TV3, Viasat in Estonia and Latvia, Seychelles Broadcasting, South Africa's TopTV and FX in the U.K.

Henson is developing a new animated children's TV series, "ImaginOcean," a musical underwater adventure series, based on the off-Broadway musical, "John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean." Henson also finalized broadcast deals for its preschool series "Dinosaur Train," which has been licensed to Disney Channel in Germany, Nickelodeon in the U.K., TVNZ New Zealand for its TV2, Latvian TV and Botswana Television. "Pajanimals," currently airing exclusively in the U.S. on Sprout, has signed international deals with ABC Australia and TVNZ New Zealand for its TV2 network; and "Sid The Science Kid," which airs in the U.S. on PBS Kids, has been renewed for season two by France 5, TVO Canada, Thai PBS in Thailand and Discovery Kids Latin America.

U.K. kids broadcaster CITV has acquired the rights for the animated series "Redakai: Conquer the Kairu," a Marathon Media and Spin Master original property. CITV began airing the series in April. The satellite and free TV platforms set the stage for a comprehensive consumer products and toy plan in the U.K., where Cartoon Network is the licensing agent and Spin Master holds the toy rights. "Redakai" has also been acquired by Cartoon Network (the U.S., EMEA and Latin America), Network 10 (Australia), Clan TV (Spain), Panda Biggs (Portugal), Gulli and Canal J (France) and YTV (Canada). Marathon Media holds the global TV and licensing rights, excluding North America, which are held by Spin Master, along with all toy rights.

MarVista Entertainment launched a licensing program for "Radio Rebel," its second production for Disney Channel, produced with first time co-production partner Two 4 the Money Media. Among its ancillary product lines, the "Radio Rebel" soundtrack is being released through Razor & Tie. Brand Sense Partners, licensing agency for the series, has secured several merchandise partnerships including CPO for bracelets and hair accessories, Scorpio Posters for printed gifts and KJM, Jerry Leigh and Ripple Junction for apparel. Café Press and Zazzle are developing a wide range of customizable products from notebooks, stickers and magnets to apparel, headwear and gifts.

Nelvana announced that it has acquired Chorion's Silver Lining Productions' interest in the preschool property Max & Ruby. Nelvana now has the complete worldwide TV production and merchandise licensing rights to the brand. "Max & Ruby" is a top-rated TV series in the U.S. on Nickelodeon and in Canada on Treehouse, and new episodes are in production. "Max & Ruby" DVDs from Nickelodeon Home Entertainment have sold more than 2.9 million units in the U.S. alone, and KOBA Entertainment recently completed a successful North American tour of the "Max & Ruby" live show.

Nelvana also presented "Trucktown," a new preschool series in development, based on a book series by author Jon Scieszka, along with new episodes of many of its most popular series including "Detentionaire," "Franklin and Friends," "Mr. Young" and "Beyblade."

Nickelodeon, Belgium-based production partner Studio 100 and U.K.-based co-producer Lime Pictures announced plans to produce a third season of the series "House of Anubis," which follows a group of students who uncover and solve hidden mysteries. The first season launched in the U.S. and on Nick channels around the world in 2011. The second season recently aired in the U.S. and will roll out in other territories.

Italian independent broadcaster Switchover Media announced a deal with BBC Worldwide for all free-TV, home video and licensing rights for the live action family comedy "Me & My Monsters." Already a strong performer on CBBC in the U.K., "Me & My Monsters" will be launched in Italy in June on K2 and SKY satellite. The show combines live action with puppet animation created by The Jim Henson Creature Shop. Switchover Media also acquired home video and broadcast rights in Italy, and Switchover Licensing, the company's in-house licensing division, will develop brand extensions.

Toei Animation, which is celebrating 25 years of the Saint Seiya property, introduced a new series, "Saint Seiya Omega." In addition, Toei appointed Iriya Azuma to director, global licensing business department. He will direct international licensing strategies for its top brands. Azuma, who joined Toei in 1986, has produced some of the company's most recognizable series including "Sailor Moon" and "The Legend of the Gambler–Tetsuya."

Paris-based Tele Images Productions, part of Zodiak Kids, and Danish studio Nice Ninja unveiled the pilot episode of "The Marco Macaco Show," a 3D, animated, non-verbal comedy series produced with Canal+. Zodiak Kids, Zodiak Media's children's production and distribution arm, holds the distribution rights to the series, which is scheduled to start production in September in France and Denmark, for delivery in 2013. "The Marco Macaco Show," a spin-off series based on the forthcoming animated theatrical feature film Marco Macaco by Jan Rahbek, features the daily adventures of the "world's most dedicated beach officer, Marco Macaco."