MIPCOM: Henson Debuts New Preschool Series

The Jim Henson Company unveiled its new live-action preschool series, “Hi Opie!” at MIPJunior and MIPCOM this week in Cannes, France.

Produced by Marblemedia, in association with The Jim Henson Company, the property is being presented as both a finished English-language series (13x30 or 39x7) and as an international format.

“Hi Opie!” was developed with TVO and produced in partnership with TVO, City Saskatchewan (Rogers Broadcasting) and Knowledge Network.

Designed for preschoolers, the series stars 5-year-old puppet Opie and his real-life kid classmates in their first year of kindergarten.

“By taking ‘Hi Opie!’ into television homes around the world, we are helping to prepare children for school as well as the everyday issues they may encounter,” says Richard Goldsmith, executive vice president, global distribution and international consumer products, The Jim Henson Company. “Many of our television and digital platform partners are looking for a cost-effective format that can be locally produced and still feature an exceptional and beloved Henson puppet, and we look forward to helping children everywhere to learn and play with Opie.”

 The Jim Henson Company will oversee all television, DVD, digital distribution and format rights (other than in Canada, France and Australia, which will be handled by Distribution360, a Marblemedia company), as well as all consumer products rights worldwide for the brand.

Marblemedia also launched an extensive interactive component for the brand in September. The online content, hosted by Opie himself, reinforces the core messages of the brand by offering kids meaningful interactive stories, explanatory environments, as well as activities and games. The website will be available for international licensing.