Outfit7 has hired the American screenwriter and producer Joe Ansolabehere to create a TV series based on its Talking Tom and Talking Friends app properties.

Codenamed “Tom on the Road,” the 52 x 11 CGI TV series will feature Talking Tom and his best friend Talking Ben, as well as a cast of other characters from the “Talking Friends” app. 

The new TV series is part of Outfit7’s broader content strategy, which also includes plans for animation and video on YouTube and other platforms to appeal to the Talking Friends broad demographic. 

“Tom on the Road” will available for broadcast by the end of 2014.

“Creating a TV show is the next exciting step for the popular Talking Friends franchise, which started life in the mobile world and gained millions of fans worldwide with its humor and charm,” says Alessandro Traverso, chief operating officer, Outfit7. “Talking Tom and his Talking Friends have already made it in the video world and performed chart-topping singles that have helped to drive global merchandise sales–a TV series is the next natural progression.”

Traverso is presenting the new series at MIPCOM this week.