Saban Brands has signed on to manage the distribution, licensing and merchandising of Nottingham Forest’s animated series “Sendokai Champions” in North America and Israel.

As part of the deal, Saban will air the series on its Saturday morning Vortexx programming block on The CW in the U.S., as well as feature the show on the Vortexx website.

“Our affiliation with Saban Brands is an important step for ‘Sendokai Champions’ because it is a powerful group that will enhance the brand and will help to make it grow internationally,” says David Pérez Andrés, sales and business development director, Nottingham Forest. “We are so pleased with the success that the property has received, both in audience rates and commercially.”

“Sendokai Champions” is co-produced by Kotoc and TVE and follows adventures of four unpopular guys who must overcome their weaknesses and learn the art of Sendokai to become warriors and save Earth.

The series is also broadcast in Spain on the TVE kids’ channel Clan and in Latin America on Cartoon Network. A range of top line partners are already signed on for the property including Planeta Junior to manage L&M in South and Eastern Europe, Simba as master toy in Iberia and Panini, which will launch a line of collectibles in Spain this fall.