Zodiak to Present 'The Ranch'

The new animated property, produced by Tele Images productions (part of Zodiak Kids), is set to air in France on Oct. 31 on TF1 and was pre-sold earlier this year to additional French broadcasters Teletoon+ and Equidia Life (the horse-dedicated cable and satellite channel), DeA Kids and Super in Italy, ARD and KiKA in Germany, NRK Super in Norway and VRT in Belgium.

Making its official market debut this weekend, the brand also already has a fremium online game developed by Tele Images with the support of TF1, Canal+, DeA Kids, the CNC and Media. “The Ranch” game will be launched in the first quarter of 2013 on broadcasters’ websites and is part of a 360-degree strategy that also includes books (Hachette), comics (Casterman), music (Christophe Maé, 2011 French best-selling artist, has recorded the opening song) and a licensing program to be managed by TF1 Licences in French-speaking Europe and Planeta Junior in Italy.  

Bridge Rights and TF1 Video have picked up the German and French DVD rights respectively. 

“The Ranch” depicts the adventures of four teenagers who share a passion for horse riding. When Lena encounters a wild stallion called Mistral who has been injured, she decides to adopt and tame him with the help of her friends.

“Horse shows have always proven successful in the past and ‘The Ranch’ could reach an even wider audience by being more gender-neutral than other series of the same kind,” says Philippe Alessandri, president, Tele Images Productions.