The Walt Disney Company EMEA has acquired "The Hive" for global satellite broadcast on Playhouse Disney across 150 countries. The new CGI-preschool animation series comes from U.K. production company The Hive Enterprises and its distributor Bejuba.

"The Hive" is produced by Lupus Films, Monumental Productions and DQ Entertainment International. The multi-territory deal will see "The Hive" on air beginning in early 2011 on Playhouse Disney channels in France, Germany (GSA), Italy, Spain, Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan, India, Latin America, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  

The preschool show, 26x21 or 78x7, follows the fortunes of the friendly Bee family, who live together in The Hive. Storylines explore the themes of family, working together to solve problems, being part of a diverse community and caring for the environment.  

"'The Hive' underscores our on-going commitment to create global programming with creative production companies from markets in the U.K. and the rest of Europe," says Giorgio Stock, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Channels EMEA and DIMG EMEA. "The characters are hugely endearing and we hope that 'The Hive' will encourage preschoolers to foster an appreciation for the environment and working together to solve problems."

"The Hive" is also set to premiere this autumn in the U.K. on GMTV's preschool Fluffy Club weekend programming block.