Abbey Home Media Signs Major Middle Eastern Deals For Wide Eye Broadcast And Early Learning Series Distribution
12th May 2004
Wide Eye Broadcast
Abbey Home Media announces a multi territory deal with TV1 International Limited for the broadcast of Wide Eye in Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebabon, Oman, Quatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia.
Made by the BAFTA award – winning King Rollo Films (Spot, Maisy) and co-produced with BBC TV, the 26 x 10 minute episode series is targeted at boys and girls aged 3-6.
The series is set in the magical world of the Natterjack Forest, home to a delightful cast of unique and collectible animal characters. Pre – schoolers will revel in the adventures and play value of the lovable baby owl Little Hoot; his best friend Flea; the playful Natterjack toads; 99 the dozy but lovable centipede; arch mischief maker wily Komodo Dragon and his son Baby Komodo.
Full of humour, strong storylines and music plus voiceovers from such established names as Anton Rogers and Jane Horrocks, this unique production is proving to be a huge hit with children and parents alike, with broadcast rights been sold in over twenty five international territories.
Mike Robinson, Abbey’s Director of Broadcast Sales commented:
“ The deal with TV1 International for the Middle East marks another important step towards achieving our objective of full international distribution for Wide Eye. The loveable animal characters are ideally suited to the needs of different market places and the humorous storylines have universal appeal”
Wide Eye Early Learning Programme
In parallel with the Broadcast deal, Abbey is also pleased to announce a deal with Pioneer House LLC of Dubai to license the original Wide Eye Early Learning Programme for publishing across the Middle East and Indian subcontinents.
The Early Learning Programme is designed to provide pre-school children with support in the ten key areas of learning that a child needs to develop in preparation for its formal education, including Listening, Language, Mathematical and early Manipulative skills. Containing over 40 different multimedia components including books, audio, video, toy and a Parent’s Guide the programme is marketed as a single large compendium box or nine separate carry – case packs. The pack features all of the main characters from the Wide Eye television series.
James Harding, Abbey’s Managing Director commented:
“We are delighted to see a resurgence of interest in the Wide Eye Learning Programme based on the international success of the TV series. The Programme’s multimedia content is ideally suited to the learning needs of the younger child and our new relationship with Pioneer will make this valuable learning aid available to a new generation of children across the growing markets of the Middle east and Indian sub continent”
EDITOR’S NOTES
Abbey Home Media Group plc is one of the UK leading independent producers and distributors of Children’s programming for the pre-school audience, operating in the same sector as HIT Entertainment, Chorion and Entertainment Rights.
Located in central London, Abbey has an extensive rights portfolio of wholly owned and licensed properties focussed in four key trading areas:
Broadcast: TV series including Wide Eye, MacDonald’s Farm, Bump The Elephant, Teddy Trucks, SuperTed (co-owned with S4C and Mike Young Productions)
Audio / Video / DVD: An extensive catalogue of over 100 titles including distribution rights to Wide Eye, MacDonald’s farm, Baby Bright, Fungus The Bogeyman, Mona The Vampire, Rupert, Babar, Postman Pat, Mr. Men , Sooty.
Publishing: A book publishing list of 40 titles including the internationally distributed Wide Eye and Mother Goose Multimedia Early Learning Programmes, Artyfacts Creative Learning books, Baby Bright and My First Rhymes series.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Nardis Roscoe
+ 44 (0)20 7563 3933 [email protected]
ends
For further information, please contact:
Nardis Roscoe
Marketing Director
020 7563 3933 [email protected]
