Abbey Home Media Wins Central Eastern Europe Broadcast and Distribution Deal For Wide Eye with Minimax.
15/07/2004
Abbey Home Media has secured yet another international deal for its hit pre-school show Wide Eye, co-produced with the BBC. Minimax have bought the cable and satelitte, video and dvd rights for Wide Eye in the following territories: Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Minimax is a leading European kids channel for boys and girls aged 2-10 with 1.4 million cable households in Hungary (a 60% share of the kid’s themed channels), 1.7 million households in Romania, and 0.6 million households in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Katalin Radoczy Head of Acquisitions and Programme Director at Minimax stated :
" We are delighted, that it is Minimax where Wide Eye will start its Central- Eastern- European carrier. Wide Eye fits perfectly well into our new program structure. We have no doubts that this charming pre-school series, with its great characters will delight our pre-schooler audience. "
Wide Eye’s expanding broadcast distribution makes it one of the fastest growing series in the worldwide market for pre – school children’s shows.
Market
Broadcaster
Australia ABC
Belgium RTBF
Denmark TV2
Finland YLE
France UFG (video)
Korea EBS / Daekyo
Norway NRK
New Zealand TV3
Sweden SVT
South Africa M Net
South Africa GTV (video)
Switzerland SF DRS
Made by the BAFTA award – winning King Rollo Films (Spot, Maisy) the 26 x 10 minute episode series is based on the internationally successful Wide Eye Early Learning Programme, which has been sold in over 30 countries.
Targeted at children aged 3-6 the series is set in the magical world of the Natterjack Forest, home to a delightful cast of unique animal characters. Pre – schoolers world wide will revel in the adventures 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.
Commented Executive Producer and former Head of Acquisitions and Co-productions at the BBC, Theresa Plummer Andrews:
" Wide Eye is one of the most charming pre-school products on the market, with great characters and really skilful storytelling scripts which are also very funny. The Wide Eye series will delight pre-schoolers for years to come. "
Added Ian Miles, Chairman of Abbey Home Media:
"Wide Eye is the most exciting property Abbey has ever been involved with. We are delighted that it is beginning to take the international market by storm and has the makings of a classic worldwide brand. It is entertaining, informative and above all completely original."
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 three 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.
Minimax channels were launched by Mediatech, starting in Hungary in 1999, followed by Romania in 2001 and the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 2004. www.minimax.hu
ends
For further information, please contact:
Nardis Roscoe
Marketing Director
020 7563 3933 [email protected]
