New York – Peanuts Worldwide has announced a partnership with Normaal Animation and Télévisions to create 500 all new animated shorts based on the Peanuts comic strip and characters. The 90-second shorts are part of Peanuts Worldwide’s long-term content building strategy that includes a new animated feature film from Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios that is set for global release in November 2015.

The new collection marks the first-ever animated interpretations of the Peanuts comic strips in short form and will be available for global distribution in fall 2014.

“Partnering with a dynamic production house such as Normaal Animation and a leading broadcaster like France Television, is a key step in our strategy to build all new content based on the characters and storylines by Charles Schulz,” stated Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO of Iconix Brand Group, which owns a primary interest in Peanuts Worldwide. “The new collection and format will also provide us with the opportunity to continually keep the characters in front of new generations of Peanuts fans.”

“Charles M. Schulz’s collective body of work is universally appreciated. His creativity, tenderness and whimsy speak intimately to everyone. Animating his work is an honour, a joy and a responsibility; every generation should have the chance to grow up with Peanuts,” said Alexis Lavillat, founder of Normaal Animation. 

“We are proud to welcome Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang to France 3. Our channel is a natural home for comic strip adaptations. The combined expertise of Peanuts Worldwide, Normaal and France Télévision’s children and youth department will bring viewers high quality animation true to the universe created by Charles M. Schulz. Families around the world are sure to enjoy them!” said Julien Borde, General Secretary of Programming at France Télévisions station’s France 3.