Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Toronto, Vancouver – DHX Media, an independent creator, producer, distributor and licensor of children’s entertainment content, has renewed its deal with BBC Worldwide Asia to represent the licensing rights to key brands Teletubbies (365 x 30’) and In the Night Garden (100 x 30’) in China across all categories.
This over-arching deal complements DHX Media and BBC Worldwide’s sub-agent agreement with UYoung Media Group which was appointed this year to spearhead a licensing and merchandising push for In the Night Garden in China, where it airs on state broadcaster CCTV.
In addition, DHX Media has signed an agreement with Shanghai V-Pop for the Chinese home entertainment rights to Teletubbies with DVDs launching at retail in 2014. This deal further expands the reach of the preschool brand in China where it already has an impressive roster of licensees including Phoenix, Hangzhou- Z-Shine and Chinoco.
Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media said: “Teletubbies and In the Night Garden continue to be popular globally, and enjoy a huge fan base in China. We are pleased to be renewing deals with both BBC Worldwide Asia and Shanghai V-Pop, ensuring these properties continue to enjoy a significant consumer presence in China.”
Since its UK launch in March 2007, In the Night Garden has achieved global success with programmes airing in 36 countries, including USA, Canada, Australia, Spain and China and has been translated into 19 different languages. The programme has been consistently on air since its launch in 2007, and DHX Media has recently announced a deal with broadcaster CBeebies ensuring the series will air until late 2020 in the UK.
Teletubbies was the very first western pre-school property to air on China’s CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million children and the first to open its very own Skills Development Centre in 2006. Broadcast in 120 countries and translated into 45 languages, the series focuses on the joy of learning and discovery.
Taking place ‘over the hills and far away’, Teletubbies has received numerous prestigious international Awards including 2 BAFTAs, 5 LIMA Awards, 4 Royal Television Society Awards, the Prix Jeunesse, the Nickelodeon UK Children’s Award, the BBC Audiocall Children’s Award, the Nats Children’s Award, the British Toy Association of Toy Retailers Toy of the Year Award and the 24th Grand Prix Japan Prize.
