Beijing– iQIYI, Zhejiang Blue Star Media Co. Ltd and Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia, a division of Viacom Inc. jointly announced their strategic collaboration to develop an iQIYI original children’s animation series, Deer Run, which is the first time Nickelodeon Asia is taking a Chinese original on its network from conception phase. Produced by iQIYI, with creative guidance, inputs and supervision by Nickelodeon Asia, the CG-animated series will not only premiere on iQIYI’s digital platform and Zhejiang Satellite TV in China, but will air on Nickelodeon Asia in the summer of 2019. VIMN will also explore Deer Run’s licensing potential outside of China, upon completion of production.
Deer Run centers on four different deer characters which bump into one another one day. Together, they overcome various obstacles and find themselves quickly developing a strong friendship amongst themselves.
Commenting on the collaboration, iQIYI’s Chief Content Officer, Wang Xiaohui said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Viacom International Media Networks on iQIYI’s original IP animation series, which will be supervised by experienced producers at Nickelodeon Asia. With our distribution capability and track record in IP development, we believe Nickelodeon’s excellence in production and storytelling will extend our IP to kids in China, and beyond.”
“Deer Run will be our first in-depth animation collaboration for Nickelodeon in China. We chose this project because of its great story and compelling, relatable characters that resonate with the Nickelodeon brand. This collaboration deepens our existing strategic relationship with iQIYI, whose extensive distribution ability in China will be the hallmark of the project’s future success in China,” said Pierre Cheung, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Greater China, Viacom International Media Networks.
“The content industry has been looking forward to the development of the Chinese children’s animation market. We are delighted iQIYI will be taking the lead in promoting Chinese children’s animation outside of China with this winning collaboration,” said Yang Xiaoxuan, Vice President of iQIYI.
Animation for pre-school and youth audiences is highly lucrative within the local entertainment market. Relying on the qualified animation IP resources, excellent production team and powerful platform, iQIYI launched Ling Yu, The Totem Warrior, Sword Dynasty, Everlasting Immortal Firmament and several other Chinese premium cartoons. iQIYI arranges diversified and innovative content to provide its users with the IP entertainment service consisting of animation, manga, VIP membership, gaming, and e-commerce, and monetize the content via all these diversified platforms.
Zhejiang Blue Star Media Co. Ltd. is committed to promoting the development of the domestic animation industry. Possessing vast audience and top entertainment content in China, the company launched several outstanding works such as Lan Juxing he Lvdou Sha, Didao Zhan Zhi Yingxiong Chu Shaonian, Zhengyi Men. Its cooperation with iQIYI has also brought the children’s animation market an innovative case of the upstream linkage between the Internet and the television channels.
Vice President of Zhejiang Blue Star Media, Wu Bin commented, “I believe the collaboration with iQIYI from the upstream of the industry would maximize the advantages of Zhejiang Satellite TV and iQIYI in platform resources and together, we will create excellent Chinese animation content of international standards.”
Nickelodeon is recognized for its evergreen brands like SpongeBob Square Pants, Dora the Explorerand Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It’s also known for its strong line-up of preschool properties like PAW Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Shimmer and Shine and Nella the Princess Knight.
