MUNICH – The German media companies Studio 100 Media and m4e continue the international roll out of the animated preschool series Wissper, partnering with India-based entertainment conglomerate Viacom18 Media.
India’s leading Hindi entertainment channel has secured all rights for TV, digital and home entertainment as well as for licensing and merchandising for its subcontinent including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The show will be premiering on Nick Jr. India this fall.
Viacom18 Consumer Products is now in charge of bringing the adventures of m4e’s Wissper brand to shelves in India, already developing a licensing program. The biggest pillar for this program is an extensive toy line, with Simba Toys India already in the starting gates for a launch in fall 2018.
“Our partnership with Viacom18 will be introducing Wissper to kids and families in India, which is a key territory within our international broadcasting and licensing strategy,” said Peter Kleinschmidt, International Commercial Director at Studio 100 Media and m4e. “We have chosen Viacom18 as a local expert for guiding Wissper and us into this extremely interesting market. We are very excited about the commercial perspectives this huge market has to offer.”
Saugato Bhowmik, Business Head, VOOT Kids, INS and Consumer products, added: “Viacom18 Consumer Products has always introduced and brought to life for kids in India, characters that are globally loved and valued. We have created a wide array of product experiences around kid’s favorite characters that allow them to engage with their much-loved toons outside of the television screens. Wissper is loved by kids all around the world and we are happy to be Studio 100 Media’s and m4e’s partner of choice in bringing the brand to India. We are sure that the kids in India will love this enthralling character and make her a part of their daily lives.”
Aimed at preschool children, Wissper (52 x 7‘) follows the adventures of a little girl by the same name who has a very special talent – she can communicate with animals, which allows her to understand their problems and help solve them. Wissper the “animal whisperer” is a beloved character for young viewers all around the world.
Wissper is produced by m4e AG and London-based animation studio Cuckoo, in coproduction with Telegael (Ireland), Discreet Art Productions (India), and the German BASTEI Media, a subsidiary of publisher Bastei Lübbe AG. Season 2 with another 52 episodes of 7 minutes is currently in production and episodes 1-26 will be available this fall.
