Cannes – BBC Worldwide Channels has announced the commission of a new live-action children’s series Penelope K, By The Way, its first ever original production for the international CBeebies channel. Set to debut on CBeebies in Australia next year, followed by CBeebies in the UK and around the world, the original series was developed by Sydney-based Blink Films and pitched to CBeebies by award-winning producer Michael Bourchier, following the launch of the international channel’s inaugural local production initiative in Australia earlier this year. Selected from over 100 submissions, the 25 x 12 minutes series was given the green light by Brendan Dahill, Director of Television, BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia, and Michael Carrington, Controller, CBeebies UK. In March 2009, BBC Worldwide Channels Australasia invited Australian producers to submit ideas for an upbeat, humorous series rooted in the real world, suitable for four to six year-old girls and boys. A shortlist of six finalists were selected from over 100 entries and invited to a formal pitch session in Sydney in July.