60 new episodes on slate with award-winning UK producers Darrall
Macqueen
HALIFAX, June 13, 2014 /CNW/ - DHX Media Ltd. ("DHX" or the "Company")
(TSX: DHX), a leading independent creator, producer, distributor and
licensor of children's entertainment content, today announced plans to
produce 60 brand new episodes for its iconic children's television property, Teletubbies, for CBeebies in the UK.
The new series will feature the same well-loved characters and styling
but will be visually enhanced, bringing a refreshed and contemporary
look and feel to one of the world's most well-known properties, which
is still entertaining and engaging preschool audiences worldwide.
DHX Media has also engaged award-winning UK production company, Darrall
Macqueen Ltd. The two companies are pioneering an upgraded and updated
version of the current show which will feature the iconic live action
characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po on replica model sets. The episodes will be enhanced by CGI,
reinvigorating the show for future generations.
Kay Benbow, Controller, CBeebies said: "Teletubbies is an enduringly popular series with our youngest viewers, although no
new episodes have been made for over ten years. I think that now is the
right time to create new episodes of this much-loved, iconic show for
the current CBeebies audience."
Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media said: "Having acquired Teletubbies, one of the most significant and globally successful television
properties, we are committed to developing the brand for today's
children. Kids' entertainment of this calibre captivates generation
after generation so we believe there is considerable demand for an
enhanced, contemporary version. Darrall Macqueen is one of the UK's
most dynamic production companies and we believe the ideal partner to
help visually refresh this landmark show."
Global phenomenon Teletubbies launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global
children's brands of all time. It has reached over 1 billion children
to date and the original episodes have aired in over 120 territories in
45 different languages. It was the very first western pre-school
property to air on China's CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million
children. Its enduring resonance with children is further underscored
by the brand's postings on YouTube which garner almost 50 million views
per month.
About DHX Media
DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of family
entertainment. DHX Media owns, markets and distributes over 10,000
episodes of entertainment programming worldwide and licenses its owned
properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media
is recognized for brands such as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies,
In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, and the multi-award
winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media's full-service international
licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG),
represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media
has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris,
Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam and is listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to
the Company, including statements about the value of the substantial
issuer bid to the Company's remaining shareholders and its effects on
the Company's earnings per share. Although the Company believes that
the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are
reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are
based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results
may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward
looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events
to differ materially from current expectations, among other things,
include risks related to market factors, including changing popularity
of the titles in the Company's production library, application of
accounting policies and principles, and production related risks, and
other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities
regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed
under "Risk Factors" in the Company's short form prospectus dated
November 4, 2013, Annual Information Form, and the annual Management
Discussion and Analysis. These forward-looking statements are made as
of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or
revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.
Image with caption: "Canada's DHX Media (TSX:DHX) today announced plans to produce 60 brand new episodes for its iconic children's television property, Teletubbies, for CBeebies in the UK. Teletubbies characters shown: Dipsy (green), Tinky Winky (purple), Laa-Laa (yellow), and Po (red). (CNW Group/DHX Media Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140613_C9902_PHOTO_EN_41388.jpg
Image with caption: "Canada's DHX Media (TSX:DHX) today announced plans to produce 60 brand new episodes for its iconic children's television property, Teletubbies, for CBeebies in the UK. Teletubbies characters shown: Dipsy (green), Tinky Winky (purple), Laa-Laa (yellow), and Po (red). (CNW Group/DHX Media Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140613_C9902_PHOTO_EN_41389.jpg
Image with caption: "Canada's DHX Media (TSX:DHX) today announced plans to produce 60 brand new episodes for its iconic children's television property, Teletubbies, for CBeebies in the UK. Teletubbies characters shown: Dipsy (green), Tinky Winky (purple), Laa-Laa (yellow), and Po (red), and Noo Noo, their vacuum cleaner. (CNW Group/DHX Media Ltd.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140613_C9902_PHOTO_EN_41390.jpg
