Momentum building ahead of launch on Nick Jr and Family Jr.
HALIFAX, Dec. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - DHX Brands, the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media ("DHX" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), has appointed six North American licensees as it ramps up its Teletubbies consumer products program in the territory.
Spin Master (North American Master Toy), Accessory Innovations (Bags Backpacks, Hats), SG Company (Footwear), Franco Manufacturing (Juvenile Bedding), Betesh (Toddler Bedding) have all come on board ahead of the series launch on Nick Jr. in the US in 2016 and Family Jr. in Canada in early January, 2016. In addition, VTech extends its current ELA deal into North America building on its existing deal for UK, France, Germany, Benelux, Iberia and Australia and New Zealand.
The deals were brokered by CPLG North America, who are also in advanced negotiations on various other product categories.
Peter Byrne, EVP, DHX Brands, said: "UK ratings since launch have been very strong, so we are excited to be rolling out our licensing program in North America in 2016 with such great partners on board."
The timeless, unique and much loved Teletubbies are re-imagined for a new generation with 60 brand new episodes, starring Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. With rewarding rituals, sound play, and physical comedy, new generation Teletubbies builds upon many familiar and beloved features of the original series, while offering some exciting and surprising new developments too. With the Teletubby landscape replaced and replicated by a beautiful, detailed model enhanced via CGI, there is freedom to apply large doses of creative imagination to Teletubby stories. The wonderful new world of the Teletubbies resonates with preschoolers, reflecting child development and learning in a stimulating and contemporaneous manner.
Worldwide phenomenon Teletubbies first launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children's brands of all time. It has reached more than one billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in more than 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. Teletubbies now garners more 75 million views on You Tube per month.
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children's and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands' world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Make It Pop!, Slugterra, and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including the timing of the release of consumer products and the timing of a television debut. 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 risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which form part of the Company's registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, except as required by law.
SOURCE DHX Media Ltd.
Trade Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR, aimee@ddablueprint.com, +44 (0) 20 8985 4708; Financial Media: Shaun Smith - Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd., shaun.smith@dhxmedia.com, +1 416-977-7230; Investor relations: David Regan - EVP, Corporate Development, DHX Media Ltd., david.regan@dhxmedia.com, +1 902-425-3814Copyright CNW Group 2015