iQIYI to stream seasons one and two; PPW named licensing agent for consumer products
HALIFAX, NS --(Marketwired - May 30, 2017) - DHX Media (or the "Company")
(TSX: DHX.A) (TSX: DHX.B) (NASDAQ:
DHXM), a leading global children's content and brands company, is expanding its global reach through a deal with iQIYI,
one of China's most popular streaming platforms, to launch its new Teletubbies series in the country.
iQIYI will deliver seasons one and two of the hit pre-school series to Chinese audiences via subscription video-on-demand
(SVOD) and advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) services. Season one will premiere in the territory on June 1, 2017, with
season two to follow at a later date.
To date, DHX Media has licensed more than 9,700 half-hours of content across numerous digital and linear services in China,
leveraging more than 2,500 half-hours of Mandarin-dubbed content in its library.
iQIYI is China's largest internet and mobile video service provider, streaming both licensed and original movies, television
series, variety shows, cartoons and other content. Founded in Beijing in April 2010, iQIYI has been dedicated to providing
Chinese users with the best possible online video experience, along with other entertainment services including reading, gaming,
movie ticketing, live streaming and e-commerce.
In a separate deal, DHX Brands, DHX Media's dedicated brand management and consumer products arm, has appointed Promotional
Partners Worldwide (PPW) as the licensing agent for Teletubbies in China. Driving expansion into China with the
appointment of one of the region's premier licensing agents, DHX Brands aims to tap into the enormous potential in the country
for the Teletubbies consumer products program. This follows the recent appointment of Candy Ho as Business Development
Director for DHX Brands, establishing a base for the business from Hong Kong.
Josh Scherba, EVP Distribution and Content at DHX Media, said: "China is a major market for the new Teletubbies as we
continue the global rollout of the brand. We are delighted that leading digital platforms continue to license more of our kids'
programming. iQIYI is ideally suited to deliver the new series to Chinese audiences. The show will be available across all
devices, building on the tremendous legacy that these four lovable characters have in China."
Peter Byrne, EVP, DHX Brands, added: "DHX Brands is delighted to be working with licensing industry leaders PPW as we bring
the new Teletubbies to today's audience in China. PPW's expertise in the launch and establishment of pre-school
properties in the Chinese market is unrivaled, and we look forward to successfully building the Teletubbies consumer
products program together."
As the flagship property in DHX Media's strategy to build global brands, the new Teletubbies continues to perform
well and is gaining international momentum. The worldwide licensing program is growing rapidly, with more than 85 top-tier
partners already on board, underscoring its position as one of the best-loved and most-recognizable children's properties.
The new Teletubbies series follows the same four huggable characters and styling as the original show and has been
visually modernized by DHX Media and award-winning U.K. production company, Darrall Macqueen, bringing a refreshed and
contemporary look and feel to one of the world's favourite preschool properties. Outside of China, the show has been picked up by
24 broadcasters worldwide to date, as well as Amazon Prime Video in the U.K., where the commissioning broadcaster is
CBeebies.
The market potential is significant for the Teletubbies with approximately 226 million children under the age of 14
on the Chinese mainland, and the number of newborns is expected to climb up to 21 million annually by 2021. Retail sales of toys
and games in China grew at an average annual rate of 2% from 2010 through 2015, and are expected to exceed US$43.5 billion within
the next two years*.
*Source: Euromonitor "Toys and Games in China", June 2016
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX.A) (TSX: DHX.B) (NASDAQ: DHXM) is a leading children's content and brands company, recognized globally for such high-profile
properties as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and the acclaimed Degrassi franchise.
The Company is a leading producer of children's shows and owns the world's largest independent library of children's content, at
more than 12,500 half-hours. It licenses its content to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide and generates royalties
through its robust global consumer products program. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media operates one of the largest
networks of children's channels on YouTube. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has 17 offices worldwide. On May 10, 2017, DHX
Media announced it had signed definitive agreements to acquire 80% of the famed Peanuts brand and 100% of the Strawberry
Shortcake brand, which transactions are expected to close on or around June 30, 2017. Visit us at www.dhxmedia.com.
About Promotional Partners Worldwide
With over 20 years' experience of strategy formulation in sales and promotion, Promotional Partners Worldwide (PPW)
is a brand facilitator with traces all over the world. The brands PPW carries are all reputable and enviable, including Bear
Grylls, Booto, Candy Crush, Chuggington, Discovery Channel, Lamborghini, Pantone, Peppa Pig, Smurfs, Teletubbies, FIFA World Cup
and European Premier football clubs, national football teams of Brasil, France, England and Netherlands, etc.
PPW's mission is to deliver to clients a hassle free one-stop shop solution via our innovative and holistic services. Besides
its experienced brand management and business development teams, its supporting teams, creative, legal and finance, are always
ready to provide value-added services. In addition to the applause given by brand owners, PPW has gained the recognition in the
licensing industry as PPW has received twice the award of Best Licensing Agency from the International Licensing Industry
Merchandisers' Association. www.ppwgroup.com
About Teletubbies
Originally created in 1997, multiple award-winning Teletubbies is designed to encourage young children to
watch television creatively. Full of fun and exploration, it inspires confidence and curiosity and nurtures childhood
development. In September 2013, DHX Media acquired all rights to Teletubbies and engaged award-winning UK production
company Darrall Macqueen to executive produce a 21st century version of the show for a new generation of viewers. DHX Media
handles global distribution and all licensing and merchandising for Teletubbies.
Disclaimer
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX Media
including, without limitation, statements regarding the expansion of the reach and presence of DHX Media and its brands, in
particular in China, timing of the airing and availability of Teletubbies in China, the potential for a Teletubbies consumer
products program in China, the markets and industries in which DHX Media operates, including the market potential in China for
Teletubbies, and the business strategies and operational activities of DHX Media. 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 or events 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 scheduling and other risks associated with the timing of production and delivery of
productions, the Company's ability to close and execute on anticipated licensing arrangements, changing demographics and/or
consumer preferences in China, and 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 also form part of the Company's annual report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC.
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.
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