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MUMBAI:
Canada's Nelvana Enterprises, a producer of children's animated
content owned by Corus Entertainment and China's Ciwen Media
Group have entered into a content acquisition and representation
deal for China.
Nelvana
has granted Ciwen distribution representation rights to over
1,000 half-hours of animated and live-action Nelvana programming,
which includes titles such as Franklin, Babar, Rolie Polie
Olie, Mr. Young and The Detentionaire, as well as exclusive
merchandise representation rights for Franklin and non-exclusive
rights for Ruby Gloom, 6teen and Grossology. The deal covers
the territories of Mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong.
Beijing-based
media research and consulting firm CMM-I MD Anke Redl said,
"In terms of the number of episodes, the number of properties
involved and the breadth of rights and distribution channels
granted to Ciwen, this deal is certainly significant and likely
one of the largest kids media deals for Western properties
ever to be concluded in China".
Ciwen
will work to place the shows with free TV, cable and satellite
broadcasters after dubbing them into Mandarin or other regional
languages. Where broadcasters aren't available, it will focus
on the burgeoning VOD and Internet television market in China.
In addition, Ciwen plans to release as many titles as possible
on DVD.
On
the merchandising side, Ciwen will undertake a comprehensive
brand-building and licensing program across an array of categories
that will include toys, apparel and accessories, and channels,
including digital media, traditional and digital publishing,
and themed entertainment.
Nelvana
has a long and successful history of having its shows broadcast
around the globe with sales in more than 160 countries in
over 50 languages and a library that features over 4,000 half-hour
episodes. Nelvana has received over 70 major international
program awards including Emmys and Geminis.
Nelvana
MD Colin Bohm said, "We are very excited to be partnering
with Ciwen to bring our Nelvana properties to China. There
are timeless themes in our shows that connect our audiences
regardless of where they may live; and we are confident that
our compelling stories and characters will translate well
to the children of China and their families. We think our
agreement with Ciwen presents a tremendous opportunity for
us to bring our great content to China across multiple platforms
and channels."
Ciwen
Media Group president Ma Zhong-jun said, "Ciwen Media
Group intends to take the lead in China for introducing classic
animation properties to Chinese kids and their families. Our
approach is to take world-class programs and characters and
construct a comprehensive plan for their distribution across
China through the traditional channels such as broadcast,
DVDs, print publishing, toys, apparel and accessories, but
also through emerging digital platforms such as Internet TV,
VOD, e-publishing and content for mobile devices and tablets."
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