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DQE to reincarnate 'The Jungle Book' with German broadcaster ZDF

Indiantelevision.com Team

(30 March 2009 4:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based animation, gaming and entertainment company DQ Entertainment (DQE) has partnered with German broadcaster ZDF and its distribution and licensing arm ZDF Enterprises to reincarnate Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book' for the first time in high definition television series and television feature format.

The budget of the project is pegged at approximately €9 million (Rs 606.53 million) and will be funded through pre-sales and co-production deals across the globe.

'The Jungle Book' deal will be led by DQE wherein the company will hold the majority global rights including television, distribution, home video, VoD, publishing and licensing and merchandising.

As co-producers, ZDF/ ZDF-E will have the right to appoint executive producers for the project with full editorial and distribution rights for Europe (excluding French, English and Irish territories), Middle East and Latin America.

"This is a major milestone for the growth of DQE's home grown IP initiatives, and represents a bold step forward in terms of international production, licensing and distribution for our company," said DQE Group chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.

To exploit the product in France and other French territories, DQE has collaborated with French broadcaster TF-1 Broadcasting and its distribution and licensing arm TF-1 Enterprises.

London-based NBC Universal, meanwhile, has been given the responsibility for distribution of the project's home video in territories such as UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan while it is in advance negotiations for other territories also.

"Joining hands with ZDF Group of companies from Germany, TF-1 Group of companies from France and NBC Universal, London has added tremendous strength to the production of this brand Jungle Book," Chakravarti quipped.

"This has almost guaranteed very strong distribution for all platform of television, video, VOD and merchandising in entire Europe, Middle East and Latin America while, Asian nations and North America are joining hands shortly," added Chakravarti.

According to DQE, the company is currently in talks with other European and international distributors for co-production and acquisition deals for the forthcoming series.

The book will be visually translated into a 52 episode animated series wherein the first season of the 52x11 minute series will be delivered by 2010. This will be followed by a 60-minute TV feature.

Said ZDF international co-productions and acquisitions for children's and youth programming - head Nicole Keeb, "'Jungle Book' is a classical property and with its modern 3D adaptation perfectly fits into ZDF's programming. We particularly like the idea that Mowgli and his friends will come to life in their homeland: India."