MUMBAI: Universal Studios has announced that it has commenced production on 26 episodes of a new animated TV series, The Land Before Time. The series is slated to debut on Cartoon Network in the US in 2007 and will be subsequently distributed on DVD by Universal.

A billion-dollar property that is considered one of the most successful feature-length children's home entertainment franchises of all time, The Land Before Time movies, which boast of 11 instalments over a 17-year period, collectively have sold more than 60 million units worldwide. The TV series will include many of franchise's most memorable characters, including Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike and Chomper in all new adventures. It will be created using a combination of 2-D animation and 3-D backgrounds.

Additionally, Universal plans further expanding upon the blockbuster franchise in 2007 with Land Before Time: Day of the Flyers, the much anticipated 12th instalment in the direct-to-DVD series. Both the TV series and the new feature-length adventure DVD will be jointly supported by a worldwide licensing programme, which will be spearheaded by Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.