Worldwide Distribution: Zodiak Entertainment.

Cynopsis: Kids!
04/02/10

Good morning. It’s Friday, April 2, 2010, and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.

Glasgow-based Billi Productions and indie animation studio Glasgow Animation have moved into post-production on Scotland’s first full-length CGI animated feature film Sir Billi.  The family-targeted movie is directed by Sascha Hartman, also co-founder of Billi Productions, from a screenplay by his wife Tessa Hartman, which is based on their original story and expanded from a 2006 short concept.  John Fraser is producing the picture, with Sir Sean Connery serving as executive producer.  Connery and actor Alan Cumming are key members of the voice-over cast for the movie.  The movie also features a musical score created by Patrick Doyle (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sense and Sensibility), with Dame Shirley Bassey performing the title track, Guardian of the Highlands.  Other cast members include Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter), Alex Norton (Pirates of the Caribbean, Taggart), Ford Kiernan (Chewin’ the Fat, The Last Great Wilderness), Barbara Rafferty (The Wicker Man, River City), Greg Hemphill (Still Game, Chewin’ the Fat), Kieron Elliot (How to Train Your Dragon), and Ruby Wax among others.  Set in the Scottish Highlands, the adventure revolves around Sir William Sedgewick (aka Sir Billi, who is voiced by Connery), a unique local hero, grandfather and skateboarding veterinarian, who stops at nothing to go up against bad guys and others in order to save an illegal fugitive, Bessie Boo the beaver, with the help of his sidekick Gordon the Goat (Cumming).

Recording artist/songwriter/producer/fashion designer Pharrell Williams (member of the group N.E.R.D.) launches his new teen-targeted news/information service Kidult.com, which will cover everything from current events, politics, science, entertainment, health, sports, gaming and fashion in written items, blogs and video content (e.g. interviews) as well as user generated content, per Billboard.  Additionally, Kidult plans include a Kidult Youth Leadership Conference set to be held this June 26 in NYC.  Pharrell co-founded the site with Mimi Valdes, Editor in Chief of Latina Magazine.

NEW PRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT

Coraline director Henry Selick enters into an exclusive long-term deal with Disney/Pixar to create Stop-motion animated feature films, per Variety.  The move not only marks Selick’s return to Disney, where he began his career and directed Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, but also Disney Animation and its head John Lasseter’s commitment to another style of animation.  According to the report, Selick will be based in the Bay Area, where he will write and direct stop-motion movies based on original concepts and literary properties.  Coraline was a Laika Entertainment picture.

The Fox big screen adaptation of the classic kid’s book Mr. Poppers Penguins, could be moving forward with writer/director Noah Baumbach in discussions to direct and Ben Stiller also talks to star, per Variety.  The studio acquired the right to the 1938 book by Richard and Florence Atwater last year, and is now in the hands of writers Sean Anders and John Morris.  John Davis will produce the movie under his Davis Entertainment banner.  Baumbach, who co-wrote the screenplay for Fox and Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animated movie Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), directed Stiller in the newly released Focus Features’ movie Greenberg, which is not for kids.

MORE KIDS STUFF

Foothill Entertainment acquires the worldwide distribution rights to the new kid/family game show format Test The Teachers (20×25), which it will showcase at MIPTV.  Produced by Ireland-based Screentime Shinawil (The Apprentice, Popstars, Dragon’s Den), Test The Teachers offers kids the chance to turn things upside down by testing their teachers in categories from world history to pop culture.  In the inter-school game series, students come up with the questions, tasks and challenges to test teachers from rival schools.  Test The Teachers currently airs on RTE Two (Ireland).  Foothill is handling worldwide sales outside of Ireland.

Mediatoon will showcase a range of properties at MIPTV later this month in Cannes.  Leading its slate of offerings is The Garfield Show (52×11), produced by Dargaud Media, which has a second season already in production.  Additional shows include:

• The short-form preschool series Yummy Toonies (104×1), which explores various food groups, their colors and tastes, co-produced with Cherry Picking, Ellipsanime and Storimages.
• Contraptus (78×7), a 3D HD animated series abed on the comic book Leonard by Turk and De Groot, produced by Ellipsanime.  Each episode is followed by a 40-second interstitial based on the invention from the episode. There is also an interactive companion website featuring games at

www.contraptus.tv .

• The Magic Roundabout (104×11)  the second season of 52 new episodes of the preschool series co-produced by Les Films Action, Ellipsanime and Play Production.  The new episodes are set to deliver in fall 2010.
• The Chumballs (26×11)  an animated series targeted to younger kids and that focuses on basics of ecology.

Disney/ABC/ESPN is launching several iPad-optimized apps this Saturday including several for kids, as well as those for sports enthusiasts, which includes some kids/teens:

• Two Toy Story apps (one free, the other/$8.99 with a free month subscription to disneydigitalbooks.com) offering read-along stories and interactive features such as karaoke and voice record capabilities
• iPad Gaming apps include Phineas and Ferb Arcade, Fairies Fly and ESPN Pinball
• ESPN ScoreCenter XL is the network’s version of the popular ScoreCenter iPhone app

Also, Once Upon an App gives The Tale of Peter Rabbit the iPad app treatment.  The Peter Rabbit app launches this weekend (regularly $.99, but free this weekend).  The app features classic illustrations, narration, an interactive picture puzzle, an Easter Egg game, and music.  The app is also compatible with iPhone and iPod touch (requires iPhone OS 3.0 or later)

A CYNOPSIS MESSAGE FROM SHAFTESBURY KIDS

MARKETING/LICENSING

Gaumont-Alphanim and Muse Entertainment enter into a deal with Oxford University Press to develop a series of educational books based on the animated kid’s TV series The Mysteries of Alfred Hedgehog for use by teachers in primary school classes in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.  Created by Merilyn Read (Babar and Father Christmas, The Tom Green Show) and Mary Mackay-Smith (Dot, Caillou), The Mysteries of Alfred Hedgehog follows the adventures of the Hedgehog detective as he uses his powers of deductive reasoning to solve mysteries.  The series debuted this year on TVO, TFO, Radio-Canada, Knowledge and France 5.  There is already an online game and a Nintendo Wii game based on the property.

Warner Home Video (WHV) and Sesame Workshop will release Firefly Fun and Buggy Buddies on DVD this June 1, 2010.  The title includes three stories all about bugs and featuring guest appearances by Jenny McCarthy and Molly Shannon.

RATINGS

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Kids 2-11 for the week of 3/22-3/28/10 , 6a-6a:
K2-11                                             Total Delivery (000)
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 8-9:30p)     3721
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/28; 10:30a)       2816
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/27; 9:30a)         2702
NICK:    Victorious (3/27; 9:30p)                              2686
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 6p)                                         2521
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/28; 10a)            2501
NICK:    iCarly (3/28; 11a)                                       2499
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 6:30p)                                    2402
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/22; 5:30p)         2380
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/25; 5:30p)         2290
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Kids 6-11 for the week of 3/22-3/28/10 , 6a-6a:
K6-11                                                Total Delivery (000)
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 8-9:30p)       2889
NICK:    Victorious (3/27; 9:30p)                                2118
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/27; 9:30a)           1772
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 6:30p)                                      1755
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 6p)                                           1691
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/28; 10:30a)         1676
NICK:    iCarly (3/28; 11a)                                         1639
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/27; 7:30p)           1562
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 7p)                                           1522
NICK:    SpongeBob SquarePants (3/28; 10a)              1500
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Tweens 9-14 for the week of 3/22-3/28/10 , 6a-6a:
Tweens 9-14                                    Total Delivery (000)
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 8-9:30p)       2631
NICK:    Victorious (3/27; 9:30p)                                1989
FOX:     American Idol (3/23; 8-10:01p)                      1470
NAN:     Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 10-11:30p)   1393
NICK:    iCarly (3/22; 6:30p)                                      1245
NICK:    iCarly (3/28; 11a)                                         1206
NICK:    iCarly (3/28; 7:30p)                                      1185
FOX:     American Idol (3/24; 9-10p)                           1185
NICK:    Victorious (3/28; 11:30a)                               1177
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/28; 12-1:30p)      1174
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.

Top 10 Combined Broadcast/Basic Cable shows among Teens 12-17 for the week of 3/22-3/28/10 , 6a-6a:
Teens 12-17                                     Total Delivery (000)
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 8-9:30p)       1613
FOX:     American Idol (3/23; 8-10:01p)                      1361
NICK:    Victorious (3/27; 9:30p)                                1305
FOX:     American Idol (3/24; 9-10p)                           1131
FAM:     Secret Life of the American Teen (3/22; 8-9p) 1043
NAN:     Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/27; 10-11:30p)     862
FOX:     Family Guy (3/28; 9p)                                     836
NICK:    Victorious (3/28; 11:30a)                                744
NICK:    Kids Choice Awards 2010 (3/28; 12-1:30p)       742
FOX:     Family Guy (3/24; 11:30p)                               728
Source: Disney from Nielsen Media Research Data
*Disney Channel is not an ad supported cable network, unlike the others in this listing.
**Abbreviation for Adult Swim, which airs on Cartoon Network

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, March 27, 2010 Broadcast Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
CW (TheCW4Kids) 0.8/5 Avg. (7a-12p)
Winx Club 0.2/3; Winx Club 0.4/4; Dinosaur King 0.6/4; Dinosaur King 0.9/5; Yu-Gi-Oh! 1.2/6; Yu-Gi-Oh! 1.0/4; Sonic X 1.0/5; Sonic X 1.2/5; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 0.9/4; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 0.8/4
ABC 0.8/4 Avg. (9a-1p)
The Emperor’s New School 0.4/2; The Replacements 0.8/4; That’s So Raven 1.1/5; That’s So Raven 1.3/6; Hannah Montana 1.0/5; Suite Life of Zack & Cody 0.9/4; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 0.6/3; Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 0.5/3
NBC (Qubo on NBC) Avg. 0.4/2 (10a-1p)
Turbo Dogs 0.4/2; Shelldon 0.4/2; 3-2-1 Penguins 0.5/2; Babar 0.5/2; Willa’s Wild Life 0.4/2; Jane and the Dragon 0.3/2
CBS (CookieJarTV) 0.4/2 Avg. (7-10a/10a-12p)
Busytown Mysteries 0.2/2; Noonbory and the Super 7 0.5/2; Busytown Mysteries 0.4/2; Busytown Mysteries 0.6/3; Noonbory and the Super 7 0.3/2; Sabrina: The Animated Series 0.5/2

Final K6-11 Ratings for Saturday, March 27, 2010 Cable Networks only (Live + SD Data):
Source: Disney Research from Nielsen Media Research Data
NICKELODEON 4.6/25 Avg. (7a-1p)
All Grown Up 1.6/17; Jimmy Neutron 2.5/21; Fairly OddParents 3.5/23; Fairly OddParents 4.5/25; SpongeBob SquarePants 5.8/30; SpongeBob SquarePants 7.2/33; Penguins of Madagascar 5.9/27; Fanboy & Chum Chum 4.9/22; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.7/22; SpongeBob SquarePants 4.9/24; iCarly 5.0/26; iCarly 4.8/25
DISNEY CHANNEL 2.1/11 Avg. (7a-1p)
My Friends Tigger & Pooh 1.7/18; Chuggington 1.8/16; Special Agent Oso 1.7/11; Handy Manny 1.8/10; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.8/9; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 1.7/8; Imagination Movers 1.8/8; Handy Manny 2.0/9; Phineas and Ferb 2.5/12; Phineas and Ferb 2.6/13; Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars (1×100) 2.8/15
CARTOON NETWORK 1.7/9 Avg. (7a-1p)
Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl  Galactic Battle 1.0/11; Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds 1.4/11; Ben 10: Alien Force 1.5/10; Star Wars: Clone Wars 1.6/9; Hot Wheels: Battle Force 1.5/8; Bakugan 1.7/8; Johnny Test 2.0/9; Johnny Test 2.5/11; Chowder 1.9/9; Chowder 1.8/9; The Garfield Show 1.7/9; The Garfield Show 2.0/10
DISNEY XD 0.8/5 Avg. (7a-1p)
Suite Life of Zack & Cody 0.4/5; Phineas and Ferb 0.7/6; Phineas and Ferb 1.3/8; Kick Buttowski 1.4/8; Jimmy Two Shoes Shorts (1×15) 0.7/4; Kid vs. Kat 0.6/3; Phineas and Ferb 0.8/4; Zeke and Luther 0.8/4; Kick Buttowski 0.9/4; Kick Buttowski 0.9/5; Kick Buttowski 0.9/5; Zeke and Luther 0.7/3

Friday Fun Fact:  During the first year of Cynopsis, the daily edition was delivered by fax because there was no email in the office yet. 

Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia:  Chief Ranger John Smith was charged with keeping whom in line?  YOGI BEAR!  HEY BOO-BOO!  Kudos to: Jodi Feinstein-Majesco Entertainment/Edison; Joe Swaney-Cartoon Network/Atlanta; Andy Krinner-aNb Media/NY; Ricky Ricamonte-Sesame Workshop/NY; Tom Boyd-WGN TV/Chicago; Pat Brady-CESD/LA; Richard Quan-Imaginary Time/San Francisco; Brent Siragusa-The NPD Group/LA; Squirrel Rippley-Dark Horse media/Tucson

Today’s Trivia Question:  Mr. Rogers lived at 4802 Fifth Avenue in Mister Roger’s Neighborhood, “the gateway to” what?  (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company, city and time zone. Unofficial rules: Only the second four correct answers from each time zone will be mentioned; and once you’ve been mentioned in any of the Cynopsis editions, you can’t be mentioned again that calendar week.)

Later —
Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
gwen @cynopsis.com
04.02.10

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