Cynopsis: Kids!

12/19/08

Good morning. It’s Friday, December 19, 2008 and this is your first early morning Kids briefing.  

Germany-based kids brand management and media company, m43, has acquired 100% of Telescreen, the 25-year old Holland-based indie kid/family-focused entertainment company.  The terms of the deal were not reported.  In addition to continuing to operate as is and be responsible for existing and future relationships and properties, Telescreen will now become the international distribution arm for m4e’s productions, co-productions and acquisitions.  Under the deal m4e extends its presence outside its home territories of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and further into the Europe, Eastern Europe and other markets.

MORE KIDS STUFF

4Kids Entertainment, Inc. unveils its new program lineup for TheCW4Kids, its Saturday morning programming block (7a  12 Noon) on The CW.  Beginning January 3, 2009, TheCW4Kids block will welcome Chaotic: M’arrillian Invasion and Sonic X, two series currently airing on the 4KidsTV block on Fox, as well as Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, and the new series Huntik.  Additionally, 4Kids is launching a new video streaming website at 4KidsTV.com, where kids can watch many shows from 4KidsTV, TheCW4Kids, as well as exclusive content for free.  Here is the new TheCW4Kids 2009 lineup:
7:00a – Will & Dewitt
7:30a – The Spectacular Spiderman
8:00a – Sonic X
8:30a – Gogoriki
9:00a – Dinosaur King
9:30a – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Back to the Sewer
10:00a – Chaotic: M’arrillian Invasion
10:30a – Huntik
11:00a – Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s
11:30a – Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight

Trapeze Animation Studios‘ new preschool TV series Razzberry Jazzberry Jam premieres December 23 at 7a on Kids’ CBC (Canada).  The series revolves around a group of musical instruments (e.g. Louis the Trumpet, Ella the Piano, Billie the Guitar etc.) that live and perform at the House of Jam.  Cake Entertainment is handling the international broadcast and DVD rights for Razzberry Jazzberry Jam. Further information about the series can be found at www.jointhejam.com.

In recognition of National Flashlight Day, which honestly takes place this Sunday, December 21, Disney Channel will air three back-to-back episodes of its preschool series Handy Manny featuring the newest character Flicker the Flashlight (10:30a-12p).  The only thing I actually can tell you about National Flashlight Day is that each year it falls on the Winter Solstice, which is of course December 21 this year, well at least here in the Northern Hemisphere anyhow, making it is the shortest day of the year.  So grab some new batteries, which may be the point of the day, and flick on the old electric torch.

Program Partners completes new market clearances deals for year three and year four of the Degrassi: The Next Generation, including down commitments from all 19 Tribune markets, all five ACME markets, and The CW Plus groups, resulting in second cycle clearances a 60% USHH.  The teen-targeted drama airs on The N, which will celebrate the holiday with a 10-day Degrassi: The Next Generation nightly marathon from Monday – Wednesday, December 22-31, 8p-12a.

BBC acquires the TV rights to the animated preschool series Penelope (54×5) from TV-Loonland, which will premiere on the digital preschool-aimed channel CBeebies in spring 2009.  A co-production between Nippon Animation, NHK Enterprises and Shirogumi Inc., Penelope is based on the Gallimard books by Anne Gutman and Georg Hallensleben. TV-Loonland is handling multi-territory distribution for the property.

JK Rowling newest Harry Potter related book, Tales of Beedle the Bard, has become the fastest selling title of 2008.  Released on December 4, 2008, the book has sold 2.6+ million copies, raising approximately $6.5 million for the Children’s High Level Group (CHLG), the charity co-founded by JK Rowling to help children in need in Central and Eastern Europe. The Tales of Beedle the Bard is published by CHLG in collaboration with Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon.

MARKETING/LICENSING

Harry Potter: The Exhibition makes its world debut at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago on April 30, 2009 running there through September 7, 2009.  Harry Potter: The Exhibit offers fans an up-close and personal look at the costumes and props from the HP movies in sets based on those in the movies.  The 10,000-square-foot exhibition was created in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, The Becker Group, which recently merged with Exhibit group/Giltspur.  Tickets are available online now.  Following its run at the MSI, the exhibit will make its way to other venues across the US and internationally.

ITV Global Entertainment signs a promotional partnership with UK tour operator First Choice for the tween/teen targeted music-based TV series, Britannia High.  Under the agreement, a Britannia High will be featured at 28 First Choice’s Kids Academy’s around the world beginning summer 2009.  The Britannia High program will include series centric activities, dance classes, music and episode screenings.  The series debuted this October on ITV 1 (UK), with plans for the series to launch on HBO (Latin America), MBC (Middle East), Seven (Australia) and Nickelodeon (Australia).  The first season of Britannia High bows on DVD in January 2009.

Rocket Licensing inks new UK licensees for MGM‘s remake of its movie Fame, which is set for release September 25, 2009.  The first round of deals, many targeting tween and teen girls and their moms, include: Character World (home textiles); International Greetings (back to-school bags and stationery); Danilo (cards and calendars); Kinnerton (chocolate confectionery); Spearmark (lunch, table, drinkware); Susan Prescott Games (a game); TDP Textiles & Aykroyds (nightwear, underwear); and Blues Clothing (apparel including t-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts).  Rocket Licensing is handling licensing for Fame in the UK market.

The Herrington Teddy Bear Company has introduced Little Mascots for US colleges and universities, a line of 7-inch tall been bag like characters.  With 300+ schools on board, each of the Little Mascots is based on the actual mascot for each school.  The company has also added the Collegiate Autograph Bear to its line, a 9-inch bear made of white canvas that can be easily written on with markers.

Scooter Kids releases three new books in The Adventures of Scooter McDoogal series.  The new titles in the read-to-learn comic book series are focused on human anatomy.

EXECUTIVE MOVES

Steven Andrew is appointed Head of Drama and Acquisitions, CBBC.  Andrew, who takes up his new post in January, will oversee development and production for all in-house CBBC Drama as well as be responsible for CBBC acquisitions.  He takes over the reins from Jon East, who is now producing the new CBBC drama Bo And The Spirit World.  Andrew was most recently Program Director, ITV Digital Channels.  Previously Andrew toiled for the BBC for 24-years, during which time he worked kids/youth aimed CBBC series including Blue Peter, Going Live, Jackanory and Grange Hill.

RATINGS

Live + Same Day Ratings Kids Cable Network Averages (000) for Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 6am-11pm, ranked by K2-11:
NICKELODEON:         K2-11 1153; K6-11 611; TWEENS 9-14 437
DISNEY CHANNEL:     K2-11   697; K6-11 416; TWEENS 9-14 349
CARTOON NETWORK: K2-11   568; K6-11 350; TWEENS 9-14 237
TOON DISNEY:           K2-11   147; K6-11   65; TWEENS 9-14   38
Source: MTVN Research from Nielsen Media Research Data

Friday Fun Fact: The characters Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street were named after Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life.
 
Answer to Yesterday’s Trivia Question:  What was the name of Barney Fife’s bloodhound on The Andy Griffith Show?  BLUE Kudos to just one: Mark Krause-WXMI/Grand Rapids, MI

Today’s Trivia Question … will have to wait until Next Year.  We’ll be back on January 2, 2009.  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a very happy and health New Year!

Later — Gwen
 Gwen Billings for Cynopsis Kids!
12.19.08

Cynopsis Kids Ad Sales:
Chuck Bolkcom – 646-468-6180 / [email protected]
Mark Bohn- 203-583-1224 / [email protected]
Classifieds – Trish Pihonak- 203-926-9878 / [email protected]

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