Poppy Cat finds additional home on U.S. TV
Poppy Cat, the hit preschool animation series from leading children’s and family entertainment producer Coolabi, has secured a further U.S. broadcast home within the brand new Sprout-programmed NBC KIDS, a three-hour preschool block which will air on Saturday mornings from 7thJuly 2012.
Poppy Cat has been airing on Sprout since November 2011 and will be joining the NBC KIDS programming lineup designed specifically to address the developmental needs of 2-5 year olds, featuring educational series that promote active, healthy lifestyles for younger children.
Zoë Scurfield, Head of Production and Development at Coolabi, says: “Getting a place in the new NBC KIDS block is a major achievement for Poppy Cat and we are delighted that her adventures will be seen by even more kids in the US. This latest deal highlights the ever-growing international appeal of Poppy Cat.”
This new platform takes Poppy Cat into more than 110 million US homes, further increasing the exposure of Poppy Cat in the US which already has a licensing presence through local agent The Joester Loria Group, and is launching on DVD next Spring through an agreement with Entertainment One.
UK terrestrial channel CITV has recently acquired the 52 x 11 minute animated series, which has been airing successfully on commissioning broadcaster Nick Jr UK since May 2011, and will be broadcast on CITV in the UK from this May.
Poppy Cat has also been sold to a number of broadcasters in other international territories including France 5, Disney Junior in Spain and Latin America, Nick Jr Australia, RTE Ireland, across Scandinavia, and TVO, SCN and Knowledge Network in Canada.
Poppy Cat brings to life the wonderful world of the preschool children’s character created by Lara Jones in the book series that has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. The series is co-produced by Coolabi’s television production arm Coolabi Productions and the Emmy shortlisted and BAFTA award-winning King Rollo Films.
For further information contact DDA Blueprint PR:
Janet Balmforth Tel: +44 (0) 20 8868 0511 / + 44 7748 185656
or Email: janet@ddablueprintpr.com
About Coolabi
Coolabi is a leading provider of high quality children’s and family entertainment, internationally, across all media.
Coolabi’s expertise lies in development and brand management, particularly through the channels of TV production and licensing and merchandising.
The company operates across a number of genres and the current portfolio includes Poppy Cat, Purple Ronnie and Scarlett & Crimson.
Via its subsidiary, Coolabi Publishing, the company also owns a number of classic literary estates, including Eric Ambler. In addition Coolabi also represents certain brands, including Bagpuss, Clangers, and Ivor the Engine on behalf of Smallfilms and Peter Firmin.
For more information and a background on the company visit www.coolabi.com.
About The Joester Loria Group
The Joester Loria Group, www.joesterloriagroup.com<http://www.joesterloriagroup.com/> , is a full-service licensing and marketing agency providing its clients with a full array of services, including strategic planning, competitive analysis, and implementation of licensing strategies that encompass robust marketing and retail initiatives. The Joester Loria Group represents Pepsi-Cola North America including Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Aquafina , AMP and SoBe; Discovery Communications including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Discovery Expedition, Discovery Fit & Health and key series River Monsters, MythBusters, Shark Week and Deadliest Catch; Dew Tour, the #1 action sporting event in North America; The World of Eric Carle, based on his artwork from the beloved children’s picture books; Pinkalicious book series written and illustrated by Victoria Kann; Coolabi’s Poppy Cat, airing on Sprout; LazyTown airing on Sprout; You Tube sensation and Cartoon Network series, Annoying Orange; Johnsonville Sausage; Entenmann’s; Oxford University, Hachette Filappacchi magazines Car and Driver and Road & Track and Hearst Corporation’s Popular Mechanics.
