Greenlight International, the international sales arm of Berlin-based Greenlight Media, has finalized a pan-Asian multi-rights deal with First Asia Resources Ltd. of Hong Kong for the first four animated series from the Berlin Animation Fund (BAF). The series in the deal are ADVENTURERS, MEADOWLANDS, BOB’S BEACH and ACARIA. First Asia also has a first look agreement with Greenlight on all other animated properties for the next two years.

Universal Studios, Just Group, Mike Young Productions and DCDC have entered into a broad arrangement for BUTT-UGLY MARTIANS, the new CGI-animated action-adventure-comedy TV series, which debuted on the U.K. channel CITV in February 2001. The series, backed by a list of licensees including Hasbro and Scholastic, will premiere on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in early 2002 and has begun debuting on other children's outlets around the world.

Silver Lining Productions has inked a deal with independent animation company King Rollo Films to develop a new children’s series DENNIS AND THE MONSTERS, based on the Bristish book series. Silver Lining has also entered into an agreement with European animation producer Millimages to develop a holiday special and TV series based on TOOT & PUDDLE, a children’s book series written and illustrated by Holly Hobbie. The series will be geared to young children.

According to organizer Reed Midem, MIPCOM concluded its 2001 run with a grand total of 1244 exhibiting companies, up nearly 5% from the previous year. Although attendance was down almost 15% from last year, the optimistic attitude of the participants, despite the troubling world events, made this year’s MIPCOM a success. As MIPCOM’s Personality of the Year, MTV CEO Tom Freston stated, “TV will bounce back.” MIPCOM Junior saw encouraging signs for the international children’s programming business.

Cartoon Network has signed a multi-year deal with the Holland Media Group (HMG) to provide a daily Cartoon Network block on its station Yorin The Movement. Beginning November 5, 2001, Cartoon Network will provide an hour long block which will include its top shows THE POWERPUFF GIRLS, COW AND CHICKEN, JOHNNY BRAVO, DEXTER'S LABORATORY and DRAGONBALL Z. The Cartoon Network block will run from Monday to Friday at 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm and on Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Under the terms of the deal Cartoon Network will provide local versions of the shows and creative packaging for the channel.

DIC Entertainment and Japan’s Dentsu have formed a strategic alliance under which Dentsu will co-produce and handle Japanese and Asian distribution of DIC’s new animated series ALIENATORS: EVOLUTION CONTINUES. Dentsu will also be responsible for television, home video distribution and licensing for DIC’s MADELINE in Japan. DIC has also joined forces with U.K.-based media/marketing outfit Universal McCann and Cereal Partners Worldwide to form The International Media Exchange (TIME).

German distributor peppermint and U.S. animation studio Wild Brain have entered into a strategic partnership for Asia and the U.S. Under the terms of the deal, peppermint will distribute Wild Brain's Flash animation catalogue throughout Asia, while Wild Brain will represent peppermint’s animation catalogue under the pepperkids label for TV distribution, home video and DVD, licensing, publishing and merchandising throughout the U.S.

Pepper’s Ghost Productions’ CGI-animated series TINY PLANETS has been licensed to Germany’s Super RTL network and ITV1 in the U.K. The show recently received two BAFTA Interactive awards nominations and is scheduled to debut in the U.K. and Germany in the first quarter 2002.



French children’s cable and a satellite channel Canal J has partnered with Nickelodeon U.K., Spain, Australia and Latin America and acquired Japanese anime series YU-GI–OH, which will be broadcast in France in spring 2002.

Blur Studio designed and produced more than 80 visual effects ranging from digital matte paintings to a fully rendered 3D creature for the new Sci Fi Channel series SOULKEEPER. One of the more challenging effects for the studio was a 10-foot reptilian creature with a particularly nasty disposition that battles the show’s hero. A full-size animatronic was used during the production, but as it couldn't walk, computer graphics were relied on for the moving shots.

Mainframe Entertainment, Inc., a creator of computer animation for television, has entered into a co-venture with professional skateboarder Tony Hawk to develop an animated series. Hawk will serve as executive producer for the new series, which is in the early stages of development. The lead character will be based on the famous skateboarder, who will team with a group of kids who look up to him and become involved in various capers. The teen CGI comedy will feature many of the impressive stunts that have made Hawk a top player in the world of extreme sports.