C21 MEDIA reported that Varga Holdings and Australian producer Screentime are co-producing ANIMATED POPSTARS with the U.K.'s Target as the distribution partner. The series follows the adventures of a pop group on tour. It is based on the popular live-action show POPSTARS, where a group of unknowns is groomed to be the next big thing. Varga has also recently signed a co-development agreement with Happy Life (Sweden), which has already spawned three new pre-school projects MUFFIN, DARTANGYANG and PIGGY WIGGY, BJORN THE BEAR AND L’ORANGE.

In its KIDS' WB! debut, the new Japanese anime series YU-GI-OH! ranked No. 1 among the broadcast competition in its time period in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11. The Japanese anime series follows the adventures of a young boy named Yugi, who morphs into a monster-fighting hero after piecing together the "millennium puzzle" given to him by his grandfather. YU-GI-OH! is represented world-wide outside of Asia, by 4Kids Entertainment.

In its KIDS' WB! debut, the new Japanese anime series YU-GI-OH! ranked No. 1 among the broadcast competition in its time period in Kids 2-11, Kids 6-11, Boys 2-11 and Boys 6-11. The Japanese anime series follows the adventures of a young boy named Yugi, who morphs into a monster-fighting hero after piecing together the "millennium puzzle" given to him by his grandfather. YU-GI-OH! is represented world-wide outside of Asia, by 4Kids Entertainment.

Sunbow Entertainment and Nickelodeon have signed a co-development deal for SKELETON KEY, a contemporary comedy adventure series targeted at 8 to 13 year olds. SKELETON KEY is based on the popular Slave Labor Graphics comic books by British writer Andi Watson. The animated series centers on small town teenager Tamsin Mary Cates who holds a magic key with the ability to move her in and out of another world. Pending development, the initial series of 13 half hours is scheduled for delivery to Nickelodeon in 2003. Although Sunbow Entertainment has worked with Nickelodeon U.K.

TV-Loonland and Nelvana, in association with KirchMedia, announced at MIPCOM the international co-production of the children’s classic, HEIDI. HEIDI will be adapted into a new and highly stylized animated feature film and television series. HEIDI, written by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, was first published in 1880. The book has been translated into over 50 languages with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.

Spanish-based animation company BRB Internacional has secured two major European co-production partners for THE INVISIBLE MAN (26 x half hours). Italian state broadcaster RAI and French animation house Dargaud Marina are teaming up with BRB Internacional to co-produce the unique series, which is aimed at 8-12 year olds. The deal gives RAI exclusive Italian speaking rights, Dargaud Marina exclusive French speaking rights, plus some other distribution territories, with BRB Internacional and Dargaud Marina handling distribution for the rest of the world.

Film Roman, Inc. acquired the popular syndicated comic strip CHELSEA BOYS, created by Glen Hanson and Allan Neuwirth, with plans to develop a half-hour animated series. Peter Schankowitz, Film Roman's president of television programming & development and Sidney Clifton, Film Roman's vice president of development, will be developing the property along with the creators. The comic strip, currently appearing in magazines, newspapers and Websites throughout North America and the U.K. revolves around the lives and loves of three gay roommates residing in New York's trendy Chelsea neighborhood.

Buena Vista International Television has licensed its "Classic Treasures" collection of animated box office hits to the BBC. For the first time ever on UK terrestrial television, viewers will now be able to enjoy some of the most popular animated movies of all time - TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, MULAN, A BUG'S LIFE and THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. These titles combined have grossed over $2 billion in worldwide box office and have been watched by over 121 million people at cinemas in Europe alone.

DIC Entertainment and Celedor International have joined together to produce, distribute and merchandise an animated series inspired by the popular game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Capitalizing on the enormous success of the game show, which is broadcast in over 100 countries, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE: THE ANIMATED SERIES features an animated host that will launch game show winners on fantastic journeys as they fulfill their millionaire dreams. The program will be introduced at MIPCOM 2001.

Sav! The World Productions brings its latest animated program to MIPCOM with MOLLY, STAR-RACER. Described by the creators as Japanimation meets European 3D, MOLLY is an explosive mix of comedy and epic racing scenes in 3D CGI animation. Strongly influenced by their childhood memories of anime series like DRAGON BALL and LUPIN THE 3RD, as well as by cult classics like Hanna Barbera’s WACKY RACES or Saint Exupéry’s LE PETIT PRINCE, the creators of MOLLY have mixed styles and techniques to create a fresh new kind of entertainment.