Disney Channel in Europe announced plans to ramp up its investment in original programming and local co-productions by opening a "London hub" to headquarter its expansion plans and develop long- and short-form programming geared to kids worldwide.
John Hardie, md of Walt Disney TV in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "This new commitment to original programming production represents our most significant drive yet to create kids TV shows in Europe intended not only for local broadcast, but for Disney Channels all over the world. With Disney Channel growing so quickly, at a rate of several million more households each year across the region, the combination of reach and new content will help cement our position at the forefront of children's broadcasting in Europe today."
Some of the new projects are THE FAMOUS FIVE, BUNNY TOWN and BREAK KIDS (QUELLI DELL'INTERVALLO).
The classic British kids' adventure story, Enid Blyton's FAMOUS FIVE, has already proven its global appeal to an earlier generation of children. Disney Channel is working with Chorion (which own the rights to all of Blyton's books and successfully animated the much-loved NODDY books) to bring to life an updated, animated FAMOUS FIVE. American writers Douglas Tuber and Maile will produce a 26-episode series to air in the U.K. and across the world in 2008.
Featuring mystery and adventure, it stars the children of the original FAMOUS FIVE who are brought together at their Aunt George's house, somewhere on the coast of England. Jo, Cole, Allie, Dylan and faithful dog Timmy embark on a series of hair-raising adventures, relying on their own resources to solve baffling mysteries they encounter.
BUNNY TOWN is a live-action puppet series developed with American Spiffy Pictures, to be produced in the U.K. by Bakercoogan (Martin Baker and Pete Coogan, formerly of the Jim Henson Co.). The series for preschoolers follows the fun-filled hi jinks of the inhabitants of Bunny Town -- the Funny Bunnies. They are full of energy, love to play and sing and amuse themselves as they observe what goes on with their next-door neighbors, the folks from People Town. The 26-episode series will go into production shortly.
Disney Channel will export around the world the highly successful short from Italy, BREAK KIDS (QUELLI DELL'INTERVALLO). The simple concept is a fixed camera, filming through a school window during break time. Kids come and go, discussing today's trials and tribulations. In Italy, QDI rapidly shot to the number one slot for kids and ran hugely popular auditions for a chance to appear in the show. Local versions are now airing in France, Germany and Spain with the U.K. to follow soon.
Two cute new characters Whiffle and Fuzz, developed in France, who will host the Playhouse Disney bedtime block across Europe.
Walt Disney Television EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa), part of the Disney-ABC Television Group, is responsible for the Walt Disney Co.'s branded channels and terrestrial branded programming throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. Walt Disney Television oversees three Disney branded channels across Europe; Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney, as well as general entertainment channel, abc1 in the U.K. and Disney Cinemagic, a U.K. premium channel for families, which premieres the latest animated films.
Since 1995, 19 Disney Channels have been successfully launched throughout EMEA. Walt Disney Television EMEA also provides programming for 50 branded blocks in 44 territories across EMEA each month. Walt Disney Television has local operations based in London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Lisbon and Stockholm.
