Jetix Europe announced the Pay TV rights acquisition of Aardman Animation and DECODE Ent.s co-production PLANET SKETCH. The CGI animated comedy sketch show will air on Jetix Europe Channels in Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Central and Eastern Europe (including Poland, Turkey and Greece), Middle East, Israel and Netherlands. DECODE handles international sales for the series and this acquisition by Jetix follows recent deals with Cartoon Network Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Latin America, ABC Australia and South African broadcaster M-Net to show PLANET SKETCH in their respective territories.
PLANET SKETCH, targeted at kids 7-11, already airs on CiTV and TELETOON Canada who commissioned the series. The 13x11 CGI-animated comedy sketch show features a cast of recurring characters that reflect the lives of kids today. Meet the Street Rappers a group of mean and moody dudes, who like playing childish games when no-one is looking; the Gnaughty Gnomes cheeky little garden gnomes who delight in playing gross-out pranks on innocent passers-by and the Parping Ponies two horses who never manage to hold down a decent job due to flatulence issues.
Michael Lekes, svp programming, Jetix Europe, says, PLANET SKETCH is a great addition to the Jetix programming portfolio as it fits perfectly with our current focus on including more comedy and shorter formats in our schedules. Viewers will love the quick-fire humor and quirky catchphrases and the show illustrates that Jetix is about action and adventure and now more comedy.
Dominique Bazay, vp, distribution at DECODE Ent., commented, "PLANET SKETCH is truly original hilarious sketch comedy for kids. We're thrilled our first deal with Jetix is on such a unique property."
Jetix is the global kids entertainment brand launched by Jetix Europe and The Walt Disney Co. (ABC Cable Networks Group and Jetix Latin America) in 2004. Jetix programming reaches more than 270 million television households in 80 countries and 25 languages worldwide. Jetix Europe is a leading kids entertainment company with localized television channels, program distribution and consumer products businesses in Europe and the Middle East. Jetix Europes 14 Jetix television channels entertain kids aged 6-14 in 58 countries and 18 languages, reaching more than 43 million households across Europe and the Middle East. In addition the company has launched GXT a pay-TV channel in Italy targeting teenage boys.
Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London, DECODE Ent. Inc. is one of the worlds leading producers and distributors of television programming and interactive content for the children, family and youth markets. For more information, visit www.decode-ent.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
