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BBC Worldwide Brings Doctor Who & Teletubbies to Licensing Int'l

The BBC's commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, is heading for New York's Licensing International on the back of a storming year for its licensing division. With sales up by 64% in 2006, the company is now on the lookout for top class partners who can break its hit properties into the U.S. market. BBC Worldwide can be found at the event at booth #3441.

A major priority for BBC Worldwide will be the rollout of iconic sci-fi franchise DOCTOR WHO. A smash hit on BBC TV, the brand was the fastest growing license in the U.K. in 2006. The innovative toy range achieved industry recognition when its Cyberman Voice Changer Helmet was named Toy of the Year and its action figures were named Boys' Toy of the Year by the Toy Retailers' Assoc. With U.S. broadcasters SCI-FI Channel, PBS Network and BBC America on board, a key objective at Licensing International will be to work with licensing agent Most Management to find additional partners.

Switching to preschool, BBC Worldwide's top story is the 10th anniversary of Ragdoll's TELETUBBIES. Ragdoll will also be rolling out the new property called IN THE NIGHT GARDEN. The brand launched on the BBC in March this year and is a runaway hit. For the first time ever BBC Worldwide will be sharing its stand with Ragdoll at Licensing International. This follows the formation of a new JV, Ragdoll Worldwide, to manage and exploit the Ragdoll catalogue.

BBC Worldwide will also be alerting potential partners to the fact that Tiger Aspect's award-winning preschool animation show, CHARLIE & LOLA, has now been commissioned for a third season. A top title on the BBC in the U.K., this witty series is poised to break out in the U.S., following its ratings success on the Disney Playhouse block.

Wildflower, the North American licensing representative, is creating a tailored licensing program that focuses on CHARLIE & LOLA's unique design style. Already nine licenses have been brokered by Wildflower covering key categories, including Kids Preferred, who will create an extensive range of plush with a line of beanies set to roll out this fall and Galison/Mudpuppy who will produce puzzles and mini play scenes, due to hit stores in spring 2008. This summer fans of the show will also be able to enjoy a DVD release, from BBC Home Video and set of new books from Penguin. CHARLIE & LOLA won three Cartoons on the Bay awards (Best TV series for infants, Best Program and Most voted for program on Rai Sat Yoyo).

The company's catalogue is rounded out by other star performers, such as Collingwood O'Hare Ent.'s animated comedy THE SECRET SHOW, which won the Pulcinella Award for Best Action-Adventure Series at Cartoons on the Bay and Tiger Aspect's drama ROBIN HOOD.

Further licensing opportunities at the stand include LITTLE ROBOTS from Create, LUNAR JIM from Alliance Atlantis and BBC's PLANET EARTH, TORCHWOOD and THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES.

BBC Worldwide Ltd. is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximize the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the license payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: global channels, global TV sales, magazines, content & production, home entertainment and digital media.

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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks

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