Since its launch three months ago at MIPCOM 06, Aardman Animations' SHAUN THE SHEEP has racked up television sales in 60 countries and tied up licensing deals in several key territories worldwide.
Following its success as the most viewed show at MIPCOM Jr., the series has been sold by Aardman Int'l to multiple broadcasters across the globe, including France, Japan, Asia and Latin America.
TF1 in France has acquired the franchise across all rights including TV, home video and licensing & merchandising. In Japan, Sony Creative Products has picked up all rights and is negotiating a deal with a major broadcaster in the territory.
Aardman has also signed a major pan-territory television partnership deal with Disney in Asia, France, Italy, and Latin America, with sales in Central and Eastern Europe to Cartoon Network for their multi-territory feed. HRT Croatia and Ceska Televize in the Czech Republic have also acquired television rights to the show.
TSR in Switzerland will broadcast Shaun and in Asia, sales have been made to major broadcasters including TVB Hong Kong. Noga Communications in Israel will air the show on their Logi Channel and Clasikaletet have picked up the DVD rights.
In Scandinavia, Nordisk Film has acquired the home video rights and Shaun's presence in the region is also supported by pre-sales to all major Scandinavian public broadcasters including DR, SVT, NRK, YLE and Alicom has secured the licensing and merchandising rights.
Alix Wiseman, head of sales at Aardman Int'l, said, "We have been overwhelmed by the response to SHAUN THE SHEEP and are delighted to be working with major broadcast and licensing partners to bring the series and merchandising to audiences worldwide. 2007 promises to be a busy year with further sales for SHAUN across all platforms internationally and we are hopeful that he will become a global brand."
The 40x7 stop-motion animated series commissioned by CBBC in the U.K. and directed by Richard Goleszowski features the star of Oscar-winning WALLACE AND GROMIT short A CLOSE SHAVE. SHAUN THE SHEEP is aimed primarily at kids 4-10.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
