Press Release from Classic Media
LONDON, UK — Classic Media, owner of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced they have acquired the rights to Noddy® — part of the Enid Blyton estate — from Chorion, the media content group. For more than 60 years, Noddy has been one of the UK’s most beloved characters, and in France, where he is known as Oui-Oui™, he is consistently ranked as one of the country’s top three pre-school properties.
Author Enid Blyton created Noddy in the book, “Noddy Goes To Toyland,” first published in 1949. His television debut came in 1954 and, in the same year, “Noddy in Toyland” appeared on the London stage. Noddy’s popularity took him to France in 1963 where Oui-Oui became a perennial favourite. The franchise has a vast programming library consisting of more than 250 episodes, and the latest series, Noddy in Toyland, is currently seen in more than 100 countries. Noddy has sold more than 250 million books worldwide.
"Noddy is a brand with a wonderful heritage and we are pleased that we have found a good home for it with Classic Media," says Mary Durkan, Managing Director, Chorion.
“This is a wonderful addition to our collection of family entertainment,” said Eric Ellenbogen, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Classic Media. “For more than 60 years, Noddy has helped bring the magic of toys to life and we’re going to keep passing that along to fans and new generations.”
About Classic Media
Classic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the entertainment classics of yesterday and creating the classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost®, Where’s Waldo?®, Lassie®, The Lone Ranger®, Mister Magoo and George of the Jungle. Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased across multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at www.classicmedia.tv [1].
About Chorion
A significant number of Chorion’s assets have now been sold. Chorion’s shareholding in Agatha Christie Limited was sold to Acorn Media Inc last week. The only properties left to sell are the Enid Blyton estate, Olivia, Gaspard & Lisa and Max & Ruby. Chorion wholly owns Enid Blyton and this estate is being sold separately to Noddy. D C Advisory partners are advising the Company.
Links:
[1] http://www.classicmedia.tv/