London, UK -- Mattel, Inc., and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), announced a premier slate of international television sales including a major US broadcasting deal with Disney XD for Max Steel. The action-adventure CGI animated series based on the Mattel franchise of the same name, Max Steel, will begin broadcast globally in spring 2013.
With buyers in more than 100 territories securing broadcast rights, Max Steel has procured and set the stage for a global viewing audience. FME, which has international distribution rights outside of the US, has confirmed sales of the series to: Cartoon Network and Boing in Italy and Spain; Lagardère in France; Canal Panda in Portugal; as well as two major multi-territory deals with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Disney XD.
Turner’s kids’ channels will bring Max Steel to audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, India, Taiwan and the Philippines. Disney XD will broadcast the series in Central and Eastern Europe, South and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. These sales are in addition to a previously announced deal with Cartoon Network Latin America which has a footprint of more than 50 territories and where Max Steel is the No. 1 boy’s brand.
“Max Steel is an immersive franchise experience that brings a relatable and positive superhero to kids, supported by a captivating storyline and compelling multi-platform content,” said Mike Riley, VP Franchise Development and Content Distribution, Mattel Inc. “Launching on Disney XD in the US gives us the opportunity to introduce Max Steel to millions of families in partnership with a prominent kid’s network.”
Sander Schwartz, President, Kids & Family Entertainment FME, added, “In addition to having our ideal broadcast partner in the U.S. with Disney XD coming on board, we’re delighted that Max Steel has found a home in so many territories around the world. We’re confident this stunning CGI series will appeal to kids from one side of the planet to another.”
A high-octane, action-packed superhero series, Max Steel is about the epic adventures of earth bound teenager Maxwell McGrath and his out-of-this-world friend Steel. At the age of 16 Maxwell learns that he has the ability to generate “turbo energy”, which he struggles to contain until meeting Steel. An alien “Ultralink”, Steel gives Max the ability to harness its power while merging with his own to create one unified super force, Max Steel. Not all is easy in superhero land though -- especially when dealing with two strong personalities. The mismatched duo must overcome their differences in style and temperament (often leading to comedic trials and tribulations) in order to create a heroic turbo team. Once combined together, Max and Steel serve to protect Earth from a never-ending array of mayhem, monsters and extraterrestrial invasions as the galaxies greatest new superhero, Max Steel.
The action adventure series will premiere on Disney XD with initially twenty-six half hour episodes.
Max Steel is co-produced by Mattel and FME, with Nerd Corps Entertainment serving as the animation production studio. FME manages worldwide distribution of the series, as well as global home entertainment rights, with Mattel holding US television distribution rights.
Source: Mattel, Inc.