DECODE Entertainment is building its licensing and merchandising designs by signing a deal with Universal to acquire U.K. home entertainment rights to its preschool property, THE SAVE-UMS!
The Save-Ums! follows 3D action heroes who aim to help prepare preschoolers for their role in the 21st century. The pintsize Save-ums utilize whimsical helicopters, space ships and other gadgets to solve problems and nurture an interest in technology as well as critical thinking.
The series was commissioned by Discovery's The Learning Channel and Discovery Kids in the U.S. and by the CBC in Canada. It airs on those channels and on Milkshake, Channel Five's preschool block in the U.K.
Nick Wilson, controller of Children’s programming at Five, added, “THE SAVE-UMS! has slipped seamlessly into Five's ultra high quality pre school block. The series has been well received by our young audience and Five look forward to THE SAVE-UMS! becoming a staple part of Milkshake for the next couple of years."
The Sharpe Company licenses the property in all territories outside of North America, and CPG is the European licensing agent with all European rights excluding Scandinavia and German speaking territories. A full-scale retail release is planned for early in 2004, according to DECODE.
“We are delighted to sign this deal with Universal for the U.K. video rights and are looking for further merchandising partners all product categories,” said DECODE partner Neil Court.
Headquartered in Toronto, with offices in London, DECODE (
www.decode.tv ) develops, finances, produces and distributes live-action and animated programming for the family, children's and youth markets. DECODE works with partners and sub-contractors to produce a variety of show styles and techniques, from traditional cel animation to live -action with special effects, to the unique 2D cut and paste animation of ANGELA ANACONDA.
