Press Release from Cartoon Network Enterprises
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) announced today it has been named exclusive North American licensing agent for the hit Fresh TV Inc. television franchise TOTAL DRAMA. The deal marks the expansion of a successful relationship between Cartoon Network and CAKE that builds on a record-breaking first season broadcast run of 2008's TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND, as well as the online success of its interactive website.
Through the agreement, CNE will develop a licensing and merchandising program across multiple categories including home video for the TOTAL DRAMA franchise, which includes TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND and its new season, TOTAL DRAMA ACTION.
"TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND has been a huge multi-platform success for Cartoon Network and we are thrilled to extend our relationship and serve as licensing agent for the franchise," said Christina Miller, vice president, CNE. "As we look forward to this year's follow up series, TOTAL DRAMA ACTION, we are eager to work with partners, retailers and the show's creators to launch a consumer products and home video program that captures and extends the franchise to all its fans."
"TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND gained tremendous success last year on Cartoon Network and we're really excited to be collaborating with the cable network again as they become the licensing agent for the property," said Genevieve Dexter, Partner & Commercial Director, CAKE.
One of the top-rated series on Cartoon Network, TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND debuted in June 2008 and served as anchor to the network's Har Har Tharsdays (Thursdays, 7-10 p.m. ET/PT) comedy line-up, shattering ratings records throughout its 26 episode run. The series' season finale on December 11, 2008 set all-new audience delivery records for the network, according to Nielsen Media Research, surpassing all broadcast and cable competition as television's #1 prime time performance of the day among kids 2-11, kids 6-11 and tweens 9-14, as well as boys 2-11, boys 6-11 and boys 9-14. Also a massive online force, the TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND interactive website (
www.TotalDramaIsland.com ) enjoyed tremendous success as fans created more than two million avatars within three months of the series premiere.
Created by Tom McGillis and Jennifer Pertsch and produced by Fresh TV Inc., TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND is television's first animated competitive reality series, featuring 22 teens sent to Camp Wawanakwa, the oldest, moldiest, most run-down, bug-infested summer camp. Here they endure a summer of leaky cabins, terrible food and increasingly insane challenges. Only one contestant can win the $100,000 prize -- the rest walk the dreaded "Dock of Shame." Tensions run high, love is in the air and the cameras are there to catch it all. Fan-favorite Owen was ultimately crowned the winner of the series, beating all other competitors introduced with the series launch on June 5, 2008.
The next series in the TOTAL DRAMA franchise, TOTAL DRAMA ACTION, will feature 15 contestants from the original series in a new competition and location. It is currently in production and will premiere on Cartoon Network this year.
