files/pictures/picture-35.jpg
The Hive
Press Release from Space Enterprises
Space Enterprises are pleased to announce a Plush licensing for deal for The Hive with Mookie Toys. The deal for the UK & Eire sees product hitting online retail in Q2 2012, alongside other already announced major licensees Blues Clothing, and Aykroyds TDP. A major retail launch is set for Spring/Summer 2012, incorporating an initial DVD release through ITV DVD.
The show launched on Playhouse Disney in the UK in February 2011 (rebranded as Disney Junior in May), and has proved a huge ratings success. In the last three months it has been the best performing acquisition on Disney Junior – reaching 3m viewers aged 4 and over. Most recent BARB figures (w/e: 11th Sept) had the show in four of the top five chart positions. The show started its UK terrestrial airing on ITV in September 2010, and is currently #2 across all kid`s channels in its slot. Ratings for the recent launch on ABC in Australia are also proving very strong.
The Hive is a new CGI series from The Hive Enterprises Ltd, produced by Monumental Productions, Lupus Films and DQ Entertainment, and comprises of 26 x commercial half hours (78 seven-minute) episodes, which follow the fortunes of the happy, friendly and extremely cute Bee family, who live together in Honeybee Hive. Storylines explore the themes of family, working together to solve problems, being part of a diverse community, and caring for the environment.
Steve O`Pray, CEO at Space, said "We are so pleased that Mookie Toys have come on board for our Bees, as their reach into retail is fantastic, and their product extension into Plush with the massive Pillow Pets gives an extra dimension to what they can bring to The Hive”. Guy Orr at Mookie Toys said “We have tracked the brand from quite a long way out and seen the fantastic launch ratings grow and grow. We are thrilled to have the beautiful range of characters on board for Plush, and very excited that Buzzbee and Rubee will be the first of our range.”
These new deals add to an extensive worldwide television presence for The Hive – The Walt Disney Company EMEA has already picked up the show in over 150 countries, in a deal that will see The Hive shown through 2011/12 on Disney Junior in France, Germany (GSA), Italy, Spain, South-east Asia, Korea, Japan, India, Latin America, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The show is also currently on air with ABC in Australia.
About Space Enterprises Ltd
Space Enterprises represent The Hive as global licensing agent. Space also represent a number of high value properties with global appeal, such as evergreen comedy favourite Monty Python, which has an ever growing stable of fans after proving a massive hit on Youtube. Also on the Space books are Little Britain and Come Fly With Me, the brand new show from the Walliams/Lucas partnership, which launches on BBC1 at 9pm Christmas Day. Space also look after Pinky and Perky, the madcap kids’ show that has been a huge hit in the UK since launching in 2008 and is now being broadcast across the world. Space also hold the global M&L rights to Spamalot. Most recently the Space men have landed the global M&L rights to The Sooty Show – an all new series of the kids classic, broadcast on CiTV from Sept 2011.
Lastly, here’s some background on Mookie Toys:
Established in 1987, Mookie Toys is an outdoor toy manufacturer & distributor, supplying all major accounts in the UK and internationally.
Known in the industry for innovation, development and manufacturing of its own brands such as Swingball and Tailball, Mookie also manages and distributes products (on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis) in the UK for a wide variety of outdoor, nursery, licensed, plush and wheeled toys from global manufacturers including Funtastic, Ecoiffier, Moose Mountain, Unice, Androni, Toymonster and SmartTrike, from its HQ and warehouse in Bedfordshire.
Please see our websites
www.mookie-toys.co.uk ,
www.swingball.co.uk and
www.tailball.co.uk 