Press Release from DQ Entertainment plc
DQE, a leading animation, gaming, live action entertainment production and distribution company, today announces that the Group has signed a co finance and production agreement with Nick India, India's fastest growing kids channel and a part of Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd, to produce a local animated series for children.
The series will begin with 26 high definition half hour episodes. As a part of this deal, Nickelodeon has provided content for this upcoming series, while DQE is executing the production for global distribution and licensing. DQ Entertainment will co-finance this high-end television series along with Nickelodeon, Viacom18.
The series titled "Keymon Ache" is based on the everyday life of an ordinary 9-year old boy and his set of magical toy friends. Targeted at kids aged 5+ and to families alike, the series promises to be full of fun with endearing characters to relate to. The series is expected to be completed by middle of 2011.
Post the success of 'Little Krishna' last year which was an acquired property, Nick India is extremely excited about the launch of its first local animation production.
Nick India will have rights to the property in the region of south Asia including India; while DQE will hold exclusive rights for the rest of the world. The series has the potential to go beyond television onto multiple platforms such as audio visual, home video, merchandising, sub-licensing, publishing and digital including streaming, download on internet and mobile amongst others.
Said Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman and CEO of DQ Entertainment, "The kids' entertainment space in India has tremendous untapped potential and we are delighted to be partnering with Viacom18-Nickelodeon on this unique and fun filled series. This project has the potential to extend beyond Indian TV audiences as we target multiple media and distribution platforms and engage with children globally. We hope to have many more such interesting concepts from Nickelodeon to offer to viewers in the future."
Nina Elavia Jaipuria, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Nick India commented: "We are very happy to partner with DQE. They have produced many shows for Nickelodeon International, like 'Tak & the Power of Juju' and 'Penguins of Madagascar' in the past. This is a unique partnership between a broadcaster and a production house; and together we hope to create endearing characters and a show that promises to capture the hearts of our young viewers."
About DQE:
DQE is one of the leading producers of animation, visual effects, game art and live action entertainment content for the global media and entertainment industry. DQE has produced/co-produced and distributed iconic brands such as Iron Man - the first 3D animated TV series, Twisted Whiskers, Mikido, Casper, Pinky & Perky, second season of Large Family, third season of Mickey Mouse Club House, First and Second Season of Madagascar TV Series and Fanboy & Chum-chum for Nickelodeon, USA and is now co-producing properties like The Little Prince and Little Nick with major international broadcasters and producers. DQE has a library of over 400 hours of international programs for distribution and licensing globally for TV, home entertainment, merchandising and publishing.
DQE's home grown production in Hi-end 3D, 'The Jungle Book' is in production as a 52 episode animated series and a 60 minute TV feature in co-production with international majors including TF1 and Moonscoop , France, ZDF Group, Germany and is to be released world-wide in 2010. Toomai-The Elephant Boy which is a live action TV series is in development in co-operation with international broadcasters, while several Indian IPs like Mysteries & Feluda, Omkar, Balkand I, II and III with International Broadcasters have had a successful run.
DQE is also developing a series of animated short films for television in collaboration with French production companies Method Animation and MK2. DQE, Method Animation and MK2 announced the production and worldwide distribution and exploitation of an animated version of 104 six-minute episodes inspired by the legendary film icon Charlie Chaplin's Hollywood films.
DQE has received several international awards including an EMMY for Tutenstein TV series, 11 Emmy nominations, The UK Broadcast Awards 2010, Sichuan TV Festival International "Gold Panda" Awards, Cartoons on the Bay awards, The E & Y Entrepreneur of the Year - 2009 India Award and many others.
DQE's production facilities are based in Hyderabad and Kolkata and it has international sales representatives in Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo. With a workforce of approx 3500 permanent employees DQE has a global client - partner base of over 90 producers, distributors, broadcasters and licensors including Walt Disney Group, Universal Pictures, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Inc., Electronic Arts, Marvel Comics, American Greetings, , BBC Group, M6/ France TV Group / TF-1 - leading broadcasting and Distribution groups from France, ZDF TV and ZDF Enterprises - leading Distributors/ broadcaster and global distributor from Germany, ABC Australia, Al Jazeera - Arabic nations, Disney Channels - Asia, Cartoon Network Group and many more world-wide.