Category: Television

Sci Fi Channel has its extensive slate of new series and specials for the next season. New series include a live-action WITCHHUNTER ROBIN series and the new CG series AMAZING SCREW-ON HEAD from HELLBOY creator Mike Mignola. In addition, the slate of specials sees several productions based on popular book series and a three picture series created by Stan Lee.

Cartoon Network has announced that it will change its action-adventure programming line-up by shifting the Toonami block to Saturdays and creating the new block Miguzi.

Beginning April 17, Toonami will air from 7:00 11:00 pm. The Saturday night version of Toonami will continue to be hosted by TOM and feature series such as DRAGONBALL Z, YU YU HAKUSHO and TRANSFORMERS: ENERGON. Other series to air exclusively as part of Toonami's include GUNDAM SEED, DRAGONBALL GT and RUROUNI KENSHIN.

Since EM.TV head Werner Klatten sold his 24.8% stake in the troubled company to European investment firm Constant Ventures II, EM.TV has made several big acquisition and distribution announcements. These deals along with the announcement of a waiver agreement with 94.22% of the company's former bondholders is seen as a positive sign of the stabilization of the embattled production and licensing firm.

Anime Network has acquired the U.S. TV rights for COMIC PARTY from Right Stuf Int'l. Anime Network has obtained all 13 half-hour episodes of the anime comedy series.

Beginning in April, Spectra Animation will begin production on a new animated series titled, TOPPY AND BINOO. The 26x25 series is geared toward pre-schoolers and was developed and commissioned by Treehouse Original Prods. The series is set to air in September 2005.

Based on the successful book series by Dominique Jolin, who is participating the production the TV series, the story follows Toopy and his friends as they traverse Toppy's comical imaginary world. Dominique Mendal will produce with Raymond Lebrun and Nicolas Lemay directing.

In conjunction with its first-ever Upfront event for Adult Swim, Cartoon Network made a number of announcements concerning six new shows, three new acquisitions, greenlights of two existing shows and future programming events. The announcement see projects with Hollywood stars Seth Green (AUSTIN POWERS) and Jack Black (SCHOOL OF ROCK) and animation stars Matt Groening and Seth McFarlane. As well, AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE and SEALAB 2021 will both return with 13 more episodes and HARVEY BIRDMAN, ATTORNEY AT LAW will make its return to the line-up on April 18.

Icon Animation will be bringing a full slate of animated projects to MIP-TV. The company hopes to secure distribution and co-production deals for its various series.

VITAMINIX (31x2) is Icon's first co-production with Digital y Cual. The series seeks to introduce the world of food and their vitamin and mineral content to adults and children. The Flash production is finished and available worldwide.

Sesame Workshop arrives at MIP-TV with previous hits like DRAGON TALES and SAGWA, THE CHINESE SIAMESE CAT as well as a newly greenlit second season of PLAY WITH ME SESAME.

Netherlands-based AVRO will be bringing Lloyd Entertainment's first TV production, DIP & DAP at MIP-TV. The series began airing in The Netherlands and Belgium in fall 2003. New series of episodes are already in production. The show follows baby giraffes, male Dip and female Dap, as they meet their new surroundings. The characters and animation are based on illustrations by Jet Middag. The first series of 10x5 episodes was geared for children from 2 and up.