BKN will be taking its two brand new and complete pilots named STONE AGE (52 x 11) and POCKET PENGUIN ADVENTURES (52 x 11) to MIP TV.
The two series, produced in brilliant digital, all high definition animation, have received strong interest from the market and BKN has high expectations for both projects to be delivered in spring 2009.
TV sales are planned at MIP and several early licensing deals are already contemplated. Materials and animation can be found respectively at www.stoneageseries.com and www.pocketpenguins.com.
To meet the high concentration of quality output, BKN will expand its European studio to include its Cologne operations so as to take full advantage of the well trained and talented German computer animators.
Allen Bohbot, CEO, said, "We are very pleased with the quality and performance of our London and Barcelona studios and are adding infrastructure and talent in Cologne to the mix to take full advantage of capacity and talent in all three locations. We believe that our commitment to produce exclusively in Europe, at a time when some competitors are contracting especially in Germany, will give us a real competitive edge in the market. We now have approximately 50 artists in Barcelona and 25 in London with plans to add 25 artists in Cologne. London and Barcelona are operating at full speed currently and the production studio in Cologne will be fully operational by late spring 2008."
BKN also announced its wholly owned UK subsidiary, BKN New Media, has achieved strong results with its LEGEND OF THE DRAGON property (39 x 22) launched on Toasted TV block of Australia's Ten Network on Monday, February 11.
Toasted TV reports that the show has consistently built in audience numbers throughout its run and is still building momentum.
Of particular note is a consistent jump in audience numbers from the previous property to THE LEGEND OF THE DRAGON at 7:30 a.m., suggesting that many members of the audience are tuning in specifically to watch LEGEND OF THE DRAGON.
Cherrie Bottger, Head of Children's Television at Network TEN, said, "Overall, I think the series has performed well due to its obvious quality, strong story lines and because it does not skew too strongly towards boys or girls -- there are strong male and female characters. The fact that it is the first time the series has run on free to air TV in Australia and yet has attracted a good audience is further evidence of our audience taking to a quality product."
BKN will launch its next project, DORK HUNTERS FROM OUTER SPACE, on Toasted TV on Ten Network later this year.
