British channel BBC has acquired the TV rights for animated series PENELOPE (54x5) from TV-Loonland to air on digital preschool channel CBeebies. TV-Loonland is handling the multi-territory distribution for PENELOPE, which is a co-production by Nippon Animation, NHK Enterprises and Shirogumi Inc. The series is set to premiere on CBeebies in spring 2009.
CBeebies will join PENELOPE broadcasters that include ABC Australia, France 5, JIM JAM Italy, MNET South Africa alongside Scandinavian broadcasters DRTV Denmark, TV2 Norway, RUV Iceland and MTV3/Channel Juniori Finland.
Originating from the popular Gallimard books by Anne Gutman & Georg Hallensleben, the series tells the everyday life of 3-year old, sweet-natured, chatterbox Penelope. The tales of this little blue koala bear with an insatiable curiosity about all things around her are full of fun and told with humor and affection. Through its constant questioning, PENELOPE makes children develop a sense of logic and anticipation, as well as let them explore action and consequence through the use of direct speech, expression and comprehension.
