New commission brings total number of episodes of stop-motion and live action series from DHX Media and Anne Wood’s Ragdoll Productions to 100.
HALIFAX, N.S. -- Kids content company DHX Media has announced that U.K. broadcaster CBeebies has commissioned 25 new 11-minute episodes of hit preschool series Twirlywoos, bringing the total number of episodes to 100.
The stop-motion and live action series from Anne Wood’s Ragdoll Productions, produced in association with DHX Media, takes young viewers and their families on a funny flight of discovery, exploring themes relevant to children aged 2-5 through comedic and imaginative interactions.
DHX Media has also signed a string of key international broadcast deals for the first 50 episodes of the award-winning show. The Twirlywoos will continue their worldwide travels with episodes 1 to 50 launching on NOGGIN in the US, ABC Australia, Télémagino & SRC in Canada, Spain’s TVE Clan, JimJam Benelux, Belgium’s VRT, MBC & E-Junior in the Middle East, Minika Turkey, TVB in Hong Kong and Singapore’s OKTO. Previously announced broadcast deals for the first 50 episodes include Family Jr. Canada, Gulli France, SVT Sweden, YLE Finland, NRK Norway, HRT Croatia, and Hop! Israel.
“We are thrilled that CBeebies has shown a further commitment to Twirlywoos and we’re looking forward to introducing our audiences to new episodes and adventures,” said Josh Scherba, SVP, Distribution at DHX Media. “These latest international deals highlight the ongoing global appetite for this fantastic show.”
Twirlywoos has seen extraordinary success this year – most recently the series won an award at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival (CICFF) for ‘Best Production for Young Children aged 2-5 years. The programme also won the Best Pre-School Children’s Programme at the RTS North West Awards, which were recently held in Manchester, England.
“We are delighted to receive two such prestigious Awards for Twirlywoos and I am very appreciative of this recognition of the important work we do for children,” said Anne Wood, Founder and Creative Director, Ragdoll Productions Ltd, about the award. “These Awards also reflect on the efforts of everyone at Ragdoll, the animation studio Mackinnon & Saunders and the continued support from the BBC and DHX Media, who have all worked so diligently on the success of Twirlywoos.”
Continuing the innovative, nurturing, inspiring, children-led entertainment for which Ragdoll Productions is renowned, Twirlywoos features laugh-out-loud child-centric humour which encourages preschoolers to think for themselves, and gain confidence in their own perceptions of the world. Through the show, young audiences are able to reinforce their understanding as they grow and develop, becoming active and inquisitive within their own lives. The Twirlywoos are four small, bird-like characters who are inquisitive, enthusiastic and always looking to learn something new about the world.
Ever curious, they seek adventure and fun wherever they go. Whether in the real world or on their big red boat, they love to hide, imitate and be surprised as they discover new things. The show has been developed with a commitment to watching how children interact and develop, and each episode creates spaces for preschoolers to make their own connections, which aids their learning.
Source: DHX Media
