Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group has finalized a deal with E1 Entertainment to launch The Raccoons, Season One on Apple's iTunes US, it was announced today by Kevin Gillis, CEO of Skywriter.
Press Release from Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group
TORONTO (July 22, 2010) - Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group has finalized a deal with E1 Entertainment to launch The Raccoons, Season One on Apple's iTunes US, it was announced today by Kevin Gillis, CEO of Skywriter. The Raccoons is a beloved Canadian classic award-winning children's animation series that follows the adventures of Bert Raccoon and his friends from the Evergreen Forest.
The series' first season is now available from the iTunes Store in the U.S. as of July 19. iTunes customers will have the option to purchase individual episodes at US $1.99 each or the entire season at US $9.99. Additional seasons and territories will be announced sometime in 2010.
As one of the first original environmental series, The Raccoons aired weekly in prime time to millions of viewers on CBC Canada, Disney Channel in the U.S., and BBC in the UK among others, and has since aired in over 180 territories around the world while continuing to be sold. The series has developed a loyal fan base who is now introducing the show to their children.
"Making The Raccoons available on iTunes in the US is an exciting next step for Skywriter's digital distribution strategy. E1 has been tremendous in facilitating this opportunity," said Josh Killham, Vice-President, Digital Media for Skywriter. Killham oversaw the deal with E1 Entertainment.
The Raccoons follows the action-packed life of Bert Raccoon and his friends in the Evergreen Forest, a magical, special place - home to Bert, Ralph and Melissa Raccoon. At the heart of almost every adventure in the series is the nefarious power hungry millionaire aardvark, Cyril Sneer. He and his bungling accomplices The Pigs provide humor, and create the situations, which bring out "the hero" in our hero, Bert Raccoon.
The series is currently airing on Teletoon Retro (Canada) and Boomerang (UK and EMEA) among others.
The Raccoons was produced by Evergreen Raccoons Marketing Inc. and is distributed worldwide by Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group.
About Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group
Headquartered in Toronto, Skywriter Media and Entertainment Group is a fully-integrated producer and distributor of original programming and content for all forms of traditional and digital media worldwide. Skywriter was launched in August 2009 by distinguished entertainment industry executives Kevin Gillis (Chief Executive Officer), Michael McLaughlin (President) and Michael Iscove (Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer) as a company committed to the creation, development, financing, acquisition and distribution of quality children's and family entertainment for the global marketplace. In addition, Skywriter focuses on the production, distribution, and marketing of advertiser-supported content for all emerging media in association with leading advertising agencies, technology and digital media companies. Conceived as a destination partner for the entertainment community, Skywriter is a one-stop source for producers of programming and broadcasters alike, that nurtures the creative process and delivers the highest quality product to the global marketplace. For more information about Skywriter Media & Entertainment Group, please visit www.skywritermedia.com.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries. The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1's extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, Kids content, licensing and distribution. E1's content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks. www.entertainmentonegroup.com.
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Animation World Network
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