DIC Ent.s evp of creative affairs Robby London will be attending MIP-TV as a buyer to acquire, for the first time, educationally qualified programming to air in the U.S. on DIC Kids Network. The programming will make up a three-hour programming block for kids designed to meet core FCC requirements.
DIC is thrilled to be in a position to offer international producers and distributors of educational childrens programming access to the increasingly impenetrable U.S. broadcast marketplace. Due to vertical integration, there are fewer opportunities for independent producers and distributors, said London, who will be at DICs booth, R17.01. MIP offers an excellent opportunity to acquaint myself with available educational series, and I will be on the lookout for quality, curriculum-based programming to complement the blocks existing lineup.
Since launching in September 2003, DIC Kids Network premiered on major broadcast outlets, including local FOX, WB and UPN affiliates. The block offers three separate exclusive programming feeds, along with a Spanish language feed on virtually every series for the SAP channel. The programming blocks are comprised of six half-hours of animated programs from DICs extensive library of animated programming, including SABRINA, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN THE 22ND CENTURY, ARCHIES WEIRD MYSTERIES, THE LITTLES and more.
In 2004, DIC plans to bring additional series to the block, such as MARY-KATE AND ASHLEY, the animated series, featuring the worlds most famous twins, and LIBERTYS KIDS, which depicts the stories of the American Revolution, featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Annette Bening, Ben Stiller, Liam Neeson and Walter Cronkite.
A former writer, London has served as evp creative affairs for DIC entertainment for the past 18 years. He has been jointly responsible for all aspects of the companys creative affairs, including the development of new projects, the supervision of all story editors and writers, acting liaison between the company and the broadcasters and rights holders plus maintaining a creative overview of every DIC-produced property. London has functioned as exec producer, co-exe producer, producer or writer on more than 2,500 half hours of animation, including WHERE ON EARTH IS CARMEN SANDIEGO?, MADELINE, THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS,CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS, THE WACKY WORLD OF TEX AVERY, INSPECTOR GADGET, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SABRINA, THE ANIMATED SERIES.
DIC Ent., a leading childrens entertainment company, is a full-service studio dedicated to creating, developing, producing, distributing, marketing and merchandising family-based intellectual properties. DIC has distinguished itself by building one of the largest libraries of U.S. animation with more than 3,000 half-hours of programming. In September 2003, DIC launched the DIC Kids Network, a syndicated programming block designed to meet core FCC requirements and the only network for kids that reaches effectively 100% of U.S. households on over 400 stations, airing in every Designated Market Area across the country. DIC is headquartered in Burbank, California with international offices in New York, Paris, London and Cologne. For more information, visit www.dicentertainment.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
