Following a deal signed by Zinkia Entertainment and RAI 2, the animated preschool series Pocoyo (104 x 7 minutes), co-produced by Zinkia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, is to debut this month on the Italian state channel RAI 2.
Press Release from Zinkia Entertainment
Madrid, 17 March 2010 - Following a deal signed by Zinkia Entertainment and RAI 2, the animated preschool series Pocoyo (104 x 7 minutes), co-produced by Zinkia and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, is to debut this month on the Italian state channel RAI 2.
The multi-award winning series is scheduled to be broadcast in RAI 2’s popular kids slot, with two episodes airing back to back at 9.15am Tuesdays to Thursdays, and one episode airing at 9.00am on Fridays.
This latest deal sees Pocoyo securing its position as one of the most popular preschool shows in Europe, since its debut in 2005 on ITV (UK). Packed with humour, the series engages the audience and encourages children to learn through laughter.
Over the years, Pocoyo has notched up a host of international accolades including three 2006 Pucinella Prizes awarded by the Italian Cartoons on the Bay Festival; ´Best Television Series´ at the 2006 Annecy Cartoon Festival; the 2006 BAFTA for `Best Animated Preschool Series; the Parents Choice Gold Medal from the USA and two prizes in China.
The TV series has developed into a global entertainment brand, selling more than 2.7 million toys, 1.3million books and on the DVD front shifting over 1.4 million units.
Pocoyo has been licensed in over 100 territories, including broadcast agreements with some of the world’s leading TV channels, including Televisa (Mexico); Univisión and WGBH (United States); Treehouse (Canada); Five’s Milkshake and CITV (UK); ABC (Australia); RTP (Portugal); TVE (Spain); Disney Pan Asia ; Kika (Germany); Nick Junior (France); Discovery Kids (Latin America); and WowWow (Japan). Fernando de Miguel, Managing Director and CEO of Zinkia, has pointed out that entry into the Italian market represents an important step forward in the company’s strategy and is convinced that "RAI 2 is the best alliance for assuring that Pocoyo will captivate Italian television viewers, due to its coverage, prestige and viewer levels."
Worldwide TV distribution rights for Pocoyo are handled by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, excluding Spain, Italy, Portugal and Latin America, which are handled by Zinkia.
About Zinkiawww.zinkia.comThe Spanish company Zinkia Entertainment, which specialises in the creation and management of entertainment brands for the international market, is primarily involved in the animation business, creating quality content for the audiovisual market as well as interactive content for multi-player console and online games.
Founded in 2001, Zinkia is headquartered in Madrid, with a commercial office in Peking, China. Zinkia’s TV series and associated merchandising and licensing products are distributed to over 100 countries worldwide. TV credits include the multi-award winning series Pocoyo and the successful series Shuriken School. Zinkia also created and recently launched the virtual universe PocoyoWorld.com, targeted at young children.
About ITV Studios Global EntertainmentITV Studios Global Entertainment Ltd is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution, home-entertainment, publishing, merchandising and licensing businesses. ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment is based in London, Cologne, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney and is an integrated part of ITV STUDIOS, led by Lee Bartlett, Managing Director.
About Pocoyo. www.pocoyo.comThe TV series Pocoyo (104 x 7 minutes), co-produced by Zinkia Entertainment and ITV Studios Global Entertainment, is produced using 3D Softimage XSi technology and rendered with Arnold. The property, which started as a TV series, is now a multi-platform global brand, licensed to over 100 countries worldwide, with extensive publishing, merchandising, licensing and home entertainment products. In October 2009 Zinkia launched a virtual universe, Pocoyoworld.com, enabling children and carers to share a host of fun and educational activities with their favourite characters.
The multi-award winning series is about curiosity and imagination, tolerance and respect, love and laughter. Packed with colour, music and vibrant visual images, the series is both educational and entertaining; Pocoyo is about learning through laughter.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
