Qubo, a new multi-platform television network for children that champions literacy and positive values through entertainment, will launch its first platform, the qubo programming block, this September. Broadcasting in both English and Spanish, the block will premiere on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday morning (Sept. 9), Telemundo on Sunday morning (Sept. 10) and ION Media Networks' i network on Friday afternoon (Sept. 15).
USA Network has ordered 13 one-hour episodes of the Emmy-nominated series THE 4400. The series will return to USA Network in summer 2007 with production scheduled to begin in Vancouver in early 2007. THE 4400 is produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in Association with Sky Television, Renegade 83 and American Zoetrope for USA Network.
Nickelodeon presents a fun blend of Japanese and European animation design to viewers this August with new series, SHURIKEN SCHOOL, a quirky comedy with a martial arts twist about a boys adventures at Ninja school. SHURIKEN SCHOOL, which debuted on Nick Aug. 20, 2006, at 11:30 a.m. with new episodes following each week in the series regular timeslot, Sundays at 11:30 am. The original animated comedy series was created by Emilio and Jesús Gallego and co-produced by Xilam Animation in France and Zinkia Ent. in Spain.
KAPPA MIKEY, the breakout Nicktoons Network hit anime/comedy series about a struggling American actor-turned-Japanese anime star, migrated to Nickelodeon as of Aug. 20, 2006, at 11:00 am, leading into the net's new series, SHURIKEN SCHOOL at 11:30 am.
Illumitoon Ent. Ltd. announced that it has licensed GET RIDE! AM DRIVER for release in the U.S. The series is an action-adventure drama that focuses on the exploits of a young group of warriors, known as AM Drivers, as they battle a dominating empire of machines. The series was developed by ADK, and is backed by Japanese toy company Konami.
Were thrilled to add this very exciting series to our U.S. launch, says Barry Watson, the ceo/president of Illumitoon. It combines ultramodern, futuristic technology with engaging excitement.
BBC Worldwide Americas has licensed a second season of DOCTOR WHO to SCI FI kicking off with a two-hour premiere on Sept. 29, 2006, that will include the Christmas Invasion special in which David Tennant (HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE) was introduced as the 10th Time Lord.
The Doctor returns with his feisty young companion, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), and together they will travel through time and space battling new and returning aliens and monsters.
On Aug. 17, 2006, at 8.30 pm (AEST), Australias Network Ten will launch DAVID TENCH TONIGHT, a new talk show featuring an animated talk show host, reports SMH.com. The show was created by ENOUGH ROPE presenter Andrew Denton and his production company, Zapruder's Other Films.
Using motion capture and digital enhancement technologies, digital host David Tench will interview real people in realtime. Like other talk show hosts, viewers will watch Tench perched behind a desk, interviewing his guests live in a studio.
Adult Swims newest original series, METALOCALYPSE, which premiered Aug. 6, 2006 at 11:45 pm, earned the networks best premiere delivery and ratings to date in 2006, according to preliminary data from Nielsen Media Research. The animated satire on extreme rock bands ranked #1 in its time period among adults and men 18-24 and men 18-34. The premiere also charted strong double-digit delivery and ratings gains among all targeted young adult demos.
BBC Worldwide has acquired global program distribution, merchandising and DVD rights to U.K. independent Collingwood OHare Ents new series, THE SECRET SHOW. BBC Worldwide Americas sales team has already licensed 26 episodes to Nicktoons Network, the 24-hour animation network owned by Nickelodeon, in the U.S. The series airs on Nicktoons Network in January 2007 following its broadcast on CBBC.
Commissioned by the BBC, THE SECRET SHOW will be aired on the BBCs pre-teen digital channel CBBC.
The first feature-length CODENAME: KIDS NEXT DOOR movie, titled OPERATION Z.E.R.O., set to debut on Cartoon Network on Aug. 11, 2006 at 7:30 pm on Cartoon Network. The series and feature are produced by New York-based animation production company, Curious Pictures.
TELETOONs highlights for August 2006, kick off with the debut of the new series, DI-GATA DEFENDERS. Premiering on Aug. 5 with a special 90-minute CINETOON presentation of the first three episodes, the series will regularly air Saturdays at 7:00 pm starting August 12.
In August 2006, YTVs programmers are taking a summer break, allowing viewers to help decide what movies to air on YTVs popular movie block ZAPX, hosted by Simon every Sunday at 6:00 pm. Kids can vote online at www.YTV.com for the movies they want to see. Each week YTV offers kids a new themed block of movies to vote for including: ZAPX Prankster Movies on Aug. 13, ZAPX Summer Phreakend Movies on Aug. 20 and ZAPX Teen Queen Movies on Aug. 27.
Delfino Ent. is teaming with George Lopez to produce EDDIE & THE SQUID, an animated half-hour comedy about two young Latino brothers, VARIETY reports. Lopez will serve as exec producer. Movie- and TV-distribution company Delfino has set up an animation arm to produce the pilot, which is budgeted just under $1 million.
Don Ashley, head of Delfino; Rick Nyholm, exec producer of ABC's THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW; and Brett Merhar, who created the characters, developed the show. The voice cast will include Efren Ramirez (NAPOLEON DYNAMITE) and Carlos Alazraqui (RENO 911).
SCI FI Channel has acquired the rights to STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, the STAR TREK prequel series, as well as many made-for-television movies and series from CBS Paramount Domestic Television. The deal includes exclusive cable rights to THE TWILIGHT ZONE, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, several Stephen King miniseries, made-for-TV movies including PRIMAL FORCE and TRILOGY OF TERROR II and series such as HAUNTED, JAKE 2.0 and last fall's THRESHOLD.
Thirteen/WNET New York, one of America's foremost public television producers, and Unnatural Prods. Inc. have entered into an agreement to co-produce 65 episodes of the 3D animated series, UNNATURAL HISTORY, over several years.
In UNNATURAL HISTORY, an agency of anti-technology misfits is stealing inventions from the past that affect the future and it's up to four curious kids to stop them. The comic action-adventure series comes with an educational mission to help kids appreciate the technology they take for granted in their lives.
CBS, DIC and AOL present "KOLs Secret Slumber Party on CBS" set to premiere Saturday, Sept. 16, 2006, on the CBS Television Network. The three-hour, E/I-compliant branded programming block exclusive to broadcast television is comprised of four animated series and two new live-action shows. The slate includes MADELINE, SABRINA: THE ANIMATED SERIES, TROLLZ, HORSELAND, CAKE and DANCE REVOLUTION! The programming block is targeted to children 6-12.
Producer/director Sam Raimi and his producing partner Joshua Donen have optioned the film rights to Terry Goodkind's bestselling SWORD OF TRUTH adventure series to turn into a miniseries, published by Tor Books, the ComingSoon.net website reported.
Goodkind's novels have been international bestsellers, translated into 20 foreign languages, with more than 10 million copies in print. The SWORD OF TRUTH series began in 1994 with WIZARD'S FIRST RULE. The 10th novel in the series, PHANTOM, is on sale now. The 11th and final volume is under contract to be published in 2008.
Disneys original animated comedy series THE REPLACEMENTS, will air Sept. 8, 2006, at 9:00 pm on the Disney Channel. The show, about orphaned tween siblings who can replace any adult in their life with the help of a mysterious agency, will move to its regular timeslot beginning Sept. 8 at 8:00 pm.
4Kids Ent. Inc. will soon give fans instant, 24-hour access to its properties with the launch of the 4Kids TV VOD Channel on Comcast ON DEMAND on Aug. 7, 2006. Featuring many of 4Kids' most popular brands including YU-GI-OH!, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, SONIC X, KIRBY and WINX CLUB, the new VOD Channel will offer 10 hours with new episodes added every two weeks.
Sony Pictures TV-based producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are planning a musical revival of PETER PAN for ABC, reports VARIETY. Zadan and Meron hope to have the film ready for broadcast in fall 2007.
"This is a huge priority for us and has been over the almost two years it took to get the rights," ABC movies & mini-series head Quinn Taylor said. The project "is spot on in the tradition of classic ABC musicals, with huge family appeal across every generation."
AT&T Inc. struck a distribution agreement to deliver MTVN and BET linear, high-definition, on-demand and digital music programming as part of the AT&T U-verse TV channel lineup. Financial and other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
FOX has announced the list of impressive guest voices that will be appearing on THE SIMPSONS next season such as Kiefer Sutherland, Natalie Portman, Michael Imperioli, Joe Pantoliano, Joe Mantegna, The White Stripes and Dr. Phil McGraw.
BET Networks' newly-minted animation unit will join with Vin Diesel's One Race Prods. to produce HANNIBAL THE CONQUEROR, an animated series based on the life of Hannibal of Carthage, universally recognized as the greatest military leader in the history of the world. The project was jointly announced by Diesel and Reginald Hudlin, BET president of entertainment. One Race vp Samantha Vincent and Diesel will exec produce. Last January, BET announced the formation of BET Animation under the management of Denys Cowan, former producer of the hit animated series THE BOONDOCKS.
Alfred Haber, founder of Alfred Haber Distribution Inc. (AHDI), announced that the company has entered into an agreement for the first time with MTV Networks' Spike TV to serve as the international distributor of SPIKE TV SCREAM AWARDS 2006, the first annual televised event devoted to celebrating the horror, sci-fi and fantasy genres. Haber has secured the rights to worldwide distribution of SPIKE TV SCREAM AWARDS 2006 with the exception of the U.K. and Canada.
Academy Award-nominated Brown Bag Films has just delivered the 52x2 animation series I'M AN ANIMAL for kids 3-6. The series was commissioned by state broadcaster RTE and the Irish Film Board and distributed by Monster Distributes.
