Category: Television

Comedy Central and SOUTH PARK creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have renewed their contract in a deal that will keep the creative duo at the cable channel through the end of 2008.

Viewers may look forward to three more years of SOUTH PARK episodes with 14 new episodes each year. Parker and Stone will continue under the new agreement to write, direct, voice and edit every episode, as they have since the creation of the show.

Nickelodeon Europe has purchased the VITAMINIX series from Barcelona-based Icon Animation for the broadcast on Nickelodeon channels airing in Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Holland and Flemish-speaking Belgium after a successful run on Nickelodeon channels in Latin America and Spain, of the 2D Flash animated shorts (104x2), which aim to teach children about the nutritional value of food, minerals and vitamins.

SCI FI's wildly successful original movie franchise soared to its best-ever household ratings (2.6 HH) with PTERODACTYL, which was first broadcast Aug. 27, 2005. This film produced exclusively for and by SCI FI Channel will air again tonight, Sept. 1 at 9:00 pm.

PorchLight Entertainment has acquired exclusive distribution and licensing and merchandising rights to NEW MACDONALDS FARM, Beyond Distributions hit childrens series which airs on Australias Network Nine.

The hit series, targeting kids 2-5, features child-like farmers Max and Milly in a combination live-action and puppetry setting. There are 45 half-hour episodes completed with an order for 45 more. PorchLight will market the series for domestic broadcast distribution and actively seek U.S. licensees.

Pork and Beans Productions animated short, THE LAWS OF GRAVITY, has been selected to appear in Nicktoons the NEXTOONS: THE NICKTOONS FILM FESTIVAL, a weeklong festival of shorts submitted by animators worldwide. The short airs in the seventh episode on Aug. 27, 2005, at 9:00 pm ET/12:00 am PT and August 28 at 12:00 am ET/3:00 am PT on Nicktoons, as well as be simulcast on www.nicktoons.com.

Disney Channel will broadcast the worldwide television premiere of the animated feature, TROLLZ: BEST FRIENDS FOR LIFE, from DIC Entertainment (DIC), on Aug. 27, 2005, at 2:00 pm with subsequent airdates scheduled September 3 and 29 on Toon Disney.

The Trollz world revolves on the adventures of five teenage best friends Amethyst, Onyx, Sapphire, Topaz and Ruby each of whom is very different from the other. Each friend offers her unique style in personality, color, fashion symbol and gemstone, but together they form the Magic of The Five.

Gang of Seven (G7) Animation embarks on its biggest assignment in the companys brief history, beginning pre-production on 26 new episodes of BIKER MICE FROM MARS. This marks the return of the hugely popular series from the early 90s.

The new series is a co-production of U.K.-based brand management company, Criterion, Licensing Ltd.; creator/exec producer Rick Ungars Brentwood Television Funnies, Inc.; and animation production facility, Philippines Animation Studio (PASI).

Based upon studies that say humor will improve a childs life, Cartoon Network has launched a weekday morning franchise, Tickle U, featuring original and acquired television shows from around the world such as PEPPA PIG, GERALD MCBOING BOING AND YOKO! JAKAMOKO! TOTO! designed specifically for preschool children. Tickle U, which premiered Aug. 22, 2005, airs weekdays from 9-11:00 am, focuses on developing and nurturing a childs sense of humor and optimism as essential life skills.