Halifax, NS – 20 November 2006 – DHX Media Ltd. (AIM & TSX ticker: “DHX”), a leading independent international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content, announces that its Decode Entertainment division has appointed PLAYSKOOL, a division of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS), one of the world’s largest toy companies, as the worldwide master toy and game licensee for the critically acclaimed preschool show, Franny’s Feet, currently airing on PBS Kids in the United States. This appointment is conditional upon completion of a long-form agreement.
This agreement grants a worldwide license to PLAYSKOOL in exchange for an upfront minimum guarantee and a percentage of PLAYSKOOL’s net revenues derived from the sale of Franny’s Feet toys and games worldwide. The potential royalties under this agreement would be material to DHX Media’s merchandising and licensing revenues.
Both parties have committed to signing a long-form agreement by December 31, 2006 and PLAYSKOOL plans to launch the first Franny’s Feet toys and games in 2008.
Franny’s Feet, with 39 half-hours now completed, is licensed to television broadcasters covering more than 100 countries worldwide. Franny’s Feet was first broadcast in the US market on Thirteen/WNET, PBS’ New York affiliate, in July and has now been picked-up by PBS affiliates in other key US markets.
“Franny’s Feet is a wonderful program and we are happy to be the master toy and game licensee for the series”, said Leigh Anne Cappello, Vice President of PLAYSKOOL. “We believe the magic and charm of Franny’s Character and the show will bring unique toys and games to the marketplace.”
Steven DeNure, President of DHX Media’s Decode Entertainment division, commented: “With its international scope, we couldn’t be happier to have PLAYSKOOL as our toy licensee for Franny’s Feet. We have every confidence that PLAYSKOOL will successfully bring Franny’s Feet to life with products that are fun for kids. Moreover, this major toys and games license is a great base on which to build our Franny’s Feet merchandising and licensing program around the world.”
Michael Donovan, Chairman and CEO, commented: “Growing merchandising and licensing revenue is an important element of our corporate strategy and our worldwide agreement with Hasbro provides further evidence of our delivering on that strategy. The success of Franny’s Feet is another indication of the strength and international appeal of our kid’s properties.”
The deal was brokered by DHX Media’s licensing agency, The Sharpe Company, Inc., Manhattan Beach, California.
About Franny’s Feet™
In the series, Franny explores new places, meets new people and encounters new situations broadening her understanding of the world. In each episode, Franny tries on a pair of shoes that sends her on imaginary adventures. Franny’s Feet airs on PBS stations in various major US markets, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C. and Houston. Additionally, the program airs internationally in countries including Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Poland, Japan, Finland, Norway, France, Italy, India, Singapore, Taiwan and Denmark.
For more information, please contact:
DHX Media Ltd.
Dana Landry – Chief Financial Officer
David A. Regan – Corporate Development & Investor Relations
+1 902-423-0260
AIM Nominated Advisors: Canaccord Adams Limited
Neil Johnson – Head of Corporate Finance
Erin Needra – Vice President, Corporate Finance
+44 (0) 207-050-6500
About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media Ltd. is a leading international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content with an emphasis on children, family and youth markets. DHX Media Ltd. shares trade on AIM and are listed on the TSX, the Toronto Stock Exchange. DHX Media’s production companies, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film, are the producers or co-producers of 11 original television series or theatrical releases currently commissioned for production and maintain a growing library of over 1,100 half-hours of children and youth-oriented television productions. www.dhxmedia.com
Disclaimer
Certain statements herein may constitute forward-looking statements, including those identified by the expressions ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘potential,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘intend’’ and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its Management. These statements reflect the Company’s current expectations and are based on information currently available to Management. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including the matters discussed under ‘‘Risk Factors’’ contained in the Company’s prospectus dated May 12, 2006. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.