Halifax, NS – 16 February 2012 – DHX Media Ltd (TSX ticker: DHX), a leading independent international producer, distributor and licensor of mainly children’s entertainment content is pleased to announce that its hit stop-motion animated preschool property Rastamouse has received an order for a second season from the BBC’s “CBeebies” children’s channel, after scoring high ratings on the channel and proving hugely popular with UK preschool audiences, their parents and licensees.
The second season, produced and animated in the UK by Three Stones Media, sees the skateboarding, music-loving and mystery-solving character and his band Da Easy Crew return for a further 26 episodes.
Josh Scherba, SVP Distribution at DHX Media, said: “It’s the unique qualities of Rastamouse such as the positive messaging, high-quality animation and musicality that make the show stand out in the competitive preschool marketplace. Since it launched just a year ago, the brand has received much praise and won fans of all ages, as well as attracting a roster of major licensees. This success, together with the production of a second season for CBeebies, underscores the show’s popularity and longevity.”
Rastamouse, the animated series based on the critically acclaimed books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, launched on CBeebies in January 2011 and has since engaged a following of preschoolers and parents alike. The series features Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer of Da Easy Crew, the mystery-solving, reggae-playing band who always make a bad ting good and live by their motto “redemption, not retribution.”
The property quickly attracted a roster of licensees with DHX Media, together with subsidiary W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, signing deals with EMI (music), Universal (DVD), Character Options (master toy), MacMillan (publishing) followed by Vogue (melamine products from tableware to drinkware, clocks and room decor), Zap (bedding), MVSports (outdoor toys), Sommerbond (underwear and nightwear) and Their Nibs (children’s sleepwear).
DHX Media and W!LDBRAIN are selecting further new partners for the brand with additional deals recently signed with Trademark Collections (bags, purses, wallets and umbrellas) Roy Lowe & Sons Ltd (socks, tights, hats, gloves and scarves) and GB Eye Limited (posters, prints, badges, stickers, tattoos). Ty UK Ltd. will also develop a Ty Beanie Baby line with product set for launch in the UK imminently.
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For more information, please contact:
David A. Regan – EVP, Corporate Development & IR
+1 902-423-0260
About DHX Media Ltd:
DHX Media, together with its subsidiary, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, is a leading international family entertainment rights creation and management company with three-award-winning production facilities, worldwide distribution and a global consumer products business. DHX Media has produced over 40 original television series and maintains a library of over 2,500 half-hours of animation and live-action programming. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Los Angeles and London. DHX Media is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to the Company, including statements about the value of the substantial issuer bid to the Company’s remaining shareholders and its effects on the Company’s earnings per share. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risks related to market factors, including changing popularity of the titles in the Company’s production library, application of accounting policies and principles, and production related risks, and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2011. 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.
About DHX Media
DHX Media, together with its subsidiary, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, is a leading international family entertainment rights creation and management company with three-award-winning production facilities, worldwide distribution and a global consumer products business. DHX Media has produced over 40 original television series and maintains a library of over 2,500 half-hours of animation and live-action programming. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Los Angeles and London. DHX Media is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange). www.dhxmedia.com.
About The Rastamouse Company
The Rastamouse Company is the rights holder for Rastamouse and will maximise the potential of the IP. The company is owned by the talents who brought the project from a self published book into a substantial brand. The Rastamouse Company oversees all aspects of the TV production and the potential of Rastamouse beyond the small screen. The production of the first 52 episodes was supported by the Finance Wales Creative IP fund.
About Three Stones Media
The Three Stones Media philosophy is simple; to combine the best emerging talents with established creatives to produce great storytelling and the highest quality entertainment. Formed in 2007, independent production company Three Stones Media is a collaboration between producers Eugenio Perez, Greg Boardman and entrepreneur Nick Dhandsa. Together they bring a wide range of production and financing skills to a number of unique media properties; big ideas that have the ability to transcend their original platform.