Halifax, NS – 2 May 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 it has signed new international broadcast licenses with BBC Worldwide Channels for its Rastamouse hit pre-school TV series for its feeds in Hispanic US, Latin America and Africa. Also, distribution agent White Fox has licensed the series for Greece and Cyprus, where it will air on ERT3.
Josh Scherba, SVP Distribution at DHX Media said: “Hot on the heels of its first anniversary Rastamouse has clocked up over 40 broadcast territories with further deals imminent. We also have a notable line up of UK licensing partners already on board. With a new series in production and more deals to follow, the property is set for another strong year.”
Stop-frame animated series Rastamouse is set for a second season on CBeebies in the United Kingdom after scoring high ratings on the channel and its internet-based viewing platform, iPlayer, and proving hugely popular with UK preschool audiences and their parents. In 2012, Rastamouse on CBeebies has achieved an average audience per episode of 182,000 and a 19.2% share of children aged 0-6. In addition, in the first three months of the year, Rastamouse had been requested over 288,000 times on the BBC iPlayer.
Brand activity for the first half of 2012 includes the launch of the second DVD in the UK in March via Universal, and the first TV tie-in books published by Macmillan. Immediate Media are set to launch a Rastamouse standalone magazine following the success of CBeebies magazine’s Rastamouse special in February. Character Options will continue to release additional skus to complement Rastamouse plush toys by adding play sets and musical toys to their current line. Rastamouse is also building momentum outside of the UK, ABC recently launched the second Rastamouse DVD in Australia and Media Service Zawada will be releasing the first Rastamouse DVD in Poland in April 2012.
Based on the critically acclaimed books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, Rastamouse 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 Universal (DVD), Character Options (master toy), Macmillan (publishing) followed by Vogue (melamine products from tableware to drink ware, clocks and room decor), Zap (bedding), MVSports (outdoor toys), Somerbond (underwear and nightwear) and Their Nibs (children’s sleepwear), 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. is also developing a Ty Beanie Baby line.
Follow us on Twitter @rastamouse_irie.
For more information, please contact:
David A. Regan – EVP, Corporate Development & IR, DHX Media Ltd. +1 902-423-0260
About DHX Media
DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com), 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, including world-recognized series such as Franny’s Feet, Animal Mechanicals, Kid vs. Kat, Angela Anaconda and Martha Speaks, and maintains a library of over 2,500 half-hours of animation and live-action programming. The company’s global licensing group oversees a diverse merchandising portfolio for proven properties, including the hit U.K. seriesRastamouse, airing on CBeebies DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Los Angeles and London. DHX Media is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).
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.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to the Company. 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, customer contract interpretation, 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 short form prospectus dated April 9, 2010 and in the Company’s Annual Information Form incorporated by reference therein. 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.