Halifax, NS – 12 September 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 The Jim Henson Company has made the first international sale of the preschool series DOOZERS, a co-production between DHX and The Jim Henson Company, to Turner Broadcasting for their preschool channel, Cartoonito, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to air beginning in fall of 2013.
“We have enjoyed a successful history of creative collaboration with The Jim Henson Company, and our joint development of the DOOZERS animated series demonstrates the shared vision for the series production,” said Steven DeNure, President and COO DHX Media Ltd.
“DOOZERS represents the quality programming that is synonymous with both The Jim Henson Company and DHX Media,” said Richard Goldsmith, Executive Vice President of Global Distribution, The Jim Henson Company. “Turner Broadcasting recognized the appeal of this adventurous and colorful animated series that celebrates invention, imaginative play, friendship and living green.”
“In a year which marks the 30th anniversary of Fraggle Rock, we’re delighted that spin-off series DOOZERS is set to make its debut on Cartoonito, added Cecilia Persson, Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, EMEA, Turner Broadcasting. Originating from a much loved show with iconic brand heritage, DOOZERS is a wonderfully charming series in its own right and is sure to gain new legions of fans to this latest creation from The Jim Henson Company and DHX.”
In every eleven-minute episode of DOOZERS, viewers will follow the adventures of four brand new Doozer kid characters: Spike, Mollybolt, Flex, and Daisy Wheel. Together they make up the bright, bold, and fun “Pod Squad” who share a passion for inventing. With their different personalities and skills, the four Doozer friends make a most exceptional and productive team when it comes to adventure and fun. Playing gets their minds and bodies creating, imagining, brainstorming and building! Each episode of this groundbreaking series incorporates concepts that enhance creative thinking abilities, physical skills and knowledge of tools and materials.
About Cartoonito
Cartoonito is a pre-school channel where young children can explore their world in a fun and imaginative way. Cartoonito airs an array of exciting pre-school programs including LazyTown, Bananas in Pyjamas and Jelly Jamm. Six cute animated characters called the Cartoonitos introduce the shows. Cartoonito is a channel in the UK, Italy and Spain and is shown as a branded block on Boomerang or Cartoon Network in other Turner EMEA regions. Cartoonito, which reaches over 125 million homes in approximately 112 territories, is dedicated to helping pre-school kids explore their world in a fun and imaginative way. The fun, entertaining and quirky content on Cartoonito is designed to make children feel safe and relaxed by providing an environment where they can be themselves, play and discover.
About DHX Media Ltd.
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 2,550 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 BBC. 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 Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, Wilson & Ditch: Digging America and Pajanimals. Features include The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, MirrorMask and Unstable Fables and television productions include Fraggle Rockand the sci-fi cult series Farscape.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand has recently announced the national tour of “Stuffed and Unstrung,” a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 “Best Stage Shows of 2010” by Entertainment Weekly. www.henson.com www.facebook.com/hensoncompanywww.twitter.com/hensonparents
For investor relations, please contact:
David A. Regan – EVP, Corporate Development & IR, DHX Media Ltd.
+1 902-423-0260
For media inquiries, please contact:
Carol Holdsworth
Three.Sixty Marketing & Communications
carol@360-comm.com
310.418.6430 / 805.252.1848
www.360-comm.com
Ann Schwarz
The Jim Henson Company
323-802-1667
aschwarz@henson.com
Yinka Akindele
Turner Broadcasting
yinka.akindele@turner.com
+44 (0)20 7693 1105