Halifax, (June 13, 2014) – DHX Media Ltd. (“DHX” or the “Company”) (TSX: DHX), a leading independent creator, producer, distributor and licensor of children’s entertainment content, today announced plans to produce 60 brand new episodesfor its iconic children’s television property, Teletubbies, for CBeebies in the UK.
The new series will feature the same well-loved characters and styling but will be visually enhanced, bringing a refreshed and contemporary look and feel to one of the world’s most well-known properties, which is still entertaining and engaging preschool audiences worldwide.
DHX Media has also engaged award-winning UK production company, Darrall Macqueen Ltd. The two companies are pioneering an upgraded and updated version of the current show which will feature the iconic live action characters Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po on replica model sets. The episodes will be enhanced by CGI, reinvigorating the show for future generations.
Kay Benbow, Controller, CBeebies said: “Teletubbies is an enduringly popular series with our youngest viewers, although no new episodes have been made for over ten years. I think that now is the right time to create new episodes of this much-loved, iconic show for the current CBeebies audience.”
Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media said: “Having acquired Teletubbies, one of the most significant and globally successful television properties, we are committed to developing the brand for today’s children. Kids’ entertainment of this calibre captivates generation after generation so we believe there is considerable demand for an enhanced, contemporary version. Darrall Macqueen is one of the UK’s most dynamic production companies and we believe the ideal partner to help visually refresh this landmark show.”
Global phenomenon Teletubbies launched in March 1997 and became one of the most successful global children’s brands of all time. It has reached over 1 billion children to date and the original episodes have aired in over 120 territories in 45 different languages. It was the very first western pre-school property to air on China’s CCTV reaching an audience of 300 million children. Its enduring resonance with children is further underscored by the brand’s postings on YouTube which garner almost 50 million views per month.
Enquiries:
David A. Regan – EVP, Corporate Development & IR
+1 902-423-0260
About DHX Media
DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com) is a leader in the creation, production and marketing of family entertainment. DHX Media owns, markets and distributes over 10,000 episodes of entertainment programming worldwide and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media is recognized for brands such as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, and the multi-award winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media’s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Halifax, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam and is listed on the 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 short form prospectus dated November 4, 2013, Annual Information Form, and the annual Management Discussion and Analysis. 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.