Halifax, ON – 7 August 2015 – DHX Media Ltd. (“DHX” or the “Company”) (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), a key player internationally in the creation of content for families and children, and AwesomenessTV, a multi-platform media company that is a global leader in producing content for the Gen Z audience, have entered into an original development and production agreement with content to air on Family Channel in Canada. DHX will also distribute and handle merchandising and licensing outside of the US for original content produced under the deal.
In addition, DHX Television has licensed three popular AwesomenessTV series: AwesomenessTV, a sketch comedy show airing on Nickelodeon US; Make Me Over, a reality makeover series hosted by teen fashionistas Bethany Mota and Ingrid Nilsen; and Cheerleaders, a docu-series diving into the competitive world of cheer, also for Family Channel.
“We’re actively pursuing unique programming formats to provide an authentic lineup for our audience, ensuring the content is both engaging and entertaining,” said Joe Tedesco, Senior Vice President & General Manager, DHX Television. “AwesomenessTV has been firing on all platforms and understands our audience. Viewers are easily able to connect with the programming through multiple entry points and we are thrilled to be creating new series together that will appeal to our audience and attract new viewers.”
“In addition to reaching a new audience for existing AwesomenessTV content, we are looking forward to collaborating with DHX Television on the creation of new series for Family Channel Canada,” said Kelly Day, Chief Digital Officer, AwesomenessTV. “We are always looking for new opportunities to reach the Gen Z audience, whether it’s a new platform or a new territory. In this case it’s both.”
Descriptions of the three programs DHX Television has licensed are as follows:
● AwesomenessTV (40 x 30-minute episodes) – the sketch comedy compilation series features hilarious characters, awesome pranks and pop-music parodies. The show boasts a wide range of popular guest hosts, including 5 Seconds of Summer, Austin Mahone, Cimorelli, Daniella Monet, Emblem3, Fifth Harmony, Grace Helbig, Jack Griffo, Kira Kosarin, Rixton, Smosh, Sydney Park and The Vamps.
● Make Me Over (26 x 30-minute episodes) – hosted by fashion influencers like Bethany Mota (aka MacBarbie07) and Ingrid Nilsen, this series surprises fans with the makeover of a lifetime! Join Bethany, Ingrid and their glam squads as they visit teens who have encountered everything from bullying to body insecurities, with the goal of making everyone feel like the most beautiful version of themselves.
● Cheerleaders (26 x 30-minute episodes) – a docu-series that takes viewers inside the extremely competitive world of All-Star Cheerleading. The show follows the World Champion small co-ed cheerleading squad, The California All Stars SMOED, answering the question: Can they be the first squad in their division to win the World Championships for a second year in a row?
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com), a key player internationally in the creation of content for families and children, is recognized globally for such brands as Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Johnny Test, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. DHX Media Ltd. is the owner of Family Channel, the most-viewed children’s television channel in Canada, as well as the channels Disney Junior (English & French) and Disney XD in Canada. The Company markets and distributes its library of more than 11,000 half-hours of entertainment programming worldwide, and licenses its owned properties through its dedicated consumer products business. DHX Media Ltd.’s full-service international licensing agency, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group Ltd. (CPLG), represents numerous entertainment, sport and design brands. DHX Media Ltd. has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Munich and Amsterdam, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols DHX.A and DHX.B.
About AwesomenessTV
AwesomenessTV is a multi-platform media company owned by DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA) and Hearst Corporation, which has a 25 percent interest. Included under the AwesomenessTV banner are AwesomenessTV, the leading YouTube channel serving the global Gen Z audience; the ATV Network, a community based MCN with over 90,000 channels; DreamWorksTV; Awestruck; Big Frame; as well as consumer products, music, publishing, and branded entertainment divisions. AwesomenessTV also produces television series and theatrical films, such as Expelled; the AwesomenessTV series and Terry the Tomboy movie on Nickelodeon; and Richie Rich on Netflix. AwesomenessTV was founded by Brian Robbins (Smallville, Varsity Blues, All That) and Joe Davola (In Living Color, Smallville, MTV Networks). Check out www.awesomenesstv.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including the completion of production, the timing of a television debut and the ability of the Company to place the series in other territories. Past performance of the television series is no guarantee of the future performance of the new series. 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 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 prospectuses dated November 14, 2013 and December 31, 2013, Annual Information Form, and 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, except as required by law.
For more information, please contact:
DHX Investor Relations: David Regan – EVP, Corporate Development, DHX Media Ltd.
david.regan@dhxmedia.com
+1 902-425-3814
Financial Media: Shaun Smith – Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd.
shaun.smith@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7230
Trade & Entertainment Media: Jaime Bassett – Director, Communications, DHX Television
jaime.bassett@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7416