Halifax, NS – 22 January 2016 – DHX Brands, the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media (“DHX” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B), has signed five new UK consumer products licensees for the hugely successful new Teletubbies, which launched on CBeebies last year to strong ratings.
Adding to the current roster of 49 licensees representing the property, DHX Brands has secured Kokomo to produce products in the health and beauty category, which includes toiletries and dental; HTI will produce Teletubbies-themed toys, which include musical role playing and activity games, as well as novelty items; Bladez will be launching a range of inflatable toys; and Misirli has taken the license for Teletubbies socks. DHX Brands has also secured Whitehouse for the amusement category, including plush toys.
Products from these licensees are expected to launch in the UK beginning in autumn 2016.
Tom Roe, Commercial Director, DHX Brands, said: “Since announcing we were bringing back Teletubbies, we have naturally had huge interest from the industry. We’ve since pulled together a top-tier licensing programme, and are delighted to announce the addition of yet more best-in-class companies to the roster. With the show enjoying huge ratings success on CBeebies, and consumer products just starting to roll out now, we have a busy and exciting year ahead!”
Featuring the voices of British acting talent including Jim Broadbent, Jane Horrocks, Daniel Rigby, Fearne Cotton and Antonia Thomas, the new series follows the same well-loved characters and styling as the original but has been visually enhanced, bringing a refreshed and contemporary look and feel to one of the world’s best-loved pre-school properties. The new series also features a number of brand new elements including Touch Screen tummy TVs and a hi-tech Tubby Phone, which bring the Teletubbies and their home up to date for 21st century viewers.
Global phenomenon Teletubbies first 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 brands postings on YouTube which garner almost 91 million views per month.
For more information, please contact:
Trade Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR
aimee@ddablueprint.com
+44 (0) 20 8985 4708
Financial Media: Shaun Smith – Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd.
shaun.smith@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7230
Investor relations: David Regan – EVP, Corporate Development, DHX Media Ltd.
david.regan@dhxmedia.com
+1 902-425-3814
About DHX Brands
DHX Brands is the dedicated brand-management and consumer-products arm of DHX Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: DHXM; TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B) (www.dhxmedia.com), a leading creator, producer, marketer and broadcaster of family entertainment. DHX Brands specializes in creating, building and maintaining high-profile global entertainment brands within the children’s and young-adult markets. With expertise in brand development, licensing, marketing and creative, we develop brands which captivate and inspire through engaging content, first-class distribution, quality consumer products, immersive live experiences, and digital media. DHX Brands’ world-class portfolio includes Teletubbies, Twirlywoos, In the Night Garden, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, Make It Pop!, Slugterra, and Degrassi. DHX Brands has offices in London, Toronto and Los Angeles.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to DHX Media including timing of the release of consumer products. 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 risk factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which form part of the Company’s registration statement on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.