Halifax, NS – 31 May 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), and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) today announced a global home entertainment distribution deal for all new and classic episodes of Teletubbies in both physical and digital formats.
The new Teletubbies series follows the familiar, well-loved characters and styling of the original series, 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 show features brand new elements including Touch Screen tummy TVs and a hi-tech Tubby Phone, bringing the Teletubbies into the 21st century alongside viewers. The new Teletubbies premiered on Nick Jr. in the US on May 30, 2016; on DHX’s Family Jr. in Canada in January 2016; and on CBeebies in the UK in November 2015, where it has consistently rated as one of the channel’s top shows.
“Teletubbies is one of the most popular and iconic brands for young children and families around the world,” said Ben Means, SVP, Third Party Strategic Partnerships, SPHE. “We are very pleased to be working with DHX Media to help introduce Teletubbies to new generations of fans everywhere.”
“The global appetite for Teletubbies content has proven to be unwavering, with strong demand for both the new series and the classic show,” said Tom Roe, Commercial Director, DHX Brands. “Given their reach and standing, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the ideal international home entertainment partner for this brand. We look forward to Sony providing more ways for pre-schoolers and their families to engage with the magical world of the Teletubbies.”
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.
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: Nancy Chan-Palmateer – Director, Investor Relations, DHX Media Ltd.
nancy.chanpalmateer@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7358
For SPHE: Staci Griesbach/James Raimo, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Staci_Griesbach@spe.sony.com /James_Raimo@spe.sony.com
+ 1 310-244-6903/310-244-4648
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.
About Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX including, without limitation, statements regarding the distribution, growth and business strategies in respect of Teletubbies. 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 or events 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 Annual Information Form and annual Management Discussion and Analysis, which also form part of the Company’s annual report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC. 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.