Halifax, NS –10 January 2017– DHX Media (or the “Company”) (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM), the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company, has licensed exclusive U.S. broadcast rights for 30 brand-new half-hour episodes of Teletubbies which will begin airing on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. preschool channel in 2017.
Josh Scherba, SVP Distribution of DHX Media, said: “The new Teletubbies series is winning fans worldwide, and the pickup of another season in the U.S. points to the enduring appeal of this global brand. With all the recognizable favorites as well as new features, the second season is a real treat for audiences both in the U.S. on Nick Jr., and the U.K. where it will premiere exclusively on CBeebies next year.”
As the flagship property in DHX Media’s strategy to build global brands, the new Teletubbies continues to perform extremely well and is gaining global momentum. The global licensing program is growing rapidly, with more than 85 top-tier licensees already on board, underscoring its position as one of the best-loved and most recognizable international properties. Licensees in core categories include Character Options (award-winning Master Toy line, with distribution in North America and Northern Europe by Spin Master and Southern Europe by Giochi Preziozi) and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD and EST) as well as book publishers Egmont (global rights excluding North America and China) and Simon & Schuster (North America).
Season two of Teletubbies introduces exciting new elements to delight another generation of devotees. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po continue to laugh, learn and play as they discover a new area of Teletubbyland called the Hidey Hup–a beautiful hidden glade containing equipment for physical Teletubbies fun, including the Tubby Bouncy, Tubby Slidey, Tubby Uppy Downy and the Tubby Spinny. In typical Teletubbies style, they drive to the Hidey Hup in their brand-new honk-honk Tubby Car, singing the infectious Tubby Car song as they travel. The Teletubbies extend their friendship to the adorable and intrepid little Tiddlytubbies–Mi-Mi, Daa Daa, Baa, Ping, RuRu, Nin, Duggle Dee and Umby Pumby–who have their own sing-along signature song. Also, look out for the story of pink tubby custard turning green and a very special Tubby Custard ride carriage for the Noo-noo.
In addition, multi-talented author, comedian, actor and presenter David Walliams and girl band star turned TV presenter Rochelle Humes join the voice cast for season two, alongside Jim Broadbent, Fearne Cotton, Jane Horrocks, Daniel Rigby and Antonia Thomas from season one, as they lend their voices to Teletubbies’ distinctive and much-loved Voice Trumpets.
The new TV show was commissioned and premiered in the UK by CBeebies, and has been picked up by 23 broadcasters worldwide to date, as well as Amazon Prime Video in the U.K.
The new Teletubbies follows the same well-loved characters and styling as the original but has been visually modernized by DHX Media and award-winning U.K. production company, Darrall Macqueen, bringing a refreshed and contemporary look and feel to one of the world’s best-loved preschool properties.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations: Nancy Chan-Palmateer – Director, Investor Relations, DHX Media Ltd.
nancy.chanpalmateer@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7358
Financial Media: Shaun Smith – Director, Corporate Communications, DHX Media Ltd.
shaun.smith@dhxmedia.com
+1 416-977-7230
Trade Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR
aimee@ddablueprint.com
+44 (0) 20 8985 4708
About Nick Jr.
Nick Jr., the 24-hour network from Nickelodeon dedicated to preschoolers and moms, currently reaches almost 73 million households via cable, digital cable and satellite TV. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nick Jr. and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company. Owner of the world’s largest independent library of children’s content, at more than 11,800 half-hours, the company is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. As a content producer and owner of intellectual property, DHX Media delivers shows that children love, licensing its content to major broadcasters and streaming services worldwide. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media also operates one of the largest networks of children’s content on YouTube. The company’s robust consumer products program generates royalties from merchandise based on its much-loved children’s brands. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has offices in 15 cities globally, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DHX.A and DHX.B) and the NASDAQ Global Select Market (DHXM).
Disclaimer
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” under applicable securities laws with respect to DHX Media, including, without limitation, statements regarding the broadcast, distribution, licensing, growth, demand, viewership 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 most recent 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.