Tuesday, January 31, 2012

French Public Broadcaster France Télévisions Picks Up Rights To Nick Jr.'s "Poppy Cat"; "Poppy Cat" Delivers Great TV Ratings For Nick Jr. UK

From C21Media:
France TV adopts Poppy Cat

French pubcaster France Télévisions has acquired Nick Jr’s preschool series Poppy Cat as the toon continues to rack up broadcast homes.

The latest deal, secured by UK-based distributor Cake, comes after the Lara Jones-created show found a UK terrestrial home on CiTV earlier this month. The Coolabi and King Rollo Films copro is set to launch on France 5 in July.

Disney Junior (Spain and Latin America), Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, e-Vision (UAE), SVT (Sweden), S4C (Wales), EBS (Korea), OKTO (Singapore), Nickelodeon Australia, TVO (Canada), Knowledge Network (Canada), NRK (Norway) and RTÉ (Ireland) have all previously acquired the show, which features the playful feline and her group of friends.

Cake’s chief operating officer and MD Ed Galton said Poppy Cat “exemplified the type of content” his company looked to acquire.

Jesse Whittock
31-01-2012

©C21Media
Also, from 4-traders:
Coolabi plc : CAKE sells Poppy Cat to France Television:

Leading kids' entertainment specialist, CAKE has today announced it has sold Coolabi's animated preschool series Poppy Cat to France Télévisions. The deal continues a raft of sales that has seen the series sold to many broadcasters across the world following its global premiere on Nick Jr. UK in May 2011.

The series has already been placed with Disney Junior in Spain and Latin America, Al Jazeera Children's Channel, e-vision (U.A.E), SVT (Sweden), S4C (Wales), EBS Korea, OKTO Singapore, Nickelodeon Australia, TVO (Canada), Knowledge Network (Canada), NRK (Norway), RTÉ (Ireland) and most recently CITV (UK).

Poppy Cat follows the playful cat with the big personality, along with her colourfulcompanions, on inspiring adventures to amazing places. Poppy Cat's imagination fuels each and every episode and when you're with Poppy Cat, anything can happen. The preschool series is based on the international best-selling and award-winning books of the same name by Lara Jones.

Proving popular with viewers on both sides of the Atlantic, Poppy Cat is a top five show on commissioning channel Nick Jr. UK as well as being a top-rating show on Sprout in the US.

Poppy Cat is planned to launch on France 5 from July 2012.

Ed Galton, COO and Managing Director, CAKE said: "France Télévisionsis a perfect home for Poppy Cat and her friends. We are delighted with the success of the series and it exemplifies the type of content CAKE looks to acquire - one that is beautifully made and can resonate with children across the globe."

As well as being a co-producer, Coolabi also handles all merchandising programmes for Poppy Cat internationally and has been working hard on deals for the property in a number of territories. Eleven licensees have been signed to date in the UK, with product launching in autumn 2012. JLG has been appointed as licensing agent for North America and a number of other agents are in discussion to represent Poppy Cat around the world, including in France.

Notes to Editors:

About CAKE:

CAKE is one of the world's leading kids' and family entertainment specialists. The London based company, created in 2002, works with animation and live action production companies from around the world to develop, produce, commercially position and manage their IP propositions for international market.

http://www.cakeentertainment.com/

About Coolabi:

Coolabi is a leading provider of high quality children's and family entertainment, internationally, across all media. Coolabi's expertise lies in development and brand management, particularly through the channels of TV production and licensing and merchandising.

The company operates across a number of genres and the current portfolio includes Poppy Cat, Purple Ronnie and Scarlett & Crimson. Via its subsidiary, Coolabi Publishing, the company also owns a number of classic literary estates, including Eric Ambler. In addition Coolabi also represents certain brands, including Bagpuss, Clangers, and Ivor the Engine on behalf of Smallfilms and Peter Firmin.

For more information and a background on the company visit www.coolabi.com.

CAKE's press contacts:

Franklin Rae Communications

+44 (0) 20 7490 4050

Robyn Vanoli-Salmon robyn@franklinrae.com

Jessica Bromley jessica@franklinrae.com
Also, from Kidscreen:
France Televisions picks up Poppy Cat

London, UK-based kids’ entertainment specialist Cake has sold Coolabi’s animated preschool series Poppy Cat to France Televisions.

The deal follows a slate of broadcast agreements for the series which made its worldwide debut on Nick Jr. UK in May 2011 and is based on the international best-selling books by Lara Jones.

Broadcast deals for the series include Disney Junior (Spain and Latin America), Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, e-vision (UAE), SVT (Sweden), S4C (Wales), EBS (Korea), OKTO (Singapore), Nickelodeon (Australia), TVO and Knowledge Network (Canada), NRK (Norway), RTÉ (Ireland) and CITV (UK).

Poppy Cat is set to launch on France 5 from July 2012.

Along with an expanded TV viewership, Coolabi’s Poppy Cat brand has also grown internationally. Eleven licensees are currently on board in the UK including toyco Golden Bear for plush, plastics and arts and crafts products launching in autumn 2012. In North America, JLG has been named as the brand’s licensing agent.
Also, from Licensing.biz:
Poppy Cat heads to France

Cake sells Coolabi's pre-school series to France Télévisions.

The deal continues a raft of sales that has seen the series sold to many broadcasters across the world following its global premiere on Nick Jr UK in May 2011.

The series has already been placed with Disney Junior in Spain and Latin America, Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, e-vision (UAE), SVT (Sweden), S4C (Wales), EBS Korea, OKTO Singapore, Nickelodeon Australia, TVO (Canada), Knowledge Network (Canada), NRK (Norway), RTÉ (Ireland) and most recently CITV (UK).

Poppy Cat is planned to launch on France 5 from July 2012.

Ed Galton, COO and managing director, Cake said: "France Télévisions is a perfect home for Poppy Cat and her friends. We are delighted with the success of the series and it exemplifies the type of content CAKE looks to acquire – one that is beautifully made and can resonate with children across the globe."

As well as being a co-producer, Coolabi also handles all merchandising programmes for Poppy Cat internationally and has been working on deals for the property in a number of territories.

Eleven licensees have been signed to date in the UK, with product launching in autumn 2012. JLG has been appointed as licensing agent for North America and a number of other agents are in discussion to represent Poppy Cat around the world, including in France.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Nickelodeon UK Announces Plans To Release "Victorious" Fashion Collection In The UK During February 2012

Nickelodeon UK and Ireland have announced on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK) that Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK will be releasing a clothing line based on the hit Nickelodeon show "Victorious" in shops around the UK and Ireland in February 2012:
will we get Victorious clothing over here? that would be awesome!
@NickelodeonUK - YEAH! Deets soon [details soon]- but clothing will hit shelves in Feb!
It is currently unknown whether Nickelodeon UK and Ireland's new "Victorious" clothing collection will be exclusive to Asda's as part of Asda's "George" kidswear brand, or be available in other shops around the UK and Ireland as well. In October 2011, Nickelodeon Consumer Products UK announced its first direct-to-retail multi-character arrangement with George at Asda which granted George the licence to produce collections featuring Nickelodeon characters including "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Dora the Explorer"; tween and teen properties "Victorious" & "Big Time Rush"; and Nickelodeon's newest addition for boys, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles".

Nickelodeon UK Confirms Plans To Premiere Brand New "Big Time Rush" In March 2012

Nickelodeon UK and Ireland have announced and confirmed on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK) that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be premiering and showing at least one new episode of the hit Nickelodeon sitcom "Big Time Rush" in March 2012:
When does the new episodes of BTR air in the UK?? Huge fan btw!
@NickelodeonUK - Theres a marathon this wkend, then brand new in March :D
The official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK websites schedule section for Nickelodeon UK's schedule for Saturday 3rd March 2012 previously announced that Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK would be premiering the brand new episode of the popular Nickelodeon show "Big Time Rush" called "Big Time Wedding", where James' fairy tale romance with a princess becomes an escape mission after he inadvertently proposes marriage, and the Big Time Rush guys have to free him before he's forced into a royal wedding, on Saturday 3rd March 2012 at 5.30pm (6.30pm on Nick Replay UK). It is currently unknown whether Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon UK HD will still be premiering the brand new "Big Time Wedding" episode of BTR in March 2012.

Nickelodeon UK To Host Two "Big Time Rush" Marathons Over 4th & 5th February 2012

According to Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK) and the official Nickelodeon UK and Ireland website, Nick.co.uk, Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will be holding two "Big Time Rush" marathons over Saturday 4th February 2012 and Sunday 5th February 2012 (one on each day) between 1.00pm and 4.00pm (repeated from 2.00pm to 5.00pm on Nick Replay UK):
When does the new episodes of BTR air in the UK?? Huge fan btw!
@NickelodeonUK - Theres a marathon this wkend, then brand new in March :D
And:
is there a big time rush marathon this weekend will it be presented ???
@NickelodeonUK - Marathon 1-4pm Sat&Sun! Tons of BTR-not presented
Below is the full "Big Time Rush" episode line-up for each of Nick UK and Ireland's and Nick HD UK's BTR marathons which Nick UK and Ireland and Nick UK HD will show as part of Nickelodeon UK's "Big Time Rush Weekend" programming stunt:

Saturday 4th February 2012:

1.00pm - Big Time Beach Party - Part 1
1.30pm - Big Time Beach Party - Part 2
2.00pm - Audition, Part 1
2.30pm - Audition, Part 2
3.00pm - Big Time Concert - Part 1
3.30pm - Big Time Concert - Part 2

(All times plus one (+1) on Nickelodeon UK's timeshift channel, Nick Replay UK)

Sunday 5th February 2012:

1.00pm - Big Time Girl Group
1.30pm - Big Time Reality
2.00pm - Big Time Moms
2.30pm - Big Time Break Up
3.00pm - Big Time Beach Party - Part 1
3.30pm - Big Time Beach Party - Part 2

(All times plus one (+1) on Nickelodeon UK's timeshift channel, Nick Replay UK)

Update - - Nickelodeon UK and Ireland and Nickelodeon HD UK will also be premiering and showing the brand new "Big Time Rush - Music Sound Better With You" special throughout the weekend, which goes behind the scenes of "Big Time Rush" on tour.

Also, posted by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK):
#UKRUSHERS RU ready for the BTR marathon? Nonstop BTR 1-4pm today & tomorrow! Cant wait to watch Big Time Concert again http://ow.ly/i/qJQ8

One Direction Meet Big Time Rush In Los Angeles Ahead Of Their USA Tour; To Film "iCarly" Cameo Appearance On 30th January 2012

According to this Nickelodeon News article on Capital FM, the UK-Irish Boy Band "One Direction" met the Nickelodeon Stars and band members of the Nickelodeon boyband "Big Time Rush" on Saturday 28th January 2012 ahead of One Direction's tour of the USA with "Big Time Rush" in February 2012, and that "One Direction" will be filming their cameo appearance for the hit Nickelodeon sitcom "iCarly" where they'll guest star as themselves in the brand new season six episode of "iCarly" called "iGot Jungle Worms" on Monday 30th January 2012:
One Direction Meet Big Time Rush In LA Ahead Of US Tour

The 'One Thing' singers have met up with US boy band Big Time Rush before joining the group on tour next month.

One Direction say they can't wait to begin their US tour in February and are enjoying their current stay in Los Angeles.

The 'Gotta Be You' singers landed at LAX airport in Los Angeles yesterday morning (28th January) ready to record an appearance on Nickelodeon's iCarly on Monday (30th January).

One Direction are then due to fly back out to the US next month for several US tour dates supporting American boy band Big Time Rush, and say they are already looking forward to the tour.

"Great to meet the big time rush guys yesterday," Niall Horan tweeted earlier today [Sunday 29th January 2012]. "Really cool guys… tour is gona be fun!"

Despite enjoying their stay in America both Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson posted that they were already missing things about the UK.

"Sunny day! Missing everyone back in the UK," Harry [Styles] tweeted yesterday. "Lovely weather in LA today.

"Big love to everyone! It's 5am here in LA," Louis [Tomlinson] also posted. "I appreciated every single one of you! We would be nowhere without you!.

One Direction wrapped their first headline UK tour on 26th January after 21-dates promoting their first album 'Up All Night' all across the country.
Also, posted by the UK-Irish Boy Band "One Direction" on their official Twitter profile page (@onedirection):
1D is taping an episode of @iCarly this Monday! Watch for it on @NickelodeonTV this spring! 1DHQ
Also, posted by Nickelodeon UK and Ireland on their official Twitter profile page (@NickelodeonUK) in reply to the Tweet by "One Direction" above about Nickelodeon USA premiering and showing the brand new "iCarly" episode titled "iGot Jungle Worms" during Spring 2012:
& @NickelodeonUK - date TBC [to be confirmed] :D
And:
when is the @onedirection iCarly episode showing?
@NickelodeonUK - Follow & keep ur eyes peeled for news on this episode :D Cant WAIT!