Banijay Kids & Family Archives

Banijay Kids & Family Confirms Raft of Distribution Deals

28th October 2024 9:58 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies!and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces a host of new deals, secured by its dedicated commercial and sales division, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution.

Miniheroes of the Forest season 1 has been picked up for Hong Kong by HK Television Entertainment Company Limited, and Vme Media Inc across the US; Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures season 1 is heading to Switzerland with Radio Télévision Suisse; Moominvalley has been ordered by Hot Telecommunication Systems Ltd in Israel (season 1), StarTimes for Sub-Saharan Africa (seasons 1-3), and Czech Television in the Czech Republic (season 4); and The Game Catchers season 2 is heading to Ireland with RTE and Hong Kong with HK Television Entertainment Company Limited.

Cecile Cau, SVP Co-productions, Sales and Acquisitions, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution says: “We have an incredibly strong slate of shows heading into MIPCOM, and as you can see, these titles are proving extremely popular with buyers all around the world. From our fantastic in-house productions to premium third-party titles, we have something for every buyer and platform.”

Miniheroes of the Forest is produced by Movimenti Production and MoBo, and co-produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France (all part of Banijay Kids & Family). Chimera Keepers: Adventures with Incredible Creatures is produced by Banijay Kids & Family’s Monello Productions with Belvision and RTBF and was in the top 20 most watched shows in the MIPJunior screenings library this year. Moominvalley is produced by Gutsy Animations in collaboration with Yle, Sky, and Viaplay, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution represents worldwide distribution. The Game Catchers is produced by Studio Bozzetto and Sphere Media, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution represents worldwide distribution.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment. Its dedicated commercial and sales division, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution, is responsible for the exploitation of linear and non-linear rights for the group’s high-quality animated and live-action kids brands. As part of these efforts, it drives ancillary activity across all platforms, and through brand licensing and digital exploitation.

Piripenguins Slides into Banijay Kids & Family Distribution

2nd October 2024 11:09 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies!and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces its dedicated commercial and sales division, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution, has acquired the worldwide distribution rights (excluding North America) to Eaglet Films’ new 2D/CG-animated kids’ comedy, Piripenguins.

The 52 x 11’ series, produced by Eaglet Films, the makers of Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, together with Red Monk Studio (Italy) and Wild Child Animation (Scotland), has been commissioned by BBC and RAI, alongside support from the UK Global Screen Fund – financed by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI.

Aimed at 5–8-year-olds, Piripenguins stars a cheerful, fun and comical colony of penguins enjoying life to the fullest on a remote floating iceberg. The series centres on five lively penguins, each with distinctive personalities and voiced by a diverse cast. Life on the iceberg throws up lots of challenges and funny situations, but along the way, these flippered friends learn about life, friendship, and above all, themselves.

Julia Rowlands, SVP Sales, Coproductions & Acquisitions, Banijay Kids & Family says: “This is a fantastic series which we think will appeal hugely to our buyers and is a great addition to Banijay Kids & Family Distribution’s portfolio. A lovely blend of comedy, adventure and friendship, audiences will fall in love with this kooky colony of adorable penguins.”

Massimo Fenati, CCO Eaglet Films says: “This series is very dear to my heart as these penguins lived in my imagination for quite a few years, and now seeing them finally take life on screen is a wonderful feeling. We’ve been blessed with an outstanding team too: truly talented comedic writers, an amazing cast and voice director, two fantastic animation studios, brilliant composers and sound designers who are all transforming what was once a personal dream into animated reality!’’

Banijay Kids & Family Expands Portfolio with Procidis Acquisition

9th September 2024 9:25 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies!and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces the majority acquisition of French production company, Procidis, creator of the famous edutaining saga Once Upon a Time…, and inclusive of its iconic umbrella brand, Hello Maestro. The complementary deal broadens the group’s existing portfolio of premium kids labels and marks its first edutainment focused producer.

Procidis was established in 1962 by the late Albert Barillé, and since 2009 has been led by Hélène Barillé as President, who will now remain as Managing Director of Procidis following the acquisition. Banijay Kids & Family, led by Benoît Di Sabatino, takes on the role of President of Procidis.

Procidis’ Hello Maestro incorporates all seasons of its multi-series saga, Once Upon a Time…, a leading edutainment show, and globally trusted brand*, which has been translated into 80 languages, and broadcast in more than 100 countries. A new 78 x 7’ season, Once Upon a Time… The Objects, launched this year, co- produced by Procidis and Samka, in association with France Télévisions and HOT, with the participation of RTS and TV5Monde. Procidis also operates a substantial licensing programme for Hello Maestro, across multiple categories including games, audio, experiential, promotion and publishing, selling in more than 200m books.

Banijay Kids & Family’s portfolio of seven production labels spans France, Italy and the UK, and houses Banijay Kids & Family Distribution, alongside its marketing, digital and licensing divisions.

Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family, says: “Procidis has been a leader in the educational entertainment market for more than 40 years, and as a huge fan of its work, it’s an honour to welcome the team to the group. Procidis and Hello Maestro have unique identities which perfectly complement our existing labels and brands. I know how important the company is to Hélène, and with her remaining on board to retain and champion the DNA the business was built on, it is with great enthusiasm that together we will lead Procidis in its next phase of growth.”

Hélène Barillé, Managing Director of Procidis, adds: “I’m proud of the company and brands we have established, building on Albert’s prescient vision of the importance and positive impact of learning through entertainment. We have an ambitious growth strategy, and with Banijay Kids & Family’s world-class capabilities, we are well-placed to realise these ambitions. The company echoes our core values of family and trust, which makes it the perfect home for us to enter this exciting new chapter.”

Banijay Kids & Family’s collective of first-class producers and talent is behind some of the biggest kids brands in the world. As a brand builder and expert in amplifying IP, it delivers creative and impactful 360 brand strategies for its shows.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment.

Banijay Kids & Family Boosts Mr Bean with Additional Licensing Agents

2nd August 2024 10:38 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies!, today announces three new licensing agent appointments for Mr Bean.

IMG (Japan, South Korea and South East Asia), Spacetoon Licensing (Middle East), and License Connection (Benelux), will represent the brand’s licensing interests in their respective markets, plus Spacetoon Licensing has taken the live show rights in its region.

Roubina Tchoboian, Head of Global Licensing at Banijay Kids & Family, says: “An iconic brand with astonishing traction and reach, Mr Bean celebrates a broad and truly international fanbase. By working in collaboration with IMG, Spacetoon and License Connection, alongside our existing agents, we will further extend the commercial activity of the brand, in line with the huge demand from worldwide audiences.”

Earlier this year Banijay Kids & Family confirmed its representation of the worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for the Mr Bean brand, alongside the appointment of agents Bulldog in the UK, WP Brands in Australia and New Zealand, and Black White Orange in the Indian sub-continent.

In January, it was announced Mr Bean: The Animated Series has been commissioned for a fourth run, produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and ITVX, through deals agreed by Banijay Rights. Executive produced and voiced by Rowan Atkinson, it will air on Cartoonito and HBO Max across EMEA, on Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids channels and streaming services across South East Asia and South Asia, and on ITVX Kids in the UK and Eire from 2025.

Banijay Kids & Family’s collective of first-class producers and talent is behind some of the biggest kids brands in the world. As brand builders and experts at amplifying IP, it delivers creative and impactful 360 brand strategies for its shows.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment.

Gulli and Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA Order More Totally Spies!

13th June 2024 11:06 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces a new season of Totally Spies!, with commissioning broadcasters Gulli and Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA.

Totally Spies! returned with its seventh season, premiering on Gulli last month, following an 11-year hiatus. Featuring a brand-new HQ, fresh crop of villains, new friends, upgraded spy suits and an array of gadgets, the series is proving a hit with audiences, growing week-on-week, hitting 37% share of 4-14 years with its most recent episode.

Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO of Banijay Kids & Family and Producer of Totally Spies! says: “We felt immense responsibility bringing back such a beloved series and are delighted the new season is a huge hit with audiences. The success of series 7 and subsequent series 8 pick-up furthers our reputation as the go-to producers for premium kids and family entertainment, and is a significant nod to the incredibly talented and hard-working teams within our group.”

Philippe Bony, President of Gulli adds: “We’re delighted to be working with Banijay Kids & Family on a new 8th season of Totally Spies!. Broadcast since May 12 on Gulli, season 7 has already set audience records, making us the national leader among children! The Spies are creating a buzz not only among our audience, but also in the press, on our digital platforms and social networks! It’s a success story we’re proud to be part of, and one we’ll continue to support with enthusiasm.”

Aurelie Wack, Senior Manager of Acquisitions & Co-Productions, KIDS, EMEA at Warner Bros. Discovery, says: “Totally Spies! is back with a bang and we can’t wait to share the new adventures in series 7 with our Cartoon Network and Max audiences later on this year. We anticipate them loving the new series and are thrilled that we can now bring them more episodes with the greenlight of series 8!”

Following its launch in France on Gulli, season 7 will air around the world on Warner Bros. Discovery networks and platforms across EMEA and the U.S. and Discovery Kids LatAm. Totally Spies! season 8 will be produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France (part of Banijay Kids & Family), in collaboration with Gulli and Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA. Banijay Kids & Family represents global distribution, licensing and merchandising rights for the brand.

Banijay Kids & Family Secures Raft of Sales for Charlie and Lola

12th June 2024 9:35 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies!and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces multiple international sales for preschool animation series Charlie and Lola. The deals were secured by the company’s distribution arm, Banijay Kids & Family Distribution.

A Tiger Aspect Kids & Family property, seasons 1-3, plus two specials, have been sold to TG4 (Ireland), and relicensed by WDR (Germany). Asiana (Korea) has taken seasons 1-3; seasons 2-3 have been picked up by NRK (Norway); and seasons 1-2, plus two specials, have been relicensed by NPO (Netherlands). Last year it was confirmed Banijay Kids & Family would represent the animated series’ audio-visual, digital and merchandising rights.

Charlie and Lola has won numerous industry accolades, including multiple Children’s BAFTAs. It combines 2D cut-out-style animation and photomontage, with a children’s voice cast, and is based on the award-winning picture book series by Lauren Child. There have been three seasons to-date, totalling 78×11’ and 2×22’ episodes, which first launched on CBeebies in 2005.

Julia Rowlands, SVP Sales, Coproductions & Acquisitions, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Charlie and Lola is an iconic brand, and the continued international interest in it is testament to its enduring appeal for preschool audiences. We are so proud to have the show in our portfolio of premium kids titles and we are delighted audiences around the world continue to embrace the magic of its storytelling.”

Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (a Banijay Kids & Family company) is a multi-BAFTA-winning production label, which works in live action and animation, from preschool through to family content. It has created iconic series including Mr Bean: The Animated Series, Aliens Love Underpants, Tinga Tinga Tales, Danny & Mick, Corpse Talk, and the recently announced Super Happy Magic Forest.

Banijay Kids & Family Distribution Secures Multiple Package Sales

10th June 2024 3:18 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces package distribution deals in UAE, Hungary and Vietnam, for a range of its premium kids and family titles.

Shows including Super Agent Jon Le Bon!, Topo Gigio and Totally Spies! have been confirmed for Emirates Cable TV & Multimedia’s E-Vision and ejunior in UAE; Waybuloo, Shasha & Milo, and Rekkit Rabbit for CLT UFA S.A. HBD, the channels and streaming platform of RTL Hungary; and Totally Spies!, Marblegen, and Redakai for Vietnam’s LALATV.

Delphine Dumont, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay Kids & Family says: “From new titles, to classic kids series, our premium offering incorporates some of the best and most well-known shows in the kids sector. The breadth of these deals clearly demonstrates the scope of Banijay Kids & Family’s distribution catalogue, which has something for every buyer.”

Banijay Kids & Family Unveils Portfolio of Hub Channels

3rd May 2024 9:55 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, the global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces the rebranding of its existing hub channels and unveils a raft of new brands, showcasing its portfolio of world-class children’s entertainment.

Available on YouTube, the ZeeKay suite of channels features four main brands, ZeeKay Cartoons, ZeeKay Junior, ZeeKay Family and ZeeKay Education, alongside a raft of genre specific channels. Totalling 16 unique strands, the new channels specialise in areas such as music, action, sport and arts, alongside hubs for Arabic, French, German , Portuguese and Spanish speakers. Shows featured include Totally Spies!, Mister Maker, Corpse Talk, Mumfie and Fort Boyard: Ultimate Challenge.

Dan Lewsey, Global Head of Digital, Banijay Kids & Family says: “We have a flourishing digital audience, hungry for more content. With our vast catalogue of premium shows, our rebranded and new genre focused hub channels, help meet this global demand. By leveraging our world-renowned IPs to build successful channel brands, we also aim to extend these brands through additional verticals such as FAST channels.”

Banijay Kids & Family’s digital team manages the division’s online media network of more than 150 channels, across major platforms including Amazon, Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and FAST channels, watched by 75 million viewers each month. This includes more than 100 YouTube channels, accumulating more than 11 billion views and 55 billion minutes streamed, and 1.5 billion minutes streamed on Amazon.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.

ZeeKay Hub Channels

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayJunior

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayCartoons

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayFamily

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayEducation

https://www.youtube.com/@DessinsAnime/

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayJuniorFrancais/

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayBritishCartoons

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayMusicOfficial

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayAnimal

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayAction

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayArts

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayChallenge

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKaySport

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayDibujosAnimadosEspanol/

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayCartoonsDeutsch

https://www.youtube.com/@ZeeKayBrasil

Miniheroes of the Forest Confirmed in Collaboration with Rai Kids and France télévisions

5th February 2024 10:34 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, the global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces new animated series, Miniheroes of the Forest, for broadcast partners Rai Kids and France télévisions.

Based on the books of the same name, by French publisher Auzou, which have been released in more than 15 countries, Miniheroes of the Forest is a 3D preschool comedy adventure. Produced by Movimenti Production and MoBo, and co-produced by Zodiak Kids & Family France, it has been commissioned for two seasons, totalling 52 x 7’ episodes. Banijay Kids & Family Distribution will distribute the show.

Miniheroes of the Forest follows the playtime adventures of four woodland creatures who have mini mega powers. Gabin’s Bunny Hug makes everything better, Gaston’s Beary Bounce and Roll cheers everyone up, Jade’s Foxy Ear helps her communicate with everyone, and Juliette’s Owly Eye helps her watch over her friends. When school is over, they put on their ‘secret’ costumes and discover what excitement the woods have in store for them.

Giorgio Scorza, CEO Movimenti Production says: “We are passionate about Miniheroes of the Forest, which we love for its simplicity, the tenderness of the protagonists and the messages it conveys. The adventures and those mini mega powers that are in each of us, are sure to captivate audiences immediately. MoBo, with its 3D animation expertise, was the obvious choice to bring on board, and we’re also delighted to welcome our friends from Zodiak Kids & Family France.”

Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO, Banijay Kids & Family adds: “Movimenti Production has created a show of poetic tenderness for a pre-school audience. Marking another dynamic internal collaboration within the group, we are very pleased the team has chosen Zodiak Kids & Family France and Banijay Kids & Family Distribution as co-production partner and distributor respectively.”

Executive Producers are Magali Fuzellier for Movimenti Production, Ilaria Mazzonis for MoBo and Ludovic Taron for Zodiak Kids & Family France. The series is directed by Massimo Montigiani. Christian De Vita and Ilenia Provenzi are head writers.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.

Bean is Back

4th January 2024 9:30 am Comments Off

Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (a Banijay Kids & Family company), today announces its hit comedy, Mr Bean: The Animated Series, has been commissioned for a fourth run, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and ITVX, through deals agreed by Banijay Rights.

Executive produced and voiced by Rowan Atkinson, season 4 will comprise 52 x 11’ episodes, bringing the total number of episodes across all series to 182 x 11-minutes. It will air on Cartoonito and HBO Max across EMEA, on Warner Bros. Discovery’s kids channels and streaming services across South East Asia and South Asia, and on ITVX Kids in the UK and Eire from 2025, which will be the 35^th anniversary of the first live-action episode. The animation follows the antics of Mr Bean and of course Teddy, as they embark on a series of adventures, making plenty of mischief along the way.

Rowan Atkinson says: “I have always enjoyed this iteration of the Mr Bean character and the particular freedoms he has in animated form. We can take him into space or down a tin mine, without me personally having to suffer the consequences. The animation process creatively is always fascinating and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the new series very much.”

Tom Beattie, MD Tiger Aspect Kids & Family/Series Producer says: “It’s a real pleasure to have the opportunity to go back to such a special series. Mr Bean is an iconic comedy legend and it’s an honour to work with Rowan to create this physically funny series.”

Cathy Payne, CEO Banijay Rights says: “One of the most loved characters in television comedy history, Mr Bean’s amusing escapades are cherished by children and families across the world. So we’re thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Warner Bros Discovery and ITV on this wonderful animated series which captures Bean’s world so brilliantly.”

Zia Sands, Lead Content Acquisitions, Partnerships & Co-productions, KIDS, EMEA, Warner Bros Discovery says: “We’re thrilled to continue our long standing partnership with Mr Bean, making Cartoonito its home across EMEA alongside our kids channels and streaming services in South and South-East Asia. Mr Bean’s comedy antics continue to resonate universally, and we are excited to bring our audiences more of what they love.”

Darren Nartey, Senior Acquisitions Manager for Film and Kids at ITVX says: “We are so looking forward to welcoming back a British icon to ITVX Kids in 2025, and can’t wait to share more of Mr Bean’s unique sense of humour with the young and the young-at-heart.”

Mr Bean is a British icon, with the original live-action series first hitting screens in 1990. It has since been broadcast in 195 territories, with the series in continual distribution for over 30 years. Co-created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, the eponymous hero was played by Rowan Atkinson, who now voices the globally successful animated series, which launched in 2002. The brand also attracts significant digital audiences, with over 140 million followers on Meta, making it the biggest TV brand on the platform; over 72 million subscribers and 19 billion lifetime views across official YouTube channels; 10 million followers on Instagram; and 14.2 million likes on TikTok.

Produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (part of Banijay Kids & Family), MD Tom Beattie is Exec Producer along with Rowan Atkinson. Dave Osborne will direct the series, Arnold Widdowson is producer and the head writers are Ciaran Murtagh and Andrew Barnett Jones.

Led by Benoît Di Sabatino, Banijay Kids & Family is part of media and entertainment powerhouse Banijay.

Banijay Kids & Family Partners with tonies®

26th October 2023 2:09 pm Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family, a global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces the launch of its first tonies® figurine in French, inspired by the animated series, Mumfie.

The new figurine welcomes listeners to Dream Island, the home of Mumfie. Babou the Whale invites them to relax before listening to a story of Mumfie and his friends. Each story makes for a 2-part bedtime ritual, where relaxation and fiction intertwine.

Annick Bizet, New Business & Strategic Alliances Director says: “The Toniebox has established itself as a must-have item for young children all around the world. As home to some of the biggest brands in the kids market, Banijay Kids & Family has a wealth of IP that aligns with tonies®’ vision, and we look forward to growing this partnership.”

Preschool comedy series Mumfie, is a co-production between Zodiak Kids and Family France and Italian animation studio Animoka, alongside France Télévisions and Rai. Based on Britt Allcroft’s Magic Adventures of Mumfie, the series features the optimistic young elephant, alongside his best friends, Pinkey the flying pig and Jelly Bean the colour-changing jellyfish. Meeting an eclectic array of animal friends along the way, the trio embark on a series of adventures. In a world where nothing is quite as it seems, no challenge is too tough for the loveable Mumfie and his friends to overcome.

The Toniebox is a real sound theatre that takes little ones, from 3-years-old, on great audio adventures as soon as they put a figurine called “Tonie” on it. Fantastic stories, timeless tales, exciting adventures, sleep support or educational games… there is something for everyone! Much more than a story box, it is a comforting partner who accompanies children at all stages of their development, according to their needs.

Banijay Kids & Family to Represent Animated Series Charlie and Lola

12th October 2023 10:18 am Comments Off

Banijay Kids & Family the global leader in children’s entertainment, behind hit shows such as Totally Spies! and Mr Bean: The Animated Series, today announces it has acquired the rights to preschool animation series Charlie and Lola.

A Tiger Aspect Kids & Family property, the series has won numerous industry accolades, including multiple Children’s BAFTAs. The iconic series, which combines 2D cut-out style animation and photomontage with a children’s voice cast, is based on the award-winning picture book series by Lauren Child. There have been three seasons to-date, totalling 78×11’ and 2×22’ episodes, which first launched on CBeebies in 2005.

Delphine Dumont, Chief Commercial Officer, Banijay Kids & Family says: “Charlie and Lola is a really strong, evergreen property which continues to attract young global audiences. I am such a huge fan of this series and with our strengthened commercial capabilities across distribution, digital and licensing, we feel there is huge potential for us to amplify the brand internationally.”

Tiger Aspect Kids & Family (a Banijay Kids & Family company) is a multi-BAFTA-winning production label, which works in live action and animation, from preschool through to family content. It has created iconic series including Mr Bean: The Animated Series, Aliens Love Underpants, Tinga Tinga Tales, Danny & Mick, Corpse Talk, and the recently announced Super Happy Magic Forest.

Banijay Kids & Family is part of media and entertainment powerhouse, Banijay.

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