Additional international broadcast deals secured for season one
Halifax, NS – 24 November 2016 – DHX Media (or the "Company") (TSX: DHX.A, DHX.B; NASDAQ: DHXM), the world’s leading independent, pure-play kids content company, today announced that UK broadcaster CBeebies has commissioned 25 x 11’ new episodes of hit preschool series Twirlywoos, bringing the total number of episodes to 100.
The stop-motion and live action series from Anne Wood’s Ragdoll Productions, produced in association with DHX Media, takes young viewers and their families on a funny flight of discovery, exploring themes relevant to children aged 2-5 through comedic and imaginative interactions.
DHX Media has also signed a string of key international broadcast deals for the first 50 episodes of the award-winning show. The Twirlywoos will continue their worldwide travels with episodes 1 to 50 launching on NOGGIN in the US, ABC Australia, Télémagino & SRC in Canada, Spain’s TVE Clan, JimJam Benelux, Belgium’s VRT, MBC & E-Junior in the Middle East, Minika Turkey, TVB in Hong Kong and Singapore’s OKTO. Previously announced broadcast deals for the first 50 episodes include Family Jr. Canada, Gulli France, SVT Sweden, YLE Finland, NRK Norway, HRT Croatia, and Hop! Israel.
Josh Scherba, SVP, Distribution at DHX Media, said: “We are thrilled that CBeebies has shown a further commitment to Twirlywoos and we’re looking forward to introducing our audiences to new episodes and adventures. These latest international deals highlight the ongoing global appetite for this fantastic show.”
Twirlywoos has seen extraordinary success this year – most recently the series won an award at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) for ‘Best Production for Young Children aged 2-5 years. The programme also won the Best Pre-School Children’s Programme at the RTS North West Awards which were recently held in Manchester, England.
About the award, Anne Wood, Founder and Creative Director, Ragdoll Productions Ltd, said: “We are delighted to receive two such prestigious Awards for Twirlywoos and I am very appreciative of this recognition of the important work we do for children. These Awards also reflect on the efforts of everyone at Ragdoll, the animation studio Mackinnon & Saunders and the continued support from the BBC and DHX Media, who have all worked so diligently on the success of Twirlywoos.”
Continuing the innovative, nurturing, inspiring, children-led entertainment for which Ragdoll Productions is renowned, Twirlywoos features laugh-out-loud child-centric humour which encourages preschoolers to think for themselves, and gain confidence in their own perceptions of the world. Through the show, young audiences are able to reinforce their understanding as they grow and develop, becoming active and inquisitive within their own lives. The Twirlywoos are four small, bird-like characters who are inquisitive, enthusiastic and always looking to learn something new about the world.
Ever curious, they seek adventure and fun wherever they go. Whether in the real world or on their big red boat, they love to hide, imitate and be surprised as they discover new things. The show has been developed with a commitment to watching how children interact and develop, and each episode creates spaces for preschoolers to make their own connections, which aids their learning.
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 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).