Monday, September 24, 2012

Canada's DHX Media Takes International Broadcast And Licensing Rights To Nick Jr.'s "Yo Gabba Gabba!"

Below is a DHX Media Ltd. Press Release from Canada Newswire via Stockhouse:
DHX Media assumes international broadcast and licensing rights for Yo Gabba Gabba!

HALIFAX, Sept. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - DHX Media Ltd. (TSX ticker: DHX), a leading independent international producer, distributor and licensor of mainly children's entertainment content, has assumed all of the international broadcast and licensing rights for its hit pre-school television property Yo Gabba Gabba!. The show is produced by DHX Media subsidiary W!LDBRAIN Entertainment. Previously, international broadcast and licensing rights were managed by Zodiak Rights.

Steven DeNure, President and COO of DHX Media said: "It's a natural step for us to bring the international rights to Yo Gabba Gabba! in-house where we have the distribution and licensing resources to manage the brand globally. We would like to thank Zodiak Rights for their contribution in building the international brand to date, and we are now focused on boosting the presence of Gabba in its existing territories as well as extending its reach into new markets."

Yo Gabba Gabba! is an award-winning, live-action television series and live stage show with an unconventional formula which has created a triple stacked fan base, making it one of the most popular entertainment properties among preschoolers, parents and indie music lovers alike.

The show is in its fourth season in the U.S., airing multiple times a day, seven days a week on Nick Jr. Yo Gabba Gabba! also has a robust consumer products program in the U.S. that boasts over 40 major licensees, including a master toy license. The popular stage show will kick-off a highly anticipated third live tour this November. Internationally, the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning series has been licensed in over 50 territories with key broadcasters including Nickelodeon in the UK, Australia and Italy; ABC Australia, Tiji in France and Disney throughout Latin America.

Yo Gabba Gabba! is created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz and is produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN Entertainment. Jon Berrett and Michael Polis, President, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and EVP, Branded Entertainment & Consumer Products, DHX Media, are executive producers.

About DHX Media:

DHX Media (www.dhxmedia.com), together with its subsidiary, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, is a leading international family entertainment rights creation and management company with three-award-winning production facilities, worldwide distribution and a global consumer products business. DHX Media has produced over 40 original television series, including world-recognized series such as Franny's Feet, Animal Mechanicals, Kid vs. Kat, Angela Anaconda and Martha Speaks, and maintains a library of over 2,500 half-hours of animation and live-action programming. The company's global licensing group oversees a diverse merchandising portfolio for proven properties, including the hit U.K. series Rastamouse, airing on CBeebies. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Los Angeles and London. DHX Media is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).

SOURCE: DHX MEDIA LTD.

For investor relations, please contact:
David A. Regan - EVP, Corporate Development & IR, DHX Media Ltd. +1 902-423-0260

For DHX Media: Aimee Norman at DDA Blueprint PR +44 (0) 20 8985 4708 or aimee@ddablueprint.com

For W!LDBRAIN Entertainment: Kelly Kimball at K2 PR +1.310.271.1400 or kkimball@wildbrain.com
From The Hollywood Reporter:
Canada's DHX Media Takes Foreign Rights to Nick Jr.'s 'Yo Gabba Gabba!'

Zodiak Rights formerly handled the Canadian preschool series that airs in 50 territories worldwide and is produced by W!ldbrain Entertainment.

TORONTO - DHX Media has acquired the foreign broadcast and licensing rights for Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba!

The pre-school series, whose international rights were previously with Zodiak Rights, is produced by DHX Media subsidiary W!ldbrain Entertainment [Wildbrain Entertainment].

The move to bring the international rights in-house comes as DHX Media looks to secure new markets for Yo Gabba Gabba!, and raise its profile in existing ones.

The Emmy award-winning series is already in 50 territories, including with Nickelodeon in the UK, Australia and Italy, ABC Australia, Tiji in France and Disney throughout Latin America.

Besides the live-action TV series, Yo Gabba Gabba! includes a live stage show that appeals to parents and music lovers.

Halifax-based DHX Media recently acquired rival kids TV producer Cookie Jar Entertainment as part of a cash, stock and debt deal worth US$114 million.
Also, from Kidscreen:
DHX takes on international rights to Yo Gabba Gabba!

Halifax-based TV producer and distributor DHX Media has assumed international broadcast and licensing rights for its hit preschool TV property Yo Gabba Gabba!

International broadcast and licensing rights were previously managed by Zodiak Rights.

Yo Gabba Gabba! is in its fourth season in the US and airs seven days a week on Nick Jr. in multiple timeslots.

The series is created by Christian Jabos and Scott Schultz, and is produced by The Magic Store and DHX subsidiary Wildbrain Entertainment. Jon Berrett and Wildbrain president and DHX EVP branded entertainment and consumer products Michael Polis are exec producers.

From Playback online

Tags: DHX Media, Wildbrain Entertainment, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Zodiak Rights