actualité

Paris, xx June 2006: Taffy Entertainment, the brand management company for leading children's and animation company MoonScoop and US-based independent animation studio Mike Young Productions (MYP), has scored a number of deals in Spain and Portugal across its programming library.

Code Lyoko has expanded its presence on Spanish screens with sales of both season one and two to regional channels ETB, Canal Sur, TeleMadrid, TV Valenciana and TV Galicia. These deals, alongside existing agreements with Cartoon Network and TV Catalunya, mean that the series will broadcast on all main channels in Spain in 2006.

Also in Spain, Nickelodeon has renewed its commitment to well-loved evergreen series Titeuf with the deal including all 16 new episodes of the eponymous series aimed at 6-12 year olds.

Mike Young Productions' Emmy winning Jakers! The Adventures Of Piggley Winks has also been picked up by one of Spain's top terrestrial networks: RTVE as well as digital service TDT TVE. A total of fifty-two episodes - all three season - will air. Regis Brown, Taffy Entertainment EVP for Mike Young Productions' properties said, "Award winning Jakers! should prove to be a ratings winner for RTVE, capturing the much loved art of storytelling while helping kids to harness their imagination, social and communication skills".

In Portugal, public broadcaster RTP has picked up Dr. Dog and leading video distributor Prisvideo has snapped up home video rights to Fantastic Four and Titeuf.

Lionel Marty, EVP at Taffy Entertainment said: "We're delighted to increase the presence of our titles in Spain and Portugal. Code Lyoko is now in a great position in Spain, airing on all major channels and we're also pleased to introduce Dr. Dog to Portugal for the first time. We're confident it will be a success with kids."

Code Lyoko is an international hit. Broadcasters include Cartoon Network US and the Toonami channel in the UK, Cartoon Network and Channel 10 in Australia, Jetix Latin America, France 3 and Canal J plus French-speaking channels RTBF in Belgium and Swiss channel TSR.

Also airing Code Lyoko are Canada's YTV and Radio Canada, Rai 2 in Italy, NRK in Norway, Sweden's SVT-Barkalanen, VRT in Flemish speaking Belgium, S4C in Wales, Canal+ in Poland, Hong Kong's TVB, Lithuanian LNK, India's Star TV, Morocco's 2M, TVN in Chile, Noga in Israel and CFI in Africa.

Taffy Entertainment has a strong merchandising campaign in place with a broad range of licensing products within toys, apparel, stationery, school bags and gaming including a Code Lyoko game on the Nintendo DS platform. Worldwide master toy license is held by Marvel Toys.

Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks follows the adventures of Piggley, a spunky eight year old pig. The show raises the bar for state-of-the-art animated children's shows, featuring lifelike 3D characters in richly colored, lush backgrounds as well as first class acting - Mel Brooks voices Wiley the Sheep. The show has secured numerous awards around the globe, including six Emmys and airs in over fifty four countries including PBS in the US, TVO, SCN, Access Alberta and the Knowledge Network in Canada and on CBBC in the UK.

Produced by MoonScoop, Dr. Dog is a series of 52x13 minute episodes combining irreverent humor, quirky characters, action and adventure. It is based on the irreverent and hugely popular book by the best selling author Babette Cole

Dr. Dog is a dedicated doctor who'll do anything to help those in need - even if it means getting himself into some absurd or even perilous situations. At the same time, he's a loyal dog and pet to the Gumboyle family. It's a challenge leading this double life, but Dr. Dog is ready for anything!

Much-anticipated action comedy animation series Fantastic Four, based on the classic Marvel characters, is a co-production between MoonScoop and Marvel with the participation of Cartoon Network Europe and M6.

The 26x26' television series combines a dynamic mix of 2D and 3D animation. It brings to life Marvel's cult comic book heroes for 6-11 year olds as well as Fantastic Four fans of all ages. Taffy Entertainment has distribution rights outside the US, with Marvel handling US television and subsequent DVD distribution rights as well as worldwide merchandising.

For further information please contact:
Aimee Norman/Janet Balmforth, Blueprint PR - MoonScoop/Taffy
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7354 9813
Email: aimee@blueprintpr.co.uk

Neil Dickens, WTD Communications - Mike Young Productions/Taffy
Tel : + (001) 323 463 2882
Email : ndickens@wtd-pr.com