Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, the commercial arm of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, today unveils a host of new properties for its international preschool brand, CBeebies.

New titles to be rolled out throughout 2011 and 2012 include Baby Jake and Jollywobbles, as well as a co-commission with CBeebies in the UK, Andy's Wild Adventures.

The deals – which encompass broader rights across Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's different business lines – have been secured by Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Director of CBeebies Investment. Since joining the business in summer 2010, Hurford-Jones has managed the company's global ventures for its preschool brand. Working alongside independent producers, CBeebies in the UK and all of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's operating divisions, she is responsible for developing and investing in a new stream of original programme content for the CBeebies channel internationally.

She said, "I have so far had the privilege of working with many talented kids' producers on a number of varied and exciting projects. I'm always on the look out for something special, something that not only travels well across our markets but has that unique ability to captivate young viewers around the world. These titles have certainly captured my imagination and I have no doubt they will be global hits.

"Given the growing scale of our channels and the trust placed in the CBeebies brand around the world, it’s essential that we continue to increase our investment in original properties that uphold the brand's promise to encourage young viewers to learn through play."

With CBeebies in the UK, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide has commissioned a brand new wildlife series for the channel. Andy's Wild Adventures (40 x 15') will be produced by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's world renowned Natural History Unit, with young viewers invited to join the epic adventures of CBeebies presenter Andy Day and his knowledgeable and tech-savvy sidekick, Kip.

Andy's Wild Adventures will premiere on CBeebies in the UK early 2012 and roll out on the international feeds of the channel thereafter.

Kay Benbow, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Controller of CBeebies said of the programme, "Andy is a wonderfully engaging presenter and this series will open up the world for our viewers as they join him on his global voyages of discovery and meeting animals in their own environment."

Baby Jake (26 x 11')
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide has acquired the global channel, distribution and merchandising rights for a new show from production company Darrall Macqueen. The enchanting series mixes live action with 2D photographic animation, to bring to life the magical adventures of the title character, as he giggles and gurgles his way through fantastical lands with his imaginary animal friends.

The series debuts on CBeebies in the UK this summer, and on CBeebies' international feeds from the end of this year.

Billy Macqueen, Joint Managing Director, Darrall Macqueen said, "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide is the perfect fit for Baby Jake. Since CBeebies commissioned the series they have shown continued enthusiasm and excitement for this very special preschool show. They recognise the show's global potential and we expect Baby Jake to generate considerable interest internationally."

Jollywobbles (13 x 9')
A new comedy written, produced, directed and starring the multi-talented Justin Fletcher (Something Special, Gigglebiz), Jollywobbles, debuts on the international CBeebies channels this summer. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide will also manage the international rights of the Scrumptious House show.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide has also helped fund the in-house production of a number of coming attractions to CBeebies and some schedule favourites.

Titles in the pipeline include series six of Nina and the Neurons: Brilliant Bodies (25 x 15') and a third series of Show Me Show Me (25 x 28').

Currently airing on CBeebies are Nina and the Neurons: In The Lab, series five (25 x 15'); Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock and Roll, series three (20 x 20'); Gigglebiz series two (15 x 15' and 1 x 20'); Little Human Planet, series one (16 x 5') and ZingZillas Zingbop, series one (20 x 5').

CBeebies now reaches over 49 million homes outside the UK, through Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's network of channels and branded programme blocks. Local schedules are available in seven key markets – Poland, South Africa, Australia, Asia and India, as well as Latin America & the US Hispanic market.

PROGRAMME SYNOPSES

Andy's Wild Adventures, series one (40 x 15')
Andy Day is a keeper at a large, busy animal park. Every day he does the rounds, chatting to the animals he sees along the way and doing his chores before reporting back to his trusty and curious sidekick, a puppet cat. Although he's a very knowledgeable keeper, Andy doesn't have the answers to all of his feline friend's questions, so together they decide that a Fact File mission – beyond the zoo – is what's needed to find out more.

Baby Jake, series one (26 x 11')
Baby Jake, the youngest of ten children, lives in a windmill where he's a much-loved, cute, happy gurgling boy. His six year old brother Isaac is the series narrator who can understand all Baby Jake's giggles and gurgles and opens the door to an imaginary world where Baby Jake sings, dances and baby-talks with his animal friends Quin the Penguin, Sydney the Monkey, Nibbles the Rabbit and the Hamsternauts. The pre-school series mixes live action and 2D photographic animation and combines gentle, enchanting storytelling, carefully crafted humour and the magical imagination of a young child.

Jollywobbles, series one (13 x 9')
Star Justin Fletcher has many adventures as he seeks to find fun in the most unlikely of places. Wherever he goes, Justin is ably supported (and transported) by his faithful, friendly and very funny car. With an emphasis on high quality visual, slapstick, family comedy, this is a show that both little ones and grown-ups will enjoy. With original music and state of the art visuals, Jollywobbles is a real treat for the ears and the eyes and also features Phil Gallagher (from Mister Maker and Grandpa In My Pocket).

Nina and the Neurons: In The Lab, series five (25 x 15')
Nina is a neuroscientist who works at the Glasgow Science Centre. She is fun, bubbly, but has the presence and authenticity of a real scientist who knows her stuff. The Neurons are characters who live in Nina's brain and, like real human neurons, send messages from her brain to the parts of her body which control her senses. Nina has some dialogue with the neurons, but most of their activity and chatter is amongst themselves, commenting on the action while 'looking out' from Nina's brain.

Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock and Roll, series three (20 x 20’)
CBeebies' delightful but disastrous alpacas Nuzzle and Scratch are back in a new series of hapless adventures. They have landed themselves a job at the 'Frock 'n Roll' fancy dress shop, owned by retired naval officer, Captain Carrington. This Aladdin's cave is full of costumes stacked high and teetering with comedy potential!

Gigglebiz, series two (15 x 15' and 1 x 20')
A comedy sketch show for younger viewers, featuring a variety of different characters in funny situations.

Little Human Planet, series one (16 x 5')
Little Human Planet is the little sister series to Human Planet. Each programme follows the lives of young children from around the world, giving the CBeebies viewer a glimpse into how their counterparts live wherever they may be. The programme celebrates how children differ and what makes them the same around the world in a colourful and often surprising voyage of discovery.

The films were recorded by the Human Planet team whilst on their journey exploring the variety of human existence across the continents. A challenging and exciting venture for CBeebies, that has produced exceptional insights and beautiful footage which we hope will delight adults and children alike.

ZingZillas Zingbop, series one (20 x 5')
The ZingZillas and DJ Loose show ZingBoppers how to dance to ZingBop songs.

Show Me Show Me, series three (25 x 28’)
Show Me Show Me is an enchanting and entertaining programme which explores the magic of the every day. CBeebies favourites, Chris Jarvis and Pui Fan Lee, invite children to pick up their toys and join them in a playground high in the sky.

At the very top of a ten storey tower block, Chris and Pui await in a beautiful, bright new playroom. All children need to do for a magical play date is enter the lift, press the button, count the floors from one to ten and begin a musical journey to the top floor. There they'll find a place alive with vibrant colours and amazing decor, twinkling fairy lights, mysterious tunnels, a gigantic tea cup and a magical green tree. It's a very special place for stories, adventures and discovering the world – and who knows who will be next arriving in the lift!

NOTES TO EDITORS
About CBeebies
CBeebies is a preschool channel for children aged six years and under with a programme schedule that has an emphasis on educational entertainment and supported by the core Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ values that make the channel trustworthy, reliable, informative and educational. In the UK, CBeebies offers a mix of new and landmark, high-quality, UK-produced programmes to educate and entertain the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's youngest audiences. The service provides a range of preschool programming designed to encourage learning through play for children aged six and under, in a consistently safe environment. The international CBeebies channel is wholly-owned by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide.

About Darrall Macqueen
Darrall Macqueen is a fully independent, UK-based production company dedicated to producing high-quality children's and pre-school entertainment for major broadcasters. As well as Baby Jake, the company is currently in production of another brand new property, Pet Squad (52x11'), a comedy animation for 6-12 year olds that will air on CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in Summer 2011. Both have been developed in line with the company’s strategy to push further into international markets.

The company was formed in 2000 by former Disney execs Maddy Darrall and Billy Macqueen and has a proven track record of devising and producing long-running children's properties. 2010 saw Darrall Macqueen deliver over 70 hours of programming for UK broadcasters including CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, Turner's Cartoonito and CITV.

The company's most successful productions to-date include the multi BAFTA winning Smile (CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ), which ran for over six years; Bear Behaving Badly (CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ); and The Fluffy Club (CITV). Darrall Macqueen was named Production Company of the Year at the Children's BAFTAs in 2006.

Harriet Otoo