Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide today announced publishing and DVD partners for hit CBeebies show Baby Jake. Leading children's publishers Egmont will develop books and 2|entertain's label Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ DVD will publish DVD products for the enchanting new pre-school show which catapulted on to the small screen in July this year.

Fast becoming a favourite with pre-schoolers up and down the country, Baby Jake has also generated extensive press coverage tipping it as the next big children's hit. Baby Jake was developed by Darrall Macqueen and combines enchanting storytelling, carefully crafted humour and a stunning warm mixture of live action and 2D photographic animation bringing to life the magical imagination of a young child and celebrating the special bond between two young siblings.

Billy Macqueen, Joint Managing Director, Darrall Macqueen and Executive Producer, Baby Jake, says: "These deals build upon the UK master toy licence signed with Vivid in June and reinforce the early success of Baby Jake on CBeebies itself and on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's catch-up platforms. Since launching on 4 July, Baby Jake has been a permanent fixture in the CBeebies iPlayer 'Top Five' and grew from 240,000 viewings in week one to a stunning half a million viewings in week two. We're delighted that 2|entertain and Egmont have partnered with Darrall Macqueen and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide to expand Baby Jake's success from the small screen to the high street."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, who were last month confirmed as the licensing agent for the brand, has secured a raft of high profile partners to develop product programmes including Vivid as the UK master toy company.

Egmont has been appointed to develop the book publishing range with plans to roll-out in July 2012. Managing Director: David Riley, MD for Egmont Publishing Group said: "Egmont are thrilled to be welcoming Baby Jake to the Egmont portfolio. Baby Jake perfectly captures the essence of childhood and we are excited to be creating books and magazines which will enable children to laugh, sing, wiggle, jiggle and scribble along with Baby Jake and his friends. We are delighted to be working with Darrall Macqueen Ltd to bring this fantastic property to life on the page."

2|entertain, a market-leader in children's DVD, has also signed up to the brand with plans to publish the debut DVD in the first half of 2012.

Anna Hollaway