Toronto, Canada – September 27, 2016 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that it has secured multiple international sales for the animated series Nature Cat (40 x 22’), aimed at children 3 to 8 years old. New licenses include SVT (Sweden), TG4 (Ireland), SIC (Portugal), Canal Panda (Spain) Nick Jr (Italy) via Funwood Media, E Junior (Middle East), and Hop TV (Israel). The series premiered in November 2015 on PBS KIDS in the U.S. and on Family CHRGD in Canada this past July. Nature Cat has been a strong performer in both the U.S. and Canada: In the U.S., 33 million viewers have watched the series since its premiere*; and in Canada, it catapulted into the top 5 on Family CHRGD soon after its debut.
Created by the Emmy® award winning creative team at Spiffy Pictures and co-produced by Spiffy Pictures and WTTW Chicago, 9 Story handles international distribution and consumer products outside of the U.S. while HiHat Media handles brand licensing within the U.S. The series was recently nominated for a 2016 Daytime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Writing in an Animation Program as well as a Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming.
Featuring the vocal talents of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE veterans Taran Killam (Nature Cat), Kate McKinnon (Squeeks), Bobby Moynihan (Hal), Chris Parnell (various characters) and Kenan Thompson (Ronald), along with actress Kate Micucci (Daisy), the series follows the adventures of Nature Cat and his friends. In each episode, Nature Cat can’t wait to get outside for a day of nature excursions and bravery, but there’s one problem: he’s a house cat with no instincts for nature. With the help of his animal friends, Nature Cat embarks on action-packed adventures that include exciting missions full of investigation, “aha” discovery moments and humour, all while inspiring children to go outside and play.
* Source: Nielsen NPOWER, L+7 program reach, 11/23/2015-9/11/2016, 6+min, 50% unif.
About 9 Story Media Group
9 Story Media Group is a leading content creator, marketer and distributor of kids & family focused intellectual property. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Wild Kratts, Numb Chucks and Peg + Cat, 9 Story represents over 2,150 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. With one of North America’s largest animation studios, 9 Story employs over 300 creative and production staff in its Toronto facility and has produced over 900 half hours of award-winning children’s content. In 2015, 9 Story acquired the award winning animation studio Brown Bag Films, which employs over 200 staff members across Dublin, Manchester and Los Angeles. Brown Bag is recognized for producing leading animated children’s series such as Octonauts, Doc McStuffins, Bing and Henry Hugglemonster. 9 Story is owned by senior management, ZMC (Zelnick Media Capital) and media entrepreneur Neil Court. www.9story.com
About Spiffy Pictures Spiffy Pictures, founded in 2003 by David and Adam Rudman, is a creative development and production company specializing in family entertainment. The Emmy award winning creative team has created, produced, written and directed live-action and animated projects for Nickelodeon, Disney, MTV, Comedy Central, Sesame Street and Warner Brothers. Their projects include creating and producing the Emmy & Prix Jeunesse nominated “Jack’s Big Music Show” for Nick Jr, the Emmy-nominated “Bunnytown” for Disney and Nick Jr.’s Parent’s Choice Award-winning “Curious Buddies” brand of home videos. Spiffy Pictures recently produced a puppet adaptation of Scooby Doo for Warner Brothers, titled “Scooby-Doo! Adventures, The Mystery Map.” Visit us at www.spiffypictures.com.
For further information:
Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Media Group
+1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifera@9story.com