Record-breaking Australian series created by bestselling author and entertainer Andy Lee premieres July 27
9 Story Distribution International is pleased to announce that CBeebies has acquired the first two seasons of the hit animated comedy series Do Not Watch This Show (32 x 11 min), created by beloved Australian entertainer and bestselling children’s author Andy Lee. The first season will premiere on CBeebies in the UK on July 27, with the second season set to follow in August.
Based on Lee’s globally successful Do Not Open This Book series, Do Not Watch This Show stars Wizz, a pompous blue monster who is desperate for viewers to switch off. Refusing to accept that he is the star of a television show, Wizz goes to increasingly ridiculous lengths to sabotage each episode—but his efforts only make the show even harder to resist.
Do Not Watch This Show became an immediate breakout success following its Australian premiere on ABC. The series achieved one million average viewers across ABC Family and ABC iview during its first two weeks and became the biggest launch of a new Children and Family program in ABC iview history.
“Do Not Watch This Show is a brilliantly inventive comedy with a wonderfully distinctive sense of humour,” said Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies. “Andy Lee has created a memorable character in Wizz, whose attempts to stop the audience watching only make the fun even greater. Full of imagination, mischief and laugh-out-loud moments, the series is sure to entertain children and families as they discover the chaos and surprises of Wizz’s world.”
“We couldn’t be happier to introduce Wizz and his wonderfully chaotic world to children and families across the UK,” said Joss Duffield, VP Distribution EMEA at 9 Story. “Andy has created something incredibly special: a genuinely original comedy with a brilliantly mischievous central character, laugh-out-loud storytelling and humour that children and parents can enjoy together. CBeebies is the perfect home for the series, although Wizz will undoubtedly have a few objections.”
The television series builds on the international popularity of Lee’s Do Not Open This Book publishing franchise, which has sold more than four million copies and been translated into 35 languages.
“I’m thrilled that Do Not Watch This Show is coming to CBeebies,” said Andy Lee. “It appears Australia isn’t the only country full of children who refuse to follow very clear instructions, so we’re excited to introduce Wizz and the gang to a whole new audience across the UK. Wizz is furious. We’re delighted.”
Andy Lee is one of Australia’s most recognized entertainers and is widely known as one half of the comedy duo Hamish & Andy. In addition to his work across television, radio and podcasting, Lee is a globally bestselling children’s author. He created the original Do Not Open This Book as a birthday present for his nephew before developing it into a successful publishing series and, ultimately, the animated adventures of Wizz and his friends.
Do Not Watch This Show is a Lee Bones Production for ABC. Major production funding was provided by the ABC and Screen Australia, and the series was financed in association with VicScreen. The series is directed by Leo Baker and produced by Patrick Crawley. It is written by Andy Lee, Jason Marion, Melanie Bracewell, Ray Matsen and Katie Westcott, with Andy Lee and Greg Sitch serving as Executive Producers. 9 Story Distribution International holds worldwide distribution rights excluding Australia and New Zealand.
About 9 Story Distribution International
9 Story Distribution International is the international distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, a leading creator, producer and distributor of kids and family-focused intellectual property and part of the Scholastic portfolio. Recognized around the world for best-in-class brands including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Barney, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Garfield and Friends, 9 Story Distribution International represents more than 5,500 half-hours of animated and live-action programming seen on leading channels and platforms worldwide.