New agreements span broadcast, digital and licensing representation.
Toronto, Canada – September 19, 2016 – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce several new deals in China for the animated series Wild Kratts. Chinese national broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), has acquired broadcast rights with the series airing on its CCTV-14 kids channel Monday to Fridays at 12:00 pm.
In partnership with Beijing-based Pacific Media Group, a host of digital sales have also been secured, including an exclusive agreement with Youkuand Alibaba for seasons 1 to 3. Further content placement for season 4 has been secured with many of China’s leading digital platforms, including CNTV, iqiyi, LeTV, PPTV, and SMG.
Pacific Media Group has also been appointed as the licensing agent for the territory, charged with bringing in new local licensees and securing distribution for existing global merchandise, including the toy line from master toy partner Wicked Cool Toys.
Now in its fifth season, Wild Kratts premiered on PBS KIDS in the U.S. in 2011 and on TVO, Knowledge Network and Télé-Quebec in Canada. A co-production between Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Media Group, Wild Kratts is distributed in the U.S. and Canada by Kratt Brothers Company and internationally by 9 Story Media Group. The series was created and developed by real life brothers and zoologists, Martin and Chris Kratt who star in the show as animated versions of themselves.
The series also has tremendous global reach, airing in over 180 countries across 18 different languages. Broadcast partners include Discovery Kids (Latin America and Asia), Super RTL (Germany), TV3 (Spain), Canal Panda (Spain), RTE (Ireland), VRT (Belgium), Minimax (Eastern Europe), Media Corp PTD Ltd. (Singapore), Primetime (Colombia), Minika (Turkey), E Junior (UAE) and Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (Middle East).
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
For further information:
Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Media Group
+1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifera@9story.com