Classic animated series celebrates 30-year anniversary
October 25, 2018 – 9 Story Distribution International is pleased to announce that it has licensed the remastered classic animated series Garfield and Friends to Boomerang, a premium subscription video service. The first thirty episodes of the beloved classic series, newly remastered and restored in 4K from the original film, will be available for streaming beginning this November.
Boomerang, a premium U.S. domestic subscription service for families, kids and animation lovers, launched in April 2017 with renowned titles such as Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry from the massive Hanna-Barbera, Looney Tunes and MGM animation libraries, plus exclusive originals such as Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz and Wacky Races. The original programming slate will continue to expand into 2019 with several world premiere series such as Care Bears: Unlock the Magic™, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? and Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs!. Today, users enjoy instant access to over 3,000 titles for streaming or download-to-go. The service also offers a full Spanish language experience and universal search.
Produced from 1988-1995, Garfield and Friends is based on the iconic Garfield comic strip created by Jim Davis. Syndicated in 80 countries and translated into 42 languages, 220 million people read the comic strip each day. The Garfield brand boasts 400 licensees across 5,000 products and has earned over 17 million fans on Facebook. 9 Story acquired the classic series (121 x 30’) in 2016 and has recently remastered the content into HD format.
About 9 Story Distribution International
9 Story Distribution International is the international distribution arm of 9 Story Media Group, a leading content creator, producer 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, Barney and Garfield and Friends, 9 Story Distribution International represents over 3,500 half hours of animated and live action programming, seen on some of the most respected international channels and platforms. With facilities in Toronto, New York, Dublin and Manchester, 9 Story Media Group employs nearly 700 creative and corporate staff.
About Boomerang
Boomerang was originally launched in the U.S. on April 1, 2000 as a television network and now is seen in over 144 million homes worldwide. Boomerang is Turner’s global 24-hour, all-animation network for kids and families dedicated to showcasing both timeless cartoons from the Cartoon Network, Warner Bros., Hanna-Barbera and MGM libraries, as well as exclusive acquisitions and original productions from around the world.
In April 2017, Turner and Warner Bros. partnered to launch Boomerang also as a standalone domestic premium video subscription service that would offer the massive Hanna-Barbera, Looney Tunes and MGM animation library of over 5,000 titles on a streaming platform. Boomerang provides audiences instant and exclusive access to both brand-new original series including Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, and timeless franchises like Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, The Jetsons and The Flintstones among many others.
Turner, a WarnerMedia company, is a global entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. These efforts are fueled by data-driven insights and industry-leading technology. Turner owns and operates some of the most valuable brands in the world, including Adult Swim, Bleacher Report, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, ELEAGUE, FilmStruck, Great Big Story, HLN, iStreamPlanet, Super Deluxe, TBS, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TNT, truTV and Turner Sports.
Warner Bros. Entertainment is a global leader in all forms of entertainment and their related businesses across all current and emerging media and platforms. A WarnerMedia company, the Studio stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry from feature film, television and home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to DVD and Blu-ray, digital production and distribution, animation, comic books, video games, product and brand licensing, and broadcasting.
About Garfield
GARFIELD was born on the comics pages on June 19, 1978. The creation of cartoonist Jim Davis, GARFIELD is a humorous strip centred on the lives of a quick-witted orange cat who loves lasagna, coffee, and his remote control; Jon Arbuckle, his owner; and Odie, a sweet but dumb dog. GARFIELD was introduced to the world in just 41 newspapers and is now the most widely syndicated comic strip ever, appearing in 2100 newspapers. The strip, distributed by Universal Press, is read by over 220 million people each day and is translated into 42 languages.
The success of the comic strip spawned an entertainment empire including television: Garfield and Friends, The Garfield Show, and a dozen primetime specials; movies: Garfield: The Movie and Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties; hundreds of best-selling books, and thousands of licensed products.
Garfield has long been considered an evergreen property because he has not only endured, but continues to be fresh and funny after 40 years in the limelight.
Follow Garfield, along with over 20 million other fans, on social networks (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Visit garfield.com, and Garfield’s free educational site, professorgarfield.org.
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Contacts:
Jennifer Ansley, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, 9 Story Media Group +1 416 530-9900 ext 230, jennifer.ansley@9story.com
Amy Pfister, Director, Communications, Boomerang, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Amy.Pfister@Turner.com
Alex Packey, Manager, Communications, Boomerang, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Alexandra.Packey@Turner.com