DQ Entertainment, a leading animation, gaming, entertainment production and distribution company, is pleased to announce that its attendance at 2013 Cannes MIPTV Conference was very successful, and as with recent years, several new co-production partnership agreements were signed along with several new licensing and broadcast partnership agreements were signed.
ZDF Enterprises embark on The Jungle Book Safari with DQE
ZDF Enterprises(ZDFE), the leading Germany-based programming distributor, licensor and producer joins hands with DQ Entertainment International, the well-known animation and gaming entertainment content producer and distributor, for a new innovative high definition television series titled ‘The Jungle Book Safari’.
Season 1 of the 26×12 minute episode series is a combination of animation and live action which will have the famous animated characters from The Jungle Book TV Series, Mowgli – the man cub, Baloo – the bear and all his friends, who will host the episodes to introduce various species of live action animals to kids and families in an enjoyable ‘edutainment’ format. Aimed at children in the age group of 6-10 years, the series will feature short fun facts and surprising information on the animal world bringing in educational and entertainment value to this unique show. Live action documentary footage of the animals in short, non-fiction parts will be combined with animated sequences from the Jungle Book.
Arne Lohmann, Vice President, ZDFE.junior at ZDF Enterprises said: „This new series will entertain and educate at the same time. Even adults will learn new things about wild life and will love to watch that programme with their kids. It will be as much fun as the animated series. We are happy to coproduce again with DQ Entertainment.“
Tapaas Chakravarti, CEO of DQE Group added: “This is a unique and creative format combining animation and live action. I am sure it will be great success with the children viewing it, providing them education and entertainment both rolled into one! We hope to continue our association with ZDFE by producing similar exceptional content for global audiences”.
Strategic partnership with Rollman Entertainment
DQ Entertainment International and Rollman Entertainment, Inc. USA (REI), a kid and family targeted production, consulting and brand management company announced a strategic partnership agreement with for the development, production, distribution, licensing and merchandising of animated and live action TV series, feature films and new media content targeted for the global marketplace.
REI is led by Eric S. Rollman, a veteran of the industry, with a proven track record as former President of Fox Family Productions, Saban Productions and Marvel Animation. DQ Entertainment International has established itself as a leading animated content partner by co-producing the animated TV series for iconic brands such as Iron Man Armored Adventures, LittleNicolas, Little Prince and The Jungle Book.
REI and DQE currently work together on NFL Rush Zone, the top rated animated TV series currently airing on Nicktoons USA, Iesodo, an original animated series targeting the CBA market and The Jungle Book, theatrical animated feature, executive produced by Eric Rollman, now in preproduction.
The companies are targeting five television series through 2016 with budgets totalling US$35,000,000 and a slate of animated features.
Tapaas Chakravarti, CEO of DQE Group mentioned, “DQ Entertainment and Rollman Entertainment will be able to leverage their respective strengths in creative production and distribution in the USA and Europe to co-develop and co-produce high quality children’s content. We are currently exploring several such productions together.”
Eric S. Rollman, the CEO of Rollman Entertainment, Inc. adds, “Tapaas and I are fortunate to have found a deep trust and respect for each other personally and professionally. Formalizing this alignment will strengthen both our positions in producing a world-class portfolio of animated and live action content for global markets by bringing our unique and shared experiences to an ever changing landscape.”
DQE properties to entertain Nick viewers
DQE has also signed an exclusive broadcasting agreement with Nick India for three of it’s animated TV series. These are -DQE’s flagship property The Jungle Bookin CGI – 2 seasons ,Galactik Footballan inter-galactic soccer saga in 2D and an enthralling cricket themed series – Suraj The Rising Star, which also airs onViacom 18’s Colors channel.
Nick India has obtained the broadcast rights for these properties for telecast in the Indian Subcontinent. Nick is India’s leading kids entertainment network and a part of Viacom18 reaching over 50 million households in the country. It is a 24-hour pay channel in Hindi, with the option of English, Tamil and Telugu audio feed on DTH. These DQE series are aimed at audiences of ages 6 – 12 years.
Tapaas Chakravarti, Chairman and CEO of DQE group “We are delighted that Nick will play host to our favourite production The Jungle Book and have Mowgli, Baloo and all their friends entertain their young viewers! This strategic collaboration is in line with our objective of producing first class content for Indian and global audiences.The prospect of these high quality showsreaching millions of homes across the region through Nick is very exciting indeed.”
Nina Elavia Jaipuria, EVP & Business Head, Kids Cluster,Viacom18said “We are delighted to announce our exclusive strategic association with DQE and bring 3 animated series – The Jungle Book, Galactik Football &Suraj the Super Hero to our young audiences at Nick. These shows will engage and entertain kids and their parents alike. At Nick we believe in providing world class content that resonates with kids. We are sure that these wonderful and varied shows will strike the right chord with kids”.
De Agostini, Italy onboard Peter Pan-season 1 TV series with DQE
DQE has signed an agreement with DeA Italy for its new stereoscopic TV series “The New Adventures of Peter Pan”. DeA Kids is an Italian children’s television channel owned by De Agostini.
Method Animation, France is the other co-producer for this high definition CGI animated television series, being produced at a multi-million Euro global budget by DQE. As per this agreement DeA will have broadcast, video and licensing & merchandising rights for Italy and Italian speaking Europe.
The series has also been acquired, through DeA, for broadcast by Sky Italia in Italian speaking Europe while the free TV network RAI Television will also air this property in the same region.
Sky Italia is the leading pay-tv platform in Italy, reaching almost 5 million subscribers and offers about 190 channels, including movies, sports, news, entertainment and programs for children through satellite and mobile distribution.
RAI is Italy’s biggest broadcaster which operates a large number of television channels and radio stations (15 television and 7 radio channels nationwide) from several satellite and IPTV platforms.
Tapaas Chakravarti, CEO & Chairman DQE: “We are delighted with the faith and confidence reposed by De Agostini , Italy by joining us on this journey to bring an iconic property like Peter Pan to life for 21st century kids. The Italian market is one of the biggest consumers of animation content in the EU region and DEA is one of the leaders in entertainment for these regions. Together with DEA we will bring this wonderful show to our young audiences in Italy to experience the audio-visual delight showcasing the new adventures of Peter Pan.”
Other deals concluded at MIPTV:
An agreement with Noga Communications Ltd., Israel’s leading independent television content provider for broadcast rights to 3 of DQE’s properties – The Jungle Book season 2 TV series and The Jungle Book TV special, Robin Hood and 5 & IT.
An agreement with Work Point, Thailand for the second season of The Jungle Book TV series, and The Jungle Book Safari.Work Point has acquired Free TV and Home Video rights of these properties from DQE.
An agreement with RTM(Escalada), Malaysia who have licensed the free TV rights of the first season of The Jungle Book TV series from DQE.