9 Story Media Group has appointed Germany’s Super RTL to represent merchandising across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for Peg + Cat, the four-time Emmy-winning animated series for preschoolers co-produced by The Fred Rogers Company and 9 Story Media Group.
Super RTL, which has been airing the popular series since August 2014, is planning a full range of hard and soft lines for the brand and has already signed its first home entertainment deal. Sony Music Entertainment Germany is slated to launch Peg +Cat on DVD in the territory later this fall.
HiHat Media was recently appointed as the U.S. agent for the property, while 9 Story manages licensing for the brand internationally. A book series from Candlewick Press is on its way in the U.S. market this fall, with the debut title, Peg + Cat, The Race Car Problem. PBS Distribution launched a line of DVDs in the US in 2014 with three new releases planned for this year. Internationally, home entertainment partners include eOne in Canada and ABC Commercial in Australia. More Peg + Cat licensees will be announced soon.
In addition to its most recent Emmy Award this year for “Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program,” the series has been honored with Emmys for ‘Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Animated Program’, ‘Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program’ and ‘Outstanding Individual Achievement in Production Design’. Peg + Cat has also earned four Kidscreen awards as well as a Parents’ Choice Gold Award, and the Peg + Cat Big Gig App has earned a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor.
With relatable and funny adventures filled with upbeat music, the series has garnered a large and growing audience across broadcast and digital platforms. One of the top five kids shows across all major kids networks for the 2-5-year-old set* and in the top 10 among moms with kids under 3*, Peg + Cat attracts more than 7 million viewers each month. The series, which has proven to be a solid performer across all platforms where it is available, also draws upwards of 20 million video streams per month.* (*Kidranker, February 2015)
The series is performing equally well beyond the TV screen. Peg + Cat’s “Really Big Album” ranked in the top 10 among children’s music on iTunes in its debut week, and the brand’s “Big Gig App” was #1 in education apps for kids in its first week.
The series follows the adorable spirited, Peg, and her sidekick, Cat, as they encounter unexpected problems that require fun and creative solutions. In order to solve the problems, Peg and Cat must add, subtract and apply basic arithmetic. Their adventures take them to historical far-away lands, art centers in bustling metropolises and the colorful cosmos, all the while demonstrating that it’s never too early to start learning the magic of numbers.
Peg + Cat is co-created and executive produced by Jennifer Oxley (Little Bill, The Wonder Pets!) and Billy Aronson (Rent, Postcards from Buster) and co-produced by The Fred Rogers Company and 9 Story Media Group for PBS KIDS. Kevin Morrison of The Fred Rogers Company and Vince Commisso of 9 Story also serve as executive producers. 9 Story, which also handles international distribution, has secured distribution in 180 countries.
