HD Channel Acquires New Kids' Series LIFEBOAT LUKE
Season Two of JUNGLE BEAT and Half-Hour Special,
ANNA AND THE MOODS
New York, NY – January 22, 2008 – Animania HD, the channel solely dedicated to high-definition animation, announced today it has acquired three new kids' series from Monster Distributes. Leading the line-up of all-new animated content is the adventure series from Ireland, LIFEBOAT LUKE, which targets pre-school children and is slated to premiere in July 2008. The acquisition deal for 52 five-minute episodes comes on the heels of LIFEBOAT LUKE's launch and screening at MIPCOM Junior in October 2007. In addition, Animania HD acquired a second season of JUNGLE BEAT, the dialogue-free, CGI animated series from Africa, as well as the half-hour special from Iceland, ANNA AND THE MOODS, which features the voices of Bjork, Damon Albarn, and Terry Jones, among others. Animania HD is part of the VOOM HD Networks, the world's largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels.
Today's acquisition announcement further broadens Animania HD's library of quality high-definition animated content, and reaffirms VOOM's commitment to investing in key HD acquisitions, as the channel recently premiered three other acquired series, ANIMALIA, THE GLOOPS and COSMIC QUANTUM RAY, in November.
"Animania HD is committed to showcasing innovative animation from around the world, and we are thrilled to work with Monster Distributes to bring our viewers an exciting new line-up of quality kids programming," said Keith O'Connell, Vice President of Programming for VOOM HD's Film and Series Services. "Watching these three new series in true HD will bring a new authenticity and real cinematic feel to the viewing experience."
Descriptions of the three series follow:
LIFEBOAT LIKE (52 five-minute episodes) – Premieres July 2008
A search and rescue adventure series, LIFEBOAT LUKE is for kids aged 3-6-years-old. The series features "Lifeboat Luke" and his friends in the mad, magical seaside town of Donaghadoo. With a quirky, colorful cast of boats, animals, cars, kids and townsfolk, stories are told through narration, sound effects and music and are easily re-versioned for different languages. LIFEBOAT LUKE was commissioned by RTE and produced by Northern Ireland-based LTL Productions. The series marks the first production for this age group from director Alastair McIlwain and producer Richard Morss since their award-winning and highly successful 2001 series Tiny Planets.
JUNGLE BEAT – Season 2 (13 five-minute episodes)
A fun and quirky CGI animated series, JUNGLE BEAT is the first animation series from Zimbabwe and has already won several international awards. The series is dialogue-free and suitable for all ages. From Sunrise Productions, JUNGLE BEAT features a cast of animals – Monkey, Frog, Tortoise, Giraffe and more – in bizarre situations, with hilarious results.
ANNA & THE MOODS (30-minute special)
ANNA & THE MOODS is written by Academy Award-nominated Icelandic writer Sjón and scored by Julian Nott, composer of Wallace and Gromit. The special tells the delightful story of Anna and her family and how one day they wake up to a frightful reality…Anna has become a teenager! Anna's parents decide to take her to Dr. Artmanns' clinic for kids with behavioral problems. In his analysis of Anna, Dr. Artmann places Anna in a huge labyrinth and her only means for escape is for her to accomplish a series of tasks. Dr. Artmann comes to a conclusion, and the 'cure' that follows is a surprise for her parents. Gunnar Karlsson directs, designs and creates the characters and the film is produced by Hilmar Sigurdsson and Arnar Thorisson of CAOZ in Reykjavik.
About VOOM HD Networks
The VOOM HD networks (www.voom.com) comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition channels for distribution through satellite and cable operators. Produced exclusively in true high-definition and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound, VOOM HD networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. The VOOM HD networks' 15 HDTV channels are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network and Cablevision's iO digital cable service. A 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available internationally and is currently distributed in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Select VOOM HD programming is also available worldwide and has been licensed for exhibition in more than 150 countries. Building on Rainbow Media Holdings LLC's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed by Rainbow to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.
About Monster Distributes
Monster Distributes is an international television distribution company which finances and distributes television programmes worldwide. It has sold programmes to more than 200 countries. The corporate mission is to build a number of strong international television brands – for each programme it takes on for distribution, it works towards building it into a brand, across TV, video, multimedia, internet etc. and try to ensure that it becomes, where, appropriate, a long-running programme. The company started in children's programming, but has since added music, documentaries, features, and adult comedy shorts. Monster's catalogue is small but contains high quality, high-profile programming including Oscar and Emmy-winning animation and is building rapidly. Monster Distributes has offices in Dublin and attends about 10 markets a year including NATPE, MIP TV, MIPCOM, DISCOP, Annecy and airline programming markets.