Dive Olly Dive! Makes U.S. High-Definition
Premiere December 2nd
Network Renewal for Season 2 of Pet Alien
Premiering December 1st
Both Series Produced Exclusively in High-Definition for Animania HD
New York, NY – October 30, 2006 – VOOM HD Networks' Animania HD, a channel solely dedicated to animation where cartoon worlds take on astonishing depth and detail, announced today licensing deals for the animated series Dive Olly Dive! and the Emmy-nominated Pet Alien from Taffy Entertainment, LLC., the worldwide brand management and distribution company. Both series were produced in high-definition for Animania HD, reinforcing the network's commitment to actively work with producers and distributors to produce animation in the HD medium. Animania HD is part of the VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high-definition channels nationwide and currently available on DISH Network.
"Animania HD is the only channel actively working to give kids a truly cinematic viewing experience by airing animation in HD," said Keith O'Connell, Vice President of Programming for Animania HD. "Animania HD remains committed to showcasing quality and ground-breaking animation from around the globe, contributing to our ever-increasing library of high-definition programming."
Following is additional information on Animania HD's two new original series:
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Dive Olly Dive! (computer graphics animation; 26 episodes; 1/2 hour)
Dive Olly Dive! Follows the fun-filled underwater escapades of Olly and Beth, two young, research-submarines-in-training. The two live in a deep-sea research center referred to as SURF– the Special Underwater Research Facility, where they experience the joys and challenges of life in their underwater world, much in the same way that preschoolers experience life in their world. -
Pet Alien (computer graphics animation; 26 episodes; 1/2 hour)
Pet Alien is a screwball non sequitur character comedy with a strong spine of physical gags a la Tex Avery's Looney Tunes. Much of the humor is also derived from looking at a 12 year-old's life and relationships through alien eyes, specifically the eyes of Dinko, Gumpers, Flip, Swanky and Scruffy. These unique characters take up residence with 12-year-old Earth boy Tommy Cadle. Realizing that Tommy is a bit of an underdog, the aliens try to "help" him in every aspect of his complicated pre-adolescent Earth life and in the process, turn his existence inside out and upside down.
Dive Olly Dive! is a co-production of Mike Young Productions Limited (MYP), Flying Bark Productions of Australia, KI.KA, ARD of Germany, Telegael of Ireland and GDC. Created by Andrew and Ian Ross, it is produced with the support of the MEDIA Plus Programme of the European Community. Pet Alien is produced by Mike Young Productions, LLC, in conjunction with Moonscoop, Telegael, KI.KA, ARD and Europool in Germany. The series is based on a property created by Jeff Muncy of John Doze Studios and is directed by Andrew Young.
Since its launch, Animania HD has introduced a variety of high-definition animated series including PIC ME, an award-winning interactive animated series where a child literally stars in his/her own cartoon and Mr Bean, The Animated Series, a new animated series with distinct vocal sounds of Bean provided by Rowan Atkinson, the star of UK TV's first broadcast of "Mr. Bean" in 1990. This new announcement for Animania HD confirms VOOM's commitment to growing and to investing in the brand's aggressive move into the marketplace.
About VOOM HD
VOOM HD Networks is the largest suite of high-definition channels available anywhere, produced exclusively in high definition for distribution in the United States through satellite and cable operators. The VOOM HD Networks carry programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art. Today, the VOOM HD Networks are available nationally on Echostar's DISH Network. The VOOM HD Networks were developed by Rainbow Media to meet the growing demand for quality high-definition programming, building on Rainbow Media's history of original programming innovation.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country's most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and two FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.
About Taffy Entertainment
Taffy Entertainment (www.taffyentertainment.com) is the worldwide distribution, brand management and entertainment company representing brands from global animation producers, including Mike Young Productions and its French parent company, MoonScoop, as well as select properties from third parties. Taffy's library includes ToddWorld, Growing Up Creepie, Mix Master, Fantastic Four and Code Lyoko, among many others. With offices in Paris, Los Angeles, London and Wales, the company has fully-integrated production, distribution and licensing facilities, as well as a library that includes over 3,000 half hours of animation, encompassing some of the leading worldwide brands and best-loved animated creations in the global television market.