Entertainment Rights PLC
09 January 2006
FIVE COMMISSIONS NEW RUPERT BEAR(R) ANIMATION SERIES FROM ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS
Entertainment Rights Plc ('ER'), one of the UK's leading independent media
groups specialising in the ownership of children's and family programming,
characters and brands announces today that leading UK broadcaster, Five has
secured the UK broadcast rights to ER's brand new animated television series,
Rupert(R) and Friends. Five has commissioned ER to produce 52 x 10 minute
episodes of Rupert(R) and Friends to appear on Five from Autumn 2006.
This agreement follows ER's acquisition of the controlling rights to Rupert Bear
(R) from Express Newspapers ('Express') in October 2005. Under the terms of the
agreement, ER acquired worldwide in perpetuity all audio visual, licensing and
merchandising, publishing, live events and new media rights to Rupert Bear(R)
and the world of Nutwood.
The brand new series of Rupert(R) and Friends combines high quality stop frame
animation and innovative 3-D computer generated imagery (CGI) to produce a
completely fresh, contemporary and appealing Rupert(R) and Friends television
series for today's pre-schoolers.
Rupert(R) and Friends introduces pre-schoolers to a world of fun, excitement,
magic and adventure as the cast of characters experience the wonderful world of
Nutwood. The much loved and instantly recognisable Rupert(R), Bill Badger,
Edward Trunk and Raggety the Tree Elf are joined by enchanting new characters
including Ping Pong, Ming and Miranda the Mermaid who explore Nutwood and other
fantastical locations in their adventures together.
The Rupert Bear(R) brand lends itself to a whole range of new media and online
opportunities including interactive, music downloads, games and hand held
devices. ER will be implementing a full consumer products campaign, online
campaign and DVD release programme for Rupert Bear(R) with product rolling out
from 2007. The Rupert(R) and Friends animated series will be launched globally
by ER at international television market MIPCOM in October 2006.
Mike Heap, CEO, Entertainment Rights commented:
'We believe that Five is the perfect home for Rupert. Today's announcement
represents a significant programming commission from Five and demonstrates their
commitment to the Rupert Bear brand which will become a key part of their
children's schedule. ER has built an enviable reputation in securing commissions
with key UK broadcasters positioning ER as the leading independent supplier of
children's programming in the UK.'
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