SHAUN THE SHEEP EXPANDS HIS INTERNATIONAL FLOCK

Aardman pens raft of TV and licensing deals for hit show

Bristol, 8 February 2008. Aardman Animations’ hit children’s brand Shaun the Sheep continues to expand its international presence, securing a raft of new TV and licensing deals worldwide.

Since its launch at MIPCOM 06, Shaun the Sheep has racked up television sales and licensing deals in over 150 territories and has won several prestigious accolades including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival 2007 and, the Audience Choice Award at the World Comedy Film Festival 2007 and winner of the Age 5-10 Audience and Parent’s Choice Awards at the New York International Film Festival 2007.

Aardman International’s latest global deals include a broadcast deal with Teletoon Canada and a video and licensing deal in the US and Canada with Hit Entertainment.

TV rights have been secured by RAI in Italy, RTE in Eire, RUV in Iceland, RTV in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fox TV in Serbia, Slovak TV in Slovakia, LRT in Lithuania, TV3 in Latvia, RTV in Slovenia, MBC 3 and Emirates Cable TV in the Middle East, RTP2 in Portugal and EBS Korea.

Video rights have also been picked up in Korea by KBS Media, in Poland by Media Way and LNK in Portugal. Elsewhere video rights deals have been signed with Concorde in Germany, CNR/Tabtoo in the Netherlands and Grand Entertainment in Croatia. Merchandise and promotional rights have secured by Biplano Licensing for Spain and Portugal.

Alix Wiseman, Head of Sales at Aardman International says: “There seems to be no stopping Shaun on his international road trip. We continue to be overwhelmed by the response to Shaun the Sheep and are delighted to be working with major broadcast and licensing partners to bring the series and merchandising to audiences worldwide. Shaun is proving to be a hugely successful global brand.”

The 40 x 7-minute stop-motion animated series commissioned by CBBC in the UK and directed by Richard Goleszowski features the star of Oscar-winning Wallace and Gromit short A Close Shave.

Click here to visit the official Shaun the Sheep website!