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Noddy Returns to American TelevisionNoddy is to return to American television screens next year after helping owner Chorion more than double pre-tax profits to £1.1m in the first half of this year.
The company, chaired by Lord Alli, announced yesterday that it had reached agreement with PBS Kids, which provides children's programming for 349 public television stations in the US.
Nicholas James, chief executive, said the deal represents five-years' work. Make Way for Noddy will be broadcast in a year's time following extensive market research in the US. "These things take time but if you get it right, it pays off," he said yesterday.
Two 10-minute episodes already shown in the UK will appear in the US with specially created educational slots and a live presenter in order to fulfil the US broadcaster's demand for a 30-minute slot.
There will be no need to dub the programme as it was originally produced in Los Angeles using Canadian voices.
Although PBS, and its sister digital channel, will pay nothing for the programming, Chorion is expected to capitalise from merchandising and distribution deals.
Mr James called the tie-up a "landmark deal". The company is expected to announce a partnership with a distributor of DVDs and videos in the next few weeks. It then hopes to sign a publishing deal by Christmas to produce books for the US market.
more: www.guardian.co.uk/business/story... (121)
September 9, 2004 | Viewed 21,056 time(s)
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