12.06.02
Ace
Lightning Goes International
BBC Worldwide secures raft of overseas TV sales
BBC
Worldwide has concluded a wide range of key international TV sales
deals for its latest pre-teen property Ace Lightning.
Showcased
at the MipTV 2002 international television program market, Ace Lightning
(26 x 24 mins) has been licensed to: ABC Australia, TVNZ New Zealand,
Disney and France 2 in France, KTV South Africa, IVM Indonesia and
TV12 Singapore, with more deals in major territories currently in
discussion.
In
addition, the series' co-producer, Alliance Atlantis Communications
Inc. has secured a deal with CBC for Canadian audiences. Ace Lightning
premiers on BBC & CBBC in September 2002 and transmits in Australia,
Portugal and South Africa in early 2003.
Ace Lightning uses a unique combination of cutting-edge computer-generated
imagery and live-action and follows the adventures of 13 year-old
Mark Hollander and his super-hero friend, Ace Lightning, as they
battle to defeat evil Lord Fear and his Evil Five. Produced by Rick
Siggelkow (Shining Time Station) Ace Lightning is an AAC KIDS
co-production with BBC and BBC Worldwide.
Mark Johnstone, Director of Children's and Learning, BBC Worldwide
said, "The international interest in Ace Lightning is extremely
positive and we are looking forward to working with our global partners
to launch the series successfully in each territory."
In
the UK, Ace Lightning's licensing activity is in development, with
publishing, merchandise and multimedia products expected to be available
towards the end of 2002. Master toy licensee Logistix Kids is developing
a range of action figures based on the series' CGI characters.
Notes
to Editors:
Ace Lightning is a BBC and AAC KIDS co-production. BBC Worldwide
holds all worldwide rights to the series (including publishing,
merchandising and licensing) excluding North America where AAC KIDS
holds television distribution and video game rights.
BBC
Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm, and a wholly owned
subsidiary, of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company
was formed in 1994 to develop a coordinated approach to the BBC's
commercial activities: television, publishing, product licensing,
Internet and interactive. BBC Worldwide exists to maximize the value
of the BBC's programme and publishing assets for the benefit of
the UK licence payer, and re-invest in public service programming.
AAC
KIDSTM focuses on the development, financing, production, distribution
and marketing of both live-action and animated children's programming
from around the world. Catering to kids ranging from pre-school
through to teenagers, shows bearing the AAC KIDSTM' name are eclectic,
interesting and above all fun. AAC KIDSTM is the children's label
of ALLIANCE ATLANTIS COMMUNICATIONS INC.
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