9 Story to Co-Produce & Distribute Arthur

TORONTO: The 16th season of the kids’ animated series Arthur is in production in a co-venture between 9 Story Entertainment and WGBH Boston.

This is 9 Story’s third collaboration with WGBH. 9 Story will digitally animate Arthur and also handle the series international distribution. The new season is set to premiere in the U.S. in fall 2012 on PBS KIDS GO!. Arthur originally debuted 15 years ago on PBS.

Arthur is based on the best-selling books by Marc Brown and features an 8-year-old aardvark and his family and friends. The series has aired in 83 countries and is one of the longest-running kids’ animated series in the U.S.

“We are very proud to again partner with WGBH, the originators of Arthur, to both shepherd a refreshed production of this remarkable series and bring it to a new generation of children around the world,” said Vince Commisso, the president and CEO of 9 Story Entertainment. “We were thrilled with the opportunity to work on Peep and the Big Wide World and Postcards from Buster, and look forward to bringing the same enthusiasm and commitment to Arthur.”

“We are delighted to expand our work with Vince Commisso and the 9 Story team to include Arthur,” said Carol Greenwald, the senior executive producer at WGBH. “As we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary, we are looking ahead at new and exciting ways to continue the Arthur legacy that will resonate with our existing viewers as well as our new audiences.”