KI.KA Enters Co-Pro Deal for New Preschool Show

SYDNEY: SLR Productions has firmed up a co-production deal with German children’s channel KI.KA for the preschool series Guess How Much I Love You: The Adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare.

The 52×11-minute series is the first adaptation of the bestselling classic Guess How Much I Love You. The picture book, written by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram and published by Walker Books, has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide. Also on board is one of KI.KA’s parent companies, HR-Hessischer Rundfunk of ARD.

Executive producer Suzanne Ryan said, “It is with much pleasure that we are working again with KI.KA & ARD’s affiliate HR (Hessischer Rundfunk from Frankfurt). Our creative team are honoured to be bringing to life the animated version of the Nutbrown Hares and their friends. We know the show will have a special place in the homes of German and Australian children as well as the world over. We share the same vision and passion for the series which comes with tremendous support from KI.KA and ARD’s HR.”

Sebastian Debertin, the head of fiction acquisitions and co-productions, added, “We are more than delighted to have teamed up with award-winning producer Suzanne Ryan again on this unique property! It is stunning to see what a wonderful and charming Guess How Much I Love You world SLR and its development team, the scriptwriters and the editorial team here at KI.KA have created together, based on this fantastic and outstanding book by McBratney & Jeram! In German speaking territories there is a huge fan-base. One is obviously kids and on top of that, an additional fan base of adults who like to give the book as a gift on Valentine’s Day and similar occasions. So we are sure we are co-producing a new hit and classic for broadcast on KI.KA and later, on ARD, for kids and adults too.”