MTVNI Launches Kikoriki

CANNES/LONDON/MOSCOW: Among the properties MTV Networks International (MTVNI) is showcasing in Cannes is Kikoriki from Russia’s Riki Group. 

MTVNI is representing the series for TV and digital media across Central and Eastern Europe, excluding Russia, as well as the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific, outside of Greater China. As part of the deal, the show, known as Smeshariki in its native Russia, is set to air on Nickelodeon TV platforms in Russia and CIS, Central Europe and Africa starting this August.

Caroline Beaton, the senior VP of international program sales at MTVNI, said: “With its creative, kid-friendly messaging and playful characters and themes, Kikoriki is a perfect complement to our existing kids and family portfolio. We have already received interest from a number of partners and we look forward to introducing Kikoriki and the amazing world of Kikorikiland to viewers and third party broadcasters across the region very soon. I am also very pleased that Nickelodeon viewers in Russia and CIS, Central Europe and Africa will also have a chance to enjoy this hit TV series, which we are localising for audiences into Polish, Hungarian, Czech, Romanian and English.”

Ilya Popov, the general producer of the Riki Group, added: “We are very happy to be working with the great folks at MTV Networks International as part of Nickelodeon’s lineup. We are very proud of Kikoriki and the success of our show in Russia has been simply phenomenal. Now kids all over the world will have a chance to meet the Kikoriki crew. We think they’re going to get along great!”