Publishing Deal on S4C’s Hana’s Helpline

LONDON, February 13: Random House Children’s Books has
acquired the worldwide publishing rights to S4C’s preschool animation Hana’s
Helpline, with the first books from the
series launching in the spring.

The deal with S4C International includes all English rights
for a range of publications, including cover story books, activity books,
sticker books, annuals and jigsaw books. Random House Children’s Books also
acquired some translation rights for the series for publishing co-editions
abroad. S4C retains the Welsh-language publishing rights for the series, which
launches in April on S4C in Welsh under the title Holi Hana.

A co-production between S4C, Calon, Five’s Milkshake! and ZDF, Hana’s Helpline, is a 26×10-minute stop-motion animation series that
features a duck named Hana who helps young animals solve a range of problems
with humor and sound advice. Hana’s Helpline will air later in 2007 on Five’s Milkshake. It has already been sold to broadcasters in France,
Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Belgium, Singapore, Hong
Kong, South Korea and Scotland.

A toy license for Hana’s Helpline has been granted to Golden Bear, which will roll out
a range of products based on the series. DVD distribution rights for the series
have also been granted in a separate deal to 2-Entertain.