Entertainment Rights Secures New BBC Commission for Postman Pat

LONDON, July 2: The BBC has secured the broadcast rights to
Entertainment Rights’ new Postman Pat series,
which is due to air on the CBeebies
channels and the CBeebies block on BBC Two in late 2008.

Postman Pat has been
sold into 158 territories to date. The series will make its U.S.
debut on qubo—NBC’s
Saturday morning block—this October. The new 26×15-minute show features a refreshed look for its preschool audience,
with Postman Pat promoted to a new job as the head of special delivery service
(SDS).

Postman Pat is one of
the top-rated preschool shows airing on the BBC. Pat appeared at Buckingham
Palace as part of the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations last summer
and has made regular appearances on CBeebies Live. Postman
Pat’s interactive website
www.postmanpat.com, which launched in the fall of 2006, has already received
more than 3.5 million hits.

Jane Smith, the chief commercial and creative director of
Entertainment Rights, commented: “We are delighted that the BBC has licensed
our brand new Postman Pat show. With
over 25 years history, we are now taking the much loved and well known
characters of Postman Pat into a dynamic new environment whilst
maintaining the brands essential integrity. The newly evolved Postman Pat will continue to deliver sustainable
benefits to our shareholders for many years to come.”