MGM, Cartoon Network Team for Pink Panther Series

LOS ANGELES, October 11: Cartoon Network channels across the
globe will premiere a new 26-episode series featuring MGM’s iconic Pink Panther
in the fall of 2009.

Turner Broadcasting and MGM announced late yesterday that they
are teaming for the new show, Pink Panther & Pals. The series is being produced with Rubicon, a
Jordan-based animation, edutainment and multimedia company. Production is
currently taking place in both Los Angeles and Amman.

Pink Panther & Pals
features the much-loved character as a teenager with cast of rambunctious
friends. Favorite characters from the original series, such as Ant and
Aardvark, and new characters Hoarse and Dog, join the Pink Panther in his daily
adventures. In every episode the Pink Panther will interact with his pompous
and problematic arch-nemesis Big Nose. The musical score and comedy themes will
be reprised from the original Pink Panther theatrical shorts and TV series.

“The Pink Panther character is iconic and instantly recognized
around the globe,” said Gary Marenzi, the co-president of MGM Worldwide
Television. “In addition to Cartoon Network’s interest in the series,
international buyers have been especially eager for us to produce another Pink
Panther series and we are happy to partner
with Rubicon on meeting the worldwide demand with this new series.”

MGM plans to support the new show with a dedicated licensing
and merchandising campaign, with licensed apparel, stationery and back to
school, toys, publishing and interactive games. The retail launch of is slated
for late 2009.

—By Mansha Daswani