ABC3 Preps New Season of Prank Patrol

CANNES: ABC3 in Australia and activeTV are developing 39 new half-hour episodes of Prank Patrol, based on Apartment 11 Productions’ Canadian series of the same name distributed by MarVista Entertainment.

The new episodes are due to begin production in later this year. The Australian version of Prank Patrol premiered on ABC3 in December and was repeated on ABC1 in March. “We are delighted with the success of activeTV’s production of Prank Patrol,” commented Tim Brook-Hunt, the executive head of children’s television for ABC TV. “The show was a ratings winner from day one and its audience continues to grow.”

activeTV acquired the Australian rights to Prank Patrol in October 2008 from MarVista Entertainment, the series’ exclusive worldwide distributor, which debuted the first season of the Australian version this week at MIPTV. “Prank Patrol has performed exceptionally well for MarVista and we have no doubt that Prank Patrol Australia will keep the momentum going,” stated Fernando Szew, the CEO of MarVista Entertainment. “We are presenting this latest installment of the Prank Patrol franchise to our broadcast partners this week at MIP and anticipate continued success as the brand continues its global expansion.”