DQE Lines Up New Broadcasters for The Jungle Book

HYDERABAD: DQ Entertainment has signed broadcast agreements with Korea’s Education Broadcasting System (EBS) and Canada’s Tele-Quebec for the 3D animated series The Jungle Book.

EBS holds the exclusive free-TV rights for the 52×11-minute show in the Republic of Korea for three years. Tele-Quebec took the exclusive free-TV rights to air the series in French, under the title Le Livre de la Jungle, in the French-speaking Canadian regions.

DQE has secured broadcast deals in 160 countries in total, including the Disney multiplex channels, ZDF in Germany and for German-speaking Europe, TF1 for France and French-speaking Europe and Noga TV for Israel.

Tapaas Chakravarti, the chairman and CEO of DQE, said: "We are delighted to be working alongside two new and important strategic international partners to help further enhance the value of our Jungle Book franchise.

"EBS free TV in Korea and Tele-Quebec free TV in French-speaking Canada have extensive reach in their respective regions. This will add tremendous value to our Jungle Book 3D TV series and this enhanced visibility will fuel consumer products, licensing and merchandising, publishing as well as home video entertainment deals. Hence both these deals are of tremendous strategic importance for our group. We believe that we have chosen the right partners to bring this wonderful property to children in these regions."

Stanley Oh, the acquisitions executive at EBS Korea, commented: "We at EBS have kept our eyes on DQ Entertainment’s path to present glory. We respect very highly DQE’s strong presence in the animation industry worldwide and do not hesitate to share its passion and future as a business partner. The Jungle Book shall be the first cornerstone on which a more stable relationship can be established. This program is fulfilling the precious educational standards and virtues EBS has cherished along with a superb story line and fabulous animation."

Lucie Leger, the director of children and family programs, Tele-Quebec Canada, added, "Tele-Quebec has acquired The Jungle Book because we really liked this lovely animated series, inspired by the classical stories from Rudyard Kipling. The Jungle Book is beautifully drawn and also provides a rich, colorful and funny content."