Jim Henson Company Sells Fantasy, Sci-Fi Titles

HOLLYWOOD: The Jim Henson Company has confirmed a raft of international broadcast deals for its live-action fantasy features Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, as well as the science-fiction series Farscape.

The Dark Crystal has been licensed to Showtime, HD Net and Netflix in the U.S. Further deals for the all-puppet full-length movie include Spain’s SelectaVision, the public broadcaster Ceske Televis in the Czech Republic, the New Zealand pay-TV service Sky TV and Bolivia’s Red Uno.

Labyrinth also scored U.S. pickups, including from Showtime, HD Net and Netflix. Spain’s SelectaVision, New Zealand’s Sky TV, Russia’s TV-3 and MTV in Hungary also went for the fantasy film, which stars David Bowie. Additional agreements were wrapped up with HRT in Croatia, Viasat for Estonia and Latvia and Red Uno in Bolivia.

Farscape went to Netflix in the U.S., as well as AXN for Central Europe, RAI in Italy, Spain’s SelectaVision, Russia’s TV-3, Viasat in Estonia and Latvia and Seychelles Broadcasting. Also confirmed to air Farscape are FX in the U.K. and Digital Access Russia, which will add the series to its Internet and mobile SVOD offering.

“These properties have an incredible level of brand equity with consumers around the globe, which makes them valuable acquisitions for broadcasters everywhere,” said Richard Goldsmith, the company’s executive VP of global distribution. “The fan base for Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal and Farscape continues to grow with each new generation of young viewers embracing the amazing stories and engaging characters that comprise these films and series. Broadcast outlets and new media platforms alike are quick to recognize the relevancy and popularity of these ageless Henson titles and are serving the audience by providing the content on multiple platforms."