KidsCo to Take FME Children’s Classics into Western Europe

LONDON: KidsCo has signed a deal to bring a number of classic children’s properties from the FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) catalogue to Western European audiences in Spain, Portugal, France and Germany.

Classic characters and series such as Count Duckula, DangerMouse, The Big Friendly Giant (BFG) and The Wind in the Willows will join the KidsCo programming portfolio in the region. The new programming will be available across KidsCo’s Western European platforms, including Spanish cable providers Ono, Orange and Imagenio. These shows will begin airing across Western Europe in early 2010.

Eileen McCarthy, the programming director at KidsCo, said: “With our existing content like Jass Time! and The Wiggles encouraging children to learn and be active—whether through arts and crafts or exercise—it’s important to offer a strong mix of fresh programming and staple classics. Children have enjoyed following characters like DangerMouse and Toad of Toad Hall for many years and these series and storylines are just as relevant and engaging for our European audiences today as they were for previous generations.”

Hendrik Van Daalen, the VP of sales for Spain, Portugal, France and Italy at FME, added: “As KidsCo continues its expansion across Europe, we are pleased to provide high-quality content for children of all ages and backgrounds. Such classic shows are a great complement to KidsCo’s programming and continue to prove popular around the globe.”